Xiaomi Recalls Nearly 147,000 Power Banks Over Battery Safety Risk

Xiaomi has issued a recall for close to 146,900 units of one of its best-selling power banks after identifying a possible safety risk in certain batteries.

The product in question is the PB2030MI, a 20,000mAh power bank that delivers up to 33W charging and comes with a built-in cable. Many users picked it up between August and September 2024, which is exactly the window covered by the recall. As per Xiaomi, a limited number of these devices contain a version 2.0 of the 126280 battery cell. Under heavy use, this component could become unstable. There are no reports of incidents. However, the brand decided to withdraw the affected units. It's a measure to avoid problems in the future.

Customers with one of these units are being offered a full refund of 159 yuan ($22). Xiaomi offers two methods for returns. Owners can either bring their power bank to a Xiaomi Home store, where staff will handle the verification, or complete the procedure online. The online option requires fully draining the device, providing proof that the battery has been safely disposed of, and submitting the product’s details.

To confirm whether a device qualifies, users need to look at the model number and serial number printed on the back. Xiaomi also provides a digital tool for checking the status. The units with missing or unreadable serial numbers are not eligible for a refund.

Other power banks from Xiaomi are safe since they use different battery cells. The company states that only this specific batch poses a potential issue.

While product recalls are usually tied to existing failures, Xiaomi is acting before accidents occur. By taking this approach, the company reduces the risk for customers and avoids waiting for isolated cases to turn into widespread problems. If you purchased the PB2030MI recently, it is worth checking your unit to see whether it falls within the recall window.