Australian Hiker

Rating

Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank Review

While I typically don’t carry a power bank on day hikes I will on overnight hikes. As a blogger I tend to have a higher power usage than most hikers but having said that, I have enough ‘standard’ gear that most hikers carry that needs to be recharged. On hikes up to seven days in length I will choose one of the smaller options which for me is a 10,000 mAh power bank. This enables me to potentially charge the following electronic gear:

• An Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera
• An iPhone 12 Mini
• A Garmin rechargeable GPS Satellite Communicator
• A rechargeable headlamp
• An iPad Mini (on longer hikes)
• Fitbit
• Suunto 9 Baro Wrist Heart Rate GPS Watch-Black

I’ve always been a power bank user, mainly because rain and heavy tree coverage seems to be companion on many of the hikes I do so solar panels don’t work so well for me.

In looking at what to buy, part of my decision making process involves estimating the size of the power bank I needed which requires an understanding of:

• my battery usage for each device
• the charge capability of the power bank
• the time between power points

Go too small and your devices will run flat. Go too big and you’re carrying needless weight. I also prefer to buy something local (Australia) rather than opt for overseas products.

There are so many power bank options available to choose from but given I sometimes carry an iPad which takes a while to charge, I wanted a power bank with at least one USB-C connection (check your devices for compatibility) because that’s the way the industry is heading. USB-C connections allow for faster charging provided you have the appropriate cable and a compatable device. The Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank has two USB-A outlets and one USB-C so you can charge three devices at the same time. Having said that given this power bank is rated to provide up to 2.6 full phone charges if you were charging three devices at the same time then you would really need to pay close attention to where you want the power going. In my case on hikes up to a week long, I focus on my Garmin Satellite communicator and my phone but as I get towards the end of the week and given I know my devices are sitting charge wise, I’ll look at what else I need to top up.

The Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank has a charge meter in the top left corner so you can see how much capacity is still available. This meter will only show when the power button has been pressed.

With so many power bank options on the market these days and in fact so many cheap options, why would I go for one of the dearer ones? I have, and still do have a number of Cygnett power banks of varying size and the one constant with all of them is their reliability. I have owned other brands of power banks but none have surpassed the Cygnets in their reliability. I have regularly taken my Cygnett power banks out of their storage cupboard after sitting there for eight months and they are still fully charged; they are just that reliable year-in year-out.

One other thing I like about this unit is that it charges my Fitbit which is something not all power banks will do. The draw from the power banks by most fitness watches is so small that many power banks will turn themselves off not recognising that anything is attached. Not so with this unit. I usually find that while my Fitbit last six days when not connected to the GPS function or bluetooth, I always need to do a small charge towards the end of a 6-7 day hike.

This little unit is similar in size to my iPhone 12 Mini in its case and weighs in at 210 grams which is the same weight as its predecessor. The best way to think about the size of this power bank is that its like carrying a second phone. The case has a soft finish with rounded corners as opposed to the angular hard feeling surfaces that many other battery packs on the market have. On occasion I’ve had both my iPhone and my power bank in one pocket charging my phone after heavy use and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.

One last comment I would mention is that good quality cables will help to protect your valuable electronics and also allow for faster charging so don’t stint on the charging cables just to save a few dollars.

We Like

• Compact soft feel case. The rounded corners mean you can sit this unit in your pocket and it feels just like a phone
• Charge meter so you know how much power you have left
• Charge three devices at one time
• Will last most people for 7-8+ days depending on power usage

We Don't Like

• Not the cheapest unit on the market but definitely one of the most reliable – it will keep on going year after year

Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank. Note the charge capacity in the top left corner of the unit

Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank power button

Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank – USB ports 2 X USB-A and 1 X USB-C

Best Uses

A small power bank for your smaller electronics for the average hiker or outdoor user

Buy One

You can purchase the Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank online from Amazon Australia

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

If you have used the Cygnett ChargeUp Boost 2nd Generation 10,000 mAh Power Bank or if you have questions, we’d like to hear from you. Post your comment or question below

Investment

AUD $41.97 RRP

Other options

Cygnett 27,000mAh USB-C Power Bank is great for heavy users e.g. multi week or laptop charging

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker

Shares

Related articles