This $17 power bank kept my iPhone going for days (and I can’t lose this cable)

Cuktech 10,000mAh wireless power bank

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Cuktech 10,000mAh charger is available on Amazon for $16.99.
• It easily adds several days of runtime to your phone, has wireless charging, and a cable and USB-C port for total flexibility.
• The dummy port might confuse consumers who don't read the manual.

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Decent power banks aren't cheap, so imagine my surprise when I found one that ticks all the right boxes and costs under $20. 

The Cuktech 10,000mAh wireless power bank just became the power bank I recommend to anyone who wants one that looks like a much more expensive device, and performs just as well. 

Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested

Let's take a closer look. 

There are a few things that I look for in a decent portable power bank. First, it has to do what it says on the box. If the battery capacity and power outputs aren't to spec, I don't want it. On top of that, wireless charging is a nice touch, as is a built-in cable. 

This is exactly what the Cuktech 10,000mAh power bank offers. It features a 10,000mAh/26.5Wh battery that delivers on the specs it advertises. This is enough to give a regular iPhone 17 close to two full recharges — or enough to keep the average user charged for two or three days.   

The power bank also features a Qi wireless charging pad that can output 7.5W. It's a lot less than the 25W that the new Qi2.2 standard can push out, but it's enough to top up your phone when out and about. 

The magnetic interface also has enough strength to keep the power bank securely attached to the handset, even when the phone is in a case. I can give my handset a really good shake and the power bank stays put. 

On the bottom of the unit, there's a built-in USB-C cable that can be used for charging and to charge the unit (20W max input, 22.5W max output). I like units that have built-in cables because no one can steal it!

The cable is the flat style with a braided nylon cover, making it soft to the touch yet tough. It can also be used like a finger loop or put a carabiner through it to keep it secured in a bag. 

There's also a separate USB-C port that can be used standalone or when one or more of the other outputs are in use.

Oh, and there's also another USB-C port that if you plug an external cable into, you'll find that no power comes out of it. That's because this port is used to store the free end of the built-in cable when not in use. I don't think I've seen another manufacturer do this, and while it could cause some initial confusion, Cuktech has tried to mitigate this with a warning label. 

Also: The secret that power bank manufacturers don't want you to know

As for any user interface, this unit has a single button for powering the unit on, a blue LED to indicate that wireless charging is enabled, and another multi-colored LED for showing charge status. 

Simple, but it works. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The Cuktech 10,000mAh wireless power bank is an impressive unit, and that continues to the price. You can currently pick this up for $17, which is a steal for a power bank with these features. I've been using this now for several weeks and had no problems with it.

From now on, this is the cheap and cheerful but feature-packed power bank that, unlike a lot of cheaper units, won't let people down in a few weeks.