REVIEW – Portable chargers are easy to underestimate until the day every device in your bag is running low. The Zendure SuperTank is built for exactly that kind of gadget pileup. It is a 27,000mAh power bank with enough output to charge phones, tablets, wearables, and USB-C laptops, and it can feed four devices at the same time. Add in a 100W USB-C port, a 60W USB-C port, two USB-A ports, low power charging for small accessories, and UPS-style pass-through behavior, and this $179.99 battery starts to look like a very capable travel power station in a portable charger body.
Quick Take
The SuperTank is not a tiny pocket battery. It is a hefty 1.06 pound external battery pack designed for people who want laptop-class USB-C power away from an outlet. Zendure rates the total DC output at up to 138W, which is the number that makes this charger stand out from ordinary phone-focused power banks.
In the Box
Zendure keeps the bundle simple. Inside the box are the battery, a high wattage USB-C cable, and a printed manual. The cable is useful and well matched to the battery. The manual, unfortunately, is vague enough that it does not fully explain some of the SuperTank’s better features.
- Zendure SuperTank
- Zendure 5A/100W USB-C to USB-C SuperCord
- Instruction Manual
Specifications
- Capacity: 27,000mAh
- Internal Cells: 3.7 V Premium Lithium-ion Power Cells
- Dimensions: 4.7" x 2.8" x 1.6"
- Weight: 1.06 pounds / 481g
- Available Colors: Black, Silver, Blue
- Material: ABC / PC Composite
- Maximum Input: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A, 20V/5A, 100W Max
- Output: USB-C, USB-A
- Maximum Output:
- USB-C (1): 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A, 20V/5A, 100W Max
- USB-C (2): 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A, 60W Max
- USB-A (1): 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A, 18W Max (ZEN+ 2.0)
- USB-A (2) 5V/3A, 15W (ZEN+)
- Total DC Output: 138W Max
- Warranty: 2 Years
Hardware Tour
The case is made from composite plastic, and it is not a luxury material, but the SuperTank still feels dense, rugged, and ready to be tossed into a gear bag. The ribbed outer shape gives it a distinctive look, every port is clearly labeled, and the front LED display is easy to read.
All four charging ports sit on the same end of the battery. There is a 15W USB-A port, an 18W USB-A port, a 60W USB-C port, and a 100W USB-C port. The 100W USB-C port is also the input used to recharge the SuperTank.
Zendure’s maximum output claim is 138W, which explains why the port layout matters. This is not merely a large phone charger. It is meant to handle a laptop and additional smaller devices at the same time.
The only physical control is the power button on top. Pressing it wakes the battery and shows the remaining charge. The same button also controls the special power modes.
The printed label on the back lists the important electrical details. The 27,000mAh capacity is also significant for travel because it is the largest airline safe battery size approved by TSA/EASA.
The SuperCord
The included cable is Zendure’s USB-C to USB-C SuperCord. That matters because a high output battery needs a cable that can safely carry the required power.
The SuperCord is rated for 5A / 100W, so it can properly charge the SuperTank and can also be used with many USB-C laptops.
Zendure built the cable for abuse. It uses Nylon around a Kevlar fiber core, with Kevlar reinforcement woven in a chevron pattern.
A brown leather strap with a small metal clasp keeps the SuperCord neat when it is not in use.
Charging the Battery
The SuperTank needs to be fully charged before first use. Pressing the power button shows the current charge level, but charging it correctly requires a USB power supply capable of pushing at least 5W through the included Zendure SuperCord. For a product at this price, it is frustrating that Zendure does not include a proper USB power block.
Initial charging was not smooth. Several attempts failed, with the display either staying blank or showing a 188 code. Once the SuperTank finally accepted power, a full 0 to 100 charge took more than 18 hours. While it charges, the LED screen flashes and displays the charging power level.
Daily Use
Once charged, the SuperTank performed very well. Every device connected during testing charged without trouble, and being able to run several devices from one battery is genuinely useful.
The low power mode is called X-Charge. It is designed for wearables and other small devices that draw so little current that some power banks shut off before charging is finished. Double press the power button to turn X-Charge on, and the display shows an X icon. Double press again to turn X-Charge off.
The SuperTank also has a power delivery direction switch. Hold the power button for a long 3 second press to make sure a connected laptop receives power from the SuperTank instead of charging the battery pack. Hold the button again to let the laptop charge the SuperTank.
What Works
- Charging several devices at the same time is extremely useful
- UPS and pass-through modes add a lot to the device’s flexibility
- Low power mode works for charging wearables
What Could Be Better
- Requires a powerful power block to charge properly
- Does not come with a power block for charging
- Takes a very long time to fully charge
- Instructions are vague and do not fully explain the features
Quick Questions
Q: Does it come with a wall charger?
A: No, only the battery, a USB-C SuperCord, and a manual are included; you need your own power adapter capable of at least 5W to charge it.
Q: How long does a full charge take?
A: More than 18 hours in testing, and the first charging attempts failed before it finally accepted power.
Q: Can it charge a laptop and other devices at once?
A: Yes, it has four ports (a 100W USB-C, a 60W USB-C, and two USB-A ports) and can charge multiple devices simultaneously, with total output up to 138W.
Q: What is X-Charge mode for?
A: A low-power mode for wearables and small accessories that draw too little current for some power banks to detect and keep charging.
Final Thoughts
The Zendure SuperTank is a strong, flexible, and smartly designed portable power supply. It is useful for charging a full set of everyday devices while traveling, and its UPS and pass-through modes give it more value than a basic battery pack. I still wish the manual explained the features more clearly, and the missing wall charger is a real annoyance, especially when charging can take so long. Even with those complaints, the SuperTank is a great deal at $179.99.
If you’re comparing options in this category, see The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks I’ve Tested for how this one stacks up against the others I’ve tested.
Price: $179.99
Product Link: Zendure
You can also find it at B&H Photo Video for $129.00 and at Walmart for $135.47.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Zendure.
