What is mAh?

Milliampere hour (mAh) is one of the key specifications to understand when purchasing any device powered by a battery. Whether you are buying a smartphone, laptop, power tool, solar generator, or any other gadget, the mAh rating gives an indication of how long the battery should last on a single charge.

In simple terms, mAh refers to the amount of electric charge a battery can deliver over time. A higher mAh rating means the battery inside a device has more capacity to store power. This translates into extended run times before needing to be recharged. When comparing similar devices, the one with a higher numerical mAh rating will likely have better overall battery life.

Knowing the mAh is therefore crucial to estimate the battery backup you can expect from a device. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of precisely what mAh means, how it relates to battery capacity, tips for calculating mAh, and comparisons of popular portable power stations based on their mAh specifications. Read on to gain a deeper understanding of this important metric that reflects the longevity of any battery-operated gadget.

mAh stands for milliamp hours. It is a unit of measure used to indicate the charge capacity of a battery.

The mAh rating indicates how much electric charge a battery can deliver over time. It is calculated by multiplying the discharge current (in milliamps or mA) by the discharge time (in hours).

For example, a battery rated at 1000 mAh can provide a current of 1000mA for 1 hour before being fully discharged. Alternatively, it could provide 500mA for 2 hours, or 100mA for 10 hours.

To put it simply, the higher the mAh, the longer a device can run before needing to be recharged. Think of mAh like the size of a fuel tank – a higher mAh battery is like having a bigger gas tank that lets you drive farther before refueling.

The mAh rating is important to understand when purchasing battery powered devices like phones, laptops, solar generators, or power banks. Comparing mAh allows you to choose a product with longer runtime.

mAh vs Battery Capacity

mAh (milliamp hour) and battery capacity are related but distinct measures of a battery’s energy storage. While they are often used interchangeably, there is an important difference between the two:

mAh refers to how much current a battery can deliver over time. It measures the flow of electricity – how many milliamps for how many hours. A higher mAh rating means the battery can supply more current for a longer duration before being depleted.
Battery capacity refers to how much total energy a battery can store, measured in watt-hours (Wh) or amp-hours (Ah). This depends on the battery’s voltage and storage ability. Batteries with the same mAh may have different capacities depending on voltage.

In simple terms, mAh relates to current and lifespan, while capacity relates to total energy storage. A 10000 mAh battery will provide 10A for 10 hours before dying. But its actual capacity depends on voltage – for a 12V battery it would be 12V * 10Ah = 120Wh.

So mAh doesn’t directly tell you the total energy in watt-hours. It specifies only the current over time. Battery capacity is a better indicator for comparing total energy storage between batteries of the same voltage.

Calculating mAh

The mAh rating of a battery tells you how much current it can provide over a certain period of time. To calculate the mAh capacity, you need to know the:

Current (in amps or milliamps)
Time (in hours)

The formula is:

mAh = Current (amps) x Hours

For example, if a battery provides a current of 2A for 5 hours before being depleted, the mAh capacity is:

mAh = 2A x 5h = 10Ah

To calculate mAh from milliamps, simply divide the milliamps by 1000. For example, if a battery provides a current of 2000mA (or 2000 milliamps) for 3 hours before being depleted, the mAh capacity is:

mAh = (2000mA / 1000) x 3h = 6Ah

In summary, to find the mAh capacity of any battery:

Identify the discharge current in amps or milliamps
Determine the runtime in hours
Use the formula: mAh = Current (A or mA/1000) x Hours

Knowing the mAh rating is crucial to estimate the battery life for your device. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last on a single charge.

Converting mAh to Wh and Ah

The mAh rating of a battery tells you how much energy it can store, but sometimes you need to know the capacity in different units like watt-hours (Wh) or amp-hours (Ah). Here’s how to convert:

mAh to Wh

To convert milliamp hours (mAh) to watt hours (Wh), use the following formula:

Wh = (mAh) x (Voltage) / 1000

For example, a 12V 100Ah battery would be:

Wh = (100 Ah) x (12V) / 1000
= 1200 Wh

So a 12V 100Ah battery has a capacity of 1200 Wh.

mAh to Ah

To convert mAh to Ah, simply divide the mAh by 1000.

For example:

5000 mAh = 5000 / 1000 = 5 Ah

So a 5000 mAh battery would be a 5 Ah battery.

The mAh rating is useful for smaller batteries like in phones and laptops, while Ah is more common for large batteries like in EVs and solar storage. But you can easily convert between mAh, Ah and Wh as needed using the formulas above.

mAh for Solar Generators

Solar generators like Jackery, Bluetti, and Ecoflow are popular for powering devices off-grid by storing power in built-in batteries. When shopping for solar generators, one of the most important specifications to compare is mAh battery capacity.

The higher the mAh, the more devices you can charge and the longer the solar generator can supply power. Below we’ve ranked some of the top selling solar generators by their mAh capacity:

Jackery Explorer 1000 – 1002Wh 1000W (100200 mAh)

With a massive 100200 mAh lithium-ion battery, the Jackery Explorer 1000 can charge most phones over 30 times or run a large appliance for several hours. It has plenty of power outlets to run multiple devices at once.

Bluetti AC200MAX – 2048Wh 2000W (204800 mAh)

The Bluetti AC200MAX features a 204800 mAh LiFePO4 battery with top-notch LFP cells for extended longevity. Thanks to its huge capacity, you can go days or even weeks without recharging.

EcoFlow DELTA Max – 2016Wh 1800W (201600 mAh)

The EcoFlow DELTA Max portable power station packs a 201600 mAh battery to offer wifi connectivity and the ability to add extra batteries. It can fully recharge in 2 hours for energy on demand.

Jackery Explorer 1500 – 1534Wh 1800W (153600 mAh)

With 153600 mAh capacity, the Jackery Explorer 1500 solar generator provides plenty of off-grid power for camping, emergencies, and outdoor events. It offers great value given the low price per watt hour.

By comparing mAh ratings, you can determine which solar generator provides the battery capacity you need based on the devices and duration you plan to run. A higher mAh rating means more stored energy and longer runtimes.

mAh for Power Banks

Power banks are portable chargers used to charge your devices like smartphones when on-the-go. The mAh rating on power banks indicates how much charge it can hold before it needs to be recharged.

Higher mAh power banks can store more power, allowing you to charge your devices more times before the power bank depletes. Lower mAh power banks may only give you a partial charge or one full charge for your device before draining.

For example, a 5000 mAh power bank could charge an iPhone with a 1800 mAh battery about 2-3 times. A 10000 mAh power bank could charge it over 5 times. A higher mAh power bank around 20000-30000 mAh may charge a phone over 10 times.

When shopping for a power bank, choose one with a mAh at least 2-3 times the mAh battery capacity of your device. This ensures the power bank has enough battery reserves to fully charge it multiple times. Also consider compact sizes if portability is needed. Many mAh efficient models can now rapidly charge devices too.

In summary, higher mAh power banks can charge your devices more times and have longer battery life. But they are heavier and more expensive than lower mAh options. Choose one with the right balance of mAh rating, size, features and budget to suit your power needs on-the-go.

Improving mAh Lifespan

The battery lifespan of a device is directly related to its mAh capacity. Here are some tips to maximize battery longevity and get the most out of the mAh rating:

Avoid fully discharging the battery each time. The depth of discharge negatively impacts the battery’s lifespan, so try to charge it more frequently before it drains completely.
Don’t leave the device plugged in and charging for extended periods after it reaches 100%. Continued trickle charging can degrade the electrodes.
Store the device at around 40-50% charge if you won’t use it for several weeks. Storing it fully charged or empty degrades the battery faster.
Use the device in room temperature conditions. Exposing batteries to high heat causes faster deterioration.
Newer lithium-ion batteries last longest if partially charged to around 40% for daily use, rather than fully topping off to 100% each day.
Let the device discharge a bit before plugging it back in to recharge. Doing partial discharge/recharge cycles is better than plugging it in frequently for small top-offs.
Avoid rapid charging if possible, as slower charging is better for longevity. If rapid charging, don’t leave on charger at 100%.
Consider replacing the battery if run time drops below 80% of original capacity. Older batteries lose efficiency and mAh capacity.

Following these tips will help prolong the lifespan of your device’s mAh battery and allow you to get the most cycles out of it before needing a replacement. Proper care maximizes your return on mAh capacity.

Estimating Charge Cycles

The number of charge cycles a battery can provide is closely related to its mAh capacity. A charge cycle refers to fully draining and recharging the battery from 0% to 100%.

You can estimate the total number of charge cycles by dividing the mAh capacity by the average mAh drained per cycle.

For example, a 500Wh solar generator with a 500,000 mAh battery capacity that drains 5000 mAh per day:

500,000 mAh / 5000 mAh per cycle = 100 cycles

So this solar generator can theoretically provide 100 full discharge/charge cycles.

In practice, shallow discharges that don’t fully drain the battery can prolong its lifespan to 500-800 cycles. Deep discharges below 20% will reduce cycles closer to the theoretical estimate.

Environmental factors like temperature also impact cycle life. Lithium-ion batteries last longer when operating at moderate room temperatures compared to extreme heat or cold.

Proper storage and maintenance can extend the usable cycles before capacity drops too low. But in general, higher mAh solar generators will outlast models with lower battery capacity ratings.

Solar Power Banks

Solar power banks harness the unlimited, renewable power of the sun to charge your devices anytime, anywhere. Here are some of the key benefits of solar power banks:

Unlimited Power Source – With a solar panel integrated into the power bank, you can continuously charge the internal battery using free sunlight. As long as you have sun exposure, you’ll never run out of power.
Emergency Preparedness – Solar power banks are extremely useful for emergency situations when you may not have access to grid power for extended periods. You can charge essential devices like phones, lights and radios off-grid.
Portability – Solar power banks tend to be compact and lightweight compared to solar panels. You can easily carry them in your backpack and have power on the go.
Eco-Friendly – Solar energy doesn’t create any direct waste or emissions. Solar-powered devices like these banks let you charge your gear using clean, renewable energy from the sun.
Cost Savings – With unlimited solar energy, you’ll rely less on the electric grid to charge your devices, saving money in the long run. Solar power banks pay for themselves over time.
Reliability – Solar panels have no moving parts and require minimal maintenance. Solar power banks can reliably charge devices for years with only sunlight needed.

With integrated solar panels and large battery capacities, solar power banks provide renewable, sustainable off-grid power for your essential electronics. They are a versatile power source for outdoor adventures, emergencies, everyday charging and more.