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Belkin Power Bank 10K
MSRP:
What we like
What we don't like
Belkin Power Bank 10K
Belkin is a very well-known brand in the accessories space. From USB adapter cables to power adapters and protective cases, Belkin seemingly sells it all and has built a solid reputation for reliable products.
The company also offers a range of power banks designed to charge up a variety of your gadgets. One of the more flexible-looking models is the four-port Belkin Power Bank 10K. But is this really the power bank to suit your portable charging needs? Let’s dive into Android Authority’s Belkin Power Bank 10K review.
Read more: The best portable chargers and power banks
What you need to know about the Belkin Power Bank 10K
- Belkin Power Bank 10K: $29.99 / £29.99 / €34.99
As the name notes, Belkin’s power bank offers a 10,000mAh battery capacity. It’s equipped with a USB-C port for both power in and out, along with two USB-A ports for older gadgets. These three are joined by a micro-USB port that can be used exclusively for charging up the power bank.
The pack’s remaining charge is indicated by four LEDs located on the top of the power bank. There’s a button on the side to toggle the power on and check the remaining capacity. This 10K pack weighs a substantial 300g yet measures a more compact 130.6 x 99.1 x 43.1mm.
Belkin’s Power Bank 10K is available in Black, White, and Rose Gold color options. Belkin includes a very short USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, enabling you to connect up newer devices to one of the power bank’s two USB-A ports.
What’s good?
The Belkin Power Bank 10K is a very robust-looking power bank. The chunky design and plastic matt coating feel tough and resilient. I’m not concerned about cracking or breaking the case if I were to drop it from a short distance. While the power bank is a little thick and heavy, it’s short enough to conceal in your pocket, unlike other 10K power banks that are often quite tall.
See also: The best car chargers you can buy
Belkin’s power bank has the novel ability to charge up via either USB-C or micro-USB. While using the USB-C connector is a faster option, plugging in the micro-USB port frees up the USB-C port to pass power through to your smartphone. Other power banks with a single USB-C port can’t be charged and supply power at the same time. It’s a nice touch.
What’s not so good?
The major problem with the Belkin Power Bank 10K is its complete lack of fast charging support. Running through our test suite, there’s no Quick Charge or Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge on the USB-A ports, or even USB Power Delivery available from the USB-C port. The USB-A connections support 2.4A charging, but only iPhones draw close to that current. Likewise, Belkin claims the USB-C port supports 5V 3A charging, but no devices I connected would charge up with those specifications either.
Those after fast charging should check out Belkin's USB PD power bank line.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra drew a rather paltry 9W from the USB-A and USB-C ports. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max managed a slightly better 10.5W from either port. However, you’d expect modern gadgets to charge faster than this via a USB-C connection and max out the 15W possible power draw. Connecting up multiple gadgets at once hobbles charging speeds further, as the power bank limits the combined power draw from all the ports to 15W.
Similarly, charging the power bank up over USB-C (15W) versus USB-A (10W) still takes several hours. The bottom line is that this charging bank is slow compared to some newer models on the market. While it’s fine for old gadgets, it definitely isn’t really suitable for charging modern phones, let alone tablets or laptops.
Belkin Power Bank 10K review: Should I buy it?
The Belkin Power Bank 10K certainly isn’t on the cutting edge of charging technology. If you’re looking for a power bank that will get your smartphone up and running in no time, this isn’t the right product for you. Fortunately, Belkin has a USB Power Delivery version ($39.99) now available for those who require faster charging. Even so, with four USB ports onboard, the bank is somewhat useful as a charging hub for older, slower charging USB gadgets — think headphones and the like — especially as it can charge and supply power at the same time.
There’s definitely some utility in Belkin’s power bank. The compact size is certainly more portable than other 10,000mAh products on the market. It’s also very well built and Belkin is a reputable brand, which reassures that this power pack will last in the long term. Even so, it’s a hard product to justify even with a reasonably modest $29.99 price tag.
