Charging forward: The rising trend of power bank collecting

He says: "I have been into this hobby for about six months now. Initially I saw some of my friends owning stylish, robust chargers and power banks with display screens, which piqued my interest."

At first Tu, who works in the healthcare sector, only intended to buy a few models to decorate his workspace, but his fascination grew as he delved deeper, particularly for accessories in yellow, a color he believes aligns with his feng shui preferences, the traditional Chinese practice of arranging objects to harmonize energy.

A corner showcasing power banks and cables by Anh Tu. Photo courtesy of Tu

He reveals that he typically buys a few chargers every week, ranging from portable, backpack-hanging models to 10-kg charging stations with display screens capable of showing customized images and retro designs.

"The more I explore, especially through Facebook groups, the more I am drawn to these unique items. I own around 60 chargers and power banks, along with dozens of cables of various types. I have lost track of the exact cost, but the total is comparable to a Honda SH motorbike, about VND100 million."

Anh Tu's collection of chargers and power banks. Photo courtesy of Tu

Nhat Vuong of Hanoi acquired a similar passion after joining a Facebook group dedicated to the hobby.

He explains: "I came across videos on social media showcasing power banks with impressive specifications and designs that could even charge laptops. That is when I started exploring further."

What began as a utilitarian purchase turned into a full-fledged collecting passion. "Whenever I feel stressed, just looking at or tinkering with them helps me relax. I even connect them to charge each other as a form of entertainment."

He now owns around 40 of them including brands such as Pisen, Anker, Sharge, Cuktech, Aohi, Divoom, Ugreen, and Trozk, and an array of cables.

His collection has so far cost him over VND50 million. "My parents criticize me for wasting money, but like vintage phone and watch collections, these bring me peace of mind and help me work more better."

According to the admin of a Facebook group for power bank collectors with over 50,000 members, the community sees 20-30 posts daily from users seeking advice on models, sharing experiences and trading rare or limited-edition items.

Hoang Sang, a tech accessory seller in HCMC, says chargers and power banks have become increasingly diverse. "They are no longer limited to traditional rectangular shapes. You can now find cube-shaped, transparent and even transformable designs. Many have screens that display charging data or even custom images."

Sang says high-quality chargers cost above VND500,000.

A 10,000-mAh power bank with a 100W capacity from Cuktech costs VND700,000, while premium models from Shargeek can exceed VND5 million.

Plug-in chargers like the Anker Prime 250W GaN are priced at nearly VND4.3 million, and high-end charging stations can set one back over VND10 million.

His sales have been steady since mid-year, driven by the growing hobby of collecting power banks, he says. "I sell dozens of items daily both online and offline, mainly power banks with screens and high power outputs priced at VND1-3 million."

Some opt to customize chargers to cut costs. Like Anh Duc of HCMC, who says: "Instead of buying expensive models, I purchase separate circuits and batteries to assemble them myself, reducing expenses by nearly half. It is not too difficult if you learn the basics of electronics, and it is a fun hobby to unwind with after work."

A display corner of cables and chargers by Anh Vuong. Photo courtesy of Vuong

The trend of collecting chargers and power banks gained traction post-Covid, Juvy Nguyen, director of Pisen Vietnam, says. "The prolonged periods of working from home increased the demand for charging products. Consumers now pay more attention to both functionality and aesthetics."

Besides quality, innovative designs and special features are the two key factors that attract customers, she says. "Many brands are heavily investing in packaging, creating unique images and upgrading features like fast charging, durability and multi-functionality to meet consumer preferences."

However, the hobby may lose its appeal quickly, Hoang Hai of the central city of Da Nang, who spent nearly VND30 million on power banks over three months before selling most of his collection at half price, fears. "In my experience, they only differ slightly in appearance, while their functions are largely similar. They do not hold much collectible value and are more like trendy tech toys."

Nhat Hien, a former tech accessory retailer in HCMC, cautioned users about potential safety risks with power banks. Improper storage or prolonged use can cause batteries to swell, posing fire hazards. Those building their own devices should source components carefully to avoid accidents, he says.

"Like other accessory trends such as transparent phone cases or custom chargers in the past, this craze might be short-lived. Buyers should manage their expectations, as these items are difficult to preserve over the long term, especially when they use lithium-ion batteries."

Pisen Vietnam also advises against using products with unclear origins and recommended storing chargers and cables in dry, temperature-controlled environments to extend their lifespan.