Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD Review

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD
Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD - A cross between pocket size and high capacity power banks

Summary

The Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD is an XL version of your typical 18W USB-C and Quick Charge power bank. Offering lower output, good for small devices. But with more capacity to keep them running for longer.

Overall
4.5
  • Performance
    (4.5)
  • Design
    (5)
  • Safety
    (4)
  • Recharge Time
    (4.5)
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
  • Similar form factor of a 10,000mAh power bank, with 50% more capacity
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable for Quick Charge devices
  • 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
  • Can’t be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

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

No products found.

Model: PB-35011
Tech Specs:
Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD specs

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD specs

  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2
  • USB-C Output:
    • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
    • Quick Charge 3.0
    • Huawei FCP
    • Apple 2.4A
  • QC USB-A Output:
    • 18W Quick Charge 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
    • Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging
    • Huawei FCP
    • Apple 2.4A
  • USB-A Output:
    • 15W USB (5V/3A)
    • Apple 2.4A
  • Input: 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A)
  • Capacity: 15,000mAh | 54.45Wh
  • Size: 4.2 x 2.9 x 1.1 inches | 107 x 74 x 28 mm
  • Weight: 10.2 oz | 2988 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:
Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD box and contents

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD box and contents

  • Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD
  • USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 12 inches
  • USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable (56k Ohm resistor), 12 inches
Good For:
  • Commute
  • Travel
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld)
  • iPad Pro (pre-2018)
Estimated Number of Charges:
  • iPhone 6/7/8: 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): 6 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch (2019): 9 hours of play
  • Nintendo Switch Lite: 9 hours of play

First Impression

The No products found. reminds me of the classic Anker PowerCore 10000. The form factor is similar, if expanded to allow for the extra lithium cells inside. Xcentz used the extra width to add a third USB port. The top and bottom is textured, allowing for a better grip. Like the rest of the model the LEDs are larger than with 10,000mAh power banks. Making it easier to see remaining capacity.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

ChargerXcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PDAnker PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition

Review
RAVPower PD Pioneer 15000 18WXcentz xWingMan Dual 10000

Review
PortsUSB-C, USB-A x2USB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-A
Output18W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
22.5W USB-C PD18W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
18W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
Capacity15,000mAh13,400mAh15,000mAh10,000mAh
CableUSB-C to USB-C cable

USB-C to USB-A cable
USB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cable

USB-C to USB-A cable
Dimensions4.2 x 2.9 x 1.1 in
10.2 oz
3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 in
9.2 oz
5.9 x 2 x 1 in
9.9 oz
2.9 x 2.3 x 1 in
6.5 oz
PriceNo products found.Price not availableNo 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 older and newer iPhones the USB-A ports both 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.

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 QC labeled 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.

No Fast Charging With Two or More Devices

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD ports

Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD 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.

The total output is limited to 5V/3.6A, with the amps shared across all ports.

This limitation is typical of most power banks. The few I’ve seen which allow for two fast charging devices are unusually large. 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 Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD is an XL 10,000mAh power bank. A similar form factor to the more common “pocket size” models. With the extra space and weight going toward 50% more capacity and charge time.

Black and white Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD models

Black and white Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD models

For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. As well as LG and Motorola phones. The extra capacity make it good for similar brand tablets, too.

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.

As you can see its performance is like most other 18W USB-C PD and Quick Charge power banks. The selling point here is the capacity level. A compromise between the standard 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh sizes. For when one isn’t quite enough, but the other is too big and heavy.

10,000mAh15,000mAh20,000mAh
3 charges for iPhone 85.5 charges for iPhone 86.5 charges for iPhone 8
1.5-2 charges for iPhone 11/Samsung Galaxy S203 charges for iPhone 11/Samsung Galaxy S203.3 charges for iPhone 11/Samsung Galaxy S20
4 hours with Nintendo Switch (original)6 hours with Nintendo Switch (original)9 hours with Nintendo Switch (original)
5.5-6 hours with Nintendo Switch (new)9 hours with Nintendo Switch (new)13 hours with Nintendo Switch (new)
5.5-6 hours with Nintendo Switch Lite9 hours with Nintendo Switch Lite13 hours with Nintendo Switch Lite

Keep in mind the weight stays proportional to the capacity.

  • Xcentz 18W/10,000mAh: 6.5 oz
  • Xcentz 18W/15,000mAh: 10.2 oz
  • Anker 18W/20,000mAh: 15.8 oz

The lithium batteries inside weigh about the same. The difference in capacity is number of them which are inside.

About Xcentz

Xcentz (pronounced “accents”) has U.S. based support (web, email, chat, phone) and an 18 month warranty.

Bottom Line

The Xcentz xWingMan 3 15000 PD offers a halfway point between a 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh power bank. Get more run time than with small models, without the significant weight increase.

Buy if you:
  • Need more capacity/uptime than a 10,000mAh model can provide
  • Also want less weight than a 20,000mAh model entails
  • Are keeping two or more phones, tablets, or gaming devices running most of the day
Don’t buy if you:
  • Value low weight over higher capacity
  • Need to charge a USB-C equipped laptop
  • Are uncomfortable with the USB-C spec violation

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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