INIU power banks sold on Amazon are recalled and the model number check takes 20 seconds

Millions of people rely on pocket-size batteries to keep their phones alive, but a popular model sold on Amazon has now been linked to fires and burn injuries. If you bought an INIU portable charger in the last few years, you can confirm in about 20 seconds whether it is part of a major recall and, if it is, how to get it out of circulation safely. Before you toss it in a drawer or your travel bag again, it is worth slowing down long enough to check the model number stamped on the case.

What is being recalled and why it matters

The recall centers on INIU 10,000mAh portable power banks, a compact black charger that many shoppers picked up as an affordable way to top up phones, earbuds, and tablets on the go. Regulators say the lithium ion battery inside some of these units can overheat and ignite, turning what should be a convenience into a potential ignition source in your pocket, backpack, or nightstand. The official recall notice describes the problem bluntly as a Hazard involving fire and burn risks, and it applies specifically to the model BI-B41.

Scale is part of the story. Federal safety officials say the recall covers about 210,000 of these power banks sold through Amazon, a reminder of how quickly a single product can spread when it is featured on a dominant marketplace. Earlier coverage of the recall also highlighted that the affected INIU 10,000mAh units were sold between August 2021 and April 2022 and that the company and regulators have logged multiple overheating incidents, including reports of fires and injuries, which is why you are being urged to stop using any suspect unit immediately.

The exact model you need to look for

The recall is not a blanket warning about every INIU charger, which is why the model number check is so important. The affected device is described in official Recall Details as the INIU 10,000mAh portable power bank, model BI-B41, typically in black with the brand’s paw print logo and a digital battery percentage display. The same description appears in consumer coverage that notes the recall involves INIU 10,000mAh portable power banks, model BI-B41, and that the problem units were sold on Amazon during a defined window, so you are looking for that exact combination of capacity, model code, and branding.

Consumer explainers on the recall emphasize that only certain 10,000mAh units are affected and that you should not assume every INIU product is unsafe. One breakdown of the Key Points stresses that Recalled INIU power banks can overheat and catch fire, that Only specific 10,000mAh models are covered, and that you should match the BI-B41 label before taking action. Another guide framed the situation as a recall of Amazon exclusive INIU power banks and reiterated that the BI-B41 model in black, with particular batch markings, is the one regulators are targeting, which is why you should focus on that code rather than the general look of the charger.

How to do the 20 second model number check

To figure out whether your charger is part of the recall, you start with the physical markings on the device itself. Turn the power bank over and look for the fine print on the back or along the edge, where manufacturers typically print the capacity, input and output ratings, and the model identifier. On the recalled INIU units, that text should include “10,000mAh” and the model “BI-B41,” along with the INIU logo. If you see BI-B41 in that block of text, you can safely assume you are holding the model at the center of the recall and should move on to the next step of checking batch codes and eligibility for a remedy.

If the markings are worn off or hard to read, you can cross reference your purchase history and product listing. Shoppers who bought through Amazon can open their account, go to “Returns & Orders,” and search for “INIU 10000mAh” or “BI-B41” to pull up the original product page, which often includes the model number in the title or technical details. Some recall explainers also point to online product cards that show the same BI-B41 designation and 10,000mAh capacity, similar to the way a generic product listing lays out capacity, ports, and safety certifications. Between the label on the case and the digital trail in your account, you should be able to confirm the model in less time than it takes to plug in your phone.

What regulators and INIU say about the risk

Regulators are explicit about what can go wrong when the BI-B41 fails. The official recall notice states that the lithium ion battery in the recalled power banks can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, and it instructs owners to stop using the product and to follow disposal guidance rather than tossing it in regular trash. That language is consistent with broader warnings about lithium ion devices, which can enter thermal runaway if internal components are damaged or defective, and it is why the recall is framed as a safety issue rather than a minor quality complaint.

INIU, for its part, has issued its own Voluntary Recall Notice for Specific Batches BI-B41 10,000mAh Power Banks in the U.S., saying that, At INIU, consumer safety and product reliability are priorities and that the company’s enhanced quality assurance process identified the need to pull certain batches. The company stresses that the recall is limited to specific production runs and that other Power Banks remain safe for regular use, but it also acknowledges that some units have been linked to overheating incidents. That combination of regulatory language and corporate messaging underscores that you should treat the risk as real even if the odds of any single unit failing are relatively low.

How many power banks are affected and where they were sold

The numbers attached to the recall are striking. Federal safety officials say that about 210,000 Popular Amazon Power Banks Recalled for Fire Risk were sold nationwide, and local coverage framed the situation as an Idaho Warning because so many residents had bought the compact chargers for road trips and daily commuting. Earlier national reporting described the same recall as involving INIU 10,000mAh portable power banks, model BI-B41, that were sold on Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022, and it noted that the company and regulators had already received multiple reports of overheating and fires tied to the product.

Consumer tech coverage has repeated that figure of about 100 incidents and emphasized that the recall covers about 210,000 units sold through Amazon, reinforcing that this is not a niche accessory. One detailed breakdown of the situation described how the recall covers about 210,000 power banks sold through Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022 for use with phones, earbuds, and tablets, and it explained that the affected units were marketed as compact, high capacity chargers that could slip into a pocket. When you combine that reach with the fact that many people own multiple portable batteries, it becomes clear why regulators are urging anyone who bought an INIU charger on Amazon during that period to double check the model number.

Documented fires, burns, and property damage

The recall is not hypothetical. Safety officials and consumer advocates have documented real world incidents in which the BI-B41 overheated, ignited, or caused damage. Local reporting on the Idaho Warning noted that the company disclosed multiple overheating events, including cases where the power bank allegedly caught fire while someone had the product in their pocket, and that three of those incidents resulted in minor burns. Those accounts match the pattern regulators describe, where a compact battery that seems harmless can suddenly become hot enough to scorch fabric or skin if the internal cells fail.

Legal filings are beginning to trace the financial toll as well. A detailed analysis titled Recalled INIU Portable Battery Sparks Lawsuits reports that More Than 210,000 Amazon Sold units are now tied to claims that Overheating Power Banks Linked to Fires, Burns, Property Damage have caused more than $380,000 in property damage. Plaintiffs describe scenarios in which a charger allegedly ignited on a couch, in a vehicle, or on a bedside table, damaging surrounding furniture and electronics. Those figures are still emerging, but they illustrate why regulators and lawyers alike are treating the BI-B41 as a serious risk rather than a minor inconvenience.

What to do if your INIU power bank is on the recall list

Once you have confirmed that your charger is a BI-B41 within the affected batches, the first step is to stop using it immediately. Regulators instruct consumers not to charge the recalled power banks, not to plug other devices into them, and not to dispose of them in household trash, because a damaged lithium ion battery can still ignite in a bin or landfill. Instead, you are directed to follow the recall instructions, which typically involve visiting a dedicated website or contacting the company to register your unit, then following guidance on how to store or ship it safely until it can be recycled or destroyed.

Consumer tech explainers walk you through the process in practical terms. One guide on the recall notes that You can submit a claim by following a link, providing your contact information, and uploading proof of purchase between Aug. 1 and the end of the sales window, after which INIU will arrange a refund or replacement. Another breakdown of the Details of the INIU Power Bank Model Being Recalled explains that regulators say about 210,000 units are eligible and that owners can confirm eligibility by matching the BI-B41 model and specific batch markings, then following the instructions for a remedy. The key is to treat the recall as a safety campaign, not a customer service hassle, and to get the device out of circulation as soon as you can.

Why Amazon exclusive gadgets can be tricky to track

The INIU recall also highlights how Amazon exclusive gadgets can be harder for you to track and evaluate than products sold through traditional retail channels. When a device is marketed primarily through a single online marketplace, you may never see it on a store shelf or in a manufacturer’s catalog, and the only information you have is the product listing, reviews, and whatever branding appears on the box. In the case of the BI-B41, the chargers were sold as Amazon exclusive INIU power banks, which meant that a huge share of buyers encountered them only through search results and recommendation carousels, often without realizing that they were committing to a specific model number that would later matter for a recall.

Consumer coverage of the recall notes that the affected INIU 10,000mAh portable power banks were sold through Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022 and that they were marketed as compact chargers for phones, earbuds, and tablets, with little to distinguish them visually from other black rectangles in the same category. That is part of why regulators and advocates are urging you to go back to your order history and match the BI-B41 label rather than relying on memory or appearance. When a product exists mainly as a thumbnail and a line of text in a marketplace search result, it becomes even more important to pay attention to the technical details, because those details are what determine whether a recall applies to you later.

How to shop smarter for portable batteries after this recall

If you rely on portable chargers, the INIU recall is a useful prompt to tighten your own safety checklist. Before you buy another power bank, look for clear labeling of capacity, model number, and safety certifications, and favor brands that provide detailed documentation and support channels rather than bare bones listings. Reading beyond star ratings to see whether other buyers mention overheating, swelling, or strange smells can also help you spot early warning signs that a product might not be built to the standards you expect.

Consumer advocates who have unpacked the INIU situation suggest that you keep digital receipts and product pages for any high capacity battery you buy, whether it is a power bank, an e bike pack, or a laptop charger, so that you can quickly confirm whether a future recall applies to your gear. They also point out that official recall databases, including the one that flagged the INIU BI-B41, are worth bookmarking so you can periodically search for the brands and model numbers you own. In a market where a compact charger can go from a heavily promoted Amazon listing to a fire risk in a matter of months, the 20 seconds you spend checking a model number now can save you from a much more expensive and dangerous surprise later.

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*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.