Cuktech 15 Air power bank

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Cuktech's 15 Air power bank is available now for $79.
• It's a stylish, compact power bank that's smaller than most 10,000mAh units, and has 100W fast recharge for quick charging.
• It comes with a premium price tag.

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Sometimes I test a product that makes me realize just how far technology has come. Power banks are one of those things that feel a lot like eating beans -- they're good, but they all feel the same.

That is, until something comes along and redefines what I expect. That's what the Cuktech 15 Air did for me. Sure, it's a power bank, and it works well -- but it redefined what I expect from the technology. Especially when compared with competitors. 

Also: We tested 10 power banks in our lab - and this one provided the fastest charge

The Cuktech 15 Air is a 15,000mAh, 57.75Wh power bank that punches well above its weight. At 5.2 x 0.8 x 2.8 inches and 10.8 ounces (0.6 pounds), it's thinner and lighter than most 10,000mAh power banks. This has been accomplished by using GaN transistors and silicon-carbon cells, making it much more portable and perfect for commuting, vacations, or outdoor activities. 

And to avoid any hassles taking the 15 Air on a plane, it's marked airline safe.

The 15 Air has three outputs: two USB-C ports with maximum outputs of 65W and 27W, and a USB-A port with a maximum of 18W output. This means this one power bank can charge your laptop -- albeit not at full speed -- a smartphone, and a legacy or low-power bit of kit. 

All three ports can be used simultaneously for a maximum output of 65W (45W from one of the USB-C ports, and 10W from each of the other ports), and the power bank also supports pass-through charging, so it can be charged itself while powering other devices. 

Also: I tested a solid-state portable battery for a week - now lithium-ion feels old school

While the outputs of this power bank are rather impressive, the input charging power is an even more impressive 100W. Using an appropriate charger can take the 15 Air from flat to 60% in 30 minutes.

The 15 Air also has a brilliant color TFT display that shows you everything from the battery charge level, current and voltage port outputs, and it can also let you set the main USB-C port from the normal in/out to either in only or out only.  This is a handy feature to have on power banks because it allows you to have finer control over charging. 

The power bank also comes with a microfiber cloth and a foot-long 240W USB-C cable. 

ZDNET's buying advice

I really like the Cuktech 15 Air. It's a modern take on a power bank, and it's a small package that's packed with some advanced features. The display is easy on the eyes, and a nice touch, and the power outputs are enough to satisfy all but the most demanding loads. This, combined with the 100W high-speed charging, makes it a winner.

It's a premium-quality power bank, but it comes with a premium price tag. At $80, you're definitely going to be able to find cheaper 15,000mAh power banks, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a higher quality one for the price.