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Mobile devices, as I am sure you will agree, can be extremely useful.  However these same mobile devices also have the ability to be really frustrating.  This latter situation tends to occur when that moment arrives as you discover that your mobile device’s battery lacks the power to fulfil its designated function of providing communications, Internet access or other tasks when it is most needed.  One possible solution to alleviate this type of situation would be to ensure that you have a battery charger to provide a top-up for the mobile device whenever it was required.

One such product, and the subject of this review, is the Power Bank 5200 from TP-Link.  With dimensions of 92.7 x 53.5 x 22 mm, and weighing 135g, the Power Bank 5200 is of a size and weight that should not overburden users too much as it fits into a pocket or bag.  Decked out in a combination of an Apple White body with cyan top and bottom panels, the ergonomically designed outer case has the appearance of a squashed tube with a diamond-cut pattern running down one edge of the unit to add a touch of style.

See also: Chargers

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Arranged along the top of this Power Bank, with its capacity of 5200 mAh, are standard and micro USB ports accompanied by a circular power battery that sits flush to the surface.  Supporting an input / output charging rate of DC 5V / 2.4A, the unit’s standard USB port, labelled “Smart”, is for delivering power to an attached device such as a smartphone, tablet, camera, gaming device or headphones.  When charging the TP-Link Power Bank itself, you will need to use the micro USB port which is appropriately labelled “In”.  A standard-to-micro USB lead, measuring 76cm in length, is supplied along with a mini User Guide booklet.

Providing an indication as to the current power capacity status of the Power Bank are four pin-prick LED lights.  These lights are located in the top right corner of the unit, situated just below the power button.  A single press of this button will light up the appropriate number of lights.  Four lights will be on to show that power is between 75 and 100%, three lights indicate power between 50 and 75^, two lights will show power at between 25 and 50%.  A single light means power is below 25% thus indicating that the Power Bank needs a boost in the power capacity it can deliver to other devices otherwise it could be regarded as “dead weight”.

TP-Link has built-in a number of enhancing features into this device to ensure that the user gets an optimum performance from the Power Bank 5200;  With regards to safety protection the Power Bank has technology built in to deal with problems that might involve short-circuit, over voltage, over current, over charge, over discharge and over heating issues.  When charging of connected devices is taking place, the use of Intelligent Charging technology will identify the attached device and adjust the output from the Power Bank to deliver the correct and fastest possible charge rate suitable for the delivered destination.

Figures released by TP-Link claim that the Power Bank 5200 is capable of recharging an iPhone 6 twice.  If you own a Samsung Galaxy S6 then the same Power Bank should provide 140% of power.  Those with a Lumia 930, will get 150% of power.  Unfortunately I am unable to confirm these figures due to a lack of the appropriate mobile devices.  However I have no reason to doubt TP-Link’s claims.

I do have one slight criticism of this product and that is due to the lack of a carry pouch so that the Power Bank and supplied standard-to-micro USB lead can be kept together.  Like many, I am fairly certain, I have enough items taking up space in my pockets and becoming entangled as it is.  A carry pouch would help alleviate this situation.  Currently Amazon.co.uk has this product listed at £16.78.

http://uk.tp-link.com/products/details/cat-4735_TL-PB5200.html