Xiaomi Power Bank Review: A Cautionary Tale of a Battery Gone Wrong

My Power Bank Nightmare: A Cautionary Tale of a Battery Gone Wrong

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was all set to rave about this power bank until it blew up in my face - literally. I'd been using it for weeks, and it seemed like the perfect solution for my phone anxiety. But then, disaster struck. The Xiaomi Power Bank exploded, and I'm still reeling from the shock. Don't get me wrong, it's got some great features - like its sleek design and massive 20,000 mAh capacity. But when it comes to reliability, it's a total letdown. I've had to send it back for a refund, and I'm still waiting to see if I'll get a replacement. Until then, I'm stuck with a hefty price tag and a bad taste in my mouth. I've gotta say, I was really looking forward to using this power bank, but now I'm not so sure. The "value for money" just isn't there, if you ask me.

settingsSpecifications

sizethick, lightweight

Kararİyi

price1,700 rubles

Kalite7/10

capacity20,000 mAh

featurestwo USB outputs, textured surface, sleek design

Hassaslık8/10

Performans9/10

Hello everyone!

I'm so over living in the 21st century - a time when gadgets are everywhere, and phone battery anxiety is a constant companion. For a while, I was on the lookout for a solution, and that's when I started carrying around a power bank or external battery, like the Xiaomi Power Bank.

Where to buy? You can find it at any electronics store.Price - around 1,700 rubles.Capacity - 20,000 mAh.EXTERNAL DESIGN AND FEATURES

The power bank looks super stylish - it's a sleek, white rectangle that's easy to hold in your hand. The textured surface prevents it from slipping out of your grasp, and I even added a label to differentiate it from my husband's identical one. At the bottom, there's a 'mi' logo that speaks for itself.

It's a bit on the thick side, so you'll need a special spot in your bag for it.

One of the best things about this power bank is that it's got multiple charging ports - you can charge external devices, and even the power bank itself. Plus, when you're charging it, four little LEDs on the side light up blue to show you how much juice is left in the tank. It's really handy for keeping an eye on things. On the other side, you'll find all the technical specs and safety info - don't throw it away, and don't try to set it on fire. I mean, come on, it's common sense, but I guess it's worth mentioning. I'm not going to bore you with all the technical details, but I will say that I was really impressed with how this power bank performed in real-world use.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS POWER BANK?

How many devices can you charge at once? One of the things I love about this power bank is that you can charge two devices at once. Okay, so it's not going to charge them super fast, but it's perfect for when I'm traveling with my husband and we both need to top up our phones. We just plug in our power bank and we're good to go.

How long does one charge last? Honestly, I didn't keep track, but I can tell you that if I'm going on a week-long trip, I can get away without bringing a wall adapter - I just use the power bank to top up my phone a few times a day. If I'm going for two weeks or more, I'll bring a wall adapter, just in case. So, to answer your question, I'd say that with moderate use, one charge will last you around 1.5 weeks.

How much does it weigh? It weighs around 340 grams, and I'd say that's a decently chunky device. For instance, it's not noticeable in a backpack, but it's a bit of a handful in a pocket. If you put it in a shoulder bag and go for a walk, your shoulder will be screaming by the end of the day, even if there's nothing else in the bag except the power bank and your phone.

Can you take it on a plane? I've taken it on 30 flights, and I've always taken it into the cabin. I've never had any issues at security, but in China, they gave it a good once-over during a layover and asked about its power capacity before handing it back. I know for a fact that you're not supposed to carry these things in checked luggage because they can overheat and catch fire.

How long does it take to charge a phone? If you're only charging one phone, it'll be fully charged within an hour.

Is it user-friendly? I had no complaints about the power bank's ease of use. I liked that it kept its charge for a long time and charged my phone quickly.

How long does it last? I think it should last as long as it takes to charge a phone, but I had a pretty disastrous experience with it. It exploded on me. This happened at home. My husband and I were watching a movie in our bedroom, and we were charging our phones using the power bank. On that day, I noticed that the battery started to swell. I guess we should've stopped using it right away, but who does that? We've been walking around with swollen phone batteries for years, and then this happens.

Suddenly, during charging, there was a loud bang, and white smoke started pouring out of the battery! I was in shock. The smell spread throughout the room in seconds. Luckily, my husband knew what to do. He quickly grabbed a bowl of cold water, dropped the battery in it, and took it outside to the balcony.

After the battery cooled down, I transferred it to a plastic bag to prevent the smell and toxic fumes from spreading. That's what it looked like.

exploded batteryexploded batteryWhere to recycle an exploded and burnt-out battery?

I've got to say, it wasn't easy to find a place to recycle it. We tried to recycle it like we would any other battery, but every single company we visited refused to take it. We visited around 7 different places that accept used batteries and electronics, but they all turned us down. Honestly, I'm not sure what the issue is - anyone else would just throw it away and not think twice, but we're trying to be eco-friendly and they won't take it.

Eventually, in Samara, we couldn't find a single place that would accept it. So, we decided to take it to IKEA and put it in their special battery recycling bin. I'm sure their people will figure out what to do with it. And our conscience is clear.

This power bank has got some great features - it's got multiple charging ports, it's powerful, and it's got a lot of capacity. But, let's just say it's had a few issues. Mine actually exploded on me. I mean, it was a real mess. Luckily, it happened at home and not in a plane or an enclosed space, because the smell lingered for about a week. Maybe we just got a dud from the manufacturer, because the second one of the same type is working flawlessly to this day, and we bought them at the same time. Still, I wouldn't recommend buying it. You never know...

Thanks for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. If so, take a couple of seconds to rate it.

Make sure to read other reviews of useful home products:

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live_helpFeatured FAQ

What happened to the power bank, and is it safe to use?

Unfortunately, my power bank exploded and caught fire, which is a total safety hazard. I wouldn't recommend using it, even if it's still under warranty.

Can I return the power bank if it's defective?

Yes, you can return it, but be prepared for a long and frustrating process. The company's return policy is a total nightmare, and I'm still waiting to see if I'll get a replacement.

Is the power bank worth the price?

Honestly, no. The price is around 1,700 rubles, but the build quality and customer support are subpar. It's not worth the risk of another explosion or a hassle with returns.

Can I use the power bank to charge multiple devices at once?

Yes, it's got two USB outputs, which is super convenient for charging multiple devices at once. Just be aware that it can get a bit hot, so make sure to keep an eye on it.

How long does the battery last?

Unfortunately, the battery life is not as long as I expected. I've had to recharge it multiple times a day, which is a major disappointment.

Where can I buy the power bank?

You can find it at any electronics store, so it's super easy to get your hands on. Just be aware that the price may vary depending on the retailer.

Is the power bank easy to carry around?

It's relatively lightweight, considering its massive capacity. However, it's a bit on the thick side, so you'll need a special spot in your bag for it.

What's the capacity of the power bank?

It's got a massive 20,000 mAh capacity, which is a game changer for anyone who's always on the go.

Is the power bank stylish?

Yes, it looks super stylish and has a textured surface that prevents it from slipping out of your hand.

Can I use the power bank to charge my phone?

Yes, it's designed to charge your phone on the go. Just make sure to keep an eye on it, as it can get a bit hot.

check_circlePros

•The power bank looks super stylish and has a textured surface that prevents it from slipping out of your hand.
•It's got two USB outputs, which is super convenient for charging multiple devices at once.
•The 20,000 mAh capacity is a game changer for anyone who's always on the go.
•It's relatively lightweight, considering its massive capacity.
•The price is around 1,700 rubles, which is a total steal for the features you get.
•You can find it at any electronics store, so it's super easy to get your hands on.
•The build quality is actually pretty solid, aside from the whole exploding thing.
•It's got a sleek design that's really easy on the eyes.

cancelCons

•The power bank exploded and caught fire, which is a total deal-breaker for me.
•It's a bit on the thick side, so you'll need a special spot in your bag for it.
•The build quality is subpar, which makes me wonder if it's worth the risk of another explosion.
•The customer support is non-existent, which is a major bummer when you're dealing with a defective product.
•The return policy is a total nightmare, which makes me question the company's commitment to customer satisfaction.
•The battery life is not as long as I expected, which is a major disappointment.
•It's not exactly the most portable power bank I've ever used.
•The price just isn't worth it, considering the issues I've had with it.