Here's a portable power bank that's actually worth its high price - especially if you travel

Cuktech 15 Air powerfulness bank

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Cuktech's 15 Air powerfulness slope is disposable present for $79.
• It's a stylish, compact powerfulness slope that's smaller than astir 10,000mAh units, and has 100W accelerated recharge for speedy charging.
• It comes with a premium terms tag.

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Sometimes I trial a merchandise that makes maine recognize conscionable however acold exertion has come. Power banks are 1 of those things that consciousness a batch similar eating beans -- they're good, but they each consciousness the same.

That is, until thing comes on and redefines what I expect. That's what the Cuktech 15 Air did for me. Sure, it's a powerfulness bank, and it works good -- but it redefined what I expect from the technology. Especially erstwhile compared with competitors. 

Also: We tested 10 powerfulness banks successful our laboratory - and this 1 provided the fastest charge

The Cuktech 15 Air is simply a 15,000mAh, 57.75Wh powerfulness slope that punches good supra its weight. At 5.2 x 0.8 x 2.8 inches and 10.8 ounces (0.6 pounds), it's thinner and lighter than astir 10,000mAh powerfulness banks. This has been accomplished by utilizing GaN transistors and silicon-carbon cells, making it overmuch much portable and cleanable for commuting, vacations, oregon outdoor activities. 

And to debar immoderate hassles taking the 15 Air connected a plane, it's marked hose safe.

The Cuktech 15 Air is marked arsenic hose safe, truthful nary hassles erstwhile traveling.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The 15 Air has 3 outputs: 2 USB-C ports with maximum outputs of 65W and 27W, and a USB-A larboard with a maximum of 18W output. This means this 1 powerfulness slope tin complaint your laptop -- albeit not astatine afloat velocity -- a smartphone, and a bequest oregon low-power spot of kit. 

At nether an inch thick, and weighing lone 10.8 ounces, this is simply a highly portable unit. 

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

All 3 ports tin beryllium utilized simultaneously for a maximum output of 65W (45W from 1 of the USB-C ports, and 10W from each of the different ports), and the powerfulness slope besides supports pass-through charging, truthful it tin beryllium charged itself portion powering different devices. 

Also: I tested a solid-state portable artillery for a week - present lithium-ion feels aged school

While the outputs of this powerfulness slope are alternatively impressive, the input charging powerfulness is an adjacent much awesome 100W. Using an due charger tin instrumentality the 15 Air from level to 60% successful 30 minutes.

The colour TFT show is an implicit joyousness and packed with information.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The 15 Air besides has a superb colour TFT show that shows you everything from the artillery complaint level, existent and voltage larboard outputs, and it tin besides fto you acceptable the main USB-C larboard from the mean in/out to either successful lone oregon retired only.  This is simply a useful diagnostic to person connected powerfulness banks due to the fact that it allows you to person finer power implicit charging. 

The powerfulness slope besides comes with a microfiber cloth and a foot-long 240W USB-C cable. 

ZDNET's buying advice

I truly similar the Cuktech 15 Air. It's a modern instrumentality connected a powerfulness bank, and it's a tiny bundle that's packed with immoderate precocious features. The show is casual connected the eyes, and a bully touch, and the powerfulness outputs are capable to fulfill each but the astir demanding loads. This, combined with the 100W high-speed charging, makes it a winner.

It's a premium-quality powerfulness bank, but it comes with a premium terms tag. At $80, you're decidedly going to beryllium capable to find cheaper 15,000mAh powerfulness banks, but you'll beryllium hard-pressed to find a higher prime 1 for the price.