Miady AS-TPB21 Power Bank Review

Bottom Line

The cheapest power bank we have yet to find for backpacking, the Miady AS-TPB21 is sold as a two-pack. During our tests, its overall performance was not as strong as some of the other battery packs, but it’s hard to beat the price point. It tends to perform towards the bottom of our top tier 10,000 mAh power banks: it was a bit heavier on our scale, it has a larger volume, and it took four and a half hours to recharge from empty. Its efficiency is low, but that is to be expected for the price. In our experience, many of these qualities were not overly noticeable in the field and this power bank still worked well enough to get the job done.

We found that the Miady AS-TPB21 performs well in colder temperatures with higher efficiency than any other 10,000 mAh battery pack and it holds up just fine to being dropped on the ground. Overall, the Miady is solid enough that we would gladly recommend it to beginner backpackers just getting started or those who are on a very tight budget.

Efficiency

The Miady is not the best choice for those who value high-power performance in the backcountry. During testing, we looked at the efficiency of multiple power banks. This process included using a dummy resistor load to consistently draw power from the bank while simultaneously using a multimeter to record the total amount of power. We used this data to calculate the total amount of power available per ounce compared to the battery pack weight. In the case of the Miady, there wasn’t much power available per ounce. This is not incredibly surprising given the price point and quality of the power bank. 

In the field, this lackluster performance was not as apparent. We used the Miady while backpacking in Colorado’s San Juan mountains on several different trips. It kept our devices charged and had sufficient power to easily last the entire weekend trip. The importance of power bank efficiency will depend partially on the types of trips the power is needed for. On more casual weekend trips, the decrease in efficiency may not be as significant of a concern as on longer thru-hikes.

Weight & Portability

Another lackluster performance area for the Miady – its weight and portability. It is on the larger end of the spectrum when comparing 10,000 mAh power banks and feels a bit heavier in the hand. We placed the Miady on our kitchen scale and it ended up being the second-heaviest power bank we tested in its capacity range. Likewise, when we measured all its dimensions and calculated its volume, it was also the second-largest 10,000 mAh battery pack.

We did not find this power bank excessively heavy to use on backpacking trips, particularly compared to some large capacity banks on the market. However, the lackluster performance in this area is something to consider for backpackers prioritizing ultralight strategies in the backcountry.

Durability

Considering its price point, the Miady has decent durability, but we would be hesitant to use it on a thru-hike or any other rugged trip. The Miady has a light cross-hatching pattern on the main outer faces which helps with grippiness and reduces the amount of cosmetic wear. It still accumulated visible scratches during testing, but not as much as other power banks we tested. The outer edge of the bank is wrapped in plastic, which makes it feel relatively cheap. That said, we used this battery pack on several different backpacking trips and never experienced any problems due to lower quality construction. It held up to cold, damp, and rocky conditions while performing at the same levels as when we pulled it out of the box.

For our side-by-side comparison tests, we dropped the Miady from eight feet in the air onto loosely packed dirt. The power bank can still charge phones after the test and appears to work fine. This power bank has a cheap feel that is unsurprising given the low price tag and makes us hesitant to trust it long term. That said, it performed well across all of the tests we put it through.

Charging Speed

Charging speed is not a strong area for the Miady, and it takes longer than most 10,000 mAh power banks to recharge. We charged and discharged the Miady multiple times throughout our testing, but we made sure to time how long it took to recharge using the same wall port and charging cord as the other power banks in our lineup.

When we recorded the total amount of time, it ended up being the second slowest bank in its capacity range, coming in at four and a half hours. Though this didn’t cause any problems for us when trying to get the battery pack charged up for weekend trips, it would be much more inconvenient when trying to get in and out of a small trail town on a longer hike. With that in mind, the longer recharge time may be less of an issue for casual hikers who meticulously plan their weekend trips than for thru-hikers.

Features

Hikers looking for a balance of usable features without too much flare will appreciate the mix of options the Miady offers. At first glance, it has an easy-to-use button that activates an analog battery indicator. There are four ports: two USB-A, one USB-C, and a micro-USB port. One frustration is that none of these ports are labeled, showing which are inputs and outputs.

However, after trying them out, it becomes apparent that the USB-C port can be used as both an input and output port. The micro-USB is another input option for recharging the power bank and charging your devices., The USB-A ports can only be used to charge other devices. The only other real feature of the Miady is its ability to pass charge from an outlet through the device onto other electronics such as a phone. This is very convenient when outlets are at a premium and a surprising feature given the low price point.

Cold Capability

One of the Miady’s biggest strengths is its ability to perform well in cold temperatures. We used the same setup from our efficiency trials to test this:we could consistently draw power and measure the output. We placed the whole setup in a refrigerator, recorded the results, and then compared them to those from the room temperature tests. In the case of the Miady, its overall efficiency increased by about 5%.

While on weekend backpacking trips in the Weminuche Wilderness, we didn’t notice any decline in performance, even when the conditions were cold or wet. Overall, the Miady does well in colder temperatures and would be a good choice for winter adventures.

Should You Buy the Miady AS-TPB21 Power Bank?

The Miady has its share of weaknesses and is not the best choice for situations where high performance, reliability, and weight are a priority. That said, we like that it challenges what an affordable power bank can look like. With a very reasonable price tag, even before considering you get two power banks for that price, it changes the game for beginners or hikers on a very tight budget. Cost shouldn’t have to be a barrier to entry for backpacking, and the Miady is here to help open that door to those who need it.

What Other Power Banks Should You Consider?

OKZU 10000 Review: With a similar design, the OKZU is a slightly more expensive, but also better-rounded, alternative to the Miady. For those who can shell out a few extra bucks, the OKZU offers a variety of upgrades. We like that this power bank recharges extremely fast –about two hours faster than the Miady. It also weighs less, has better efficiency, and is more durable.

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Review: The PowerCore Slim site close to the Miady in most metrics we tested. It is similar in weight, efficiency, and price tag. Its recharge time is about an hour longer, but this brand also has a longer history of durability and reliability on the trail. With that in mind, the PowerCore Slim could be a good alternative for those who want something that will last a bit longer at a similar price.

INIU Megapower 10000 Review: Another 10,000 mAh option, the INIU Megapower has many features for a slightly higher price tag. We like that this power bank has a respectable recharge time and is efficient. Though its cold tolerance is not as high as the Miady, it weighs less and is more durable.