Power Banks – Which One? – :: Blog

Don’t get caught out with the wrong power bank! There are a few things you need to consider, based on what you want to charge, how many times and how quickly you want it done!

1. Capacity

Know the battery capacity of your device – see the table below as a guide. If your battery is 1500mAh and is 0% now, a power bank with 2200mAh can charge your phone 1 time. If your battery is 3000mAh and is 0%, a power bank with 2200mAh will not be able to re-charge to full because the phone battery capacity is higher than the power bank, so it may only charge 75%.

It’s important to note that a power bank will not deliver its full advertised capacity to your device – some of this energy is lost through the heat generated and voltage conversion.

If you require a power bank that is able to charge your phone several times, you need a power bank with higher capacity.

iPhone 5S	1560 mAh	Samsun Galaxy S5	2800 mAh
iPhone 6	1810 mAh	Samsun Galaxy Tab S (10″)	7900 mAh
iPad Air 2	7340 mAh	HTC One (M8)	2600 mAh
iPad 4	11,560 mAh	Nokia Lumia 920	2000 mAh
Blackberry Z10	1800 mAh

2. Output Specification

This refers to how quickly a power bank will charge your device. 1A – 1.5A output is generally for smartphones, 1.5A – 2.0A output is generally for tablets. You can use either output to charge any USB device – it will draw only the power it needs. However, you might find some tablets, usually iPads, will refuse to charge from lower specified outputs.

3. Number of Outputs

1 output to charge 1 device, 2 outputs to charge 2 devices simultaneously. Obviously this will draw more power!

4. Short Circuit & Overcharge

Choose a power that can automatically cut off the electricity when charging the battery full, because overcharge will certainly shorten the life of the bank. Look for one that features a power cut when a short circuit occurs.

5. Portability

Different sizes suit different needs. Some will fit in your pocket, others you need a bag for! If you’re going mobile pick one that suits lifestyle.