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Tuesday 30 May 2017

Optimum 4000mAh Power Bank


Optimum 4000mAh Slim line Power Bank


Manufacturer: Optimum a.k.a BM Bargains UK
Price: sale £3 each - normally £5.99 
Country of origin: China
Vendor: BM Bargains
Description: 4000mAh slim line portable charger
Battery Type: Li-Po (Lithium Polymer)
Capacity: 4000mAh 
Input: DC 5V / 1A
Output: DC 5V / 1A
Colours: Silver, Champagne gold, Black



First Impressions
I never thought I'd hear myself say it but powerbanks for mobile devices are a must these days.
The reason for this seems to be the fact that as these technologies become more advanced they invariably become more power hungry - and being stuck without a smart phone, tablet or vape pen when you need it the most is a problem.

The Aldi rugged powerbank I reviewed a few months ago has and still is serving me well but it really needs a little help with all the daily charging I do now.
The addition of a few battery heavy vaping devices has not helped the situation in the slightest.

Enter BM Bargains and their Optimum range of electronics - an attempt to get a slice of the market.


Expectations for a £3 power bank were not high. Poundlamds shoddy attempt at a £1 unit had left a sour taste in my mouth.

 Inside the basic blister packaging is the powerbank, a micro USB lead and a set of instructions. (instructions were in English too!)
Nothing too fancy.

The unit itself seems reasonably well made and the cable is just a cable. The outside of the unit is made from an aluminium type metal moulded in a one piece sleeve in which everything else lives. The white end caps are made from cheap shit plastic​ and not that good.



Testing
In not sure these things really do have a 4000mAh capacity? 
Anything made in China these days tends to be measured in Chinese mAh or Watts and has to be treated with causion. I would say that this item is no different. 
Yeah it works ok after you get over the initial complete charge/discharge cycles (as with all lithium batteries). 
It will charge my tablet and vape pens so that's enough for me.
Definitely NOT 4000mAh though!



Rating: 4 out of 5 **** 
Had these power banks been at their regular price point then perhaps I might have not bothered, after all the rather excellent Aldi rugged powerbank is the same price (£5.99) and offers more features. The fact that I effectively got two for the price of one sweetened the deal for me.
This device would have gotten full marks in this short review but I'm still not convinced of its true capacity...... Definitely Chinese measurements at work here!
It's still good for the money though