Do you even need USB-C charging cables if this portable battery exists? My verdict after testing

Baseus EnerCore CR11 energy financial institution

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Baseus’ EnerCore CR11 is a robust 67W energy financial institution that is about as compact as you may get for $63 on Amazon.
• Its built-in retractable cable means you do not have to fret about bringing cords alongside, and highly effective sufficient to high up a laptop computer.
• It is perhaps overkill if you happen to’re simply charging your cellphone or a digicam.

Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a most popular supply on Google.

I’ve seen that once I’m in content material creator mode and packing my favourite moveable drone, motion cameras, pocket-sized gimbal digicam and moveable mics — and possibly even my laptop computer — I am determined for energy to ensure that the day is not minimize quick. 

However as a result of I am often packing a bag to hold all my stuff, measurement and weight is not as a lot of a difficulty, so I can take one thing slightly larger than I would have only for my iPhone.

Additionally: The perfect energy banks you should purchase in 2025

The ability financial institution that I have been taking with me just lately on my content material creation days is the Baseus EnerCore CR11, and it has proved itself such a fantastic unit that I have been recommending it to different content material creators. 

There isn’t any doubt that retractable USB-C cables are a factor now, with them making an look on energy banks, chargers and in-car chargers (to not point out USB-C cables with their very own retractors — a few of that are blissful to carry up a 56 pound lump of iron!) from all the large names. 

Baseus has at all times been an organization that is had its eye on the ball relating to consideration to element, and that exhibits with the EnerCore CR11. The retractor on this energy financial institution is among the smoothest I’ve examined, and it locks out at a number of completely different lengths (versus many the place you solely get three or 4). I like this as a result of I could make the two.3 foot cable the precise size for my wants. 

Additionally: The perfect moveable energy stations to final by way of energy outages

The 20,000mAh capability is good for maintaining issues like motion cameras and drones topped up all through the day with out including an excessive amount of in the best way of weight to my gear bag. If I wanted something larger I would be taking a look at one thing just like the Anker SOLIX C300 DC or the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus, however these are significantly heavier than the 13.9 ounces of the EnerCore CR11. 

The 20,000mAh capability is sufficient for 3 or 4 smartphone recharges, a recharge of a MacBook Air, a few recharges of an iPad Professional. That must be sufficient for many demanding content material creators. 

The EnerCore CR11 can also be a ravishing energy financial institution. This is not one thing that usually catches my eye, however this one is kind of putting. The shell is a iridescent darkish blue, and there is a neat, considerably retro-looking energy show. It actually seems to be the half. 

On the facet of the facility financial institution is a button that is used to show the show on, and a fast double-press prompts low-current mode, permitting the facility financial institution to recharge low-draw devices like earbuds, which permits this one energy financial institution to covers just about any gadget you would possibly wish to take with you. 

Additionally: This weird software I personal truly solves an actual drawback (and it is solely $7 on Amazon)

One factor that I actually like about this energy financial institution is how is stays good and funky even below heavy load. Baseus has used graphene and aerospace-grade aerogel thermal insulation to dissipate the warmth, and the on-board management chip retains a watch to ensure that issues keep protected and funky.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I get to check quite a lot of energy banks, some make the minimize, many do not. The Baseus EnerCore CR11 undoubtedly does because of its compact measurement and highly effective 20,000mAh of battery capability, the retractable cable, and spare USB-C port. It is also solidly constructed so can take the trials of being thrown right into a pack and brought on adventures.

Priced at $63, you’ll be able to’t name this an affordable energy financial institution, but it surely’s an influence financial institution that does precisely what it says it’s going to do on the field, and is the kind of energy financial institution that provides you with a few years of service.