I never leave my house without a power bank, but sometimes, a typical power bank is just too big or too heavy to carry around. In cases like this, a more reasonably-sized power bank with a smaller capacity is a better option, and Cuktech CP12 (WPB100L) is one to consider if you have an iPhone. Right now, this 10,000 mAh power bank with MagSafe compatibility is only $19.99 on Amazon.
The CP12 is a "travel-friendly" power bank that does not take up too much space in your backpack or even in your pocket. Besides being small and light (only 211 grams), it has a fixed USB-C cable, so you do not have to take one with you. Also, there is one more USB port allowing you to charge an extra device in wired mode (three total).
In addition to wired mode, the Cuktech CP12 supports wireless charging with MagSafe compatibility. If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, you can snap this power bank to the back of your phone to charge it wirelessly (AirPods are also supported). The magnets are very strong, and they have no problem with big devices. During my testing, I could hold my iPhone 15 Pro with a MagSafe case by just the power bank without worrying about it falling off.
The only thing I do not like is that the wireless charging surface is made of rough plastic. I wish it were made of softer plastic to avoid long-term stains and scratches for those using their iPhones without cases. After a few weeks of active use and wireless charging, the surface already has plenty of scratches.
The attached cable is very stiff and strong. It can hold the weight of the powerbank and a phone attached to it, and Cuktech says that it is rated for about 10,000 bends. You can make a loop with the built-in USB cable by plugging it into a dummy USB-C port, which is handy for carrying the power bank. Just keep in mind that the dummy port cannot be used for charging the CP12 or other devices (there is a warning indicator next to it).
The Cuktech CP12 supports several charging modes and speeds. When charging one device in wired mode (with the built-in cable or the extra USB-C port), the charger outputs up to 22.5W. This is by no means very fast, but it is still decent for such a portable power bank. Wireless mode is only 7.5W (your iPhone will warn you that the charging is slow), but it still gets the job done if you are not actively using your device while charging. In dual-wired mode, the max output drops to 15W.
You can charge the CP12 at 20W, and topping it up will take about three hours. Only wired mode is supported, and you can charge it by using the built-in cable (just plug it right into your charger) or with another cable using the extra USB-C port. The power bank has no displays, but you can check its charging state with a side-mounted LED:
- Flashing orange: 0-30%
- Flashing yellow: 30-60%
- Flashing green: 60-100%
- Solid green: fully charged
When charging wirelessly, the CP12 gets a little warm, which is perfectly fine. During a few weeks of testing, I never experienced any overheating, even when charging my phone in a pocket. Cuktech says that the CP12 has all the necessary protections from temperature, overcurrent, short-circuit, overvoltage, overcharge, and overdischarge. I should also mention that the Cuktech CP12 outputs "good energy" with relatively low voltage pulsations, which is good for your devices" battery health in the long term.
As for capacity, the power bank has a 36.5 Wh battery. Cuktech claims that it is enough to charge an iPhone 15 twice. In my testing, the battery was enough to charge my iPhone 15 Pro from 20% to 80% twice in wireless mode, with each charge taking about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Wired charging is more efficient, so I still had a little juice in the power bank after two charges from 20% to 80%.
To me, this is more than perfect when you are out in town or on a flight. The Cuktech CP12 is small and light, and it has enough power to get you through the day until you find a place to plug your device and the power bank itself. Of course, if you plan to spend more time outdoors, a larger power bank, like the Cuktech 15 Ultra, which I reviewed several months ago, will be a better pick. But if you need something small and light to throw in your pocket, the CP12 is a good option if you ask me, especially for just $19.99.
Note: Cuktech provided a sample for testing without pre-approving the article.
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