ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C - A rare two USB-C port power bank, which takes full advantage of its nature Summary The ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C offers two USB-C ports, and no legacy ports. This allows for a slimmer design. And functions we haven’t seen before with a power bank at this price level. Overall 4.8 Performance (4.5)

Design (5)

Safety (4.5)

Recharge Time (5) Sending User Review 0 ( 0 votes) Pros Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel

Charges Switch while you play

Can be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Fits in most Switch carrying cases

UPS function for small, USB-C powered devices

Supports pass through charging

Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable

Charge two devices at once

Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights Cons Won’t fast charge Quick Charge 3.0 enabled phones; but does normal charging

Can’t fast charge two devices at once

Price (if you don’t need its more unique functions)

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZMI provided the product in this review.

Model: QB812

Tech Specs:

Ports: USB-C x2

USB-C Output: Single Port: 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A) Dual Port: 10W USB-C Power Delivery (5V/2A) per port

Input: 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A, 15V/1.2A)

Capacity: 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh

Size: 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches | 148 x 71 x 15 mm

Weight: 9.8 oz | 279 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C

USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 20 inches

Travel pouch

Good For:

Commute

Travel

iPhone

Android

Nintendo Switch (handheld)

iPad Pro (pre-2018)

Estimated Charges:

iPhone 6/7/8: 3 charges

iPhone Plus/X/XR: 2 charges

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 2 charges

iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S10: 2 charges

Nintendo Switch (2017): 4.5+ hours of play

Nintendo Switch (2019): 7+ hours of play

First Impression

The ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C (aka ZMI QB812) is what many USB-C early adopters want in a power bank. It gives up legacy USB ports to make room for functionality that works best with a dual USB-C setup. The power bank isn’t any thinner or smaller than its peers with USB-C and USB-A. But is offers superior performance for pass through charging or as a UPS.

The enclosure is aluminum. Which helps with the heat usually generated by pass through charging setups. There are bumps along the sides to help provide a better grip. The front panel hosts the two USB-C ports, 4 LED indicators, and a reset button. The LEDs stay on whenever the power bank is in use. One USB-C cable is included. But you’ll need a second cable to take advantage of both USB-C ports.

ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C with Moto G6 ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C with Nintendo Switch ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C in Switch carrying case

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2020-09-26.

Top: ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C. Bottom: Anker PowerCore 10000 PD. Top: ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C. Bottom: AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C PD. Top: ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C. Bottom: Xcentz xWingMan 10000. Top: ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C. Bottom: ZMI PowerPack 10K USB-C.

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS

Essential Phone

Google Pixel

LG ThinQ/V30

Razer

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10

Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9

Xiaomi Mi 8/9

ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

iPhone 8 power meter iPhone 8 power negotiation

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is included.

If two phones are connected fast charging isn’t available. Each phone will get up to 10W instead.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

HTC

LG

Motorola

Nokia

Samsung Galaxy

Sony

Xiaomi Mi 5/6

ZTE

Moto G6 power meter

Using a Moto G6 for testing we get normal charging rates. As no Quick Charge or compatible fast charging standard is supported that’s as fast as it goes. Still, 9-10W is a decent charge rate.

Nintendo Switch

Switch (2017) gaming power meter Switch (2019) gaming power meter Switch (2017) sleeping power meter Switch (2019) sleeping power meter Switch power negotiation

The updated Nintendo Switch charges at 16W, near its max power draw of 18W. Plenty to fast charge while you play.

The original Nintendo Switch charges a bit slower at around 14W. This is due to a shortcoming with the original Switch itself. That 14W is still more than enough to charge while you play.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

Pass Through Charging

Pass through charging allows a portable charger to both charge itself and a connected device. The power received from the wall charger splits. Some to the portable charger’s own batteries. And some to the connected device. How it handles the split varies. And there are typically more inefficiencies than normal.

But with ZMI’s dual USB-C power bank pass through charging works better than most. It is able to keep its 18W power input while continuing to offer up to 18W to the connected device. With an 18W USB-C wall charger it has no problem fast charging a connected device. Then fast charging itself, as needed.

Pass through charging is useful when you only have one USB wall charger. I don’t recommend using the feature on a regular basis. It puts more heat and stress on the portable charger. Which will affect its lifespan. But in this case it is less of an issue, as there aren’t any inefficiencies when charging as with most other power banks.

So if you’re looking for a pass through capable power bank this is the one I would recommend. The charge performance on both ends is superior to anything else I’ve tested.

UPS Support

Besides pass through charging this power bank can also act as a UPS. Otherwise known as an uninterruptible power supply. In short, it can be a battery backup for USB-C devices that don’t need more than 18W.

With pass through charging there is an interruption of power if the wall charger stops. When recharging your phone overnight it isn’t a big deal. But for a device without an internal battery it results in a shutdown. With a UPS there is no power blip. And so the device continues to operate.

In testing I connected ZMI’s power bank to a USB-C PD wall charger. Then to a phone. And I monitored the phone’s power draw. I then turned off the USB-C PD wall charger. The power meter showed no interruption. And the phone itself showed continuing charging. The ZMI power bank’s LED indicators changed from charging (blinking) to discharging (solid). The ZMI power bank began charging again when I turned the wall charger back on. And the phone continued to show no interruption to its own power draw.

One thing to note is the button on the front panel of the power bank. It is not a fuel gauge button, it is a reset button. Pushing it will display the LEDs which shows current power levels. But it also resets the power bank. Which interrupts power input and output. Those connections will come back online. But if connected to a device without its own battery it will result in a shutdown.

This setup would be useful for a new Raspberry Pi 4, which uses USB-C PD for power. It would also work with a USB-C powered Wi-Fi router or security camera. It is about the same price as a small, dedicated UPS. But much smaller.

Reset Button and LED Indicators on ZMI Power Banks

With some power banks you push a button to get the LED indicators (aka fuel gauge) to light up. With ZMI power banks the button performs a reset of the power bank. This does light up the LEDs. But if the power bank is active (input or output) it will briefly interrupt the power flow as well. Power does reconnect on its own. And like a computer the occasional reset is good. So there’s no problem pushing the button. But with how ZMI LED’s behavior there shouldn’t be a need to push while in use.

When a ZMI power bank is charging a device the LEDs flash together. As its battery level drops, so do the number of flashing LEDs. So four blinking LEDs mean 75-100% capacity remaining. While three flashing LEDs mean 50-75% capacity. And so fourth in 25% increments. The flashing continues so long as the power bank is charging a device. Or until it is completely drained. So there is no need to do anything to check its status while active.

While charging a ZMI power bank the LEDs do a combination of solid on and flashing. The combination indicates current charge level. When completely drained only one LED will be flashing, with the rest unlit. After 25% recharged one LED will be solid, while another will start flashing. This continues at 25% increments. Until all four LEDs are solid, indicator a full charge. The LEDs will remain solid so long as the power bank stays connected to the charger. So again there is no need to do anything to check its status.

When the power bank is not connected to anything you’ll push the button to check its capacity. Again, this performs a reset on the power bank. But there’s no harm in doing so.

Summary

The ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C is what many would consider a modern power bank in a USB-C world. It forgoes older USB ports and takes advantage of what USB-C can do as an input/output port. Either USB-C port will charge a device. And either USB-C port can recharge the power bank.

For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. Lack of Quick Charge means no fast charging for many other Android phones. But it will charge them at their normal rate.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode while you play. Due to their designs it is more efficient with a newer model Switch than an original model. But still enough to charge any Switch with the most demanding games.

Keep in mind the button is for resetting the power bank. Which will briefly interrupt the power flow. If charging a device with a battery the connection comes back on its own, so it isn’t a big deal. But if the power bank is acting as a UPS for a device without a battery it would result in a shutdown. As the LED indicators stay on while in use or charging you shouldn’t need to push it unless correcting an issue. Or checking its power level when not in use.

Its pricing is higher than other 18W USB-C PD power banks. But it is offering functions those others don’t. Dual USB-C, a metal enclosure, faster pass through charging, and UPS functionality. Not to mention is includes a USB-C cable, worth $7-10.

About ZMI

ZMI USA has U.S. based support (web, email, phone) and a 18 month warranty. They were founded in the USA and are backed financially by Zimi Corporation. Zimi is the exclusive mobile power accessory supplier to Xiaomi.

Bottom Line

The ZMI PowerPack Ambi 10K Dual USB-C is a solid early step into the market of USB-C only power banks. Its output makes it better for phones and smaller devices. Rather than laptops and larger devices. But it leverages its dual USB-C setup to provide better pass through charging. And a rare UPS functionality.

Buy if you:

Are looking for a pure USB-C power bank with no legacy ports

Want the best pass through charging experience possible

Could use a UPS for a small USB-C device that can double as your travel charger

Don’t buy if you:

Need a Quick Charge enabled power bank

Want to also charge a laptop, or similarly large and more demanding device

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the ZMI PowerPlug Turbo if you want to keep the same brand with your wall charger. Otherwise check out the AUKEY PA-Y18 18W PD as a more compact option.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.