INTRODUCTION

    Portable power stations might be what most people are currently talking about but due to their size they are far from ideal for people who go hiking, travel via plane or just want extra battery power for their portable devices. This of course is where the classic powerbank comes in and well, with a market oversaturated with such models it may not be the easiest thing to pick the right one for your needs. Sandberg has released quite a few models over the years and once again with me I have one that belongs in their rugged Active lineup, the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W.

    Sandberg A/S is built on a simple belief: Making the channel and users happy today, creates a good tomorrow. Sandberg merges the dedication of a small family business with the power and backup from a 500-staff business group. Sandberg A/S is a financially sound business with annual two-digit growth percentages. We have been in business since 1985. Sandberg fully supports the IT industry channel, delivering only to distributors. Sandberg products are well known and widely spread in Europe, Middle East and a few other areas.

   The Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W sports an IP66 certified (dust, water and shock proof) rugged external enclosure inside which Sandberg has placed a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack with a large 27.000mAh (99.9Wh) capacity and pass-through charging. Just like with previous models the Survivor Powerbank 27000 comes with plenty of features including a LED torch (120 lumen, 15 meter range), two USB-A outputs (5V/3A-9V/2A-12V/1.5A 18W), USB-C PD65W output (5V/9V/12V/15V 3A & 20V/3.25A) and PD60 input (5V/9V/12V/15V 3A & 20V/3A), wireless charger (15W) and 5 status LEDs. Finally, once again Sandberg covers the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W with a rather generous 5-year limited warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Sandberg has once again used the green and black color theme for their active series box with a large product placed at the front right over the main product features.

The bundle contents and product specifications are printed on the left side of the box.

You can look at the powerbank itself since the front opens up like a book.

A few words about the product are printed at the rear in 28 languages.

Along with the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W Sandberg also packs an carry strap, 1 meter long USB-C cable and a quick start guide.

THE SURVIVOR 27000 PD65W

The Survivor 27000 PD65W is a mid-sized powerbank made of aluminum, plastic and rubber that weighs 804g and measures 168mm in length, 85mm in width and 42mm in thickness.

Sandberg has placed 4 battery status LEDs just next to the on/off button.

All connectors (2xUSB-A / 1xUSB-C / power) are located at the front of the powerbank behind a rubber cover/seal and next to the LED torch.

At the rear we find the lanyard area where you can attach the carry strap.

Turning the powerbank over we see the wireless charging area.

CONCLUSION

    Rugged powerbanks have always been my go to choice whenever I need to use one while away and so the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W by Sandberg checked that box right from the get go. Yes, it's not very compact but 27000 mAh and compact are not two things that go together, at least not often and certainly not with rugged models. On top of the large lithium-ion battery the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W also has three USB outputs, LED torch and a wireless charger so size is what you'd expect. Typically advertised capacity is not what you're getting and so during a whole month of testing the Survivor 27k powerbank gave me between 19k and 21k mAh when charging numerous portable devices (smartphones, music players, wireless headsets, etc.), a number which is not bad at all (should be enough to charge most modern phones at least 3-4 times). Obviously powerbanks can't compare with portable power stations but each product has a different target audience and well, that's fine.

    Right now, the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W by Sandberg retails inside the EU for 110.40Euros (Amazon.de) a price tag which is just a tad higher than expected. Overall, however the Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W delivers as advertised and since it does tick most boxes it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- IP66 Rugged Housing (Dust, Water & Shock Proof)
- High Capacity (27000mAh)
- PD 65W Output
- 3 USB Output Ports (2xUSB A / 1xUSB C)
- Wireless Charging
- Built In LED Torch
- 5 LED Battery Charge Indicator
- 5 Year Warranty

CONS

- Overall Size (For Some)
- Price (For Some)