We’ve all been in situations where we wished our electronics never ran out of battery, especially in an emergency. Knowing how to choose power bank is essential for your convenience and safety.
Luckily, there are devices that can give our phones and tablets extended battery life whenever it’s needed. Once you get an idea of what to look for in a power bank, you’ll never have to worry about a dead or dying smartphone ever again.
How to Choose Power Bank
First, we’ll discuss the most important things to pay close attention to when you start shopping for power banks. You might think that they are all made the same when, in reality, they all differ from one another in major ways.
1. Capacity
The capacity of a power bank is typically described in mAh, and it’s the most important number to pay attention to. This describes the total amount of power the pack will hold onto for when you need a charge. For example, you may find 10,000mAh power banks or even 20,000mAh power banks.
Depending on the devices you intend on charging, you might need more or less capacity. Most smartphones will get more than enough charges with a 10,000mAh power bank, up to three or four depending on the device you own. However, if you have larger electronics, such as a Nintendo Switch, you’ll want to consider one with 20,000mAh or more.
The best way to know what capacity to look for is to pay attention to the power of your battery. As an example, an iPhone 8 is equipped with a 1,821mAh battery. As long as you opt for a power bank that is at least 1,821mAh, you’ll at least receive one full charge, if not more.
2. Available Ports
The ports that are available on your power bank will affect the convenience of the unit and how often you use it. Most people find that one port is enough, as they’ll likely only charge one device at a time. Though, it’s highly recommended you opt for a power bank that has at least two ports and supports dual charging.
If you’re someone who frequently travels with friends or family, you’ll surely want a power bank with multiple ports so that you can charge everyone’s devices at one time. Otherwise, you’ll find that charging your devices can take two or three times longer than expected.
3. Size and Weight
Although it might seem trivial at first, you’d be surprised at how important the size and weight of your power bank is. The last thing you will want is to be stuck traveling with a device heavier than a brick. Ideally, you’ll want a device that weighs less than 10 ounces and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
In most cases, power banks with higher capacities will be larger simply because of the size of the batteries they need. In addition, if you opt for a power bank with more than two ports, it’s going to be larger than other devices on the market. The more lightweight your power bank is, the more convenient it will be to bring with you everywhere.
4. Charging Speed
This is another large feature that will differ from one power bank to another. Charging speed will not only determine how quickly the bank recharges but also how fast it charges your devices. A high-quality power bank will at least have one or two ports equipped with Quick Charge 3.0 or higher.
A Quick Charge 3.0 port can easily give your iPhone up to 100% battery life in under a couple of hours. While there isn’t a single power bank that works as quickly as a wall outlet, it shouldn’t take several hours to charge your phone fully. Even if you’re looking for a quick battery top off, you shouldn’t have to wait longer than an hour.
When determining if a power bank’s charging speed is up to par, consider the largest device you own. You can then compare the amount of time it takes to charge something larger to a smaller device. Some power banks give you the ability to fully charge MacBooks in under five or six hours.
Optional Features to Consider
Aside from the above features that are the most important to consider, you will also want to take these features under advisement.
5. Anti-Slip Coating
You won’t realize how invaluable an anti-slip coating is until you drop your power bank for the first time. Many people will need to hold their bank while charging their devices, and you surely won’t want it to slip out of your hand and rip out of your devices.
Some type of anti-slip coating is highly advised, or consider purchasing a sleeve that you can wrap around the device.
6. Included Cables
It’s difficult to find a power bank that comes with extra cables, though if you’re able to, you should consider purchasing it. Not only will you want to ensure the power bank comes with a USB cable to charge the bank, but extra cables for your devices as well. This will give you everything you need to use the power bank right out of the box.
7. Warranty
As with any electronics, it is essential that you have a warranty to fall back on that covers manufacturer’s defects. As useful as they are, electronics are also fickle, and you won’t want to have to replace your power bank out-of-pocket 30 days after making your purchase. It’s advised you consider a device that is backed by at least a 12-month warranty.
8. LED Indicator Lights
When charging your devices, you’ll appreciate having LED indicator lights or an LCD screen that tells you how much battery is left in the power bank. This takes all of the guesswork out of trying to figure out when it’s time to recharge the device. You’ll also have a clear idea of how many charges you can get out of a fully charged power bank.
Final Thoughts
By using these tips to your advantage, you’ll easily be able to learn how to choose power bank much easier than ever before. With hundreds of models on the market at varying prices, knowing exactly what you need will make shopping easier for your convenience.
Hi, I am Frank
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