Power banks are a lifeline for many people who are often on the road. These rectangular devices provide the needed power when our smartphone battery runs out. Besides, they save you scrambling to find a wall adapter and power outlet. All you have to do is plug it in, and that’s it. However, one of the most important things to check is to check the size and capacity of the power bank.
You won’t want to move a huge brick if you’re using a power bank sparingly. The opposite is also true. A small power bank won’t do you any good if you’re often on the road. Thus, you must choose the right size power bank. In addition, you should also calculate the number of devices you need to charge and the charging speed.
So, if you are planning to buy a power bank for your tablet or smartphone, this guide will help you choose the right power bank size for you. Let’s get started.
1. How many devices will you connect to
How many devices do you plan to charge on your power bank per day? Is it just your smartphone? Or do you plan to refuel your headphones and tablet?
If you plan to recharge your wireless headphones/earbuds or your watch, you’re in for a treat. This is because these devices do not consume as much stored energy compared to other power-hungry devices such as tablets and laptops (yes, some laptops charge via power banks and vice versa).
For example, wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods Professional only have a 45.4mAh battery. And smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 have 361mAh batteries compared to the 5,000mAh of the Galaxy S21 Extremely.
The bottom line is that the number and type of devices also play an important role in purchasing the right size power bank.
2. What capacity of power bank should you buy
Now, we come to the most important part – what should be the battery capacity of your power bank? As mentioned earlier, the math is simple. The small power bank should provide about one and a half charge cycles for the phone on a good day. When we say small, we mean about 4500mAh – 5000mAh power bank. These little devices should be good enough to fully charge a budget smartphone.
For example, if you have a Google Pixel 7a, the 6000mAh Miisso Portable Charger should be fine as a backup.
However, if you have a large battery smartphone or a laptop, you should choose a heavy duty power bank. However, it is not as simple as buying a 5000mAh power bank to charge a 5000mAh smartphone. Life should be that simple, right?
When calculating the capacity of a power bank, you will have to consider the conversion ratio. When it comes to smartphones, the power rating is rated at 5V.
But in the case of power banks, the power rating is calculated at 3.7V. This is because they carry Li-ion (Lithium-Ion) battery cells. Naturally, this difference causes lower charge cycles.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to calculate the actual power of each device based on its capacity.
Here, let’s take a 5000mAh power bank as an example.
The total capacity of the power bank is 5000mAh x 3.7V = 18500mWh.
Referring to 5V, the capacity is 18500mA / 5V = 3700mA.
Thus, a 5000 mAh power bank will be able to produce around 3700 mAh. So, you have to decide accordingly.
3. What size of power bank do you need
If you want to charge a 5,000mAh phone via a power bank, you will have to buy a phone that has more than the said amount of power. At the same time, you’ll need to consider other things like how many fees you can carry.
For example, if you like to charge your Moto G100 multiple times, consider getting a backup 20,000mAh battery like the Anker PowerCore. To put that into perspective, 20,000 mAh can charge a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 or iPhone 14 Professional four times.
One of the main disadvantages of a high power bank is its weight. They weigh a ton (not literally) and can be difficult to carry around. Apart from that, they are also very expensive. But at the same time, they allow you to charge your phone without looking for a power outlet.
4. How about the weight of the power bank
As mentioned earlier, the Heavy Duty Power Bank weighs a lot more than its mid-sized counterparts. Moreover, they are much larger because they carry the devices to store the necessary energy.
These are the two main limitations of a heavy duty power bank, especially if you want to use one on the road or traveling. Yes, it’s quite big, but the good news is that all power banks are portable.
However, there are many modern power banks such as the Anker 737, which has a capacity of 24,000 mAh. Despite its capacity, it has a compact shape and weighs about 1.4 lbs. Besides, it has USB-C fast charging ports.
Note that traditional heavy-duty power banks take a long time to fully charge. But with the introduction of the USB-C Energy Supply Input Ports, things have changed in that regard. For example, the Baseus laptop charger has a capacity of 30,000 mAh. A USB-C input still ensures that this massive power bank can be recharged in less than 3 hours provided you use the right power adapter.
5. Power bank feature: fast charging
Even if you choose a bigger and heavier power bank, you should check the fast charging capability. After all, you wouldn’t want your smartphone to be glued to a power bank for hours.
Some power banks, like the aforementioned Baseus Portable Laptop Charger, support USB-C Power Delivery, while others support Fast Cost support. This ensures that your compatible phone can be charged quickly and quickly.
This ensures that phones such as the flagship iPhone or Samsung are charged at the required speed, which is also true of laptops.
But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide if it makes sense to take a bulky power bank with you every time you go out. Conversely, getting your hands on a functional wall adapter and charging cable is a smarter move. Wall adapters like Baseus wall chargers can deliver up to 65W and are good enough to charge your phone and tablet.
If wall adapters aren’t for you, you can opt for a car charger of similar power to provide the muscle needed to charge your smartphone. Car adapters with USB-C ports efficiently charge smartphones and tablets quickly.
Frequently asked questions about the power bank
1. Should I get a 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh power bank?
As mentioned earlier, it depends on your requirements. If you do not want to recharge your power bank frequently, it is wise to get a 20000mAh power bank. High capacity power bank gives you more charge cycles.
2. What size power bank do I need for a laptop?
For a standard laptop, the minimum requirement is a 20,000mAh power bank with a compatible USB-C PD port. You can also take a look at a 30,000 mAh or 50,000 mAh power bank.
3. What size power bank do I need for camping?
If you are going to be away for a long time, it is best to rely on a heavy duty power bank. The 20,000mAh power bank should give you enough power before recharging.
4. What size power bank do I need for the iPhone?
While Apple does not mention the actual capacity of its phone’s batteries, the iPhone 14 Professional is around 3,200mAh. You should get just over two charge cycles with the 10,000mAh battery. If two charging cycles are enough for your needs, then the 10,000mAh battery is for you.
size vs. speed vs. The ease
Everyone should already have a power bank. It facilitates your travels and outings. All you have to do is connect them to the device and let the cells inside work their magic. Carrying a heavy power bank is certainly not the easiest job.
But if you travel a lot, buying a 20,000mAh or 30,000mAh power bank makes sense. With it, you will be able to refuel your phone and much more. As long as you remember to charge the device before you hit the bed, you’ll be safe.
However, if you rarely use a power bank and only want one for emergencies, you should get one of the smaller power banks, such as the INIU Portable Charger. It is affordable and can be carried easily in purses and pockets.
