What is xiaomi mi power bank. Which Xiaomi Power Bank is better: comparison of models

External batteries from Xiaomi are very popular, which is due not only to their affordable cost, but also to their excellent performance characteristics. The brand's assortment includes many models of Xiaomi power banks, each of which is good in its own way. Which is better to choose? We will talk about this in our article dedicated to the products of this company.

Xiaomi Power Bank 5000

The most modest in size is the 5000 mAh modification, since its dimensions are 125x68x9.9 mm. For the manufacture of the case, anodized aluminum was chosen, thanks to which the engineers managed to reduce the weight of the gadget as much as possible, bringing it to 152 grams. At the same time, the device is able to withstand heavy loads: for example, it retains its performance properties even if an object weighing up to 50 kilograms is placed on it.

A pleasant bonus is the ergonomic shape of the device, in which there is not a single sharp corner, since they are all rounded as much as possible. To prevent the possibility of slipping, the surface has a rough texture, so you can comfortably use Xiaomi power banks without fear of them falling out of your hands.

Users will appreciate the fact that all technological connectors are located on the same edge. There are microUSB and USB A ports here. A special button is responsible for turning it on/off, the action of which is tight enough to eliminate the possibility of accidental pressing. For the convenience of owners, there are also four LED indicators indicating the amount of energy. Within 3.5 hours, the battery charge will be brought to maximum when connected to a standard electrical outlet.

External battery Xiaomi 5200

This option is practically no different from the previous model, since its dimensions are almost identical (91x55x21.9 mm, 155 g). The same high-strength anodized aluminum was chosen for the case; there is a nine-level protection system against overheating, short circuits and other problems. Flow charging is also supported, due to which you can simultaneously charge both the product itself and the gadget connected to it (smartphone, tablet, etc.).

Due to the increased capacity, which is equal to 5200 mAh, the time to replenish its charge increases - up to five and a half hours. It is perfect for working with devices from all manufacturers, because it is equipped with standard USB and microUSB connectors.

Xiaomi Power Bank 10000

It implements modern energy-saving technologies, which significantly increases the charge transfer coefficient. It now stands at an impressive 93 percent. The presence of an innovative microcircuit ensures that no surges or voltages will have a negative impact on the device and will not damage it.

For the manufacture of the case, a solid aluminum sheet is used, the strength and durability of which is due to a special production technology. It is not subject to corrosion, chips or scratches, and its shade remains intense throughout its entire service life.

Despite the impressive capacity parameters, the product is compact: 60.4 x 90 x 22 mm, and weighs only 207 g. The number and types of connectors are standard. The charging time from the mains is 6 hours.

Xiaomi Power Bank 10400

This variation is suitable for those who are not afraid of the solid dimensions of a power bank. Weighing 250 grams. The parameters of the gadget are 77x90.5x21.6 mm, which is quite a lot. It has everything that is in the options we previously considered, including the necessary technological ports and protection systems from the negative influence of the external environment. According to the manufacturer, the device can withstand over 5,000 charge cycles. The only downside is that you have to wait a long time until its capacity reaches 100% - this will take about 10 hours.

External battery Xiaomi 16000

Habitually smooth lines, a pleasant-to-touch metal body with a slight roughness, ergonomic shape - the modification is worthy of the highest praise in terms of design. The technical characteristics of the device, which is equipped with two USB connectors, look just as attractive.

If you connect a device to only one of them, then each will produce a current of 2.1 Amperes. When two gadgets are connected simultaneously, its power will drop to 1.5 A. Please note that the model can automatically determine what current is needed to charge a particular device, so the user does not have to install drivers and select the necessary settings on his own.

Capacity indicators of 16000 mAh will be achieved 9 hours after being plugged into the network. As for the configuration, the device weighs 350 grams, but the other parameters are quite small - 14.5x6.4x2.2 cm.

Powerbank Xiaomi 20000

Which Xiaomi Power Bank should you choose if you need the maximum number of recharges? Of course, the 20,000 mAh option. Don't worry about its dimensions (14.2 x 7.3 x 2.18 cm), because well-thought-out ergonomics ensure comfortable use of the device. In order to reduce weight, the brand's engineers decided to use plastic.

There are also two USB outputs supporting 5 V/2.1 A or 5 V/3.6 A, and microUSB can function using Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 technology. The advantage of fast charging is that the charging period is reduced to 6 hours.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

This subtype is presented in two options - 10,000 and 20,000 mAh. They differ from the first versions in the updated filling, the ability to recharge at a maximum current of 2.4 A and the cable being extended by half - now its length is 30 centimeters.

How are they different from each other? First of all, the dimensions: 7.5 x 12.8 x 1.3 cm versus 13.55 x 6.76 x 2.39 cm. To reduce weight, the 20,000 mAh version uses plastic, and the 10,000 mAh model uses the same anodized aluminum, the impact resistance of which has been confirmed by numerous serious tests. The presence of fast charging in both gadgets significantly speeds up the process of replenishing their capacity - from 3.5 to 6 hours, depending on the variation. And, of course, it is possible to connect two devices simultaneously.

Pro version

ZMI QB805

One of the most compact devices in the line of Xiaomi power banks, because its dimensions reach only 124x69x9 mm. The plastic “shell” made it possible to reduce the weight characteristics, bringing them to a record 120 grams. The maximum current parameters are 2A, and the voltage can be 5V, 9V and 12V. Naturally, Quick Charge is supported.

ZMI QB810

The capacitance indicator is twice as high as that of the previous model in our review. In view of this, the thickness has increased to 13 mm, the height to 128, and the width to 69. The owner has access to such voltage and current characteristics as 5V/2A, 9V/1.6A, 12V/1.2A, along with support for replenishing the batteries of low-current devices .

ZMI PB810

Another representative of devices in a plastic case. The external battery voltage per 10000 is 3.7 V, and the APP application is used to control its operation. With its help, you can find out the current state of the battery, what exactly is connected, how much is left until the end of the charging process, etc. The product is enclosed in impact-resistant plastic and is equipped with a nine-level protection system against overheating, short circuit, and high voltage.

We draw a conclusion

All the options presented in our review are united by impeccable workmanship and assembly quality. You will not find the slightest hint of play in them, and on the surface, even with intensive use, you will not see any damage or defects.

How then to choose the best among equals, since the brand’s products are so good? This is quite simple to do: before purchasing, think about how often you will use it, what the capacitive parameters of your phone are and how many gadgets you will charge at the same time. Of course, you should also make sure that the connectors of both devices match.

If your smartphone is equipped with Type-C, then, naturally, you need to opt for a modification with a Pro prefix, which is equipped with the appropriate port. If you are the owner of an energy-intensive mobile device, then it is advisable to give preference to options with increased capacitive properties. In the case when you plan to connect no more than one device at a time, then low-capacity representatives of Xiaomi power banks will be an excellent solution.

Xiaomi is a modern phenomenon in the market. The Chinese company constantly creates new things, interesting, beautiful, but most importantly – useful. Now their product range includes about a hundred different devices, one of which is 20 thousand mAh, which will be discussed below.

Those who don’t know what it is, I’ll say: this device is power bank, that is, a small mobile charging station to which you can connect almost any modern device via USB. While 20000 mAh– this is the capacity – how much energy the battery contains if it is fully charged.

20 thousand is quite a large amount. For example, the iPhone 7 has a battery capacity of 1960 mAh, while mine has 4000. That is, the first phone from such a power bank can be charged up to 10 times, while the second I charge about 5. But this is in theory, since a lot depends on voltage and current at which connected smartphones or other equipment consume energy.

About the dimensions and design of Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

Xiaomi knows how to make beautiful things. First of all, I am attracted by the minimalism with which engineers and designers entered the world market. Take, for example, a night light or a router. In my opinion, these are clear examples of how to make high-quality and beautiful things. Mi Power Bank 2 has a nice white glossy plastic body with the Mi logo on the bottom. If Apple released energy cans in 2007-2008, then most likely they would look almost the same.

Compared to the previous generation, the appearance of the power bank has not changed at all. The only difference is the dimensions. The device has become slightly smaller: 135.5 by 76.6 millimeters, while the old one was 141.9 by 73 millimeters. But, in terms of thickness, it is 2.1 millimeters larger, despite the fact that Mi 2 actually began to look much more compact.

The device is held in the hand quite securely thanks to the ribbed surface. And in order for the gadget to maintain its appearance invisible, I additionally ordered a silicone case, costing only 80 rubles.

At the top end of the power bank there are three connectors: 2 USB (for connecting devices) and 1 MicroUSB (for charging).

At the bottom end there are 4 small LEDs that inform the user how much energy is in the battery. Here the Chinese missed the mark a little. In my opinion, with such a volume you need at least 6, and better yet, 8 indicators.

How does a power bank perform in tests?

If you charge from Mi 2 at a voltage of 5.1 Volts, then it will give out about 14 thousand mAh, as stated directly on the body of the energy bank. But this is still 1.3 thousand mAh more compared to the Mi 1. What does this mean in practice: the iPhone 7 Plus with a 2900 mAh battery can be charged 4 times, and the iPad Air 2, whose battery holds 7340 mAh, can be charged almost twice.

But here’s the question: does it make sense to change the first generation power bank to this one? Yes, there is, if the devices that will be charged from it have Quick Charge. The device supports the following power types:

12 Volts, 1.5 amperes;
9 Volts, 2 Amps;
5.1 Volts and 2.4 Amps.

Yes, modern smartphones/tablets will not charge as quickly as from a complete unit, but much better than, for example, from a laptop’s USB port. For example, the 5.5 7th iPhone Mi 2 charges in a little less than 2 hours. Now, as for the charging speed of the power bank itself. You will have to put it on overnight, so it takes about 8 hours to restore everything to 100%. And with my weak 2A charger, the power bank doesn’t seem to charge at all. This is strange...

Other Features

The presence of two USB ports is provided here for a reason. Most people use external batteries when they are within the city (in the office, university, etc.). And since the volume here is large, it will not be possible to exhaust it all in 1 day with one smartphone. Two connectors, in turn, allow you to charge both the phone and the tablet at once, while they are, say, in a backpack.

By the way, I tried to place this battery in my backpack, where, in theory, it should be, but first generation power banks are used there)

Who is this device for?

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2 is a mobile power source for those who are afraid of being left without means of communication. This is an excellent solution both for owners of several gadgets that they carry with them everywhere, and for those who periodically find themselves for a long time in places where there is no way to connect to an outlet. Moreover, power banks from Xiaomi are currently the best devices in their segment, which are also cheap.

Today we received an external battery for charging phones and other gadgets produced by the popular Chinese brand Xiaomi PowerBank 10400 mAh. This model is the middle one in the line of their power banks - there is also a lightweight version for 5200 and 16000. If the younger brother is thinner in appearance, but longer, then the older one is slightly narrower, but much longer and heavier. Therefore, I purchased the 10400 model for personal use as the optimal ratio of price, size and capacity for everyday wear.

Equipment of the original Xiaomi Power Bank 10400 mAh

By the way, about gravity. We are accustomed to the fact that cheap Chinese batteries have a significantly lower capacity than indicated on the label. And the main signal for this is their light weight. For those who don’t remember, I already once ordered an extra battery for a Samsung phone and just fell for this trick.

The same story is possible with PowerBank from Xiaomi - of course, this is a serious brand and the original charger fully corresponds to the quality expected of it. However, there are many fakes on the market that can leave a less pleasant impression. Let's unpack and look at the original device and note those elements by which it can be distinguished from a fake.

In the official delivery we have the following equipment^

the battery itself
small flat micro USB cable
and instructions.

There is no power adapter, so you can use any 5V/2A adapter - the option from the same mobile phone will do.

How to distinguish an original Xiaomi Power Bank from a fake?

First of all, let's look at the packaging - on the side of the branded box there is a sticker with a hologram and a protective layer, under which there is a 16-digit verification code.

Using it on the website http://chaxun.mi.com you can check whether this device is original and how many times a check was requested using this code on the site.

Our copy turned out to be original.

The second accessory worth looking at is the charging cable. In the branded kit it is longer - 22 cm. Also, the fake often has an embossed image of the Xiaomi logo - it is not on the original.

Externally, the powerbank is a solid-body box made of durable gray anodized aluminum. The coating is rough and does not try to slip out of your hands, although the security of the battery is also high - according to the manufacturer, it can withstand weight up to 50 kg.

Overall it creates a very pleasant impression of a high-quality, reliable device. This can be said about all Xiaomi brand devices, which, despite their relatively low cost, have an imprint of “glamor” on them - with all the technical advantages, they are simply pleasant to look at or hold in your hands.

Hidden inside are 4 18650 capacitive batteries manufactured by LG.

At the same time, in the original device, the assembly of all parts is made so well that the side plastic edges do not play and nothing rattles inside. On the main side panel we have all the indicators and controls. This:

power button
4 LEDs - battery full indicators
micro USB connector - for replenishing energy reserves on the most portable charger
and regular USB for charging devices.

Here you can notice another difference with the fake - on the latter, all the elements are made less carefully.

The power button is only needed to check the remaining capacity of the power bank - it is signaled by LEDs. When you connect your phone to charge, the device turns on automatically.

Another way to check for lice is to connect the battery to itself - from micro USB to large USB. The fake will begin to charge itself, but the original will not.

And finally, let's look at the opposite side, where technical information about the PowerBank is printed - on the fake one the print is brighter.

How long does the charge last?

We could check how many times this portable charger can be used on two devices - Apple iPhone 5S and iPad Mini. On an iPhone with less than 20% discharge, it lasted 6 times, with the average time ranging from 50 minutes to an hour. The iPad can be charged 2 times - both in just over an hour.

It is also worth noting an interesting thing here - despite the fact that the battery capacity is stated in large print as 10400 mAh, this value refers to the case if the output voltage was 3.6 Volts. But the standard voltage on the USB connector is 5 Volts, resulting in

the actual volume is almost halved to 6650 mAh.

Moreover, all this is absolutely honest, but unobtrusively indicated by the manufacturer in small print on the sticker. Can you imagine how small the volume of a 5200mAh charger really is?..?

As an additional accessory for the Xiaomi external battery, you can purchase a silicone case, which is produced in several colors. It will not only give a bright appearance, but also protect the phone and other objects from scratches that can be caused by the sharp edges of the PowerBank.

That's all - buy, the main thing is to carefully inspect the battery before purchasing and read reviews about the seller. Good luck!

1. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank
2. 5000 mAh
3. 5200 mAh
4. 10000 mAh
5. 10400 mAh
6. 16000 mAh
7. 20000 mAh
8. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2
9. 10000 mAh
10. 20000 mAh
11. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro
12. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank ZMI
13. ZMI QB805
14. ZMI QB810
15. ZMI PB810
16. How not to make a mistake in your choice and buy a fake?

We can talk for a long time about the advantages of today's smartphones. Excellent cameras, fast Internet, high-resolution screens, high-performance hardware. And now few people can be surprised by a battery with a capacity of 3000-4000 mAh. But regardless of the maximum energy reserve, at the most inconvenient moment your gadget can turn into a beautiful but useless thing made of glass, metal and plastic.

External batteries are designed to correct the situation. With their help, a discharged gadget returns to working condition in a few minutes. Especially if both devices support fast charging. For you, we have prepared a review of Xiaomi Mi Powerbank - one of the most popular external batteries on the market, available in several modifications, each of which will be discussed in this article.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank

The series has external batteries with capacities of 20000 mAh, 16000 mAh, 10400 mAh, 10000 mAh, 5200 mAh, 5000 mAh. Let's start with the most compact ones.

5000 mAh

The battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh (18.5 Wh), and a conversion efficiency of more than 90%, and has dimensions of 125x68x9.9 mm.
Made of anodized aluminum, the gadget, weighing 152 grams, can withstand up to 50 kg of weight. For convenience, the edges of the case are rounded, and the metal has a rough finish.
On the top edge there are microUSB, USB A connectors, four indicators and a function button (the action is tight, you have to press hard with your fingernail for it to work). The power bank supports pass-through charging, which means you can charge your smartphone from an external battery even when it itself is connected to a power outlet. The battery is charged from 0% to 100% in 3.5 hours.
To charge the iPhone 6S, the capacity of the Xiaomi Power Bank is enough for approximately two full and one incomplete charge. Which is an excellent indicator, considering the price within 1000 rubles.

5200 mAh

The model can be called the older brother of the previous one, both in terms of release time and dimensions/capacity. The size of the device is 91x55x21.9 mm, weight 155 grams. Full battery charging time: 5.5 hours from a 5V/2A charger.

In Russia, the device can be bought on average for 1000-1100 rubles. Prices in Chinese online stores start from 450 rubles. The iPhone 6S can be fully charged 3 times from the device. The parts of the case fit together perfectly, the case itself does not heat up during operation. The only downside we note is the short standard cable (only 15 cm), which is not very convenient to use.

10000 mAh

Unlike the power bank with a capacity of 10400 mAh, which this model replaced, the device has become somewhat more compact: 60.4x90x22 mm and weighing 207 grams.

The design, like all Xiaomi batteries, is good. The device lies comfortably in the hand, the anodized aluminum feels pleasant and does not heat up during operation.
On the top edge there are microUSB and USB connectors, through which the portable device and your gadget are charged. The device itself charges from 0% to 100% in 6 hours.
In general, the assembly does not cause any complaints, just as the power bank itself is pleasing during operation. The cost of the device starts from 900 rubles.

10400 mAh

The power bank from Xiaomi weighs 250 grams and has rather modest dimensions of 77x90.5x21.6 mm. It outputs 2.1 A and 5 V to the USB port, which can be called an analogue of fast charging.

The power bank has 2 ports: microUSB and just USB. Separately, it is worth noting that the device is designed for 5000 charging cycles, which is on average 2-5 times more than that of its competitors.
The power bank charges the iPhone 6S from 20% to 100% in 55 minutes. The full capacity is enough for 6.5 charges. This model is great for long trips. Of the minuses, it is worth mentioning the duration of its own charging, which is about 10-11 hours.

16000 mAh

The absence of connecting elements and seams gives the aluminum body a monolithic appearance, which is pleasing to the eye. The smooth outlines of the sides visually reduce the dimensions, which are 14.5x6.4x2.2 cm. 350 grams for a power bank of this volume can be considered a standard.

On the top edge we see the power key, 4 indicators, two USB connectors and one microUSB.
Each port provides a current of 2.1 A and a power of 5 V - just right for most portable equipment. But when simultaneously charging two devices at one of the outputs, the current will decrease to 1.5 A. A fully charged power bank (from zero to 100% in 9 hours) is enough to charge an iPhone 6 five times. The cost starts from 1300 rubles.

20000 mAh

For its capacity, the device weighs less than you might expect - only 338 grams, which is achieved thanks to the plastic case. The size of the device is not small, but it is not intended for pocket carrying: 142x73x21.8 mm.

On one of the sides of the case you can find 2 USB outputs and 1 microUSB. Port parameters for charging equipment: 5 V/2.1 A or 5 V/3.6 A if both ports are used simultaneously. Support for Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 technology applies only to the microUSB port, which allows you to fully charge the battery in 6-7 hours. The high capacity of the battery allows you to charge the iPhone 6 7 times. On the official website, the purchase can cost 1,500 rubles, but in Russia from 2,500 rubles. We can say that the markup is large, but similar devices from other companies cost one and a half to two times more.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

Earlier this year, Xiaomi began selling a new generation of power banks. The devices are more advanced not only in software, but also in their hardware.

10000 mAh

It differs from its predecessor in an updated filling, a maximum current of 2.4 A (0.3 A more), and a thinner body. The microUSB cable has increased in length to 30 cm, that is, one and a half times. I'm glad that the developers took into account the dissatisfaction of users.

Made in black, Power Bank 2 looks very good, but during use it quickly becomes covered with a large number of greasy hand stains, which are very clearly visible. The aluminum case (75x128x13 mm), which has a good margin of safety, is assembled with high quality, and there are no visible flaws. The weight of the gadget is 218 grams.
Thanks to the support of fast charging technology with a voltage of 9 V and a current of 2 A, the full charging time was 3.5 hours. The efficiency is an impressive 95%. A full battery is enough to charge an iPhone 6S 3.2 times. The price starts from 800 rubles.

20000 mAh

The 20,000 mAh model is housed in a plastic case measuring 135.5x67.6x23.9 mm. The battery is charged with a current of 1.5 A, divided: from 1.5 A to 2.4 A, Quick Charge 2.0 technology is also present. Fully charging the battery takes 6-7 hours.

The iPhone 6 was charged as many as 7 times from the device's lithium-ion battery. The device also has the ability to charge two objects at once. The cost starts from 1650 rubles. See full review.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro

The new 10,000 mAh battery supports fast charging and is capable of sharing energy not only with smartphones, but also with laptops via the USB Type-C port. The device, made in an aluminum case, weighs 223 grams.

Charging smartphones is convenient: insert the cable and the energy transfer begins immediately, no need to press anything. It is not possible to stop the process by accidentally pressing the button; to do this, you need to pull out the wire. The main design flaw was never removed: sharp, metal edges of the case that can scratch the smartphone. There is a “low speed” charging function for charging a Bluetooth headset, but in reality the function does not work quite correctly and produces less current than the device needs.
A full charge is enough to replenish the energy to the maximum in Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 2 times. The developers claim that their device is capable of charging compact Apple laptops, which is confirmed in practice.
The time to fully charge the power bank using Quick Charge 2.0 is 4 hours. The only downsides are the scratchy metal case and the extremely small adapter to USB Type-C, which is not difficult to lose. The cost starts from 1400 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank ZMI

ZMI QB805

In just 2 hours, the 5000 mAh battery accumulates its full charge. The lightweight (120 grams) plastic case measuring 124x69x9 mm is designed to be invisible not only in a backpack, but also in a pocket.

The battery has the following voltages: 5 V, 9 V, 12 V and a maximum current of 2 A, which, coupled with Quick Charge technology, allows you to quickly charge the most capacious tablets. The efficiency is a decent 93%. If there is 100% energy available, iPhone 5 is fully charged 2 times. Price - from 1100 rubles.

ZMI QB810

External battery with fast charging from Xiaomi and capacity of 10000 mAh. Dimensions: 128x69.2x13 mm, but due to the beveled corners it looks quite compact.

To recharge smartphones, a USB port with current and voltage parameters is used: 5V/2A, 9V/1.6A, 12V/1.2A. You will also be pleased with the support for charging low-current devices. The cost starts from 1500 rubles.

ZMI PB810

The body is made of white matte plastic. The capacity of the lithium polymer battery is 10,000 mAh at a voltage of 3.7 V. After converting to 5 V, which is the voltage on the USB port, the battery capacity turns into 6600 mAh at 5 V with a power of 1A. Efficiency is 90%, the battery is charged with a current of up to 2 A, the output current is the same.

The gadget weighs 200 grams and costs from 1,350 rubles.

How not to make a mistake in your choice and not buy a fake?

If possible, you should order products on the manufacturer’s official website, but if this is not possible, then do not be lazy and spend half an hour reading comments about the selected store. Xiaomi always packs its gadgets in white packaging made of high-quality cardboard. It has a license sticker with a unique 20-digit code under the erasable coating. By entering this code on the Xiaomi official website, you will immediately find out whether the item in your hands is original.
The original charging cable has black plastic inside the USB plug, while the fake ones are usually white.
The original Power Bank also supports flow charging. Counterfeit batteries will charge themselves, but will not be able to transmit energy to charge your device. If you try to charge the original power bank “by itself,” the protection will work and there will be no charging. The fake battery will begin to “charge.”
This battery uses only Korean LG, Samsung and Japanese Panasonic batteries. If upon opening you find Chinese batteries of unknown manufacture inside: you have been deceived. You should also be very wary of paying attention to a product whose cost is significantly lower than on the official website. You can get more detailed information from our article ““. Also, many interesting models of portable batteries are presented in the material.

As a general rule, when purchasing a portable battery for your mobile device, experts advise avoiding cheap models, especially those whose specifications seem too good to match the price they sell for. But from time to time, products appear that disprove this rule. An example of this is the 10400 Power Bank.

Inexpensive and powerful

Like smartphones from Xiaomi (and not only), the price of the device is much cheaper than similar offerings from competitors. In comparison, a branded 10,000mAh battery typically costs around $100. How much will a Xiaomi Power Bank with 10400 mAh cost? Only $13.99.

Of course, there are other available and powerful energy banks. Taobao regulars will confirm that inexpensive external batteries abound in the Chinese online market (for example, Romoss), but their delivery and warranty can be problematic.

So, is the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank worth the money?

Design overview

About the design of the energy bank, besides the fact that the $14 product looks and is put together very well, we can say the following. The main body is CNC-cut from a single piece of aluminum and anodized to give it a slightly textured surface for added grip. Xiaomi claims that the coating is not damaged by water, does not corrode and can withstand a load weighing 50 kg (although users are not advised to check this). The surface has also passed the 300-time abrasion test. The metal case allows you to quickly get rid of excess heat, which extends the battery life.

The only plastic parts of the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank are the top and bottom ends of the device. At one end there is a standard USB port for output, a Micro-USB connector for input, 4 LEDs and a round capacitance test button. Specifications and regulatory symbols are printed on the other end. Xiaomi representatives are confident that the buttons and ports are self-explanatory, so they didn’t even bother to label them.

There is no need for a power switch as the battery activates automatically and charges the device when it is connected using a USB cable. The purpose of the capacity check button is to turn on LED indicators that will tell you how much charge is left. In short, each indicator corresponds to 25% charge. When the battery is fully charged, all LEDs light up and do not blink. The brightness of the indicators is sufficient - not too bright to be blinding at night, and not too dark to be invisible in bright light.

Scope of delivery

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 Silver is sold together with a white Micro-USB flat cable 16 cm long and a user manual. Considering that the device being charged shouldn't be too far away, this is one of the few cases where such a short length makes sense. Users love the flat cable because the shape prevents it from getting tangled easily. not included.

Reliability and durability

Some more technical data. According to Xiaomi, the device's Micro-USB port can withstand 5,000 cycles of use, and the larger USB connector is designed for 1,500. Xiaomi even presented electrostatic discharge test results: 8 kV for contact and 12 kV for air. It is obvious that the manufacturer is trying to do everything possible to assure potential buyers that the Xiaomi Mi 10400 Power Bank is a quality product, despite its low cost. In fact, the above data is not all. The device has been tested in conditions of low and high temperatures, high humidity, temperature fluctuations and in a salt chamber.

The company claims that the portable battery comes with 9 levels of protection. These include a mechanism for controlling heating temperature, input and output voltage and current, preventing short circuits, overcharging or discharging, and the ability to reboot in unstable external conditions.

Performance

The model comes with a lithium-ion battery manufactured by LG or Samsung with a capacity of 10.4 Ah, which at a voltage of 3.6 V corresponds to 37.44 Wh. As follows from the experts' explanations, due to the loss of power during voltage conversion and circuit resistance, the number of recharges that the energy bank provides is not determined by simply dividing 10,400 mAh by the battery capacity of the device being charged. According to Xiaomi, the Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh allows you to charge the iPhone 5s 4.5 times, Mi 3 2.5 times, and the iPad Mini tablet 1.5 times. According to user reviews, these numbers seem to be quite accurate, as they were able to charge the iPhone 5s, which has a 1560 mAh battery, four times and still had some charge left.

Thus, the efficiency of the device is about 93%, which gives a net 7000 mAh. This is much more than what most power banks sold in the market offer.

Charging speed

Additionally, owners are very pleased with the power bank's input and output current strength. To be precise, the device is capable of outputting up to 2.1A, which is great for tablets and smartphones that can take more than the standard 1A. Even the charging input port is rated for currents up to 2A. This is surprising for such a cheap power bank. because there are many expensive batteries on the market that are not capable of taking more than one and a half amperes. In other words, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 mAh charges quite quickly. According to the manufacturer, this takes about 5.5 hours using a two-amp adapter or about 10 hours with a 1 A adapter.

The device is capable of charging and charging at the same time. Few power banks offer this feature, and it is necessary when the number of available outlets is limited - for example, when traveling.

What's inside?

Users who could not come to terms with the fact that a high-quality external battery could cost so little were able to verify this by looking at what was inside it. The device consists of four batteries manufactured by LG, each of which has a capacity of 2600 mAh, for a total of 10400 mAh. According to the manufacturing company, the energy bank uses Texas Instruments controllers. Indeed, the external battery is controlled by a TI BQ24195 chip. The circuit also uses an 8-bit microcontroller from South Korea, ABOV.

Advantages and disadvantages

So is it possible to recommend the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 external battery? Absolutely yes. And not just because it's cheap - the energy bank is inexpensive and does its job well. For a battery with a capacity of 10.4 Ah, it is compact, provides an output current of 2.1 A, can be quickly charged at two amps, and the components used look convincing.

Does the device have any disadvantages? If we nitpick the little things, we can say that for an external battery of such a high capacity it is strange to have only one output. This means that it is not possible to charge more than one device at the same time. Again, you can always buy another portable power bank and connect it with a rubber band - you get two ports and a 20,800 mAh bank for only $28! Secondly, the package does not include a power adapter, which can be a problem if you don't have extra. Lastly, iOS users will have to find their own Lightning cable.

Finally, if for some reason 10400 mAh seems too much, then you can purchase an external battery from the same manufacturer with a capacity of 5200 mAh. It's smaller and appears to have similar components, except the number of batteries is reduced to two and the output can only be 1.5A.