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What does the capacity of a power bank say?
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Time to read 4 min
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Time to read 4 min
A power bank is a handy tool for charging your devices on the go, but not all power banks are the same. The capacity of a power bank, expressed in milliampere hours (mAh), is an important factor that determines how often you can charge your device. But what exactly does this capacity say about the performance of the power bank? In this article, we delve deeper into the specifications of power banks and explain how to make the right choice for your needs.
Milliampere-hour (mAh) is the unit of measurement that indicates how much energy a power bank can store. The higher the mAh number, the more energy the power bank has to charge devices. For most users, this is the first specification they look at when buying a power bank, because it directly affects how many times you can charge your smartphone or other device before the power bank itself needs to be recharged.
For a better understanding: a smartphone with a battery capacity of 3000 mAh can theoretically be fully charged three times with a power bank of 10,000 mAh. In reality, however, the efficiency of the power bank also plays a role. Many power banks lose some energy during charging, so you can expect to be able to charge your smartphone slightly less often than the theoretical value.
Choosing the right capacity depends on your specific needs. If you only use your power bank occasionally to charge your phone a little, is a 10000 mAh power bank sufficient? Or do you want to be on the road for a longer period of time without power outlets nearby and need to charge multiple devices? Here are some guidelines:
5000 mAh: Suitable for occasional use. These compact power banks can fully charge a smartphone once and are ideal for everyday use.
10,000mAh: A popular choice for people who want to charge their phone multiple times or top up other devices like smartwatches and wireless earbuds.
20,000 mAh or more: These powerful power banks can fully charge a smartphone multiple times and are useful for longer trips, camping trips or if you need to charge multiple devices such as a tablet or laptop.
In addition to the capacity in mAh, the power of the power bank is also important. This is measured in watts (W) and indicates how quickly the power bank can charge your device. For many smartphones, an output of 10W to 18W is sufficient. Modern smartphones often support fast charging, for which a power bank with Power Delivery (PD) and an output of 18W or higher is necessary. This ensures that your phone can charge considerably in a short time.
For larger devices, such as laptops, a higher output is necessary. A power bank with an output of 45W or even 100W is recommended if you want to charge a MacBook, for example. Choosing the right power is important to ensure that your devices are not only charged, but that this is also done quickly and efficiently.
How often you can charge a device with a power bank depends on the capacity of both the power bank and the device you want to charge. Here are some examples:
5000 mAh power bank: This allows you to fully charge a smartphone with a battery capacity of 2500 mAh approximately twice.
10,000 mAh power bank: This can charge a modern smartphone, which consumes an average of 3,000 to 4,000 mAh, about two to three times.
20,000 mAh power bank: Suitable for intensive use and can charge a smartphone up to five times or fully charge a tablet twice.
It is good to realize that not all capacity of a power bank is used effectively. Due to energy loss during charging, the number of full charges is often slightly lower than the theoretical value.
A power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh is usually sufficient for everyday use, such as charging your phone or other small devices. However, if you are away from a power outlet for a longer period of time, for example while traveling, camping or at festivals, a power bank with a larger capacity, such as a power bank 20,000 mAh or more, may be necessary. This higher capacity is also useful if you want to charge multiple devices at the same time, such as a tablet, smartphone and a laptop.
Higher capacity power banks tend to be larger and heavier, meaning you’ll need to weigh up whether the extra weight and bulk is worth it for your usage scenario. For everyday use or shorter trips, a smaller power bank with a smaller capacity is often more practical.
In addition to capacity, it is also important to pay attention to the charging speed of the power bank. Power banks with fast charging functions, such as USB-C Power Delivery (PD), can charge your devices much faster than standard power banks. This is especially useful if you have little time to charge your device. The functionality of a MagSafe power bank is also important to take into account.
In addition, it is worth looking at the efficiency of the power bank. Not every power bank uses energy equally efficiently, and cheaper models often lose more energy during the charging process. This means that a power bank with a lower efficiency can charge fewer devices than a more efficient model with the same capacity.
The larger the capacity of the power bank, the heavier and larger it will be. For everyday use, you probably want a lightweight and portable power bank that easily fits in your bag or pocket. For longer trips or when you need to charge multiple devices, a larger and heavier power bank may be the right choice.
An important aspect of power banks is safety. Choose a power bank from a reliable brand that offers protection against overheating, short circuiting and overcharging. These features ensure that both your power bank and your devices remain safe during charging.
