A power bank, also known as a portable charger, can give your mobile device what it craves the most: more power! Whenever you lack access to an electrical outlet or a charging station, you can simply plug your smartphone, laptop or tablet into your power bank and get all the juice you need.
Power banks come in many varieties. You may be wondering: What size portable charger should I get? What is the best power bank for iPhone or Kindle? Which is the best for me personally?
Once you know what to look for in a power bank, you can get hooked up (pun intended) with the perfect portable charger.
Look mAh, No Hands!
When looking at portable chargers online, have you ever asked yourself something like: “What is a 20,000 mAh power bank, anyway?” Well, “mAh” is short for “milliampere hour.” Without getting too technical and giving you flashbacks to high school physics, it’s a unit for measuring how much energy a battery needs.
Now, you want a power bank that can completely recharge your mobile device in one sitting. Thus, find out the battery capacity of each of your devices. You can usually go to the manufacturer’s website and get that number in the specifications section. Or you could Google “What is the best power bank for iPhone 6?” or a similar question, and a mAh number will probably come up.
Suppose that your highest number is 11,000 mAh. In that case, you’ll need a charger with a capacity of at least 11,000 mAh. (Tablets often require well over 10,000 mAh.) If your devices use less power, you might be able to purchase, say, a 5,000 mAh charger.
Power Bank Ports of Entry
However, maybe you’ll want to charge more than one device at a time. For instance, perhaps you’d like a power bank with two USB ports so you can charge two 10,000 mAh devices at once. Therefore, you’d need a power bank with a capacity of at least 20,000 mAh.
Power banks with three or more ports are available as well. Again, just make sure that you have enough total mAh to handle all of those devices simultaneously.
Also, be aware that power bank USB ports come in two amperage rates: 1A and 2.1A. All USB-powered devices are compatible with both ports. However, 2.1A can charge a device faster. That’s not a big deal with a lower-mAh device such as a smartphone; it can get fully charged fairly quickly via a 1A port.
However, with a tablet or another higher-mAh device, you may want a portable charger with at least one 2.1A port so you can power it up without waiting a long time.
Two Power Banks Can Be Better Than One
Another option is to purchase two power banks. One could be a small pack, maybe the size of a tube of lipstick, and it could have a capacity of about 2,000 mAh. This charger would be easy to take wherever you go. And it would be ideal whenever you’re in a pinch.
For example, imagine that you’re on a train and you realize your smartphone’s out of power. In that situation, you’d just pull out your cute little charger and give your phone enough electricity to get through the trip. Then, when you arrive at your destination, you could use an outlet to charge your phone for a longer period.
Meanwhile, you could keep a larger and heavier power bank at home to recharge devices like computers and tablets.
Extending Phone or Tablet Battery Life
Annoyed with charging your phone or tablet every night? Here are some simple tips and tricks you can use to make your battery last longer.
- Dim the screen brightness or setup auto brightness.
- Turn off Bluetooth.
- Don’t leave apps running in the background.
- Turn off the Wi-Fi.
- Minimize app usage of location services and GPS.
The Right Portable Charger: What to Look for Beyond Capacity
Of course, capacity isn’t the only issue when you’re considering what to look for in a power bank.
Affordability is another. Obviously, prices will vary, but you can find high-quality power banks in the $20-to-$60 range. Your power bank won’t offer good value, though, unless it serves all of your needs.
On top of that, try to find a power bank with a reputation for charging devices quickly. After all, there’s always the chance that, at a moment when you really need to use your phone, you could discover it’s fresh out of power.
You might also want a special feature such as an extra cable, an LED flashlight or indicator lights that tell you how far along the charging process is. In addition, it’s handy to pick up a USB wall adapter.
One of the most delightful portable charger bonuses is personalization. Just imagine a power bank with a photo of your favorite vacation spot on it. Wouldn’t that give you a smile and a bit of inspiration on a drab day? How about a dignified USB charging station with your monogram or full name on the front? Or just envision a charger with a picture of your lovely face!
In short, a high-quality portable charger is more than a convenience. These days, it really is a must. Never again will you have to run around searching for a public charging kiosk — which might not even be that safe to use. Instead, you’ll have all the power you need right at your fingertips.
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