Backside Line
The Aim Zero Flip 24 is the one energy financial institution we examined with a built-in USB plug. That makes it nice for hikers who simply want one full cost. Due to its smaller capability, the Flip is exceptionally light-weight, transportable, and fast to recharge. We regularly select this energy financial institution over different energy banks we examined on our backpacking journeys as a result of it simply matches in any pocket and isn’t as cumbersome as a lot of the larger-capacity energy banks. Although we want it was extra environment friendly on a power-per-ounce foundation, it performs properly in colder temperatures. As a be aware, the built-in USB plug may be tough to make use of because the port is near the principle physique of the financial institution and it dangles within the air when plugged in. Finally, Aim Zero is a sturdy battery pack able to go anyplace, anytime.
Fast Specs
Aim Zero Flip 24
Greatest Single-Cost Energy Financial institution
CleverHiker Score:
71.8/100
Value:
$30
Weight:
4.8 oz.
mAh:
6,700
Time to full cost:
4 hrs
Professionals
- Inexpensive
- Compact
- Ultralight
- Constructed-in USB-A plug
Cons
- Low quantity of energy compared to weight
- Small charging capability (expenses the avg. telephone 1x)
- Energy enter may be onerous to make use of
Effectivity
Effectivity is an space the place the Aim Zero Flip doesn’t rank properly, which is disappointing given its small capability dimension. Throughout side-by-side testing, we plugged the Flip right into a dummy load resistor and multimeter. This setup continuously drew energy from the financial institution and recorded how a lot energy was inside. We then in contrast the overall energy to the Flip’s weight to find out its effectivity. By making this calculation, we are able to higher examine how energy banks throughout numerous capability sizes arise to one another. Sadly for the Flip, it didn’t do properly and had the bottom effectivity out of our lineup. That stated, once we used it on native backpacking journeys in southwestern Colorado, we discovered that it lasted about two nights earlier than we ran out of battery. Presently, we may cost a telephone up from a low battery- about 20%- as much as round 80% two instances earlier than the Flip ran out of juice. That makes it a wonderful alternative for weekend backpacking journeys which might be just one to 2 nights lengthy.
Weight & Portability
A substantial benefit of the Aim Zero Flip is how straightforward it’s to carry alongside. It’s small, weighs 4.6 ounces, and matches in numerous pockets of all sizes. We like this energy financial institution for charging electronics throughout the day because it matches simply in a fanny pack or pants pocket subsequent to the merchandise that you just’re charging. We typically attempt to cost electronics within the night whereas hanging out at camp. Nevertheless, we forgot to take action on one journey and we’re glad to have the Flip to compensate for charging whereas strolling within the morning. Throughout our metrics testing, we positioned the Flip on our kitchen scale and measured its dimensions to calculate its complete quantity. Unsurprisingly, it emerged as our lineup’s lightest energy financial institution.
Sturdiness
Because of its small dimension, the Aim Zero Flip can deal with falls properly, however the built-in USB plug is a probable failure level to be careful for. We dropped this energy financial institution from eight ft above loosely packed filth as a part of our side-by-side testing, and it saved charging our electronics with none issues after quite a few falls. We suspect its smaller dimension and weight permits it to hit the bottom with much less drive. Through the fall season, we used this energy financial institution extensively because of its handy dimension, and it by no means appeared to have any issues from chilly, moist circumstances or basic use. Not like lots of the different energy banks we have now used, this mannequin has no beauty harm after touring with us for a lot of adventures. The largest sturdiness concern, in our opinion, is the built-in USB plug. In comparison with a port, the plug is extra susceptible to wreck because of getting bent which might lead to needing to purchase a complete new energy financial institution.
Charging Pace
Contemplating the Aim Zero Flip’s small capability dimension, it has a disappointing recharge time. Logically, the smaller the battery, the extra rapidly it ought to recharge. Nevertheless, once we timed how lengthy it took to recharge this energy financial institution from useless to full, it totalled three and a half hours. Compared, two 10,000 mAh energy banks recharged extra rapidly, and one recharged even an hour sooner! One of many professionals of a smaller battery pack is that it’s extra handy throughout, however on this case, the Aim Zero Flip didn’t reside as much as that expectation.
Options
The Flip is a comparatively easy and streamlined energy financial institution as a result of it’s tiny. There is only one USB-A output port and a built-in USB plug. For some, having the enter plug could also be a plus because it negates the necessity to carry an additional charging twine. Nevertheless, it will also be a bit cumbersome and clumsy to make use of: if the wall outlet is turned on its aspect, then the Aim Zero can even subsequently be at a humorous angle hanging off of the wall charger. On the brilliant aspect, the Flip does have pass-through charging, which means {that a} telephone may be charged off the ability financial institution whereas the ability financial institution is concurrently charging from an outlet.
Chilly Functionality
The Aim Zero Flip performs surprisingly properly in chilly temperatures. Throughout side-by-side testing, we used the identical setup from our effectivity check by drawing energy with a dummy resistor load and measuring the output with a multimeter. The one distinction is that we positioned the whole setup inside a fridge to see how the colder temperatures impacted its efficiency. The Flip carried out considerably higher in colder temperatures and had extra energy obtainable to be used. Out within the discipline, we didn’t discover any important decline in efficiency because of freezing temperatures or moist circumstances. Whereas utilizing the Flip on a brisk morning within the San Juan mountains, it labored as anticipated and charged the telephone like regular.
Ought to You Purchase the Aim Zero Flip 24?
The Aim Zero Flip is a superb choice for charging on the go and brief backpacking journeys. Its compact design makes it a nifty piece of substances to throw in your backpack for an extended day hike or for when you’ve that last-minute realization that your telephone is about to die whereas operating errands. It additionally makes a improbable alternative for weekend backpacking journeys with low to average battery utilization. Those that shall be out for greater than an evening or two will doubtless discover that the Flip doesn’t have sufficient battery for longer journeys.
What Different Energy Banks Ought to You Contemplate?
Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 Evaluation: One other very transportable and ultralight choice is the Nitecore NB10000. We like this energy financial institution as a result of it’s straightforward to suit inside pockets to be used on the go, has glorious effectivity, and has a barely bigger capability than the Flip. Just like the Aim Zero Flip, the Nitecore has a comparatively easy design and primarily caters to the ultralight viewers.Â
Zendure Tremendous Mini 10000 Evaluation: Just like the Aim Zero Flip and Nitecore NB10000, the Zendure Tremendous Mini is tiny, transportable, and light-weight. These three fashions are sometimes our go-to battery packs as a result of their small dimension make them straightforward to make use of and fewer cumbersome than larger-capacity choices.
OKZU 10000 Evaluation: Although it’s barely bigger and heavier, the OKZU gives a reasonably streamlined interface and a sooner recharge time. We like this energy financial institution as a result of it’s straightforward to make use of and comparatively packable within the backcountry.