A power bank is a lifesaver for some of us who commute daily. When the battery in our smartphones runs low, we can use one of these rectangular devices to supplement the power we’ve lost. Additionally, you won’t have to waste time scrounging for a wall adaptor or power outlet. All you have to do is plug it in, and you’re done. When purchasing a portable power bank, the size and weight of the device are two of the most crucial considerations.
If you spend a lot of time on the road, a small power bank will be useless. For this reason, the power bank you choose must be of adequate size. In addition, you should figure out how many gadgets you need to charge and at what speed. This article will help you choose the proper size power bank for your tablet or smartphone.
1. NUMBER OF DEVICES
To begin, how many gadgets per day are you planning on charging with your power bank? Is it only your phone? Or do you intend to recharge your earbuds and tablet with batteries?
There is no need to worry about charging your wireless headphones/earphones or your watch when travelling. As opposed to power-hungry devices like tablets and laptops, these don’t consume nearly as much stored energy (yes, some laptops charge via power banks and vice versa).
Apple’s AirPods Pro, for example, have a battery capacity of only 45.4 mAh. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has 361 mAh battery life compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh battery life. There are a variety of factors that go into choosing the best portable charger for your needs.
2. BATTERY CAPACITY OF YOUR PRIMARY DEVICE
That being said, how big should your power bank’s battery be? On a good day, a modest power bank should be sufficient to power a phone for one round and a half of the charging cycles. If you’re looking for a tiny power bank, go for something in the 4,500-5,000 mAh range. These are little devices, thus they should be able to fully recharge a low-cost smartphone when used in conjunction with one of these.
Using the Google Pixel 4A as an example, you should find that the Miady 5,0 mAh Mini Portable Charger works well as a backup charger.
However, if you own a smartphone with a huge battery, it makes sense to go with a high-capacity power bank instead. To charge a 5,000 mAh smartphone, you’ll need a 5,000 mAh power bank, but that’s not the only option.
Taking into account the conversion ratio is necessary. The power rating for cellphones is based on a voltage of 5 volts.
Power banks, on the other hand, have a power rating of 3.7 volts. The reason for this is that they use Li-ion (Lithium-Ion) battery cells as power sources. Naturally, this discrepancy results in a reduction in the number of charge cycles.
With a little effort, you can figure out how much power each device uses based on its capacity. Let’s use a 5,000 mAh power bank as an example.
There are 18,500 milliwatt hours in the power bank’s total capacity.
Converting the voltage back to 5V gives a battery capacity of 3,700 mAh (or 18,500 milliwatt hours).
In other words, you’ll get about 3,700mAh from a 5,000mAh power bank. As a result, you’ll have to make a decision.
You’ll need a power bank with more than 5,000 mAh of power to fully charge a 5,000 mAh phone with a power bank. However, other factors like the number of batteries it can contain must be taken into account.
A 20,000mAh power bank like the Anker PowerCore is a good option if you want to charge your Moto G100 numerous times. An iPhone 13 Pro can be recharged almost four times with a 20,000mAh battery, for context.
Weight is a major drawback for a high-capacity power bank. Considering how much they weigh, carrying them about might be a hassle at times. Apart from that, they are also prohibitively pricey for the average person. But at the same time, they make it possible for you to charge your phone without having to look for a power outlet.
3. SIZE AND WEIGHT
It has already been said that a heavy-duty power bank is heavier than its mid-sized competitors. On top of that, they take up a lot more space due to the technology they contain for storing the required electricity.
These are the two biggest drawbacks of using heavy-duty backup chargers while travelling or on the road. They are, in fact, quite large. However, despite their size, they are still easily transportable. Aside from that, charging a heavy-duty power bank takes a lengthy time. It may or may not constitute a setback, depending on your scenario.
4. FAST CHARGING
No matter how large and heavy your power bank is, be sure it has quick charging capabilities before buying it. When it comes down to it, the last thing you want is your smartphone being tethered to the power bank all day long. USB-C Power Delivery is supported by several power banks, such as the Romoss SW30PS+. Some additionally include compatibility for Quick Charge 3.0. As a result, you may be confident that your compatible phone will charge rapidly.
There is an 18W charger for phones like the iPhone and a 25W charger for Samsung flagships.
You must determine if carrying a massive backup charger with you everywhere you go is worth it in the end. It’s far better to invest in a high-quality wall adapter and charging cord instead. Some wall chargers, such as the Baseus 65W wall converter, are capable of charging both your phone and tablet at the same time.
Investing in a high-quality wall adapter and charging cord is a far more intelligent choice.
There are automobile chargers with similar strength that can give the necessary muscle to charge your smartphone instead of using electrical adapters. Nekteck USB-C Car Charger adapters are great for quickly charging smartphones and tablets while on the go.
SIZE VS. SPEED VS. EASE
Yes, a power bank should be a standard item in every home. They make travelling and going out a lot easier. Simply connect them into the device and allow the cells to work their magic. It’s true that lugging around a bulky power bank is a pain. However, purchasing a 15,000 mAh or 20,000 mAh power bank makes sense if you travel frequently. You may use it to recharge your phone and more. You’re safe as long as you remember to charge the device before you go to bed.
In contrast, if you only use a power bank on rare occasions and only need a small one for emergencies, the INIU Portable Charger is a good choice. They’re inexpensive and convenient to carry in pockets or purses.