An external battery is a portable socket in your pocket. It is suitable for charging any mobile devices. Modern gadgets are powerful, consume a lot of energy, and are often discharged at the most inopportune moment. A battery for charging your phone on the road will allow you to stay in touch, watch movies, listen to music and not worry about the fact that your smartphone will sit down at the wrong time. Various models of power banks are on sale - cheap and expensive, of any capacity, more and less well-known manufacturers, of all colors and designs. We will tell you which powerbank to buy and why.
Design and features of work
The internal layout of the memory is clear and simple. Visually, the battery resembles a regular box with a USB output for powering mobile devices, a port for its own charging. Inside the case are:
- 18650 batteries (lithium-ion);
- electronic type control board with a set of protections and a controller for the charging progress.
Additionally, some power banks are equipped with flashlights, a solar panel, flash memory and other nice features. Such additions have nothing to do with the main functionality, but in general they are quite interesting. The more options available, the higher the price of the battery.
Why capacity matters
Capacity is perhaps the most important parameter to consider when buying an external battery. It depends on how long the device will last offline. Selection principles:
- for a smartphone with a battery of about 3000 mAh, you need a battery rated for 6000 mAh;
- A 1000 mAh battery will also carry out fast recharging on the go;
- if you plan to charge several devices at once, stop at a device designed for 10000-12000 mAh;
- laptops need increased capacity - about 20000 mAh.
Keep in mind that real indicators rarely coincide with passport ones. The manufacturer promises one value, but in practice it will be a quarter less. There is no way to check this in advance, but you can take a battery with a margin.
Which portable battery to choose, decide taking into account current tasks. Taking the most powerful and, accordingly, expensive device is usually simply useless.
What does the current strength show
The current strength indirectly determines the charging speed of tablets, phones. The average parameter is from 0.5 to 2 A. For most phones, 1 A is enough, a tablet needs 2 A (less powerful devices will do, but charging will be long).
For several devices, a powerful power bank of at least 10000 A with a couple of ports is ideal. Make sure that the output current of the external battery does not exceed the corresponding parameter of the mobile.
Dimensions and weight
The higher the power of the power bank, the heavier and larger it will be. The main parameters of the device depend on the batteries installed inside. If the device is compact, its capabilities are definitely not enough to solve complex problems.
It is convenient to carry a battery for a couple of batteries in your pocket. In other cases, the dimensions do not play a fundamental role.
Charging features and progress
The number of output connectors will determine the number of mobile gadgets available for parallel charging. Simple models have one port, more sophisticated models have two, and with different input current. But keep in mind that when using a pair of ports at the same time, the amperage is minimal. This is not a minus, but rather a nuance.
A plus will be the availability of options for disconnecting loads, automatic power off. Automation is responsible for solving these problems.
Are indicators important?
Which power bank to choose - with digital or LED indicators? LEDs are represented by 3-4 lights on the case, they indicate the battery charge. The accuracy is average, after a year of active use of the battery, the indicators begin to frankly lie.
The digital version is more accurate and reliable. The data is shown on the display on the case. The cost is 30% more than in the previous version.
Housing material
Considering the question of how to choose a portable battery for a smartphone, one cannot fail to mention the case material. Option two:
- plastic;
- metal.
The second is more expensive, but more durable, reliable, looks more solid. Iron better protects the body from damage. Plastic often cracks when dropped, owners of batteries in such cases should be careful not to drop the device.
Additional features and equipment
Most power banks come with a set of plugs included. This allows you to charge almost any device. Check that the correct size adapters are included in the kit. The main difficulties arise for the owners of apple technology with its non-standard connectors.
Among the main additional functions are card readers, Wi-Fi routers, ice-type flashlights, flash memory, alarm clocks, and power generators. The more features, the higher the price, so decide what you really need and what you don't.
Is the brand important?
Relatively, but the equipment of well-known manufacturers is usually more reliable and durable. In the field of electronics, a well-known name gives a 100% quality guarantee. Yes, you can save money today by choosing a battery from an obscure manufacturer, the question is how long it will last you tomorrow.
Which power bank is better to buy so that it lasts as long as possible:
- Xiaomi;
- Samsung;
- Remax;
- Asus;
- Hyper Technology.
The price will depend on the brand - TM Samsung and Asus appliances are more expensive than competitors. See also the capacity, other technical parameters.