Review: Dark Energy Reservoir Portable USB Battery Pack

It’s close to Christmas time and chances are you’re looking for gifts. If you want a good one for someone in your life with a mobile device, look no further than the Reservoir by Dark Energy. It’s admittedly a little pricey at $99, but with the coupon code ROOBLA (valid only after their holiday sale), you can take 15% off, making the price a more manageable $85. But for what this battery pack offers in size, this is a downright steal in my opinion.

When I got the charger, I was pleased by the packaging. It’s really nicely designed, and it looks clean and professional. I’ll go more over it in my review video posted above. I will post the unboxing photos, however.

Cut through the plastic wrap and the unboxing becomes far easier!

Slide the box out of the cardboard sleeve

You're presented with a new box — You’re presented with a new box

Lift the lid and you're instantly greeted with the Reservoir itself. — Lift the lid and you’re instantly greeted with the Reservoir itself.

There's some foam padding on the back of the lid, where the charger rests — There’s some foam padding on the back of the lid, where the charger rests

The carrying pouch; comes folded up under the Reservoir

The knotted up cord (it literally came like this)

The Reservoir itself carries its own branding

You can already tell that the Reservoir is small....it fits in my average sized hand perfectly — You can already tell that the Reservoir is small….it fits in my average sized hand perfectly

The Reservoir was able to charge my tablet 1.5 times. My tablet is the LG G Pad 7.0, and it carries a 4000 mAh battery. Despite the Reservoir having exactly twice the capacity, it only managed 1.5 charges. On my iPod shuffle, it charged it literally 30 or so times, and quickly. Charging times are fairly fast, about as fast as if you’re using the wall adapter (one comes with the Reservoir, but my international version didn’t have one).

But damn, does this look good!

The Reservoir looks very slick and professional, and it’s about the same size as an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy. It fit in my pocket perfectly with its slim design.

Samsung Galaxy in comparison to the Reservoir (1 of 4)

Samsung Galaxy in comparison to the Reservoir (2 of 4)

Samsung Galaxy in comparison to the Reservoir (3 of 4)

Samsung Galaxy in comparison to the Reservoir (4 of 4)

The Reservoir charges both smartphones and tablets with 2.1 and 1 amp ports. It has a power button on the side to begin charging, and to see the battery charge level. There are three LEDs on the front, when charging, they light up to show current battery level. Each LED is 33% (1/3) battery level. It charges through a microUSB input in the middle of the port end, either through the wall adapter or any other USB charger.

The three ports on the top of the charger

The power button, when pressed, shows the three LEDs on the top side

Charging the Reservoir through a wall adapter

The Reservoir can charge multiple devices at once

The Reservoir has the power to charge tablets as well as phones

Compared to the Lithium by Power Practical which I reviewed before, this is especially thin. I love how pocketable it is, and how it is about the size of a smartphone, making this more practical to take places.

Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (1 of 4) — Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (1 of 3)

Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (2 of 4) — Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (2 of 3)

Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (3 of 4) — Reservoir Size Comparison with Lithium 4400 (3 of 3)

Overall this is an awesome charger. It’s admittedly pricey for what it does, but I can live with it because it’s so portable. I would recommend this over the Lithium 4400, but your evaluation may vary. Check my review video at the top of this post for more information, and be sure to subscribe to TechSession on YouTube!

Let me know in the comments what you think of this charger. Right now everything on their site is 45% off until Sunday, November 7 when it drops to 30% off for the holiday season. This makes the charger a way better deal, an absolute must. Again, you can use coupon code ROOBLA, but that’s only when the holiday discount has ended.

Stay tuned for some awesome tablet case reviews, and some really cool earbuds!