There are so many different power banks on the market, and if this is your first time buying one, it’s perfectly normal to be overwhelmed. This is especially true if you’re looking for an advanced model that can charge multiple devices or very specific ones. Thankfully, understanding power banks is not that complicated and you should be able to find one pretty quickly once you learn the basics. Let’s take a look at some of the features to look out for when buying a power bank.
Capacity
Capacity is the first and perhaps most important feature to look for when buying a power bank. To know what type of capacity you need, you first need to look at the devices you want to charge.
If all you want to do is charge your phone, then any power bank that has a capacity of 5,000mah or higher should do, but we would suggest you look for something in the 10,000mah to 20,000mah range. Since the average phone battery is around 3500mah, this means that you will be able to charge your phone about three to six times. A 20,000mah bank will give you more than enough power to recharge your average tablet multiple times as well.
Also know that there will be a minimal price difference between a 5,000mah, a 10,000mah, and a 20,000mah power bank, so don’t be stingy. If your budget is really tight, you can find the best power bank deal by looking at retailers who sell directly online.
If you’re looking for a power bank for a laptop, on the other hand, then you should look at models in the 20,000mAh to 50,000mAh range, though we suggest you go for something more at the higher end of that spectrum.
Ports
The ports featured on your power bank are also extremely important. These will dictate what type of devices it can charge, but also how it can be charged.
If you need a power bank for something like a MacBook Pro, for instance, then the power bank needs to have a USB-c port. USB-C ports can charge regular devices much faster as well and a power bank that can be charged via USB-C will charge faster too, so this is definitely something you should look for.
The number and variety of ports are very important as well. You should get a model with at least two USB ports, but the more the merrier. Also, check how many fast-charging ports the power bank has. Fast-charging ports allow charging above the standard 5w, which is very useful for people who need to charge their devices on the go.
AC Prongs
This one is more for convenience, but you should also check to see whether the power bank has AC prongs. You never know if you’ll need to charge your power bank but have no cable on hand. This will ensure that you can charge your power bank no matter what and allow you to use your adapter for other things.
Conclusion
These are all things you should look for when buying a power bank. Take the time to shop around and ask as many questions as you can before making your purchase so you’ll be satisfied with your decision.
