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During the winter months, or rainy seasons, when storms can knock out electricity, having a good power bank is up there in importance with flashlights, space heaters, and a good emergency kit. Or at least it should be. We rely on our devices for everything in our regular, local, daily lives, and in the middle of a power outage, that goes up exponentially – along with our phone battery usage too.
Being without power puts a significant strain on your device’s battery life: constant internet usage to keep up on weather reports, WhatsApp and Messenger to keep in touch with people back home, and a phone, in case of emergencies. Even if you’ve got your standard wall-charger or USB with you, there’s no guarantee that your power will be restored immediately in the event of a blackout. That’s where a good power bank comes in. An extra power bank (also referred to as a battery pack or portable charger) in your bag, car, or home can be an absolute life-saver. You never know when you need it, but it always comes in handy.
Whether you’re preparing for the next storm, or just need to have multiple chargers for working at home, these four options offer something for every type of person and lifestyle. Depending on where and how often you’ll be using it, some work better than others. But no matter which one you go with, a backup battery has got your back when you need it most.
What Are the Best Power Banks?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best power bank for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Capacity: The amount of electricity a power bank can hold is measured in milliamps, abbreviated to mAh. Lower capacity battery packs typically hold between 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh of power, while larger capacity options have between 20,000mAh and 30,000mAh.
Size and weight:A power bank’s capacity is directly proportionate to its size and weight. Smaller battery packs are more portable, so they’re better for charging gadgets like your smartphone if you’re stuck in the road. Larger power banks are heavier and bulkier, so you should rely on them to charge bigger tech like tablets and laptops, or as your source of power if the electricity goes out.
Ports: Power banks typically have two types of ports: USB-A and USB-C PD (power delivery). The biggest difference between the two is their maximum power output, which is measured in watts, abbreviated to W. USB-A ports can output up to 7.5W of power, which makes them fine for smartphones and Bluetooth headphones. USB-C PD ports can output up to 60W of power, which can charge tablets and laptops. Many of our picks have a mix of both, so you can charge multiple gadgets at the same time.
