Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W review: Outdoors power for your MacBook

Best Prices Today: Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W

The Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W is a laptop power bank that is built for an active probably outdoors existence, with looks and strength to match.

At 27000mAh it is one of the most powerful laptop power banks that you can match with your MacBook.

Rugged IP66 design

Because of its robust outdoors credentials, the rugged Sandberg Survivor isn’t as slim as portable as other similar-capacity laptop power banks.

While the similar-capacity Anker Prime 27650mAh Power Bank will at worst flit between office and café and maybe travel to a hotel via an airport in a comfortable backpack, the Survivor is meant to live out of SUVs, lie around tents or in muddy fields, and be happy hanging out on a construction site or battlefield.

Its Humvee-like shell isn’t just tough looking. It’s IP66 certified so is water, impact and dust-resistant.

The IP (ingress protection) rating system is used across the world to rate enclosures on the level of protection they provide against environmental hazards; specifically, dust and water protection.

The first IP digit refers to protection against windblown dust and foreign particulate matter, such as dust, dirt, pollen and all other kinds of airborne particulates and solid objects. Level 6 Dust Protection is the highest level of dust-tight protection, with no ingress of dust whatsoever permitted.

The second IP digit refers to protection against water ingress, including precipitation, high pressure water jets and submersion. Level 6 Water Protection is the third-highest level of water protection, with no ingress from precipitation or hose-directed wash downs permitted. While it can take that level of water hazard, it is not so waterproof that it can be submerged in water. For that you’ll need to move up to an IP67 (temporary) or IP68 (prolonged) enclosure.

For most intended uses, IP66 is a level above most normal power banks, so if you are taking your battery pack into the great outdoors—or even in a rough urban setting—you should be looking at this level of protection.

Battery capacity

27000mAh is at the higher end of the laptop power bank range. We’ve tested higher, such the Ugreen 48000mAh Portable Power Bank (300W), but it’s the upper limit for genuinely portable power banks. That Ugreen battery pack requires a handle, unlike most other power banks.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a battery rated at around the same watt hours (99.6Wh) as this power bank (99.9Wh), although as we’ll discuss later it is more suited to 13-15-inch laptops.

In our tests it fully recharged a 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro from flat, but didn’t have any juice left to move on to a second charging cycle.

See our list of MacBook battery capacities for more details on the whole range of Apple laptops.

Charging power

While its battery capacity is the same as that in the 16-inch MacBook Pro, its charging power is 65W, while the 16-inch Pro is better suited to 140W chargers.

It’s ideal for the lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pro and 13 and 15-inch MacBook Air, which can all charge quite happily at 65W. The more powerful versions of the 14-inch Pro prefer a 100W charger.

65W will work with larger laptops but if you are using the laptop at the same time, you could use up the power faster than the charger can get it in. If you are not using the laptop, 65W vs 100W just means a slower recharge.

At 99.9Wh it is just within TSA, CAA and EASA airline limits for carry-on.

Power bank tech specs

• Battery capacity: 99.9Wh
• Fastest Power Output: 65W
• Total Power Output: 65W
• Power Input: 60W
• USB ports: 1x USB-C (65W PD 3.0); 2x USB-A (18W)
• Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.3 x 1.7 inches (16.8 x 8.5 x 4.2cm)
• Weight: 28.4oz (804g)

While we are primarily interested in this power bank’s ability to recharge a laptop, you may want a high-capacity power bank capable of recharging an iPhone or iPad multiple times—say on a weekend’s camping trip or family long-haul flight. This power bank has plenty of battery power to share around. If you’re after a smaller iPhone power bank, check out our roundup of the best MagSafe power banks.

You can charge up to five devices at the same time: one via the USB-C port (fastest), two via USB-A, another via the DC 5525 output, and another using the Qi wireless charging pad on one side of the power bank.

That wireless charging pad is not magnetic so is not a secure position and probably quite power inefficient. If you can, use a cable and one of the USB ports, but if caught without a cable the Qi pad will deliver power to a compatible device.

Behind a protective rubber flap there are three USB ports: two old-school USB-A and one USB-C. We would have preferred more USB-C, which is used on most modern devices, and that singular USB-C port is also where you will charge the power bank itself.

The USB-C port outputs at up to 65W and receives power at 60W. Each of the USB-A ports can output at 18W. Total simultaneous power output is 65W.

There is also a 24W DC 5525 port if your devices can be powered using this connection. It’s one we haven’t seen on any other power bank, so is a unique selling point of the Sandberg Survivor.

Push the power button to see a five-LED battery indicator.

Flashlight and emergency signals

Another outdoors security feature is the built-in flashlight, which you operate using the power button.

As well as a flashlight function you can switch to a caution light and SOS signal. You don’t get these safety features with your average power bank.

Laptop power bank portability

The Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W is chunky compared to most desk-bound laptop power banks, and that’s partly its tough IP66 form and, I suspect, some military styling to make it look as rugged as possible.

It weighs 1.8lbs (804g), which is heavier than most, but gain it’s a compromise you pay for its ruggedness.

The power bank comes with a 1m USB-C cable and short carry strap.

Price

The Sandberg Survivor is priced at $122.99 / £95.99 / CA$161.99 / AU$172.99. Check our real-time price comparison for the best prices in your region.

See more laptop battery pack reviews in our roundup of the best power banks for MacBook.

Should you buy Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W?

If you are taking your laptop out on the road or indeed off-road, the IP66-rated Sandberg Survivor power bank is uniquely built to last and safe from water and dirt that would see off lesser power banks.

Best Prices Today: Sandberg Survivor Powerbank 27000 PD65W