My favorite power bank for laptops can charge virtually any model – and it has a useful display feature

ZDNET’s key takeaways

Most of us think of power banks as small, smartphone-sized battery packs that can be slipped into a pocket or clamped onto the back of a smartphone. But there’s a category of power banks that are much bigger and beefier than that — and they certainly won’t fit into a pocket.

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Take the Bluetti X20, a power bank built to power laptops and other high-capacity devices. Sure, you can use it to charge your smartphone or earbuds, but that would be overkill.

The batteries are LiFePO4 cells and should be good for over 2,500 charge cycles. This means that if you use the X20 daily, fully charging and discharging it every day, the batteries should provide over six years of use before chemical wear catches up with them.

Unlike smaller power banks, the X20 features dual built-in fans that monitor the battery temperature and automatically adjust to prevent overheating and maintain optimal ventilation. 

And don’t worry about the fan being a nuisance, as it never gets noisier than 45dB, which is comparable to the sound level in a typical library or soft bird call.

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The magic happens on the side of the unit. It features a 100W USB-C port that charges the unit and powers other devices, an 18W USB-A port, a 10.5W USB-A port, and a 20V/8A DC093 port capable of delivering 160W of power.

While USB ports are pretty ubiquitous, DC power output can be a pain because manufacturers use a myriad of different barrel connectors. While many of the larger power banks feature DC output, it can be difficult to use that port. 

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Bluetti has thought of this and provided a dozen different DC barrel adapters to cater to laptops from all the big names — HP, Acer, Sony, Lenovo, ASUS, and more. According to Bluetti, this makes the X20 compatible with over 90% of laptops on the market.

This is such a great touch, and it actually makes that DC port useful. Other power bank makers should take note of this.

The front of the unit has a single on/off button and a color LCD that offers an at-a-glance view of the battery level and the unit’s output and inputs. It’s basic, but it’s all a unit like this really needs.

The X20 features pass-through charging, so the unit can be charged up while it is being used to charge up other devices, which is a nice touch, especially in an off-grid or shared office space situation where power outlets might be limited. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

Not everyone needs a big, huge power bank. I mean, I’m not going to be carting this around the souks of Marrakesh, but for situations where I’m taking laptops or drones off-grid or want a way to keep a few laptops going where AC outlets are sparse, ten the Bluetti X20 is perfect. And the price is surprisingly palatable, coming in at $250. Sounds high, but plenty of smaller power banks cost more. 

I’ve found it hard to find negatives to the X20. The lack of a carry handle is about all I can think of. That’s it. Beyond that, the X20 is exactly what I’d expect from a Bluetti product — solid, well-designed, well-built, and reliable.