In this review, I look at the SIWIQU 20000mAh Power Bank For Steam Deck from Antank. You can buy this Steam Deck battery pack for 25%-Off, $49.99 directly from the Antank Store – https://bit.ly/antankbattery, and from Amazon regions below:
- Amazon US – https://amzn.to/4f2vkbd
- Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/4eYFpGa
- Amazon DE – https://amzn.to/4dLCI9O
- Amazon CA – https://amzn.to/3BKjtAi
TLDR: The Antank 20000mAh Power Bank is designed to extend the Steam Deck’s battery life, allowing for longer gaming sessions. It features a detachable mount that attaches to the back of the Steam Deck without blocking vents or buttons, and offers fast charging with 45W PD, recharging the console in 1.75 hours. While it delivers on battery extension and ease of use, it adds significant weight and lacks compatibility with protective cases. The generic design of the port and cable could be improved, and the absence of a second USB port limits its versatility. Despite these drawbacks, it’s a solid accessory for on-the-go gaming.
The Steam Deck is an incredible piece of hardware that gives PC gamers the ability to take their libraries on the go. However, a common issue many users have is the relatively short battery life, especially when playing the latest demanding games. Antank attempts to address this issue with their 20000mAh Power Bank, that’s been specifically designed to supercharge your Steam Deck whilst on the go.
In the box, there is the power bank itself, a detachable back mount, a short right-angle USB-C cable for charging while the power bank is attached, and a longer 1m USB-C cable for recharging the battery pack from a USB-C wall adapter.
Features & Design
The Antank power bank is designed to seamlessly integrate with the Steam Deck. Its key feature is the detachable back mount, which allows the power bank to slide onto the back of the Steam Deck and be held (fairly) securely in place. The mount has been designed with cutouts at the top and sides to ensure it doesn’t obstruct the Steam Deck’s air vents or rear finger buttons. The power bank itself features a 20000mAh capacity, allowing it to charge the Steam Deck approximately 1.8 times, and with 45W PD fast charging it can fully recharge the Steam Deck in just 1.75 hours when paired with a 46W or higher compatible charger.
The power bank is equipped with four LED indicators that display the remaining power and charging status. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures you know when to recharge the power bank itself. There’s also a start/stop button so that you can choose exactly when to charge the Steam Deck and help keep the Steam Deck battery healthy. The Antank power bank goes beyond Steam Deck compatibility, offering versatile charging for other USB-C devices too, such as phones, iPads, MacBooks, and more.
Battery Performance
The Antank power bank offers a substantial 20000mAh capacity, promising to extend your Steam Deck gaming sessions by roughly 2.5 hours of playtime while simultaneously charging and playing a demanding game on the Steam Deck.
Sadly though, I felt the Antank missed a trick by not including a second USB port on the power bank. This way I could have recharged the battery whilst it was simultaneously charging the Steam Deck, during times when I could be near a wall outlet or desktop.
Installation and Use
Installing the Antank power bank on the Steam Deck is quick and very straightforward. The plastic detachable backing mount slides or clips onto the back of the console and it holds the power bank via a simple slide and clip system. The included short right-angle USB-C cable can then be used to connect the power bank to the Steam Deck’s charging port.
This design ensures unobstructed access to the Steam Deck’s air vents and rear finger buttons. However, weighing up to 470g, the power bank adds some noticeable weight to the Steam Deck. So much so, that holding the device for extended periods soon becomes a bit more cumbersome with all the added weight, making the Steam Deck feel a little top-heavy.
I also found that given its intended purpose and design for use with a Steam Deck, Antank didn’t capitalise on the placement of its USB port on the battery and the overall length of the provided power cable. A much shorter cable and a port located closer to the Steam Deck’s own charging port could have made a more streamlined connection and appearance. Right now, the only specific design for the Steam Deck seems to be just the attachment plate. The battery and cables look pretty generic and off-the-shelf components.
General Performance and Feedback
The Antank power bank certainly delivers on its promise of extending the Steam Deck’s battery life. Let’s be honest, any battery would.
Gamers can expect a significant boost in playtime, allowing for longer gaming sessions without interruption. The power bank’s fast charging capability is another highlight, minimizing downtime and quickly replenishing the Steam Deck’s battery. In general, this battery bank makes it more convenient and with the slide-on design, it’s easy to decide whether to take the extra charging power (and the extra weight) with you or leave it behind.
Despite its positives, I feel there are a few areas where the Antank power bank could improve.
The first is its lack of compatibility with protective cases. With many users protecting their Steam Deck with a protective case, it is a notable inconvenience. A design that accommodates cases would have significantly enhanced the user experience, but I can see the challenge Antank would have faced if allowing for the many types of case thicknesses and designs that are out there. Perhaps supplying a case option with an integrated connection for the battery would overcome the problem.
Next is the placement of the USB port and the length of the right-angle cable. For a product that’s been optimised for the Steam Deck, Antank could have designed the port location much closer to the port on the Steak Deck and provided a small, and much cleaner, bespoke bridging power cable connection between them.
As I mentioned earlier, a second USB port would have enabled simultaneous recharging of the power bank and the Steam Deck, offering more flexibility for gaming whilst being close to a power socket.
Finally, the backing mount could have incorporated additional features like SD card slots and better still a kickstand on the back of the battery could further enhance the power bank’s functionality and overall value.
Conclusion
The Antank 20000mAh Power Bank provides a practical solution for Steam Deck users seeking to prolong their gaming sessions. The power bank excels in its ease of installation, extended battery life, and fast charging capabilities. It seamlessly integrates with the Steam Deck while maintaining access to essential features. However, the lack of case compatibility, its extra weight, and the slightly generic cable and port placement present minor drawbacks.
Listening to the desires of many Steam Deck users could have overcome these potential features and design oversights. Nevertheless, for its price, the Antank power bank is a valuable accessory that enhances the Steam Deck experience, making it a worthy investment for gamers on the go.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:25 – Unboxing
0:51 – Features & design
2:24 – Installation
3:30 – My Impressions
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