Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank shatters the myth that slim design means slow charging. At just 10mm thick, it fits in a shirt pocket yet delivers the fast charging speeds travelers and daily commuters actually need. This isn’t a marginal improvement in thinness—it’s a genuine breakthrough in portable power that forces rivals to reconsider their entire design philosophy.
Key Takeaways
- Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank is the thinnest in its class, measuring just 10mm thick.
- Despite the ultra-slim profile, it supports fast charging speeds without significant compromise.
- Weighs significantly less than standard power banks, making it ideal for travel and everyday carry.
- Priced competitively around £20-£30, undercutting many bulkier competitors.
- Available globally through Xiaomi’s official channels, Amazon, and AliExpress.
Why Thickness Actually Matters for Power Banks
Most portable chargers are a compromise between capacity and pocketability. You either carry something thick enough to charge your phone twice over, or something slim that barely tops up a depleted battery. Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank refuses that trade-off. The engineering challenge here is real: cramming lithium cells, charging circuitry, and safety components into a 10mm envelope without throttling output is not trivial. Traditional power banks from competitors like Anker’s PowerCore Slim series typically measure 14-15mm thick, making Xiaomi’s achievement roughly 30% thinner while maintaining comparable charging speeds. That millimeter difference translates directly to whether the device actually fits in your pocket without creating a visible bulge or adding noticeable weight to your bag.
The practical advantage becomes obvious during travel. Airport security lines move faster when you’re not digging through checked luggage for a charging brick. Business travelers who live between meetings find it slips into a jacket pocket without disturbing the silhouette. Cyclists and runners appreciate gear that doesn’t bounce or shift weight distribution. For everyday users, ultra-slim design removes friction from the decision to carry backup power at all. You’re more likely to have it when you need it because carrying it costs almost nothing.
Fast Charging Without the Bulk: How Xiaomi Pulled It Off
Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank delivers fast charging speeds despite its compact footprint—a combination that seemed impossible just a few years ago. The device supports rapid charging protocols that would normally demand thicker battery stacks and heat dissipation. This works because Xiaomi engineered premium materials and optimized circuit layouts to manage power delivery efficiently without excess thermal buildup. The result is a charger that actually moves energy quickly to your devices rather than trickling it in over hours.
Where competing slim banks from brands like Belkin or RavPower often top out at 5W output, Xiaomi’s engineering delivers noticeably faster replenishment. This matters most if you’re charging during a quick coffee break or a brief layover. A phone that would take 90 minutes to charge on a 5W bank might reach 50% capacity in 45 minutes with Xiaomi’s fast-charging support. The speed-to-thickness ratio here is genuinely impressive—you’re not sacrificing performance to gain portability, you’re gaining both simultaneously.
Xiaomi 1cm Power Bank vs. Competitors
Competing slim power banks exist, but none match Xiaomi’s combination of thickness, speed, and price. Baseus makes a 12mm slim bank, Zendure offers an 11mm Mini model, yet both still measure measurably thicker than Xiaomi’s 1cm design. More importantly, these alternatives often cost more while delivering comparable or slower charging speeds. Anker’s PowerCore Slim remains popular, but its 14-15mm profile feels chunky next to Xiaomi’s breakthrough. Standard power banks from generic manufacturers are cheaper but twice as thick, defeating the entire purpose of carrying one. Xiaomi’s pricing around £20-£30 positions it as the value leader in the ultra-slim category—you’re not paying a premium for thinness, you’re paying for genuine engineering excellence at an accessible price point.
Who Should Buy the Xiaomi 1cm Power Bank?
Frequent travelers benefit most from this device. If you fly monthly or take regular road trips, the difference between 10mm and 15mm thickness accumulates across dozens of trips annually. Business professionals who value minimalist packing and clean silhouettes in their work bags find it indispensable. Students living in dorms or shared housing appreciate a charger that doesn’t consume precious shelf space. Anyone who prioritizes portability over maximum capacity should consider it seriously. The only users who should skip it are those who need to charge multiple devices simultaneously or require enough power to fully recharge a tablet—for those use cases, a larger capacity bank remains necessary, and Xiaomi makes excellent options in that category too.
Availability and Where to Buy
Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank launched around mid-2021 and remains available through multiple channels globally. Xiaomi’s official website sells it directly with warranty coverage in most regions. Amazon carries it with Prime shipping in major markets including the UK and US. AliExpress offers it at competitive pricing for international buyers, though shipping times vary by location. Availability has remained consistent, suggesting this is a permanent product line rather than a limited release. Pricing hovers around £20-£30 depending on your region and retailer, making it one of the most affordable ultra-slim options on the market.
Does the Xiaomi 1cm power bank charge fast enough for daily use?
Yes. The Xiaomi 1cm power bank delivers fast charging speeds that handle typical daily scenarios—a 30-minute coffee break, an airport layover, or an evening top-up before bed. You won’t fully recharge a drained smartphone in 15 minutes, but you’ll reach 40-50% capacity comfortably, which covers most urgent situations. For users who plan charging sessions rather than expecting instant full recovery, it’s entirely sufficient.
How does the Xiaomi 1cm power bank compare to standard power banks in terms of weight?
Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank weighs significantly less than standard power banks due to its compact design and optimized materials. A typical full-size power bank can weigh 150-250 grams, while Xiaomi’s ultra-slim model shaves considerable weight off that total. If you’re backpacking or traveling where every gram matters, the weight difference is genuinely noticeable and appreciated.
Xiaomi’s 1cm power bank represents a genuine inflection point in portable charging design. It proves that thickness and speed don’t have to be enemies, that premium engineering can deliver both portability and performance without premium pricing. For anyone who travels, commutes, or simply wants backup power that doesn’t feel like a burden, this device deserves serious consideration. The competition hasn’t caught up yet, and at current pricing, there’s little reason to wait.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: T3
