Running out of battery can be a big problem, especially when you might not have access to a wall outlet to charge your phone. Cue power banks! A power bank can keep your phone full of battery without an outlet, so you’ll never have to miss a selfie opportunity or a call from your mom.
It’s time to get charged up to learn all about power banks from their purpose, the different types, and why you need one!
What is the Purpose of a Power Bank?
The purpose of a power bank is to recharge battery-powered electronics when you’re on-the-go! A power bank can be small enough to fit in your pocket or they can be larger with a higher capacity.
Power banks are used to charge cell phones, tablets, speakers, and even laptops! If you can plug it in a wall to charge, chances are a power bank can charge it.
When Was the First Power Bank Made?
The first portable power bank was created in 2001 by a Chinese company called Pisen. The original design was two AA batteries pieced together by a circuit! It made its public debut at the Las Vegas International Consumer Electronics Show.
The first power bank was bulky and had a short battery life. Today, there are much more sophisticated and compact designs with far superior battery life. Most modern power banks can fit in the palm of your hand and charge your smartphone several times before running out of battery.
What Are the Different Types of Power Banks?
Power banks come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Some power banks have multiple uses in addition to charging your electronic devices!
The different types of power banks include:
- Block power bank
- Credit card power bank
- Keychain power bank
- Wireless power bank
- Flashlight power bank
- Speaker power bank
- Novelty power bank
- Bluetooth earbud power bank
- Lantern power bank
- Solar power bank
- High capacity power bank
What Does mAh Mean?
mAh means milliamp hour. It is a unit of measurement used for electric power, specifically for batteries. A battery that has a higher mAh will have more power and battery life.
For rechargeable batteries found in power banks, the mAh shows how much charge the battery can hold, and how long it can power another electronic before needing to be charged.
How Do I Know My Power Bank Capacity?
Before you invest in a power bank, you’ll want to know how long the battery will last. Knowing the capacity of your power bank will help you make sure you get one that will meet your needs. Use the equation below to find the approximate battery life of your power bank.
If your power bank has 10,000 mAh, you would divide that by the mAh of the device you want to charge. A quick online search can tell you the mAh of your device if you aren’t sure or can’t find the battery. For example, an iPhone XS uses a 2,658 mAh battery. Using the equation, it would take 3 hours and 7 minutes of charging your iPhone XS before your 10,000 mAh power bank ran out of battery life.
Which Type of Power Bank is Best?
The best type of power bank will have a mAh that is higher than the device you want to charge. The larger the battery is on your phone or other electronic device, the more power you’ll need from your power bank to charge it.
For example, if your electronic device has a battery with 2,000 mAh, you’ll want to get a power bank that has at least 2,000 mAh or more. That way, you’ll be able to get at least one full charge for your device without having to recharge the power bank.
What Is the Difference Between a Power Bank and a Portable Charger?
There is no difference between a power bank and a portable charger. Both names can be used to refer to the exact same battery pack you use to charge a device.
A power bank has several nicknames including:
- Battery pack
- Fuel bank
- Pocket power cell
- Back-up charging device
- Wireless charger
- Portable charger
Regardless of the name you want to use for your power bank, you’ll be thankful you have it handy when your electronic device needs some extra juice!
What Are the Advantages of Power Banks?
Now that you know what a power bank is, you might be wondering if a power bank is worth it. There are several advantages to having a power bank you should consider before getting your own.
The advantages of power banks include:
Easily Portable
Most power banks can fit in the palm of your hand, making them easy to take with you anywhere! You won’t have to worry about it taking up too much space in your bag or pocket.
Customizable
Power banks come in a variety of colors and styles you can choose from. You can also add different designs to your power banks to make it your own.
Affordable
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a quality power bank. Most power banks are under $20 and will keep your phone charged whenever you need it.
Reusable
Each time you need to charge your electronic devices, you don’t have to get a new power bank. You can recharge and reuse the same power bank over and over.
Fast-Charging
We don’t always have time to wait for our phone battery to charge. Thankfully, you can take a power bank with you to quickly charge your phone on-the-go.
Reduces Worry of a Dead Cell Phone
No matter where you are, you won’t have to worry about your phone running out of battery as long as you have a power bank handy.
The Bottom Line
A power bank can make a huge difference while camping, traveling, or attending a festival. It can help prevent your phone, tablet, or other electronic device from running out of battery. You never know when you might be stuck without a wall outlet, so keeping a power bank nearby can save you in the long run.