Everyone has made the mistake of leaving home without charging their phone, or realized that their laptop battery was almost dead right before a long work session with no access to a power outlet. You can’t let these situations stop you from working outside the house, and the best way to prevent them is to have a trusty and fully charged power bank in your back pocket or bag at all times. You should know, however, that there are tons of different types of power banks on the market with different features and capabilities, so you need to know what to look for when buying one. Let’s take a look at how to choose the best power bank for your needs.
Understanding Power Bank Capacity
One of the most important things when looking at a power bank is its capacity. The amount of power a power bank can store is denoted in mAhs, or milliamps per hour.
Let’s say that your phone’s battery has a 2,000mah capacity. If you get a power bank with a 10,000mah, this means that you will be able to fully charge your phone five times to full capacity.
So, look at your habits and how much power you actually need. If you only need something as a backup in case you forget to charge, then you don’t need to get the biggest bank. But, if you want to do things like charge your phone during long car trips or when overseas in areas with no or bad access to electricity, then you need to look at bigger models.
What Kind of Devices Do You Need to Charge?
You also need to consider the types of items you want to charge. If you want to be able to charge a laptop, for instance, not only will you need to get a bigger power bank, but one that has the voltage and the ports needed for your laptop. You can easily see what voltage your laptop needs by looking at the charger. You can also check your buyer’s manual or check the specs online.
Look for Advanced Features
You should also know that some power banks will have special features that will either make them more convenient or efficient. If you’re going to be charging multiple small devices on your power bank, for instance, you could shop a 65w PD charger that has dynamic detect. Devices with dynamic detect will direct all of the charger’s energy toward one device when there’s only one that’s plugged in and will distribute the power intelligently when multiple items are plugged in. Other features you should look for include USB-C ports, waterproofing, built-in cables, and passthrough charging.
Don’t Forget the Size
If this is something you intend to put in your pockets, then size is extremely important. Go for a model that is light, compact, and portable. Some power banks will look like your average charging adapter while others look more like phone batteries. It’s up to you to see which form is the best and most convenient for you.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to choose a power bank, you can start looking at the various models on the market and find something that works for you. Take your time and consider buying directly from a manufacturer with a solid reputation.