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Power Banks And Portable Chargers
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Use
This has to be one of the top criteria to keep in mind when looking to use a power bank. Capacity here refers to the number of times the power bank will charge the phone for you. A full charge is known as a cycle. If you are working in or traveling to a remote location where there is limited access to charging points, then obviously you will need a portable charger with a higher “mAh” (more on this in the FAQs section). In other words, you will need a power bank which will give you many recharges when fully charged as opposed to just 1 or 2.
At this point, you may be forgiven for asking why should you just not blindly go for the one with the highest capacity as more is obviously better, right?! Well, yes and no. Being able to recharge more often is obviously a plus, but it comes with a trade-off or two. Usually, the power banks with the highest charging capacities tend to be the most expensive. Therefore, if you seek a portable charger that has above average charging capacity, be prepared to shell out a few extra dollars. High capacity power banks also tend to be bigger in size and heavier than their counterparts with lower capacity and that should also be factored in. This becomes particularly important if you plan to carry it around with you all the time.
In this case, obviously, the power bank that takes the least amount of time to get fully charged is most preferable. Whether you are using it on an airplane on a holiday or using it just before work in the comfort of your house, the faster your power bank recharges the better it is for you.
Size
Regardless of your plan to use your power bank, it would be in your best interests to get one that it is not too big. Compactness is key when it comes to power banks as it is possible or even likely that you will be carrying it around with you a lot. A few extra inches may not seem like much in isolation, but at the end of a long and tiring backpacking trip, it all adds up; trust me!
Another issue with a power bank that is bigger than average is that it makes it difficult to stash it away in your pockets. Tight and uncomfortable pockets do not make for pleasant experiences, whether you are on a hike or at a party. If it is too big for your pockets you will probably have to put it away in a bag. This will take up precious space in your travel or work bag that could have been used for something else. In a nutshell, the smaller and more compact it is, the better.
Weight
This goes hand in hand with size. Your ideal power bank should be as light as possible. While a few extra ounces may not seem like much, just like with size it all adds up at the end of a tiring day or a long hike or something similar. As with virtually everything in life, there is a trade-off though. The heavier ones are usually more sturdy and durable. This makes them less vulnerable to damage if they are dropped. Of course, if you drop any power bank enough times it will break or get damaged in some way, but the key takeaway here is that the heavier ones are more damage resistant. Therefore, if you are someone who tends to drop things a lot or rough handle your possessions, then it might be safer and wiser to invest in a power bank that is more durable and stronger.
Overall when looking for a power bank for your electronics, first figure out where you will be using it mainly. Will it be the office, on the bus, on your next hiking trip, etc. Once you know where you will be using it, then you can determine the size and weight of the power bank you will need.
Durability
All good power banks are thoroughly examined for defects before they are introduced into the market. However, due to the very nature of power banks, there is the odd defective piece from time to time. Not only that, sometimes the defect takes a while to develop and is only apparent from considerable usage. This is where a warranty comes in.
When you buy a power bank, look for at least a 1-year warranty, preferably an 18 month or a 2-year warranty. Inherent flaws and defects in the power bank may take a while to develop. It would be a shame if you were deprived of your right to exchange only because of lack of warranty/expiration of warranty despite it being no fault of your own. One crucial point here is that the warranty is usually limited to manufacturing or production defects. Therefore, if the charging cable is too small and you use it to transfer more electricity than it can handle resulting in it malfunctioning, then it would not qualify for a free repair or replacement even if it happens to be under the period of warranty.
Some power banks also come with a 30-day money back guarantee or something similar wherein you can return the power bank within the stipulated period if it does not meet your expectations; obviously this is subject to a few terms and conditions. Good customer service is always welcome and essential to being able to claim your warranty. Make sure that the company whose power bank you plan to buy has good and professional customer service.
Top Ten Portable Chargers & Power Banks
1. Jackery Bar Pocket Sized
This power bank from Jackery Bar is said to have the world’s smallest external battery charger. As the name indicates, it could easily fit into your breast pocket. Its slick and compact design coupled with its high efficiency makes it an attractive buying proposition. You will definitely not go wrong with this. A thank you card that accompanies this purchase is just the cherry on top of the cake and a nice personalized touch!
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6000 mAh is not the highest charging capacity you will get from a portable mobile charger, but given its size and design, the capacity is more than good enough. It can fully charge your smartphone up to 3 times and that should be adequate for most users. It also has the capacity to fully charge your Ipad Mini once.
Size
The power bank is extremely compact and fits in the palm of your hand or pocket easily. Its dimensions are 3.8*1.8*0.9 inches. You will experience absolutely no discomfort with this little powerhouse in your pocket.
Weight
At 5.44 ounces, it is very light. Definitely a big plus in its favor.
Durability
A lot of mobile power banks are made of plastic, not this beast though. This is made of an aluminum shell which will help it last longer and act as a better cushion against drops (that does not mean you should drop it too often of course!).
This power bank comes with a 24-month product warranty. That is a very good deal because sometimes faulty power banks tend to start showing problems within 6 months or so.
2. Anker PowerCore 10000
This portable charger is the smallest and lightest with 10000 mAh capacity. If good capacity and compactness are your top 2 criteria, then go for this power bank from Anker without hesitation. Equipped with Anker’s own exceptional safety system and extremely high charging speeds, this power bank offers everything and more.
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Anker’s PowerIQ and VoltageBoost ensure remarkable charging speeds.
SIze
It is the smallest and lightest power bank of this capacity. Its dimensions are 3.6*2.3*0.9 inches.
Weight
At 6.35 ounces, it is quite light.
Durability
Anker’s multi-protect safety system will ensure that you have no trouble with short circuits, overheating, overcharging and the like.
An 18-month warranty gives you a safety net and peace of mind while making your purchase. In addition to the warranty, Anker has incredible customer service
3. FosPower
This portable power bank from Fospower is not only highly rated but it is also jam-packed with features. It makes a standard power bank look basic. To name a few features this power bank comes with are a radio, flashlight, emergency weather broadcasting. Overall this power bank is the one you want if you find yourself in an emergency.
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This power bank from Fospower is a great power bank to have on your person for any occasion. It is small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack and not only comes with the ability to charge your electronic devices but also charges itself off solar power. It also comes with a variety of other features which will come in handy if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
Size
This power bank is quite compact considering the features that it comes with. It is small enough to fit into your pocket or in a backpack. If you do decide to go with this power bank you will not run into issues transporting it.
Weight
This power bank weighs less than a pound which is ideal for a power bank as the last thing you want is to feel a bulky charger in your pocket on you or in your bag when you are out on the go.
Durability
This power bank is built for emergency situations so you can bet that it is built to last. Not only is it built from durable material but also comes equipped with a solar charger to keep it powered for as long as you need it.
4. Iniu
This portable power bank from Iniu is not only highly rated but also is affordable if you are looking for a basic power bank that will fit into your budget.
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This power bank from Iniu is a basic design but gets the job done if you are looking to charge your devices while on the go and your device is showing you the low battery icon. It is efficient and will charge your devices quickly so you are back up and running using your devices without issue.
Size
This power bank is a bit bigger than some others on our list. It may be too big for your pocket or bulky for your pocket, so it is recommended that you carry this power bank with you in your backpack or in your purse.
Weight
This power bank weighs in at a lightweight. So when carrying it with you it will not be obviously noticeable, but we still recommend that you carry this power bank in a bag or purse for maximum comfort.
Durability
This power bank is built to be durable and be carried with you during your daily outings. It is not recommended to introduce this power bank to harsh weather conditions or take with you on your next outdoor adventure. It is primarily made for someone going about their daily routine in their city or town.
5. ROMOSS Sense 10
If you are looking for a reliable power bank that has incredible capacity, then this is the one you should seriously consider. It is very compact with fit charge technology to enable quick charging. It has a built-in safety guard and a dual USB port. It also comes with an 18-month warranty.
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At 10,000 mAh, the capacity is impressive. It could potentially charge your phone even 5 times, definitely 4 times. That is as much as you can ask from your power bank. Its wonderful design means you can actually use your phone to talk while it is charging.
Given its capacity, the price is very good and about as low as you can hope for given its other features. This facilitates quick charging and enables efficiency in both energy consumed and time taken to recharge. You can charge 2 devices at the same time.
Size
With dimensions of 5.27*0.63*2.84 inches, it is quite compact. It is particularly impressive when you consider the capacity.
Weight
At 6.88 ounces, it is fairly light and easy to carry around.
Durability
It comes with an in-built safeguard, therefore you need not worry about short circuits or overheating.
There is an 18-month warranty which should be adequate to address any concerns you might have.
6. Aibocn 10,000
The old adage that size is not a guarantee of power could not be truer than with this little pocket dynamite from Aibocn which sure packs a punch. It is so tiny, yet has a capacity that rivals power banks that are far bigger in size. It has an anti-fingerprints design, a double USB port, flashlight, inbuilt safety protection system and a 12-month limited warranty. To top it off, it also has a 30-day money back offer.
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This enables you to charge 2 devices at the same time. It also has one of the most impressive features. We could all use some additional light during those hikes late in the evening or during travel in general. With this power bank for company, you will not have to worry too much about light.
Size
It looks amazingly compact, much more than dimensions of 6.8*4*1.4 inches would suggest. This will fit right into your pocket.
Weight
9.6 ounces is decent, nothing that should concern you from a weight perspective.
Durability
It is equipped with inbuilt safety protection which prevents overheating, overcharging and short circuits. Its anti-fingerprint design will ensure that your power bank does not have a lot of marks on it. You will not need to fret about cleaning it often. Given its light color, this is particularly advantageous. There is a 30-day money back offer along with this product.
There is a 1-year limited warranty that accompanies this power bank.
7. Goal Zero Venture 30
This power bank is built with the outdoorsman in mind. This little guy can take a beating. While it's not the smallest on the market (or with the most power), it's a reasonably fast charger that would be a great addition to anyone looking to head into the outdoors. This way you don't have to worry about the weather when it's time to charge.
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While a little on the pricier side for 7800Ah, but the strength of the charger itself it is certainly a good deal. 7,800 mAh is enough to give you 2-3 full recharges. There is also a built-in micro USB cable as well as 2 high-speed 2.4A USB ports so you can power multiple electronics at once.
There are LED lights to indicate charging level. Also doubles as a flashlight.
Size
Dimensions of 4.5 X 3.25 X 1 inch make it a mid-high range power bank in terms of size, it is not the smallest portable charger out there and some people might find that slightly inconvenient.
Weight
8.8 ounces is not the lightest weight you will find and while you will want something just a touch lighter if you are traveling, it is still alright; perhaps a touch on the heavier side.
Durability
This charging bank is as strong as they come. It's weatherproof so you can take it to the beach, leave it in the rain, or get caught in a sand storm. It can also take a few hard drops thanks to its nylon and rubber exterior.
8. Jackery Mini Premium 3350mAh
Another Jackery product makes our top 10 list (they are good!). This stylish power bank comes with the same “world’s smallest external battery charger” tag that Jackery seems to be making their own. It offers 500+ recharge cycles over the course of its life, can charge myriad devices and has a powerful A+ lithium-ion battery and premium microchips. There is a user guide that comes with the product to make sure you are not lost and it comes in 5 different colors.
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It is not as cheap as it appears considering that its capacity will allow only 1-2 full recharges. However, it is low enough for it not to be a factor against buying this power bank. It comes with an A+lithium-ion battery and premium microchips are very reliable. You can breathe easy about the quality of the power bank’s battery.
Size
Dimensions of 3.7*0.9*0.8 inches bolster Jackery’s claim of “world’s smallest external battery charger”. It is very small and very compact.
Weight
2.72 ounces makes it one of the lightest power banks on the market today.
Durability
It has 4 layers of safety protection to prevent overheating, overcharging and short circuits. Its quality aluminum shell is considerably superior to the plastic ones used by some of the other power banks.
9. Anker PowerCore+ mini
This does not look like a conventional power bank, it looks like a cross between a lipstick and a torch. If you want to a power bank that is compact stands out from the crowd, do not require a very high capacity with a warranty and good customer service, then this portable charger is for you.
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It does not look like a conventional power bank. It has a different look and feel to it. Anker’s PowerIQ intelligently detects your device to deliver the maximum possible current. At 3350 mAh it is by no means the highest capacity available on the market. If you do not need your power bank to be able to charge your smartphone more than 1-2 times, then this is not really a concern.
Size
Lipstick shaped design and dimensions of 3.7*0.9*0.9 inches make it very compact and easy to carry.
Weight
This power bank from Anker lighter than a pound and is the shape of a tube of lipstick. It is easily transported around with you and can sit comfortably in your pocket so it is accessible when you need it.
Durability
Anker’s 18-month warranty will take care of any production or manufacturing defects that power bank may develop. You also have their customer service at your disposal should you feel the need to address any concerns.
10. AUKEY 20000mAh
This amazing portable charger from Aukey can charge your iPhone 6S close to 5 times. It comes with a user manual so that should make it straightforward for you to get it started. It is equipped with AiPower which adapts the current according to the device plugged in. Moreover, it has built-in safeguards and it comes with a full 24-month warranty.
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20000 mAh is ideal during travel. You do not want your device giving up on you in an unknown city at the wrong time. AiPower enables adaptive charging. In other words, it adapts the current according to the device that is plugged in for charging. With a combined 3.4A output, which can charge 2 Ipads at maximum speed at the same time.
Size
This power bank is a great size as it fits compactly in a backpack or purse. It is also quite slim to allow you to carry it on you in a pocket if you wish.
Weight
This power bank weighs less than a pound and is easily transported without feeling bulky or heavy.
Durability
There are built-in safeguards to prevent overheating, short circuits and overcharging. There is a 24-month warranty which should alleviate any concerns you may have about the product developing faults.