Now electronic gadgets are used everywhere. They are needed for work, communication and entertainment. With active work, modern cell phones and tablets are quickly discharged. Even if you always carry a charger with you, it is not always possible to plug it in. Not to remain at the right time without communication will help portable charger for the phone, which is called the Power Bank.
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What is a Power Bank?
The device is called differently - an external battery, portable or mobile charger, portable charger. At the same time we are talking about the same thing - the phone charger without the outlet.
The advantage of the Power Bank is that you can use it to charge electronic gadgets when other ways are not available. This can happen not only in situations where there are no outlets nearby or they are all busy, but also during long trips, travels and even camping trips. For those who like to go outdoors frequently, there are special external batteries equipped with a solar panel.
Power Bank is a battery that should be pre-charged, and then used to power other devices.
Portable charger is small in size and weight, so it is easy to carry in your bag. Connecting gadgets to the Power Bank is carried out through the cable connected to the USB connector, which makes the external battery pack a universal device. It can be used not only to charge the battery of the phone, but also for tablets, cameras, laptops, players.
Some models of portable devices have more than one USB connector, allowing you to charge multiple gadgets simultaneously.
Learn more about capacity
Capacity is a characteristic that indicates how long a portable battery can be used to power other gadgets without recharging. Most portable devices have an indicator light that starts blinking when the battery is low. To use the PowerBank again, you need to charge it in one of the ways - from the mains, laptop or computer. Charging takes place through a special micro-USB connector on the case.
Most popular batteries have a capacity in the range of 1500-20000 mAh. What capacity is needed depends on the device for powering which PowerBank will be used. If you need a battery for charging your phone, a device with a smaller capacity is suitable, than for recharging a laptop or photography equipment.
The capacity directly affects the weight of the portable battery. You should be aware of this to avoid buying a counterfeit. On the Internet you can find offers in which the small weight and low price of the battery does not match its capacity. Increasing the capacity by 5000 mAh makes the weight of the model greater by about 100 g.
Calculating the number of charging cycles
PowerBank can be used to recharge electronic devices as many times as its capacity exceeds the battery capacity of the charging devices. When choosing a portable battery, it is advised to focus on several charging cycles. To do this, multiply the battery capacity of the gadget you plan to connect to the portable charger by 2-2.5.
For example, if you are looking for a portable charger for cell phones whose battery capacity is 2600 mAh, you should not buy an external battery for less than 5200 mAh.
Note that PowerBank will not charge gadgets whose battery capacity is greater than the capacity of the external battery.
It is worth understanding that the portable battery will not be able to fully charge the device if the capacity of their batteries is the same, as the PowerBank battery is consumed to ensure its operation.
Charging Currents
The strength of the current affects how fast the devices can be charged. 1A or 2A USB ports are common in external batteries. The 1A port is needed for charging phones, smartphones, players, and e-books. USB-port for 2A is suitable for large equipment - tablets, cameras, laptops.
There are PowerBank models with several connectors. Most of these chargers have ports with different amperage.
Mobile batteries are equipped with controllers that limit the voltage supply to devices with a weak battery, so the player or phone will not be damaged if it is connected to the connector for 2A. Otherwise, if you plug large appliances into a jack with weak amperage, the charging process will be slow.
Battery type
There are two types of batteries: lithium-ion and lithium-polymer.
Li-ion devices
Lithium-ion chargers are more widely available on the market. This type of battery corresponds to most of the batteries installed in modern cell phones.
PowerBank on Li-ion has a low price and allows you to charge most tablets and smartphones.
The disadvantages of this type of battery can include the risk of damage from overcharging or overheating. There are PowerBank models that provide for automatic shutdown in such situations.
Li-polymer devices
Lithium-polymer chargers feature an internal structure that allows for a higher battery capacity with less weight compared to Li-ion devices.
Li-polymer chargers have a higher price. This is due to the need to install a special board to make the device work, which has complex internal circuitry. Batteries are also equipped with a design that protects them from overheating.
Cheap lithium-polymer chargers can neglect the installation of additional cells, due to which the batteries can quickly deteriorate.
How to choose the right one?
To choose a good external battery, it is necessary to be guided by the needs of the buyer. It should be understood what gadgets are planned to charge, in what quantity and how often.
There is no point in overpaying for a PowerBank with a large capacity, if you choose an external battery for the phone such that will be able to charge at a fairly minimal rate. To charge your laptop you will need a device not lower than 20000 mAh, less capacity will simply not work. Keep in mind that the larger the capacity, the heavier the weight, and some models may not be comfortable to carry around on a daily basis.
When using tablets and photo equipment, it is better to opt for models with a higher amperage, which will provide fast charging.
If there is a need to charge the battery of a phone or other gadgets that do not have a USB port, choose a model that comes with adapters to connect older devices.
Portable chargers can be made of plastic or metal. In the second case, the device for charging your phone will be more durable and less prone to scratches, but its price and weight will be higher.
It is possible to find PowerBank with an unusual design. They can be made in the form of various toys, animals or have any other shape. It is worth bearing in mind that such decorative devices because of the original appearance have a higher cost, although they may not differ in high performance.
If you need to use the device during travel, it is worth paying attention to devices with a built-in solar panel. They will give you the opportunity to recharge your phone for a few hours, even in extreme conditions where there is no electricity.
Sometimes it may be necessary to use the device while powering from a PowerBank standing or on the go. In this case, it is better to choose a battery of small size, which will not allow you to break away - it is not difficult to hold such a device in your hands.
Some models are equipped with additional elements that can make the work more comfortable - LED indicators, screen, flashlight.
Top portable chargers
A popular model is the Xiaomi Power Bank 2 20000 mAh. This device provides the best value for money. It has a plastic case. The 20000 mAh battery and 2.4A connectors allow it to be used not only as a phone battery charger, but also for tablets and other higher-capacity equipment. Two USB-ports make it possible to power multiple devices at the same time.
ASUS ZenPower 10050 mAh ABTU005 - version of portable charger for your phone, made of metal and equipped with a LED, which will notify when the device is discharged. The characteristics allow you to charge smartphones, including newer models of iPhone, which has a higher capacity.
The TP-LINK TL-PB10400 is a compact model whose size allows you to use the PowerBank on the go, on the road can help the built-in flashlight. It has two ports for connecting 1A and 2A devices.
One of the best options for portable phone battery charging is the SONY CP-V10. Its advantages are its compact size. The 10000 mAh battery and 1.5 current output keeps the price affordable. Comfort in use is added by a light indicator.
