In this day and age, on-the-go charging has turned into the all-important standard of present-day living. When you are on the way to work, going around continents, or just being out of your house for a long day, keeping your devices charged is the highest priority. Portable chargers, also known as power banks or external battery packs, offer you the freedom to be off the wall outlet and are designed for people who need their handsets in multiple places. But the real question is, can this mobile power solution overtake traditional wall plug charging? Growing out of over ten years of experience in testing and perfecting mobile charging technologies, this article gets to the bottom of that question.
In this review, we will check out how a power bank works, compare charging speeds, look over the power capacity of each model (and how good they are), use real-world examples to show their potential usage and where they lack. By the time we’re through, you’ll know when a portable charger will act as your main source of power and when you will still rely on that wall adapter. First, let’s take a look at the tech behind portable power.
What Needs a Portable Charger and How Does it Work?
A portable charger — a.k.a. power bank — is basically a small battery encased in a hard shell with one or more USB or USB-C ports. It is used to store energy so that you can transfer it through USB for charging smartphones, tablets and laptops when you do not have a nearby wall outlet.
Portable Charger Construction
Beneath the body of most portable chargers lies a rechargeable lithium-polymer or lithium-ion cell, which is known for its high energy density. The cell is surrounded by voltage control, over-charge protection and short-circuit protection circuitry and safety modules. Higher-end models feature screens or LEDs to display remaining capacity, and some products even support pass-through charging (letting you charge the power bank itself from the wall while simultaneously powering your devices).
Charging Protocols and Power Delivery
Many portable chargers are compatible with widely available protocols like Qualcomm Quick Charge or USB Power Delivery (USB-PD for short) to ensure speedy compatibility. For example, a USB-C PD portable charger can provide up to 100 watts of power (enough for some laptops), versus Quick Charge 3.0 chargers, which are designed to supply around 18 watts of power or fast charging phones. Knowing the types of protocols your devices & charger support, so that you can achieve the fastest charge speed possible.
Portable Charger vs Wall Charger: Charging Speed Battle
Home chargers: Since they can draw directly from the AC supply at home, these are generally higher-output than portable power banks. The usual 18-watt wall adapter or a multiport USB-C charger at 60 watts will top up your devices quicker than many compact battery packs can. In testing over fifty portable chargers, I’ve found that only the largest “power station” style banks with very high output ratings compare favorably to mid-tier wall adapters at all.
However, the fastest PD equipped along a power bank can get you output paralleling that of some wall bricks. A 45-watt USB-C PD power bank can charge compatible laptops almost as fast as a wall charger of the same rating. On the other hand, you’re waiting forever to fill up the power bank on its side then lock in and walk away, asphyxiating a wall adapter whose magnesium could charge a phone in less than an hour.
Size Matters | mAh Ratings & Real-World Battery Life
Capacity (Measured in mAh): One of the most critical specifications that you can see on any external battery pack. A 10,000 mAh portable charger could recharge a smartphone battery of 3,000 mAh three times with plenty left over. However, with the vagaries of real-world voltage conversion and the heat loss associated with it, you are likely looking closer to two full charges. Models with 20,000 or even 30,000 mAh can deliver multiple deep recharges, great for a week away.
One is to find devices that also number watt-hours (Wh) in addition to mAh, as the latter measurement can be misleading when you consider a difference in voltage. 10,000 mAh with 3.7 V is around 37 Wh, and 20,000 mAh, when converted to 5 V, comes out as a beautiful, crystal clear 100 Wh. Carry-on batteries on planes are often limited to 100 Wh by regulatory agencies, and if you need to fly with something more, they may be subject to special handling.
Convenience Factor: Portable and On-The-Go Power
One of the main benefits of a portable charger is that it has an incredibly high size-to-capacity ratio. I even remember taking a business trip and choosing the slim 5000 mAh power bank because it was easy to put in my jacket pocket. My way was a middle road; I surrendered a larger capacity for discreet portability, a necessary compromise when juggling so many devices.
The market today accommodates a wide spectrum of form factors, from sub-100-gram ultra-compact pods and mid-sized battery packs with common built-in cables, to rugged outdoor models complete with solar panels and splash-resistant casings. Most power banks have several input ports, for example, to charge a smartphone and wireless earbuds at the same time. The bulky size of power banks isn’t Feb 7, The rapid charging era is here to stay and has been adopted rapidly by the prince i-want-to-plowerWe go over everything you need to know about rapid chargers. What they are used for, whether they are safe from wear on your device, I plug my iPhone into an Apple USB Power Connector all the time.
Safety, Durability, and Quality Standards
Portable chargers from reputable manufacturers, including the top-of-the-line ones, go through thorough safety measures, which involve things like UL certification that protects you from overcurrent, overheating, and short circuits. More affordable generic models may lack these protections, which not only results in a diminished life for the power bank but can also end up working out costly when connected devices are at risk as well.
Based on these distinctions, premium choices also include durability features such as reinforced housings and IP-rated water & dust resistance. Or for anyone who goes had with their power bank, you could buy a rugged power bank that withstands drops and the elements. On the other side of the spectrum, depth clad models aimed mainly at style can use mild-density substances, which could quickly weaken when encountered with harsh circumstances.
Why Portable Chargers Might Let You Down
While portable chargers undoubtedly have their advantages, they come with some disadvantages. For one, they run out of power and will need to be charged on their cycle, which can take at least a few hours depending on the input current. Second, large capacity banks can be heavy, which in turn means that they do not exactly get the whole “portable” thing quite right. A good 20,000 mAh power bank can even weigh more than a pound, or about the weight of a paperback book.
Unlike some other devices, it also doesn’t fast charge over USB-C PD or with Quick Charge. Some older smartphones or niche devices that contain proprietary charging circuitry may charge over a long time, or not understand the output protocol of the power bank and default to trickle charging. Last but not least, extreme temperatures could also play into the issues: cold weather is known to reduce capacity, and heat causes the battery to degrade faster over time.
Useful Tips: When to Use a Power Bank
Although a portable charger is not able to meet the function of a comprehensive wall charger, it shines in these specific situations:
Work and Daily Commute: Keep a 5,000 to 10,000 mAh pocket-sized power bank in your backpack, purse or even in your pocket to refill the battery of your phone while you jump from meeting to meeting or during those hours-long commutes.
For Travel and Fieldwork: If you travel over multiple days, or are working in the field somewhere remote without direct access to power from a wall outlet, a 20k mAh (or equivalent to 100 Wh) high-capacity portable charger is an effective backup for powering your everyday electronics such as smartphones and cameras, even allowing the charging of laptops if the Portable Charger is USB-PD compatible.
Emergency Preparedness: A fully charged battery pack can be a lifesaver in emergencies like power outages or natural disasters and will provide enough juice for safety apps, GPS and emergency calls.
Outdoor Adventures: Power banks with solar charging or waterproof casings, great for camping, hiking and the boats where wall charging is not an option.
When you’re in a stationary location, such as a home office or hotel room, nothing is faster and more reliable than using one of those trusty wall adapters. The best portable chargers aren’t as fast as a high-wattage multiport wall charger in terms of overall throughput, especially when you need to recharge two or more devices at the same time quickly.
Outro: The Portability vs Performance Balance
Having tested and reviewed dozens of portable power solutions over the past decade, there is simply no more versatile way to take power with you on the go than a portable charger. While charging protocols have become faster, battery technology has improved to the point that now mobile power banks may charge as fast (or almost just as fast) as wall adapters.. Still, walls are the fastest in terms of input capacity and recharge times, along with heat dissipation that allows for a device to reach its maximum level faster than wireless charging, it continues to be the most reliable choice for the majority of everyday use cases. The best strategy employs both: plug in the wall charger for filling nightly or when rapid, full-capacity charging is necessary at home, and use a portable charger if flexibility is needed during the day, travelling or in emergencies. Depending on your power needs, be it for a slim pocket-sized, portable power bank or a USB-PD-enabled battery station, you can have the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to consider when buying a travel portable charger
If you are buying a portable charger for travel, focus on capacity (in milliampere-hours or watt-hours) vs weight and size. Don’t forget the transportation limit for carrying power banks (>100 Wh) on board an aircraft. And if you are charging a laptop, SafetyKorea says the USB-C Power Delivery supports battery life even more so. Additional rugged or water-resistant designs are also available, so users won’t be afraid to take them outside.
How many power bank charges for my 10,000 mAh power bank are enough?
For example, a 10,000 mAh power bank can usually give two full charges to a standard smartphone with a 3000 mAh battery (on account of energy losses due to voltage conversion and heat). In real-world use, efficiency ratings can differ, but you should expect to get anywhere from 1.8 to 2.5 full recharges before needing to recharge the power bank itself.
Can I charge my power bank overnight safely?
The majority of good, little portable chargers come with safety processes that switch off the power once your battery is completely charged. But leaving any lithium battery unattended while charging always presents a low level of risk.
Is It Possible to Hurt My Device by Charging with a Portable Charger?
With that said, if a portable charger has the right certifications (UL, CE & RoHS) and is in line with charging norms, it should not damage your device. Stay away from those low-cost, no-name chargers that have no safety features—requiring you to ensure that the output voltage and current are supported by your device. When those LEDs start flickering or it feels hot enough to melt a hole through the bag you’ve stored it in, put that power bank down. For your sake and the devices you are charging.
Recharge Time of A High-Capacity Power Bank
How long it takes to recharge depends on the current ratings. A 20,000 mAh power bank with a 5 V/2 A input will typically need between 10 – 12 hours to fully recharge. For terminals supporting USB-C PD inputs that Applied is currently aware of, charge times can come down to 4 – 6 hours with chargers of 30 W, depending on the capacity and input circuitry of the Input.
Can you use a solar portable charger daily?
Portable solar chargers serve as a backup solution for emergencies in case of power outages, but their panels are of such low wattage that they can only trickle-charge slowly. These are best used in reserve, for emergencies, and will be the happy medium between those who need a full week of charge and extreme travelers. Only use solar if you receive direct sunlight for hours on end, and your power draw is minimal.
Is It Safe to Start a Car with a Power Bank?
The root cause is that there are not many practical mobile phone chargers (such as USB interfaces) capable of providing the high current required to start a car engine. Specialised “jump starter” battery chargers otherwise utilize heavy clamps and high-current DC outputs proposed for automobile usage. It is important to note that trying to jump-start a vehicle using a normal USB power bank will harm the power bank and your vehicle’s electric system.