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

External batteries from Xiaomi are very popular, due not only to their affordable cost, but also to their excellent performance. In the assortment of the brand there are many models of Xiaomi power banks, each of which is good in its own way. What is better to choose? We will talk about this in our article on 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 minimize the weight of the gadget, bringing it to 152 grams. At the same time, the device is able to withstand solid loads: for example, it retains its performance properties even if an object weighing up to 50 kilograms is placed on it.

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

Users will appreciate the fact that all technological connectors are located on one side. There are microUSB and USB A ports. A special button is responsible for turning on / off, the course of which is tight enough to eliminate the possibility of accidental pressing. For the convenience of the owners, there are also four LED indicators indicating the amount of energy. Within 3.5 hours, the battery will be fully charged when connected to a standard power 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 gr.). The same high-strength anodized aluminum was chosen for the case, there is a nine-level protection system against overheating, short circuits and other malfunctions. 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 for replenishing its charge increases - up to five and a half hours. It is great for working with devices from all manufacturers, because it is equipped with standard USB and microUSB connectors.

Power Bank Xiaomi 10000

It implements modern energy-saving technologies, due to which the charge transfer coefficient has significantly increased. Now it is an impressive 93 percent. The presence of an innovative microcircuit ensures that no drops and voltages will have a negative impact on the device and will not disable 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 and scratches, and its shade retains its intensity throughout the entire period of operation.

Despite the impressive capacity parameters, the product is characterized by compactness: 60.4x90x22 mm, and the weight is only 207 g. The number and types of connectors are standard. The duration of recharging from the network is 6 hours.

Xiaomi Power Bank 10400

This variation is suitable for those who are not afraid of the solid dimensions of the power bank. With a weight of 250 gr. gadget parameters are 77x90.5x21.6 mm, which is quite a lot. It has everything that we previously considered options, including the necessary technological ports and protection systems from the negative effects of the external environment. According to the manufacturer, the device perfectly withstands over 5000 recharge cycles. The only negative is that you have to wait a long time until its capacity reaches 100% - this will take about 10 hours.

External Battery Xiaomi 16000

The habitually smooth lines, pleasant to the touch metal case 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 at once, look just as attractive.

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

Capacitive performance of 16,000 mAh will be reached 9 hours after plugging into the network. As for the configuration, the device weighs 350 grams, but the rest of the parameters are quite small - 14.5x6.4x2.2 cm.

Powerbank Xiaomi 20000

Which Xiaomi Power Bank to choose if you need the maximum number of recharges? Of course, the 20000 mAh option. Do not worry about its dimensions (14.2x7.3x2.18 cm), because well-thought-out ergonomics allow you to 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 with support for 5 V / 2.1 A or 5 V / 3.6 A, and microUSB can function using Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 technology. Fast charging has the advantage of shortening the recharging time to 6 hours.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

This subspecies is represented by two options - for 10,000 and 20,000 mAh. They differ from the first versions with an updated filling, the possibility of recharging at a maximum current of 2.4 A and a half-length cable - now its length is 30 centimeters.

How do they differ from each other? First of all, in dimensions: 7.5x12.8x1.3 cm versus 13.55x6.76x2.39 cm. To reduce weight, plastic is used in the 20000 mAh modification, and the same anodized aluminum in the 10000 mAh model, the impact resistance of which is 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 at the same time.

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 capacitive index is two times higher than that of the previous model in our review. In view of this, the thickness increased to 13 mm, the height - up to 128, and the width - up 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 batteries of low-current devices .

ZMI PB810

Another representative of devices in a plastic case. The voltage of the external battery at 10000 is 3.7V, and APP is used to control its operation. With it, you can find out the current state of the battery, what exactly is connected, how much is left before 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, high voltage.

We draw a conclusion

All the options presented in our review are united by impeccable workmanship and assembly. 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 buying, think about how often you will use it, what are the capacitive parameters of your phone and how many gadgets you will be charging at the same time. Of course, you should pay attention to the fact that the connectors of both devices match.

If your smartphone is equipped with Type-C, then, of course, you need to make a choice in favor of the modification with the Pro prefix, which is equipped with the corresponding 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 event that 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 is constantly creating new things that are 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 do not know what it is, I will say: this device - 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.

20,000 is quite a lot. 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 one I charge about 5. But this is in theory, since a lot depends on voltage and current with 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 vivid examples of how to make high-quality and beautiful things. The Mi Power Bank 2 has a nice white glossy plastic case, on which the Mi logo flaunts at the bottom. If Apple produced energy cans in 2007-2008, they would most likely look much 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 a little smaller: 135.5 by 76.6 millimeters, while the old one was 141.9 by 73 millimeters. But, here, in terms of thickness, it is larger by 2.1 millimeters, despite the fact that Mi 2 has really begun 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 keep its appearance invisible, I additionally ordered a silicone case, which costs only 80 rubles.

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

At the bottom there are 4 small LEDs that tell the user how much energy is in the battery. Here the Chinese missed a little. In my opinion, with such a volume, at least 6, and preferably 8 indicators are needed.

How the power bank shows itself in tests

If you charge from Mi 2 under a voltage of 5.1 volts, then it will give out about 14 thousand mAh, as stated right on the body of the energy bank. But it's still 1.3 thousand mAh more compared to Mi 1. What this means in practice: iPhone 7 Plus with a 2900 mAh battery can be charged 4 times, and iPad Air 2, whose battery holds 7340 mAh - 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 types of power supply:

12 volts, 1.5 amps;
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 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 at night, so it takes about 8 hours to restore all 100%. And with my weak charge of 2A, the bank does not seem to charge at all. It's 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 (at the office, university, etc.). And since the volume here is large, it will not work to exhaust it all in 1 day with one smartphone. Two connectors, in turn, allow you to recharge 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 lie, 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 around with them everywhere, and for those who occasionally 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 fashionable Chinese brand Xiaomi PowerBank 10400 mAh today. This model is average 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.

Complete set of original Xiaomi Power Bank 10400 mAh

By the way, about gravity. We are accustomed to the fact that cheap Chinese batteries have a much lower capacity than indicated on the label. And the main signal for this is their light weight. Who does not remember, I already once ordered an additional battery for my Samsung phone and just fell for such a trick.

With PowerBank from Xiaomi, the same story is possible - of course, this is a serious brand and the original charger fully corresponds to the quality expected from 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 the elements by which it can be distinguished from a fake.

In the official delivery we have the following package ^

the battery itself
small flat micro usb cable
and instructions.

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

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

First of all, let's take a 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 site http://chaxun.mi.com, you can check if this device is original and how many times a check using this code was requested on the site.

Our copy is 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 one-piece box made of strong anodized gray aluminum. The coating is rough and doesn't tend to slip out of your hands, although the battery's security is also on top - according to the manufacturer, it can withstand weights up to 50 kg.

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

Hidden inside are 4 high-capacity 18650 batteries manufactured by LG.

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

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 accurately.

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 a large USB. The fake will start charging itself - the original will not.

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

How long does it take to charge?

We could check how many times you can use this portable charger on two devices - Apple iPhone 5S and iPad Mini. On an iPhone with a discharge of less than 20%, it lasted 6 times, while the average time was from 50 minutes to an hour. iPad can be charged 2 times - both in a little more than an hour.

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

the real volume is almost halved to 6650 mAh.

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

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 cause the sharp edges of the PowerBank.

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

1. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank
2.5000mAh
3.5200mAh
4. 10000 mAh
5. 10400 mAh
6. 16000 mAh
7.20000mAh
8. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2
9. 10000 mAh
10.20000mAh
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 choosing and not to buy a fake?

You can talk about the advantages of today's smartphones for a long time. Great cameras, fast internet, high resolution screens, high performance hardware. And now few people can be surprised with 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 piece of glass, metal and plastic.

External batteries are called 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 versions, each of which will be discussed in this article.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank

The series has external batteries with a capacity 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 with a capacity of 5000 mAh (18.5 Wh) and a conversion efficiency of more than 90% 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 side there are microUSB, USB A connectors, four indicators and a function button (the move is tight, you have to press hard with your fingernail to make it work). Powerbank supports pass-through charging, that is, you can charge your smartphone from an external battery even when it is plugged into a power outlet. From 0% to 100% the battery is charged in 3.5 hours.
To charge the iPhone 6S, the capacity of Xiaomi Power Bank is enough for approximately two full and one incomplete charge. Which is an excellent indicator, given 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. Battery full charge time: 5.5 hours with 5V/2A charger.

In Russia, the device can be bought for an average of 1000-1100 rubles. Prices in Chinese online stores start at 450 rubles. iPhone 6S from the device can be fully charged 3 times. The parts of the case fit perfectly with each other, the case itself does not heat up during operation. Of the minuses, we note only a 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 was replaced by this model, the device has become somewhat more compact: 60.4x90x22 mm and weighs 207 grams.

The design, like all Xiaomi batteries, is good. The device lies comfortably in the hand, the anodized aluminum feels pleasant, it does not heat up during operation.
On the top side 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 pleases during operation. The cost of the device starts from 900 rubles.

10400 mAh

The Xiaomi power bank 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 charge cycles, which is on average 2-5 times more than competitors.
Powerbank charges iPhone 6S from 20% to 100% in 55 minutes. 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 case a monolithic look that pleases 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 the standard.

On the top we see the power key, 4 indicators, two USB connectors and one microUSB.
Each of the ports 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 strength will decrease to 1.5 A. A fully charged power bank (from zero to 100% in 9 hours) is enough for five iPhone 6 charges. 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 carry: 142x73x21.8 mm.

On one of the sides of the case, you can find 2 USB outputs and 1 microUSB. Parameters of ports for charging equipment: 5 V / 2.1 A or 5 V / 3.6 A if you use both ports at the same time. 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 battery capacity allows you to charge the iPhone 6 7 times. On the official website, the purchase can cost 1,500 rubles, in Russia, from 2,500 rubles. We can say that the markup is large, but similar devices from other companies are one and a half to two times more expensive.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

At the beginning of this year, Xiaomi began selling a new generation of external batteries. Devices are more perfect not only in software, the changes have also affected their “stuffing”.

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 case. The microUSB cable has increased in length up to 30 cm, that is, one and a half times. I am glad that the developers took into account the dissatisfaction of users.

Made in black, Power Bank 2 looks very good, but during operation it quickly becomes covered with a large number of greasy spots from hands, which are very clearly visible. The aluminum case (75x128x13 mm.), which has a good margin of safety, is assembled with high quality, there are no visible flaws. The weight of the gadget is 218 grams.
Supporting 9V 2A fast charging technology, full charge time is 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 20000 mAh model is made 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, there is also Quick Charge 2.0 technology. A full battery charge takes 6-7 hours.

iPhone 6 from the lithium-ion battery of the device was charged as many as 7 times. 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 10000 mAh battery supports fast charging and is able to share 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: plug in the cable and the energy transfer starts immediately, you don’t need to press anything. To stop the process by accidentally pressing the button will not work, for this you need to pull out the wire. The main design flaw has not been 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 produce less current than the device needs.
A full charge is enough to replenish 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. Of the minuses, only a scratchy metal case and an extremely small adapter to USB Type-C, which is not difficult to lose, can be distinguished. 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. 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%. When there is 100% power, iPhone 5 is fully charged 2 times. The price is from 1100 rubles.

ZMI QB810

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

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

ZMI PB810

The case is made of white matte plastic. The capacity of the lithium polymer battery is 10000 mAh at 3.7 V. After being converted to 5 V, namely this voltage on the USB port, the battery capacity becomes 6600 mAh at 5 V with a power of 1A. Efficiency - 90%, the battery is charged with a current of up to 2 A, the output current is the same.

The gadget weighs 200 grams, costs from 1350 rubles.

How not to make a mistake in choosing and not to buy a fake?

If possible, you should order products on the official website of the manufacturer, 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 cardboard packaging. It has a license sticker, where under the erasable cover is a unique 20-digit code. By entering this code on the Xiaomi offsite, you will immediately find out if the item is original in your hands.
The original charging cable has black plastic inside the USB plug, while fakes usually have white.
The original Power Bank also supports flow charging. Counterfeit batteries will charge themselves, but they will not be able to pass energy to charge your device. If you try to charge the original power bank “from itself”, then the protection will work and there will be no charging. A fake battery will begin to "charge".
This battery uses only Korean LG, Samsung and Japanese Panasonic batteries. If during the autopsy you found Chinese batteries of unknown production inside: you were deceived. Also, with great caution, you should pay attention to the product, the cost of which 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 rule, when buying a portable battery for a mobile device, experts advise avoiding cheap models, especially those whose specifications seem too good to match the price at which they are sold. But from time to time there are products that refute 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 offers from competitors. By comparison, a 10,000 mAh branded battery typically costs around $100. How much will Xiaomi Power Bank 10400 mAh cost? Only $13.99.

Of course, there are other available and powerful energy banks. Taobao regulars will attest that low-cost power banks abound on the Chinese internet market (like Romoss), but shipping and warranties can be a problem.

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

Design overview

About the design of the power bank, apart from the fact that the $14 product looks and is built very well, we can say the following. The main body is CNC machined from a single piece of aluminium, and anodized to give the surface a bit of a texture for added grip. Xiaomi claims that the coating is water-resistant, non-corrosive and can withstand a load of 50 kg (although users are not advised to check this). The surface has also passed a 300-fold abrasion test. The metal case allows you to quickly get rid of excess heat, which prolongs 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 is a standard USB port for output, a Micro-USB input connector, 4 LEDs, and a round capacitance test button. Specifications and regulatory symbols are printed on the other end. Xiaomi representatives are sure that the buttons and ports are self-explanatory, so I 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 with the USB cable. The purpose of the capacity test 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 are lit and do not blink. The brightness of the indicators is sufficient - not too bright to blind at night, and not too dark to be invisible in bright light.

Contents of delivery

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

Reliability and durability

Some more technical data. According to Xiaomi, the micro-USB port of the device is capable of withstanding 5000 cycles of use, while the larger USB connector is rated for 1500. Xiaomi even presented the results of ESD tests: 8 kV contact and 12 kV 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 is equipped with 9 levels of protection. These include a mechanism to control the heating temperature, input and output voltage and current, prevent short circuit, overcharge or discharge, as well as the ability to reboot in unstable environments.

Performance

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

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

Charging speed

In addition, the owners are very satisfied with the power bank's input and output current. 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 unexpected for such a cheap power bank. because there are many expensive batteries on the market that are not capable of accepting 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 with a 2A adapter, or about 10 hours with a 1A adapter.

The device is capable of charging and charging at the same time. Few power banks offer this option, and it is essential when the number of outlets available is limited, such as when traveling.

What is inside?

Users who could not come to terms with the fact that a quality external battery can cost so little, were able to verify this by looking at what is 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 manufacturer, the power bank uses Texas Instruments controllers. Indeed, the external battery is powered by a TI BQ24195 chip. The circuit also involves an 8-bit South Korean-made ABOV microcontroller.

Advantages and disadvantages

So can we recommend the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 external battery? Certainly yes. And not only because it is cheap - the energy bank is inexpensive and does its job well. For a 10.4Ah battery, it's compact, delivers 2.1A of current, can charge quickly at 2A, and the components used look convincing.

Does the device have deficiencies? If you find fault with trifles, then 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 20800 mAh bank for only $28! Secondly, the kit does not include a power adapter, which can be a problem if there is no extra in stock. Finally, 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 be made up of similar components, except that the number of batteries is reduced to two, and only 1.5 amps can be output.