Review: PowerAdd Pilot Plus 20,000mAh Power Bank

PowerAdd Pilot Plus 20,000mAh Power Bank

7.3

Power

6.5/10

Design

6.0/10

Build

10.0/10

Reliability

6.5/10

Pros

  • Built Very Well
  • Can Still Charge Smartphones many Times

Cons

  • Lower Capacity than Advertised
  • Big & Bulky
  • Heavy
  • Slow Charging Through 1 Output Port
(Last Updated On: May 8, 2019)

High capacity power banks tend to be capable of some pretty nifty things because it’s not only their power capacities that are the greatest things about them.

Instead, it’s the traits that come with the high capacity whether it’s charging speed or the size, nowadays power banks always have things that take them one step further. The PowerAdd power bank is a high capacity power bank that does well, but does it go further than just its high capacity capabilities?

Find out in our Charger Harbor review.

Other Types of 20,000mAh Power Banks:

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Power

Power Capacity:

Many power banks tend to say that their capacities are as high as what they advertise their capacities are at. If you read our Xiaomi power bank review, then you know what we’re talking about.

The PowerAdd power bank is rated as a 20,000mAh power bank charger and although that may be absolutely true, this supposedly high capacity power bank doesn’t meet expectations.

Instead, PowerAdd didn’t mention the fact that their power bank loses quite a lot of its capacity when it charges a device and because of that, there’s a big chunk of power that is lost. Just how much do you ask?

Well, we found that the power bank actually has a real Output capacity of 14,000mAh. Yeah, it’s a big difference than the advertised 20,000mAh power capacity, and it shows when you’re heavily relying on it to charge devices.

This means that the power bank is going to lose power a lot faster than you may think.

Basically, this is indeed a 14,000mAh power bank with two charging Output ports that are going to feel even more underwhelming when you charge two devices at the same time.

It would have really help to actually mention the real capacity of the power bank so there was less of a disappointment but for a power bank to have two charging ports and be at a severely false capacity simply isn’t right.

However, even with the 14,000mAh capacity, you’ll do “Okay” and that means most smartphones will charge about 4 times over and if you take full advantage of the 14,000mAh power capacity, then it may charge an iPad to fully capacity 2 times.

PowerAdd Pilot Plus 20,000mAh Power Bankr
(Output Power Capacity = 7,400mAh)
Phone CapacityPowerAdd Pilot Plus Power Bank Left Over Power Capacity after 1 Charge

Number of Full Charges
iPhone SE14,000mAh1,624mAh12,376mAh

8.6 Full Charges
iPhone 614,000mAh1,810mAh12,190mAh

7.7 Full Charges
iPhone 6 Plus14,000mAh2,915mAh11,085mAh

4.8 Full Charges
iPhone 6s14,000mAh1,715mAh12,285mAh

8.1 Full Charges
iPhone 6s Plus14,000mAh2,750mAh11,250mAh

5.0 Full Charges
Samsung Galaxy S614,000mAh2,550mAh11,450mAh

5.4 Full Charges
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge14,000mAh2,600mAh11,400mAh

5.3 Full Charges
Samsung Galaxy S714,000mAh3,000mAh11,000mAh

4.6 Full Charges
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge14,000mAh3,600mAh10,400mAh

3.8 Full Charges
Apple iPad Mini 214,000mAh6,470mAh7,530mAh

2.1 Full Charges
Apple iPad Mini 414,000mAh5,124mAh8,876mAh

2.7 Full Charges

Similar Power Bank

Output Charging:

The charging power of the power bank is a slight weak-point of the charger. One of the charging Outputs has a charging speed of 5V/2.4A, which is the standard max charging rate.

The other Output port, however, has a 5V/1A charging speed and that was simply not up to standards with what the power bank should be.

1 Amp charging speed is slow, so if you’re searching for a high capacity power bank with 20,000mAh capacity with two ports that will charge iPads and any other device like smartphones at full charging speed, then this isn’t it.

Input Charging:

The Micro-USB Input of the power bank is 5V/2A; It’s a good recharge speed for the 14,000mAh power bank but we recommend getting a 2.4A wall charger that is going to actually charge the power bank at that speed.

Overall, the false 20,000mAh power bank falls short with its capacity and powering capabilities that should be faster. Both of the ports should be 5V/2.4A in order to provide at least a better charging experience to make up for the poor capacity.

Design

Coming with the 14,000mAh capacity is a bulky design that is behind the times. The entire purpose of a power bank is to carry a portable charging device with you on the go.

Power banks today are becoming more portable, small-sized and slim while still being able to hold large capacity power and fast charging technology. However, that’s not what this power accomplishes.

Size and Weight:

The length of the power bank at 5.6 inches is one of the best design choices that make the power bank at least portable.

However, width coming in at 2.8 inches and the height of 1.1 inches are the facets of the power bank that should be heavily improved.

The Anker PowerCore 20100 is a power bank that has slightly similar dimensions, but the PowerCore is actually long and slimmer and as a result, made it more portable and even made it pocket-able.

The PowerAdd Pilot Plus power bank just doesn’t meet the same standards with its more straight-edged design.

Sure, the power bank does have curves on the outside strip, but it doesn’t have an overall curved body and that’s what makes it nearly impossible for it to be pocket-able.

With that said, the power bank is perfectly fine for being put into a bag or even a purse. Although the power bank is quite heavy coming in at a weight of 14.9 ounces. This isn’t the lightest power bank that you’re going to carry in your hand and may even hold down whatever bag you put this power bank into.

Read Review for Aukey 30,000mAh Power Bank with Quick Charge

Functional Components:

On the functional design side, the power bank does very well. All the functional aspects of portable charger are on a single side.

The Two charging Outputs are horizontally next to each other, with the Micro-USB Input being right beside them.

Then it’s the 4 LED power capacity lights that show power capacity in increments of 25%. Next to the LED lights is the very small power button. Altogether, there’s no need to look anywhere else on this portable charger for any other uses, because all the functions are on a single side.

 

The most notable and thing about the power bank that you’ll remember the most is the grid pattern on the top body of the charger.

It’s an alright looking design but it’s not really doing any favors for how the power bank looks and honestly, we think a PowerAdd logo with a simple finish just as the PowerCore 20100 has would have been even better through minimalism.

Build

We’re happy to say that the build of the PowerAdd Pilot Plus power bank is probably its strongest attribute. It’s got 3 main body pieces.

The Top panel, the inner wrapping panel, and the bottom panel. The power bank is scratch resistant and although we haven’t done a test on it, we found that it hadn’t had any marking on it other than the several few smudges from my hands.

The charging ports function well with the ports staying within the power bank, the LED lights worked every time the power was in use and the power button showed no problems with responsiveness. It’s well put together power bank, that may lack in its other areas quite heavily but holds strong in physical and functional integrity.

Reliability

Okay, so the power bank isn’t as reliable as it’s made out to be.

What is told to be a 20,000mAh power bank is actually a 14,000mAh power capacity. It’s not that the power bank doesn’t have 20,000mAh capacity, but during charging a chunk of the power is dissipated through heat.

So if you’re searching for 20,000mAh power bank that will last you as long as 20,000mAh power bank would, then this isn’t it.

The charging speed is a bit underwhelming as well with just a single port having max charging speed and the other having a simple 1 Amp charging speed.

Couple the charging speed with a lower than expected power capacity and you’ve got yourself a power bank that is way below what you think you’d be relying on.

Lastly, the design of the power bank is alright but it’s not breaking any records with its portability by being thick and heavy.

Reliable for what it should be? Sure, but the power bank isn’t what it should be.

Reliable for what it is? No, it’s just not up to the standards.

Read Reviews for 13,000mAh – 20,000mAh Power Banks

Summary:

Power:

With an advertised power capacity of 20,000mAh and a real capacity of 14,000mAh, we found the PowerAdd Pilot Plus power bank to be a real bummer.

The power bank isn’t going to last nearly as long as you think it would, especially with two devices charging at the same time; since the power bank is going to be depleted even faster.

Charging speed could be better with just a single port offering 2.4A max speed and the other offers a 1A slow speed. The recharging speed of 2.0A is alright but using a 2.4A wall charger is highly recommended to make sure the power bank recharges at top speed.

Design:

The design of the power bank is contradicting what most power banks are actually aspiring to be and that’s to be as slim and portable as possible.

This power bank is quite bulky and holds a rigidly rough shape that’s not going to fit into a pocket, or at least not comfortably.

It’s on the heavy side as well, by weighing 14.9 ounces, the power bank may be able to fit into any bag but there’s nothing stopping it from weighing the bag down.

All the functional things on the power banks are on a single side, which makes them easy to find and use.

Build:

The build quality of the PowerAdd power bank is its strongest attribute with the body being held strongly together and all the functional aspects of the power bank are built fault and bad quality free; By doing what they’re meant to do.

Reliability:

The reliability of the power bank falls heavily short because it under delivers for what it’s supposed to do. The power bank isn’t going to be a reliable 20,000mAh portable charging powerhouse. It’s not an overall fast charging power bank either. The portability is questionable on nearly all fronts pertaining to it being in-hand portability and in-bag portability because the power bank is bulky and heavy.

Read Review for Anker PowerCore 20100

Specs of the PowerAdd Pilot Plus 20,000mAh Power Bank:

  • Capacity: 20,000mAh       Real Capacity: 14,000mAh
  • Output:

Port 1: 5V/2.4A

Port 2: 5V/1.0A

  • Input: 2.0A via Micro USB Input
  • LED Power Indicators: Four-LED status system
  • Size: 5.6 x 2.8 x 1.1 inches
  • Weight: 14.9 Ounces
  • 1 Year Warranty

Conclusion:

So should you get the PowerAdd Pilot Plus power bank? We think that it’s highly questionable Power and Design choices put it well below what the other competitors are doing.

It’s not able to deliver on what capacity it promises and it’s drastically low in charging speed with the 1 Amp charging output port.

The design of the power bank is simply too bulky to be used as a truly on-the-go portable charger but it fairs well in bags for traveling purposes even with its 14.9-ounces of weight.

It’s a power bank that has good intentions of delivering a highly satisfying charging speed but unfortunately, it’s behind the times and it should catch up.

 

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