This is my new favourite powerbank
19/8/2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
Small, fast and surprisingly cheap: the Sharge Flow 3 fits into any summer bag and charges devices with up to 45 watts.
I’ve been using Sharge powerbanks privately for years. The Shargeek 170 has been my faithful companion at trade fairs and events for two and a half years – and still works as well as it did on day one. But for everyday use, it’s too big and too heavy.
For weeks now, the Sharge Flow 3 has been my daily companion. What started out as a stopgap has become my favourite gadget.
Tube LED as status indicator
In summer, I often carry a small bag with me that’s already quite full, with my glasses case, wallet and sun cream. There isn’t much room left for a powerbank. So it was good timing when Sharge sent me a new model for testing, unprompted.
The boring exterior almost put me off. Compared with the manufacturer’s other models, the Flow 3 looks understated. Sharge usually goes for a transparent retro look that offers a peek at the technical components – something I really like.
The Flow 3 does have a milky-transparent shell too, but it just sits over a black plastic surface. It’s not a proper transparent look and isn’t much more exciting than conventional plastic.
At least there’s a light strip on the side that’s reminiscent of the tubes in old amplifiers and radios. Inside the tube, LEDs light up to show the battery level and pulsate while the powerbank is charging.
It looks good and helps the powerbank stand out a bit from the usual mass of black, white and grey. If you want a more eye-catching look, you’ll have to go with the white version. With its orange accents, it looks more impressive, at least in the manufacturer’s photos.
Plenty of power, compact design
Looks aren’t decisive in everyday use; other features won me over. First, the form factor: unlike many other powerbanks, the Flow 3 isn’t elongated but a compact block measuring just under 8 centimetres in length, 5 centimetres in width and 3.5 centimetres in thickness. The advantage of this shape is that I can fit it more easily into my bag (I put it under my wallet or glasses case). This is how I make the most of the limited space.
The Sharge model weighs 214 grammes. Unfortunately, that’s heavy – and the powerbank’s first drawback. Many models with the same capacity weigh only around 150 grammes, so there’s room to shed some weight for the Flow 3’s successor.
Sharge makes up for it with performance, though. Many competing models only charge devices at a maximum of 20 watts, and a few manage 30 watts. Sharge delivers 45 watts – fewer still manage that. Mind you, your smartphones has to support this high speed too in order to take advantage of it.
When I need to power my MacBook in an emergency, the power really comes in clutch: with 45 watts, I can actually charge the laptop rather than just keep it running while hooked up. Of course, the powerbank’s capacity isn’t enough for a full laptop charge. The powerbank itself can be charged at 30 watts.
Two ports plus an integrated cable
I can charge my phone with my own cable via USB-C or USB-A. If I don’t have a separate cable, I can use the short integrated cable, which comes in handy. It plugs into the USB port, doubling as a carrying loop – though I wouldn’t pull on it too hard. In total, I can power three devices at once.
Sharge has a reputation for making high-priced devices. The company also discloses what each device is composed of. In the case of the Flow 3, that’s Lishen 21700 cells. At the time of testing, the powerbank costs just 28 francs. There are no-name models with a capacity of 10,000 mAh for half the price – but they don’t offer the same charging power. Meanwhile, many competing products from other brands will run you 40 to 50 francs.
During my testing, I found only one clear weakness: the surface scratches easily – as is the case with other Sharge models. The patina doesn’t bother me, though; it gives my powerbank personality and character over the months and years.
If you’d like an even smaller powerbank – one that can only charge your phone to full once, mind you – here are some alternative models:
In a nutshell
Compact, fast, chic
The Sharge Flow 3 has hardly any weaknesses. The compact powerbank, with its capacity of 10,000 mAh, charges three devices with up to 45 watts combined – faster than most competitors. In addition, it’s handy and fits well even into smaller bags.
The design isn’t quite as spectacular as is usual for this manufacturer, but the LED tube that shows the battery level is still a nice eye-catcher and sets the powerbank apart from the crowd. The integrated cable with USB connector is handy if you’re forgetful.
Pro
- Good price
- Fast charging speed
- Spiffy LED tube
- Three ports
- Integrated USB-C cable
- Compact design
Contra
- Prone to scratching
- Heavy
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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