Hands-on Review of Lion Energy Cub and Eclipse Power Banks: Convenient Power for Everyday Carry and Travel

      Michael Febbo

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      I have been testing two power banks from Lion Energy: the Eclipse and the Cub. Both are designed for a variety of uses, from everyday carry (EDC) to travel, and they're sturdy enough for camping as well. Utilizing these power banks to keep my devices charged is a much better option than lugging around a tangled assortment of chargers and cables that I typically need while away from home.

      I’ve been relying on backup batteries since smartphones first came out. Over the years, I've accumulated a considerable number of them, many of which lasted a few years. Some, however, didn’t survive multi-day press trips that began with a one-day auto show, followed by two or three days of press driving. I refuse to connect my devices to public USB chargers, and certain USB power blocks are nearly as bulky as the Cub. Don't even get me started on the hassle of needing converters when traveling internationally.

      Mike Febbo Michael Febbo

      The Bottom Line

      Let’s begin with the more compact and portable, everyday carry-oriented Cub. It isn’t significantly larger than my iPhone 15 ProMax and is currently priced at $29.00 on Amazon. Lion Energy claims it has a capacity of 10,000 mAh, but my testing showed a usable performance of around 6,000 mAh. This capacity can charge my iPhone or Macbook Air M2 from 20% to 80% about twice. The Cub features one USB-C and two USB-A ports, with the USB-C serving for both input and output, while the USB-A is output only. The integrated floodlight is more practical compared to the spotlights that other devices offer. It also has a carabiner-style clip at the top, which seems less useful, although it does come with a mini-carabiner included in the box.

      The Lion Energy Eclipse, priced at $149.00, is intended for travel and outdoor activities. It boasts a battery rated at 27,000 mAh, though I found the usable capacity to be between 18,000 to 19,000 mAh. This allows for nearly four full charges of my Macbook from 10% to 100%.

      Similar to the Cub, the Eclipse features one USB-C and two USB-A ports, but it stands out from most power banks with the inclusion of wireless charging capabilities for your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, as well as for Android or Windows devices compatible with the same wireless charging technology. This feature may not seem significant, but it allows you to leave behind three separate chargers/cables when you travel. When at home, you can easily place it on your nightstand and use it as a charger. Note that the Apple Watch is the only device that includes a wireless charger from Apple; the other two must be purchased separately, making the Eclipse's price easier to justify.

      Mike Febbo Michael Febbo

      Both power banks from Lion Energy feel like premium products. I've encountered too many that felt flimsy right out of the box. Neither of these models squeaks or crunches when pressed, and both feature rubber grips for easier handling in wet or cold conditions, along with "weatherproof" covers over the ports.

      The Cub has an external power button, while the Eclipse’s power button is tucked under a rubber cover, which can be slightly inconvenient. Another minor issue is that when using the Eclipse as a pass-through charger on your nightstand, the battery capacity lights remain illuminated the entire time. A bit of tape can easily resolve that. The Qi1 charging pad for the iPhone has a strong MagSafe-style magnet underneath, facilitating easy alignment, even with a silicone case. Overall, both are good value, come with 5-year warranties, and are suitable for airline travel.

      Lion Energy CubLion Energy EclipseEase of Use8/108/10Quality8/108/10Durability9/108/10Value9/107/10Overall8.5/107.8/10

      Power Banks For Traveling

      Just a reminder, lithium batteries cannot be placed in checked luggage when traveling. Therefore, power banks must be packed in your carry-on. The Cub is pocket-sized at 6.5 x 3.4 x 0.8 inches and weighs just 10 ounces. It will also fit in most of the odd storage compartments in your car currently occupied by napkins and hot sauce packets. In contrast, the Eclipse is considerably bulkier at 8.5 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches and weighs 25 ounces. Nonetheless, both can easily fit in a laptop bag, backpack, or carry-on suitcase. For everyday carry, the Cub is my choice. For travel, be it work or leisure, I would likely take both.

      I appreciate the idea of placing the Eclipse on my hotel night