![\"EcoFlow\u2019s](\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/unknown.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.95,17.399998937988,98.1,65.400002111816\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEcoFlow\u2019s modular accessories are easy to lose and that big display sucks power, is difficult to navigate, and requires a screensaver. Image: EcoFlow<\/p>\n
The power bank that pushed things over the edge for me is the $270 EcoFlow Rapid Pro X Power Bank 27k<\/a> that I received for review. Here\u2019s my review: it\u2019s bad. Do. Not. Buy. As a power bank, it tries too hard to do too much, making it too expensive, too big, too slow, and too heavy.<\/p>\n The snap-on decorative faceplates are ridiculous and the proprietary magnetic modules for its Apple Watch charger and retractable USB-C cable are too easy to misplace.<\/p>\n The giant display EcoFlow uses scratches easily and is too dim to easily read outdoors. The confusing UX on the Rapid Pro X model is especially offensive in its touch-sensitive clumsiness. Nobody needs a display that takes 30 seconds to wake up from sleep and plays swirly graphics and blinking eyeballs when awake, slowly sapping the power bank\u2019s energy reserves. The fact that it has a screensaver tells me that the product team completely lost the plot.<\/p>\n Anker\u2019s also guilty of putting large displays onto its power banks<\/a>. Most people don\u2019t need anything more than four dots to show the remaining capacity, but it\u2019s becoming increasingly difficult to buy a power bank without an LCD display. In the 20,000mAh range, Anker doesn\u2019t even list a display-less model anymore. I, like many Verge readers, love to see the actually wattage pumping in and out of those ports \u2014 but the vast majority of people have no need for that.<\/p>\n Anker\u2019s fast-charging, proprietary dock upsell. Image: Anker<\/p>\n Anker, like EcoFlow, also offers power banks with proprietary pogo-pin connectors<\/a>, Both companies use those connectors to lure owners into buying expensive desk chargers that don\u2019t work with anything else. Those extra-fast charging speeds are unlikely to justify the premium expense.<\/p>\n Most people, even tech savvy Verge readers, don\u2019t need a power bank that can output 140W over USB-C. The majority of non-gaming laptops require 65W or less. And the primary computing device for most people \u2014 the phone \u2014 only requires about 20W.<\/p>\n We certainly don\u2019t need power banks with built-in hotspots when that\u2019s already built into our Android and iOS phones. Baseus made one anyway<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are becoming a common feature in some flagship power banks. I\u2019m all for remotely monitoring massive power stations used to power off-grid homes and campers, but not a portable power bank that\u2019s charging the phone in your hand or is plugged into a nearby wall jack.<\/p>\n The phone you\u2019re charging also has a flashlight. Image: Pangootek<\/p>\n We also don\u2019t need integrated flashlights. Why random Amazon brand<\/a>, why?<\/p>\n All these extra \u201cfeatures\u201d just add weight, size, and cost to power banks. They also increase the risk that something will go wrong on a device that\u2019s meant to always be with you and just work when you need it. And power banks don\u2019t need any<\/a> extra<\/a> help<\/a> justifying<\/a> a recall<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kickstands and integrated cables are useful features I\u2019ll pay extra for. Image: Kuxiu<\/p>\n One power bank trend I can get behind is integrated cables like the retractable version found on EcoFlow\u2019s Rapid Pro Power Bank 27k<\/a> (note the lack of \u201cX\u201d in the name). Always having a properly specced cable that matches the device\u2019s max input and output is super convenient. I like that Kuxiu\u2019s S3 MagSafe power bank<\/a>, for example, neatly wraps the cable around the chassis to plug into a hidden USB-C jack. That way the cable can be replaced if it frays or breaks.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also a fan of adding kickstands to MagSafe power banks that prop phones up at your preferred angle for extended viewing or recording. More importantly, a few companies are now adopting semi-solid state chemistry that makes their power banks less susceptible to thermal runaway, which was an industry plague in 2025. They cost more to buy, but they\u2019re cheaper to own over their extended lifetimes.<\/p>\n Sharge\u2019s counter argument to everything I\u2019ve written. Image: Sharge<\/p>\n I can\u2019t help but enjoy the look of Sharge\u2019s Retractable 3-in-1 Power Bank<\/a>, even though its integrated wall outlet and underwhelming specs for a battery pack of this size and price completely undercuts my entire argument. I\u2019m a sucker for Braun design<\/a>, forgive me!<\/p>\n Basic power banks like Anker\u2019s PowerCore 10k are a rarity these days. Image: Anker<\/p>\n There are still basic power banks available that charge phones and even laptops without too much feature creep and attempted upsell. If all you want is to charge your phone then there\u2019s Anker\u2019s trusty $26 PowerCore 10k<\/a> or, if you\u2019re feeling fancy, Nitecore\u2019s $65 NB10000 Gen 3 Ultra-Slim USB-C Power Bank<\/a>. If you also want to charge laptops then you might consider INIU\u2019s delightfully named Cougar P64-E1 Power Bank Fastest 140W 25000mAh<\/a> for $90, or even Belkin\u2019s more capable $150 UltraCharge Pro Laptop Power Bank 27K<\/a> coming in March.<\/p>\n The fastest and most powerful power banks with lots of gee-whiz features will often generate headlines for pushing the envelope of what\u2019s possible. But the \u201cbest\u201d power bank might not be best for you, when basic affordability is all you really need.<\/p>\n Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.<\/p>\n Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n FollowFollow<\/p>\n See All by Thomas Ricker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n FollowFollow<\/p>\n See All Analysis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n FollowFollow<\/p>\n See All CES<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n FollowFollow<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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