One of the characteristics that most people tend to pay attention to when buying a new mobile phone, tablet or other type of device that they use on a daily basis is the battery. More specifically in autonomy, since it is not very pleasant to have to be aware of a plug all day or that our mobile phone runs out of battery when we need it most. In any case, if we do not want to experience this situation, it is best to have an external battery or power bank, so we can recharge our devices at any time without having to have a plug at hand. If you are thinking of buying one, we will show you all the details that you must take into account when choosing it and what are some of the most interesting models that you can buy right now.
The truth is that it is a real nuisance to run out of battery on your mobile when you least expect it. In this case, there is no doubt that the best solution is to carry an external battery in your pocket that allows us to charge the mobile at any time and place.
What is a power bank and what types are there
Before delving much deeper into the subject, it is convenient to be clear about what an external battery or also called a power bank is. As its name suggests, it is a battery that we can take wherever we want in the most comfortable way possible and that has enough capacity to be able to recharge our phone, tablet or other devices several times without having to depend on having a plug nearby.
Although there is not a very defined classification, depending on its design and capacity, we could say that there are the following types:
- Pocket: They are those that have a compact size so they can be easily carried in any pocket.
- Ultra Slim: Models that stand out for having a very thin thickness.
- Large capacity: We can consider large capacity from 10,000 mAh.
- Huge capacity: Those batteries with more than 20,000 mAh.
- Solar: Those that have solar panels for recharging without having to plug them in.
What should you look for when buying an external battery
When deciding on one model or another, there are several aspects that we must look at to make a good choice, such as:
Ability
Without a doubt, it is what we usually look at first and one of the fundamental characteristics when choosing a power bank. It is a data that is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The greater capacity it offers us, the more times we can charge our phone. Of course, we should not make the typical calculations that make us think that if our mobile has a 5,000 mAh battery, we can charge it up to four times if we buy a 20,000 mAh power bank, since there are a number of factors that affect the cycles load. For example, the temperature, the life cycle of the batteries, etc.
Although with a 10,000 mAh battery we are going to guarantee that we will reach the end of the day with the mobile operating, investing a little more money for one of at least 20,000 mAh is something that you will appreciate over time.
Size
The fact that we are going to take it every day from one place to another means that we have to pay close attention to its design. This is where it is important that we look for a good relationship between capacity and size. As you can imagine, the smaller the battery, the less capacity it will have. As its size increases, its capacity will also increase.
The casing also has an influence, since we can find models with more voluminous casings and that, in most cases, protect the battery from all kinds of bumps or accidental falls. Therefore, all these aspects of the design must be well valued and they also have a direct influence on their capacity and how easy and comfortable they are to transport them. So that you can get an idea, although it depends on each model, their size is usually about 14x7x2 cm and they weigh between 300 and 500 grams.
Ports
It is essential to know that, regardless of the type of connector that our smartphone or tablet has, we will be able to use the same cable that we use with the charger to connect it to the external battery. In the end, the port that we will use is the USB. However, it is convenient to check the number of ports included in the power bank and the type, since in this way we will be able to enjoy higher or lower speeds for charging our device.
Although the number of ports is not decisive for choosing one model or another, it is good that we review the type of USB port it offers us to see if we can enjoy a more or less fast charge. Ideally, they should be USB 3.X. The number of ports also depends on the model and whether it is a battery that allows simultaneous charging of several devices at the same time. However, the same battery can have several USB ports with different standards, some that include fast charging, etc. Therefore, the more options it offers us, the better because the greater compatibility we will have to be able to charge all types of devices in the most efficient way.
Battery indicator
An interesting detail is that our battery has an autonomy indicator. This way we will be able to know how much energy we have left to be able to recharge the mobile, tablet or laptop and when we will have to proceed with charging the battery itself. It can be displayed on a screen or with different colors through an LED light.
Security
We must verify if the model that interests us has any security to prevent the battery from causing any damage to the connected devices. This way we will ensure a load that is as safe as possible. We can find models with protection systems against overvoltage, overheating, short circuit or overvoltage.
Fast charge
As with the batteries of our phones, the fact that the power bank offers fast charging is a great advantage. In this way, when we have to recharge it, we will be able to obtain 100% of its capacity again in the shortest possible time.
Wireless charging
Some external battery models include support for fast charging. In other words, it is enough to leave our smartphone on the battery so that it recharges. Of course, our mobile must also be compatible with this type of charge.
Simultaneous charging
It is another interesting fact. It means that it allows you to charge two different devices at the same time. So we can charge the mobile and tablet or headphones at the same time. Without having to wait for one to finish charging to plug in the other.
Price
The budget that we have will also influence the type of external battery that we are going to buy. Needless to say, the greater the capacity it offers us and if it has more advanced technologies, its price will increase considerably.
External batteries or power banks at the best price
In the following compilation, we are going to show different models with batteries of different capacities, different ports, some models with wireless charging, safe charging technology or even optimized charging. In this way, you can choose the model that best suits your needs or devices.
Models with 20,000 mAh or more
JIGA GW1
It is a very complete external battery. It has an incredible capacity of 30,000 mAh, offers great compatibility and has wireless charging and fast charging. It has a battery level indicator through five LEDs and allows simultaneous charging of up to five devices at the same time. Its price is around 38 euros.
A ADDTOP AD-HXZ-01
It is a high-capacity model, 26,800 mAh, and has a small LCD screen that shows the battery charge level. This power bank is compatible with fast charging and is equipped with protection systems against overcharging, overdischarging and overheating. Its price is about 37 euros.
Charmast 65W PD
External battery with a size that allows easy transport from one place to another. Its dimensions are 15.6 × 7.4 × 2.5 cm and it weighs 382 grams. It is a power bank with a 23,800 mAh capacity, with support for Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging and compatible with all types of devices. Its price is about 46 euros.
Anker PowerCore Essential
This Anker model has a 20,000 mAh capacity and advanced PowerIQ charging technology, which, together with Voltage Boost technology, offers optimized charging to our devices. It allows the charging of two devices simultaneously and has the manufacturer’s own MultiProtect security system. It has a compact and portable design, continuous charging mode and universal compatibility. Its price is approximately 50 euros .
Varta Power Bank
Also with a capacity of 20,000 mAh we find this Varta model. A power bank with a microUSB port, another USB type C and two USB with fast charge QC 3.0. Its casing is made of high-quality metal and offers great protection against any impact or fall. It has Varta Advanced Safety technology to ensure that our loads are as safe as possible. It has a price of about 43 euros.
Anker Power Core
It is another of the power banks that we can easily carry in any pocket on a daily basis. It offers a large capacity, 20,100 mAh, has a Lightning and microUSB connector and PowerIQ fast charge combined with VoltageBoost technology to offer a higher charging speed. It has a security system to ensure that the load is as safe as possible and a price of approximately 36 euros .
External batteries with 10,000 mAh
UGREEN PB178
With a somewhat more compact size we find this UGREEN external battery. A model with 10,000 mAh capacity, compatible with Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging and LED lights to indicate the level of charge. It has protection systems against overload, overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature and short circuit to protect our devices and is priced at 34 euros.
Charmast ES-1056P
It is an Ultra Slim model that has a display that shows the percentage of available battery and that is compatible with Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging. A very thin battery that offers a capacity of 10,400 mAh and is priced at only 23 euros.
Xiaomi Powerbank 3
With a very slim format we also have this Xiaomi external battery. A lightweight model that allows you to carry it comfortably anywhere and has a capacity of 10,000 mAh. Its exact size is 14x7x1.5 cm and it weighs 288 grams. A very simple power bank but that will get us out of more than one hurry. Its price is about 24 euros.
Which one do we stay with?
For us, the clear winner is the Anker PowerCore Essential external battery, an external battery with 20,000 mAh capacity and that has PowerIQ fast charging technology. A model with a very careful design, made with high quality materials and a perfect size to be able to carry it comfortably in any pocket. Its measurements are 15.8 × 7.4 × 1.9 cm and it weighs 342.5 grams.
It is a lithium polymer battery with PowerIQ and Voltage Boost technology, which combine to offer optimized charging. It allows the simultaneous charging of two devices and has Anker’s MultiProtect security system, which guarantees complete protection for both the user and the devices that we connect to the battery.
Along with the power bank, when opening the box we will find a micro USB cable, carrying case and welcome guide. Although its recommended retail price is around 50 euros, we can often find it on sale for less than 30 euros.
