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Scosche PowerUp 32K Review: AC/DC Portable 110V Outlet

The Scosche PowerUp 32k gives you 32,000 mAh of portable power to charge up your devices on the go. This all-in-one backup battery gives you a variety of ports including an AC outlet for functionality. Lets take a closer look.

The Scosche PowerUp PBPi-SP 32,000 mAh/116.8Wh Lithium-Ion battery features a built in 110 AC 100W inverter outlet with it’s own power button and internal fan. A 2nd power button lets you control the USB ports / DC switches. An easy to read LCD screen displays the remaining percentage of power.

Left to right, top to bottom: USB/DC Power button, 110V/AC Outlet power button, 20W PD USB-C, 30W PD USB-C In/Out, 5v/2.4A USB-A port, 110V AC 100w outlet

USB & PD Ports – Input Output

The PBPi-SP is designed with 3x USB ports for fast and convenient charging:

  • USB-C 20W Output
  • USB-C 30W Input/Output
  • USB-A 12W 5V 2.4A

The built-in AC output 110V 100W grounded inverter has an internal fan that you can hear spin up when you turn on the AC side. The PowerUp 32k comes with a 20W PD wall plug, 2ft USB-C to USB-C cable in a nice zippered ballistic nylon protective case.

Scosche has provided us with the Scosche PowerUp 32K PBPi-SP so that we could provide hands on review coverage of the Portable Power Station and our experience with the unit to our readers.

Looking for a USB-C wall plug?
Check out our review of the Scosche PowerVolt PD35 Dual Port USB-C Wall Plug.

Scosche PowerUp 32k PBPi-SP charging multiple devices

Pros

The PowerUp 32k is a slick looking battery pack with a variety of ports for both newer USB-C connections as well as the other USB-A. Additionally you get an AC Outlet that lets you plug in virtually anything for versatility. 32,000 mAh of power gives you a nice power bank to tote with you when you are traveling. Easy to toss in your backpack or luggage. Although you probably aren’t buying this for the flashlight, it is convenient to have for camping trips or maybe you want to use this as an emergency power pack.

Cons

While the PowerUp 32k is easy enough to toss into your backpack, it’s too big to carry on your person or in your purse or fanny pack etc. The exterior look and feel is great initially but this, like so many other products uses a vulcanized rubber coating which typically breaks down over just a few short years. Charge up can take a few hours to fill up that 32,000.

The first unit we received was DOA but Scosche sent us out another unit pretty quickly. In our second unit, the PowerUp 32k’s AC outlet can be slightly unreliable. In our testing the AC side often automatically shut off. Sometimes after a couple minutes, sometimes after 10-15 min. This may be due to some overzealous safety circuitry but it happens quite often.

We are plugging in a 96W charging brick for an Apple Macbook Pro but this will also happen with a 20W Samsung USB-C Fast Charger. It can happen with 1 device charging or multiple devices charging. This automatic shut off will also happen on the DC side of things (USB-A & USB-C ports) but is more reliable. This doesn’t appear to be due to overheating, the unit is not hot to the touch and the fan seems to engage and run consistently.

Scosche PowerUp 32K Portable Power Station PBPi-SP

Conclusion

The Scosche PowerUp PBPi-SP comes with a nice bank of 32K of portable power with 3x USB ports. A built-in fan cooled 110V 100W grounded inverter to plug your AC plug for compatibility for any device. An easy to read LCD screen keeps you up to speed about your remaining power, while a 3 watt LED flashlight comes as an added bonus for convenience when you need it.

Scosche PowerUp 32K Portable Power Station: PBPi-SP $129.99 $249.99
www.scosche.com

Scosche's PowerUp 32k PBPi-SP is a versatile backup battery that packs 32,000 mAh of portable power. Equipped with an array of ports to accommodate any device you own. A built-in 3Watt LED makes this unit suitable for an emergency backup battery.

REVIEW OVERVIEW

Power Output
Price
Reliability
Functionality & Convenience
Scosche's PowerUp 32k PBPi-SP is a versatile backup battery that packs 32,000 mAh of portable power. Equipped with an array of ports to accommodate any device you own. A built-in 3Watt LED makes this unit suitable for an emergency backup battery.Scosche PowerUp 32K Review: AC/DC Portable 110V Outlet