Introduction
A power bank is a portable charger designed to recharge your devices while you’re on the go. If your phone, tablet, or other gadgets are running low on juice, a power bank can provide extra power until you’re able to recharge using a wall outlet. With the right power bank, you’ll never be left without a functioning phone or stranded with a dead device.
This article will explain exactly what power banks are, how they work, the different types available, and what features to look for when choosing one. We’ll provide an overview of power bank capacity, connector types, charging speeds, battery technology, and other considerations that come into play. By the end, you’ll know what to look for when shopping for these portable chargers so you can choose the right model to suit your needs and budget. Whether you just need to top off your phone at the end of the day or want enough capacity for multiple charges and devices, we’ll cover the full range of power bank options.
What is a Power Bank?
A power bank is a portable charger that allows you to recharge your devices while on the go. It contains a special battery pack inside that stores power, along with circuitry and converters to control power flowing in and out. Power banks are also commonly referred to as portable chargers or external battery packs.
The built-in battery in a power bank is typically made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer, the same types of batteries used in many mobile devices like smartphones. The battery capacity of a power bank is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the mAh, the more juice the power bank will be able to store.
When you need to charge your phone or tablet while traveling or away from a power outlet, you simply plug it into the power bank using a USB cable. The power bank then sends power from its internal battery to your device to top it up. This allows you to recharge even when you don’t have access to the electric grid.
Power banks come in all shapes and sizes, from slim portable models that fit in your pocket to high capacity models that can recharge your devices multiple times before needing to be recharged themselves. The latest models often support fast charging standards to quickly recharge compatible devices.
So in summary, a power bank is a portable charging device containing a built-in battery that allows you to top up your mobile device’s battery when an electrical outlet is not available. They provide freedom and flexibility to keep your gadgets powered up at all times.
How Do Power Banks Work?
Power banks contain internal batteries and circuitry to regulate the flow of electricity. Unlike the fixed batteries inside your electronic devices, the battery inside a power bank is designed to be repeatedly charged and discharged.
The main battery inside a power bank is typically made from lithium-ion or lithium-polymer technology. These rechargeable battery types allow for energy to be stored chemically and released as electrical current when needed.
Power banks use circuitry to control the safe charging and discharging of the battery. The circuitry protects the battery from damage and monitors its charge level. It regulates the voltage and current flowing in and out during charging and when powering devices.
Compared to the battery built into your smartphone or tablet, the battery inside a power bank is designed for repeated use cycles. Phone batteries prefer shallow discharge cycles with frequent recharges, while power banks utilize larger batteries made for deeper discharges. The circuitry allows the external battery pack to safely power devices at the proper electrical levels before recharging the power bank as needed.
Types of Power Banks
There are a few main types of power banks available today:
Universal Power Banks
The most common type of power bank is the universal or standard power bank. These have USB ports that you use to charge the power bank itself, and to deliver power to your devices. Universal power banks come in many shapes, sizes and capacities. Most will have at least one USB-A port for charging your device, while some will also include USB-C ports. These are designed to work with virtually any device that charges over USB.
Solar Power Banks
Solar power banks contain solar panels that allow you to recharge the internal battery using sunlight. This can be useful if you are somewhere without access to a power outlet for long stretches. The solar panels give the power bank potentially limitless power, though recharging will be slower compared to a wall outlet. Solar power banks often have backup charging options using USB as well.
Wireless Power Banks
Wireless power banks don’t actually use a wire or cable to charge your devices. Instead they use a wireless charging technology like Qi to deliver power to compatible devices. You simply place your phone or other gadget on the surface of the power bank to charge it. This is very convenient, though wireless charging is slower than using a USB cable.
Universal Power Banks
Universal or standard power banks are the most common type of portable chargers. They use a built-in battery and circuitry to store electricity that can then be used to recharge other devices on the go.
Universal power banks connect to devices for charging and recharging using USB cables. The power bank itself is charged up by plugging it into a wall outlet or computer using a USB charging cable. Once charged, the power bank can then charge smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered gadgets multiple times before needing to be recharged again itself.
The main advantages of standard USB power banks are compatibility and cost. Since they rely on USB cables that most devices today already use, you don’t have to worry about having the right connectors or adapters. This makes universal power banks highly convenient and versatile. They also don’t require any special technology, so tend to be affordable compared to more advanced power bank designs.
Solar Power Banks
Solar power banks use solar panels to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity to charge the internal battery. This gives solar power banks some unique advantages:
Pros of Solar Power Banks
- Renewable energy source – Don’t need to plug into an outlet, just set in the sun
- Ideal for outdoor use – Great for camping, hiking, or other activities away from power outlets
- Unlimited runtime – Can keep charging battery indefinitely during daylight
- Eco-friendly – Uses only renewable solar energy to charge
Cons of Solar Power Banks
- Slow charging – Limited surface area means slower energy absorption than wall outlet
- Weather dependent – Need sufficient sunlight for effective charging
- Higher cost – Solar panels and related circuitry increase expense over standard power banks
Overall, solar power banks are best for emergency power needs outdoors or in natural disasters when wall power is inaccessible. The unlimited runtime can be invaluable when grid power is unavailable for extended periods. However, slow charging and higher costs make them less than ideal for everyday charging.
Wireless Power Banks
Wireless power banks allow you to charge your devices without physically plugging them in. This offers a convenient way to provide power on the go.
Wireless charging uses inductive charging technology. It works by using coils to create an electromagnetic field between the charger and the device being charged. The charger coil generates an alternating current which induces a magnetic field. The device coil then converts the magnetic field back into electrical current to charge the battery.
The device and charger coils need to be aligned properly for wireless charging to work. The distance between the coils is typically only a few millimeters or centimeters.
Some key benefits of wireless power banks include:
- Convenience – No need to plug your device in each time
- Less wear and tear – Avoid repeatedly plugging/unplugging the charging cable
- Water resistance – No ports to allow moisture or water in
- Future-proof – More devices are moving to wireless charging
The downsides are that wireless charging is slower than wired charging and less efficient due to some power dissipation. But the gap is narrowing with newer standards like Qi and Powermat offering faster wireless charging speeds.
Overall, wireless power banks provide a handy way to charge your devices wirelessly while on the go. Just place your phone or other device on top of the power bank and charging begins automatically using inductive technology.
Power Bank Features
When selecting a power bank, there are several key features to consider:
Battery Size
The battery size or capacity of a power bank is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the mAh, the more charges the power bank can provide before it needs to be recharged itself. Power banks range from pocket-sized with 1,000-2,000 mAh to high capacity 20,000 mAh models for extended off-grid power.
Choose a battery size based on your needs. If you just need occasional top-ups for your phone, a 2,000-5,000 mAh is sufficient. For charging tablets or multiple devices on the go, 10,000 mAh or more is better.
Connector Types
Most power banks today use a USB connector to charge input and output. Models with only USB-A ports are the most universal but provide slower charging. For faster charging, look for power banks with USB-C or USB Power Delivery ports.
Some power banks also include connectors like Lightning for iPhones or microUSB for certain Android devices. Having the right connectors means you don’t need to carry extra cables.
Fast Charging
Many newer power banks support fast charging standards like Quick Charge or USB Power Delivery. This allows you to rapidly charge your devices if they are also compatible. Charging times can be reduced by up to 50% compared to standard 5V/2A USB charging.
Check if your devices work with certain fast charging standards to choose a compatible power bank. This ensures you can charge quickly when you need it.
Other Features
Other helpful features to look for include LED indicators displaying remaining battery, built-in cables/cable management, and a rugged exterior for outdoor use. Select a power bank with the right mix of features for your use cases.
Choosing the Right Power Bank
With so many types and features to consider, choosing the right power bank can seem daunting. Here are some tips for selecting the best power bank for your needs and budget:
Consider Capacity
The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the mAh, the more charges it can provide before needing to be recharged itself.
- For occasional smartphone charging, a capacity of 5,000-10,000 mAh is sufficient. This will provide 1-2 full charges for most phones.
- For frequent use or charging tablets/small devices, look for 10,000-20,000 mAh. This provides multiple charges.
- For heavy duty charging of phones, tablets and even laptops, consider 20,000 mAh and above.
Prioritize Important Features
Beyond capacity, think about connectivity options, form factor and fast charging capabilities based on how you plan to use your power bank:
- If you need to charge multiple devices, look for multiple USB ports and charging cables.
- For travel, get a compact and lightweight model that fits easily in your bag.
- For quickly topping off your phone on the go, fast charging support is useful.
Consider Your Budget
Power bank prices span anywhere from $10-$100 based on capacity, brand, features and design. Consider how much you are willing to spend:
- $10-$25 gets a basic 5,000-10,000 mAh portable charger.
- $25-$50 provides 10,000-20,000 mAh from trusted brands.
- Above $50 are high capacity models over 20,000 mAh and premium features.
Recommendations for Different Needs
Here are some power bank recommendations based on different usage scenarios:
- For an affordable everyday charger, the Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000 mAh is a great option at around $25.
- For road warriors and frequent travelers, the compact RAVPower 16,750 mAh packs a lot of power.
- Outdoor adventurers will appreciate the rugged, waterproof PowerOak Power Bank.
- For quickly charging the latest phones, the Aukey 20,000 mAh bank supports fast charging.
- For charging laptops and devices via an AC outlet, consider the MaxOak power bank with 50,000 mAh capacity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, power banks allow you to conveniently charge your devices on the go when you don’t have access to a wall outlet. Power banks come in different types, like universal, solar, and wireless, which offer various features to meet different needs.
When choosing a power bank, you’ll want to consider factors like battery capacity, connector types, fast charging capability, and battery technology. More capacity (mAh) means more charges in between having to recharge the power bank itself. Most power banks today use USB connectors to charge devices. Some models support fast charging standards to quickly repower your devices. And lithium-polymer batteries tend to be higher performance than lithium-ion.
By understanding the different types and main features of power banks, you can select the right portable charger to keep your devices powered up when you need them. Choose a power bank with enough capacity and the right connectors to charge the devices you need, while also evaluating fast charging capability and battery technology if performance is a priority. With the right power bank, you’ll never run out of power on the go.