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

Model: SK405

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2, micro-USB
• USB-C Output:
  • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A*, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
  • Quick Charge 3.0
• USB-A Output (Orange Port)
  • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
  • Apple 2.4A
• USB-A Output (Black Port)
  • 15W USB
• USB-C Input:
  • 18W USB-C PD (5V/1.5A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
• micro-USB Input:
  • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
• Capacity: 20,000mAh | 74Wh
• Size: 6.5 x 3.2 x 1 inches | 165 x 80 x 24 mm
• Weight: 15.6 oz | 442 grams

Included In Box:

• Solice 20000 Type-C
• micro-USB cable, 12 inches

Good For:

• Commute
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro (pre-2018)

Estimated Charges:

• iPhone 6/7/8: 7 charges
• iPhone Plus/X/XR: 4 charges
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 4 charges
• Samsung Galaxy S10: 4 charges
• Nintendo Switch: 8.5+ hours of play

First Impression

The Solice 20000 Type-C comes across as the generic version of a power bank. It does what other 18W USB-C PD and Quick Charge power banks do. And at a significantly lower price. But the packaging is blank. The user manual has no useful information (specs, support, warranty). And the power bank itself is plain. Except for the charge indicator. It is four LEDs like more power banks. But they form a circle around the power button. As you use up 25% a quarter of the circle disappears.

Solice did tell me they are working on a design for the box. And to be fair most of us toss the box and user manual after a few days. If you don’t like logos on your products then this one will make you happy. The built-in flashlight could be handy in some cases. You turn it on by pressing and holding the power button. The power bank is also oversized for its capacity, similar to RAVPower models.

 

Compared With 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
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
• 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 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 Quick Charge enabled (orange) USB-A port.
Quick Charge is also available on the USB-C port. But the Moto G6 doesn’t engage, and in fact charges a bit below normal. Not engaging with QC over USB-C is normal for Motorola phones. Samsung Galaxy, LG, and other QC supporting Android phones would be expected to fast charge.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch charges at the expected rate with a 12V charger. It’ll draw up to 12W, shy of its 18W max draw. This is due to a shortcoming with the Switch itself. But it is more than enough to charge while you play.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

Different Power Profiles for Different Connections

*Solice lists the USB-C output as being 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A. But my Power Delivery sniffer identified it as 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A. I’ve run into this before. The 5V/3A is supported for regular USB-C connections. But under Power Delivery connections it is only 5V/2A.

For most use cases of this power bank it isn’t a problem. USB PD phones will charge at 9V. Other Android phones will use Quick Charge. Or limit themselves to 5V/2A already over USB-C. The Nintendo Switch and larger devices will default to 12V. And regular USB-C devices still have access to 5V/3A. I’m not aware of any USB PD device which only charges at 5V.

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.

Pass Through Charging

Pass through charging allows a portable charger to both charge itself and a connected device. The power received from the wall charger splits. Some to the portable charger’s own batteries. And some to the connected device. How it handles the split varies. And there are more inefficiencies than normal.

This portable charger supports pass through charging under these connections:

• Input: USB-C, Output: USB-A
• Input: micro-USB, Output: USB-C or USB-A

Under all conditions both input and output drops to 5V when using pass through charging. This means no fast charging standards will be available. To reset the power bank for fast charging you’ll need to disconnect both the power source and connected devices.

With USB-C as the input the Quick Charge port (orange USB-A) offered almost 2A to the Mogo G6. The regular USB port offered about half that.

With micro-USB as the input the USB-C port offered up to 1.6A to the Moto G6. Both USB-A ports had far less output, though the QC port offered more than the regular port.

Pass through charging is useful when you only have one USB wall charger. But it is not recommended to use this feature on a regular basis. It puts more heat and stress on the portable charger. Which will affect its lifespan. It can also provide an inefficient charge to your device. Again, not great for its own battery’s lifespan.

If you like to have the option when traveling, fine. But don’t set this up next to your bed at home every night.

Summary

The Solice 20000 Type-C is a low cost power bank with plenty of capacity. It’ll fast charge most phones. As well as tablets and the Nintendo Switch. But with the low cost come some compromises. It is large and heavy for its capacity. And Solice doesn’t have the same support structure of larger brands.

Its 18W USB-C PD will fast charge Power Delivery supporting phones and small tablets. Quick Charge is available on USB-A (orange port) and USB-C. The USB-C setup is a spec violation, but a common one.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode while you play. But not as fast as some other USB-C PD chargers. And not enough to power a docked Switch.

The flashlight is handy for some people. I personally never got into having a built-in flashlight. But then I own a few of nice flashlights and headlamps, so I don’t have a need.

During testing I did hear a small whine from the power bank under heavy stress. But I couldn’t replicate it. It was likely coil whine, which is a natural function of any power bank. The noise is always there, but whether you hear it or not depends on the build quality.

You can use all three USB ports at once. But you can only fast charge with a single device connected. Connecting a second device resets the circuit. All connections drop to 5V with at most 2A current. The Nintendo Switch went from 13W to 7.5W. If your Switch is at 100% that’s enough to keep it topped off while you play and charge your phone. But if you need to fast charge keep it to one device at a time.

About Solice

Solice doesn’t have their own website. You can contact them through their Amazon portal. Or via email. They offer a 12 month warranty and 30 day return.

Bottom Line

The Solice 20000 Type-C is a low cost, high capacity power bank. It’ll fast charge most phones and keep them charged for days. And charges the Switch while you play. But it is bigger and heavier than necessary. And doesn’t have the refinements found on more expensive brands.

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y18 18W PD.

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

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