Asus ZenPower Review: Here’s a power bank that actually works

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What: Asus ZenPower Power Bank
At a glance: 10050mAh battery, 'credit card' size, battery level indicator
USP: Quick charge, sturdy build quality
Best buy: ₹1,598 on Flipkart
Rating: ****

Every year, you pick from a selection of shiny new smartphones — ones that claim to produce billboard-quality photos, are waterproof, or have screens that spill over the sides. But even with price tags that require you to brace for minor heart attacks, there's one issue they cannot seem to fix — battery life. Ergo, smartphones haven't just spawned an industry for apps, but for power banks as well.

What's good: Here's a thumb rule that seems to hold true for power banks in general — the bigger the size, the more effective it is. So, if you're thinking of going for one of those cheese-stick-sized devices flooding the low-end market, don't. They might keep a dying phone alive for a bit, but won't recharge them completely, or fast enough. The ZenPower delivers splendidly in this department — it charges your smartphone entirely and is as fast as a plug-in charger. It also charged our Nexus 5, thrice on one charge. Another convenient feature is the charge indicator — four little white lights in a row. Also, the brushed metal body makes it look classy.

What's not: According to their website (asus.com), the device is "credit card sized". Actually, it's the size of about two dozen cards, stacked back to back, and heavy at 215g. And while the device rapidly charges your smartphone, it takes a good four to five hours to charge itself. Verdict: The ZenPower is one of the best power banks in the market right now. While it may feel like you're carrying a big stone in your bag, it is worth its weight. And if you think ₹1,600 is overpriced, think of the half a lakh you dropped on your fancy phone.