More than 200,000 portable power banks sold on Amazon recalled after reports of fires, injuries and property damage

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled approximately 210,000 INIU portable power banks sold on Amazon due to fire hazards.
• The recalled model is the INIU 10,000mAh power bank model BI-B41 sold between August 2021 and April 2022 for around $18.
• Fifteen overheating incidents have been reported, including 11 fires causing three minor burn injuries and approximately $400,000 in property damage.
• Only units with serial numbers 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, or 000L21 are affected and should be stopped immediately.
• Consumers should visit the INIU recall page for verification and a full refund and must dispose of units through hazardous waste programs.

This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of approximately 210,000 INIU-branded portable power banks sold on Amazon, warning that the lithium-ion batteries inside can overheat, ignite, and cause fires. The action follows 15 reported incidents of overheating, including 11 fires that resulted in minor burn injuries and an estimated $400,000 in property damage.

This is a severe safety defect hiding in plain sight in hundreds of thousands of homes. The recall targets a specific model: the INIU 10,000mAh portable power bank, model BI-B41, which was sold in black or blue with a distinctive paw-print-shaped LED light on the front. These units were sold exclusively on Amazon.com between August 2021 and April 2022 for around $18 each. If you own one, your immediate attention is required.

The documented danger

According to the CPSC, the lithium-ion battery cells within these power banks can fail during normal use. This failure leads to dangerous overheating, which can rapidly escalate into open flame. The agency’s notice states the products pose “fire and burn hazards” that have already materialized. INIU, the company, has received 15 direct reports of units overheating. Of those, 11 turned into fires. These weren’t just small electrical flickers; they caused real harm, including three minor burn injuries and property damage initially reported by officials at around $380,000 and later noted to be approximately $400,000.

This pattern mirrors other high-profile recalls of lithium-ion battery systems, from electric vehicle powerwalls to laptop batteries, revealing a persistent and dangerous flaw in the technology that powers our daily lives. Each incident serves as a smoky reality check against the promise of sleek, safe portable power.

Check your serial number now

Not every INIU power bank is dangerous. The recall is specific to units with one of four serial numbers printed on the back: 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, or 000L21. If you own this model, you must stop using it immediately. Do not keep it plugged in, and do not use it to charge any device. The risk of fire is present during operation.

The remedy is straightforward. Consumers are instructed to visit INIU’s dedicated recall page at iniushop.com/pages/recall-b41# to verify the serial number and register for a full refund. The company is providing refunds for the defective products. This process is crucial for removing these hazards from homes.

A widespread technological vulnerability

Lithium-ion batteries power our world, from smartphones and laptops to power tools and e-bikes. Their energy density makes them useful, but that same characteristic makes them volatile when defective. The National Fire Protection Association warns consumers to watch for red flags: strange odors, swelling, excess heat, leaking, or unusual noises from any lithium-ion device. These are precursors to potential thermal runaway and fire.

The recall notice includes a critical final warning about disposal. Because these batteries can spark and ignite even when seemingly dead, they must not be thrown in household trash or recycling bins. The CPSC recommends contacting a local hazardous waste disposal program for proper handling. Improper disposal risks causing a fire in a garbage truck or recycling facility, endangering workers and property.

This recall of over 210,000 units is a significant event, but it is also a symptom of a larger issue. It exemplifies the hidden dangers that can be embedded in mass-marketed consumer technology, often sourced online and shipped directly to our doorsteps with little oversight.

So, take a moment to check your drawers, bags, and nightstands. That inexpensive, convenient power bank you bought on Amazon could be a ticking time bomb. In our rush toward a wireless, always-connected future, let’s not allow convenience to override basic safety.

Sources for this article include:

TechXplore.com

CPSC.gov

NBCNewYork.com

USAToday.com