A portable power bank or power station can help keep your phone and other devices charged on the go, but a defective model poses a risk of fire and injury. Iniu, a popular Amazon brand known for affordable power banks and charging accessories, is facing a recall.
We recently praised the small but mighty Iniu SnapGo, which features a 5,000mAh capacity that clips to a keychain, offering power on the go for as low as $11 on a recent sale.
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How to check if your Iniu power bank has been recalled
The company hasn't had as much luck with its 10,000mAh power bank (model BI-B41) in black and blue. This model, sold exclusively on Amazon USA for $18 between Aug. 2021 and April 2022, is being recalled, resulting in up to 210,000 chargers needing to be safely disposed of. The specific model serial numbers affected are:
- 000G21
- 000H21
- 000I21
- 000L21
Iniu says that if you own this model, you should immediately stop using the power bank and keep it in a cool, dry place until you receive confirmation from Iniu that it qualifies for the recall program. You can submit a claim by following this link and providing your contact information, proof of purchase between Aug. 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, a photo of the recalled charter with a name, your submission date, and a six-digit unique code written on the back of the product in a permanent marker. (Iniu did not immediately respond to a request for information about how a customer would get that six-digit code.)
Once the recall is approved, the company should provide you with a refund.
Not all Iniu power banks are impacted by the recall, so if you have a different model, like the one shown, you should be fine.
INIU/CNETIf you have a different Iniu model or a unit that's red or orange or purchased outside of Amazon USA, you should not be affected by the recall. You also don't need to worry if the serial number on yours ends in 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, or 25.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Iniu received 15 reports of the power banks overheating, including 11 reports of fires that resulted in three minor burn injuries and property damage totaling over $380,000. This fire danger isn't something you want to take lightly and continue using.
How to dispose of a recalled power bank
The company will inform you how to safely dispose of the chargers, but you shouldn't put it in regular trash or recycling. The best way is to give it to a municipal Household Hazardous Waste collection center that takes recalled lithium-ion batteries.
A representative for Iniu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Iniu isn't the only company recalling its portable power banks. Anker had to recall several models back in September, following an earlier recall in June of its A1263 and an Oct. 2024 recall of the A1641 PowerCore 1000, and a recall of the Anker 535 following a Maryland house fire.
