Portable chargers have become an indispensable gadget in today’s world, providing a variety of choices to suit any budget or need.
But choosing the best power bank is not easy, so in this buying guide, we will evaluate the factors to consider and list the models with the best quality/price ratio.
What is the best portable power bank or charger? If you are asking yourself this question, then you are also among those users who consider these accessories practically indispensable to recharge smartphones.
Here we had listed out the best and advanced models of the best portable chargers that are given below.
Portable Chargers Buying Guide
Will we ever be able to separate ourselves from smartphones and tablets? The answer is probably no, indeed maybe we’ll end up completely enslaved. But until the explosion of the artificial intelligence revolution so prophesied, dear portable devices will still need us to be recharged.
For this reason, portable chargers, also called power banks, can be very useful. But how do they and above all, are they really so powerful that they can fully recharge modern smartphones and tablets?
Compromise Between Power and Size
When you are away from home or on vacation, carrying an additional battery with you, light and cheap. There are two elements that rank first in the ranking of the aspects to be taken into account when you want to buy a portable charger: size and power.
And these are two elements closely related to each other, given that the increase in the amperage of the integrated battery also increases the size.
But what determines the choice of a power bank with a certain type of power? Why should you opt for a 2,000 mAh model over a 10,000 mAh model?
The answer is simple and is linked to the smartphone or tablet you intend to recharge on the move and in particular to the amperage of its battery.
The top of the range on the market, for example, has a battery of about 3,000 mAh and therefore needs a charger that has at least the same power, although a slightly larger model is recommended.
In this way, the recharge will take place uniformly and in an acceptable period of time. It goes without saying that the increase in the amperes of the phone battery must correspond to the increase in the power of the power bank.
The “problem” is that these types of devices make pocket sizes and portability their plus and a 10,000 mAh model is bulky and heavy. Our advice is to find the right compromise between power and dimensions, choosing a model sufficient to power the battery of your device and not one that would end up being only oversized.
Not All Current Is Created Equal
Another very important aspect in choosing the right portable charger, in addition to the price, is related to its output current value, typically between 1A and 2A (but the first 2.5A models have recently appeared on the market).
To simplify and not go into technical details that are irrelevant in order to choose the model that is right for you, know that the 1A power banks are sufficient to recharge the vast majority of smartphones.
Let’s say all those that have a 3,500 mAh battery down. These accessories, however, may be insufficient for phones or tablets with more powerful batteries and, in this case, it is good to turn to 2A chargers.
Keep in mind that recharging a device by supplying it with a higher type of current does not cause any risk while using an undersized power bank risks frustrating the attempt to restore the right battery charge level.
Do You Need a USB Type-C Port?
This is also a factor that varies according to everyone’s needs. But, considering that USB-C has now become a standard used by an ever-growing number of devices, our advice is to consider purchasing a power bank equipped with USB-C, so that you can lengthen longevity over time.
Are There Wireless Power Banks?
Wireless portable chargers, for now, are still very rare, but they exist and it is very likely that in the future they will be more common and performing than traditional ones.
In these cases, to recharge the device, the power bank does not need any cable: just place the device on the charger and, through induction charging, the battery would be recharged.
At the moment, however, there are still very few models compatible with this standard, and not all smartphones are compatible with wireless charging.
Doors and Design
By comparing the prices of the various models on the market you will notice how the difference is made mainly by power but also by the design.
Some devices, in fact, have particularly compact dimensions, original shapes, colors, and refined materials and tend to be more expensive than the more anonymous ones.
The manufacturers on the other hand point on the fact that if you have bought a top-of-the-range smartphone that is aesthetically avant-garde and that you are proud to show off, you will easily want to combine it with an equally pleasant or trendy power bank.
Finally, consider buying a portable charger with multiple USB ports so you can use it to charge two (or more) devices simultaneously. This choice is obviously valid especially if you usually move with multiple phones or with smartphones and tablets always in the bag.
How to Use a Portable Charger?
Here we have shared a video that contains 5 facts that you should know about the portable chargers.
Power for Various Needs
Portable chargers are usually no bigger than the devices they need to recharge and for this reason, they can be placed in a backpack or bag without taking up too much space.
The charging power is indicated in mAh (milliamps), based on this unit of measurement, the effective effectiveness of a charger is established, so a model with many mAh can charge up to twice a smartphone and once a tablet.
However, it must be taken into account that the higher the amperage the bulkier the charger will be, so those looking for a practical and space-saving product may want to sacrifice a little power in favor of size.
For example, 10,000 mAh can be excessive to charge a smartphone, while they will be absolutely necessary for a tablet.
Connections
To use a portable charger it will be necessary to connect it via the USB cable provided to the device to be charged, once this is done the charging process will begin.
Usually, most models have an indicator light that serves to notify the user of when the charging has been completed, so that the device can be disconnected.
What happens when the power bank runs out of charge? Simple, just recharge it using a USB socket or a wall socket with the appropriate adapter. For this reason, it is always advisable to charge the device before leaving or leaving for a trip, so that it is immediately ready for use.
More than One
On the market, there are portable chargers with two USB sockets, which can, therefore, recharge up to two devices simultaneously. These are very useful if you are traveling with several people and want to keep more than one smartphone in charge at the same time.
As for tablets, we must always count that these will require higher amperage and therefore it will be difficult to load more than one at a time.
The best power banks have some intelligent security systems that can prevent overloads and short circuits. They will be able to automatically recognize the connected device and charge the battery without exceeding the required amperes.
In this way, you will not risk merging smartphones and tablets in case you forget them connected to the portable charger. Before buying a product, we strongly recommend checking the compatibility with your devices, especially if they are the latest generation.
