How We Test

Our protocol‑first approach verifies what your devices actually receive—not just what the box claims. We log PD/PPS negotiations, measure delivered watt‑hours under realistic loads and temperatures, and map multi‑port behavior so your phone, laptop, console, and wearables charge as expected.

Test Environment and Instruments

Negotiation and Power: USB‑C PD/PPS analyzers and inline meters to capture PDOs, PPS ranges/steps, voltage/current over time, and cable e‑marker data.
Loads and Profiles: Programmable electronic loads and device‑class loads to simulate phones (15–25W PPS), tablets, handheld consoles (25–45W), and laptops (45–100W PD/EPR).
Thermal Conditions: Room, cold, and warm tests with controlled enclosures to generate derating curves at ~0°C, ~23°C, and ~35–40°C.

Capacity and Runtime (Delivered Wh)

We fully charge, rest, then discharge at multiple power levels to cutoff, logging delivered watt‑hours and average power. We repeat runs to confirm consistency and report delivered Wh and runtime charts per load and temperature. This shows the real energy your device can use.

Protocol Compatibility

We verify PD 2.0/3.0 and, where applicable, EPR (up to 28V/140W). For PPS, we confirm voltage/current ranges and step sizes, then check whether target devices actually enter fast‑charge modes with the intended cable and charger. If a bank gates performance behind an e‑marker cable or specific charger wattage, we flag it.

Multi‑Port Behavior and Priority

We map how power splits across ports, which port is prioritized, and what happens when a second device is connected. We test simultaneous charging scenarios to surface any throttling, drop‑outs, or mode changes that could affect your workflow.

Self‑Recharge and Pass‑Through

We measure 0–100% recharge times with common chargers (e.g., 18W, 45W, 65W, 100W), logging negotiated profiles, taper behavior, and thermal stability. For pass‑through, we assess safety and stability, noting whether a bank can power devices while charging and any interruptions during power source changes.

Safety and Compliance

We check for basic protections (over‑temp/current/voltage), review UN38.3/airline documentation, validate Wh labeling, and examine build quality. We highlight any concerns that could increase risk of swelling or thermal events.

Temperature Derating and Cold‑Weather Guidance

We quantify performance changes across cold/heat and publish derating curves. We include practical advice (insulation, warm‑up cycles) so you can plan runtimes for winter trips or hot venues.

Solar and Field Charging (When Applicable)

For solar‑ready banks, we test with common foldable panels and variable sun to evaluate MPPT behavior, intermittency handling, and realistic field recharge times. We document recommended panel sizes and cabling.

Scoring and Recommendations

We weight results across performance per gram, protocol coverage, multi‑device stability, recharge speed, safety/compliance, and value. Scenario picks (e.g., long‑haul flight, commuter kit, console travel) are built from measured data, not specs alone.

Repeatability and Calibration

We calibrate instruments on a schedule and re‑test when firmware or hardware revisions may affect results. Where variance exists between samples, we report it plainly and update guides.

If you have a use case we haven’t covered, contact us with your device, target wattage, trip length, and climate—we’ll test or simulate it and add the findings to our charts.