Today, we’ll be reviewing Xiaomi’s NDY-02-AL 16000mAh capacity power bank, as promised in our previous review of the Romoss Sense 6 Plus 20000mAh capacity power bank. This will probably be the last power bank review we’ll be doing, as we find them a bit boring (lol).

Just like most power banks in the market, this one comes in a simple white box, in which you’ll find the power bank, a short USB charging/data transfer cable, and a Chinese user manual. No wall adapter is included. The design is pretty simple, but it looks like a high-end power bank due to its anodized water and corrosion-resistant aluminum body. The power button, LED lights, 2.1A output USB charging ports, and 2A micro USB input charging port are all located on one end of the power bank.

Pros of the Xiaomi NDY-02-AL 16000mAh Capacity Power Bank:

1. 10,850mAh of charge available to end-user: Xiaomi promises that the power bank can be used to charge a 3100mAh cell phone 3.5 times. In testing, we were able to charge a Huawei Honor 6 more than 3 times up to 10,300mAh. As always, these stats are valid when charging your devices switched off.
2. Dual 5.1V/3.6A charging: Each single USB charging port supports up to 5.1V/2.1A charging, but when both ports are in use, you get 1.8A from each port simultaneously, which still allows for some quick charging. Do note, however, that in this scenario, there will be a considerable amount of heat generated, and the 10,300mAh achieved above might reduce unless you’re in a cool environment. The aluminum body allows for fast heat dissipation, though.
3. Auto load detection: The power bank automatically starts charging itself or other devices once plugged in. No need to push the power button. The power button only serves to check the battery level when the power bank is idle.
4. Pass-through Charging: You can have the power bank charging a device while charging the power bank with a wall adapter. This comes in handy when you have to make do with one wall charging outlet.

Cons of the Xiaomi NDY-02-AL 16000mAh Capacity Power Bank:

1. No Flash Charging: The maximum amount of current you can supply to the power bank is 2.1A, so it can take a while to fully charge. According to Xiaomi, a 5V/2A wall adapter and the standard USB cable will charge the power bank in no less than 9 hours, while a 5V/1A variant will get the job done in 14.5hrs. We tested this with a 2.1A wall adapter, and it’s true.
2. No LCD: The device doesn’t come with an LCD for reliable monitoring of remaining charge capacity, so you have to rely on the LED lights. When fully charged and still connected to the wall adapter, all LED lights will be lit with none of them blinking. While using the power bank, if only one LED light is lit and it’s blinking, you have 0 – 25% capacity left, and it’s about time you looked for a wall adapter to charge the power bank. As it is with smartphone batteries, it’s not a good idea to wait for your batteries to drain drastically before charging them. Charging at greater than 50% capacity is best.
3. Scratch-Prone Casing: Though beautiful, the aluminum casing is prone to scratches, so you might want to handle it with care or

   buy a small pouch for it.

   It’s important to note that due to Xiaomi’s popularity, there are quite a ton of fake Xiaomi power banks in the market, so beware. The 16000mAh Xiaomi Power bank cost us $26, with tracked shipping included.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi NDY-02-AL 16000mAh capacity power bank is a good choice for those who want a power bank that’s not too bulky, but can still charge their devices several times over. The auto load detection and pass-through charging are handy features, while the scratch-prone casing and lack of an LCD display are minor drawbacks. Overall, it’s a solid power bank for its price range.