If you get lost among the array of proposals for external batteries, this top power bank can help you to weed out doubts and stay on a specific model. Almost every modern person already has a mobile gadget - be it a smartphone or tablet, laptop. These devices are portable and carried everywhere. However, the main difficulty with each such device is the autonomy time. Unfortunately, even with all modern technologies, they have not yet learned how to create a tiny physical size battery for a flat stylish smartphone - manufacturers are still limited by the size of the device. So if you are an active person in life who does not sit at home, the problem of recharging your device is very relevant. And until recently, she was decided only by planning her route: from outlet to outlet. Travelers suffered especially - they had to buy devices that were either very bulky, or overpay for an additional removable battery, or spend "space" money for innovative, specialized designs of solar batteries - all in order to power their gadgets without access to electricity.
With the advent of power banks, external batteries, as they say, life has improved. There are a lot of interesting batteries on the market, and to make it easier to navigate, we offer our list of the best power banks. At the end of the article, we have categorized them all so that this will help you identify your needs and make choices.
Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400
The bestseller is the xiaomi mi power bank 10400 mobile battery pack. It gained such popularity due to its low cost and decent capacity. The body made of aluminum gives the unit a pleasant aesthetic appearance. It is very easy to work with this gadget. The only power button and two USB connectors: normal and micro. A small connector for charging the unit, a large one for distributing energy. Since the output of the xiaomi mi power bank 10400 is 2.1 amperes, any device is charged quickly. In conventional chargers, the amperage is much less. It is convenient to monitor the charging level of the unit using four LEDs. A fully filled battery pack can be charged, for example, an iPhone 5 six times.
Pros of the model:
- affordable cost and large capacity;
- the presence of a monitoring unit that will not allow the battery to overheat and protect against short circuits;
- the ability to charge the device itself and “distribute” energy in parallel.
- heavy weight;
- the case is easily scratched.
Xiaomi Power Bank 16000
Powerful battery pack Xiaomi Power Bank 16000 for charging gadgets that have a USB port. It is similar in size to a modern smartphone. This is the most capacitive in the Xiaomi lineup and the most expensive, but not so much as not to buy it. The device is “dressed” in the usual silver aluminum case.
Its main difference from its “smaller” counterparts is two USB connectors for power distribution. Xiaomi Power Bank 16000 is very versatile, you can immediately charge the battery itself and give energy to two consumers. It is probably not very convenient to carry it in your pocket because of the size and weight of 350 g, and on a trip, in a bag, it will not take up much space and will not make the load heavier. When two consumers are connected at the same time, the charging time increases. It's just that the current drops to 1.8 amperes - with one consumer, it is 2.1A. The capacity of this battery is enough to charge the fifth iPhone 6 times.
Pros of the model:
- two connectors for charging external devices;
- self-charging indication;
- protection system against voltage surges and overheating.
- heavy;
- the output connectors are close together.
Interstep PB240004U
Powerful and not the cheapest battery pack. The Interstep PB240004U weighs 510 g, which is, in principle, a lot, but there are smaller models for constant wearing. Such a model is suitable for a company of travelers, since it is possible to simultaneously charge four gadgets.
Each connector outputs a different amperage from 1 to 2.4. This is convenient when you need to charge your capacitive tablet and smartphone. The tablet has a more powerful battery and requires more current when charging. And the smartphone will cost even 1 amp, this will also be a more gentle mode for its battery. There is an LED flashlight near the connectors - for someone, perhaps this option will come in handy. And, of course, the presence of a digital liquid crystal screen will help to clearly understand how much energy is left in the battery pack itself. A rather beautiful aluminum body allows you not to worry about the mechanical safety of this gadget.
Pros of the model:
- four output connectors with different current values;
- informative digital screen;
- aluminium case.
- heavy;
- expensive;
- a full charge will take 24 hours.
Read also:
Нiper mp10000
Another model that has become popular with buyers. Medium in capacity and small in size, the hiper mp10000 is ideal for city driving or short trips. The model is equipped with two USB ports with different amperage ratings. There is also a card reader, which can come in handy. There are many different adapters included. This is especially suitable for owners of iPhones: the Lightning connector will help you charge your smartphone without a corresponding cord. An adapter is provided even for Nokia. The metal body looks good and the charge indicator fits well with the battery design. The device is about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so it fits easily into your pocket.
Pros of the model:
- good design;
- two USB connectors;
- card reader.
- it is inconvenient to insert the charger into micro USB, the two-diode flashlight interferes.
Hiper mp7500
The smallest external battery pack from hiper. Due to its compact size, it is very popular with women. Doesn't take up much space in your purse. Although the hiper mp7500 is the “youngest” in the line - it has all the connectors, like its larger brothers. Two USB ports for 1 amp and 2.1 amp.
The four-level charging indicator of the battery itself is simple and straightforward. It charges itself quickly, if you plug it into the network in the evening, then in the morning it will be “to the eyeballs”. Will be able to fill the iPhone 5 3 times and something else will remain. Or charge your iPad fully. Built-in monitoring system will protect the device from overheating and short circuit, after fully charged, it will automatically shut down.
Pros of the model:
- small size and weight;
- two USB and a card reader;
- bright flashlight;
- aluminum alloy body.
- on the silver case, white ink inscriptions are poorly visible.
Rombica NEO PRO180
This external battery has become an indispensable device for charging not only smartphones and tablets, but also MacBooks and laptops. To do this, the Rombica NEO PRO180 comes with ten laptop adapters and two cables with different connectors for MacBooks. The unit is heavy, but you have to sacrifice something for the capacity of 18000 mAh. But on the road, you will be able to charge not only your smartphone, but also your laptop. With this external battery, any laptop will live for 5-6 hours, and this, you see, is a lot. The set also comes with a charging block for the battery itself, which is not often the case.
Pros of the model:
- large capacity for a reasonable price;
- the ability to select the output voltage - 12 V, 16 V and 19 V;
- a bunch of adapters and your own charging unit.
- tangible weight;
- considerable size.
Inter step pb4000
Very compact and lightweight external battery. In appearance it resembles a small phone and looks beautiful. Fits easily in a small bag or pocket. Basically, Inter step pb4000 is designed for charging phones and smartphones. The capacity is enough to charge such gadgets a couple of times. So you can safely take it with you and be in touch all day. Besides the two USB and micro-USB connectors, there is a built-in micro-USB cable, which is very convenient. Structurally, the cable is hidden from the side into the case by pressing, like a SIM card. You don't need to carry an adapter with you to recharge your smartphone. Well, for the owners of Apple products, you will have to fork out for the appropriate connector. The gadget is very popular due to its diminutive size.
Pros of the model:
- weight 90 grams;
- built-in cable for charging a smartphone;
- the presence of a flashlight.
- for such a capacity, the battery itself takes a long time to charge.
Gp GL301
Portable, at the same time powerful, external battery of the well-known company GP. The gp gl301 in this series has the most capacious 10400mAh battery. The battery case is strong plastic. The design has been done well, the device is pleasant to hold in your hands. The manufacturer did not embed any related functions in the form of a flashlight, etc. One micro-USB for charging a portable battery and 2 USB slots for distributing power. The battery level is monitored by a four-diode battery. Every day, perhaps, carrying 260 grams with you is not very convenient, but on a long journey it will not be superfluous. Outputs for charging external consumers 1 ampere and 2.1 ampere. Accordingly, one connector is for a tablet, the other for a smartphone. The average tablet will be able to last four times longer with this battery.
Pros of the model:
- nice design, glossy plastic;
- compact and lightweight for its characteristics;
- the recessed power button eliminates accidental pressing.
- the case is quickly overwritten and loses its gloss.
SITITEK Sun-Battery SC-09
This portable battery represents a new generation of these devices. SITITEK Sun-Battery SC-09 is a regular 5000 mAh external battery. But it can be charged not only from a network or laptop, but also from solar energy. This ability makes its ability to store and transfer energy to other consumers practically unlimited. On sunny days, you can charge by simply placing it in direct sunlight. Or, for example, on the go, stowing in the mesh pocket of your backpack. Therefore, you can be in touch at any time. The rest is a regular external battery with one input and output. The size of the device is increased due to the area of the solar panel with a low weight.
Pros of the model:
- in the presence of the sun - unlimited battery capacity;
- the included adapters allow you to charge any gadget;
- acceptable price.
- one USB connector for power distribution;
- rather delicate body.
Hiper RP15000
One of the most powerful external batteries in the Hiper line. This is a weighty and dimensional "brick". The manufacturer did not really care about the design, everything is strict and no frills. There are no flashlights or digital screens. The body is made of rough, sturdy plastic. But this minimalism took its toll on the price. With such characteristics, the cost of the device is low. All technical holes and other elements are located at the end. Input - micro USB and two USB outputs at 1 amp and 2.1 amp. Near the power button there are 4 charging indication LEDs. When traveling or traveling, the Hiper RP15000 is an irreplaceable thing and a reliable assistant. A popular model, first of all, because of its democratic price.
Pros of the model:
- two USB outputs;
- large capacity;
- rough texture of the plastic case.
- decent weight, but there's nothing you can do about it;
- can be attributed to the disadvantage of a modest appearance, but this is a stretch.
The choice is so great that it's easy to get confused. Appearance, dimensions - characteristics that are obvious and understandable to an ordinary user, but not defining.
Before studying the models of external batteries offered in stores, you should independently figure out from which indicators their rating is formed. This will help to avoid an unsuccessful purchase, a waste of money and a discharged smartphone at the wrong time.
What is it and what is it "eaten" with
Powerbank represents a system of power supplies connected to the controller board. The batteries are hidden under a protective case. The portable device is recharged through a universal port (usually USB). Powerbank is suitable for a wide variety of portable devices. The main condition is the availability of a suitable connector.
Powerbank, depending on the model, allows you to charge:
- smartphones;
- laptops;
- tablets;
- players;
- e-books .
Criterias of choice
How to choose the right power bank? You should focus on several characteristics at once.
The main indicators on which it is most often built rating:
- battery type;
- capacity;
- amperage;
- dimensions and weight;
- functional features ;
- manufacturer (highly subjective factor) .
Battery Type
Power banks are made on the basis of two types of batteries: lithium-ion and lithium-polymer. Li-ion batteries resemble finger-type batteries. The cheapness speaks in favor of the purchase, but they are relatively short-lived. Life expectancy is determined by the total number of charge / discharge cycles. For lithium-ion batteries, the figure is approximately 1000. The disadvantages include a rapid loss of energy, a tendency to rather strong heating.
Lithium polymer portable batteries were developed later than Li-ion. Due to their plasticity, they can be given almost any shape. Relative reliability is characteristic: manufacturers have increased the total operating time to 5000 cycles. Energy is lost relatively slowly. The set of characteristics considered is reflected in the price - Li-pol batteries are several times more expensive than ion batteries.
Capacity
How to choose a portable battery? Another factor to consider is capacity. It is measured in mAh and allows you to judge how many times and which portable devices a certain powerbank model will be able to charge. It is better to choose the battery according to your needs. Overpaying for "powerful" indicators does not make sense: not every gadget needs a battery with a high capacity.
When choosing external batteries, it is recommended to use the following principle: the mAh of the gadget is multiplied by 2-2.5. The result is calculated for a couple of charge cycles. Example: if a smartphone has a 2600 mAh battery, then the indicators that are best guided by when buying a portable battery start at 5200 mAh.
If the purchased portable charger has a capacity less than the battery of the gadget, do not be surprised that.
Recharging tablets requires a lot of energy. A power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh or more is recommended for such devices. must have a capacity indicator of 20,000 mAh or higher. Batteries with these characteristics are relatively heavy (on average, 300-400 grams). On the Internet you can find a "beast" with a capacity of as much as 30,000 mAh, equipped with adapters for a laptop. It makes sense to take such powerful devices on long journeys, where there is no outlet at hand. Minus: the considered battery clearly cannot be classified as a pocket battery (its weight is, on average, 800 g).
Some manufacturers indicate the wrong power bank capacity. Often, little-known companies from China were noticed in this, actively promoting goods on Aliexpress. A miniature ultralight power bank, such as a 30,000 mAh battery, should raise suspicions. In order not to be fooled in the store, it is desirable (purchased separately).
It should be understood that a 10,000 mAh powerbank, for example, is not capable of 100% charging a device with a similar battery rating. This does not mean that the manufacturer is unscrupulous. The voltage of the external batteries is 3.7 V, while the powerbank outputs 5 V. The necessary figures are obtained thanks to the conversion processes inside the charger. They lead to a loss of up to 20-30% of energy from the numbers declared by the manufacturer.
Current strength
The indicator is measured in amperes (A). Allows you to judge at what speed the gadget will be charged. Choose a power bank, be sure to pay attention to the instructions for your smartphone. Buying a battery that is too “weak” will cause the device to charge extremely slowly, and sometimes “sit down” at a faster rate than the energy is restored. For this reason, it is better not to include batteries with amperage less than 1 A in the rating.
Gadgets have a number of limitations. For example, 2 A can cause damage to a device, the battery of which is not designed for such an indicator. A good and relatively safe option for a smartphone is a 1-1.5 A power bank. A current of 2-4 A is suitable for charging tablets and similar devices.
Some gadget manufacturers supply products with special controllers. They help to avoid damage if a device with a lower amperage was connected to a battery with a higher rate (due to the conversion to the required number of amperes).
Charging method
The energy recovery method of the powerbank itself is an important indicator. How to choose the right fast charging device?
The manufacturers offered options:
- USB port... One of the most popular ways is to connect to a stationary computer or laptop.
- From the network... Battery energy reserves are restored much faster than in the first case.
- Dynamo machine... Power bank models have been created that give out a charge when the built-in knob is turned. It can not be considered as the main source of energy, but they are able to help out in emergency situations. For example, when you need to make a short important call.
- Solar panels ... Power bank manufacturers are positioning this method as the best option for travelers to keep the battery working in nature.
The effectiveness of the fourth charging method remains questionable. The area of the photovoltaic cells located on the power bank is too small to provide it with the required energy level in a short period of time. In order not to be left on a hike without a working gadget, it is better to purchase special hiking, easily folding solar panels. The size of some of them, by comparison, is 70 by 25 cm.
Additional functional features
More focused on personal preferences, user needs and not particularly impacting on performance.
What powerbank can supply:
- Residual charge indicator ... Helps to navigate how long the external battery will last without recharging.
- Multiple outputs ... For some people, one port is enough, while for others it is important to connect multiple devices at the same time.
- Availability of multiple adapters ... It is especially relevant among owners of devices with "unpopular", technically outdated connectors.
- "Bonuses" not directly related to the phone battery ... Power bank models with flashlights, cable hooks and even a built-in music speaker find their buyers.
Popular models
An overview of the types of power banks in demand will concern manufacturers who have earned a good reputation. The lists of "top" devices, of which quite a lot have been created, cannot be considered completely objective. The best models, ultimately, are different for everyone and are determined by personal needs.
The body is made of plastic. No wonder it is included in the rating: the model is equipped with a 20,000 mAh battery. At the output, the device gives out 2.4 A. Suitable not only for a smartphone, but also for a tablet.
The batteries are reliably protected by a metal casing. The Powerbank is equipped with a convenient LED indicator. A capacity of 10,050 mAh and a current of 2.4 A (output) are sufficient for an iphone.
A manufacturer trusted by users. Power bank 10,000 mAh with a current of 1.5 A. LED indicator is installed.
A device with a compact plastic case. A protective case is included in the package. Positive feature: simultaneous charging of two devices is provided. Capacity 10,040 mAh. Maximum current strength 1 and 2 A (output). There is a built-in flashlight.
Which power bank should you choose? It is up to users to decide. Focus on the rating, someone's video review is recommended, but not necessary. The best option is to carefully study the characteristics of the power bank you are interested in and compare them with your own requests.
Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of everyday life. But they have an annoying drawback - mobile electronic devices are quickly discharged with intensive use. It's good if this happens somewhere where it is possible to connect the gadget to the electrical network. But what about those who do not have an outlet nearby? In this case, an external battery will come to the rescue.
What is PowerBank
Portable battery PowerBank (PowerBank) is a small electronic device of rectangular or cylindrical shape, inside which is a rechargeable or battery. The device is connected to a household power supply and accumulates a charge. You can take it with you on a trip, to work, on a business trip, to classes. If your phone or other mobile device runs out of battery, you can recharge it through an external battery Power Bank.
Best Power Bank - How to Choose? Very simple!
How to choose PowerBank when there are so many of them on the market? Before buying an external battery, you should collect as much information as possible about the model you like.
Capacity
This is one of the most important parameters for judging how productive a charger is. But more capacity does not always mean better and faster. It is not uncommon for a universal external battery to deliver at least half of the power stated in the technical specifications. Most often this happens with so-called noname-devices from unknown companies, in the production of which the technology was violated, low-quality electronic filling was used.
Small portable ones have a capacity of 2000-2600 mAh. And the most powerful ones are 10 times more. To understand which Power Bank to choose, answer the question: "How much additional power may I need?" If you need to recharge the phone, in case of an unscheduled discharge, an external 2000-5000 mAh will be enough. But if you need to be in touch almost all day long without access to the electrical network, or if you are planning a long trip, you will need a more powerful device.
Don't take capacity too literally. If yours is labeled 10,000 mAh, and your phone's battery is 2500 mAh, this does not mean that you can charge your smartphone four times in a row. While this is mathematically true, in practice any portable battery loses some percentage of its energy. How large these collateral losses will be depends on the quality of the Power Bank.
Another important parameter for those who do not yet know how to choose PowerBank for a smartphone is the brand. Inexpensive Chinese Power Banks are usually made from the cheapest materials. If the battery has a solid capacity of 10, 15, or even 20 thousand mAh, and the price is pleasantly pleasing to the eye, you'd better pass by. For such a Power Bank, you can confidently divide the numbers indicated in the technical characteristics by three, and it is not a fact that you will actually get the declared performance. Branded are more expensive. But their real operating parameters correspond to those stated in the data sheet, and the losses on average do not exceed 10-15%. But, in the end, everyone decides which company to choose PowerBank for himself.
Size matters
When wondering which is the best Power Bank to choose, consider how you plan to store and carry it. The issue of size and weight is more important than it might seem. Capacitive batteries can weigh up to half a kilogram. For example, a PowerBank weighs 20000 mAh from 290g, and an external battery with a capacity of 30,000 mAh weighs 450g. Carrying it in your pocket will not work. A backpack is needed here. It is important to find a trade-off between performance and device size. In some cases, a miniature PowerBank with a size slightly larger than a credit card is quite enough, for example, a 600 mAh model from the Dadzhet company called "".
Mobile gadget charging speed
Portable chargers do a very good job of charging mobile phones and smartphones. The charging time is comparable to the waiting time when charging from the mains adapter. The situation with tablets is not so optimistic. They take much longer to recharge and not every Power Bank can handle this task.
Power Bank Charging Speed
No one wants to wait a day until the external battery is fully charged. A simple rule applies here - the more amperes, the faster charging is done.
Frame
The material of the Power Bank case must be resistant to mechanical damage. You can buy a Power Bank with a case from or. Some manufacturers offer a combo charger - a portable device with a metal case and rubber protective pads to cushion the impact in case of a fall.
Any gadget, be it a smartphone, reader or fitness bracelet, becomes a useless toy when its battery is completely discharged. And it often happens that you cannot find a single outlet in the reach. But today there is a very practical solution to this problem - external batteries. We have tested 40 models of power banks at prices ranging from 750 to 5000 rubles.
How a powerbank works is easy to explain. The battery itself, which recharges other devices, is located in the case. Mobile devices are connected to it for recharging using a USB cable. The most important criterion, which accounted for 50% of the overall rating, is power. But first of all, we paid attention to the battery capacity.
Declared and real capacity
The capacity of the devices we tested ranges from 1700 to 20 800 mAh. True, these are manufacturers' data. The actual capacity is 34% less on average. We found the most significant difference in InLine USB Power Bank(20th place). According to the results of measurements, the capacity of the device was only 2063 mAh, which is 48% less than the declared 4000 mAh. For the winner of the test, this difference was 31% (out of the declared 16,000 mAh, in reality, a little less than 11,000 mAh can be used).
Charging speed
How quickly the external battery charges the device, along with the level of charge and the capacity of the battery being charged, depends primarily on the output current. In this respect, the difference between the declared value and the measured value turned out to be smaller. Moreover, it was not uncommon for external batteries to deliver more current than indicated in the specifications. Anker Astro3 2nd Gen(3rd place) gave the best result - 4000 mA, but the owners Nokia DC18(37th place) with 730 mA you will have to be patient.
We also measured the self-discharge of the batteries. On average, external batteries with a full charge discharge 5.4% within two weeks. Almost losslessly retained its charge Voltcraft PB-13(14th place), Xtorm Powerbank Xtreme 9000 same from A-Solar(36th place) has lost more than a quarter of the original charge.
Additional features
Powerbank is not only an external battery. Practical accessories such as a digital display and several USB outputs can make charging your mobile device much easier.
Digital indicator
If you always need to know exactly how much charge is left, take a closer look at PNY. External batteries from this manufacturer are equipped with LED displays that show the exact state of charge as a percentage.
Heavy and energy consuming or light and comfortable?
If you always carry an external battery with you, you will probably want it to weigh as little as possible. Therefore, we assigned 30% of the total assessment to the mass of the device. The lightest and most comfortable were Pearl revolt powerbank(31st place) weighing 66 grams and Nokia DC18- 62 grams.
The device with the largest capacity weighs more than all the others: it weighs 429 grams, followed by the heaviest weight in our test - 318 grams. The decisive role in the ratio of mass and capacity is played by energy density - the amount of stored energy per unit mass. Voltcraft PB-19 proved to be the leader here too.
We assigned 20% of the final result to the evaluation of the complete set. We also included USB outputs here. 18 models have one connector, 21 have two. Anker Astro3 2nd Gen- the only external battery that we tested, to which you can connect three devices at once. And so that at any time you can check the state of charge, the external battery must be equipped with either a display or LED indicators.
Chip test results
A capacity of almost 11,000 mAh and a rich package bundle. Plus a built-in flashlight as a nice bonus. The test winner was.
for 1400 rubles in fifth position proves that a decent backup power for use on the road does not have to cost a lot.
In terms of power, a newcomer breaks records. The measured capacity of more than 15,700 mAh and the energy density of 183 mWh / g proved to be beyond the reach of all other devices.
