Power banks are not exactly the most exciting things in the world, and one can say only so much about them in a review. The CUKTECH 10 is a new device that’s also not that exciting, but it does the job done. It also has a few features that I appreciated.
First of all, I know what you are going to ask: what exactly is CUKTECH?
CUKTECH was founded in 2016. In 2022, they merged with ZMI’s core team, working with tech giants like LG, Hitachi, and Xiaomi.
CUKTECH’s name is derived from the Čuk circuit, a highly efficient DC-DC circuit topology proposed by Slobodan Čuk in 1976. The company places a significant emphasis on research and development, with over 50% of its staff dedicated to R&D and Quality Assurance. The company seems to be growing fast, aiming to rival such brands as Ugreen.
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Design
First, the design. I have to say, I have more than ten power banks at my place, and it’s getting harder to tell them apart. The CUKTECH 10 though has no such problem: its cylindrical shape and a color screen make it stand out.
The CUKTECH 10 power bank is quite futuristic and very portable. Measuring just 143mm in length and 45mm in width, it is easy to put in a bag and completely forget about it. The company actually compares it to a Snickers bar, but that’s not entirely true — the power bank is a bit larger. Still quite compact though.
Despite its compact dimensions, this power bank delivers an impressive 100W output, making it suitable for a wide range of devices.
The power bank features a TFT colour screen, which is a nice touch as I previously hadn’t encountered power banks with actual screens. It’s not exactly vibrant or high definition though, but it’s good enough to read the information about voltage, current, battery level, power output, and the remaining time for charging and recharging.
Read also: UGREEN 145W Power Bank review: the one power bank to rule them all
Performance
The CUKTECH 10 is quite capable for its size and price. With a single-port output capable of delivering up to 100W, it’s good enough for most devices. It provides up to 27W for iPhones and 45W for Samsung Galaxy devices, can charge a Nintendo Switch 1.3 times, supports 45W fast charging for the Steam Deck, 65W for the ROG, and an impressive 100W for the Legion Go. Gamers definitely will find a lot to like here.
Additionally, the CUKTECH 10 offers fast charging specifically for Xiaomi devices. The USB-C1 port can deliver up to 120W for Xiaomi phones and tablets, and up to 100W for Xiaomi notebooks. The power bank supports various fast charging technologies, including PD 3.1 and PPS.
It has a maximum self-charging rate of 90W, which means the CUKTECH 10 can achieve 55% capacity in just 15 minutes, providing enough power to fully charge an iPhone 15 once.
The manufacturer claims a 10Ah capacity, but the actual battery specs suggest a lower 2450mAh per cell, which could limit the power bank’s ability to sustain its advertised 100W output. Still, it definitely can charge a Xiaomi phone at 100W, and it performed admirably with my MacBook Pro. The real-world usable capacity of the power bank is probably much lower than the marketed 10,000mAh, potentially about half of that.
Verdict
It’s not as small as a Snickers bar and it’s not the fastest, but it’s a joy to use and still packs a punch. It charged all my devices quickly, and I love that it has a screen. And with the price at about $50 (it usually gets steep discounts, too), it’s a great little power bank. Just don’t expect miracles.