TELEPHONY - MOBILE PHONES AND SMARTPHONES - 11.10.2017

A checklist for your power bank

Internal battery

A power bank is an external rechargeable battery for your smartphone or tablet. It generally contains a lithium-ion battery, or the lithium-polymer variant. Both types have advantages and disadvantages. You can find a comparison at RAVPower ( http://blog.ravpower.com/2017/06/lithium-ion-vs-lithium-polymer-batteries ).

Recharging

Needless to say you will have to charge the power bank in advance by connecting it to your computer’s USB port. Charging it via a power socket is also possible (and is also much faster), but not all power banks are supplied with a plug (cable). Recharging takes on average three to five hours, although batteries with a very large capacity (see below) will require more time to recharge. There are also power banks which are rechargeable using a solar panel that is supplied.

Connections

Connecting the power bank to your smartphone or tablet is done via USB. Some models are equipped with the so-called Qi technology, which means that you can charge your mobile device simply by placing it on the charging pad (through induction). If your smartphone isn’t equipped with a Qi recipient, you can buy a Qi sleeve or sticker.

Capacity

The capacity of the power bank is measured in milliampere-hour (mAh). To make the right choice, it’s important to know what the capacity your smartphone is - you can find it in the manual or via Google. If you want your power bank to charge your smartphone completely in one go, it should at least have the same capacity. A 5,000mAh power bank will generally do. 10,000mAh is designed for intensive use, while even higher capacities are useful for bridging several days or for charging different devices simultaneously.

Amperage

The amperage of the output is equally important. It is expressed in ampere (A). The higher this number, the faster your smartphone will load. Most power banks have an amperage between 1 and 3.5A, but it’s best to avoid lower values. To be able to charge a tablet, you will need at least 2A (preferably combined with 7,500mAh). In principle, this is possible with a 1A power bank, but this will take a long time. Tip. There are power banks with multiple outputs, for instance one with 1A for smartphones and one with 2A for tablets.

Size

Power banks with a capacity of 10,000mAh or more tend to be relatively big and heavy. If you only need a lower-capacity model for emergency situations, there are more compact models the size of a cigarette lighter, bank card, ball pen or key ring. There are also models which are water and/or dust-proof.

Price

All these aspects determine the price of a power bank. You can find lots of independent comparisons and buying guides online. Prices range between £10 and £70.