RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C - Come for the price, stay for the pouch Summary The RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C is a slim power bank with USB-C. It’ll recharge most any model phone. But doesn’t support fast charging for most. Does offer dual input for faster recharging of itself. Overall 4.6 Performance (4)

Design (5)

Safety (4.5)

Recharge Time (5) Pros Charges all model phones

Charges Switch while you play

Fits in most Switch carrying cases

Dual input for faster recharging of power bank

Supports pass through charging

Charge two devices at once

Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights Cons No fast charging except for iPhones

Can’t be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Doesn’t included a USB-C to USB-C cable

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

Model: RP-PB078

Tech Specs:

Ports: USB-C x1, USB-A x1, micro-USB x1

USB-C Output: 15W USB-C (5V/3A) Apple 2.4A

USB-A Output: 12W USB (5V/2.4A)

Input: 15W USB-C (5V/3A) 10W micro-USB (5V/2A)

Capacity: 10,000mAh | 38 Wh

Size: 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches | 147 x 71 x 15 mm

Weight: 7.2 oz | 206 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C

micro-USB cable, 2.2 feet/0.66 meter

USB-C to micro-USB adapter

Pouch

Good For:

Commute

Travel

iPhone

Android

Nintendo Switch (handheld)

Estimated Number of Charges:

iPhone 6/7/8: 3 charges

iPhone Plus/X/XR: 2 charges

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 2 charges

Samsung Galaxy S10: 2 charges

Nintendo Switch: 4.5+ hours of play

First Impression

The RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C is a slim design, 10,000mAh power bank. Similar shape and weight as a smartphone. Making it easy to hold it alongside your phone as it recharges. It can also fit in larger pockets, though I’m more comfortable with it in a bag.

While the power bank itself is nothing special the included pouch is nice. The main pocket fits the power bank with room to spare. You can get a couple of cables in there, too. There is a second, open pocket on one side. That fits earbuds or other small accessories. Or keep your cables separate from the power bank. One of the more useful pouches I’ve seen included with a power bank.

RAVPower 10000 USB-C with Moto G6 RAVPower 10000 USB-C with Nintendo Switch RAVPower 10000 USB-C in Switch carrying case

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2020-09-24.

Top: AUKEY PB-Y12 10000 USB-C. Bottom: RAVPower 10000 USB-C. Top: AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 PD. Bottom: RAVPower 10000 USB-C. Top: Anker PowerCore 10000 PD. Bottom: RAVPower 10000 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 (USB-C) iPhone 8 power meter (USB-A)

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we get a reduced fast charging rate from the Apple 2.4A standard on the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. Charging on the USB-A port is at a slower, normal rate.

Android phones with USB PD will not experience fast charging. As USB PD isn’t supported, and Apple 2.4A is proprietary to Apple devices.

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 ~10W, which is a normal charge.

Nintendo Switch

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

The Nintendo Switch charges at the expected rate with a regular USB-C charger, up to 10W. That is 1-2W more than it uses while playing. So it will charge while you play. But slower than you’ve seen with its own charger.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

Dual Input & Output

Dual Input

An advertised feature of the RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C is dual input. The portable charger connects to two USB chargers, drawing more power than from any one charger. In this case you use both the micro-USB port and USB-C port. The function does provide a faster charge. But only with a particular setup.

The trick is to use two USB-A power sources. One connects to the micro-USB port. You can use the included micro-USB cable. The other connects to the USB-C port. You can use the included micro-USB cable and USB-C to micro-USB adapter. Or a USB-C to USB-A cable. Either way you’ll need to provide a second cable for the setup. Once setup the portable charger draws from both sources, for a total greater than any one source. But dual input shuts down as you approach 100% full, continuing with only one port drawing power.

You cannot use a USB-C charger and maintain dual input. There is a limit on the circuits, so they cannot handle both USB-C and USB-A power sources.

Here are the options you’ll have for recharging the portable chargers. Ordered from fastest to slowest.

Two USB-A wall chargers with micro-USB and USB-C to USB-A cable One USB-C wall charger with USB-C to USB-C cable One USB-A wall charger with a USB-C to USB-A cable One USB-A wall charger with a micro-USB cable

Dual Output

For a portable charger with low output it supports dual output well. Using both the USB-C and USB-A ports I was able to draw up to 10W from both ports. Given my test devices only ever drew up to 10W using only one port I saw no performance hit from using both ports at once. Of course this would use up the limited capacity much faster. But If you needed to charge two devices at once you wouldn’t need to juggle them for the best performance.

Using the Included USB-C to micro-USB Adapter

As a general rule it is safe to use a USB-C to micro-USB adapter. That is an adapter that turns a micro-USB connection into a USB-C connection. That’s the type of adapter included with this charger’s micro-USB cable.

It is not safe to use the opposite, turning a USB-C connection into a micro-USB connection. That would allow for connections against the USB standards and dangerous to devices.

My USB tester showed the micro-USB cable with USB-C adapter includes a 56k Ohm resistor. That resistor is required under USB-C specs for all USB-C to USB-A cables.

The cable charged my Moto G6 at the same rate as a regular USB-C to USB-A cable.

Pass Through Charging

Pass through charging allows a portable charger to both recharge itself. And charge 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 more inefficiencies than normal.

This portable charger supports pass through charging under these connections:

Input: USB-C, Output: USB-A

Input: micro-USB, Output: USB-C, USB-A

Pass through charging is useful when you only have one USB wall charger. But it is not recommended to use this feature on a regular basis. It puts more heat and stress on the portable charger. Which will affect its lifespan. It can also provide an inefficient charge to your device. Again, not great for its own battery’s lifespan.

If you like to have the option when traveling, fine. But don’t set this up next to your bed at home every night.

Summary

The RAVPower Prime 10000 Type-C is what I call a “regular USB-C” power bank. It supports 15W USB-C output. Not the higher outputs of USB Power Delivery. It doesn’t support fast charging outside of the iPhone. But that loss means a small cost savings, compared to similar power banks from the other big brands.

For iPhones it’ll charge at a good rate via USB-C. Thanks to its support of Apple 2.4A. But it isn’t as good as USB PD would be.

For other USB-C phones it’ll charge them at their normal rate. But no fast charging.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode while you play. It’ll be a slow charge with demanding games, but enough to keep up.

This “less powerful” model can charge two devices without losing output. Unlike some higher output USB-C PD models. USB-C PD power banks tend to drop their total output when two or more ports are connected. RAVPower’s power bank doesn’t take a performance loss. It was able to charge two USB-C devices up to 10W each at the same time. Some USB-C PD power banks drop to 10W total when two ports are in use.

Besides dual output it also supports dual input. Using two USB-A chargers and a couple of cables you can recharge the power bank faster. At 10,000mAh it doesn’t take all night to recharge. If you don’t have a USB-C wall charger this gives a faster alternative to keeping the power bank ready to go.

The included pouch is quite nice. Its main pocket fits the power bank and cables. And an open side pocket can carry small accessories. Or you can separate the cables from the power bank.

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 Prime 10000 Type-C is a solid, no frills USB-C power bank for your smaller devices. Lack of fast charging saves you a few dollars. And the included pouch is nice for those anyone who keeps their gear organized.

Buy if you:

Are okay with normal charging rates

Need to charge two phones without any loss in performance

Want a power bank you can easily hold against your phone

Don’t buy if you:

Are looking for a fast charger

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the Anker PowerPort C 1. Or to use the dual input feature check out the RAVPower 24W Dual USB-C.

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

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