Imagine being on the move, and your phone battery drains out. Anyone who has witnessed such knows how demoralizing it feels being separated from your device. This has made having a reserve source of power a necessity. But with the amount and variety of power banks in the market, to look for power banks that fit you is a massive undertaking. Here are a few pointers before you acquire a power bank.
1. Physical size
I feel this is one of the first things to look out for. I once had a power bank that was three times the size of my phone (an iPhone 5) and weighed just as much as it looked. The obvious problem I had was how to fit it in my pocket. So many times I had to leave the phone in my pocket and carry my power bank in my hand. It did not feel like the ideal way to manage my device. That said, if you often move around with a purse, the size may be less of a concern for you, but you should also know that the physical size in most cases may not have anything to do with the capacity or strength of a power bank.
2. Number of charging ports
Obviously, the number of ports determine how many devices can charge at the same time. Basically, the more ports there are, the more devices it can charge simultaneously. Interestingly, this factor sometimes has an effect on the size. So if you want a power bank that fits seamlessly in your pocket, you may be looking for one with only one or two ports. With the increasing amount of portable devices that range from MP3 devices, Bluetooth devices, phones, tablets, and iPads, it is sometimes more efficient to acquire a bower bank with many ports so that no matter what your needs are, you are sure to have all your devices accounted for.
3. Voltage
When looking for a power bank, consider the voltage of utmost importance because, unlike other factors, this might pose a safety risk. The rule is quite straightforward: don’t buy a power bank with a voltage higher than your battery. So, for instance, a 5.5 V power bank for a 3.7 V battery may not be the best choice.
This is because if you charge your battery with a power bank that has higher voltage, it begins to swell and may even explode. Also, if you charge your battery with a power bank of lower voltage, it may never charge.
4. Capacity
The capacity measured in milliamp-hour, or “mAh,” is a key factor to knowing how much power it will use to charge your device and how often you will need to charge it. Common capacity ratings are 2,000mAh to 15,000mAh, and in some cases as high as 40,000mAh. The higher the power, the more the times it can charge your device. While you look for power bank, you should consider how many devices you have and invariably the amount of capacity that might be required to fully charge your devices.
5. Price
This is almost always the factor that determines which of the other factors will be accommodated. With prices from $4 all the way up to $100, you are likely to find something within your budget. I will usually recommend one towards the upper end of your budget because cheaper may not always be better, and often what you pay for is what you get. This, of course, is not an exhaustive list, but it is a very good starting point when looking for a power bank.
