Review: VARTA Powerbank

Review: VARTA Powerbank

As avid users of many gadgets, we are forever looking for ways to keep them charged when we’re camping or hiking. We both have phones plus a tablet, so it can be a real issue, particularly these days when the average smart phone battery seems to last a matter of minutes (or is it just mine?) We’ve tried pretty much everything, from battery packs, solar powered chargers and even our Biolite stove, but none have been perfect. I had vaguely heard about power banks, but I thought that they couldn’t be as good as they seemed.

I mentioned in my last post about how we recently spent a day with VARTA, finding out about their torches, batteries and portable power products. After hearing about their power banks, I was seriously excited, they sounded brilliant, and exactly what I need! My current smartphone is a massive Samsung Note and it eats batteries, especially when I use my mapping apps (or any apps in fact!)

Our VARTA goody bag was seriously good!

I was therefore very happy to spot a VARTA 5200 mAh power bank amongst the treats in our impressive goody bag. I wasted no time in giving it a try. In fact, I opened it as soon as we were in the car on the way home, happily it had a decent amount of charge so I could use it right away.

Showing the size of the power bank

This model is one of the smallest in the range but has a powerful output. When fully charged it should charge your phone twice and a tablet once. I used it last week when out walking as I wanted to take some photos on my phone and do a bit of filming. My phone was about half charged, but failing fast. I plugged it in and was immediately struck with how fast it charged. It’s comparable to plugging your phone into the wall.

The 4 little green power lights are really useful for showing how much juice your power bank has left

Today I gave it a real test. My phone was at just 1%, so critically low. I plugged it into my fully charged power bank and just under two hours later it was at 100%. That is impressive! It was down to it’s last power light (of four as shown above) so I doubt that I would get two full charges from it. Having said that, I do have a massive phone, more like a mini tablet, so I’m sure that people with a normal size phone would fare better.

The Verdict

I love it! It is as efficient and powerful as I hoped and also very small and compact. Safe to say, this will always be in my rucksack from now on. I’m also impressed with the price, at just £16.99 I think it’s great value. There are many other VARTA power banks on the market and I am seriously tempted to get a more powerful version, especially given my stupidly big phone and how much we use our tablet. There are some new slimline models which I think are brilliant. They do get heavy as they get more powerful, so it will be a case of finding the right balance.

So far I cannot find any negative points. As long as smartphone batteries remain as rubbish as they currently are, this will be a  vital bit of kit for any blogger (or anyone who has a phone!)

Do you use a power bank?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. if you click through and make a purchase, I make a small commission, there is no extra cost to you.

 

 

 

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Comments

  • Emma Hip2trek Emma Hip2trek March 29, at 19:05

    Looks great. I should really look into getting one of these for my China trek as I’m taking phone and action camera. As you say might have to think about weight vs power.

    Reply
  • Sarah Sarah March 31, at 07:09

    I really want one! We’ve been looking on Amazon recently to try and fine one, as when we’re camping foe a few days it would be useful to charge the camera/phone. Will have a look at their website. Sarah

    Reply
  • Colette Colette April 06, at 18:27

    I can’t live without a decent power bank . . . I think we have somewhere in the region of 5 in our household
    Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested this week x

    Reply
  • Mary Mary August 10, at 11:04

    Yes. Hubby found some nondescript powerbanks on e-bay for £4.99 and bought us one each. They’re 4000 mah and will top up my i-phone 4s at least twice. Over a weekend away his android phone doesn’t use so much battery so I borrow his charger as well ? They look much like the Varta with blue lights to show the level of charge and an important feature according to hubby is the built in torch!

    Reply
  • Jared Orkin Jared Orkin October 29, at 19:05

    I was confused for buying my new powerbank. I am searching and reading many article. But you write a details review of varta powerbank. I think this one perfect form me. Thanks for reviewing this product.

    Reply
  • Sally-Jane Sally-Jane July 24, at 06:43

    I use a 5200 Anker power bank. It takes around 3-4 hours to fully charge and will charge my Samsung J5 around 1½ times per charge. It’s been a godsend on days out. I certainly wouldn’t be without one now and it’s essential on days out on the moors.

    Reply

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