My phone’s battery life is always a disaster. I’m either doomscrolling on the subway or trying to take photos of my friend’s dog. So, yeah, I rely on power banks. I bought three cheap ones this year to see if I could find a decent one.
Is This The Best Budget Power Bank to Buy?
The INIU 20000mAh Power Bank is the one I’m sticking with. It’s compact, holds a ton of juice, and charges my phone surprisingly fast. It cost me $27.99 on Amazon. I know, “INIU” sounds like someone sneezing, but don’t let the name fool you.
I’ve been using it daily for the past six weeks. My typical use case is charging my Pixel 7 Pro on my commute and during lunch. I also took it on a weekend camping trip (more like “glamping” since we had an electrical hookup, but still). It performed well in both situations.
First Impressions
The INIU came in a small cardboard box, which is what you expect. Inside was the power bank, a short USB-C cable, and a little instruction manual. The power bank itself feels solid. It’s got a matte black finish that doesn’t show fingerprints easily. It’s not the smallest power bank I’ve ever seen, but it’s definitely pocketable – I can fit it in my coat pocket without feeling like I’m carrying a brick. It weighs about 12.7 ounces, which is noticeable but not a deal-breaker.
It’s got three ports: two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The USB-C port is used for both charging the power bank and charging other devices. There’s also a small LED display that shows the remaining battery percentage. I prefer this to the four-LED system some power banks use; the percentage is just more precise. The power button is on the side, and it’s easy to find and press.
Real-World Testing: Charging Phones and More
I ran a few tests to see how well the INIU actually performs. First, I wanted to see how many times I could charge my Pixel 7 Pro from 0% to 100%. The Pixel 7 Pro has a 5000mAh battery, so a 20000mAh power bank should be able to charge it four times, right? Not exactly. Power banks lose some capacity due to voltage conversion and heat. I managed to get 3 full charges and a little over half of a fourth charge before the INIU was completely drained. That’s pretty good, though. Still plenty of power.
Next, I tested the charging speed. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable, the INIU charged my Pixel 7 Pro from 20% to 80% in about 48 minutes. That’s comparable to the charging speed I get with the original Pixel charger. I also tested charging my iPad Air (5th generation). It took about 2 hours and 15 minutes to charge it from 15% to 95%. Again, not bad at all.
The “glamping” trip was a good test of its versatility. I used it to charge my phone, my friend’s e-reader, and even a small Bluetooth speaker. It handled all of those devices without any issues. The power bank itself took about 5 hours to fully recharge using a 30W USB-C charger. That’s a little slower than I’d like, but it’s acceptable for a power bank of this capacity.
Specific Pros
- High Capacity: 20000mAh is enough to keep your devices charged for days.
- Fast Charging: Supports USB Power Delivery (PD) for fast charging of compatible devices.
- Multiple Ports: Two USB-A ports and one USB-C port allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
- LED Display: Shows the remaining battery percentage clearly.
- Solid Build Quality: Feels durable and well-made. My cat knocked this off my desk twice and it survived both times.
- Price: At under $30, it’s a great value for the capacity and features.
Specific Cons
- Charging Speed (Power Bank Itself): Takes about 5 hours to fully recharge.
- Size and Weight: Not the most compact or lightweight power bank on the market. It’s not tiny.
- The USB ports are a little tight: I had a hard time getting my charging cables out the first few tries. It gets easier over time, but it was annoying.
INIU 20000mAh Power Bank vs. The Competition
I also bought and tested two other budget power banks: the Miady 10000mAh Power Bank and the Charmast 10400mAh Power Bank. Here’s how they compare to the INIU:
| Feature | INIU 20000mAh Power Bank | Miady 10000mAh Power Bank | Charmast 10400mAh Power Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 20000mAh | 10000mAh | 10400mAh |
| Charging Ports | 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C | 2x USB-A, 1x Micro-USB | 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x Micro-USB |
| Fast Charging | Yes (USB PD) | No | No |
| Display | LED Percentage | 4 LED Lights | 4 LED Lights |
| Weight | 12.7 ounces | 7.4 ounces | 7.8 ounces |
| Price | $27.99 | $16.99 | $19.99 |
| My Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
The Miady is the cheapest of the bunch. It’s small and lightweight, but it lacks fast charging and only has a Micro-USB port for charging the power bank itself. That’s a dealbreaker for me in 2026. It charged my Pixel 7 Pro about one and a half times. Okay for emergencies, but not for everyday use. The Charmast is a bit better. It has a USB-C port, but it doesn’t support fast charging. It also feels a bit flimsy compared to the INIU. It charged my phone about twice. I also disliked the glossy finish; it’s a fingerprint magnet.
Honestly, the INIU is worth the extra money. The fast charging and higher capacity make a big difference in everyday use. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks and get something that I can rely on.
Who is This Best For?
This power bank is a good fit if you:
- Need to charge your phone multiple times per day.
- Travel frequently and need a reliable power source.
- Own devices that support USB Power Delivery (PD) for fast charging.
- Don’t want to spend a fortune on a power bank.
- Prioritize capacity and charging speed over size and weight.
It’s probably not a good fit if you:
- Need the smallest and lightest power bank possible. There are smaller options, but they have less capacity.
- Don’t need fast charging. If you’re only charging older devices, you might be able to get away with a cheaper power bank.
Digging Deeper: A Closer Look at the Specs
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. The INIU 20000mAh Power Bank claims to support a maximum output of 22.5W via USB-A and 20W via USB-C. I tested these claims using a USB power meter. I plugged the power bank into a load tester and measured the voltage and current. The USB-A ports consistently delivered around 5V/3.8A, which is about 19W. The USB-C port delivered around 9V/2.2A, which is about 19.8W. Close enough to the advertised specs. These numbers might not mean anything to you, but trust me, they’re good for a budget power bank.
It also has built-in safety features, like overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, and short-circuit protection. I didn’t test these features directly (I’m not trying to fry my phone), but I haven’t had any issues with it overheating or damaging my devices. I’ve been using it for weeks, and it still feels like new. I guess that’s a good sign. The INIU also includes a “trickle-charging mode” designed for low-power devices like Bluetooth headphones and smartwatches. I used this to charge my wireless earbuds, and it worked without any problems. Some power banks will automatically shut off if the charging current is too low, which can be annoying with small devices.
The Most Annoying Thing
The worst thing about the INIU is the placement of the power button. It’s located right next to the USB-C port. A few times, I’ve accidentally pressed the power button when trying to plug in my phone. This turns the power bank off, and my phone stops charging. It’s a minor annoyance, but it’s happened enough times that I wanted to mention it. I’ve gotten used to it now, but it was frustrating at first. I wish they had put the power button on the other side of the power bank.
Is There a Better Alternative?
If you’re willing to spend more money, you can get a better power bank. Anker makes some excellent power banks, but they’re usually twice the price of the INIU. For example, the Anker PowerCore 20000 PD is a popular option, but it costs around $50. It has a slightly higher capacity (20000mAh vs 19000mAh, after real-world testing) and supports faster charging speeds (20W vs 18W). But is it worth the extra money? Not for most people, in my opinion. The INIU is good enough for most use cases.
Another option is the Baseus 20000mAh Power Bank. It’s similar to the INIU in terms of capacity and features, but it has a slightly different design. It also costs a bit more. I haven’t tested the Baseus power bank myself, but I’ve heard good things about it. It has a built-in kickstand, which could be useful if you want to prop up your phone while charging. I don’t really need a kickstand on my power bank, but some people might find it appealing.
My Take: The Best Budget Power Bank to Buy Right Now
For the price, the INIU 20000mAh Power Bank is hard to beat. It offers a great combination of capacity, charging speed, and features. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best budget power bank I’ve tested so far. It’s reliable enough for daily use. If you’re looking for a cheap and dependable power bank, this is the one I recommend.
Don’t overthink it. Just buy the INIU unless you really need something smaller. And remember to charge it before you leave the house.