PowerAdd Pro DISP 50000mAh 65W Power Bank Review – The best affordable alternative vs the Anker 548 Power Bank (PowerCore Reserve 192Wh)

Back in 2020, I reviewed the Crave PowerPack 2 50000 mAh power bank. At the time, it seemed completely over the top for a power bank. I think it was the only option on the market at this capacity, and it came with a premium price of $200.

Nowadays, there are a growing number of high-capacity power banks, and portable power stations have become incredibly popular. There are also a growing number of small power stations which bridge the gap between a power bank and a power station.

 The PowerAdd Pro DISP 50000mAh is only the second 50000mAh power bank I have reviewed, and its main selling point is its attractive price: just £55 during Black Friday.

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Specification / Features

• PD 65W Fast Charging: This 50,000mAh power bank, equipped with a Type-C output, delivers PD 65W rapid charging. It can charge a MacBook Pro to 50% in just 30 minutes, offering a revolutionary fast-charging experience.
• Massive 50,000mAh Capacity: The USB-C portable charger provides enough power to charge a MacBook Pro 14″ up to 5 times, an iPad Mini up to 7 times, or an iPhone 13 twice.
• Multiple Outputs and Inputs: Featuring four outputs and two inputs, this power bank offers versatile charging options. Two supercharged USB ports provide up to 22.5W for Huawei devices, while a Type-C port delivers 65W and a 5V/3.4A USB port supports fast charging. Inputs include a 25W Micro USB for iOS and a Type-C port, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices such as tablets, gaming consoles, and mobile phones.
• Built-in LED Flashlight: Long press the button to activate or deactivate the integrated flashlight. With three lighting modes, it is ideal for camping, reading, or emergency situations.
• Convenient Handle Design: Designed for portability, this power bank includes a built-in handle, making it easy to carry on outdoor adventures. The addition of a powerful flashlight makes it a reliable companion for nighttime activities and emergencies.
• Clear HD LED Display: Unlike traditional blinking indicators, this power bank is equipped with an HD LED display, showing the precise percentage of remaining power. The display also indicates when fast charging is active by showing “FAST” on the screen.
• Wide Device Compatibility: Suitable for nearly all devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, drones, and low-power gadgets like AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, and smartwatches.
• Usage Tip: For optimal performance, allow the power bank to discharge completely to 0% before fully recharging it during the initial use. This ensures accurate power level display.

Design

The PowerAdd Pro 50000mAh features a square design reminiscent of a camping lamp, with dimensions of 7.5 x 7.5 x 13.86 centimetres. The power bank is predominantly black, with an orange handle and power button adding a touch of contrast. Weighing 1,145 grams, it’s not a device you’ll casually slip into your pocket, but the integrated handle makes it relatively easy to carry.

The housing is constructed entirely of plastic, which may not exude a premium feel but contributes to its lightweight nature. However, the plastic exterior is prone to scratches, which could be a concern for long-term durability. Four rubber feet on the bottom provide stability when placed on flat surfaces.

On the top of the device, you’ll find all the ports, along with a small LED display that shows the remaining battery percentage. The orange button in the centre serves dual purposes: it activates the display and controls the built-in camping light on the front.

Ports / Output

• Micro USB (Input): 5V⎓2A, 9V⎓2A, 12V⎓5A (Max. 18W)
• USB Type-C (Input): 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓25A (Max. 65W)
• USB Type-C (Output): 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓25A (Max. 65W)
• USB Type-A OUTI: 5V⎓4A (Max. 17W)
• USB Type-A OUT2/OUT3: 5V⎓3A, 5V⎓5A, 4.5V⎓5A, 9V⎓2A, 12V⎓1.5A (Max. 22.5W)

The USB-C port supports Power Delivery 3.0 with up to 65W output, making it suitable for charging laptops and other power-hungry devices. The blue USB-A ports support various fast-charging protocols, including Quick Charge, Samsung AFC, Huawei FCP, and Apple 2.4. The black USB-A port, while not supporting any special charging standards, is ideal for charging smaller devices like headphones.

It’s worth noting that when multiple ports are used simultaneously, the output voltage of all ports is limited to 5V, which significantly reduces the charging power available through the USB-C port.

True Capacity

All power banks quote misleading capacities. Most power banks are created using Li-ion batteries which use a different voltage to USB. The standard voltage of any USB port will be 5V, though this can go up to 20V with power delivery. 

For a 5V output, you would need to recalculate the capacity as:

• 5V capacity = (Voltage of Battery * Advertised Capacity) / 5V

PowerAdd doesn’t list the true capacity (some brands do) or the battery voltage, but the common voltage is 3.6v. If this is true for this power bank, you would have a 36000mAh true capacity. This would be enough to charge my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 7.2 times, assuming 100% efficiency.  

The Watt Hours is an accurate measurement of the value used on most laptops. PowerAdd states this has 185Wh of capacity.  My Huawei MateBook 14 has a 56 Wh rated capacity so, over three full charges could be possible.

To test the actual capacity, an electronic load was used to discharge the power bank completely at a constant 12W. The result showed a usable capacity of 161Wh, which is a commendable 87% efficiency.

Performance

The PowerAdd Pro’s 65W USB-C output is its standout feature, capable of charging most laptops and fast-charging compatible smartphones.

I have been using it at my work so I can charge client laptops I am working on without having power leads creating clutter. It has worked incredibly well for this situation.

The power bank supports various fast-charging protocols through its USB-A ports, including Quick Charge, Samsung AFC, and Huawei FCP. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, although the maximum 22.5W output from these ports isn’t particularly fast by today’s standards.

The built-in LED light offers three brightness levels, making it useful for camping or emergency situations. While not bright enough to illuminate a room fully, it provides adequate light for close-range activities or as a night light.

You have three modes:

• A warm white light for ambient illumination
• A brighter, cold white light for increased visibility
• The brightest setting for maximum illumination

Heat management appears to be excellent, with the power bank not getting noticeably warm during charging or discharging.

Price and Alternative Options

The PowerAdd Pro 50000mAh has an RRP of £60, and during Black Friday, it has been available for just £55.

There are cheaper options, but most don’t do 65W output.

• Smileader Store 50000mAh Power Bank is £41 but limited to 22.5W output
• POIYTL 50000mah Power Bank is also limited to 22.5W

The best alternative option is the Anker 548 Power Bank, which has a 60,000mAh battery and features 60W and 27W USB-C ports. This also includes a 3W LED light. It also includes a solar input, which is very handy for things like camping or festivals. However, this has an RRP of £200, and even with Black Friday discounts, it is £130.00

Ugreen has a similar product with the Ugreen 48,000mAh 300W Portable Power Bank (SKU 25286). This can do 140W out of one port and 100W out of a second port. With the three USB-C ports in use, it can do 100W on each port at the same time. As you might expect, this comes at a premium price of £180.

Overall

I had some mixed feelings about the PowerAdd Pro DISP 50000 at first. Seeing microUSB on a power bank in 2024 is a bit of a red flag for me.

However, it has performed as advertised. It is not the perfect high-capacity power bank; the single USB-C port is disappointing, and I would like a higher output than 65w, but at this price point, you have to have realistic expectations.

The main selling point is the price. There isn’t really anything that competes like for like. The more affordable options are not suitable for laptops, and the Anker 548 Power Bank is over twice the price.

Overall, if you want an affordable, very high-capacity power bank that can charge most modern laptops, then this seems to be the best option on the market.

Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API