One of one of the best issues about so many fashionable electronics utilizing USB-C for energy is that I can pack a single cable and charger in my bag and cost all of the tech I would like all through the day. Despite this, it’s not all the time straightforward to discover a vacant outlet within the native espresso store, making one thing just like the fourth-generation Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD seem to be a superb addition to your every day carry. This battery pack accommodates a 94.72Wh (watt hours) Lithium Ion NMC battery that’s simply sufficiently small to convey on a aircraft, however succesful sufficient to cost your cellphone at its full pace or a laptop computer at as much as 100W (watts), in idea.The Sherpa 100PD will also be charged at as much as 60W, that means you gained’t be ready all evening for it to high up so long as you have got a succesful charging brick. This fast charging time is nice for these moments whenever you want as a lot backup energy as doable in a brief period of time. Whether you’re topping up between flights on a world journey or simply need as a lot backup as doable between the twister sirens going off and the facility going out, the Sherpa 100PD has loads of capability.Price and availability(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD is pretty costly at $199.95. It’s obtainable from a number of retailers together with Amazon and Best Buy in addition to on Goal Zero’s personal net retailer. You may discover a variety of appropriate equipment like USB-C chargers, photo voltaic panels, a carrying case, and cables. The unit examined was offered by Goal Zero in retail packaging for the aim of this overview.Today’s greatest Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD Power Bank (4th Generation) offersWhat you may like(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)There’s loads to like in regards to the Sherpa 100PD, beginning with construct high quality. The energy financial institution makes use of aluminum for almost all of its outer housing with plastic on the back and front. There are additionally grippy plastic bumpers on the lengthy sides, making it straightforward to carry in a single hand and preserving it from sliding about on a clean desk. Overall, the supplies really feel high-quality, and the development is great, with no gaps or apparent manufacturing marks.Smack in the midst of the highest of the Sherpa 100PD is a Qi wi-fi charging pad that Goal Zero says will cost at speeds as much as 15W of energy. The quickest I ever bought out of it was 10W with an iPhone 11 Pro and a Galaxy S20+, which is true round what I anticipated. There are two USB-A ports on the best facet with as much as 12W of mixed energy output.Keep these speeds in thoughts as a result of if you wish to use passthrough charging, these will likely be your high speeds. Passthrough charging means that you can high up your Sherpa 100PD whereas additionally charging your gadgets related to it. Since the USB-C port is used to cost the Sherpa itself, it is going to be occupied any time it’s essential cost it.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)When it involves high-speed charging, the USB-C port on the left facet of the unit can ship as much as 100W of energy and cost the Sherpa at as much as 60W. Charging the unit with all kinds of energy bricks I had mendacity round the home, the Sherpa was capable of maximize all of them with my MacEbook Pro charger delivering the total 60W. You may select from nearly any of one of the best 60W USB-C chargers as effectively. (Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)For output, many of the telephones I had obtainable charged at their full speeds together with a Galaxy S20+, Zenfone 8, and iPhone 11 Pro. The Nintendo Switch settled in at round 20W with out the dock. My M1 Pro MacEbook Pro pulled over 80W with ease utilizing the Apple USB-C to MagSafe cable and the older Apple USB-C to USB-C cable. Your charging speeds will usually be restricted by the cable, so that you’ll want to ensure your cable helps 100W charging earlier than with the ability to make the most of it. The USB-C cable Goal Zero included, for instance, can ship a most of 60W.You’re saved knowledgeable of all these speeds with the built-in LCD show. This show exhibits the enter energy, output energy, battery cost share, estimated time to empty or cost, and temperature warnings. The show is a superb addition that helps you understand that your gadget is charging on the correct speeds. What you will not like(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD’s greatest miss by far is that it solely has a single USB-C port. This battery financial institution can solely be charged with this USB-C port and, subsequently, doesn’t assist passthrough charging over USB-C. I’ve additionally transitioned most of my tech to USB-C for charging to simplify my every day carry, and the Sherpa 100PD pressured me to dig via my cable field for a few outdated USB-A to USB-C cables.It’s good to have some USB-A ports obtainable if you happen to’re charging up some micro-USB gadgets like video cameras, however for many newer tech, a second USB-C port would have been far more helpful, even when it’s not full energy. (Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)One factor that rubs me the flawed manner is the included USB-C cable. This 39-inch cable feels good and confidently locks into the USB-C port, nevertheless it’s compromised in different methods. As talked about beforehand, it solely helps as much as 60W charging. That means you’ll be able to high off the Sherpa 100PD at its full pace, however plugging it right into a laptop computer, you’ll solely see 60W. This just isn’t talked about on the product web page, Amazon web page, and even the skin of the field. In truth, the primary point out of this limitation I discovered was within the consumer handbook. It additionally solely helps USB 2.0 knowledge speeds, so do not even trouble plugging it into a conveyable exhausting drive.I do know that a greater cable could be costlier and many individuals don’t really need the total 100W or USB 3.0 speeds, however when the gadget so closely advertises 100W charging, even placing it within the identify of the product, I absolutely anticipated 100W-capability out of the field. I had been hoping I might go away my Apple USB-C cables at dwelling since they’re fairly lengthy, nevertheless it appears I’ll must pack them with me if I need to take advantage of this battery pack. With my high-speed USB-C cable for my Samsung T5 SSD additionally packed away, I’ve utterly stopped utilizing the included cable.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)On the Sherpa 100PD’s show above the battery share, you’ll generally see a small thermometer icon. It comes on when the battery pack itself is sizzling and could also be adopted by slower charging. I first seen it making an attempt to completely cost my MacEbook Pro from the battery pack at full pace. I’m not shocked that it must handle warmth with such excessive output, nevertheless it’s nonetheless one thing to bear in mind if you happen to’re fascinated about utilizing this for a fast laptop computer top-up. Even so, the charging pace solely dropped to round 45W at its worst, which is sufficient to preserve even an Intel Mac operating exterior of heavy rendering duties. Even contemplating these issues, I’m usually impressed by the battery pack’s potential to maintain my laptop computer charging shortly as I proceed to make use of it. If you’re a video editor, for instance, you’ll be able to preserve working all day while juggling a number of demanding purposes.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)One final thing is the change on the again of the battery pack. You can set it to enter, output, or auto. For probably the most half, auto mode labored nice, however I did encounter one challenge charging my MacEbook Pro. Once the Sherpa 100PD was empty, it switched to enter and charged again to 7% from my MacEbook earlier than I seen. This is extra of an issue with USB-C itself, however you’ll be able to keep away from the difficulty through the use of the output mode whereas charging laptops. It’s additionally price noting that the battery pack can get sizzling if you happen to go away a cable plugged in, even when it’s not charging. My USB-C to Lightning cable, for instance, causes this, so make sure you unplug it after use.Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Future)The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD is a pleasant energy financial institution with numerous potential, nevertheless it’s let down by the choice to solely have a single USB-C port. Beyond that, the included USB-C cable is a letdown, with solely 60W charging assist and USB 2.0 speeds. Even so, the Sherpa 100PD delivered loads of energy to my gadget and labored flawlessly for the week I’ve been testing it. The USB-C port wasn’t probably the most safe I’ve used, however held my cables effectively sufficient.There’s loads of competitors relating to battery packs, such because the UGREEN 145W, that supply high-speed charging, however the Sherpa stands out because of its construct high quality. If you’re on the lookout for a high-power battery pack with sturdy building, the Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD may very well be precisely what you’ve been ready for.
Built powerful
The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD is a large 2,560mAh battery pack with assist for 100W charging over USB-C. It additionally helps 15W wi-fi Qi charging and two USB-A ports with 12W of energy. You may even cost it at as much as 60W.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD Qi: Price Comparison