When you’re out on the hunt for the best portable chargers you probably won’t hear the name Poweradd during your search. But you should consider it and do your research to see if this external battery may be right for you. Priced at an affordable $26.00, it’s at least worth taking for a whirl before you make your final decision. If you’re looking for a brand new phone, take a look at our Phillips Outs Xenium X810 touchscreen and 1 month battery life.
Why We Like It – Poweradd Pilot 2GS
It seems as though everybody is out to get their hands on an external battery nowadays. And who can blame them? Being able to charge your phone from anywhere and not just at home is a big load off many people’s minds. Add to that that the Poweradd Pilot 2GS can charge tablets as well and you have something not only convenient but industry-shaping in the future. Compare this with our review of the Fuelbox phone charger to decide which charging option is best for your home.
- Dual USB Power Bank
- Can Charge iPhone & iPad
- 1 USB Port designed for fast charging specifically
- Not slow, but not fast either
- No Micro USB port
Performance
Getting a fully charged device out of the Poweradd Pilot works about as well as charging from a wall outlet or your computer. It’s not faster, but it’s not slower either. You can get about 3-4 charges worth of a Samsung Galaxy, for example, and about 1.5 charges out of an iPad before the device needs to recharge itself. If you desperately need a bigger battery, and even faster charging times, the Anker Powercore 20100mAH portable charger is probably one of the finest, if not the industry-standard, for portable chargers.
Related: Check out our Noco HM484 8D Commercial Grade battery box review
Design
The Poweradd Pilot is a compact size device that is designed for portability. A nice little feature is that the sides are rounded making it easier to hold. If this external battery isn’t compact enough, try the Jackery Portable Charger Bar. It is the smallest portable charger out right now. The Poweradd 2GS can charge two devices at the same time because of the dual USB ports. Of the two USB, one USB port is 1.0A and the other is 2.1A and blue to make it stand out and get a fast charge. Also, take a glimpse at our review of the 7 wireless charging options for your smartphone.
Value
One great feature about this external battery is its ability to power both iPhone & iPad. Not many power banks can claim that sort of versatility, so it’s nice to see one that can. In the box, you’ll find the Poweradd Pilot 2GS, a 2in1 USB Type C Cable, a user manual, a storage bag, and a thank-you note (how nice of them!). The lack of a micro USB cable leads to the belief that the external battery doesn’t have one, only the USB ports. If this is something you must have, try the GETIHU portable charger. It comes with a micro USB port and is one of the best budget external batteries on the market.
Related: Read our Schumacher SC1281 Automatic battery charger review for a great product that will jumpstart your car battery
Poweradd Pilot 2GS Wrap Up
One of the defining features of the Poweradd Pilot 2GS is its ability to charge tablets, not just phones. Instead of cowering in a crack in a corner like a scared spider amongst the giant humans it has come out swinging by introducing this feature that can, and probably will, become an industry-standard feature in the near future.
