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Triple Your Switch Battery Life: The Best Portable Chargers Tested! (Digital Foundry)
- Thread starter opricnik
- Start date
Nyteshade517
Member
The thing that makes me nervous about the Anker PowerLine+ cable is this listed on their site...
This cable will not charge Nintendo Switch, Nexus 5X or 6P, Moto Z, Huawei Mate 9, Helio X20/X25, or OnePlus 3/3T at full speed.
The USB-C connector may not fit perfectly with Nintendo Switch, Sony XZ or LG V20
Something to worry about?
This cable will not charge Nintendo Switch, Nexus 5X or 6P, Moto Z, Huawei Mate 9, Helio X20/X25, or OnePlus 3/3T at full speed.
The USB-C connector may not fit perfectly with Nintendo Switch, Sony XZ or LG V20
Something to worry about?
hanspampel
Banned
is the pro version worth it, over the regular?
i'm still undecided, fi i should upgrade or not
TAS
Member
I saw that last night when I was ordering. Still went ahead with the purchase along with the Powercore 10000. Anker makes solid products and I've never had a problem with them so I'm not worried.
adamantypants
Member
I own that RAV power one from when it went on sale a few weeks back. Back to back 20 hour flights drove me to do so. Don't own a switch yet though so good to know it gets top marks.
I have a Nexus 6P. The Nexus 6P won't rapid charge over a USB-C to USB-A cable, only USB C to C cables. That's what I'm assuming when it says it won't charge at full speed.
The only C to A cables that I have are the ones that came with my Pro Controller and I only use them as a way to hook my phone up to my computer (which they work very well, thank you Nintendo).
All of my other cables are C to C.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
Hey, see you bought the same one (Anker PowerCore 10000 from the video). I was looking and Amazon does now have the black one available, and for $5 cheaper at that. So I cancelled and reordered. Thought you may want to as well if you had ordered from Amazon.
RichiRamjag
Member
Have that one as well. Fits in my butter fox case nicely too.
andthebeatgoeson
Junior Member
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6GDIA4/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Got this one. Looks the same but has quick charge. Will it be a problem?
Got this one. Looks the same but has quick charge. Will it be a problem?
Damn. I have this one. Would it Change if you disconnected the cable, press the button, and reconnect?
It looks like it has QC over a USB-A port (the QC port is the green USB port). What I would recommend is getting a USB C to C cable (I recommend this one) and just use the USB-C port.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
That looks like a good one. I almost got it but I just don't need one that big. The 10000 does not have a usb-c port, which sucks, but it's literally half the length and weight of the 20100 (which makes sense of course). It's good though because it looks like yours has USB-C and includes a usb-c/usb-c cable as well. The other thing though I was worried about is this:
Is that a normal thing and how do you fix it? Would the Powercore 10000 likely have that issue also?
It's how the 20100 is designed. Not sure if it affects the 10000.
The 20100 only charges itself through its USB C port. You have to tell it when you're plugging in a USB C device by pressing a button prior to plugging the device in. If Luigi87 is correct, then it looks like the 20100 returns back into its default 'charge itself' state once it finishes charging whatever USB C device is plugged into it.
To get around it on the 20100, just use one of the regular USB ports and the included USB A to USB C cable.
Or, just don't plug in when you're at 100%.
It's due to the USB-PD specification
USB-PD devices can transfer power both ways via the cable. That's why the Switch can charge something like said battery packs.
I rest mine under my leg on the airplane. If you have a decent cable you can leave it in your bag.
That is known and not the point.
It doesn't need to transfer power over the C port. But it could be doing that because it need to charge the Joycons by design.
It does if Nintendo wanted to stay compliant with USB-PD specifications.
I don't have that specific one, but have a different one that only supports 5V/2Amps.
My experience is that I can drain the power pack, but the switch will trickle discharge while playing. It doesn't provide enough juice for the power to go up while playin, but it discharges very very slowly compared to normal use (a couple percent an hour).
So if you wait until 5% power to plug it in, you won't get much more usage, but it will work pretty well if you plug it in at like 50%+.
I usually just plug it in when I first start playing on a flight or whatever.
One day I'll get a better battery pack, but not pressed about it now. I'm still getting 6+ hours.
Thank you. Sadly mine already prepared for shipment.
*edit*
Successfully canceled and ordered the black one. Yay! Thank you!
Not much maybe about it.
Nyteshade517
Member
Is there any reason this Anker USB-C to USB-3.0 Cable couldn't be used instead of the PowerLine+ one mentioned earlier?
Hoho for breakfast
Member
If these could be added to the OP it'd probably save people some time.
Anker PowerCore 10000 - $23.99
The smallest and lightest reliable battery. Adds around 5 hours play time. Does not include necessary usb-c to usb-a cable to charge Switch. Does not include wall adapter to charge the PowerCore.
Lumsing 15000mAh - $21.99
Cheapest. Has USB-C. Recommended to use usb-c to usb-c cable and not the QualComm quick charge port. Adds 6 hours 20 minutes play time. Includes Type-C cable. Does not include wall adapter for charging the Lumsing.
RAVpower 26800 - $50 - Currently unavailable at Amazon. Has USB-C. Adds 10 hours 20 minutes play time. Includes USB-C/USB-C cable. Does not include wall adapter for charging the Ravpower.
And if you don't have them lying around here are a couple wall outlet adapters to charge the batteries. I haven't tested these they're just popular/well reviewed on Amazon:
Aukey 2.4A - $8.99. Two ports.
Amazon Basics 2.4 amp - $6.99. Single port. Or you can buy a 2 pack for $11.
Anker PowerCore 10000 - $23.99
The smallest and lightest reliable battery. Adds around 5 hours play time. Does not include necessary usb-c to usb-a cable to charge Switch. Does not include wall adapter to charge the PowerCore.
Lumsing 15000mAh - $21.99
Cheapest. Has USB-C. Recommended to use usb-c to usb-c cable and not the QualComm quick charge port. Adds 6 hours 20 minutes play time. Includes Type-C cable. Does not include wall adapter for charging the Lumsing.
RAVpower 26800 - $50 - Currently unavailable at Amazon. Has USB-C. Adds 10 hours 20 minutes play time. Includes USB-C/USB-C cable. Does not include wall adapter for charging the Ravpower.
And if you don't have them lying around here are a couple wall outlet adapters to charge the batteries. I haven't tested these they're just popular/well reviewed on Amazon:
Aukey 2.4A - $8.99. Two ports.
Amazon Basics 2.4 amp - $6.99. Single port. Or you can buy a 2 pack for $11.
Nyteshade517
Member
Would the USB wall plug charger from an iPad Air be able to charge the Anker 10000? (or any of these)
Hoho for breakfast
Member
I'm no expert (the opposite really) but yeah I think that's fine. I just posted a couple of 2.4amp adapters since a lot of the regular ones you have with your phone or whatever are only 1 amp. I think regardless it'll charge, it may just take forever if you're using something crappy like a 1 amp.
Note that I may also not know wtf I'm talking about and using a 2.4 amp could fry your battery. So wait for someone to verify that is even true.
I'm uncertain as to both, as I've only charged it once (don't really wanna undock much until I get my tempered glass protector). It may just be an issue with the way the Anker's logic works when the Switch hit full charge and stops charging, or maybe it was a one time thing, I don't know for certain yet.
For the Switch? Not really. Only benefit from a technical standpoint is Quickcharge, which the Switch doesn't support. For me, the main positive is the form factor. The Pro is just so tiny and thin that it's far more portable than any other 10,000 mAh battery pack I've used. It's perfect for the Switch for me since it fits nicely in my carrying case and really doesn't add much bulk if I need to keep it in my pocket. Plus, since it charges by USB-C, I can just plug it into my Switch dock's USB-C cable, which is convenient.
AlphaTwo00
Member
This is the one I ordered and tested once recently. I'm using an older anker battery with 2.4A out.
The main thing I can see is that I'm not getting PD (which is only with USBC only), so I'm not too surprised by it.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
Here's another Lumsing that someone may like. I think it's called the Lumsing Grand A2 Plus. It's an inexpensive 13400mAh USB-C (and a quick charge usb-a which you don't want to use for the Switch). It's also relatively small. I'd like to see that one tested. I'd imagine it'd give 5.5 hours or so of play time just going off the other Lumsing from the video in the OP. No real idea though.
AlphaTwo00
Member
The more I reread the thread I see two types of usage from everyone and it may be getting lumped together:
Group 1: looking for full ability to fast charge Switch while playing. And in these cases, it's almost a must to find a PD spec battery and verified USB c to C cable.
Group 2: looking for the minimum requirement to get extra juice on the go. Doesn't have to be fast charge. In this case, even a 2A device is good enough to supply minimum battery to the switch. It just won't top up the switch.
Am I getting it right, or should I just toss out all my batteries now?
Group 1: looking for full ability to fast charge Switch while playing. And in these cases, it's almost a must to find a PD spec battery and verified USB c to C cable.
Group 2: looking for the minimum requirement to get extra juice on the go. Doesn't have to be fast charge. In this case, even a 2A device is good enough to supply minimum battery to the switch. It just won't top up the switch.
Am I getting it right, or should I just toss out all my batteries now?
Yes. The pro controller cable is just a standard USB-A to USB-C cable (and a fairly high quality one at that), so it's not going to do anything that any other USB cable wouldn't do.
Edit: On closer inspection, the USB-A end of the cable appears to be a 2.0 connector not a 3.0, so that will limit it's data speed capability, if you use it for that. Not sure about power delivery (USB 2.0 and 3.0 use the same pin for power regardless but I'm not sure if the cable is actually capable of carrying the full charging capacity or not). Either way, worst case scenario, charging speeds will be slow but still completely safe.
Minsc
Gold Member
Other than charging at a slightly lower rate, that's correct. The cable with the Pro controller seems to cap off around 1.5A iirc, and a normal A to C cable can do slightly over 2A on the Switch (potentially more on other devices). Whether the difference between 1.5A and ~2.1A is worth buying a new cable or not depends on the person's needs I suppose.
Saren is Bad
Member
killertofu
Member
So I bought this Anker PowerCore 20100 a year ago for my trip to Japan...
Will this work to charge the Switch? If I get a USB A to USB C adapter? Or is that dangerous?
Hoho for breakfast
Member
http://bensonapproved.com/ if you're looking for a good cheap cable. Make sure it's usb 3 and not slower 2.0
Yep that'll work. Same thing though. Get a usb 3.0/3.1 cable though and not a slower 2.0.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
double post =(
Hoho for breakfast
Member
Edit: omg the rare triple post. I'm done I can't get this right.
Yep I think this is right. I'm just looking to extend the play time some. I just got the small and cheap PowerCore 10000 to add to my play time. 5 extra hours on top of the couple the Switch itself gives is plenty for me.
Yep I think this is right. I'm just looking to extend the play time some. I just got the small and cheap PowerCore 10000 to add to my play time. 5 extra hours on top of the couple the Switch itself gives is plenty for me.
Strafebogey
Member
I'm using these as my own setup. Quoting myself from the powerbank thread here:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=232273393&postcount=348
Quoted post in that link has detailed voltage, amps and wattage readout from USB-C PD power meter tested from a Chinese website, plug that link in Google Translate.
My requirement is "fast enough to charge the Switch while playing Zelda at max brightness, max volume on headphones, with WiFi on". Most powerbanks without USB-C PD only either stall the battery drain , match it, or trickle charge it under that condition, because it's only supplying 5V 2.4A at max to the Switch via USB-A. Qualcomm Quickcharge, or any other forms of RapidCharger formats that works for mobile phones aren't recognised by the Switch, and may even end up damaging the Switch unless circuitry protection is built into the powerbank to detect that. Once that happens, the powerbank will mostly defaults back to the lowest safe charging rate of 5V with amperage of either 0.9V (standard USB-A charge rate from a PC USB port) up to 2.4A (maximum it'll go I believe via USB-A), giving at max 12W of power. 12W may or may not be enough (depending on complexity of the games and the power it devours) to either stop the battery drain, or at most slowly trickle charge it.
Been using it for about a week now, and true to its specs, my battery charge has never dropped below 100% while playing Zelda and Fast RMX outside of home. Been marathoning Zelda looking for shrines, and my playtime clocks in the double digits (16 hours at one time, was 12 hours a day back), and I had more than half of that playtime on tabletop mode with the QB820 doing charging duty. I was interested with the Anker 26,800mAh USB-PD powerbank model, but Anker wasn't interested in entertaining shipping to my side of the world, so I had to look for other alternatives. For wall chargers, I'm currently waiting for the Anker PowerPort 5+, should be here next Monday. The Tronsmart U5P charger pictured earlier, for some odd reason does not charge the Switch or the QB820 powerbank. Banking all hope on the Anker PowerPort 5+.
I've also tried to see if I can charge the Switch while docked with these third party charging options: the QB820 causes the green LED charge light to blink on the dock, but no charging notification, the Tronsmart U5P charger doesn't either.
I am posting that disclaimer again, just to cover my ass. Benson and Nathan seems to be more concentrated on the Google Pixel than the Switch. The setup works for me, and I hadn't had any problems so far, but other variables may differ (I live in a 22o-240V/50-60Hz power rating outlet, unlike US or Japanese 110V ones, for example).
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=232273393&postcount=348
Quoted post in that link has detailed voltage, amps and wattage readout from USB-C PD power meter tested from a Chinese website, plug that link in Google Translate.
My requirement is "fast enough to charge the Switch while playing Zelda at max brightness, max volume on headphones, with WiFi on". Most powerbanks without USB-C PD only either stall the battery drain , match it, or trickle charge it under that condition, because it's only supplying 5V 2.4A at max to the Switch via USB-A. Qualcomm Quickcharge, or any other forms of RapidCharger formats that works for mobile phones aren't recognised by the Switch, and may even end up damaging the Switch unless circuitry protection is built into the powerbank to detect that. Once that happens, the powerbank will mostly defaults back to the lowest safe charging rate of 5V with amperage of either 0.9V (standard USB-A charge rate from a PC USB port) up to 2.4A (maximum it'll go I believe via USB-A), giving at max 12W of power. 12W may or may not be enough (depending on complexity of the games and the power it devours) to either stop the battery drain, or at most slowly trickle charge it.
Been using it for about a week now, and true to its specs, my battery charge has never dropped below 100% while playing Zelda and Fast RMX outside of home. Been marathoning Zelda looking for shrines, and my playtime clocks in the double digits (16 hours at one time, was 12 hours a day back), and I had more than half of that playtime on tabletop mode with the QB820 doing charging duty. I was interested with the Anker 26,800mAh USB-PD powerbank model, but Anker wasn't interested in entertaining shipping to my side of the world, so I had to look for other alternatives. For wall chargers, I'm currently waiting for the Anker PowerPort 5+, should be here next Monday. The Tronsmart U5P charger pictured earlier, for some odd reason does not charge the Switch or the QB820 powerbank. Banking all hope on the Anker PowerPort 5+.
I've also tried to see if I can charge the Switch while docked with these third party charging options: the QB820 causes the green LED charge light to blink on the dock, but no charging notification, the Tronsmart U5P charger doesn't either.
I am posting that disclaimer again, just to cover my ass. Benson and Nathan seems to be more concentrated on the Google Pixel than the Switch. The setup works for me, and I hadn't had any problems so far, but other variables may differ (I live in a 22o-240V/50-60Hz power rating outlet, unlike US or Japanese 110V ones, for example).
What Id like to know aswell
Those brands all comply with the USB-C spec and are fine with Benson (one of the Goole guys)
Also, the USB-C defines that cables should support PD by default. So if the cables are proper cables they should be fine.
molnizzle
Member
Hoho for breakfast
Member
I think you can, yes. The problem is that cable is USB-A 2.0 and not USB 3.0 so it's slower.
Go to bensonapproved.com and look for a cable that'll work for you. I'd get a USB-C to USB-A 3.0/3.1 cable and then look at whatever length you want.
Yes, it is safe but I think it only has 0.5A on it? I remember reading it somewhere.
Just bought the Anker PowerCore 10000 on Amazon UK Prime Deal of the Day (£5 off) with a Rankie 1m USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cable, though I couldn't see Rankie as a brand on any of the specification spreadsheets. They don't seem to be a dodgy brand though, anyone got any knowledge on them?
Strafebogey
Member
I believe those risky adapters, chargers and powerbanks flaunts the USB-PD rules by combining QC standards into the USB-C supplying USB-PD power into the same port. Also beat in mind that the Google Docs spreadsheet made by them takes into account what is safe and what is not for the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, which takes 18W with strict adherence to the USB-PD power rules else they will either brownout the Pixel phones, the chargers or both. The official AC charger for the Switch states 15V 2.6A at 39W, the 9V 2A at 18W charge rate used as reference for the Google Pixel/XL in that spreadsheet may or may not be enough to charge the Switch while undocked/portable.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
The USB-C to USB-A cable I bought is the NekTech USB C to A. It's Benson approved, it's cheap, and it's USB 3.1. You can get the 3ft cable for $7 or the 6 foot cable for $9
AlphaTwo00
Member
this is the exact one I'm using right now. I guess I can be your guinea pig. Seems to be working ok for me, no idea in the long run. But I know that I'm already not getting QC or PD out of this.