Find Exactly What You Need
Power banks are the most affordable and convenient ways to keep your devices running when load shedding strikes. These portable chargers are a reliable source of backup power for smartphones, laptops, tablets, routers and tech accessories. But with a seemingly endless range of options available, how do you find the power bank that suits all your unique requirements? Don’t stress, we’re here to help!
Our easy guide will help you find what you need to ensure your devices are always powered up even when the lights go off.
The First Step
Before buying a power bank, you first need to decide how many devices you need to charge. Do you need to connect one or more devices? Will it be used exclusively for your smartphone? Or a combination of other devices? Can all these devices be charged with a power bank?
Specs That Meet Your Requirements
Consider these important specs before deciding:
Battery Capacity: How much power do you need from your power bank? This is determined by the amount of electric charge your battery can deliver. The charge is measured in mAh (milliampere hour). The higher the mAh, the bigger the battery and the more power is delivered. Generally speaking, you will need a high battery capacity if you're using a power bank to charge your laptop or multiple devices at the same time.
Charging Speed: How fast can your power bank charge your devices? To find out, check the wattage on the power bank. The higher the wattage, the faster the charge.
Ports: The types of ports a power bank is equipped with determine the charging speeds it accommodates and the compatibility with your devices’ cables. Most new power banks combine USB-A and USB-C ports for input (charging the power bank) and output (charging your devices). We recommend larger power banks with two or more ports if you need to connect multiple devices at the same time.
Power Banks For Smartphones
Up to 7 500mAh: These are compact and pocket friendly. They are ideal for a small smartphone and deliver two to three full charges before it needs to be recharged.
7 500 - 14 999mAh: These are slightly bigger and can fit in a wide jacket pocket and are perfect for more powerful smartphones. These can deliver a full charge between four and five times.
20 000mAh: Bigger power banks suit someone who’s always on the go. If you go camping, travel regularly or often struggle with continuous power cuts for days on end, this is your power bank. They can also easily fit in a handbag and provide five or more charges.
Power Banks For Wi-Fi Routers
Wi-Fi routers have small batteries and consume very little electricity. A compact power bank of up to 10 000mAh is ideal for these devices.
Power Banks For Laptops
Laptops have large batteries and so they require power banks with a larger capacity of at least 20 000mAh and a high wattage. Here’s an estimate of the wattage you need based on the type of laptop you have:
40W: Ideal for small laptops like Chromebooks.
60W: Ideal for average-size laptops.
100W: Ideal for large, advanced laptops, like MacBook Pros.
It’s also important to consider the type of port your laptop supports. Most charge via a USB-C port. Others are compatible with USB-A. You can fully charge your laptop once or twice with a power bank but keep in mind that high-powered laptops usually drain a power bank in only one use.
Power Banks For Tablets
Tablets, like laptops, pair best with 20 000mAh power banks. These provide up to two full charges a day. For a fairly quick charge, you need at least 10W power. But of course, this depends on the size of your tablet. Bigger tablets need more power to charge in good time.
Power Banks For Tech Accessories
For tech accessories like buds and smartwatches, a 5000mAh power bank is ample.
Remember, while small power banks are the most affordable option, they are less versatile and won’t adequately charge your smartphone, router, tablet or laptop. It’s best to get a higher-capacity option with multiple ports that can charge small and big devices, especially when dealing with rolling power cuts.
The best power banks you can buy in South Africa right now that won’t break your budget:
- Anker PowerCore 20 100mAh: Affordable power bank ideal for smartphones, tech accessories, routers, and smaller laptops and tablets.
- Anker PowerCore III Elite 25 600mAh (87W): Ideal for high-powered devices, including laptops.
- Mophie Powerstation Plus 6 000mAh: The affordable choice for iPhone users. It features a built-in Lightning cable.
- Taroma Solar Power Bank 26 800mAh: A great option if you’re keen on charging smartphones and tech accessories using solar energy
Final Tip
Don’t forget to charge your power bank!
Give it enough juice to power your devices when they run low. The larger the capacity, the longer the charging process will take.
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