For those of us who are frequently on the road, power banks are a lifesaver. When the battery on our cellphones runs out, these rectangular gadgets offer the necessary power. Apart from that, they save you the trouble of looking for a wall adaptor and a power outlet. All you have to do is plug it in and you’re done. When purchasing a portable power bank, however, one of the most crucial factors to consider is the size and weight.
You wouldn’t want to carry a large brick around if you just use a power bank sometimes. The converse is also true. A tiny power bank will not suffice if you are frequently on the road. As a result, you must select the appropriate power bank size. Aside from that, you should figure out how many gadgets you need to charge and how fast they need to be charged.
So, if you’re looking to buy a power bank for your tablet or smartphone, this article will assist you in selecting the appropriate size. Let’s get this party started.
1. NUMBER OF DEVICES
First things first, how many devices do you plan to charge on your power bank daily? Is it just your smartphone? Or, do you plan to fuel your headphones and tablet?
You’re safe if you want to recharge your wireless headphones/earphones or your watch. This is because, in comparison to other power-hungry gadgets like tablets and laptops, these devices do not consume nearly as much stored energy (yes, some laptops charge via power banks and vice versa).
Wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, for example, have a battery capacity of just 45.4 mAh. Smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 have 361 mAh batteries compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh.
The bottom line is that the number of devices and the type of devices also play a crucial role in buying the right power bank.
2. BATTERY CAPACITY OF YOUR PRIMARY DEVICE
Now for the most crucial part: what should your power bank’s battery capacity be? As previously stated, the math is straightforward. On a good day, a modest power bank should be adequate to deliver a single round and half of a phone’s charge cycles. When we say little, we’re talking about a power bank with a capacity of 4,500 mAh to 5,000 mAh. These are modest gadgets that should be able to fully charge a low-cost smartphone.
If you have a Google Pixel 4a, for example, the Milady 5,000 mAh Mini Portable Charger should suffice as a backup.
If you have a smartphone with a huge battery, though, a heavy-duty power bank is a must. However, charging a 5,000 mAh smartphone using a 5,000 mAh power bank isn’t as straightforward as buying a 5,000 mAh power bank. Isn’t life supposed to be that simple?
You’ll need to think about the conversion factor. The power rating for cellphones is computed at 5 volts.
The power rating for power banks, on the other hand, is computed at 3.7 volts. This is due to the fact that they transport Li-ion (Lithium-Ion) battery cells. Naturally, this discrepancy results in a reduction of charge cycles.
Thankfully, calculating the real power of any gadget based on its capacity is simple.
Let’s use the 5,000 mAh power bank as an example.
The power bank’s total energy is 5,000 mAh x 3.7V = 18,500 mWh.
The capacity is 18,500 mWH / 5V = 3,700 mAh when converted to 5V.
As a result, a 5,000 mAh power bank will produce roughly 3,700 mAh of electricity. As a result, you’ll have to make an informed decision.
If you want to completely charge a 5,000 mAh phone using a power bank, you’ll need one with more than that capacity. At the same time, other factors like as the amount of charges it can hold must be considered.
If you wish to charge your Moto G100 many times, a 20,000 mAh power backup, such as the Anker PowerCore, is a good option. In comparison, a 20,000 mAh battery can charge the Moto G100 or the iPhone 13 Pro four times.
One of the most significant drawbacks of a high-capacity power bank is its weight. They are rather heavy (not literally) and can be a pain to transport. Aside from that, they’re also pricey. At the same time, they allow you to charge your phone without having to look for a power outlet.
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3. SIZE AND WEIGHT
As previously said, a heavy-duty power bank is significantly heavier than its mid-sized competitors. Furthermore, they are significantly larger due to the gear required to store the required power.
These are the two biggest drawbacks of a heavy-duty power bank, especially if you want to use it while travelling or on the road. Yes, they are rather large. But, in the end, they aren’t so large that they aren’t transportable.
Plus, heavy-duty power banks take a long time to get fully charged. And depending on your situation, it can be a setback.
One of the most significant drawbacks of a high-capacity power bank is its weight. They are rather heavy (not literally) and can be a pain to transport. Aside from that, they’re also pricey. At the same time, they allow you to charge your phone without having to look for a power outlet.
4. QUICK CHARGE
Even if you choose a larger, heavier battery bank, make sure it has rapid charging capabilities. After all, you don’t want your phone to be tethered to the power bank for hours at a time. USB-C Power Delivery is supported by several power banks, such as the Romoss SW30PS+. Some models additionally provide compatibility for Quick Charge 3.0. This ensures that your compatible phone charges quickly and efficiently.
This one assures that iPhones charge at 18W, whereas certain Samsung flagships charge at approximately 25W.
But, at the end of the day, you must consider if it is practical to carry a large power bank with you every time you leave the house. Getting your hands on a good wall adapter and a charging cable, on the other hand, is a far smarter move. Wall chargers, such as the Baseus wall chargers, may deliver up to 65W of power, which is sufficient to charge both your phone and tablet.
If electrical adapters aren’t your thing, a vehicle charger with comparable wattage can give the required strength to charge your smartphone. Nekteck USB-C Car Charger car adapters are very effective in charging smartphones and tablets quickly.
SIZE VS. EASE VS. SPEED
A power bank is something that everyone should have. They make your vacations and activities more enjoyable. All you have to do now is plug them in and wait for the cells within to work their magic. Carrying a bulky power bank isn’t the most pleasant task. However, if you travel frequently, investing in a 15,000 or 20,000 mAh power bank makes sense. You’ll be able to charge your phone and more using it. You’ll be OK as long as you remember to charge the gadget before going to bed.
If you only use a power bank sometimes and only want one for emergencies, choose one of the smaller power banks, such as the INIU Portable Charger. They are inexpensive and convenient to carry in handbags and pockets.