Hey power seekers! Need a high-capacity portable charger for juicing up your devices on the go? You may have heard of the Jackery Giant Plus and its beastly 12,000 mAh battery. This power bank used to be a top choice for its huge capacity and Jackery’s reliable quality.
But in 2023, how does the old Giant Plus stack up to the latest portable chargers? Excellent question! In this quick review, we’ll do a fresh look at the Giant Plus’s pros and cons and compare it to some new contenders.
By the end, you’ll know whether the tried-and-true Giant Plus still holds up or if you should look into a newer, better alternative for charging on the go. Let’s power through this vintage power bank review! Your devices are thirsty for juice – let’s make sure you have the best portable power source in 2023!
Pros of the Jackery Giant Plus
- High battery capacity: The Jackery Giant Plus has a 12,000 mAh battery capacity, which means it can charge most smartphones about four times, or most tablets about two times. This is great for long trips, camping, or emergencies when you need to keep your devices running for hours.
- Dual USB ports: The Jackery Giant Plus has two USB ports that can charge two devices at the same time. One of the ports has a 5V/2.1A output, which can charge compatible devices faster than the standard 5V/1A output. The other port has a 5V/1A output, which is suitable for smaller devices or low-power mode.
- Sleek and sturdy design: The Jackery Giant Plus has an aluminum body that gives it a premium look and feel. It also makes it more durable and resistant to scratches and drops. The power bank has curves on two sides that make it easier to hold and carry. It also has a Jackery logo and a 3-LED battery indicator on the front that shows the remaining power level when charging or discharging.
- LED flashlight: The Jackery Giant Plus has an LED flashlight on the bottom that can be turned on by double-clicking the power button. The flashlight is not very bright, but it can be useful in dark situations or emergencies.
Cons of the Jackery Giant Plus
- Bulky and heavy: The Jackery Giant Plus is not very portable compared to some of the newer and smaller power banks on the market. It measures 3.1 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces, which makes it hard to fit in a pocket or a small bag. It is more suitable for backpacks or suitcases.
- Long recharge time: The Jackery Giant Plus takes about 10 hours to fully recharge from an AC wall outlet using the included USB cable. This is quite slow compared to some of the newer power banks that support fast-charging technologies such as Quick Charge or Power Delivery. You might want to charge it overnight or plan ahead before using it.
- Only one fast-charging port: The Jackery Giant Plus has only one USB port that supports fast-charging at 5V/2.1A output. The other port has a standard 5V/1A output, which is slower and less efficient for charging modern devices that require more power. You might have to prioritize which device to charge first or use a separate charger for faster charging.
Better Alternatives to the Jackery Giant Plus
The Jackery Giant Plus is still a decent portable charger that can meet your basic power needs, but it is not the best option in 2023. There are many newer and better power banks on the market that offer higher battery capacity, faster charging speed, lighter weight, smaller size, or more features. Here are some of the better alternatives to the Jackery Giant Plus that you might want to consider:
- Anker PowerCore 13000: This is one of the best-selling power banks from Anker, a leading brand in portable power products. It has a 13,000 mAh battery capacity, which is slightly higher than the Jackery Giant Plus. It also has two USB ports that support fast-charging at 5V/3A output each, which means you can charge two devices faster and more efficiently at the same time. It also has a compact and lightweight design that measures 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weighs 8.5 ounces, which makes it more portable than the Jackery Giant Plus.
- RAVPower Portable Charger 15000mAh PD3.0 Power Bank QC 3.0: This is a powerful and versatile power bank from RAVPower, another reputable brand in portable power products. It has a 15,000 mAh battery capacity, which is higher than the Jackery Giant Plus. It also has three ports that support different charging technologies: a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery 3.0 at 18W output, a USB-A port that supports Quick Charge 3.0 at 18W output, and another USB-A port that supports iSmart 2.0 at 12W output. This means you can charge three devices simultaneously with different speeds and compatibility. It also has a slim and sleek design that measures 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs 9.9 ounces, which makes it more portable than the Jackery Giant Plus.
- Jackery Bolt 10050mAh Power Bank with Built-in Lightning Cable: This is a unique and convenient power bank from Jackery that has a built-in Lightning cable for charging Apple devices. It has a 10,050 mAh battery capacity, which is lower than the Jackery Giant Plus, but still enough to charge most smartphones about three times. It also has two USB ports that support fast-charging at 5V/2.4A output each, which means you can charge two devices faster and more efficiently at the same time. It also has a built-in micro-USB cable for charging Android devices or the power bank itself. It also has a compact and lightweight design that measures 4.3 x 1.9 x 0.9 inches and weighs 8 ounces, which makes it more portable than the Jackery Giant Plus.
Conclusion
The Jackery Giant Plus is a solid and reliable portable charger that can power up to two devices simultaneously with its dual USB ports. It has a sleek and sturdy aluminum design, an LED battery indicator, and an LED flashlight. However, it is also quite bulky and heavy, takes a long time to recharge, and has only one fast-charging port. If you are looking for a high-capacity portable charger that can meet your basic power needs, the Jackery Giant Plus might still be worth it in 2023. But if you are looking for a more advanced, faster, lighter, or smaller portable charger that can offer more features and compatibility, you might want to check out some of the better alternatives we mentioned above. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more quick bits from PortablePowerLife.com!