Always Carrying a Power Lifeline
I’ve had battery anxiety for as long as I can remember. Anyone who knows me well has probably seen me carrying at least one cable everywhere I go. If I’ve got a backpack, you can bet there’s a power bank inside — no exceptions.
As my devices became more demanding, so did my expectations. At first, I only cared about having lots of USB ports and a big enough battery. Anything under 10,000 mAh was never even on my shopping list. But once USB-C and PD charging became mainstream, high-wattage output suddenly mattered just as much as capacity.
Discovering CUKTECH in Australia
Back in August, while scrolling through OzBargain, I stumbled upon something unexpected — CUKTECH. It’s a brand I already knew from China and one I often rely on for travel chargers. Although they only formally expanded into power banks, chargers, and solar storage in 2023, CUKTECH has been part of the Xiaomi ecosystem for years, co-developing best-selling chargers with ZMI.
Curious, I reached out to the OzBargain poster, Mostly Melbourne, and they generously arranged a sample for me to test — the CUKTECH PB250, a 25,000 mAh, 210W monster of a power bank. After a solid month of medium-to-heavy daily use, I’ve gathered my thoughts on what it does brilliantly, and where it might not suit everyone.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The first thing that stood out was the minimal packaging. Everything fit snugly, with no wasted space. The front clearly displays the two big selling points: 25,000 mAh capacity and 210W output. Seeing 210W on a power bank almost felt surreal — I couldn’t imagine many real-world scenarios where I’d max that out.
The back of the box is just as impressive: every possible input/output combination is listed in detail, something I’ve come to expect from CUKTECH. If a brand can spell out exactly what each port delivers, it saves me the guesswork.
Inside the box you’ll find:
- CUKTECH 25000mAh 210W Powerbank
- 1 × USB-A to USB-C cable
- 1 × USB-C to USB-C cable
- A soft carry pouch
- Manual and warranty card
The inclusion of two different cables turned out to be important. Without CUKTECH’s special A-to-C cable, you can’t unlock the PB250’s unique 100W USB-A output. With a normal cable, the A port caps at around 20W. A thoughtful touch, and something that’ll save buyers from scratching their heads.
This specially designed USB-A to USB-C cable allows higher current flow, enabling up to 100W charging power via the PD 3.0 fast-charging protocol.
Design and Build
The CUKTECH PB250 follows the “slab brick” design common among high-capacity power banks. Personally, I like it — it fits neatly into my cross-body laptop bag without bulging out awkwardly. The grey metallic finish gives it a premium MacBook-like look, though it’s actually plastic underneath.
The included pouch is a nice upgrade over my older ROMOSS power bank, which shipped without one. The PB250’s finish, while sleek, is prone to scuffing, so the pouch helps keep it looking fresh.
A True Pocket Power Station
This isn’t just a “backup battery” — the CUKTECH PB250 is closer to a portable power station. With 25,000 mAh of capacity, it can fully recharge an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra at least three times, or take a MacBook Pro from empty to about 70%. For smaller devices like earbuds or cameras, you could go days without touching a wall socket.
The port setup is equally impressive:
- USB-C1 (100W out / 100W in): Full-speed charging for MacBook Pro, Dell Latitude, or similar laptops.
- USB-A (up to 100W with included A-to-C cable): Ideal for Xiaomi users and other compatible fast-charge devices.
- USB-C2 (45W out): Perfect for tablets, Switch, cameras, or older laptops.
All three ports can be used simultaneously with a combined maximum of 210W. That means you can charge your laptop, tablet, and phone at the same time without throttling.
Real-World Charging Performance
Here’s how it performed in practice:
- Dell Latitude 5320 (65W PD): From flat to full in about 75 minutes while idle. Using it while charging stretched things out.
- MacBook Air M1 (30W limit): From 1% to 100% in 2 hours and 18minutes. The CUKTECH PB250 still had 37% charge left afterwards, enough to refill my phone completely.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (via C-to-C): Reached 56% in 30 minutes.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (via PPS): Supports 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0.
- MSI Claw 7 handheld (Valheim): Normally 1.5–2h of play, extended to 4h+ with the CUKTECH PB250. Playing lighter games like Stardew Valley and other indie games stretched the total runtime beyond 8 hours!
On the input side, the CUKTECH PB250 supports 100W fast recharging. Using a compatible charger, I consistently got from 0 to 100% in just under 2 hours, or 50% in about 45 minutes. That makes it genuinely practical for quick top-ups before heading out.
Everyday Use Cases
Most of my time with the CUKTECH PB250 was spent juggling my laptop, phone, and retro handheld consoles. The combination of capacity + output power is what sets it apart. Other large power banks can charge multiple devices, but few deliver this much sustained wattage across three ports.
The CUKTECH PB250 is overkill if all you need is a phone backup. But if you travel for work, rely on multiple high-power devices, or just hate being tethered to a wall, it feels like carrying your own personal outlet. Since I started carrying this power station with me, it has basically cured my battery anxiety. Most importantly, I no longer have to worry about having to stop halfway through playing on my MSI Claw or hunting for a charging spot before I can start. It has certainly made my life a lot easier.
The One Missing Feature
If I had to nit-pick, it’s the lack of a proper LCD readout. Many premium rivals now include displays showing port-specific wattage, charging time estimates, and so on. The CUKTECH PB250 sticks to a simple percentage indicator. It works, but at this price point, more detail would’ve been a welcome touch.
Pros and cons
The Good:
- Massive capacity & real-world multi-device endurance
- 210 W fast-charging across three ports
- High-quality Samsung/EVE cells, robust design
- Great value over ZMI equivalent
- Comes with accessories and local warranty
The Bad:
- Bulky—not pocket-friendly
- No detailed LCD – just a percent indicator
- USB-A limits unless using the official cable
- Some fast-charge features are device-specific
Final Verdict
The CUKTECH PB250 is a powerhouse that redefines portable charging for demanding users. With its massive 25,000 mAh capacity and 210W output across three ports (100W USB-C1, 100W USB-A with special cable, and 45W USB-C2), it effortlessly charges laptops, smartphones, and gaming handhelds like the MSI Claw simultaneously without throttling. Real-world tests demonstrate exceptional performance, fully charging a Dell Latitude 5320 in ~75 minutes, extending MSI Claw gaming sessions to over 8 hours for lighter titles, and recharging itself to 100% in under 2 hours with 100W input. Its premium design, high-quality Samsung/EVE cells, and included accessories (two cables and a carry pouch) add significant value, especially for travellers or multi-device users.
However, its bulky size makes it less pocket-friendly, and the lack of a detailed LCD display (showing only battery percentage) feels like a missed opportunity at this price point. The USB-A port’s full 100W potential also requires the included special cable, which may limit compatibility with standard cables. While overkill for casual phone charging, the PB250 excels for professionals, gamers, and anyone needing a reliable, high-wattage power solution. For those battling battery anxiety or juggling power-hungry devices, the CUKTECH PB250 is a near-perfect companion, offering unmatched endurance and versatility.
Verdict: Highly recommended for power users needing a robust, multi-device charging solution, despite minor shortcomings in display and portability.
If you:
- Travel frequently with a laptop or a high-performing handheld gaming console
- Rely on multiple devices simultaneously
- Value speed and capacity over compactness
…then this is hands down one of the best high-capacity power banks available in Australia right now.
The CUKTECH PB250 is available from Mostly Melbourne for $129.99, or $169.99 if you opt for the original model, the ‘ZMI QB826G’, prior to its rebranding.
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