We always recommend sticking with reputable brands when buying anything with a lithium-ion battery, including power banks, Bluetooth speakers, flashlights, power tools, and e-bikes.

Here’s why it matters. In a 2025 study, industrial scanning company Lumafield CT-scanned over 1,000 lithium-ion battery cells from ten brands, ranging from trusted names like Samsung and Panasonic to low-cost and counterfeit products sold through retailers like Temu. Nearly 8% of the low-cost and counterfeit batteries had manufacturing defects that significantly increase the risk of internal short-circuiting and overheating, which can lead to fires. None of the name-brand batteries had the same issues.

The few dollars you might save on a no-name battery aren’t worth it.

(Featured image by iStock.com/Pradit_Ph)