How do you know if a power bank is good?

Choosing the right power bank can be a challenge, especially since there are so many options on the market. But how do you know if a power bank is really good and meets your expectations? In this article, we'll discuss the most important factors to consider when buying a power bank . From capacity and charging speed to safety and compatibility — we'll cover everything you need to know to make the best choice.

One of the first things to look for when buying a power bank is its capacity, expressed in milliampere hours (mAh). The capacity determines how much charge the power bank can store and how often you can charge your device with it.

• Small power banks (5000-10,000 mAh): Ideal for everyday use. These power banks can fully charge a smartphone one to two times. They are compact and easy to carry, perfect for festivals, a day out or on the way to work.

• Mid-sized power banks (10,000-20,000 mAh): These models offer more capacity and can charge a smartphone multiple times, or a tablet once or twice. This type of power bank is suitable for longer trips or when you want to charge multiple devices.

• Large power banks (20,000 mAh or more): Suitable for intensive use, for example for camping trips or when you are without a power outlet for a longer period of time. A power bank 20,000 mAh or more can charge a smartphone up to five times and often also have enough power to charge laptops and other large devices.

When choosing the right capacity, it is important to consider how often you need to charge your devices and how long you will be away from a power source.

Portability is an important consideration, especially if you plan on taking the power bank with you on a regular basis. Generally speaking, the higher the capacity, the larger and heavier the power bank will be.

• Small power banks: Compact and lightweight, easy to carry in a pocket or bag. Perfect for everyday use or short trips. An example of this is a MagSafe Powerbank .

• Medium and large power banks: Larger models offer more capacity, but are often heavier and less portable. These are ideal for longer trips, but less practical for everyday use.

Think carefully about where and when you are going to use the power bank. For everyday use, a compact power bank will probably be sufficient, but for longer trips, a larger power bank may be a better choice.

Safety is an important factor that is often overlooked when purchasing a power bank. A good power bank should be equipped with safety mechanisms that protect against overheating, short circuiting and overcharging. These features prevent damage to both the power bank and your devices.

• Overheating Protection: Make sure the power bank has a built-in system to prevent it from getting too hot during charging.

• Overcharge protection: This prevents your device's battery from overheating or being damaged by being connected to the power bank for too long.

• Short Circuit Protection: This protects the power bank's internal circuits from damage due to electrical faults.

Power banks from renowned brands usually have these functions built in. It is always wise to choose a power bank from a reliable brand to prevent problems. For example, choose a power bank 10000 mAh with an LED display, so you know exactly how much percent the power bank still has.

Not every power bank is suitable for every device. Before you buy a power bank, it is important to check if it is compatible with the devices you want to charge.

• Smartphones and tablets: Most power banks are designed to charge smartphones and tablets and have the correct ports and voltages to safely charge these devices.

• Laptops: For laptops, you’ll want a power bank with a higher output, usually around 45W or higher. Also check if the power bank has a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port, which is necessary for fast charging laptops.

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Other devices: Some power banks have special ports or features for charging smartwatches, wireless earbuds, or other small devices. Make sure the power bank has the right ports for your needs.

The quality of the battery cells in a power bank not only determines how long it lasts, but also how efficient the energy transfer is. Cheaper power banks often have lower quality batteries, which are less efficient and wear out faster. This can mean that your power bank will not work as well after a few months.

A good quality power bank can usually last between 500 and 1000 charging cycles, which means a lifespan of two to four years with regular use. To extend the lifespan, it is important to maintain the power bank well, such as avoiding extreme temperatures and not constantly charging to 100%.

A good way to determine whether a power bank is worth it is to read customer reviews and expert reviews. These can often tell you more about the reliability and performance of the power bank. Look for consistently positive feedback, but also be alert to negative reviews that point to structural problems such as overheating, poor build quality or rapidly declining performance.