Top 20 electronics (May 2014): Power banks secure #1 spot

The idiom "Always a bridesmaid, never the bride" no longer holds true for power banks. The category displaced in May 2014 long-time favorite Android tablet PCs as the most popular product in the electronics, and computer and telecom product sections on GlobalSources.com.

Power banks demand has climbed steadily in the past 12 months, spurred by product enhancement efforts focusing on capability and form factor. Recent models from China suppliers pack up to 5,000mAh and feature sleek ultra-thin casings. Requests for power banks information on GlobalSources.com have increased an average 16 percent monthly since June 2013.

Portable speakers, meanwhile, stood out among the May 2014 first-timers. On-month RFIs rose 440 percent while YoY gains exceeded 160 percent. Consisting heavily of Bluetooth-based units, portable speakers from China boast improved acoustics and eye-catching designs. A growing number of models adopt Bluetooth 4.0.