AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 Review

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000
AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 - Large capacity power bank for handheld devices and small accessories

Summary

The AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 has a lot of capacity, similar to a laptop power bank. But less output, made for smaller devices at a lower price.

Overall
4.6
  • Performance
    (4.5)
  • Design
    (4.5)
  • Safety
    (4.5)
  • Recharge Time
    (5)
Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Pros

  • Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, and Motorola phones
  • Charges Switch while you play
  • Fits in most Switch carrying cases, but takes up most of the accessory pocket
  • Three different input options
  • Trickle charge mode
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable for Quick Charge devices
  • Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights

Cons

  • Can charge two devices at once, but loses fast charging support
  • Can’t be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
  • Doesn’t include a USB-C to USB-C cable

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

No products found.

[wpcd_coupon id=8486]
Model: PB-Y23
Tech Specs:
AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 specs

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 specs

  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A, micro-USB, Lightning (input only)
  • USB-C Output:
    • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
  • USB-A Output:
    • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
    • Apple 2.4A
  • Input:
    • 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A)
    • 18W Lightning (5V/2A, 9V/2A)
    • 5W micro-USB (5V/1A)
  • Capacity: 20,000mAh | 74Wh
  • Size: 7 x 2.7 x 1 inches | 177 x 69 x 25 mm
  • Weight: 14.6 oz | 414 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:
AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 box and contents

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 box and contents

  • AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000
  • USB-C to USB-A cable, 12 inches (56k Ohm resistor)
  • Travel pouch
Good For:
  • Commute
  • Travel
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld)
  • iPad Pro (pre-2018)
Estimated Number of Charges:
  • iPhone 6/7/8/SE: 7 charges
  • iPhone Plus/X/XR: 4 charges
  • iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 4 charges
  • Samsung Galaxy S10: 4 charges
  • Nintendo Switch (2017): 9 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch (2019): 13 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch Lite: 13 hours of play

First Impression

The No products found. is quite large for its specs. It is more than twice the volume of the similar, but smaller capacity AUKEY 18W/10,000mAh power banks. Not as wide as some of its peers, it is longer and thicker than most.

Three of the port are on the front side. Along with 4 green LEDs for showing remaining capacity. The LEDs are small and not very bright. A plus in a dark room, but difficult to see in bright light. The button is on one side, just around the corner for the ports. The micro-USB input port is around the corner on the opposite side.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

ChargerNo products found.Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PDNo products found.

Review
PortsUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-A x2
Output18W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
18W USB-C PD

PowerIQ 2.0 (Quick Charge compatible)
18W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
Capacity20,000mAh20,000mAh20,000mAh
FeaturesLCD shows capacity with 0-100%
CableUSB-C to USB-A cableUSB-C to USB-C cableNo cable
Dimensions7 x 2.7 x 1 in
14.6 oz
6.2 x 2.9 x 0.8 in
12.1 oz
6.2 x 2.9 x 0.6 in
15.7 oz
PriceNo products found.$54.99No products found.

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-03-18.

 

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 the 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, also not included.

For older and newer 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. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable.

Nintendo Switch

 

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

  • Nintendo Switch (original) – Charges while you play, but the original model Switch under draws at 12V. So it won’t charge as fast as a similar charger offering 9V or 15V (13W vs 18W).
  • 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.

Trickle Charge Mode

Trickle charge mode is for low power devices. Such as a Fitbit or wireless earbuds. These small accessories draw little current (<60mA). So much so a power bank thinks charging is complete, and shutdowns to save power. This means a low power draw device could get only minutes of charging.

Trickle charge mode corrects for this, by forcing the power bank to stay on for a couple of hours. Allowing small accessories time to charge.

For AUKEY’s power bank you double press the button to activate the mode. The green LEDs will flash in sequence. After two hours the power bank will switch back to regular mode. Shutting down completely shortly afterwards. Or you can double press the button again to exit from trickle charge mode. There’s no harm in allowing the power bank to stay in trickle charge mode for the full duration.

No Fast Charging With Two Devices

If you connect two devices to the power bank it will disable all fast charging tech.

Both ports only support 5V. Which removes fast charging options outside of Apple 2.4A standard. There is an 18W total output limit shared between the two USB ports.

When you connect a second device you’ll notice the charging resets on the first. This is the power bank stepping down to a lower output level. If you disconnect the second device you’ll want to unplug and replug the first. To make sure fast charging turns back on.

This limitation is typical of many power banks. A few can allow for one fast charging and one regular charging. Fewer still allow for dual fast charging, and those are always large and heavy. There is a limit to how much current can cross its circuits without extra hardware. Which adds size, weight, and cost.

Whether you should fast charge one device or regular charge two depends on battery levels and your immediate needs. The closer both devices are to 100%, the less impactful not fast charging becomes.

Summary

The AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 is AUKEY’s answer to the lower output, high capacity niche. Made for those with smaller devices, from Bluetooth earbuds up to Nintendo Switch and small tablets. Who need more run time on their devices than a smaller power bank offers. By keeping the output limited it offers better value. As you don’t have to pay more for laptop support you’re not going to use.

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 ports and LEDs

AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 ports and LEDs

For phones it fast charges all iPhones and most Androids. Notably Samsung, Google, LG, and Motorola models.

The Nintendo Switch charges in handheld mode while you play. Due to the 12V power profile the original model Switch charges slower than it should. But still enough to charge the Switch with the most demanding games. The newer models (August 2019 and later) aren’t affected.

The triple input options is interesting, but for some a bit dated. The USB-C input provides the fastest recharge. If you most use USB-C chargers the other options don’t offer much. The Lightning option is the next fastest, followed by the micro-USB. If traveling with an iPhone you can go down to one wall charger and Lightning cable. Using both for the phone and power bank. Otherwise without pass through charging support the input options will go unused.

If you don’t need the extra capacity you’ll find better value with an 18W/10,000mAh power bank. Such as the AUKEY PB-Y36 Sprint Go Mini 10000 PD. It offers the same output features, in a much smaller package.

About AUKEY

AUKEY has U.S. based support (web and email) and a 24 month warranty. You must have purchased the product either from them or through Amazon for support.

Bottom Line

The AUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000 works well for charging a smaller device for a few days. Or several small devices for a long trip. It’ll fast charge iPhones, most Androids, iPad, and Nintendo Switch. Without paying extra for laptop level output.

Buy if you:
  • Are looking for longer run time from a portable charger for one or more handheld devices
  • Need to fast charge iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, LG, or Motorola phone
  • Want to charge your Nintendo Switch, Bluetooth earbuds, or Fitbit
Don’t buy if you:
  • Need to also charge a laptop on the go
  • Only need to support a single device for a few hours
  • Want to charge an original model Switch at the fastest rate possible

No products found.

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y18 Minima 18W PD. It’ll meet this power bank’s input specs as a similar low cost. And you can pick a matching or opposite color.

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


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