Poverbank: what it is, types, how to choose

Powerbank or portable charger is a useful gadget. It is indispensable in business trips, traveling, and also in cases when the electricity in the house or office is cut off. How does a poverbank work? Let's consider the types of such a gadget and advice on the choice.

What is a povobank

This is a compact device that is convenient to carry. It has a plastic or metal case. Inside, the portable charger consists of such elements:

• A battery, in which the charge is accumulated.
• A controller that controls the operation of the battery.
• LEDs or a small display that shows the level of battery charge.
• Connectors for connecting gadgets.
• Protection against overloads and shorts.
• Temperature sensor.

Types of powerbank

The main difference between powerbanks is their capacity. This affects how many times you can charge a smartphone or other appliances from it. Types of powerbanks by capacity:

• 2000-3000 mAh - the device is compact, it is inexpensive. Such a battery is enough to charge a smartphone once.
• 4000-8000 mAh is enough to fully charge the phone twice. Such a device weighs no more than 200 g, so it is easy to carry.
• 9000-15000 mAh is enough to energize the smartphone battery 4-5 times. Such gadgets are equipped with advanced functionality and different connector standards. They support fast charging.
• 16000-30000 is a powerbank of increased size and power. A 20,000 mAh gadget is enough to power a laptop.
• Portable chargers with a capacity of more than 30,000 mAh are also equipped with additional functionality: sockets for 220 or 12 V, they can connect to a solar panel.

Poverbanks differ in the type of battery that is built into them. Most often a lithium battery is installed. It is cheaper and more common in the market. However, if you need a higher quality, choose a powerbank with a lithium-polymer battery. It has a large capacity.

How to choose a powerbank

First of all, the capacity of the portable charger is taken into account. From this depends on how many times you can charge your smartphone, and the weight of the device. The capacity of the battery is about 10-20% lower from that declared by the manufacturer. If the battery is designed for 20,000 mAh, it will actually be about 16,000 mAh.

What else to consider when choosing a poverbank:

• It's important to check whether the input in the powerbank will match the connector in your smartphone or tablet.
• It is convenient if the powerbank is equipped with a solar panel. Thanks to this, it can be charged by the light of the sun, if there is no access to the power grid.
• It is good if the powerbank comes with various adapters. Then this gadget will be universal and on it you can charge different devices.
• Some powerbanks are equipped with an electronic panel that displays the percentage of charge remaining in it. They are more expensive than devices in which this indicator is displayed by LED lights.

The body of the powerbank is often made of plastic. Thanks to this, its weight is reduced. However, it can crack if dropped. There are devices in a metal case with a rubberized pad. This gives shock protection. However, the weight of the gadget increases.