Okay, let’s talk power banks. For years, the budget end of the market, especially around that $15-20 mark, meant settling for slow charging and clunky designs. You got big capacity, sure, but topping up your phone, let alone the power bank itself, felt like it took forever. That whole landscape gets a serious shake-up with CUKTECH CP24.
This thing arrives packing a solid 20,000mAh capacity, which is standard, but pairs it with genuinely useful 40W two-way fast charging. That’s quick enough to make a real difference for modern phones and even give some laptops a decent boost. What really sets it apart at this price, though, is the integrated USB-C cable capable of handling that full 40W speed – no more forgetting your good cable. Add in the extra ports for flexibility and a little display for status checks, and you’ve got a device that feels much more premium than its price tag suggests. It’s one of those bits of kit that makes you rethink what’s possible on a tight budget.
What will you get?
Physically, CUKTECH CP24 feels pretty solid. It avoids being just another black brick, though it is mostly dark plastic. The texture is smooth, maybe a bit too smooth on the main body, but it feels well put together. The side features a small display screen showing the percentage – a nice touch often missing at this price. It blends neatly into the frame. Double-clicking the side button activates a low-current mode, perfect for safely charging things like earbuds or fitness trackers that don’t need high power.
You get two standard ports alongside the built-in cable: one USB-C and one USB-A. This means you can actually charge up to three devices simultaneously, though speeds will obviously be shared.
The star of the show, aside from the 40W speed, has to be the integrated USB-C cable. It tucks neatly into the side and clicks securely into place with a little latch mechanism, so it’s not just flopping around. The cable itself has a slightly textured, ribbed finish for better grip and durability, and crucially, this built-in cable supports the full 40W input and output. No need to carry a separate high-speed cable just to get the best performance; it’s always there. This is incredibly convenient.
Performance-wise, that 40W claim holds up. In testing, it could push close to its maximum output, making a noticeable difference compared to older 20W banks. Hooking up something like a iPhone 16 Pro saw it getting over 50% charge in just half an hour, pulling around 29W. Android phones supporting relevant protocols also benefit significantly. Even more impressive is its ability to charge laptops that accept USB-C Power Delivery.
A MacBook Pro, for example, could pull the full 40W, getting around a 30% charge boost in 30 minutes. That won’t replace your wall charger, but it’s fantastic for topping up on the go. During these high-power sessions, the unit does get warm, hitting temperatures around 44 degrees Celsius, but that’s well within safe operating limits for this kind of output.
Now, people might point to CUKTECH’s slightly more expensive CP25 model. The CP25 does offer a higher peak output (around 55W) specifically beneficial for certain Xiaomi devices. But here’s the interesting part: for most users, especially those with iPhones or non-Xiaomi Android phones, the charging speed difference between the CP24 and CP25 is negligible or non-existent.
Both will typically deliver the maximum power those devices can handle via standard protocols like USB PD. The CP24 also manages to be about 50 grams lighter than the CP25, which you definitely feel when carrying it. Plus, the CP24 supports the UFCS (Universal Fast Charging Specification) protocol, aiming for better cross-compatibility. So, unless you specifically need that extra wattage for a compatible Xiaomi device, the CP24 offers practically the same core experience for less money and less weight.
It supports a good range of fast-charging protocols beyond just basic USB PD, ensuring decent speeds across various brands. Having that 40W input also means recharging the 20,000mAh brick itself doesn’t take the eight hours common with older, slower banks; with a compatible 40W+ charger, you can top it up much faster. The inclusion of the airplane logo signifies it meets the capacity requirements for carry-on luggage, making it a solid travel companion.
Essentially, the CUKTECH CP24 delivers features previously reserved for more expensive power banks. Fast 40W charging both ways, a genuinely useful built-in 40W cable, a clear percentage display, and solid capacity make it a standout option. It directly addresses the main drawback of older budget power banks – slow speed – without demanding a premium price. For the vast majority of people needing a reliable, fast-charging portable power source, this hits a really compelling sweet spot.
