With help of our powerbanks catalog with convenient selection by parameters, you can sort models by budget, brands, variety of technical characteristics and functions. It is also worth noting that other devices often have PowerBank mode today, including portable speakers, travel flashlights, or even car triggers.

Device capacity and dimensions

Powerbank capacity is the maximum amount of energy that it can store and deliver. In fact, this is one of key and most important characteristics when choosing model. Capacity directly depends on how many times you can charge smartphone, tablet, other connected device.

For modern portable batteries, this parameter varies from modest 2,500 - 3,000 mAh to an impressive 60,000+ mAh. At the same time, the larger the capacity, the less often power bank will need to be connected to power outlet and overall autonomy of your gadgets will be higher.

But not everything is so simple. There is nominal and real capacity, latter is always less, because takes into account the inevitable losses that are caused by need for energy conversion (different operating voltages), to provide protective and other functions of powerbank itself. Usually difference is from 30 to 40+%, that is, 10,000 mAh model will not fully charge smartphone with 3,000 mAh battery three times, but at best it will provide two power cycles, because in practice its working capacity is about 6,000 mAh. Therefore, it is worth choosing powerbank not just by comparing the mAh of battery of your gadget with powerbank's nominal indicator, but taking into account that the real values are clearly less.

In addition, the pursuit of large capacity is not always justified, because cost of portable battery, as well as its dimensions (and weight) directly depend on number of mAh. Accordingly, first of all, it is worth starting from main priorities of user. Basically, there are 3 situations:

1. You need really compact model.

If you have to carry powerbank in your pocket, it is important that it is thin and light, and capacity is next moment.

This situation is relevant if one or more of following conditions are met:

  • powerbank is used with only one smartphone, and its battery is conditionally enough for almost entire working day, but several hours need to be “blocked”;
  • accessory must be carried with you in waist or ladies bag or even in clothes pocket;
  • suitable model is chosen by light-moving hiker who takes into account every gram and cubic centimeter in his equipment.

If compact powerbank is priority, then it is advisable to focus on thin versions. On sale today there are several models with case thickness of less than 10 mm and fairly large range of solutions up to 15 mm. If we talk about capacity, then these will be portable batteries of 10,000 mAh or less.

It is acceptable for owners of Apple smartphones to consider battery cases as an alternative, but here the choice of compatible solutions with your mobile gadget will be significantly lower, and price is usually higher.

Powerbank 10000 mAh Batteries

2. We need balance of capacity and dimensions.

Such request is usually the most typical. Powerbanks balanced according to these parameters are needed both for everyday use and for tourist purposes.

So, if model should always be at hand, but carried in city backpack, then the most ultra-thin cases are not necessary. But even without need to make luggage heavier, it is hardly worth it if, again, you need to energize only one smartphone. Balanced solution in this case will be power banks with capacity of 10 to 20 thousand mAh. At same time, thickness of even the most capacious variant basically does not exceed 20 mm, as for example with ANKER PowerCore III Sense 20000.

For backpackers, it is often necessary to maintain autonomy of smartphone for a week or even more. In this case, capacity of portable battery can be from 20 to 25 thousand mAh or even more. At same time, very large and heavy power banks are also not desirable - it is permissible to slightly increase dimensions in thickness (up to 25 or even 30 mm). Such recommendations are more relevant for weekly trips without visiting equipped campsites (with electricity), and for weekend outings, the same 10,000+ mAh is usually enough.

3. Priority is large capacity of bank.

When are really capacious PowerBanks needed? Here are some typical scenarios:

  • model will be operated by group of users or whole family, for example, to power three or four smartphones;
  • accessory is designed to extend autonomy of the laptop ;
  • Powerbank is being considered for the role of an autonomous source of energy during short-term power outages or on long tourist expeditions.

In each of these situations, it is advisable to focus on devices with capacity of 30,000+ mAh. They will weigh from 500 grams, and the thickness of the body will be about 30 - 40 mm. As an alternative to such power banks, you can consider budget charging stations, which will be comparable in price, but larger in size and weight.

High-capacity powerbank is noticeably larger than smartphone, but its scope is usually wider.

Separately, it is worth noting that capacity of portable batteries can be given not in usual mAh, but in Wh. From the point of view of physics, this indicator is even more correct, because comparing milliamp-hours without reference to nominal voltage is not entirely correct, but watt-hours are completely.

External batteries 30000 mAh

Connectors "on board"

All ports available on bank are divided into inputs and outputs. Former are designed to power portable battery itself (may be marked with the letters IN), latter are intended to transfer power to your mobile devices (OUT). When choosing, more attention should be paid to outputs. Number and types of input connectors are not so important, if only because the package, as rule, includes wire (adapter) for powering powerbank itself. But presence, for example, of only microUSB input looks strange by today's standards, because it greatly limits speed of charging process.

Compatibility with your gadgets directly depends on output ports available on powerbank. It is clear that various adapters can always come to rescue, but it is better to do without them, because this is both waste of money and often decrease in throughput (charging speed). The more outputs and more varied they are, the better in general. This will add to overall versatility of powerbank and allow you to charge multiple devices at same time. But if you plan to power only your smartphone, then model with 4 USB is clearly useless.

Without doubt, USB type C can be considered the most promising and mandatory port for powerbank batteries today. In Europe, by the end of 2024, it will become the standard for charging all mobile gadgets. At same time, corresponding modern connectors are bidirectional, that is, they work for both input and output. These arguments should allow type C port to completely replace archaic microUSB in near future.

Standard four ports are pair of USB A and one type C and micro USB each.

In general, in 2023, USB A ports (for owners of not the newest equipment) and Lightning ports are still relevant - still must have for owners of iPhone and Apple wireless headphones. Accordingly, truly universal powerbank will have both these two connectors and type C.

Wireless charging function allows you to do without cables at all. If you have smartphone compatible with this technology, it will be possible to feed it with energy “over the air”. This option is often really more convenient, but currently it is inferior in speed, and difference can be from 2 to 10 times against the background of wired connection. By the way, especially for owners of fresh versions of iPhone, there are variations with MagSafe magnetic mount on sale.

Wireless Powerbank

Power and current ratings: charging speed factor

Simple list of connectors “on board” of power bank is not enough to make an informed purchase decision. Ideally, you need to deal with charging power and supported current strength.

Let's start with basics, standard USB A and microUSB outputs current of 2 A at voltage of 5 V when charging, that is, the power is modest 10 watts. What does this mean for the user? Even smartphone with relatively modest 3,000 mAh battery will take several hours to charge, let alone battery of powerbank itself. Similar operating parameters have the most accessible models, which are de facto already somewhat outdated.

Norm by today's standards can be considered power in region of 18 - 25 watts. Such values are provided by support of higher voltage, for example, 9 or 12 volts, and current of up to 3 A. Such operating parameters are characteristic of both USB A and type C. Most modern smartphones already support the corresponding power, but if your model peak value is 18 watts, then charging cycle will not go faster, even though battery will have 25 watts.

Signatures on case often remind of high powers.

Even capacities indicated above are not the ultimate dream today. Advanced solutions support charging from 60W to 100W. Accordingly, here peak voltage is 20 volts, and the current strength is 5 A. Such high rates can be provided primarily by USB type C ports. As a result, even smartphone with large battery will charge up to 100% in less than half an hour. Such "high-speed" power banks are relevant for owners of flagship Android smartphones, like Xiaomi 13 Pro, or those users who want to charge laptop with portable battery (we'll talk about this in more detail).

Fast сharging protocols

"Humanitarians" instead of studying power parameters and current strength, when choosing powerbank, you can focus on supported fast charging technologies. It will not be superfluous to take closer look at them and "techies", because often peak declared values of watts and amperes are available only for mobile devices with certain Fast-standards (protocols) "on board".

Main rule here is compatibility of rechargeable gadget (smartphone) with technology supported by powerbank.

Signatures on ports are sometimes reminded of support for fast charging technologies.

Note that along with proprietary protocols, such as OPPO VOOC or Samsung Fast Charging, which are respectively compatible with gadgets of these brands, there are several more universal standards. These are Quick Charge and Power Delivery (PD) of different versions. For example, QC 3.0 technology is unlikely to surprise anyone, because peak power is 18 W, so versions 4.0 or 5.0 are recommended for really fast charging. And PD 3.0 protocol has different energy categories, but in fact top two are “fast” - 27+ and 45+ W (up to 100 W).

If you want to better understand fast charging technologies to select the right power bank, we recommend that you read the material Fast Charging for Smartphones: Varieties and Generations.

Power Banks with Quick Charge 3.0 Support

About choosing PowerBank battery for laptop

If you are considering portable battery paired with laptop, then there are special requirements for capacity, available ports and their power characteristics. Let's look at each item:

  • Laptop battery needs more power to charge due to high voltage. Therefore, the capacity of powerbank, which is able to significantly extend the autonomy of this computer equipment, should be at least 20,000 mAh, and even better, even 40+ thousand mAh.
  • Modern laptops are increasingly equipped with USB type C interface that supports PD technology. So, to power such models, PowerBank battery with appropriate port is suitable. Older laptops usually use DC ports for power, and their connectors differ in diameter and thickness from different manufacturers and even models. To work with these laptops, special power banks with appropriate connector and set of adapters are suitable. It should be borne in mind that between fairly old and most modern laptops there is also layer of models that have already acquired type C, but do not yet support the Power Delivery standard. If you connect power bank to it, then either nothing will happen at all, or the energy will go from the laptop to accessory.
  • Large capacity and presence of USB type C in an external battery does not automatically mean that the laptop can be charged. Another mandatory criterion is high voltage and high power (in practice, from 30 W). Ideally, you should first examine the stickers on the back of laptop or labels on power supply. Main values are W (W), and if it is absent, then the voltage (volts V) and current (A). By multiplying one by other, we get exactly the power. Let's say the following parameters are indicated: 3.25 A and 20 V, respectively, we get 65 Watts. So, to work with laptop, you will need power bank with maximum output power not lower than this value.
Suitable laptop power bank has large capacity, type C port and high charging power.
External batteries for laptop

Design features

Before buying PowerBank battery, you should pay attention to following points, one way or another related to the design of the accessory:

  • stuffing, that is, the type of battery. Models that are relevant today, as a rule, use batteries made using Li-Pol technology. Lithium-polymer batteries are considered the most progressive, including the ability to achieve greater capacity with smaller dimensions. At same time, Li-Ion still remains, they are usually cheaper and, although they are considered very sensitive to frost, they still tolerate cold better than polymer counterparts;
  • case material. Most models are made of plastic, which is affordable, quite practical, has low thermal conductivity (in cold it does not allow the battery to cool much, and in heat it does not overheat). Second place in popularity is occupied by aluminum cases, which are distinguished by their spectacular appearance, decent strength and light weight compared to other metal variations;
  • to indicate operation of powerbank itself, both simple LED backlight and info display can be used. Second option is little more preferable, because screen shows exact value of charge in%, and sometimes error messages or current operating parameters (voltage and current strength) are displayed here;
  • built-in cable. Often wires are included in package, but they are quite easily lost during operation. Powerbanks with built-in cable allow you not to carry additional accessory with you. Today, models with USB type C or Lightning are primarily relevant;
  • moisture protection. This point is important for users who plan to take the battery on hikes or operate it in various difficult conditions. Note that shock-resistant models are occasionally offered, which are primarily suitable for lovers of extreme sports and tourism, but will not be superfluous for those who often drop their equipment. True, in this case, you can also consider models with a cover in kit or buy it yourself ;
  • flashlight or lamp. Also useful additions for outdoor use or during power outages;
Powerbank and stand rolled into one - simple but practical solution.
  • additional design elements, such as smartphone stand or suction cup. These chips are clearly not the main ones, but they can add ease of use. So, stand will allow you to comfortably watch video in process of energizing. And suction cup is usually combined with wireless charging and prevents gadget from accidentally slipping off the platform.
Power banks with integrated charging cable

Additional recommendations and tips when choosing:

  • Number of output connectors is not necessarily equal to the number of simultaneously charged gadgets. Some manufacturers indicate the last parameter, and if there is no such information, and you are interested in issue of multitasking, then it is better to clarify this point before buying.
  • Peak power and charging current in most cases are indicated when one device is connected. If two ports are used at once, then, as a rule, the operating parameters are divided in half or in other proportions. Also, power in such scenarios can drop when we have 65 W for one connector, and about 50 W in total when using two.
  • Useful feature of modern models is support for pass-through charging. In this case, powerbank is capable of acting as a kind of electrical block (tee), from the outlet you can transfer power to several gadgets at once, which is convenient when there is shortage of chargers (and sometimes capacity of portable battery itself is replenished at the same time).
  • If you use smart watches, wireless headphones and other small gadgets, then you need low current charging function to energize them.
  • Ideally, you should pay attention not only to the type of battery and its capacity, but also to the available protective systems. Minimum plan is to prevent voltage surges and overloads. In general, the more protection levels, the higher the reliability. And another direct reflection of the latter is declared resource of cycles, but only some manufacturers indicate it.
Solar powered powerbank is good choice for summer camping trips.
  • Presence of solar panel can make powerbank even more autonomous. Charging from sun, of course, will not be fast, but on hike or in extreme conditions, corresponding photocell on case can be very useful addition.
  • Charging power of gadgets and the power bank itself can sag due to wires (including complete ones) and / or chargers used. So, in order to unlock the full potential of the best external batteries, you will need appropriate components, such as cable with PD and 100W charger.

In conclusion, we note that today leaders of powerbank market are Chinese brands, including Xiaomi and BASEUS. Even if we consider only this pair, the range will be in tens and even hundreds of models. Other noteworthy brands include ANKER, Belkin, Samsung and Sandberg.

Good luck choosing powerbank, and it’s better not to need it at all, since the charge of smartphone or other gadget will always be enough for your needs!