A Power Bank is a portable charger that can provide power to your electronic gadgets so that you may continue to use them even while you are moving about. They come in a variety of sizes, from compact, pocket-sized devices to bigger, higher-capacity Power Banks, and may be used to charge a wide variety of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, earbuds, smartwatches, and more.

There has been a significant rise in the use of power banks over the last few years. This is due to the fact that power banks provide a very convenient and speedy method of charging smartphones and other electronic devices, even when the user is not in close proximity to a main power outlet. Power banks with wireless charging capabilities have also been made available for electronic gadgets that are able to receive their charges in this manner.

Types of Power Banks

There is a wide range of options available in terms of the sizes and designs of power banks. In addition to being able to charge your electronic gadgets, many power banks can offer a variety of other applications.

The following are several kinds of portable power banks:

1. Portable Power Banks

These power banks are lightweight and intended to be used as portable power sources. Typically, they are compact and simple to put in a pocket or purse. You don't have to worry about carrying additional cords since many portable power banks also have built-in or shortened wires.

2. Wireless Power Bank

As more gadgets allow wireless charging, the use of wireless power banks is growing. Because these power banks are portable, you can charge your electronic devices without having to plug them in. As soon as you place your smartphone on top of the power bank, the charging process will start automatically.

3. Solar Power Bank

For those who are often outside or without access to electricity, solar power banks are great. Because these power banks offer a solar panel recharge option, you can charge your gadgets everywhere there is sunshine. 

4. High Capacity Power Banks

A high-capacity power bank is probably the best option if you need a lot of energy for your gadgets. These power banks generally contain 20,000 mAh or more, which is sufficient to completely charge the majority of devices many times. Many USB ports and USB-C Power Delivery connectors are common features seen in high-capacity power banks. These features allow the power banks to simultaneously charge many devices.

How Power Banks Work

Lithium-ion batteries, which are the same kind of batteries found in many modern gadgets, are what most power banks utilize. You can always be certain that you have a backup power source available since these batteries may retain their charge for days.

In order to charge electrical gadgets, power banks store energy in their batteries. The power bank will start delivering its stored energy to the connected device. Power banks normally connect to devices through USB connections; however, some may also support wireless charging.

Choosing the Right Power Bank

Charging Capacity

The amount of charge that can be stored in a power bank is shown in milliamp-hours (mAh), which is the capacity of the power bank. If you just need to charge your phone once or twice, a power bank with a lesser capacity will do. If you need to charge your phone more than once or use the power bank to charge other gadgets like a tablet, you will need a power bank with a bigger capacity.

Output

The power bank's output, which is expressed in volts (V), determines how rapidly your gadgets may be charged. The majority of smartphones and tablets have a 5V output, and the increased amperage will slow down how quickly they can recharge. Some more recent gadgets may now be recharged via USB-C power transmission, which enables higher voltage and amperage for quicker recharge periods.

Connectors

The majority of power banks include one or more USB connections, so you can use them to charge your gadgets. But not every USB port is created equal. While some power banks offer universal USB connectors that work with any device, others are starting to utilize USB-C power delivery for quicker recharges.

Power Bank vs Portable Charger - Any Difference?

No difference. Both names are used interchangeably for the same device. There are even more names for a power bank, like battery pack, back-up charging device, and portable charger.

Advantages of Power Banks

Portable

The vast majority of portable power banks are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, making them convenient to carry anywhere. There is no need for you to be concerned about it taking up a significant amount of space in either your pocket or your baggage.

Affordable

A decent power bank can be purchased without breaking the bank. Your phone will always be charged with the majority of power banks that do not cost much.

Fast Charging

The batteries on our phones don't always get a chance to charge. You will be relieved to know that you can quickly recharge your phone while you are on the go by carrying a portable power bank.

Reduces Worry 

No matter where you are or what you're doing, as long as you have a power bank on hand, you won't have to be concerned about the battery on your phone running out of juice.

The Bottom Line