How (and Why) To Choose a Power Bank

I had a conversation with someone who didn’t want their phone to keep dying and didn’t want to get a power bank either. Here’s why I was frustrated:

What Is A Power Bank?

A power bank is an external battery you can charge ahead of time. You can use it to power your phone when you’re not near an outlet. Think of it like carrying a bottle of water in your car when you have a long drive ahead of you, and your car doesn’t have a working faucet.

When Would You Actually Need A Power Bank?

Whenever you’re in a place where you might need your electronic device, but won’t be able to access a power outlet. Long distance traveling is a perfect time to use one of these, and they can be useful if you work off the grid. They can also be useful in emergency situations when power lines aren’t working properly, and many people opt for power banks when they can't afford to upgrade a phone just yet.

What Can I Expect From A Power Bank?

My first power bank was an impulse buy, right before a trip that involved a lot of bus rides.  It could only charge 70% of my phone’s battery, and it took several hours to do that.  It also took a few hours for it to charge itself, but when you consider that I only spent $5 on it, I got my money’s worth.  Here’s a similar model.

Many power banks can be bought for about $25, and there’s usually no need for a casual user to spend more than $50. If you are going to go for a higher-end power bank for your phone, here are some features to look out for:

1. Multiple ports so two or more devices can charge at the same time.
2. Solar panels so that the power bank can recharge itself (note: plugging the power bank into an outlet will charge it faster than using the solar panel, but it’s still good for emergency situations).
3. Water resistance for those who are outdoorsy.
4. Flashlights, because they are convenient.

Which Type Should I Buy?

If you use your phone sparingly and are only begrudgingly getting a power bank for emergency situations because one of your kids is a total nag, go with the lower cost model.  If you find yourself thinking, "Gee, I could really use an outlet," at least once a week, the $25-$50 investment will be well worth it.

Are you interested in other accessories for your phone or tablet? I've got other suggestions.

Thanks for reading, and I'll continue seeing you on the internet!