Introducing the Moshi IonBank 5K Charger with Built-In USB Cables
Over the past few years, I’ve reviewed a handful of mobile battery chargers. While most rated average to below-average, the current crop of power banks have rated much higher. Moshi recently introduced their latest IonBank 5K and 10K models. Hoping the recent string of well-received power banks continued we had the opportunity to review their IonBank 5K for 2017. Much like the latest mobile phones, Moshi incorporated a USB-C port into their designs. So without further adieu, let’s take a closer look at one such charger in this Moshi IonBank 5K review.
Google Pixel and Moshi IonBank 5K
• Slender, modern design
• Attractive metal and vegan leather finish
• Built-in USB-A and USB-C cables
• Provides enough battery for 1-2 phone charges
• Only available in one color
• No plug-in wall outlet
• No Apple® Lightning™ cable port
Moshi IonBank 5K Review
Design and Features
The Moshi IonBank 5K power bank offers much in the way of design and convenience. These are its strengths.
For one, it’s slender, more so than a man’s wallet, and will comfortably fit into your pants back pocket. It also has something the high majority of portable chargers don’t have, and that’s integrated USB cables. Sure, there are plenty of chargers on the market with a USB-C port, but only a few (such as the Incipio Offgrid 8000 mAh or Flux Charger Plus) have an actual built-in cable. Moshi’s IonBank has one leg up on these two brands with two built-in cables, one USB-A and one USB-C. Furthermore, both cables are hidden under the vegan leather flap. Based on my research Moshi is the only brand (premium or otherwise) that offers more than one cable or this hideaway feature.
The downside is the battery capacity. Per its description, the IonBank 5K has a capacity of 5150 mAh. While this is enough to recharge the newest Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S models, it can only do so 1.5x before it requires its own recharge.
The IonBank 5K is an attractive product. It combines a gunmetal gray aluminum case with a vegan leather accent. Underneath the accent is what makes the IonBank stand out from the competition–its USB cable hideaway. As seen in the first photo, here’s the USB-A and USB-C cables.
As you see in the images above, there’s the power button, LED indication, the input USB-A port, and the two hidden output ports.
Like many of the chargers on the market, you can simultaneously charge the IonBank while charging two mobile devices. Unlike most other brands, you don’t need to worry about the USB cables.
LED indication is easy to understand. Think of each light as a quarter’s worth of power. If one light is flashing, the IonBank is charging, or it’s a low battery warning.
The IonBank 5K has dimensions of 4.76″ x 3.23″ x 0.51″ and weighs in at 5.71 ounces. Fully charging the battery takes approximately 3-4 hours.
For those of you who pay attention to specifications, here’s what you’re looking for.
• DC 5V 2.4A Input
• DC 5V 3.4A (max) Output
• IonBank 5K charger
• User Manual
• Over-voltage
• Over-discharge
• Over-current
• Overheating
• Overcharge
• Short circuit
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a mobile battery charger with around 5K mAh of capacity, you can get one for ¼ of the IonBank’s $80 price. You should note that you would be buying a charger with fewer features. With that said, the Moshi IonBank 5K is at or near the top of its product category regarding features.
If you’re looking at a competitors product without a built-in USB-C cable, just remember that you’ll need one to connect to your phone. For example, look at the mophie powerstation XL power bank. While that charger is $10 less than the IonBank, it requires you to purchase a USB-C cable which costs $20.
Guess which mobile product costs more now?
We’ve looked at products from ADATA, Anker, RAVPower, ZeroLemon, and more. While they manufacture good-to-great power banks, they’re all slightly different in size, capacity, and features. In the end, you’re posed with the Feature vs. Value proposition. Only you know what your needs are, so choose wisely.
Have you tried Moshi’s IonBank 5K portable battery pack? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.
Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi’s Press Page to see their latest announcements. The IonBank 5K come with a one-year limited end-user warranty.
FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) IonBank 5K mobile charger sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.
All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2017.
