The Right Power Banks for Travel
A traveling Power Bank has a capacity, which is measured in mAh. The higher the capacity, the greater its recharge power. These chargers use lithium batteries, and they have a limited life.
A 500-cycle model, for example, generally lasts about two years. Most current devices use USB connections for charging, but specific brands or newer devices may have their own standards. Then check compatibility and if there are adapters.
It is inevitable. The cell phone is already a practically indispensable element in our lives since it is common for us to use numerous applications throughout the day. Each of them looks like an original battery, especially as devices age.
Therefore, Power Banks for travel are increasingly becoming an element that we cannot ignore. Take a look at our shopping guide to learn more about them and the characteristics that set it apart in the market.
Maximum load
One of the most important factors to consider is the maximum load of the Power Bank, that is, the mAh (milliamp-hours). The larger it is, the more loads it can carry before it needs to be recharged.
Cell phones generally have a 3000 to 8000 mAh battery. The best power bank for travel stands out for its 10,000 mAh models, which is already a high value, especially considering that most cell phones tend to have a 3000 to 5000 mAh battery.
Some even exceed these values. If you're going to use the Power Bank for work, tend to travel a lot, or have a lot of gadgets, it's worth investing a bit more and getting a model with 20,000 mAh.
Recharging capacity
When we talk about recharging speed, we will refer to both the time it takes to charge the phone and the power bank. This speed is measured voltage and current. To give an example, see the data collected from some of the major brands on the market:
- ASUS: 2 amps (5V)
- Samsung: 0.7 amps (5V)
- Motorola: 0.850 amps (5.1V)
As you can see, they all have very similar voltage, but amperage (current) varies from device to device. Using a higher current will increase the charging capacity without damaging the product, as it will take full advantage of its capacity and ignore the rest. However, if you use a cable with a lower current, you may end up damaging your battery.
Compatibility
Speaking of compatibility, this is another factor that you must take into account. Although there are international agreements that point to a single standard for the inputs and outputs of mobile devices, many companies prefer to use theirs.
A good example of this is Apple, which decided to drop the USB standard to adopt the Lightning standard. And with the inevitable miniaturization of these devices, many already have mini USB inputs.
Companies that manufacture power banks for travel took this into account when planning their Power Bank, and many already have adapters or even suitable inputs and outputs on the body of the product. Still, it is worth checking if your devices are compatible or if the power Bank model has adequate inputs and outputs for your needs.