Powerful power bank. The best external batteries for tablets

How many times have you had to suffer from your smartphone running out of power at the most inopportune moment? What if you need to make an urgent call or wait for an important message? It’s good if there is an outlet or computer nearby that you can quickly charge your device from. But what if they are not there? Exit - use external battery (power bank). The Internet project “Be Mobile” has collected tips that will help you choose the best option for you.

First, let’s define what an external battery is and what its advantages are. An external battery or Power Bank is a portable lithium-ion battery large capacity, from which you can charge a variety of mobile devices: phones, smartphones, tablets or e-books. This battery is capable long time keep energy within yourself. You can take it with you to work, school, on a business trip or while traveling.

Portable Charger can be done in various forms- factors with a housing made of plastic, polycarbonate or metal. On sale you can find models in the form of boxes, bars, disks, cones and tubes in a variety of colors.

The Power Bank is charged from electrical network or from any device with a USB output (for example, a computer or laptop).

All external batteries are equipped with one or more USB ports. Modern phones, smartphones or tablets can be charged using a USB cable, which in most cases is included with the device.

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The main parameter when choosing an external battery is energy capacity. Everything here is simple and clear. The larger the capacity, the more energy the device stores, and the more expensive it is. Capacity is measured in mAh - milliamp hours.

Currently on sale you can find portable chargers with a capacity ranging from several hundred milliamp hours to several tens of thousands. You can estimate the level of charge you will need based on the battery capacity of your smartphone or tablet.

For example, in an average smartphone the battery has a capacity of 2,000 mAh, in high-performance and expensive models - from 2,500 to 3,000 mAh. This means that a fully charged 5,000 mAh external battery will be enough for 2-2.5 charging cycles. A fully charged 10,000 mAh external battery will last for 4-5 cycles. If portable charging is necessary for your tablet, then you should choose from models with a larger capacity, for example, 20 or 30 thousand mAh.

Currently produced portable power sources use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Depending on the type and design option, the nominal voltage at the battery output may be different (3.7, 4.2 or 7.4 V), while the standard bus voltage USB power supply is 5 V direct current. Obviously, in this case, a battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh with a nominal voltage of 3.7 V, even under ideal conditions, will not work for even an hour and a half when powering an external load connected via a USB bus and consuming a current of 1 A. In addition, the amount of electricity that can be stored Batteries having the same capacity but different voltage will vary.

Tip 2: look at the current strength, it affects the charging speed

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Another factor that affects the charging speed is the current strength. The more amperes, the faster speed charging. For phones and smartphones, this figure should be at least 1 ampere. Otherwise, the process itself will occur extremely slowly. To fully charge, it will take 3 or 4 times longer than from the mains.

For tablets, devices with a current of 3 A or more are preferable. The ideal option is 4 A.

Tip 3: trust, but check, because the declared capacity does not always coincide with the real one

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Another important point is the actual capacity of the Power Bank. The fact is that many manufacturers embellish the performance of their products. Of the 50 models of portable chargers that came to us for testing in Last year, 46 had a capacity significantly less than stated. On average the difference was 25%.

For example, the manufacturer indicated that the external battery has a capacity of 10,000 mAh, but in reality it is 7,800 mAh. The difference is due to both the dishonesty of the developers and the improper storage of batteries during transportation and subsequent sale.

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The actual capacity is also affected by such an indicator as self-discharge.

On average, external batteries with fully charged within two weeks they are discharged by 5%. This is worth considering if you do not use Power Bank for a long time. To activate electrolytic reactions, you should charge the device before use.

Keep in mind that the battery capacity will decrease over time. Our measurements show that with active use, a high-quality battery loses its capacity by 15% per year, the cheapest models - 35%.

To monitor the charge level, almost all Power Banks use LED indicators. And some external batteries are equipped with LED displays that show the exact state of charge in percentage.

Tip 5: choose a power bank with multiple USB ports to simultaneously charge your friends’ smartphones

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Some models portable chargers have several USB ports to connect two, three or even more at once mobile devices. This option is suitable for simultaneous recharging, for example, when you go on a trip with friends. It's comfortable. You can all charge your phones, smartphones and even tablets together.

You often ask us where you can be guaranteed to buy a high-quality external battery cheaply. We cannot give a definite answer. Of course, the reliability of purchasing from a large Russian online store or retail chain is higher, but the prices there are also higher. It is worth remembering that little-known Chinese sellers have a peculiarity: they can deceive. Their external batteries are much cheaper than their branded counterparts; they often indicate a capacity 2 or 3 times higher than the real one. Prices that are too low can be a trap. Although branded Power Banks in such stores can be fakes.

Compact

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If you need compactness, you can pay attention to ergonomic models, for example, Anker Astro E1. This battery will not take up much space in your bag or pocket.

Universal

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The ideal option would be batteries with a capacity of about 10,000 mAh. This is approximately three times more than the battery of a modern smartphone, which means that even taking into account the loss of energy during charging, it will be enough to fully restore the gadget’s charge several times. A high-quality example of such a power bank is the Anker PowerCore 10400 mAh model.

Another option for a high-quality external battery with universal functionality is the Aukey PB-N42 10,000 mAh.

Supports fast and wireless charging

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If universal options is not your option, then you should pay attention to models with additional functions. For example, a power bank with support fast charging will be able to charge compatible gadgets much faster than usual. If the battery is capable of delivering a consistently high current (about 2A), then even without fast charging support, your gadgets will charge stably and relatively quickly.

Among the ones we recommend is the Baseus Wireless Charge Power Bank 8000 mAh external battery. Its main feature is the presence of Qi wireless charging. That is, to charge a smartphone, you don’t need to connect a wire to it, just put it on an external battery and that’s it. Charging started. In addition to wireless charging with a current of 1A, the device supports a wired USB connection of two compatible devices, while the output current to the USB connectors is 2A.

A good option for iPhone is the Zikko PowerBag 6000 mAh external battery. The main difference from popular Xiaomi external batteries is MFI certification, which means the battery is compatible with all Apple devices. The device supports fast charging - the output current to the USB connectors is 2.4 A. In order to monitor the battery capacity, there are special LED indicators at the end. A nice bonus is that the smartphone is connected to the battery using the included Lightning cable.

With record capacity

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If you need a strategic boost of power, check out the HyperJuice 26,000mAh AC Battery Pack. This giant can quickly charge absolutely any device, including a tablet, other portable equipment and even a laptop. There are 2 USB output connectors here. One provides a maximum charging power of 3A at a voltage of 5W, and the other provides a current of 2.4A. A nice bonus is the ability to provide 220W power to any electrical appliances with a power consumption of up to 100W. You can connect a laptop, a flashlight, and even a blender to this battery.

The HyperJuice AC Battery Pack case is made of aluminum alloy, which perfectly protects the device from external mechanical influences.

We hope that our tips will help you buy a truly high-quality external battery and charge your phone, smartphone, laptop or e-reader without any problems.

In most cases, people planning to buy a power bank are faced with the same questions: Which power bank to choose? What should you pay attention to?

I will try to give some tips on how to choose a power bank based on your needs and what to look for.

First of all, you should think Do you really need a power bank? First, imagine situations where you might actually need an extra charge for your smartphone or other gadgets that can be charged from USB, and how often you find yourself in such situations in your daily life. And only if you really need it, proceed to choosing the model that is suitable for you.

So, What to look for when choosing a power bank:

1. Compatibility.
2. Manufacturer
3. Capacity
4. Functionality
5. Weight and size
6. Design

Compatibility.

Be sure to pay attention that the input voltage required to charge your devices matches the output voltage of the selected power bank model. You can view it either on the mains charger that came with your device, or in the instructions that came with it. For most modern gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, action cameras, GPS navigators, etc. the most common voltage will be 5V DC, meeting USB specifications.
Amperage requirements are usually not that stringent. So, if you connect a device with a current requirement less than the power bank can provide, nothing bad will happen, the charge controller simply will not allow it to exceed charging current. If on the contrary, connect a device that requires higher current, to a power bank or charger whose output parameters state a maximum current lower than the required one, for example, a tablet that consumes a current of 2A while charging to an output of 1A, then either the charging process will simply take longer, or the device will not charge at all due to lack of power . However, this usually only happens with very specific devices like the iPad.

Manufacturer

When choosing a manufacturer, first of all you need to keep in mind that Power Bank is a high-tech device, which consists not only of lithium-ion batteries, but also has certain protective systems in order not to destroy your gadget, not to burn yourself and to please you with long-term and trouble-free operation.
This is why a Power Bank is often called not just a battery, but a “stand-alone charger.”

Often, buyers make the same mistake - they purchase chargers from unknown manufacturers who do not even mark their products with logos, flattered by the low price.
Unfortunately, in such cases, the actual capacity will most often be several times less than the declared one.

So, the first thing you need to do is choose reputable manufacturers. But there is also back side: The more popular a particular model is, the more likely it is to be counterfeited.

Capacity

Next, you need to decide on the required capacity of the power bank. Think about how many charge cycles your device should be provided by a power bank? And multiply this figure by the battery capacity of your device and by a factor of 1.5. Do not believe those tables that simply divide the capacity of a power bank by the battery capacity of a particular smartphone.

A power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh will never be able to charge a smartphone with a 3,100 mAh battery three times. At best it will be two and a half times, and in most cases it will be two or slightly more than two times.

After all, the battery voltage of a power bank, in most cases, is 3.7V (or close to it), and depending on the current charge level of the batteries, it may differ up or down. And therefore, it must first be increased to 5V, to comply with the USB standard, by a special circuit. Then it will flow through the cable to your smartphone, after which the charge controller in the smartphone will again reduce it to what is required to directly charge the battery. And at each of these stages there will be greater or lesser losses.

Functionality.

Power banks They may also differ in functionality. Here is a small list of convenient, but in my opinion, optional functions:
- Second USB port. It is convenient if you need to charge two devices at the same time.
- led flashlight, which may be useful to you, for example, to make it easier to find the charging socket of your smartphone or tablet in the dark.
- digital indicator charge level, because it can be used to more accurately estimate the exact percentage of the power bank’s charge level than by flashing LEDs.

Weight and size

The size and weight of a power bank are proportional to its capacity. The larger the capacity of the batteries installed in the power bank, the greater its weight and size. Also, the weight and size of the power bank is affected by the type of batteries installed in it, lithium- ion battery(li-ion) will be slightly larger and slightly heavier than a lithium-polymer battery (li-po) battery of similar capacity.

The weight will also be affected by the material from which the power bank body is made: an aluminum power bank body will be heavier than a similar one made of plastic.

You should also take into account the compliance of the declared capacity and weight of the power bank. Often this makes it easy to identify the majority of power banks with clearly overpriced "Chinese optimism"capacity, because a power bank with a capacity of about 10000mAh will weigh 200-260g. And with twice the capacity (20000mAh), correspondingly, it is approximately twice as heavy. So if a capacity is indicated that clearly does not correspond to the weight, you should not buy such a power bank.

However, weight does not guarantee that there are no batteries inside with a capacity less than indicated in the specifications, but, according to at least, makes it easy to identify obvious discrepancies in characteristics.

Design

The design of a power bank can also play an important role when choosing, because for some people the characteristics are important, but for others “ he's red!"© therefore, power banks are produced not only in different colors and shades, but also in various shapes, even anime movie characters, for example, a power bank in the form of an anime movie character " My neighbor Totoro» ( My Neighbor Totoro). Different people have different needs, including for power banks: someone needs a small power bank that they carry with them " just in case", for example like mocreo lavo 2500mAh, thin, light, easily fits in a wallet, and which can easily help out in a situation “ I won’t get home soon, the phone is dying, and I’m waiting for an important call"and which will easily replenish the charge of your smartphone to a level sufficient for In order not to miss an important call. Well, for some, you need to repeatedly charge your gadgets away from an outlet, for example, while hiking, charging a GPS navigator, walkie-talkie, etc., and here you will need more capacious models, such as Teclast T200E at 20000mAh, or even several.

An external phone battery allows you to charge your phone and other devices without even having a power outlet nearby.

Compact Power Bank is an innovative gadget that can recharge all user phones on the go.

Batteries differ according to three main criteria:

1. According to its capacity;
2. By type of outgoing current;
3. According to the type of battery itself.

Basically, all external chargers are made of plastic. More expensive options are made of metal and a waterproof surface.

However, such batteries are more intended for hiking conditions than for everyday use. For a regular user A plastic Power Bank will suffice.

There are also external chargers for certain smartphone models. They are attached to the phone body.

The disadvantage of such batteries is that they are not universal, and their cost is several times higher than the cost of a good Power Bank, which can charge several user phones at once.

In most cases, batteries must be selected based on such a parameter as capacity. A good external battery for a smartphone should have a capacity of at least 2500 mAh.

For a tablet, an external battery must have a capacity of 5000 mAh. Such minimum requirements The containers will allow you to fully charge the gadget at least once.

The current supplied by the smartphone also affects the choice of battery. Basically, all smartphones transmit a current of 1 or 2 Amps.

On the charger that comes with your smartphone, you can read the required voltage that the charger should have.

How to charge a smartphone? To do this, simply connect your phone to an external charger using a USB cable.

The charging process will start automatically. The Power Bank itself needs to be recharged periodically. It is charged from an outlet.

Let's take a closer look individual models external batteries for smartphones.

By the way, you may be interested in other articles:

• How to charge and maintain a lithium-ion battery: 6 simple rules

No. 1. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 16000

Xiaomi is one of the most popular companies that produces external chargers and other types of electronics.

The package includes two micro USB adapters. Other types of cords must be purchased separately.

Appearance Xiaomi battery Mi Power Bank 16000

The capacity of this external charger is 16,000 mAh.

This is enough for several recharges of flagships and 4-5 full charges standard smartphones with average technical characteristics.

The external battery has two connectors. One supplies 1A current, the other 2A. There are also other battery options from this manufacturer: 2500 mAh, 5,000 mAh and 20,000 mAh.

Average cost: 2500 rubles.

No. 2. ASUS ZenPower ABTU005

The capacity of this external charger is 10,050 mAh. The charger was created by Asus as an accessory to smart devices of the Zen Phone line.

Despite this, it can be used in compatibility with other smartphones, tablets and players.

Appearance of ASUS ZenPower ABTU005 battery

There is only one port built into the case for charging devices. There is also a port for charging the battery itself from the mains. Port types are USB and micro USB, respectively.

Its dimensions allow it to fit into a pocket - its width and height do not exceed the size of a bank card.

The thickness is also small (1.8 cm) when compared with external chargers with the same capacity. The charging port supplies a current of 1A.

Estimated cost: 2,000 rubles.

No. 3. Canyon CNE-CPB100

This battery is available in two color ranges– black and white. Its capacity is 10,000 mAh. There are three dot lamps on the case that indicate the remaining battery charge.

There are also two USB ports built into the case for charging user devices. The first one supplies a current of 1A, the other - 2A.

This allows you to set up efficient charging for smartphones and tablets that require different amounts of current.

average price – 1250 rubles.

No. 4. TP-LINK TL-PB10400

This external battery will cost the consumer 2,900 rubles.

Main characteristics:

1. Capacity – 10400 mAh;
2. Color – white with blue;
3. Availability of two ports for recharging (1A and 2A);
4. Weight – 241 grams.

The main feature of the device is that an LED flashlight is built into the body. At fully charged The external battery of the flashlight will last for 6-7 hours.

No. 5. Samsung EB-PN915B

Samsung has also released a universal accessory in the form of an external charger.

Basic specifications:

1. Availability of one port (1A);
2. The color scheme consists of white, silver and blue;
3. The package includes one micro USB cable;
4. Weight – 265 grams;
5. Capacity – 11,300 mAh

Approximate cost of the device– 2,500 rubles.

No. 6. Canyon CNE-CSPB26

The approximate cost of such a battery in stores is 650 rubles. It is quite simple and has fairly modest characteristics.

This explains the low cost of the device:

• The battery capacity is 2600 mAh;
• Available colors: white, black and red;
• Weight – 75 grams;
• One port for charging devices (1A).

No. 7. Remax Proda 30000 mAh

This external battery is the best of its kind and has a very large capacity of 30,000 mAh.

Today, this is one of the most powerful models batteries from those presented on the global electronics market.

2 USB ports (1A, 2A) are built into the case. There is also a small display indicator on the case that shows the remaining battery charge.

The built-in flashlight can shine without interruption for 15 hours (review from the manufacturer).

Device cost: 3,400 rubles.

Power bank (power bank among the people) is an external battery for a phone or tablet, for anything that needs to be recharged when there is no charger and 220V outlet at hand.

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Agree, this is a useful thing, for example, on the road, modern smartphones discharge quickly, and there is often simply nowhere to recharge them. How to choose a power bank so that it doesn’t hurt excruciatingly later?

How to make a Power Bank yourself?

It’s interesting that a few years ago there were no such devices at all, and Aliexpress was only in the project. But even then I made my own power bank from old laptop batteries:

It's primitive, of course, without any electronics, but it did its job. Now times have changed and for a few dollars you can buy power bank box , which will charge batteries up to the desired state and show you that charging is over.

The beauty is that the choice of such devices is now very large, so large that it is sometimes very difficult to choose. If you are on aliexpress write in the search Power bank, then you will get 29,000 results!

And how to choose an external battery for a phone or other similar device among so many offers?

Which external battery is better?

I won't describe any specific models(except for those that I bought myself), I’ll just tell you how to choose such external sources nutrition. What are they?

Already with batteries or just an empty box? When choosing, read carefully: is the device being sold COMPLETELY equipped (with batteries) or just an empty box for them?

Some were very disappointed when they bought a portable battery for their phone at a CHEAP, only to find out that it was just an empty blank and now they still had to buy batteries!

If you ALREADY have batteries at home, then it’s better to just buy a box, as it will cost you MUCH cheaper!

If you don’t have any at home, then buy a portable charger ALREADY equipped with “batteries”.

What batteries is POWER BANK compatible with: 1.2V or 3.7V? Yes, before choosing a power bank, CAREFULLY read what batteries are used in it. Sellers warn IN ADVANCE which batteries are suitable and which are not:

What type of batteries do you prefer?

TYPE AA at 1.2V - these are very common batteries, or “finger-type” batteries, as they are commonly called, but scientifically the type is “AA”.

Pros of AA batteries:

1. Availability. You can buy it at every step.
2. Replaceability. If the batteries suddenly run out, you can insert ordinary 1.5V AA batteries into the power bank.

Disadvantages of AA batteries:

1. Memory effect. It is advisable to always completely discharge such batteries and then fully charge them. It is not recommended to recharge, as the batteries may lose a lot of capacity.
2. Capacity. The capacity of these batteries is not great, so if you buy a power bank with just one element, it won’t last long.

I won’t write about the price, since it’s too high for everything. quality batteries. What can be said about the second type of battery?

TYPE 18650 at 3.7V - you can’t just buy this battery, you won’t find it in a store in your city (maybe only in Moscow?), but it’s EASY to get... from the battery of an old laptop, there are already several of them!

Pros of 18650 batteries:

1. No memory effect, since they are lithium-ion, like those on your phone, smartphone or tablet.
2. Large capacity. Due to their large size and other technologies, these batteries have good capacity, so even one cell is enough to charge your phone more than once. The cheapest 18650 battery will have the same capacity as the most expensive NiCad or Metal Hydride AA battery.

Cons of 18650 batteries:

1. Rarity. You won’t be able to buy them in a store, and if you don’t have a broken laptop, then all you have to do is order on Aliexpress, there are a lot of them - 18650 BATTERIES .

So which power bank to choose on Aliexpress?

First, you can watch a video that talks about some models from Aliexpress:

10 BEST POWER BANKS WITH ALIEXPRESS

As you understand, it all depends on various factors and now you need to understand what is right for YOU, what you already have and how you will use it. Let me give you my example.

Initial data: I have a bunch of 18650 cells from an old laptop and they're just sitting around, unused. From my practice, I noticed that even if the battery on a laptop no longer holds a charge, this does not mean that all its elements are faulty.

Most often, it happens that only one or a couple of outermost ones lose capacity, while the rest are still very functional. We disassemble the battery into parts, disconnect all the elements, and begin charging one by one.

sDon’t let it scare you that he hasn’t worked for a long time and has completely sat down. Look, I plugged a completely dead battery into my new power box and measured the voltage (it’s also from Aliexpress):

The voltage was below nominal, I didn’t start taking pictures right away, it was even less. Literally a few minutes passed and the battery began to gain capacity, the voltage began to increase and reached the working level:

Which power bank box did I choose? I bought the simplest one, this option for only $2.

The simplest device, plastic case, one cell, when charging the light blinks, when the battery is charged it stops blinking and no more current flows to the battery, so no recharging will occur. What else is needed for happiness?

The battery fit like original, charged for several hours and now I have a working power bank for only $2. But I didn’t stop there and ordered myself another Power Bank Box, but for 2 elements for only $3.5

It has an aluminum body, a discharge (or charge?) indicator, and a power button - it looks decent. I haven’t received it yet, but when it arrives, I’ll definitely add my feelings in the comments. This one can already be taken on a long journey.

I also ordered this one for myself USB TESTER , with the help of which you can find out what REAL capacity each individual battery has in order to weed out the dead ones.

To sum it up, we can say this: Which power bank is better to buy is up to you to decide, just buy the one that really suits you and that won’t cost you that much. If you have a lot of money and need POWERFUL power bank, then buy this one for 13600 mA/hour - LINK :

What do all tablets and smartphones have in common, no matter how advanced and modern they are? Exactly this weakness– constantly insufficient time battery life and battery discharge at the most inopportune moment.

Even prudent users who leave home only with a 100 percent battery charge cannot cope with this “Achilles heel”. An unexpected situation may arise, a delay on the road or at work, after which you will be cut off from the world. A portable external battery can save the situation.

On modern market there are thousands of them: ranging from outright junk to very reliable and serious devices. Let's figure out exactly how you need to choose an external battery that will fully meet your needs and meet the stated performance. As a bonus, we will look at the best external portable batteries of 2017 on the domestic market.

Choosing an external battery: what and how?

A little educational program on power bank

An external battery, also known as a power bank, also known as an additional or portable battery, is a small portable battery that can be used to charge a number of devices: e-books, cameras, tablets, smartphones and others that receive energy from via USB cable.

This battery must be periodically charged from a computer or outlet, and it can store the accumulated energy for a long time. This allows you to take a power bank on a trip, to study or work - it will save you precisely when there is no access to electricity and an outlet.

Several batteries are located inside the external battery. They are connected to the controller board. This board contains connectors for connecting devices. Due to the use of universal USB interface 2.0 achieves compatibility with most mobile devices.

Power banks can have any color, size and shape - here manufacturers delight users with a wide variety of options to make it beautiful and functional. You can buy a power bank with a plastic, metal or polycarbonate body. In terms of practicality, these options are the same, only in metal cases the batteries are heavier.

The greater the weight of the battery, the higher its capacity. Do not purchase models that have 20,000 mAh in the parameters and weigh approximately 100 g. If you need to use your smartphone while charging from an external battery, then it is better to choose the most convenient and ergonomic battery.

If the battery is needed only to hold out the time for normal charging, then you should choose a compact model that is light in weight. Some of them even have a keychain format.

It is appropriate to mention battery cases here. In fact, they are the same external battery with identical functions. Stands out here significant drawback- intended only for a certain model smartphone. IN such a decision There is little practicality, so you won’t be able to charge other gadgets.

External battery battery type: Li-pol and Li-ion

Often, users who are wondering which power bank is better discount the power of the battery used and are only distracted by other indicators. The functionality and durability of the device will depend on the parameters of the batteries used.

Modern power banks have one of two fundamentally different types batteries:

• Lithium polymer Li-pol. A category of plastic batteries that can be manufactured into any shape. They outperform Li-ion in almost all respects: less self-discharge, lower losses, discharge/charge cycles for this battery from 1000 to 5000. All this affects its cost.
• Lithium-ion Li-ion. Differ in shape AA batteries. With identical dimensions to Li-pol they are more compact. This is not a particularly durable and cheap option, which will last approximately 1000 charge/discharge cycles. These batteries have higher energy loss and self-discharge, and they heat up more.

The most important indicator is battery capacity

Everyone who is planning to purchase a power bank first looks at its capacity indicator. This battery characteristic is the most important. She demonstrates what equipment and how many times it can be recharged. There is no need to chase record high performance; first you need to decide on the application scenario:

• If you need an external battery to charge your smartphone, and you rarely go on long hikes or business trips, then you can safely take a “can” that does not have a very high capacity. Thanks to this, the gadget will be light and compact. A universal formula is used to calculate the required battery capacity: The battery capacity is multiplied by 2 – 2.5 so that the device can be charged a couple of times. For a smartphone with a 3000 mAh battery, an external battery of 6000 – 8000 mAh is suitable.
• To discharge the tablet, you need to choose batteries with a capacity of 10–20 thousand mAh. This device will weigh approximately 350 - 400 g, so you need to be prepared for additional weight in your bag.
• The largest power bank is necessary for charging various equipment or in cases when you are without access to an outlet for a long time. In this case, it is better to choose a more powerful external battery, from 10 thousand mAh. There are even miracle batteries with a capacity of more than 20 thousand mAh, but these products are for tourists who spend a long time away from civilization. These devices are equipped with adapters for charging a laptop.

There is no point in taking a power bank with a capacity of less than 4 - 5 thousand mAh, and in terms of cost there will not be much savings.

Manufacturers may slightly exaggerate the actual battery capacity. Little-known Chinese companies are often guilty of this. There are cases when a lightweight case claims a capacity of 58 thousand mAh. When purchasing an external battery in a store, you can use a special USB battery power tester to check the indicated numbers. This tester is sold for 2 - 3 dollars in Chinese online stores.

It is important to remember that the manufacturer reports the value of the battery capacity taking into account the voltage of the built-in batteries used at 3.7 V. When the gadget is connected, the energy is transmitted with a voltage of 5 V, and then again converted to supply the phone with a value of 3.7 - 4.2 V. Due to the double conversion, part of the energy is lost, and in some cases losses can be 20 - 30%.

Don’t be upset if a 10,000 mAh external battery will only charge a tablet with an identical capacity by 70–80%. IN this moment This is a cost of technology and a completely normal value.

The second important indicator is current strength

If you don’t go into technical aspects and details, the higher the current value, the faster the gadget will be charged from an external battery. When choosing a power bank, it is necessary to clarify with what current value you can charge your tablet or smartphone so as not to harm the device. This information must be on the included charger.

• It is undesirable to take up to 1 A, but you still need to try to find such a battery. Such batteries are suitable for charging simple phones.
• 1 – 1.5 A – for charging most modern smartphones this is an ideal option. If the current value is lower, the charging process will be irritatingly slow. If you charge a smartphone with a sufficiently capacious battery, which will also be used in parallel, then you may not see an increase in charging percentage at all. There is a limit to everything: it is better not to connect a smartphone to a 2 A port unless you are sure that this will not damage the device.
• 2 – 4 A – option for tablets. If you need to more or less quickly charge your tablet from a power bank, then you can safely take a portable battery of at least 2 A.

There are smartphone models that have a charge controller that limits the current. For example, Sony Xperia The Z3 is limited to 1.5 A, and if you connect it to a battery with a 3 A connector, the current will be limited, and the smartphone will still only receive 1.5 A. These safety measures are provided by the manufacturer.

The implementation includes external batteries that support the fast charging function. If you use it, the voltage increases and the current decreases. This ensures that the smartphone is charged 50–60% in 30–40 minutes. The exact data depends on which phone power bank is used in a particular case.

Due to improper storage and transportation conditions of the battery, its actual capacity may be reduced.

Number of ports

Often power banks have one USB port, sometimes there are two, and models in which three or more outputs are rare. According to many users, multiple ports are considered a necessary thing.

It is necessary to choose a portable battery with several USB ports if you have a large number of gadgets and you are sure that there will often be situations when you have to charge them at the same time.

A power bank with several outputs and a small capacity will be of no use at all. There is no point in paying attention to such models. If the external battery has several ports, then they can be used normally with a capacity of at least 10,000 mAh.

One more nuance stands out. In theory, different ports are designed to simultaneously charge a tablet and a smartphone, so the manufacturer often supplies them with different current strengths (1 A and 2 A).

The 2 A figure is achieved when only one device is charged. Therefore, if you connect two gadgets at the same time, most likely, two ports will only provide 1 A each.

How is the power bank charged?

While charging your gadgets, the portable battery loses energy. It is also subject to the process of self-discharge. If you do not use the battery, it will lose approximately 5% of its charge in two weeks. Over time, the battery capacity decreases, especially if the gadget is actively used: in 1 year, a high-quality product loses about 15% of its capacity, and cheap models even 35%.

To monitor the charge level, these batteries are equipped with special LED indicators consisting of 3-4 light bulbs. The most advanced option is to use a small display, where the exact charge state of the battery will be displayed as a percentage.

Portable batteries according to the charging method are divided into the following groups:

• Eating only from computer port USB.
• Receiving energy from the computer and from the network, by connecting to a regular outlet.

Naturally, the second option is the most convenient. That is why the first type of batteries has almost completely disappeared from sale. Remember that charging the product from a computer takes much longer, and using the USB Type-C interface can speed up the process. Some portable batteries charge in record time due to the special fast charging feature.

An interesting option was charging using solar cells. It's too early to say solar energy will become a full-fledged source for powering the external battery. Now solar panels are installed on the end of the device to compensate for self-discharge.

You can pay attention to a power bank with a built-in flashlight. They will come in handy when hiking or when there is a power outage.

Most portable gadgets have a micro-USB interface, and manufacturers often provide products with a universal cord. Owners Apple gadgets and outdated equipment, models with universal adapters are suitable. Most users may not worry. They will be able to use the charging cord that comes with the smartphone.

A dozen of the most powerful: the best external portable batteries

When choosing the best power bank, you should trust products from famous brands. This way there will be a greater chance that the actual values ​​will correspond to the declared ones, and the battery will definitely be durable. Today the market for portable batteries is oversaturated, there are a lot of models and manufacturers. Xiaomi has become the absolute leader in the field. Other manufacturers include Remax, Canyon, Romoss, HIPER, TP-LINK, Samsung, Monax and ASUS. Therefore, it is not easy to choose the best power bank, especially considering different user needs. Let's look at a review of power banks, in which we will find the most interesting models.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2 10000

• Price approximately 20 dollars.
• Capacity 10000 mAh.
• Fast charging function.
• Metal body material, weight 228 g.
• Battery type – Li-Polymer.
• The input current is 2 A.

Portable batteries from Xiaomi have become a guarantee of quality. The manufacturer's goal is to create practical, durable and functional equipment at an affordable price. Xiaomi smartphones already named Chinese Apple. In the power bank category, the company is in confident first place and offers customers several models at once. This option offers the best possible balance between battery capacity, quality and price.

Among the main advantages: streamlined shape, fast charging, metal case, included USB cable– micro-USB. Another good thing is the rich range of colors and the use of overheating protection, short circuit, overload. LED charging indicator. The originality of your Xiaomi will be guaranteed special code, applied under the scratch strip. You can check it on the manufacturer's website.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 5000 is the thinnest

• Price approximately $15.
• Capacity 5000 mAh.
• Metal case, weight 156 g.
• Battery type – Li-Polymer.
• The input current is 2 A.

This is analog previous model, but is more compact. The device can easily be hidden in a purse or pocket, and at the same time is capable of recharging 1 - 1.5 times regular smartphone. There is no fast charging function here, but there is protection against overloads, overheating and a variety of possible colors. When charging your smartphone with such a battery, you can continue to use the device normally.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 20000 - supports fast charging!

• Capacity 20000 mAh.
• Fast charging function, 2 USB connectors.
• Battery type – Li-ion.
• The input current is 2 A.
• The maximum output current is 2.1 A.

Hiomi has created portable batteries for every need. A real beast of 20,000 mAh is suitable for users who need a large supply of energy. It can charge two products at the same time.

Plastic was chosen to frame the case, since a metal power bank would be too heavy. With Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, the external battery charges quickly, there is led indicator, protection against overload and overheating.

ASUS ZenPower 10050 mAh ABTU005

• Capacity 10050 mAh.
• Metal case, weight 215 g.
• Battery type Li-ion.
• The input current is 2 A.
• The maximum output current is 2.4 A.

ASUS has released a good competitor to Hiomi portable batteries. The device is clad in metal. This small external battery has an average and quite sufficient capacity.

There is protection against short circuit and overload. Huge selection of colors, LED indicator. To prevent the metal case from being scratched, it is better to use a case for it.

Power bank HIPER XP17000 is one of the best!

• Price approximately $50.
• Capacity 17000 mAh.
• Plastic case, weight 338 g.
• Two USB connectors.
• Battery type – Li-Polymer.
• The input current is 3 A.
• The maximum output current is 1.3 A and 2.3 A.

If you are looking for a portable battery with extensive functionality and a premium appearance, then this model will be an excellent choice. The product is covered with a leather-like finish and is edged with a chrome strip, resulting in a truly impressive look.

The performance indicators are also encouraging, especially the current strength and capacity. According to user reports, there is no self-discharge. In all respects, this portable battery is one of the best today.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 16000

• Price approximately 40 dollars.
• Capacity 16000 mAh.
• Two USB connectors.
• Metal case, weight 350 g.
• Battery type Li-ion.
• The input current is 2 A.

This external battery with a capacity of 16000 mAh has the appearance of an elongated metal bar. The main advantages include the presence of two USB outputs with the ability to simultaneously charge two products. There are several degrees of protection. There is no fast charging function for the power bank; it will take about 9 hours to fully replenish the energy.

The product holds a charge excellently and is well assembled, as evidenced by user reviews. Beware of fakes, and you can check a genuine gadget from Xiaomi on the company’s official website.

HIPER EP6600 - the most unusual power bank!

• Price approximately 30 dollars.
• Capacity 6600 mAh.
• Plastic case, weight 193 g.
• Battery type – Li-Polymer.
• The input current is 2 A.
• The maximum output current is 2.1 A.

The compact power bank has a big-eyed design. The external battery looks really cool. Charge indicators are implemented in a similar way. The device is compact and fully complies with the parameters declared by the manufacturer. Low self-discharge. Easy to use, fits easily into your bag. The dimensions are identical to a smartphone with a 5.2 inch screen.

Canyon CNE-CPB156 is the most ergonomic Power Bank!

• Price approximately $35.
• Capacity 15600 mAh.
• Two USB connectors.
• Plastic case, weight 440 g.
• Battery type Li-Polymer.
• The input current is 2 A.

The model has a decent capacity and considerable weight, despite the plastic body. The product can easily charge two gadgets at once, LED indication. When purchasing, you should think about whether such a brick will be convenient for you.

HIPER Zoo 7500 - the cutest power bank)

• Price approximately 18 dollars.
• Capacity 7500 mAh.
• Two USB connectors.
• Plastic case, weight 186 g.
• Battery type – Li-ion.
• The input current is 1 A.
• The maximum output current is 1 A and 2.1 A.

Inexpensive, compact, lightweight and small, the power bank is also captivating in its appearance, since the gadget is clad in leather. If the build quality is excellent, then the presence of two ports with the specified capacity remains in doubt. The beautiful appearance lasts for a long time, since leather, unlike metal and plastic, is not so susceptible to scratches. The device uses deep discharge protection. The result is a functional and stylish product.

Pisen 10000 is a compact and capacious power bank!

• Price approximately 13 dollars.
• Capacity 10000 mAh.
• One USB connector.
• Plastic case, weight 270 g.
• Battery type – Li-ion 18650.
• The input current is 2 A.
• The maximum output current is 1 A and 2 A.

Due to its shape, this cute portable battery fits perfectly in a bag. Other advantages include: optimal capacity, compact dimensions, the ability to charge a tablet and smartphone at the same time. A case is included, and the device has two-color LED charging indicators.

HOCO B20A - power bank with two flashlights!

• Cost approximately $22.
• Capacity 20000 mAh.
• Has LED indicators.
• Plastic case, weight 500 g.
• Battery type – Li-Polymer.
• The maximum output current is 2.1 A.

This external battery will be a status accessory, as it is small in size and covered in leather. If you need a power bank with a display where the charge level will be displayed as a percentage, then this model will interest you. Equipped with two USB ports, there is a 18650 lithium battery inside. Most likely, the developers aimed to create a small but very capacious battery that will be able to recharge your smartphone more than once.

Romoss Sense 6/6 Plus is one of the most purchased on Aliexpress!

• Price approximately 25 dollars.
• Capacity 20000 mAh.
• Two USB connectors.
• ABS plastic body, weight 535 g.
• Battery type – Li-Pol.
• The input current is 1 A.
• The maximum output current is 1 A and 2.1 A.

Our review of the best portable batteries continues with a product from Romoss. This power bank is interesting due to its four orange battery charge indicators, two USB ports and the included cord.

Equipped with a chip High Quality, this portable charger will protect your device and guarantee long term battery service. 20000mAh large capacity can meet your daily demands. In addition, this power bank is equipped with overload and overdischarge protection, as well as short circuit protection. A portable and convenient assistant for all people on the go!

Finally, we note that to increase the operating time of your portable battery it is necessary to prevent it from being completely discharged. It must be charged only with the amperage specified in the specifications. Unless absolutely necessary, do not use the device or charge it at critically low or high temperatures.

Choosing a Power Bank: review of the 12 best models

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