RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 - A USB-C PD 26,800mAh power bank for all day power Summary The RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 is good for all day power. Fast charges USB PD phones, tablets, the Nintendo Switch, and up to 12-inch laptops. Capacity is within FAA’s limits. Overall 4.6 Performance (4.5)

Design (5)

Safety (4.5)

Recharge Time (4.5) 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, but takes up most of the accessory pocket

Charges a 12-inch laptop

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

Limited max output between two USB-A ports

May be too big for some international airlines, check before you fly

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

Model: RP-PB058

Tech Specs:

Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2, micro-USB

USB-C Output: 30W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.4A, 15V/2.1A*, 20V/1.5A)

USB-A Output: 12W USB (5V/2.4A) 3.4A max on both ports

Input: 30W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A) 10W micro-USB (5V/2A)

Capacity: 26,800mAh | 99.16 Wh

Size: 6.8 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches | 173 x 82 x 23 mm

Weight: 16.3 oz | 463 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800

USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 3.3 feet/1 meter

micro-USB cable, 2.2 feet/0.66 meter

micro-USB cable, 10 inches/0.25 meter

Pouch

Good For:

Travel

iPhone

Android

Nintendo Switch (handheld)

iPad Pro

12-inch laptop

Estimated Number of Charges:

iPhone 6/7/8: 9 charges

iPhone Plus/X/XR: 6 charges

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 5 charges

Samsung Galaxy S10: 5 charges

Nintendo Switch: 10+ hours of play

First Impression

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 is the size and weight you would expect for a 26,800mAh power bank. The design is straightforward, which means everything is easy to find. All four ports line and are labeled on one side. The power button and LED indicators are nearby on the top side. The specs are printed in silver against the matte black background, making the easy to read. As someone who reads lots of specs I appreciate this easy to read color combination. RAVPower went for more width rather than length, making it less comfortable to hold with a tight grip. But at more than a pound weight you shouldn’t be carrying it by hand much anyway.

RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 with Moto G6 RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 with Nintendo Switch RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 in Switch carrying case RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 with MacBook Pro 13-inch

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2020-09-25.

Top: RAVPower Ace 26800. Bottom: RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800. Top: Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD. Bottom: RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800. Top: RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800. Bottom: J-Go Tech The Tanker.

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 (USB-C) iPhone 8 power meter (USB-A) iPhone 8 power negotiation (USB-C)

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.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

HTC

LG

Motorola

Nokia

Samsung Galaxy

Sony

Xiaomi Mi 5/6

ZTE

Moto G6 power meter (USB-C) Moto G6 power meter (USB-A)

Using a Moto G6 we confirm no fast charging support for LG, Motorola, or Quick Charge enabled Android phones. Both USB-C and USB-A ports provide 9-10W, which is a normal charge.

Nintendo Switch

Switch gaming power meter (USB-C) Switch sleeping power meter (USB-C) Switch power negotiation (USB-C)

The Nintendo Switch charges at its max rate, up to 18W. It’ll fast charge while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is also normal. But it won’t power a docked Switch. That requires a higher 15V output than this charger offers.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

MacBook Pro 13-inch power meter MacBook Pro 13-inch power negotiation

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 30W from this charger. Better than expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 30W charger can support 12-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

Pass Through Charging

Pass through charging allows a portable charger to both recharge and charge a connected device. Some of the energy flows from the wall output, through the portable charger, to the device. The remaining energy recharges the portable charger itself.

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 supports pass through charging:

Input: USB-C, Output: USB-A

Input: micro-USB, Output: USB-A

You can use either USB-A port to charge while the portable charger re-charges. If you connect to the USB-C port while charging from the micro-USB port the portable charger will stop charging.

Pass through charging is useful for overnight stays with limited wall chargers. It is not recommended to do so on a regular basis. It puts more heat and stress on the portable charger, which can affect its lifespan. Doing it when traveling is fine. But don’t set this up next to your bed at home every night.

Summary

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 is a solid, if ordinary USB-C PD power bank. Its big draw is the 26,800mAh capacity. It is cheaper than Anker’s, as it doesn’t include a wall charger. And while AUKEY’s 30,000mAh power bank has more capacity it also has more travel restrictions.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode as fast as any other option. But it cannot power a docked Switch.

Its 30W USB-C output works for up to 12-inch laptops. If you have larger devices you’ll want to look at 45W power banks instead. The RAVPower also works well for phones and tablets that support USB Power Delivery. No Quick Charge means no fast charging for LG, Motorola, and QC enabled Androids.

*RAVPower lists 15V/2A in its specs. But my Power Delivery sniffer showed 15V/2.1A. That means the power bank advertises having 15V/2.1A to devices, regardless of what is printed on its case. It is worth noting, but not an issue beyond the listed specs not being accurate. The extra 0.1A won’t affect your devices. Devices control how much current they draw, it isn’t pushed by the charger.

Pass through charging is featured in most RAVPower USB-C power banks. You can charge via the USB-A ports while recharging. If you connect a USB-C cable to the power bank it’ll immediately stop taking a charge.

The power bank falls within the FAA’s limits for flights within the United States, barely. The limit is 100Wh, this model is 99.16Wh. If traveling outside of the U.S. contact your airline before you leave. Check the limits for lithium batteries, which are based on the country of origin. Most airlines post these limits on their websites.

About RAVPower

RAVPower has U.S. based support (web, email, phone) and an 18 month warranty. The warranty can be extended to 30 months if you register the product with RAVPower. They are a respected brand within the USB-C community.

Bottom Line

The RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800 works best for those needing high capacity. From a phone up to a 12-inch laptop. It is a better buy than its competitors if you already have a USB-C wall charger.

Buy if you:

Need high capacity and performance for your Nintendo Switch, MacBook Air, or 12-inch laptop

Already have a USB-C PD wall charger to recharge the power bank with

Want to minimize how often you need to recharge your power bank

Don’t buy if you:

Need to fast charge a LG or Motorola Android phone

Often fly internationally to countries with stricter lithium battery limits

Plan to game or work on a 13 to 15-inch laptop, aside from the MacBook Air

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1.

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

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