iHarbot Power Bank MS024 5000mAh
Ultra-slim and clad with stylish gunmetal grey aluminium alloy (also available in silver or black), the iHarbot power bank is perfectly proportioned for the pocket. It’s very well designed with its sleek, rounded edges, and sufficient attention to detail has been paid that the power button lies flush with the casing.
The iHarbot power bank carefully balances capacity with size and weight, and with 5000mAh on offer you should get between one- and two full charges for your phone, depending on the model.
With most power banks averaging around 70 percent efficiency, expect around 3500mAh to be available to your devices. Our Samsung Galaxy S6 (2550mAh) would receive just under one and a half charges, but an iPhone 5s (1560mAh) could potentially manage two and a quarter.
Despite its budget price tag, iHarbot hasn’t skimped on features. We found this little power bank would automatically begin charging our phone when we plugged it in via USB and, when it was full, it would also shut off the power without our instruction. More importantly, we could simultaneously charge both the phone and power bank (known as passthrough charging).
Given that you’ll probably charge only one device with this power bank, it makes sense that there is just the one USB output. iHarbot supplies a Micro-USB cable in the box; if you want to attach an iPhone or other smartphone with a proprietary cable you simply provide your own lead.
Thankfully, this is a fast-charging port, rated at 10.5W (5V, 2.1A). That means this power bank will be just as happy to charge a tablet or other USB-powered device, although its capacity is better suited to a smartphone battery. The iHarbot also supports smart current control, which is able to detect your device type and battery capacity, and deliver the optimum amount of power.
And while the power bank is fast to give away its charge, it’s also quick to claw it back. The Micro-USB input is rated at 10W (5V, 2A), so for the fastest charging you’ll want to refill it using a 10W mains adaptor (although you can use any USB charger, such as that supplied with your phone or tablet).
You don’t get an LCD screen, although one really isn’t required at this capacity level, so you must judge how much power remains using the four LEDs on the power bank’s bottom edge. We particularly like the fact these lights switch off during charging, so when the iHarbot is used at night you won’t be disturbed by blinking LEDs.
There are a couple of costcutting measures but, thankfully, their omission didn’t bother us in the slightest. Unlike many portable power banks the iHarbot is not supplied with a carry case, nor a built-in LED torch.
Verdict
iHarbot’s 5000mAh power bank is one of the best deals we’ve found, offering useful capacity in a stylish and pocketable package, support for auto-on/-off and passthrough charging, and an attractive price tag we’ve seen. At £10.90, you can’t go wrong with the iHarbot power bank.
The iHarbot supports smart current control, which detects your device type and battery capacity, and deliver the optimum amount of power