Omars Power Pack 26800 Review

Omars Power Pack 26800
Omars Power Pack 26800

Omars Power Pack 26800

Omars Power Pack 26800 - Low output, high capacity to fast charge your phone for days

Summary

The Omars Power Pack 26800 is among the largest capacity 18W USB-C PD power banks. Its lower output offers a cost savings compared to similar sized power banks. But it can still fast charge many iPhone and Android models. For several days.

Overall
4.4
  • Performance
    (4.5)
  • Design
    (5)
  • Safety
    (4)
  • Recharge Time
    (4)
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
  • LCD display shows real percentage remaining
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable
  • Charge two devices at once, but no fast charging
  • Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights

Cons

  • Can’t use USB-C PD and Quick Charge at the same time
  • Quick Charge 3.0 over USB-C is against USB-C specs
  • Can’t be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
  • May be too big for some international airlines, check before you fly

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

Model: OMPBPW1826BKWTB
Tech Specs:
Omars Power Pack 26800 specs

Omars Power Pack 26800 specs

  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A x3, micro-USB
  • USB-C Output:
    • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
    • Quick Charge 3.0
    • Apple 2.4A
  • USB-A (Green) Output:
    • 18W Quick Charge 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
    • Apple 2.4A
  • USB-A (Black x2) Output:
    • 12W (5V/2.4A)
    • Apple 2.4A
  • Input: 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A)
  • Capacity: 26,800mAh | 99.16Wh
  • Size: 6.6 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches | 168 x 80 x 23 mm
  • Weight: 17.4 oz | 492 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:
Omars Power Pack 26800 box and contents

Omars Power Pack 26800 box and contents

  • Omars Power Pack 26800
  • USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 3.3 feet
  • micro-USB cable, 8 inches
Good For:
  • Commute
  • Travel
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld)
  • iPad Pro (pre-2018)
Estimated Number of Charges:
  • iPhone 6/7/8: 9 charges
  • iPhone Plus/X/XR: 6 charges
  • Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 5 charges
  • iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S10/S20: 5 charges
  • Nintendo Switch (2017): 14 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch (2019):21 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch Lite: 21 hours of play

First Impression

The Omars Power Pack 26800 offers an interesting compromise between output, capacity, and price. Most large capacity power banks offer 30W or more output. Which in turn raises their price. By keeping this model to 18W it offers the same fast charging as any major brand’s 18W model. With 33% more capacity. At the same price. The lack of output means it won’t support large tablets or small laptops. Devices which traditionally want larger power banks. But for anyone looking to charge their phone, Nintendo Switch, or regular tablet this will work. And keep it going for days between recharges.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

ChargerOmars Power Pack 26800Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PDAUKEY PB-Y23 Sprint Go Lightning 20000RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800
PortsUSB-C, USB-A x3USB-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
18W USB-C PD
Capacity26,800mAh20,000mAh20,000mAh26,800mAh
FeaturesLCD displayTrickle chargeLightning input optionLCD display
CableUSB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cableNo cableUSB-C to USB-C cable
Dimensions6.6 x 3.2 x 0.9 in
17.4 oz
6.2 x 2.9 x 0.8 in
12.1 oz
7 x 2.7 x 1 in
14.6 oz
6.8 x 3.2 x 0.9 in
16.3 oz
PricePrice not available$54.99No products found.No products found.

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-03-19.

 

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
  • 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, which is included.

For iPhones the USB-A ports all support 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. There’s no difference between using the green or black USB-A ports.

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 green USB-A port. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Only the green USB-A port supports Quick Charge. The two black USB-A ports are the next fastest, at 10W instead of 16W. The USB-C port is the slowest, at 7.5W.

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 (12W 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.

Slower Recharge Time

I did a recharge test on the Omars Power Pack 26800 using USB-C PD. Getting the power bank from 0-100% took 8.25 hours.

Its power input is the same as its output, only 18W. That’s normal, but that’s slower than most other 26,800mAh power banks. So it takes longer to recharge.

The recharge rate between using USB-C or micro-USB is the same. Provided you use the appropriate fast charger with each. The USB-C needs an 18W (or higher) USB-C PD charger. The micro-USB needs a Quick Charge compatible charger.

The more often you recharge the power bank the less time it’ll take each time. At just over 8 hours an overnight recharge is doable. If using it for commute plug it in by Sunday and it’ll be ready for Monday. If pressed for time a partial charge is always better than nothing. And keep in mind 50% of this power bank lasts longer than 50% of a 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh model.

No Fast Charging With Two or More Devices

Omars Power Pack 26800 ports

Omars Power Pack 26800 ports

If you connect two or more devices to the power bank it will disable all fast charging tech. When you connect the second device you’ll notice the charging resets on the first. This is the power bank stepping down to a 5V 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 most power banks. There is a limit to how much current can cross its circuits without extra hardware. Which adds size, weight, and cost.

Most smaller devices will revert to their normal charging rate. Which will continue to charge the battery while they are in use. Total charge time for two devices is about the same. Whether you fast charge them one at a time. Or charged them at a slower rate together.

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 Omars Power Pack 26800 is like many other large capacity power banks. Except when it comes to output and price. It is limited to 18W with USB-C PD and Quick Charge. In fact it is the only 18W and 26,800mAh power bank on my power bank list. But with the lower output comes a lower cost. About the same price as a 20,000mAh model with the same output. And a lower price that any other USB-C PD and Quick Charge supporting 26,800mAh model.

The 18W output is more than enough to fast charge iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. It’ll also fast charge LG and Motorola phones. And any other Android which supports Quick Charge.

For the Nintendo Switch it 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.

It will not support small laptops, unlike many other 26,800mAh power banks. This is aimed at phone and small device users who need a portable charger for days away from a wall outlet. Or anyone who only wants to recharge their portable charger once a week rather than every day.

The LCD display shows “exact” capacity remaining. Like other power banks it isn’t 100% accurate. But provides a better estimate than an LED dot indicator. When recharging the ones number blinks.

It doesn’t support pass through charging. It does support charging two or more devices, but at the expected cost of no fast charging. In poor lighting it is hard to tell the USB-C port and micro-USB port apart, given how close together they are.

About Omars

Omars is a subsidiary brand under Wellmade Brands. Who also makes Novoo power banks. They have U.S. based support (web, email) and a 12 month warranty on both Omars and Novoo branded products.

Bottom Line

The Omars Power Pack 26800 is for fast charging your iPhone, Android, or Nintendo Switch over a long period of time. Without paying more for extra output you don’t need. Its appeal is its unique placement between output, capacity, and price.

Buy if you:
  • Need to both fast charge and keep your phone and small devices running for a long time
  • Are more concerned with cost than performance
  • Want to reduce how often you need to recharge your commute power bank
Don’t buy if you:
  • Need to charge a laptop
  • Are more concerned with weight than frequency of recharges

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.

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


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