Pros & Cons
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- Affordable.
- High capacity.
- Supports USB-C input/output and Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.
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- Large.
- No pass-through charging.
Tronsmart Presto Specs
| Added Battery Life | 25 hours, 50 (Wi-Fi video streaming) minutes |
| Capacity | 10000 |
| Dimensions | 6.4 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches |
| Fast Charging | Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 |
| Voltage | 3.2V-20V/2A |
| Weight | 6.1 |
The 10,400mAh Tronsmart Presto has lots of the features we look for in a battery pack, like USB-C input/output and Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging, all for just $26.99. So why doesn't it earn our Editors' Choice like the similarly priced Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro? A bulky, overly long build makes the Presto less portable than the Pro. If you don't mind carrying it around in a bag and you have USB-C devices that need charging, however, it's a great option.
Design and Features
The Presto is more about function more than form. It's a simple black plastic rectangular slab that measures 6.4 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.1 ounces. It's actually lighter than the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro (5.1 by 2.9 by 0.5 inches, 7.0 ounces) and the Anker PowerCore 10000 (3.9 by 2.5 by 0.9 inches, 7.0 ounces), but much longer, making it hard to fit in your pocket. This isn't a big deal if you're willing to carry the Presto around in a bag or purse, but for batteries 10,000mAh and below, portability is one of the first things we look for.
The charging ports be found on the top edge of the battery. You get a USB-C input/output for charging the battery itself, as well as other devices at 5V/3A. There's also a Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 USB-A output. The right side is home to a power/status button. Battery and charging status is indicated by four white LEDs on top of the battery.
A USB-C to USB-A charging cable is included. You can use it to charge the battery itself or compatible USB-C devices. Oddly, Tronsmart says the HTC 10 isn't compatible with the battery, but it worked with a number of phones we tested it with including the LG V30+ and Apple iPhone X. There's no pass-through charging, which allows you to charge the battery at the same time as it's charging another device.
Performance and Conclusions
The Presto has a 10,400mAh capacity, letting you charge most phones around three times and the average tablet about twice. For testing, we connected the fully charged Presto to a depleted Galaxy Note 8 and had it stream full-screen video over Wi-Fi at maximum brightness. The battery lasted an impressive 25 hours, 50 minutes, nearly two hours longer than the PowerCore (23 hours, 44 minutes LTE video streaming on ZTE Axon 7). That said, neither came close to matching the Mi Power Bank Pro, which lasted 33 hours, 42 minutes.
The USB-C charging input/output port worked well, automatically identifying what device it was plugged into and if it should be charged or not. We never encountered an issue where a phone attempted to charge the battery, as sometimes happen with USB-C ports.
Charging is also fast. When we measured current, the USB-A port had a variable 9V/1.8A output, consistent with Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 standard that dynamically varies voltage between 3.2V to 20V.
Overall, the Presto has plenty of juice to keep phones and tablets powered all day, supports fast charging, and works with USB-C devices. If only it were a bit smaller, it would be a contender for our Editors' Choice award. As it stands, the $30 Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro offers the best combination of price, power, and portability.