Pros & Cons
-
- Built-in micro USB charging cable.
- Supports pass-through charging.
- Solid build quality.
-
- No fast charging.
- Built-in cable not detachable.
Ventev PowerCell 6000c Specs
| Added Battery Life | 18 hours, 26 (Wi-Fi video streaming) minutes |
| Capacity | 6000 |
| Dimensions | 4.2 by 2.6 by 0.6 inches |
| Fast Charging | No |
| Pass-Through Charging | |
| Voltage | 5V/2.1A |
| Weight | 10.9 |
Portable batteries typically focus on balancing size and capacity for maximum portability, but some of them also try to minimize the number of charging cables you have to carry around. The Ventev Powercell 6000c ($29.99) is one such battery. With a built-in micro USB charging cable in addition to the standard USB output, it lets you charge two devices at once without having a jumble of wires in your pocket. It's a handy feature, though it doesn't make up for the lack of fast charging, nor the relatively low charging capacity compared with similarly priced batteries like the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro.
Design and Features
The Powercell is mostly made of dark gray metal, with two bright orange strips of plastic running along the sides. At 4.5 by 2.7 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and 5.9 ounces, it's a little bit smaller than the Mi Power Bank Pro (5.1 by 2.9 by 0.5 inches, 7 ounces), but thicker. It's still basically wallet-sized, so it'll fit in your pocket without trouble. The top of the battery has a power/status button with a set of orange LEDs to indicate battery and charging status.
The Powercell's main attraction is its built-in micro USB cable on the right side. It's default position is slotted in the body of the charger. Pulling it out lets you charge a compatible device, but unlike the Dodocool Portable Charger, the cable isn't fully detachable. That limits you to charging devices that have micro USB ports.
On the other side, you have a micro USB input to charge the battery itself, and a USB output that charges at 5V/1A, which we measured at 5.12V/1.02A. That's a pretty slow charging speed, though the built-in micro USB cable charges at a faster 5V/2A. Pass-through charging is also supported, letting you juice up another device or two while the battery itself is charging, which is convenient.
Performance and Conclusions
The 6,000mAh Powercell added 18 hours, 26 minutes to a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 streaming full-screen video over Wi-Fi at maximum screen brightness. That's on par with the 6,700mAh Belkin Valet Charger (18 hours, 33 minutes), but significantly less than the 10,000mAh Mi Power Bank Pro (33 hours, 42 minutes).
Backup batteries are more affordable than ever, so the biggest advantages come in terms of convenience and portability. The Ventev Powercell 6000c attempts to gain an advantage with a built-in micro USB charging cable, and for some people that will seal the deal. You can get more power for the same price, however, with the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro, which has the added benefit of faster charging speeds—just make sure to bring your own cables.
Best Batteries & Power Picks
Further Reading
Final Thoughts
Ventev Powercell 6000c Review
The Ventev Powercell 6000c is a covenient battery pack thanks to its built-in micro USB charging cable, but you can get more power for the price.