USB LED Light Test: Warm vs Cold (0.23A vs 0.27A) Review

We’ve all been there. The power goes out, or you’re camping in the middle of nowhere, and you need a reliable light source that won’t drain your power bank in an hour.

Watch the full 0.23A vs 0.27A test on YouTube

I recently ordered a handful of these ultra-slim USB LED sticks from AliExpress. They cost less than a dollar, but are they actually useful? Or just electronic waste?

Comparison of Warm vs Cold USB LED Light Stick power consumption test (0.23A vs 0.27A)

I decided to put them to the test. I didn’t just turn them on — I measured the voltage, amperage, and temperature to give you the honest truth.

Here is my full review of the Mini USB LED Light (5V).

The Unboxing: Simple & Compact

The build quality is very basic — it’s essentially a transparent plastic stick with efficient LEDs soldered inside. It’s double-sided (meaning the USB plug can fit either way, but the light only shines from one side), which is a nice touch for versatility.

It’s tiny. You can throw ten of these in your backpack and not notice the weight. But the real question is: how bright is it?

The “Warm vs. Cold” Showdown

I bought two versions to compare:

Warm White (3000K): A yellowish, cozy light.
Cold White (6000K): A sharp, bright blueish light.

My Verdict:

In my tests, the Cold White version felt significantly brighter. It illuminates a small room or a tent effortlessly. However, the Warm White is much easier on the eyes if you are reading or trying to relax before sleep.

The Technical Test: 0.23A vs. 0.27A

Here is where it gets interesting for the tech geeks (like us!). I plugged both lights into my USB Tester to see the real power consumption.

1. Warm Light Specs

Voltage: 5.12V
Current: 0.23A
Power: ~1.18 Watts

2. Cold Light Specs

Voltage: 5.12V
Current: 0.27A
Power: ~1.38 Watts

USB Tester showing 0.27A current draw for Cold White LED stick

Conclusion: The Cold White version draws slightly more power (about 17% more), which explains why it looks brighter. But even at 0.27A, this is incredibly efficient.

How Long Will It Last? (The Math)

This is the most important number for emergency situations. Based on my measurements, here is how long this light will last on a standard power bank.

Note: I’m using a standard conversion efficiency of roughly 70% for the power bank.

Power Bank Size	Warm Light (0.23A)	Cold Light (0.27A)
5,000 mAh	~14 Hours	~12 Hours
10,000 mAh	~28 Hours	~24 Hours
20,000 mAh	~56 Hours	~48 Hours

Yes, you read that right. A standard 10,000mAh power bank can give you 24 hours of continuous bright light with the Cold version. That is a game-changer for blackouts.

Pro Math: The Reality of Power Consumption

USB LED stick brightness test in a dark room powered by power bank.

Most people make a simple mistake: they divide 10,000mAh by 270mA and expect 37 hours of light. But at LifeKaki, we account for the real-world physics of power conversion.

Here is the professional breakdown:

Nominal Capacity: A power bank usually has 10,000 mAh at 3.7V (internal battery voltage).
Effective Capacity (at 5V): When converting to 5V USB output, plus accounting for conversion loss (approx. 65% total efficiency), the real usable capacity is roughly 6,500 mAh.
The Calculation: Usable Capacity (6,500 mAh) / Current Draw (270 mA) = 24.07 Hours.

That is why, in a real-world blackout, you can expect a full 24 hours of continuous, bright light from a single 10,000mAh power bank. No marketing hype-just real math!