Portable battery packs are a generally predictable, yet competitive accessory market. Really the only two things you can change about a portable battery is choose how large the battery capacity is and how the thing looks. Manufacturers of these accessories toy endlessly with combinations of battery size and appearance, all hoping to capture your attention among the plethora of other choices. Moshi is jumping into the thick of this market with the IonBank series of battery packs and today we’ll be taking a look at the 10K model.
The overview
The 10K in the moshi IonBank 10K’s name intuitively refers to the battery capacity of the battery pack, 10,000mAh. The IonBank series also includes a 5K model which unsurprisingly only has half the capacity. The IonBank is equipped with 2 USB charging outputs which can give a total power output of 18 watts dynamically controlled between the two outputs.
Out of the box, you get the IonBank itself as well as a tight-fitting storage pouch which appears to me made from a material that isn’t unlike the hybrid Tetrahedon microfibre mixed with synthetic fabric that we saw on moshi’s Overture case (see that review here).
While it appears that the IonBank has no cables to speak of, it does actually have a input charging cable tucked under a sliding panel on its underside. It’s really quite a slick way to hide the always connected cable, though whether you love or hate it will depend on how you like charging your devices; some devices also offer the option of charging with a microUSB cable which is a nice nod to Android smartphone owners, however with the IonBank, you will be restricted to charging with USB AC adapters and plugging it into computers.
As for any additional cables, the IonBank 10K has none, which is interesting as the smaller IonBank 5K comes in two variants, one with a Lightning connector for newer iOS devices and another with microUSB for Android devices. Why moshi elected not to include both cables or offer similar variants for the 10K version is questionable, though it’s likely due to the fact that the 10K is meant to charge a whole plethora of devices including tablets. To indicate how much charge is left on the unit, the IonBank utilizes 5 white LEDs which indicate 20% of charge each.
The looks
I would definitely say that the appearance of the IonBank 10K is its highlight as it looks extremely sleek and polished. I distinctly remember the feeling of awe when I first opened up the IonBank and to this day I think it’s one of the best looking portable battery packs out there right now. I particularly like that all aspects of the design are all considered, like the fact that the battery indicators are white to match the style of the battery pack.
The additional travel pouch is also a nice touch as it adds another level of style to the whole package, and if aesthetics is one of your chief considerations, then the IonBank will have you well accommodated.
The durability
The top and bottom faces of the IonBank are brushed aluminium which gives it a very premium, sleek feel. The metal covering doesn’t appear to be too thick, however it does appear to give enough protection for the bottom and top of the battery pack. Any additional damage can hopefully be mitigated by the travel pouch.
A potential area of wear and tear is the sliding panel at the base of the battery pack, though from its ultra-smooth sliding mechanism, I think this could actually be more durable than it looks.
My greatest concern with the IonBank’s durability pertains to its charging cable that resides under the sliding panel. In its resting position, it lies in its assigned trench within the battery pack and when it is to be used, it must be positioned in the opposite direction before the panel and be shut again. I don’t know how durable the cable itself is, but repeating this motion over and over could potentially affect the cable’s integrity, though I have no reason to believe this will definitely occur.
The practicality
With any portable battery pack, the primary consideration, of course, is the battery capacity. 10,000mAh is a hell of a lot of charge and is able to keep my Note 2 and I fuelled for 3 whole charges with juice to spare. For it’s capacity, the IonBank is neither too large or too small; it should be perfectly portable in a small bag/handbag, however it’s definitely too large for pockets. One thing that bugged me about the pouch + IonBank travel combo is that the pouch covers up the USB ports while the IonBank is inside, meaning that you will always have to remove the pouch to use it. This might not be a huge deal, but when you’re running low on battery and instead you’re fiddling with several cables and a pouch as well, it just seems a bit inconvenient.
The ability to charge two device simultaneously is obviously nice and its advertised ability to dynamically change its charging output depending on what is attached to it is a nice feature. I had no issues charging devices with the IonBank, and the white indicator lights on the side of the battery pack are very visible and descriptive in 20% increments.
The verdict
Rating: 3/5
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the moshi IonBank 10K, its the price tag basically writes its own verdict: a MSRP of $110. Compared to offerings like the Anker Astro 3E battery packs which offer far more features for about half the cost, the IonBank 10K is a very hard sell. The IonBank is arguable a better constructed package, but the silver lining is that if you appreciate design and style, and don’t mind paying a premium price for it, the moshi IonBank 10K will have you well catered for.
For more information about the moshi IonBank 10K portable battery pack, or any of moshi’s other products, visit the website links below:
moshi IonBank 10K product page
Gallery of Photos
