Shargeek Storm2 and Storm2 Slim hands-on review
With clear shells showing a board that put an array of fascinating-looking internals on display, the Shargeek Storm2 and Storm2 Slim look like a tech fan's dream. However, can they and their power bank functions live up to the resulting expectations?
Unboxing and First Impressions
Interesting, functional-looking capacitors and chips, a full-color display purporting to show its precise input and output, lots of different ports: the Storm2 seems to have it all. They are on view on the board stacked on top of its batteries. You can even see the circuit traces between the various components: there's a lot going on.
Its batteries have 72 watt-hours (Wh) of rated capacity, with 93.6Wh for the Storm2 - also clearly on show thanks to the batteries visible through the power bank's clear plastic chassis.
The larger version is rated to be able to charge devices at up to 100W (20V/5A) via USB type-C. There is also a less powerful second type-C port and a type-A port - however, the Storm2 stands out due to its inclusion of a DC input as well.
The Storm2 series also distinguish themselves with IPS displays with a read-out supposedly controlled by its own "Energy Storage Management" (or ESM) OS (v1.0). The screens are well-populated with charging info in volts and amperage to 2 decimal places (which I found only more or less in keeping with those of my usual USB multi-meter), yet seem intuitive enough.
They are also reversible...which is often handy.
There are also menus navigated through and interacted with through long- and short presses of the Storm 2 series' single physical button alone.
They are identical on either variant - except for the extra page of DC controls on the Storm2, which allow the user to tune that output based on the requirements of a given device.
Charging Tests: Storm2
It works as advertised, too, powering a portable generator that is quite picky about the chargers with which it will work.
The DC port also works as an input, albeit about half as fast (~44W) as that of the 100W USB type-C port - also, it should be noted that it is a 5.5x2.5mm input, for which my power supply needed an adapter - just a good thing I had one around.
It should be noted that using this method results in some excruciating high-pitched buzzing (practically beeping) noises, albeit not for too long, lasting while the Storm2 charges from about 7 to 17% and then abating completely.
the Chargeasap Flash Pro, and both power banks also take about as long to charge.
The 100W port is also intended for use as an output, and is compatible with a laptop capable of charging at 20V/5A via USB type C.
I did often find that I had to connect and re-connect the Storm2 to a Razer Blade Stealth a few times over to get its top rates out of it and avoid the dreaded "More Power Required" system pop-up - however, once it got going at what I've come to think of as normal service with power banks, even those touted as ultra-fast-charging. This means it goes at ~55W, dropping to ~40W over time with peaks at ~63W, until it tops the laptop up by 75% to 90%, taking ~72 to 92 minutes to do so, depending on what I'm doing at the time.
On that note, the power bank has exhibited a tendency to emit piercing buzzing or whining noises under severe load - such as when you're gaming on said laptop and have forgotten which charging method you're using. It has also gotten the hottest it has gotten so far (~56°C, although not for long enough for me to get it on camera) while doing so - albeit not dangerously so.
This happened most often when using an official Razer braided cable rather than the one from Shargeek.
The Storm2 is also rated for pass-through charging using its 100W type-C port as an input and the other one as an output. I found that it worked...
...unless the power bank was at very low battery levels itself.
Thermal Tests
The Storm2 series also integrates "battery" and "chip" temperature readings among their read-outs.
Comparing them against FLIR imaging did not get anything close to exact matches from any angle, suggesting that either the sensors taking the power banks' readings are not on show, or they are inaccurate in some way.
Suffice it to say I detected multiple hot-spots on both power banks in all tested use-cases, but couldn't find measurements that conformed 100% to the figures on-screen. In fact, the most accurate readings came from under the accessories' displays...where no chip is visible.
Charging Tests: Storm2 Slim
The smaller power bank of the 2 is also capable of performance as expected, even with a 100W ultrabook. In fact, its charging curves may have gone better, possibly thanks to its lower capacity. Then again, it is obviously not quite capable of filling a PC's battery to 100%.
The Storm2 Slim could also power a Galaxy S22 Ultra (that I've had to use while my Note 10+ undergoes repair), albeit not at its top 45W rate.
One day, I'd like that to actually work. It would charge at up to ~35W, albeit mostly at the start of its charging cycle and not for long.
It also has a type-A port that can handle anything thrown at it.
Design & Build Quality
It is inevitably all about looks with the Storm2 and Storm2 Slim, given their design. It is, therefore, just as well both accessories ship with their own little drawstring bags.
I'm normally never inclined to use extras like those, although I'd have to make an exception in carrying either power bank around to prevent scuffs or marks on the clear polycarbonate - much of the point of them is that they are see-through, after all.
I also worry about their discoloring over time. This, weirdly enough, seems to be happening quite early on with the Storm2 Slim: it has developed faint milky streaks along both sides of its upper surface, and I can't get rid of them.
They seem to be on the inside of the plastic, and I'm not sure how they formed - the external plastic still seems completely sealed - although the regular changes in internal temperature may not have helped. Then again, the Storm2 has yet to acquire a noticeable mark.
Retro 35W GaN Charger
These review units came with a fun Easter egg: a power brick! That might not sound like much, although this one has been molded to look like an old-school PC, floppy-disk drive slot and all.
It is finished in an authentic-looking off-gray color, and even its indicator light is disguised as its “display”. Shargeek have thus put a lot into trying to make it fun for all, especially with the multi-region adapters for its downward-facing (relative to the form-factor) US-compatible prongs that come in the box.
However, that is also a potential disadvantage for those in the Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom: with the adapter on, it only faces one way, so when it is plugged into the almost invariably wall-mounted socket, well...
Therefore, it needs an upward-facing socket or adapter to get the best out of it and its happy little classic emoji face. It is located on the "screen", which can be customized with the stickers Shargeek includes in the box (I am most drawn to the panda these days for some reason).
However, on that note, there is no space for a cable in its box, presumably because it can be bundled with a Storm2 Slim.
In terms of its function, it delivers power to different devices compatible with its type-C port (located on the top of the “monitor”) and its charging profiles.
Accordingly, it achieves standard results with an S22 Ultra, iPhone 13 Pro and various accessories, changing “display” colors as outlined in its instructions without getting even slightly hot.
Conclusion
Overall, I do quite enjoy using the Storm2 power banks. I've found they get results comparable to others I've tested with similar specs, in terms of charging rates and times for the devices in my usual rotation. Then again, their potential for cosmetic damage does still worry me, and I wish the display's readings had proven a little more accurate.
Other power banks do have more ports, however, which is a particular disadvantage for the Slim variant. The selling point of a DC port as a back-up would be more useful had the Storm2 been shipped with compatible cables, to be honest.
Besides that, the Storm2 series is arguably better for travel than the heavier and more metallic Chargeasap Flash Pro: even the larger Storm2 beats it in terms of footprint and weight, despite having the same rated capacity.
The only other major negative point arises from the worrying noises the Storm2 is capable of making: I am now a little more careful about how I use it with high-voltage devices. Then again, the onset of serious battery failure or instability would be easier to spot in its case.
Overall, I'd be happy to travel with either Storm2 power bank (so long as I have their own cables to hand), even though the Slim is obviously marketed as the more portable - then again, I haven't been in a position to test their alleged ability to get through an airport. If you want to try flying with them, they are available on shargeek.com or Amazon for US$199 to $229 at present.
As for the 35W GaN charger, it might work best for those looking for something that could be a desk toy as well as a power accessory – particularly as it launched at US$59.99. Then again, I do appreciate that it never seems to overheat and acts to compensate for my non-existent iPhone charger.
Also, with the adapters, I could conceivably travel with it (presuming I didn't need to do so with a laptop). However, unfortunately, I find it harder to recommend in the face of the new 67W alternative.
Disclaimer: The author of this review received this item from Shargeek free of charge for the purpose of testing.
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