What a good powerbank should be: types and features, how to choose

A quality powerbank has a durable shockproof case, protection from dust and moisture. However, the most important thing is the types of battery and the number of connection ports for gadgets. Let's look at the main features of a good powerbank and tips for choosing one.

Powerbank capacity

The optimal capacity of a powerbank for recharging a smartphone is 20,000 mAh. If the smartphone battery is designed for 4200 mAh, then such a battery will be enough for 4 charging cycles. Its weight usually does not exceed 500 g. To recharge a laptop, you will need a battery with a minimum capacity of 30,000 mAh. It is important to take into account that the powerbank itself also requires energy to operate. Therefore, you need to subtract about 2,000 mAh from the stated capacity of the battery.

Compatibility of the powerbank with gadgets

A good powerbank has several connectors for connecting devices:

• Type-C is a symmetrical input. It has high bandwidth and charging speed. This is the kind of power connector a powerbank has.
• USB Type-A is often installed in Android smartphones. It can be used to charge the gadget from the power grid or from a powerbank.
• Micro-USB port is designed for connecting smartphones, players, cameras, etc.

If it is necessary to take the powerbank to travel, hiking, it is desirable that there were more ports. Thanks to this it will be possible to charge several devices at the same time.

Wireless charging powerbank

If the smartphone belongs to the category of flagships, it supports wireless charging. Then it is better to choose a powerbank with this function. There will be no need to use cords and adapters. The gadget is applied to the external battery, and charging begins automatically.

Additional options for a quality powerbank

To expand the use of a portable charger, choose a model with additional features:

• LED flashlight with reflector comes in handy for lighting.
• A digital charge indicator will show that the gadget is charged. If the powerbank has a display, it will show the percentage of charging to each port.
• The ability to charge the powerbank from the mains and connect your smartphone to it at the same time.
• Ports with different amperage for gadgets with different requirements for energy parameters.
• A solar panel on one side of the powerbank will charge your gadget from natural light. This is convenient when there is no possibility to connect a portable battery from the power grid.

How to choose a good powerbank

Pay attention to such factors:

• The more powerful the technique that needs to be charged, the more capacitive the portable charger should be. The lithium-ion type of battery is optimal for the combination of price and capacity.
• If you need to often carry a powerbank with you, it is better to choose a model not more than 20 000 mAh. Then the weight will not be too heavy for a man's clutch or a lady's purse. The type of battery determines the thickness of the powerbank. If you need a light and thin gadget, an external lithium-polymer battery will be the best.
• Solar panel and flashlight in the povbank will be useful for travelers and in an area where electricity is often different.

Choosing a powerbank, it is worth reading reviews on the Internet about the manufacturer and the specific model. User reviews will help to determine how the power bank works in practice, how many cycles of charging a smartphone is enough for its capacity.