Silicon Power QP66 Portable Charger GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
Maybe it's because I use my phone a lot for work, or because my iPhone X is slowly aging and its battery is starting to feel the pressure, but most times when I reach for my phone, the first thing I notice is the dreaded low battery warning. It's a problem that plagues me, and one that I won't likely see go away until I shell out for a new primary phone. In the meantime, there's at least an easy fix to walking around with a phone that has wretched battery life: a power bank.
Fortunately, there is an absolute wealth of portable chargers to choose from, each trying to stand out from the pack by offering small differences to make their charger the best bang for your buck. Sometimes, though, keeping it simple is the best method, which is what Silicon Power has opted to do with its QP66 power bank. This charger differs slightly from Silicon Power's previously reviewed charger by including a new charging input port, changing the exterior shell, and is a fraction lighter.
The QP66's biggest external change sees it adding grooves that go across the length of the device, and while that may sound rather uninteresting at first, you'll quickly realize how great of a design choice it was once you start using the charger. Most power banks try their best to look sleek, and nearly all of them have a flat surface, but if you're holding both the charger and your phone in your hand, there's a good chance the latter will slip around easily because of that. These grooves aren't just for aesthetic--having something with a bit of grip to it has helped immensely when it comes to adjusting my hold on the power bank, or even just being able to pick it up off of a desk more easily.
A difference between this power bank, the QP66, versus Silicon Power's previous QP60, is that this one stays much cooler while both charging and being charged. It still sports that lovely aluminum body, but the QP66 managed to be far more tolerable to hold or keep in your pocket than the company's previous offering. The charger also feels lighter, weighing in at a little over 7oz, making it easy to hold for long periods of time, either in your hand or on your person without noticing the extra weight.
One of the more unique details about the QP66 is that it has a Lightning port on the side, allowing you to easily charge it if you're an Apple user and don't readily have a non-Lightning charger at the ready. If you have an iPhone/iPad dock, it also works there, too. The inclusion is nice, and gives the charger more utility by being able to accept three different types of input. You've also got USB-C and Micro USB for inputs, while the power bank can output charge via USB-C or USB-A. Nearly every new device coming out these days uses USB-C, so having that format should be standard at this point. The USB-C port supports PD charging up to 18W, letting it charge things super quickly, and it also lets the power bank charge up back to full capacity rapidly. According to the manufacturer, it takes about 3.5 hours to charge the QP66 back to full capacity which was accurate--it took just over 3 hours to charge the power bank to 100% each time I needed to do so.
- Capacity：10,000mAh
- Color：Black, Green, Silver, Red, Blue
- Charging time：3.5 hours (PD)
- Input：Micro-USB: DC 5V/2A, 9V/2A ; Type-C: DC 5V/2A, 9V/2A (PD) ; Lightning: DC 5V/2A
- Output：
- USB1 (USB Type-A): DC 5V/2A, DC 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
- Type-C: DC 5V/2.5A, DC 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
- USB1+Type-C: DC 5V/3A (max.)
- Available Interface (Input)：Micro-USB, Type-C, Lightning
- Available Interface (Output)：USB Type-A (x1), Type-C (x1)
- Dimensions：5.35 x 2.68x 0.53inches
- Weight：7.51oz/ 0.47lb
- Material：Aluminum
- Battery：Li-Polymer
As the specification list shows, the QP66 has a 10,000mAh battery, and given the size, the capacity is fairly standard. There certainly are smaller chargers with the same battery size on the market, but the QP66 is very portable, taking up just a bit less space than the average smartphone. It also feels durable to the point that it won't crack or break if you manage to accidentally drop it, thanks to the solid feeling aluminum frame.
Another nice feature of the power bank is that you can use it to charge the Nintendo Switch, via USB-C PD. Though there aren't many reasons to go outside these days, the QP66 does a superb job at keeping the console topped up on battery, so that you can take your Switch with you without worrying about running out of charge while playing something battery heavy, such as Breath of the Wild.
The Silicon Power QP66 is a no-frills charger that does exactly what it says it will: charge your devices up quickly so that you never have to run out of battery. Having three different types of input for charging also makes it a versatile charger for any kind of tech setup, whether you have an Android or Apple phone. At $14.99, it's an easy recommendation for anyone needing a slim on-the-go charger.
Verdict
- Sports a variety of ports for input, including Lightning
- Has Fast Charging
- Very budget-friendly, while still looking and feeling nice
- Struggled with keeping a laptop charged up over USB-C PD
