frontpagephoinix | Staff posted Dec 21, 2025 01:45 PM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
frontpagephoinix | Staff posted Dec 21, 2025 01:45 PM
5,000mAh Mophie Powerstation Mini 20W USB-C PD Portable Power Bank (Black)
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$30
56% offAmazon
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Meanwhile out of four of the Baseus 10000 packs from 2-2.5 years ago, one is at 390mah, another at 939mah, and third one is around 3900mah. Oddly enough, the one I've used the most, probably 50-60 times, is still holding kind of solid at 7900mah.
Meanwhile out of four of the Baseus 10000 packs from 2-2.5 years ago, one is at 390mah, another at 939mah, and third one is around 3900mah. Oddly enough, the one I've used the most, probably 50-60 times, is still holding kind of solid at 7900mah.
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This unit was priced the same a few weeks ago and seems to have stayed there, so I wouldn't call it an "amazing deal." But whether it's worth the price tag is pretty subjective.
I was looking for a 5000mAh power bank in the smallest size possible (to fit in my camera sling bag) from a reputable brand (no fire hazards) with decent output (20W was fine). I also preferred a lipstick shape since it fits perfectly into the spare space in my sling bag.
Can you find something similar but cheaper? Sure, there are tons of cheaper options on Amazon or Aliexpress from unknown brands. But I'm not comfortable charging $5k+ equipment with something that has an unknown level of quality control. The closest power bank I had in mind was the Anker PowerCore 5000, which has no USB-C and costs $24. So yeah, this product at this price isn't too bad. It's likely not an amazing deal for everyone since many prefer "slim" power banks, which are often cheaper. But if you want this lipstick shape one, it's pretty good.
This unit was priced the same a few weeks ago and seems to have stayed there, so I wouldn't call it an "amazing deal." But whether it's worth the price tag is pretty subjective.
I was looking for a 5000mAh power bank in the smallest size possible (to fit in my camera sling bag) from a reputable brand (no fire hazards) with decent output (20W was fine). I also preferred a lipstick shape since it fits perfectly into the spare space in my sling bag.
Can you find something similar but cheaper? Sure, there are tons of cheaper options on Amazon or Aliexpress from unknown brands. But I'm not comfortable charging $5k+ equipment with something that has an unknown level of quality control. The closest power bank I had in mind was the Anker PowerCore 5000, which has no USB-C and costs $24. So yeah, this product at this price isn't too bad. It's likely not an amazing deal for everyone since many prefer "slim" power banks, which are often cheaper. But if you want this lipstick shape one, it's pretty good.
I did my standard USB A to C, 5v up to 2.4v recharge test and it came in worse than any other 5000mah battery I own and have ever tested at only 3468mah! https://imgur.com/a/EYJIcGD
I ordered two, two packs of these batteries, from a different product listing, last year on BF when they were 2x$17, and even they managed to eek out 37** and 40**mah. Granted, they can't output 20w USB C, but for close to the same size, maybe even a bit smaller, they're a much better deal since both the A and C ports work for outputs.
Heck, even the two sets of round, similar sized rechargeable hand warmers I own do 39** and 43**, and they were like 2 for $12!
I did my standard USB A to C, 5v up to 2.4v recharge test and it came in worse than any other 5000mah battery I own and have ever tested at only 3468mah! https://imgur.com/a/EYJIcGD
I ordered two, two packs of these batteries, from a different product listing, last year on BF when they were 2x$17, and even they managed to eek out 37** and 40**mah. Granted, they can't output 20w USB C, but for close to the same size, maybe even a bit smaller, they're a much better deal since both the A and C ports work for outputs.
Heck, even the two sets of round, similar sized rechargeable hand warmers I own do 39** and 43**, and they were like 2 for $12!
Most electronics (phones, power banks, etc.) advertise capacity in mAh, but what often gets missed is that mAh depends on voltage. Power banks are typically rated at the cell voltage (about 3.7V), while phones and USB devices operate around 5V. So even with the same amount of stored energy, the mAh number will look different depending on which voltage you're using.
Using a 5000 mAh power bank as an example: that 5000 mAh rating is at 3.7V. The real energy capacity in watt-hours is:
5000 * 3.7 / 1000 = 18.5 Wh
(This is also the unit TSA uses for carry-on battery limits.)
If you pull power out at 5V from that same battery, the equivalent capacity becomes:
18.5 / 5 * 1000 = 3700 mAh
And since your device actually drew about 5.18V, it works out to roughly 3571 mAh.
Also, anytime you convert voltage (3.7V to 5V), you should expect some energy loss. No consumer device is lossless. High-quality power banks typically lose around 10-15%. Based on the photos you posted, you're seeing under 3% loss, which is excellent and honestly close to best-case.
tl;dr: Your battery is more than fine. The math is where things went off.
Most electronics (phones, power banks, etc.) advertise capacity in mAh, but what often gets missed is that mAh depends on voltage. Power banks are typically rated at the cell voltage (about 3.7V), while phones and USB devices operate around 5V. So even with the same amount of stored energy, the mAh number will look different depending on which voltage you're using.
Using a 5000 mAh power bank as an example: that 5000 mAh rating is at 3.7V. The real energy capacity in watt-hours is:
5000 * 3.7 / 1000 = 18.5 Wh
(This is also the unit TSA uses for carry-on battery limits.)
If you pull power out at 5V from that same battery, the equivalent capacity becomes:
18.5 / 5 * 1000 = 3700 mAh
And since your device actually drew about 5.18V, it works out to roughly 3571 mAh.
Also, anytime you convert voltage (3.7V to 5V), you should expect some energy loss. No consumer device is lossless. High-quality power banks typically lose around 10-15%. Based on the photos you posted, you're seeing under 3% loss, which is excellent and honestly close to best-case.
tl;dr: Your battery is more than fine. The math is where things went off.
On 10,000 packs, you'll usually see upper 8700-89**s if they're decent, and on 20,000 packs, they're 18400+ if they're using decent cells.
This one literally came in the worst. I'll be returning it. No wonder they're on clearance.
On 10,000 packs, you'll usually see upper 8700-89**s if they're decent, and on 20,000 packs, they're 18400+ if they're using decent cells.
This one literally came in the worst. I'll be returning it. No wonder they're on clearance.
Again, you can't just look at the mAh number by itself. It doesn't mean much on its own. Many batteries also change voltage while charging. If you want to make a true comparison, you need to look at watt-hours (Wh), not mAh.
EDIT:
If you're not happy with the product, then just return it. I'm not affiliated with SD or this product, so it doesn't really affect me. I'm just trying to help out a frustrated fellow who thinks their item is malfunctioning when it's actually not.
Again, you can't just look at the mAh number by itself. It doesn't mean much on its own. Many batteries also change voltage while charging. If you want to make a true comparison, you need to look at watt-hours (Wh), not mAh.
EDIT:
If you're not happy with the product, then just return it. I'm not affiliated with SD or this product, so it doesn't really affect me. I'm just trying to help out a frustrated fellow who thinks their item is malfunctioning when it's actually not.
https://imgur.com/a/Wa7E11m
https://imgur.com/a/Wa7E11m
Here's a quick metaphor to help explain the relationship between mAh, V, and Wh. Imagine you are filling up a car with gas at a gas station.
Amperage (mAh) is like the speed or force at which gasoline flows through the nozzle. It can tell you how fast the gas is being pumped, but it does not tell you how many gallons go into the tank.
Voltage (V) is like the diameter of the nozzle. A larger nozzle lets more gas flow at once, but by itself it still does not tell you how many gallons were filled.
Watt-hours (Wh) are like the total gallons of gas. This is the number that tells you how much energy was actually transferred. You calculate it by multiplying voltage by mAh, similar to how nozzle size and flow rate together determine how much gas ends up in the tank.
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Hey, let's calm a bit bud. I snagged this model a few weeks back, so I can share some thoughts.
This unit was priced the same a few weeks ago and seems to have stayed there, so I wouldn't call it an "amazing deal." But whether it's worth the price tag is pretty subjective.
I was looking for a 5000mAh power bank in the smallest size possible (to fit in my camera sling bag) from a reputable brand (no fire hazards) with decent output (20W was fine). I also preferred a lipstick shape since it fits perfectly into the spare space in my sling bag.
Can you find something similar but cheaper? Sure, there are tons of cheaper options on Amazon or Aliexpress from unknown brands. But I'm not comfortable charging $5k+ equipment with something that has an unknown level of quality control. The closest power bank I had in mind was the Anker PowerCore 5000, which has no USB-C and costs $24. So yeah, this product at this price isn't too bad. It's likely not an amazing deal for everyone since many prefer "slim" power banks, which are often cheaper. But if you want this lipstick shape one, it's pretty good.
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