Name: Power Practical Lithium 4400 Battery Bank
What it is: a palm-sized backup battery and flashlight that easily slips into a pocket. The battery has a 4,400 milliampere-hour rating with a 5-watt output. The lantern uses four LED lights, which also indicate the battery’s charge level when you slide the switch. It comes with a rapid-charging three-in-one cable.
The good: The Lithium 4400 is a great item for hikers, campers or even those who simply wander around in the darkness of their hotel rooms. Because it doubles as a flashlight, it eliminates the need to pack another light source. It’s light (4.2 ounces), compact (31/2 by 2 by 1 inch) and fits nicely in my palm or a pocket. Tests have shown the flashlight depletes the battery only about 3 percent an hour, which is why this is a good camping gadget. The battery bank has boosted my iPad’s charge on long flights when my seat lacks a USB-charging outlet. And one of the best features is that this battery has good standby time, so its charge doesn’t seep out when not in use.
The bad: It charged my iPhone fully twice, not the advertised three times, but that’s likely because I leave a lot of apps running in the background.
Cost: $59.99
Available from: thepowerpot.com, backcountrygear.com and amazon.com
