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Power Bank Buying Guide
Searching for a new way to keep your phone charged when you're on the go? Portable chargers are the answer—but which one? Whether you're traveling for work or need a boost on the daily, know what you're shopping for with our power bank buying guide.
Power Bank Buying Guide
1 year ago
What Is a Power Bank?
You may be traveling across the country, spending the day moving from location to location as you work, or enjoying a camping trip in the wilderness, but one thing is true. You're definitely going to need an energy boost for your electronics. That's where a power bank comes in. So, what is a power bank? Sometimes known as portable chargers, these batteries can go with you anywhere. Most often used to charge phones, power banks can even boost the charge on a tablet or laptop—but different devices have different needs. That's why it's important to consider the electronics you'll be charging before you buy a power bank.
How Much Power Do I Need?
When you're exploring power banks online or in-store, they tend to blend together. But the most important feature to focus on is a power bank's capacity, which is measured in mAh (milliampere hours). With more mAh, your battery pack will have more power to keep charging your mobile electronics. At the same time, more mAh means that the power bank will take longer to charge, and it'll be heavier.
This is where you'll consider what you'll be using your charger for. Are you just topping off your phone after a long day, and using this power bank as an emergency charger? Or do you need something that can handle charging up something larger, like a tablet or even a laptop? A smaller amount of mAh might be able to charge a phone twice, but it likely won't put much of a dent in a battery as large as a laptop's. Check out our list below for some of our ballpark recommendations for different electronics.
- 2,500: Some of the smallest power banks you'll see on the market are around 2,500 mAh or even less. These chargers are designed more as a back-up in case your cell phone's battery runs completely out, and it will likely charge your phone to near half capacity.
- 5,000: A 5,000 mAh power bank is one of the most popular charging capacities (next to 10,000 mAh). This capacity is lightweight and can charge most cell phones to a full capacity, making it great for everyday use or even an overnight trip.
- 10,000: These power banks are also extremely popular, especially with people who have multiple devices they'd like to charge when they're on a trip. Look for models with several outputs so that you can charge a phone and earbuds at the same time. You'll likely be able to get two phone charges out of this one as well. But keep in mind that these power banks are heavy with more mAh—and this is where they start taking longer to charge (5-6 hours on average).
- 20,000: Doubled mAh means you're ready to tackle stronger tasks. A 20,000 mAh power bank can charge an iPad to full and can even work to charge some laptops. If you're going on long trips and need to charge multiple phones and other devices, a charger like this is best for you. But again, the weight of the battery gets heavier.
- 25,000 and up: These power banks are best for those who are taking laptops with them and have no assurance that they'll be able to have an outlet nearby. Below, we'll discuss the ins and outs of choosing a portable charger for your laptop.
Power Banks for Laptops
While most people shop for power banks and portable chargers for their phones, there are those who need power banks for their laptops. Whether you're working and traveling, watching movies on a road trip or hoping to study on the go, a power bank for your laptop is a great solution. So, what is a power bank that can tackle this particular task? Users should think carefully before choosing a power bank to invest in. You'll definitely want something with at least 20,000 mAh of power. Even more, you'll need to consider the output wattage of your power bank. Output wattage describes the power a battery can put out—and you'll want that to be more than what your laptop can consume. Laptops usually use between 40 and 70 watts per hour, meaning that if you want to charge the laptop while you're using it, you'll need a power bank with output wattage that's higher. Otherwise, your power bank will just slow down how fast the battery drains. For a laptop, look for a power bank that puts out at least 50 watts if you want to truly charge it.
Cords, Ports and Chargers
Another aspect to consider before you buy your power bank? The amount of ports there are and how it charges. If you're only using your charger to top off your phone on occasion, you'd probably be fine with a single charge port. But if you're opting for a larger power bank that you'd like to use on multiple devices at once, you'll want to explore your options. Many power banks have multiple outputs, making them perfect for anyone who's traveling with friends who might need some energy. When buying, explore how much output wattage each port has—some ports may charge your phone quicker than others.
Next, consider the connections. The most popular are USB Type-A and USB Type-C: make sure that the power bank you're looking for will fit your cords and vice versa. Fun fact, Type-C connections can often charge devices faster, though not all connections are fast charging. If you definitely want speed out of your power bank, make sure that you choose a model that states it has fast charging capabilities. Finally, you'll need proper fast-charging cables. You will rarely need to worry about that, though, as many models will come with the correct cables built in. However, you could go completely minimalist with a model that makes no cable connections at all. If you have an iPhone 12 or later, this is possible via MagSafe: choose a wireless charger that employs MagSafe technology for a portable solution that snaps right onto your phone.
Extra Features
So, we've answered questions like "What is a power bank?" Next, we explored factors like how much power you may want from a portable charger. That depends on your needs, like the electronics you have to power up as well as how many times you have to charge them. Don't forget to charge your chargers, too—otherwise, you'll be out of luck. If you want even more out of your portable charger, know that they're not all the same. Many have a feature that tells you how well the battery is charged, whether that's via LED indicator lights or even a large display screen. Others may even tell you how many watts they're outputting on screen. And still more have a wall charger built right in, making them extra useful—these double as a wall charger for multiple devices when you're in one place, and need no cord to be charged themselves. You've got a lot of options, and while that may seem confusing at times, it means that you'll be able to find a power bank that fits your exact needs. Take your phone on a backpacking trip to a National Park, never worry that your gaming laptop will run out of power, or pick a charger that keeps your iPad running all through your flight. Order yours online from Abt for fast shipping, or call our team with questions at 800-860-3577.
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