The MFish Etank power station is a desktop charging solution that caught my eye due to its unique aesthetic and specifications. It combines standard AC outlets with USB-C power delivery, aiming to be a central hub for charging power on a desk.
| The Etank power station by MFish features a distinct industrial design. |
| The AC outlets. |
Check out the Etank power station through my links:
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I am not an affiliate of Mfish's store on their website. I generally don't join manufacturer website shop affiliate programs because I want to be as unbiased as possible while still being able to accept demo products that I can show viewers as well as readers.
Physical Design and Build
The first thing I noticed is that this is a very hefty device. It weighs around 2 lbs (approximately 0.9 kg). This weight is actually a benefit; unlike light plastic power strips that slide around a desk, this should be a lot less likely to move around.
The power cable design is quite thoughtful. It features a flat, grounded three-prong connection for the wall, which is helpful for tight spaces behind furniture.
| The flat wall plug design. |
The cable exits from the top of the plug rather than the side or bottom. The cable itself is relatively thin, flexible, and features braided sleeving. It also includes a hook-n-loop tie for cable management.
On the top of the device, you will find three standard wall outlets. The spacing between these ports is decent, allowing for wider plugs to be used without blocking adjacent outlets. The side houses the four USB-C ports.
Interface and Lighting
Located next to the cable entry point is a touch-sensitive button. This controls the power for the station and cycles through the lighting modes.
| The touch-sensitive power and lighting control button. |
The three standard power connections are made of opaque plastic with colored lighting inside. Using the button, you can cycle through different colors. It is a nice addition that add a RGB gamer aesthetic to the desk setup.
| The internal lighting set to red inside the AC outlets. |
The case appears to be plastic, as it isn't cold to the touch, but it features what look like metal screws on top.
| The four USB-C ports. |
Technology and Specifications
The device utilizes GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology.
Gemini Pro Context: GaN Technology
GaN stands for Gallium Nitride. It is a material used in semiconductors that is more efficient than silicon, the material traditionally used in chargers. GaN components conduct electrons more efficiently and can withstand higher voltages. This allows chargers to be smaller, lighter, and generate less heat while delivering higher power outputs compared to standard silicon-based chargers. [This information was generated by Gemini Pro]
| The side of the unit displaying the 240W Max and GaN branding. |
The USB-C ports have specific power capabilities that vary depending on how many ports are in use.
| The technical specifications printed on the bottom of the device as well as the included manual. |
Single Port Output:
- C1: 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V at 3A. It is also capable of 20V or 28V at 5A, for a maximum of 140 watts. This is the most advanced port on the device.
- C2: Up to 20V at 5A for 100 watts maximum.
- C3 & C4: Up to 20V at 1.5A for 30 watts maximum.
Combined Output:
- The device tops out at a combined 240 watts. The power distribution logic gets complicated as you add devices.
- C1 + C2: 140W + 100W (Total 240W).
- Using 3 ports (C1, C2, C3): The first port drops, resulting in 100W + 100W + 30W.
- Using all 4 ports: 100W + 100W + 20W + 20W.
The standard outlets on top support a maximum of 10 amps or up to 1,250 watts combined.
Testing and Compatibility
Because this power station supports high voltages and wattages, the quality of your USB-C cables seem to matter a lot. I personally only own cables rated for up to 100 watts.
| 100w USB-C cable. |
I ran into some compatibility issues during testing. Specifically, when using advanced cables with my phone on the C1 and C2 ports, I experienced connection or charging failures. I suspect this was a conflict between the specific cable, the phone, and the high-spec ports. Switching to a basic USB-C cable or the C3 and C4 ports resolved the issue.
However, other devices with Power Delivery appeared to work fine. My Nikon Z5, LLANO camera battery chargers, and GoPro Hero 9 Black all accepted the higher wattage ports with the 100w cables without issue.
I used a watt meter to measure the draw from the wall. While I don't have devices that can fully max out the 240W capability (like high-performance laptops I assume), I was able to pull around 150 watts total with a combination of USB devices and AC power devices.
| Using a watt meter to monitor power draw during testing. |
Areas for Improvement
There are a few things I think could be better:
- Lack of Display: I would like a display screen to show voltage, amperage, and any other features per port being used. When I had issues with my phone or the panel light, I had no way of knowing if it was a handshake failure or some other issue.
- More Ports: While four ports are sufficient, I wouldn't mind having a few more lower-spec ports to charge small devices without taking up the high-power slots.
- Lighting Control: While the lighting is a fun feature, more configurability would be nice. Let me set a specific color or have the colors indicate the state of the power station in some way.
- Idle Power: Even when the output is off, the device draws about half a watt to power the touch button sensor. Not a big deal but something to know.
| Demonstrating the long-press required to turn off the unit. |
Final Thoughts
There are several aspects of the MFish Etank that are great. The touch-sensitive button should theoretically outlast a mechanical one. The device effectively future-proofs my setup; even if I cannot use 140W on a single port today, I will have that capability if I get a more powerful laptop or some other device in the future.
| A close up of the USB-C ports. |
The stability provided by the weight and the high-quality braided cable make it a solid addition to a desktop. It is a very interesting combination of features and functions.
| A final look at the MFish Etank power station. |
That was an overview of the Mfish Etank 240w GaN power station. Again, keep in mind that they sent me this device at no cost but had no say in any content related to it.