TechRadar Verdict
The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is a large power bank designed for charging smartphones and accessories quickly. It certainly does this, and the large capacity means you’ll get multiple charges too. It’s a shame there’s no screen, and more annoying that the LEDs don’t remain lit while charging. Still, it’s a solid choice, but with this list price, you’re better off waiting to grab one in a sale.
Pros
- +
Smart looks
- +
Three USB-C ports
- +
Multiple charges possible
Cons
- –
No USB-A ports
- –
Large and hefty
- –
Lacks detailed interface
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Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack: review
The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is a power bank perfectly designed for charging smartphones, tablets, and other small devices, thanks to its multiple ports, 45W of power, and a large 20,000mAh capacity.
It certainly looks stylish for a power bank, with its pebble-like finish adding an element of organic chic. The rather prominent seam between the two panels is a little jarring, though, and detracts from the overall smoothness of the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack.
It’s also quite large, even for a power bank with this kind of capacity. Some of the best power banks with similar or even higher capacities are smaller than this. Build quality is good – there’s some flexing to the panels, but not to the extent that I’d be concerned.
The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack has three charging ports, all of which are USB-C, which is somewhat unusual for a power bank, as many incorporate other connector types. This may deter users who’d want more versatility and concessions made for older devices in the form of a USB-A port or two, for instance.
However, given the increasing ubiquity of USB-C, I’m quite happy with this configuration. All ports are positioned on one end, which may be a little restrictive for some; a more even distribution around the entire unit may have improved flexibility, but this isn’t a major issue.
Despite its large size, the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack has no digital display: all you get are four LED dots to indicate the battery life of the bank itself. These are quite small and placed next to the ports, which obscures them from view somewhat.
What’s more, the LEDs don’t activate at all when charging devices, either to indicate charging or remaining battery life (you’ll have to press the power button every time to reveal the latter). This lack of interface is particularly disappointing on a premium power bank such as the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack.
At least it has super fast charging, and can charge three devices simultaneously. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in about two hours, which is a decent performance.
After charging, all four of the bank’s LEDs remained lit, indicating that at the very least, the battery didn’t deplete by more than 30%, which is impressive and means you should get about 3-4 charges out of it.
The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is one of the more expensive power banks with this spec, although we have seen it on sale for considerably less. The JUOVI J2621, for instance, is cheaper, but has the same power and capacity, and even has four ports instead of three, two of which are USB-A. It’s similarly hefty, though, which might deter ultra-light travelers.
Ultimately, if you want plenty of USB-C ports in a stylish package, the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is a solid choice – but perhaps wait for a sale to maximize its value.
Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack review: price & specs
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|
Price |
$54.99 / £57 (about AU$86) |
|
Capacity |
20,000mAh |
|
Total wattage |
45W |
|
Number of ports |
3 |
|
USB-C |
3 |
|
Wireless charging |
No |
|
Weight |
12.3oz / 350g |
|
Power-to-weight |
57mAh/g |
Should I buy the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack?
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Lewis Maddison is a Reviews Writer for TechRadar. He previously worked as a Staff Writer for our business section, TechRadar Pro, where he gained experience with productivity-enhancing hardware, ranging from keyboards to standing desks. His area of expertise lies in computer peripherals and audio hardware, having spent over a decade exploring the murky depths of both PC building and music production. He also revels in picking up on the finest details and niggles that ultimately make a big difference to the user experience.