The power bank or portable charger has now become a well-known travel gadget that is available in many different shapes and sizes. Because how convenient is it to charge your phone, tablet, laptop or e-reader when you don't have power at hand? But if you are going to buy a power bank, you want to be able to trust that you have a good one in your hands. What is a good power bank for travelling? Which properties of a power bank should you pay attention to when buying one? We will tell you all about it in this article.
The battery capacity of a power bank (mAh)
For most people, the battery capacity of the power bank is the most important feature. This capacity determines how much energy the power bank can store or emit. This is usually indicated in mAh and varies from 1000 to 30.000 mAh. To give you a general impression, below you can see approximately what you can charge based on the battery capacity. It is an indication, because it always depends on the brand and type of device:
- 5.000 mAh: charge your phone 0,5 to 1 x
- 10.000 mAh: charge your phone 1 to 2 times or your phone 1 to 3 times
- 20.000 mAh: charge your tablet or laptop 1 to 2 times or your phone 2 to 6 times
- 27.000 mAh: charge multiple devices, your phone 4 to 8 times
The weight of the power bank
When you take the power bank with you on a trip, you don't want it to weigh too heavy. Because that also means extra baggage. The weight of a power bank can vary from 100 grams for a smaller power bank of 5.000 mAh to more than 300 grams for a larger power bank of 20.000 mAh or more.
The size of the power bank
In addition to the weight, the size of a power bank can also vary greatly and in general the following applies: the larger, the more battery capacity. There are very compact and portable power banks available. for example in the format of a credit card. The most common power banks are slightly larger than a smartphone. There are also larger power banks that are, for example, the same size as a thick paperback, ideal for longer trips.
The output power
It is important to take a close look at the output power of the power bank, which is often expressed in Amperes (A) or Watts (W). 2A or higher is ideal for smartphones, where laptops and tablets require more power. And if you have more power, the devices also charge faster. Some power banks have a fast charging function, allowing you to charge extra quickly.
Number and type of ports
If you want to charge multiple devices at the same time, it is useful to have a power bank with multiple ports. Most modern power banks these days have two different types of USB ports: USB-A and USB-C. USB-A charges slower than USB-C.
The safety
Power banks should be well protected against overheating, short circuiting and overcharging and should automatically switch off in unsafe situations. In addition, it is important that the power bank has a good quality battery. In this case, make sure that the batteries are certified.
Hand luggage restrictions
There are special rules for one power bank on the plane, as this can be dangerous. You can take your power bank on the plane if its capacity is less than 27.000 mAh. You must always take this with you in your hand luggage. If you have a larger power bank, it varies per company if and when you can take it with you.
Based on the above properties, you can determine what a good power bank is for you when traveling. Weigh what is important to you and choose your ideal power bank. And if you have your own business, you can also have these handy gadgets printed with your logo and use as promotional gifts. Discover the gift suggestions for travelers, photographers and content creators en even more travel gadgets that can be a valuable addition when traveling. Enough inspiration!
