XTAR PB2S Upgraded Version Type-C Dual-Role Fast Charger,Portable LCD Universal 18650 Battery Charger for 3.7V/3.6V Li-ion Rechargeable Battery 18650 18700 20700 21700 Black (No Battery)

This is my third XTAR-PB series charger/power bank. I threw away the first one because it only had USB micro and A connectors. On the second one the USB C port was for input only. As a power bank it would shut off when trying to power low current devices. The PBS2 dropped the USB micro port, added power bank functionality to the USB C port, added low current mode and upgraded the display. I don't use 21700 cells, but they added support for those as well. Spring loaded plungers for the negative contacts seems like a great idea (hope they last?)On the unit I received, activating low current mode is accomplished by double pressing the on/off button. The display does not slowly flash when in low current mode. Instead, the letters LC are displayed.

I've got a serious addiction...I keep taking power tool batteries out of the electronics recycling and salvaging the 18650 cells from them. I don't know how to stop. I'm well past 100 cells now, and still have crates full of battery packs I haven't even cracked open. I don't know what's wrong with me -- I can't deny the siren call of those multi-colored cells. There's no joy like liberating a couple nice cells, dropping them on the tester, and seeing they've still got a few thousand milliamp hours in them. It's like turning trash into treasure.Of course, the collecting 18560 cells isn't the real problem. Figuring out what to do with the things is where it gets tricky.Sure I loaded up on some flashlights, but that only goes so far. Then I found this product from XTAR. On the surface it's a decent 2-cell USB-C charger, but the real trick is that if you slap some charged cells in there, you've got a battery bank to power your USB gadgets using either the classic A or newer C standard.For me, this has been a huge game changer. Whereas your standard USB battery bank needs to be recharged before you can use it again, this unit lets you just swap out the cells and keep rolling. I call this a "tactical reload" and it brings me almost as much joy as finding the cells in the first place. Bring along a few sets of charged cells, and you'll always have power available.I now have bought several of these units. I keep each one with two cells installed, and at least four additional cells in a plastic holder. One of them is at work, another is in the bag with all the kid's electronics, and I've got another in my car (be careful with storing lithium cells in hot cars).In terms of functionality, I really like that the display shows the voltage and current of the device being charged. This lets you see when something has kicked into a faster charging mode, or if its just puttering along at the normal USB charge rate. On some devices, such as my Pixel phone, you can actually see it step through several charging rates until it finally negotiates on the highest one.I usually put the cells in my larger home charger when I need to fill them back up, but the times I've used the integrated charger has worked fine. Seemed to be pretty quick when connected to a standard USB-C laptop charger. One nice feature is the ability to hit the button on the side and cycle through both batteries, so you can see if they are charging up at the same rate (particularly useful when dealing with salvaged cells).The only other thing I wanted to bring up about this product is the fact that it makes a noticeable whining noise when discharging under a heavy load. It doesn't particularly bother me, but it was unexpected the first time it happened.

It's a great idea. Ran into issues with battery percentage availability. Numbers are all over the place. I suspect there's some resistance in the connected, especially if the batteries don't have nubs.

This is a great little portable battery charger as it will charge or drain several of the most used sizes of Li-ion batteries in a very small package. There is protection built into the charger which makes using the unprotected "High Drain" batteries safer to charge/utilize. The readout makes it easy to monitor the health of your batteries or to calculate charge rate, just convert amps/volts to watts (A)*(V) = (W) for when charging from sources or using as a battery bank to charge other devices. A couple of 5000mAh 21700 batteries gives you a 10000 mAh battery bank in your pocket or bag, this is enough for a lot of phones from zero twice or, once & iPod, rechargable hearing aids, earbuds, etc. depending on health/charge of batteries being used. I have several High Drain 3500 mAh18650s from Orbtronic that are over 7 years old and still holding close to 80%. You can't beat that for $15.00 apiece at that time, given output & longevity. Got the Xtar PB2 unit around 2019 & have weathered a number of power outages by having them charged & ready (all of them are rotated into service to maintain health).Tips: if carrying charged batteries in unit, use a thin piece of plastic between negative contacts and charging posts to prevent any parasitic drain (just like manufacturers use in packaged products that come with batteries installed).If carrying without batteries, you can coil up the USB 3.0 cable and store inside unit.You also can use a rubber band (like a lobster claw band or other) or, some low profile velcro to keep the magnetic top on. This will prevent the batteries from falling out in a purse or pack (dangerous with unprotected high drain cells) or, if you fumble & drop the unit.Carry extras with you and you can just keep swapping batteries to continue charging or just running things on the go. Rechargable battery banks have to be recharged after use before using again, are bulkier, heavier, cost $$ &, often only illuminate & or charge other stuff. I have around 70000 mAh of good Li-ion batteries that I can utilize if needed to power devices or to charge them. I highly recommend this product, especially for those on the go and are often away from AC outlets or car charger.Cons:Not waterproof! (Maybe Xtar could make a "Sport" unit).Only charges or powers at 20W or less which is "fast charging" but.........Lastly, the USB 3.0 cable is separate. It would be nice if it was attached somehow. I have attached a 56W Countycomm USB-C lanyard to my unit so cable is always with it while batteries are loaded.