More Power To Take You Further
With our increasing use of battery powered equipment and a need for charging on the move, power banks, or portable chargers, are becoming commonplace. With a multitude of charging uses, powerbanks can keep mobile phones, tablets and more powered up and working at full capacity. Power banks are charged up using a USB charger or thunderbolt dock when power is available, and then used to charge your battery powered devices.
Power banks come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your requirements, including solar powered chargers for the eco-minded and QI wireless chargers ideal for smartphones. Solar powered chargers have photovoltaic panels, and are really only able to trickle-charge the internal battery when placed in sunlight because the solar cells are relatively small, but nevertheless this can be a very useful function. The solar charging is a good back-up, especially if you are travelling away from mains power.
Power banks are usually powered by Lithium Polymer or Lithium Ion batteries.
Lithium-Ion batteries are more packed with power and less costly to produce; however, they can age which is an issue.
Lithium-Polymer batteries are more expensive, but are a good choice as they don’t deteriorate with age.
It’s looking increasingly likely that soon we’ll all need our own power bank, so here’s our take on the best-selling ones.
1) Anker PowerCore Portable Power Bank
Overview
This neat little power bank from Anker packs a real punch – 26800mAh of power from 3 ports, which is enough to fully charge most phones over 6 times. It’s nicely durable, scuff resistant, and comes with two USB cables.
What We Like
Charging at an impressive speed, we could simultaneously power up our devices, and the power bank itself holds a charge for over a week, depending on usage. It’s neat and very user friendly.
What Needs Improving
Some may consider it a bit pricey, but for us it’s worth it.
$59.99 in stock
6 used from $31.99
2) BONAI Portable Charger
Overview
With four USB ports, this deceptively small power bank is a well thought out accessory. The smart circuitry provides protection against overcharging, short-circuiting, and voltage instabilities, so any device is safe. It also has a built-in flashlight for when you’re scrabbling in the dark for USB cables, which are handily included.
What We Like
Ergonomically designed, and with in-built polymer to protect against dust particles, rusting, knocks, and being dropped, Bonai have really thought this one out. The flashlight is an awesome inclusion and it comes in a range of colors. Even charging four phones at once didn’t stop its battery lasting nearly a week.
What Needs Improving
Whilst still small, it’s a little larger than some of the packs we tested.
3) Beartwo Solar Charger
Overview
With pleasingly rounded corners, and neon blue LEDs, this stylish solar power bank holds a pretty decent 10000mAh of power. It has two USB ports enabling a couple of devices to be charged simultaneously, a 3 mode flashlight, whistle and compass which make it ideal for those weekend trips off the beaten track.
What We Like
This eco-friendly power bank from Beartwo has two means of charging up – via a power outlet or by using solar technology. This means it’s great for camping trips or long-distance traveling, especially with the compass, emergency whistle and hanging hook. It’s also water and dustproof and, being incredibly robust, designed to survive being dropped.
What Needs Improving
For some reason our Samsung Note 4 took longer to charge with the Beartwo than other models, not excessively so, but longer nonetheless.
What else is popular at The Gadget Nerds?