The Thunder Block 100W power bank promises impressive power delivery, boasting a massive 60,000mAh capacity and a 100W output. This in-depth review delves into its performance, exploring its charging capabilities, real-world usage scenarios, and limitations. We put the power bank through rigorous testing, charging a variety of devices simultaneously and assessing its ability to power a laptop for extended periods. We also investigated its charging speed and efficiency, comparing theoretical capacity with actual performance.This review examines not only the power bank's strengths, like its fast charging and multi-device compatibility, but also its weaknesses. We explore the impact of the included cable's 60W limitation on charging speed and delve into the compatibility issues experienced when attempting to charge directly from a high-voltage solar panel. Ultimately, this comprehensive assessment will help you determine if the Thunder Block 100W power bank lives up to the hype and if it’s the right choice for your power needs.
Pros And Cons
- 60,000 mAh battery capacity
- 100-watt power output
- LCD screen showing detailed power output, battery percentage, and estimated time until low battery
- Two USB ports and two USB-C charging ports
- Can charge multiple devices simultaneously (tablet, two cell phones) with remaining battery life
- Supports pass-through charging (charging itself while outputting power)
- Includes USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- User manual included
- Quality certificate included
- Charging speed is limited by device input, not the power bank's maximum output (60W limitation mentioned)
- Does not support direct charging from a 18-24V solar panel (requires a converter)
- USB ports only support 5V output (non-fast charging)
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The package includes the power bank itself, a user manual, a quality certificate, stickers, and a USB C-to-C charging cable. The power bank boasts a substantial 60,000mAh capacity and is available in two versions: one with 100W output and another with 45W output. The 100W version, as expected, commands a higher price.
The power bank features a convenient handle, and its specifications are clearly printed on the device. The model is YT 2030 100W Pro 60,000mAh. The design is sleek and modern with an LCD screen displaying detailed battery information and charging status.
Charging Speed and Capacity Tests
While the power bank itself supports 100W input, the charging speed is limited by the device being charged. The included cable can only handle 60W, making it impossible to fully utilize the power bank’s maximum input power. For self-charging test, it's recommended to fully discharge the power bank to 0% before charging to 100%.
A full charge from 0% to 100% took approximately 4 hours using a 100W power supply. Output capacity testing at 20V and 3A (60W) resulted in approximately 214Wh. This is lower than the theoretical capacity but this test fully depletes the battery which isn't recommended for long-term health of the power bank.
Device Charging Test
The power bank successfully charged a 10,000mAh tablet (Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro) and two 5,000mAh smartphones (Tecno Camon 19 Pro and Realme) to 100%. Even after charging these three devices, the power bank still had 17% of its capacity remaining. Charging speed varied, with the tablet receiving approximately 20W and the smartphones charging faster.
The power bank is capable of fast charging multiple devices simultaneously. The power bank effectively manages power distribution, ensuring that each device is charged efficiently and maintaining a reasonable charge.
Laptop Charging and Simultaneous Charging Test
The power bank successfully powered a laptop for over three hours while playing YouTube videos, with 41% of the battery remaining afterward. The power bank demonstrates its ability to provide sustained power for laptops and other power-hungry devices.
Testing simultaneous fast charging via both USB-C ports showed the power bank effectively dividing its power between devices. While simultaneously charging a power station and a smartphone, the power bank maintained a stable output, demonstrating its pass-through charging capability.
Solar Panel Charging and Teardown
The power bank failed to charge directly from a high-voltage solar panel (18-24V), but successfully charged from lower-voltage sources (20V). This suggests that the power bank may have voltage limitations which prevent direct charging from high-voltage solar panels without a voltage regulator.
A teardown revealed the internal components, including six lithium polymer batteries arranged in series for a total capacity of 60,000mAh. The circuit boards and battery arrangement are neatly constructed.
Conclusion
The Thunder Block 100W power bank offers impressive capacity and fast charging capabilities, successfully charging multiple devices simultaneously. It is capable of pass-through charging but does have limitations with higher voltage input from solar panels.
However, its inability to directly charge from high-voltage solar panels without additional components is a significant drawback. Consider this carefully before purchasing if solar charging is a priority. The 100W version is more powerful but more expensive than the 45W variant, which offers comparable capacity but a reduced charging speed.