Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Spigen provided the product in this review.

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Also available on the UK Amazon store

Model: PA1801

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C x2, USB-A
• USB-C In/Out Port Output:
  • 30W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
  • PPS 3.3-11V/3A
  • Quick Charge 3.0
• USB-C Out Port Output:
  • 30W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
  • PPS 3.3-11V/3A
  • Quick Charge 3.0
• USB-A Output:
  • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
  • Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging
  • Huawei FCP
  • Apple 2.4A
• Input: 30W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
• Capacity: 15,000mAh | 54Wh
• Size: 4.5 x 3.1 x 1 inches | 115 x 78 x 25 mm
• Weight: 12.5 oz | 354 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

• PowerArc ArcPack 15000
• USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 100W/5W support, 3 feet
• Travel pouch

Good For:

• Commute
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro
• 12-inch laptop

Estimated Number of Charges:

• iPhone 6/7/8/SE: 5.5 charges
• iPhone Plus/X/XR: 3.5 charges
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 3 charges
• iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S10/S20: 3 charges
• Nintendo Switch (2017): 5.75 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch (2019): 8.5 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch Lite: 8.75 hours of play

First Impression

The No products found. has a familiar shape as other 15,000mAh power banks. But this one has the highest output of similar capacity models I’ve reviewed. Packing good capacity and output into a fairly compact form. The enclosure it metal, making it cool to the touch and a better heat dissipator under max output. The edges from the top, bottom, and sizes are all rounded and part of the same piece of metal. Making it comfortable to hold.

All three USB ports and the power button at on the front end together. One USB-C port is labeled In/Out and is where you plug in the power bank to recharge. It is also the USB-C port on its own circuit. The other USB-C port and USB-A port are labeled as being linked together. That is important when plugging in two devices to charge (details below).

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-12-22.

 

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

• Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11/SE
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10/S20
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9/10
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over either USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is included.

For iPhones the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

• HTC
• LG
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Samsung Galaxy
• Sony
• Xiaomi Mi 5/6
• ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we see Quick Charge will fast charge over the USB-A port. The Moto G6 fails to get QC over USB-C, as that is an issue with that particular model phone. Other QC supporting Android phones would be expected to work over USB-A or USB-C.

Nintendo Switch

 

Works well for all model Nintendo Switch in handheld/tabletop mode.

• Nintendo Switch (original) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch (2019 update) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch Lite – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.

It will not support the Switch’s dock, as it doesn’t offer the required output.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 27W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 30W charger can support 12-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch, working best charging while it sleeps. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

Charging Two or More Devices

PowerArc’s power bank offers strong dual device charging using both USB-C ports. But the USB-C and USB-A ports next to each other share the same circuit, reducing their combined output.

USB-C + USB-C

Each USB-C port will support up to 30W output, either solo or dual. So the power bank can offer up to 60W total output between those two ports. Great for charge any combination of small laptops, large tablets, or handheld devices.

USB-C In/Out + USB-A

The USB-C port labeled In/Out (furthest from the USB-A port) will support up to 30W output with the USB-A port in use. In the same configuration the USB-A port will offer up to 18W for various fast charging standards. Allow up to 48W total output. Great for charging a laptop and phone together. Or other similar combinations of medium/handheld device or two handheld devices.

USB-C + USB-A

The USB-C port not labeled and closest to the USB-A port shares a circuit with that USB-A port. Individually the USB-C will support up to 30W and the USB-A up to 18W. But together they drop to 5V power profiles, meaning no fast charging except for iPhones on USB-A. They total output is only 25W.

If charging two devices you should always avoid using the USB-C and USB-A ports right next to each other. Either of the other dual port options offers faster charging.

If charging three devices you will only be able to fast charge the one on the USB-C In/Out port. The other two will charge at a much slower rate.

PPS – Programmable Power Supply

Programmable power supply (PPS) protocol was added in USB Power Delivery 3.0. But not all PD 3.0 devices and chargers support it. In fact it is uncommon now, but will grow in use. It allows for small, step-wise changes in voltage and current. This reduces conversion loss during charging. The power transfer is more efficient and lithium batteries endure less heat.

Under PPS charging occurs in two phases. In the first phase the current (amps) is constant, with a gradual increase in voltage. In the second phase the voltage (now at a higher state) is constant, with a gradual decrease in current.

Devices that support PPS include:

• LG G7/G8 ThinQ
• LG V40/V50 ThinQ
• Razer Phone
• Samsung Galaxy S10 5G/A70
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10/10+
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• Any device supporting Quick Charge 4+

What does that all mean? If you have a PPS or Quick Charge 4+ supported device then this charger will fast charge it. While also putting less stress on your device’s battery, increasing its lifespan.

If your devices don’t support PPS this tech will have no effect. But with this charger you’ll be future proofed for a future PPS device.

USB-C Cable with 5A/100W Support

The USB-C to USB-C cable PowerArc includes supports 5A/100W power throughput. It doesn’t need to given the specs of the power bank (doesn’t go past 3A/30W), so consider the boosted cable specs a bonus.

Most USB-C cables are only rated for 3A current. Limiting them to 60W power throughput. When a charger offering more than 20V/3A (65-100W) connects it checks the cable for an eMarker. The eMarker tells the charger about the cable’s capabilities. Such as increased power throughput. If it doesn’t detect an eMarker, then the charger assumes the cable is only rated for 3A current.

So any USB-C to USB-C cable will work equally well with PowerArc’s power bank. You may find you want to use the PowerArc cable with a different, higher output charger in the future. At the very least you’ll keep the included USB-C cable long after you replace the power bank.

Quick Charge 3.0 Over USB-C

The presence of Quick Charge over USB-C is against USB-C specifications. Such chargers have been around for years without issue. But we don’t know what the future holds.

Under section 4.8.2 of USB-C specifications a proprietary charging method cannot change the voltage of USB-C output (between 4.40V and 5.25V) in a manner not defined by USB methods. Quick Charge operates at higher than default voltages. And so goes against the specifications. USB Power Delivery is an open source charging method. Created alongside USB-C, it is with specs even though it also increases voltage. The big difference is USB PD uses communication lines to negotiate power transfer. While proprietary methods take over the data lines for their negotiation. They do so because legacy USB connections, such as USB-A, don’t have comm lines.

There is no known risk with running proprietary charging standards over USB-C. Manipulating the data lines does disrupt data transfers. But when plugging into a wall charger or power bank there is no data transfer anyway. Some USB-C engineers warn against using any USB-C chargers with third party standards. Their concern is unforeseen consequences. Future technology may prove to be incompatible with such configurations. And pulling out a charger several years from now with a new device could have a bad result.

I have not run into any issues with these fast charging standards on this or any other charger. But as it is a spec violation I want you to be informed. If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. If you’re more pragmatic it works fine and has no known issues.

Summary

The PowerArc ArcPack 15000 offers a compromise between higher capacity and compact form. It can power your devices up to 50% longer than a more pocket friendly 10,000mAh model. But is half the length and less weight than a full 20,000mAh option. It also has higher output potential than other 15,000mAh power banks I’ve checked out. Where most models are good for handheld devices, PowerArc’s can expand to cover small laptops and large tablets.

Its combination of 30W USB-C PD and USB-A fast charging support options makes it an ideal portable charger for a lot of devices:

• iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11/SE
• Samsung Galaxy
• Google Pixel
• LG, Motorola, and other Androids supporting Quick Charge
• Huawei (using an older fast charging standard)
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro and most other tablets, large or small
• MacBook 12-inch, Chromebook, and other small laptops

Its big feature is dual USB-C fast charging, up to 60W total (30W per port). Or 30W via USB-A and up to 18W on USB-A with a compatible phone. The extra capacity also helps when charging two devices. Just be sure not to use the USB-C port and USB-A port right next to each other, they can’t fast charge together.

PPS is good for supporting devices. In short PPS doesn’t charge a device faster, but it does so with less heat and stress on the battery. Good to use if your phone supports it and you plan to keep it for more than a few years. If you don’t have a PPS phone now you may in the future.

The included USB-C cable has better specs than it needs to, supporting 5A/100W power throughput. Keep it for larger devices and chargers later on.

About Spigen/PowerArc

Spigen is the parent company of PowerArc, both with their own websites. They are a USA founded company with web based support at the Spigen site and email based support at the PowerArc site. They offer a 2 year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.

Bottom Line

The PowerArc ArcPack 15000 supports fast charging two devices at once. It gives up a pocket size form to include more capacity to support your devices longer. Making it a good option for those charging more than one device on the go. Or with a mix of small to medium size devices.

Buy if you:

• Need a portable charger to support fast charging two medium and/or small devices
• Want the benefits of a laptop supporting power bank, but in a smaller size
• Have two USB-C devices to charge on the go

Don’t buy if you:

• Need as much uptime as possible charging your laptop on the go
• Want a pocket sized power bank just for your phone

No products found.

Also available on the UK Amazon store

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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