We’ve reviewed quite a few portable battery packs here at Techaeris. While they are a dime a dozen when it comes to selection and variety, many newer ones are adding power delivery options to them. With newer smartphones adopting USB Type-C charging, and some laptops as well, having a portable battery pack with PD is definitely a bonus. Our RAVPower RP-PB159 review takes a look at a 20,100mAh portable USB-C battery pack with 45W of power delivery.
Specifications
The RAVPower RP-PB159 45W Super-C Series 20100mAh Portable Charger has the following features and specifications:
- Capacity: 20,100mAh/3.6V, 72.36Wh
- USB-C Input: PD3.0 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A, 30W Max
- Micro-USB Input: QC 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 18W Max
- USB-C Output: PD3.0 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/1.5A, 45W Max
- USB-A Output: 5V/2.4A, iSmart, 12W
- Total Output: 45W
- Dimensions: 160 x 78.5 x 23mm (6.3 x 3.1 x 0.9in)
- Weight: 400g (14.1 oz)
What’s in the box
- RAVPower RP-PB159 45W Super-C Series 20100mAh Portable Charger
- Micro-USB to USB-A cable
- USB Type-C cable
- Carrying pouch
- User guide
Design
A brick is a brick is a brick. The same holds true for most power banks. In the case of the RAVPower RP-PB159, it’s black and rectangular in shape. Honestly, though, it’s a form factor that works well for portable battery packs as it’s relatively thin at just under an inch thick. On that note, it’s just over 6 1/4 inches in length and just over 3 inches in width.
On one end, 20100mAh is debossed into it. The other end is where you’ll find your USB Type-C PD in/out, Micro-USB input, and USB-A iSmart output ports. Just above the Micro-USB port are four blue LEDs which indicate the amount of battery remaining in the power bank. Located on the long edge just to the left of the USB Type-C port is a button which, when pressed, turns the LEDs on to indicate remaining battery life. Finally, the RAVPower logo is debossed into the top of the power bank.
While previous RAVPower power banks we’ve reviewed come with a mesh pouch, this one comes with a cloth, velour looking and feeling pouch. Grey in colour, the inside is lined with a softer black fabric which makes it easy to put the power bank in and out. Also a new touch, the carrying case has a pouch on the outside for storage of your USB cables. While it’s not sealed in any way, when the power bank and cords are all in the pouch, it is a pretty tight fit and I never worried about the cables falling out at all.
Ease of Use
Nothing really hard to figure out here. Simply plug your device into whatever cable fits and plug the other end into the USB Type-C or USB-A port on the power bank. Once you do, your device will start charging. Easy peasy…
Performance
Using the RAVPower 45W Super-C Series charger, I was able to charge the Lenovo Ideapad 730S from empty in roughly 1 3/4 hours. This was all while running the laptop and using it for basic web tasks, backlit lighting on lowest, battery set to better performance, and the screen brightness set at 50%. Once fully charged, the power bank showed 2 lights remaining, stating there was between 25-50% battery left in the power pack.
While the Ideapad was plugged into the power bank, our USB-C meter showed that the output while charging and powering the 730S peak at just under 42 Watts. For the most part, it averaged between 33-40 Watts depending on what we were doing with the laptop. Not once did the laptop complain about having an improper “battery” size.
On the other hand, when trying to use it with a laptop that requires 60W of power, the computer would complain about it being plugged into an improper power source.
As for other devices, both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a XL show “Charging rapidly” while connected via USB-C. Running and charging a Nintendo Switch from the portable charge posed no issues either.
Battery Life
With a 20,100mAh battery, battery life really depends on what you’re charging. It’s definitely big enough to recharge your phone and other devices a couple of times over the course of a weekend.
On that note, because it’s such a big battery, it actually takes some time to fully recharge. When using the RAVPower RP-PC104 45W Ultrathin PD Charger, it took about 3 hours to fully recharge the portable charger. If you’re recharging via Micro-USB, you’re going to take much longer.
Price/Value
With an MSRP of US$59.99 on Amazon, the RAVPower 45W Portable Charger is pretty reasonably priced for its size, charging ports, and the fact it supports up to 45W power delivery.
Wrap-up
Given today’s busy world and the amount of tech in it, it never hurts to have too much spare power while on the go. Whether it’s for work or play, the RAVPower RP-PB159 45W Super-C Series 20100mAh Portable Charger not only charges devices quickly but it can handle a variety of devices from smartphones, laptops requiring 45W of power or less, portable game consoles, and more.
*We were sent a sample of the RAVPower RP-PB159 45W Super-C Series 20100mAh Portable Charger for the purposes of this review. In some of our articles and especially in our reviews, you will find Amazon or other affiliate links. Running a website does take money, along with time. Any purchases you make through these links often result in a small amount being earned for the site and/or our writers.
Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
