ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Poseidon Pro is a full-feature power bank available now for $119.
- It's incredibly robust, with water, dust and impact resistance.
- The accessories includes a lock knife which could be problematic in some jurisdictions.
Power banks are a necessity, and while most are designed to withstand the rigors of being in your pocket during busy a commute, some are built to endure the actual harshest conditions. Meet the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro, a power bank that's built different.
Also:The best power banks you can buy
On the surface, the Poseidon Pro is a 10,200mAh/37.74Wh power bank that supports 500 recharge cycles. It features a single USB-C port with a maximum input/output of 18W and a USB-A port capable of a maximum output of 12W. Additionally, there's an LED for illumination and a sturdy flap that locks over the ports and LED.
The power bank measures 6 x 3.25 x 0.63 inches and weighs 9.6 ounces, making it bulkier than the average 10,000 mAh power bank, but not by a significant amount. The added bulk serves a purpose, and I'll get to that shortly.
The battery can provide the average smartphone with about 30 hours of extra runtime and a tablet with an additional 10 hours. The power bank itself takes just over two hours to fully recharge when using an 18W+ charger.
On the front, four small and discreet green indicator LEDs show the internal battery's charge levels. The shell of the power bank is constructed from a hard, impact-resistant polymer on the front and back, with impact-absorbing rubberized polymer around the edges.
Also:The best portable power stations you can buy
According to Dark Energy, this design allows the power bank to withstand a 50-foot drop onto concrete, a shotgun blast, 1,500 lbs of crushing force, and even the blast from 1.5 lbs of explosives. It's also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, capable of handling submersion for 45 minutes, and temperature-tested to endure conditions ranging from 40°F to -15°F.
While I don't have a shotgun or explosives handy, I have dropped it, thrown it around, and even driven over it, and it has survived that abuse with nothing more than a few scratches.
On the side, there are two buttons: one to control the LED flashlight and another to activate the power bank's advanced features. A double tap activates a one-hour charge time, while pressing and holding for three seconds turns on the low-power charging mode for devices like earbuds.
Also: The cheap keychain tool I never leave home without (and why it's so great)
The power bank comes with a 3-foot USB-C-to-USB-C cable and a multitool carabiner that features a locking knife (which may cause issues in some jurisdictions), two screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a glass breaker. It also has a leatherette lanyard that holds the cable in place.
ZDNET's buying advice
The Dark Energy Poseidon Pro is available in black and hi-viz orange, retailing for $120. While this may seem pricey for a standard 10,000 mAh power bank, for a bombproof unit like the Poseidon Pro, it's a small price to pay, especially if you find yourself relying on it at some point.
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