Although modern gadgets such as smartphones and tablets are getting increasingly powerful by the day, battery life is one department where almost all of them are still lacking. This is probably why Power banks have become almost a necessity these days.
They ensure that your device does not run out of charge while you are on the move, allowing you to stay connected around the clock. Not surprisingly, more and more manufacturers are now tapping into this increasingly lucrative market. Consequently, Power banks of all sizes, capacities and colours are available in the market today.
But this wide choice also makes it difficult to decide which Power bank you must choose for your smart gadgets. To help you out with the same, we’ve curated a list of some factors that should be kept in mind while you’re in the market for a new Power bank.
​1. Capacity
One of the main features that should be kept in mind while buying Power banks is the capacity. It is measured in terms of Milliamp Hours (mAh). The more the mAh, the bigger is the charging capacity of the device. At the time of buying a Power bank, ensure that its output voltage matches with your device. If output voltage of the charger is less than the device being charged, it won’t work.
So if your device has a 1,500mAh battery, it is advisable to go for a Power bank with twice or thrice the capacity (i.e. 3,000mAh or above). Moreover, if you have a charger with larger output voltage than your device, you may be able to get several charges from it.
2. Quality and safety options
Another important attribute of a Power bank is build quality. Overall quality of the Power bank not only determines its performance, but also how fast and accurate the energy-transfer from it to the device being charged will be. A low quality Power bank will not only charge your device improperly but could also damage it.
3. Connectivity options and USB charging
Flexibility is a key feature of Power banks – it should be able to charge multiple devices at a time. There are many Power banks available in the market and these come with various types of connectors. These are important to connect Power banks to multiple mobile gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets and cameras.
With multiple connectors, you can charge more than one gadget from the Power bank at a time. Along with multiple plugs, some Power banks also come with built in USB charging cables which can be folded and stored with the Power banks themselves. With these, you don’t have to worry about losing charging cables.
4. LED indicators
LED indicator lights in a Power bank can help in finding out many things, such as battery level and charging status. So whenever possible, you should purchase a Power bank with clear LED indicator lights.
5. Brand name
At the time of purchasing a Power bank, you should go for one from established brands. That’s because these are more likely to include internal components like batteries and charging circuits.
There are many brands which provide Power banks with high capacities at low prices, but do remember that you will be connecting your expensive gadgets to these devices.
Can you afford the risk of damaging those gadgets because of poor connectors or bad batteries? Make an informed choice.
6. Safety
Safety is a major concern when it comes to mobile devices. Many users charge their smartphones at night while sleeping, which could potentially lead to problems. Low quality power cells fitted inside some Power banks can explode due to overcharging. This could damage not just your device(s), but also have more serious consequences.
Thus, it is advisable to go for a Power bank with a high grade Lithium-Polymer battery due to stable elements and safety assurance. A good Power bank reduces the chances of any explosion(s) and also keeps devices safe. Many Power banks also come with built-in protection against short circuits, over charging and heating. They might cost a bit extra, but we think that they are worth investing in.
7. Ampere count
It is important to understand the ampere count before purchasing a Power bank. It’s the current that is supplied from the charger to the product being charged.
The device generally takes only as much current as is needed for it. So if a gadget requires 2.1 amps, then the power source should be able to supply 2.1 amps (or more). If the power source can supply more than 2.1 amps, it won’t matter as the product will only draw 2.1 amps current.
On the other side, if the source can only supply 1 amp current, then either the product will fail to charge or charge slowly as it cannot get enough current. Therefore, it is important to match the ampere count between the charger and the device to be charged.
It doesn’t matter if the charger can provide more current then the device requires. Providing less current will slow down the process of charging the device and can damage it as well.