TP-Link 10,400mAh Power Bank

I’M AN OUTDOORSY kinda guy. There’s nothing I love more than being out there in the elements, camping, mountain biking, or hiking. Getting out of the big city into the wilderness is heaven.

Yet I’m still a techno geek. Being a tech journo, you’re perpetually on call, so having a fully charged smartphone is essential. There is no shut-off switch in this profession. On top of that, my hobby’s pretty technologically demanding, too— from my Garmin Edge 820 bike computer I need to keep charged, to the Go Pro Hero5 I slap on my chest, having access to some form of power is vital.

For me, that problem is solved by TPLink’s battery banks. I currently use two: the 10,400mAh TL-PB10400, pictured above, and the 15,600mAh TL-PB15600.

The former is the one that comes with me most often. Thanks to its super-small form factor, I can throw it in a backpack or pocket, and run the cable straight to my phone to charge it on the move. It comes with two USB 2.0 ports, a battery level indicator, and a handy little LED torch. There’s some serious tech in here, too, with short-circuit, over-volt, overcharge, and overheating protection.

I’ve had the 10,400mAh product for three years, and it’s more than made up for the initial cost—that’s why I bought the 15,600mAh one, too. I advise going to www.bhphotovideo.com to grab one— it’s the cheapest place I’ve found it online.

If you’re on the move, and need a battery bank, I can’t recommend TPLink enough.

$30, www.tp-link.com