Running out of power for your phone can be a serious issue, especially if you do not have any type of access to a power outlet to charge it. Time for power banks! Without an outlet, a power bank can help keep your phone’s battery charged, ensuring you never miss a chance for a selfie or an important call.
When you’re on the go, you can use a power bank to recharge your battery-operated devices. Power banks are utilized to recharge devices, including laptops, speakers, tablets, and cell phones. Depending on its size and capacity, a power bank may be tiny enough to carry in your pocket or it may be larger.
History of the Power Bank
Chinese company Pisen invented the first portable power bank in 2001. Two AA batteries were connected by a circuit in the original design. At the Las Vegas International Consumer Electronics Show, the portable power bank made its first public appearance.
It had a short battery life and was also bulky. There is a plethora of advanced, small, and battery-efficient designs available today. Most contemporary power banks are compact enough to simply fit in the palm of your hand and can recharge your smartphone multiple times before losing power.
Power Bank Benefits
The power bank provides a lot of advantages, especially for people that are always on the go. Check out these benefits below.
1. Charging On the Go
A power bank’s primary function is to recharge gadgets when they run out of power. These portable chargers come in handy, particularly when your phone’s battery dies and there’s no access to an outlet.
2. Portability
The portability of power banks is an immense advantage. They are easy to carry when traveling because they are not too heavy. Without taking up too much room and not being that heavy, you can also put a power bank inside your pouch or bag. Some others who use their phone while charging using a power bank carry the two devices together without difficulty.
3. Multiple Sockets
Power banks often come with several charging connectors so that users can simultaneously charge a variety of devices. The demands of a modern millennial, who frequently lugs around many gadgets, are met by this function.
These many outlets are useful if the entire family is traveling and need to charge phones at the same time. Power banks can also have up to six ports so that the entire family can simultaneously charge their devices.
4. Higher Charging Capacity
Power banks are made by manufacturers to give customers different charging options. With a power bank of 10,050 mAh, one device can be charged up to four times. For those in need of extra charging, it would be best to get one with a higher power capacity.
5. Critical During a Power Interruption
When your batteries run out while there is a power outage, the portable charger may be incredibly helpful. You won’t need to wait for the electricity to come back to charge your devices. Should an emergency arise during a calamity, this might even mean the difference between life and death. Because you can easily charge your phone using a power bank, you won’t miss any important calls or texts.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Power Bank
When purchasing a power bank, you should take into account various factors. Check out these factors below.
1. Charge Capacity
When choosing or purchasing a power bank, the required capacity is one of the most crucial factors to consider. Check what requires charging because a tablet requires more than a smartphone, etc. Certain smartphones require more power than others. Check the specifications of your smartphone to find out. Under the battery area, the battery capacity would be indicated.
In mAh, the charge is stated. It refers to milliamp hours. So a battery with a 1000 mAh capacity would deliver 1000 mA, or 1 A, for an hour. While current phones can have capacities of up to 3000 mAh, older phones likely had capacities of less than 1000 mAh.
It is always ideal to have a little extra to ensure the gadget gets a full charge; a power bank’s capacity has to be slightly higher than that of the item to be charged to offer a full charge. The batteries in tablets feature significantly larger batteries. Therefore, if you want to charge a tablet, you’ll need a considerably larger power bank.
2. Output Charge Current
Consider the rate at which a power bank may deliver a charge while making your purchase. The charge time is affected by this. The chargers that come with the device might give you an indication of what is required. Many small USB gadgets only need a charge current of half an amp or less, but phones may need an amp or more, and tablets 2.5 amps or more. Anything with fast charging capabilities will require additional current, perhaps 3 amps. It is important to keep in mind that more devices have this functionality.
The power banks typically state the maximum current they can provide. The device will take longer to charge the lower its maximum current limit is. There may be many outputs on certain larger power banks; each output will be identified and frequently printed on the power bank. However, keep in mind that a device may be unable to simultaneously supply the maximum current to all of its outputs if it has many outputs. So, invest in a power bank that has a high output current if you want quick charging times. Don’t worry if the device can’t handle the maximum current; it will just take what it can.
3. Size and Weight
When purchasing a power bank, size and weight are crucial factors to consider, especially if you intend to use them while traveling. The size and weight of the power bank will increase with its storage capacity.
4. Number of Ports
Early power banks only had one output port, but as their popularity increased and more people wanted to charge many devices simultaneously, a lot of larger power banks now have two or even more output ports. Simply verify that each port’s output current capabilities are sufficient. Also, keep in mind that if several devices are charging simultaneously, the power bank might not provide the maximum current to every port; instead, there might be a maximum current output that is split among the outputs, which would slow down charging.
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