Portable chargers like the Groov-e power bank can be useful in a variety of driving situations, especially if you find yourself with a flat phone battery in an unfamiliar location. Depending on why you’ve broken down you might need a jump starter, but it’s always handy to have your mobile device on hand to call for help.
The idea behind power banks is to provide your mobile phone or other devices with some much need power when the battery goes flat. They’re especially useful when you’re not able to get to a mains power source. You can charge a power bank before your journey so if you do end up with a flat phone battery then you’re able to plug your device into the portable charger and continue to use it.
Some power banks, like the Groov-e, claim to offer up to eight full charges of your smartphone, which is great for longer journeys or if you’re going away to somewhere far. The power bank that we tested comes with a 20000mAh capacity, LED indicators, and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable included.
Verdict score: 4.5/5
Pros
- Great build quality
- Simple and easy to use
- Can charge a smartphone up to eight times
Cons
- Slightly heavier than alternatives
- Others offer more charging ports
| Battery type | Lithium Polymer |
| Capacity | 20000mAh |
| Recharge time | 10.5 - 11 hours |
| Device charging time | 1.5-3 Hours (based on charging smartphones) |
| Total output | 5V/3A (15W max) |
Groov-e Power Bank: The Good
Our favourite thing about the Groov-e power bank is the build quality – it feels like a solid piece of equipment, even if the 450g weight is slightly more than some alternatives you can find on the market. It feels great to hold and isn’t as bulky as you’d expect.
The power bank claims to be able to charge a smartphone from zero to 100% in around 1.5 – 3 hours, and our experience shows that’s accurate. While it is claimed that you can charge your smartphone eight times thanks to the 20000mAh capacity, if you look at the fine print, you’ll notice it’s actually 6-8 times (based on average times), but once again this is in line with our experience.
While it may only be useful the first time you use the power bank, we like that it arrived pre-charged and ready to use. Even though it was only 50-75% charged when we first used the Groov-e, we’re happy to give some credit here as it meant that we could start using the portable charger immediately.
Groov-e Power Bank: The Okay
The Groov-e comes with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, which means you won’t be scrambling to find your own, but we found that it isn’t as effective as using your device’s own cable. We did find the supplied cable rather handy as it could be used to charge our smartphones, and then reversed to charge the power bank itself.
There are three charging ports for devices: two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, but that USB-C port can be used to charge the power bank itself alongside the Micro-USB input. Overall, we’ve seen other power banks that offer more charging ports, but we’ve never really needed to connect more than three devices at any time, so the Groov-e power bank offers a nice solution that’s simple and easy to use.
Thanks to its large 20000mAh capacity the Groov-e takes around 10.5 – 11 hours to charge completely, and thanks to its 15W usage it shouldn’t cost more than a few pence to charge (depending on your energy rate).
The power bank has a clean design, which makes it rather attractive. There is a discreet button on the side which you can use to turn the power bank on, but it isn’t needed in most cases as the portable charger turns on automatically when connected to a device. There is also a set of LED lights in the corner to illustrate the battery level, and while this could have been a digital display we’re not sure that would improve the power bank as it would mean a less rugged design and more things to break/go wrong.
Groov-e Power Bank: The Bad
There aren’t many downsides to the Groov-e that are glaringly obvious. The main thing that we would have liked to see is a torch. Some alternative power banks come with a built-in torch, and while it may not be massively effective, it does provide some light which is useful when trying to get something out of your bag.
Groov-e Power Bank: Verdict
The people at Groov-e are experts when it comes to electrical gadgets – from sound to lighting, they know what they’re doing, and their 20000mAh power bank is no exception. They’ve taken a simple design and executed it nicely for ease of use. From a cost perspective it sits in the mid-to-high end of the market when comparing against generic brands but where it lacks capacity amongst it competitors it makes up for in built quality. If you compare the Groov-e against more established brands such as Anker or Belkin then it offers incredible value for money.
At only 210g it is lightweight, and has the same 15W usage as the Groov-e. It also supports fast charging and can last for up to two charges depending on the device. The capacity is lower than the Groov-e at only 10000mAh but if you prioritise a slimmer design then the Anker is ahead there.
Pros
- Durable build quality
- Two-Way USB-C Charging
- Slim and lightweight design
Cons
- Lower capacity than the Groov-e
- USB-C cable, Lightning cable, and AC adapter not included
It seems like a great choice as well, since it comes with a lovely brushed effect alongside the LCD display. It also offers 22W usage which should charge your phone faster but will cost slightly more, but if the fast charging claims are correct then you shouldn't have to use it for long periods of time. The PAIDASHU is slightly heavier than others, but still lighter than the Groov-e, but we're not convinced that it can match the build quality of the Groov-e.
Pros
- Large 27000mAh capacity
- Fast charging
- LCD display
Cons
- Groov-e offers more device charges per full charge
- Lesser known brand
The Belkin is compatible with a wide array of devices and can provide up to 36 hours of additional video playback. Aside from this you can be safe in the knowledge that Belkin is a trusted brand and the portable charger comes with a 2-year warranty and Connected Equipment Warranty.
Pros
- Great design with built-in retractable stand
- Dual USB-C and USB-A ports
- 36 hours of additional video playback (tested on iPhone 11)
Cons
- Low capacity for price
- Only one USB-C and one USB-A port
If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, then why not check out the 5000mAh power bank from Groov-e which costs less than the 20000mAh. It won’t offer eight charges but should still be useful to charge your smartphone, and you should be able to recharge the power bank in just three hours. Groov-e also make portable magnetic wireless chargers which are compatible with Magsafe cases.
How the Groov-e Power Bank was tested
Testing the Groov-e power bank was simple: we simply received the product and got started on using it. We tested the 20000mAh portable charger using a number of devices that included a Huawei P20 Pro and an iPhone 15 Pro.
Who tested the Groov-e Power Bank
The power bank was tested by Naveed Hussain – a commercial content writer for Parkers who often frequents the serene Yorkshire Dales countryside. This allowed him the perfect opportunity to get away from the city and explore without the worry of a flat smartphone battery.
Naveed Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He enjoys anything with four wheels, and is always planning his next road trip.
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