The best portable battery. External battery for tablets: reviews, tests, comparisons. The best external batteries for laptops

Universal external batteries, or power banks, are not such a complicated technology that you can get confused about them. We'll tell you how to choose an external battery for your phone - which one can best provide power to your devices even on a long hike.

How to choose an external battery for a smartphone? Main characteristics

Capacity

The main parameter by which you should choose an external battery is, of course, its volume. It determines how long it can power your devices. Modern power banks have a capacity from 2,000 to 50,000 mAh. But the principle “a lot is good” does not work here: as the capacity increases, the size and weight of the battery increases.

The most comfortable battery for daily use will be a battery with a capacity of 5000 - 10,000 mAh - this is if you want to charge only one device and do not go far from home. If you need an autonomous power source for several devices, or you plan to be away from an outlet for a long time, it is better to pay attention to external batteries with a capacity of 20,000 - 30,000 mAh.

Charging current

The second important characteristic is how much current the device is capable of producing at the output. The higher the current, the faster the battery will charge. But charging batteries too quickly is not entirely correct: they can overheat and fail faster. For an average smartphone, a device with a charge current of 1-2 A is sufficient; for tablets and laptops, 2-3 A is required.

The optimal charging current can be “seen” on the charger that comes with the gadget. As a rule, the gadget’s electronics limit the maximum current for safety reasons, so weak devices are unlikely to burn out from powerful charging.

The most successful option is a power bank with two ports that produce different output currents. For example, one port can output 1 A, another 2 A - we’ll tell you a couple of external batteries for a smartphone with this capability at the end of the article.

But most often, the manufacturer indicates the total current that the device can produce - that is, when connecting two smartphones, each is given 1 A, for a total of 2 A. Keep this in mind!

Ports and cables

Devices are connected to the power bank via USB ports using the supplied cables and adapters. Take another look at your devices and ask yourself two questions:

Firstly, how many devices do you want to charge at the same time?? Ideally, an external battery should have the same number of ports.
Secondly, what devices do you have? If you have an iPhone, the power bank should have a Lightning connector; if you have an old iPhone, you will need an Apple 30-pin to USB adapter. To connect other devices to an external battery, you may need adapter cables from USB to microUSB, USB Type-C or a DC-DC cable (for a laptop).

Cables can be supplied with the power bank, but if necessary, they can, of course, be purchased separately. In addition, there are external batteries with attached sets of adapters, including those for peculiar connectors like the same Apple 30-pin.

Charging type

Important question - how do you intend to charge the power bank itself?. A good external battery has a microUSB connector for its own charging. Accordingly, you can even charge it with a smartphone charger (keep in mind that with a low charging current, this will take a long time). It is also possible to use any other connector - for example, a computer port, a USB outlet or a car cigarette lighter.

But there are alternative options - for example, . Then you can replenish your energy reserves by simply leaving it in the sun for a few hours - and then charge your gadgets from it. For long hikes in nature, such a device will come in handy, and it will also come in handy at the dacha. In addition, this is minus one gadget that will draw energy from your outlet.

Special requests

The four above-mentioned characteristics are common when choosing any power bank. However, besides this, there are many interesting additional options that an external battery for a smartphone can have - it’s up to you to decide how to choose the right ones:

Charging laptops. Such a power bank can produce enough voltage to recharge your laptop battery. External batteries with this function are often equipped with DC inputs, as well as voltage switches that allow you to increase and decrease it: after all, a laptop requires a voltage of about 20 V for charging, and a smartphone “eats” only 5 V - the comparison here is clearly not in favor of the “laptop” . Of course, such devices are quite large.
Fast charging. The power bank can support fast charging functions: Qualcomm 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0, as well as proprietary technologies - Samsung FastCharging, Meizu mCharge, Asus BoostMaster. Moreover, both for devices and for yourself - in order to replenish your reserves as quickly as possible.
Wireless charger. Power banks with this feature have a transmitter that is supported by new smartphones. In order for the phone to start charging, you just need to place it on top of such a power bank - no cables are needed.
Protection from dust and moisture. The designs of some power banks have passed and are rated up to IP68 inclusive. Check out this feature if you need a truly rugged power bank (perhaps for your super rugged smartphone).
Information display. On it you can see the remaining charge in the power bank, current voltage, current and other important information.

In addition, a power bank can have a nice design and an unusual shape, be supplied with accessories - complete cables, adapters, a cover or storage case, and some models can even be used as a flashlight.

Power bank floppy disk Remax Floppy Disk 5000

External battery for phone: ranking of the best 2018-2019

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2 10000

The aluminum lithium-polymer power bank from Xiaomi is designed to charge one device at a maximum current of 2.4 A, while supporting Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0. Two USB connectors allow you to charge the device and the power bank itself, which will take only 4 hours to replenish. The device weighs only 228 grams and easily fits in your pocket.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro 10000

Another model from Xiaomi, very similar to the first, but with a USB Type-C connector and an adapter to USB-C included. In addition, the newer version of Quick Charge 3.0 is supported, thanks to which the power bank is fully charged in 3 hours. The maximum output current of the device is 2A.

ASUS ZenPower 10050 mAh ABTU005

The multi-colored rubberized power bank from Asus has a capacity of 10,050 mAh and is equipped with standard USB and microUSB connectors for charging one gadget and the power bank itself. By the way, it takes about 8 hours to fully charge, since Quick Charge functions are not supported. But the device is very light (215 g) and shock-resistant.

Canyon CNE-CPB156

This external battery is quite large and heavy, but it has a capacity of 15,600 mAh and is designed to charge two devices. The power bank ports have different currents - 1 A and 2 A, for a smartphone and tablet, respectively. It also has a flashlight!

Canyon CNE-CPB130

This power bank is the most inexpensive in the top, but at the same time has a solid capacity of 13,000 mAh. In the same way, it is equipped with two ports with different output currents (1 A and 2 A), and in terms of dimensions it is quite smaller than its predecessor. The patriotic Gzhel-style painting touched us a lot, maybe you will like it too?

Choosing a portable battery for your phone or tablet.

So, let's start by deciding for what purposes you are choosing POWER BANK.

The main purpose of a portable battery is to provide the smartphone with the necessary charge of energy in case it is discharged. Such devices today can have different capacities; it will last from several days to a week to ensure the battery life of an iPhone or other mobile gadget. At the moment, it is “Battery low” that are the universal saviors of any smartphone or tablet, acting as a source of additional energy.

What are portable batteries and how they work

An external battery will provide any mobile device with the necessary charge if its own battery has depleted its resources. The principle of operation of the device: batteries are connected to a small controller board. Connectors for charging the smartphone and the device itself - the battery - are attached to it. The better the components used in it, the more reliable the entire design of the external battery and the longer it will last.

Accordingly, it is better to buy devices that are not too cheap, as there is a risk of getting a low-quality device. Inexpensive external batteries may have crookedly assembled elements and low-quality parts. So it's better not to take risks.

External battery specifications

There are three important aspects to consider when choosing a device.

First: Portable Battery Power

This is the main characteristic that determines the amount of time that the battery can support a tablet or smartphone with energy. Or, simply put, this is the time that a portable battery can operate without power supply. The power of the device is measured in milliamp-hours - mAh. In order to forget about worries about a dead mobile device, it is better to choose an external battery with a capacity twice as large as that of the gadget itself. If the iPhone 6 has a battery capacity of 1,810 mAh, then you need to take an external battery with a capacity of 3,500-4,000 mAh for help. It will easily provide the smartphone with a charge in one full charge.

The best option for gadgets of any model is an external battery with a capacity of 6,000 mAh. It will make using your smartphone comfortable for a couple of days. But a device with a capacity of 12,000 mAh or more can be called a universal soldier, because it can recharge two devices at once with equal quality - a smartphone and a tablet.

Second: Discharge current

A connector with a current of 1 A in a portable battery is suitable for charging a smartphone, and 1.5 - 2 A for a tablet. To make it more clear, the current in the battery affects the charging speed of the connected smartphone or tablet. It is necessary to ensure that the battery current matches the specifications of the manufacturer of the mobile gadget. Therefore, it is best to select a portable charger that is suitable specifically for a specific model, for example, for an iPhone with a current of 1A, for an iPad with a current of 2A. Yes, and charge the iPhone from a 1A connector, and the tablet from a 2A connector.

How to find out the current strength? It is indicated in the markings next to the USB port.

Third: Dimensions and weight

The size of an external battery directly depends on its power and the number of charging ports. The larger the capacity of the device, the larger its dimensions.
Therefore, you need to select a portable battery for your gadget. If you just like to chat on social networks from time to time, then buy a small device, but if you are a businessman and need to constantly use a tablet, then get a powerful battery with a capacity of 10-15 thousand mAh. And remember, an inexpensive device cannot have a lot of power, look at life realistically.
In addition, a rugged case, solar battery or built-in flashlight usually add to the price of the device. But these are not important features that should be emphasized, so why pay more.

Chooseportable battery: essentials

So, a portable battery should have a capacity of 6,000 mAh for a smartphone, or from 12,000 mAh for a tablet.
The device must have a 1A connector, or two connectors for 1A and 2A.
The weight of the external battery can be about 250 grams.
The device must be equipped with energy level indicators and a power button.
Everyone chooses the appearance and other functions according to their wallet and taste.

What should the cost be?quality portable battery

If you look at one of the most popular external batteries with a capacity of 10,400 mAh, then its cost can consist of the following components:
Four Samsung ICR18650-26F batteries – 25 USD
Electronics, assembly and packaging – from 10 to 20 USD
Transport costs and seller’s income – from 5 to 10 USD.
As a result - 40-60 USD or about 1300-1900 rubles (at the rate of 33).
The important thing is that you should not believe the prices at well-known Internet auctions, when they ask for only 600 rubles for a device with a capacity of 10,000 mAh, or they offer a battery with a capacity of 20 thousand for the same price. This simply cannot happen, so don’t believe in tempting cheapness. It is better to choose products from trusted manufacturers and study their technical characteristics.

An external battery (or as it is also called a Power Bank) is a small portable device that allows you to recharge smartphones, phones, tablets and other mobile equipment almost on the go, without using a power outlet or power adapter. A correctly selected external battery will allow you to extend the battery life of your device several times, which will significantly increase your mobility and allow you to worry less about the battery charge and the likelihood of being left without communication.

When choosing an external battery for a smartphone, first of all you need to decide what capacity you need. In this matter, you need to start from the battery capacity of your smartphone and the mobility you want to get. For example, if your device’s battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh and you want to extend its battery life by 3 times, then you need the power bank to be able to provide 2 full charges, that is, so that it can give the smartphone 6000 mAh.

In order for an external battery to charge your 6000 mAh smartphone, its capacity must be significantly larger. The fact is that the battery cannot deliver 100% of the energy that is stored in it. Energy will be spent on voltage conversion, heating, etc. In total, all these losses will be about 30-40%. Therefore, in order to get 6000 mAh from an external battery, you need to choose a model whose capacity will be at least 8000 mAh, and better yet 10000 mAh.

After you have chosen the capacity of the external battery, you need to take into account its dimensions and weight. Carefully study the characteristics of devices with the capacity you need and decide whether you are ready to carry a device with such dimensions and weight or whether you need to consider more compact devices. After all, if you purchase a device that is too bulky, you will find it inconvenient to use. You will start to leave it at home more and more often and, as a result, your mobility will not improve. In general, you shouldn’t chase the maximum capacity, it’s important to get your balance, otherwise the power bank will not be mobile.

Connectors on the external battery

Connectors are another important point that must be taken into account when purchasing an external battery. Most models are equipped with a regular USB connector. This option is suitable for most smartphones, but in some cases a different type of connector may be required.

For example, now more and more smartphones are equipped with a USB type C connector and are equipped with a cable on both sides of which the same USB type C is used. In order to charge such a smartphone from a regular Power Bank, you will need an adapter from USB to USB type C. If you do not If you want to use adapters, you should look for a model with a USB type C connector. In this case, you can use the included cable.

If you don’t want to carry a cable with you, you can choose a power bank with a built-in cable. But, you need to take into account that such built-in cables are usually very short (up to 10 centimeters), which makes using the smartphone when it is charging will be inconvenient.

You also need to consider the number of connectors. Most external batteries have only one output connector. Therefore, if you need to charge several devices at once, then you need to choose a model with the appropriate number of outputs.

Smartphone charging speed from an external battery

Like a regular charging adapter, an external battery has such a characteristic as output current, which is measured in Amperes. The higher the output current, .

Budget power banks usually produce about 1 Ampere of current. If you need to charge a budget smartphone and feature phone, then this amperage is suitable. But, to charge more serious devices, you need to choose models that can provide 2 or even 3 Amperes of current.

In order to determine what amperage is needed specifically for your device, look at what is indicated on the charger that came with the kit. The charger should have something like this: “Output 5 V – 1 A”. 1 A is the current strength that your device needs. For the fastest charging, choose a power bank that can provide the same or higher amperage. There is no need to worry if the Power Bank can provide more current than the standard charger. The charging process is controlled by the smartphone, and it will not consume more current than it needs.

If your smartphone supports some kind of fast charging technology, such as Quick Charge 3.0 or Quick Charge 4.0, then you should look for an external battery that supports this technology. With the support of these technologies, the speed of charging a smartphone from an external battery will increase significantly.

In general, the above is enough to choose a suitable external battery for your smartphone. But, there are a few more points that I would like to mention.

Choose models from famous brands. Power Bank is a fairly simple device, which is why many companies produce it. Many such companies disappear very quickly and do not monitor quality. To purchase a device that will meet the stated characteristics, it is advisable to choose trusted brands. For example, Asus, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Energizer.
Buy from reliable stores. External batteries are often counterfeited, so you shouldn’t save money and buy power banks on Aliexpress or somewhere on the market. It is better to choose a large and trusted store that will definitely not sell “scorched” goods.

According to the unwritten law of meanness, a mobile phone always runs out of charge at the most inopportune moment. As a rule, a smartphone loses all its charge when you urgently need to find something on the Internet, call someone, or receive an important message. It’s good if you have a power outlet or laptop at hand, from which you can recharge at least a little. But what if such a nuisance occurs far from stationary energy sources? Fortunately, developers of portable electronics have found a way out of the situation by releasing external batteries (also called Power Banks) onto the market. There are several types of such batteries, each of which is designed to recharge a specific device: smartphone, tablet, e-reader. However, in this review we will talk about how to choose an external battery specifically for a smartphone, because it is these gadgets that most often “betray” their owner at inopportune moments.

What is an external battery and what types are there?

By design, a Power Bank is a portable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery with a certain capacity. Such batteries transfer charge to the batteries of mobile devices (in our case, smartphones). Their main feature is that they are able to store a charge over a long period of time. Another unifying factor is the compactness of such devices. You can easily carry them with you to work, take them on long trips and hikes. The modern market has a variety of models of external batteries, which may differ from each other:

capacity;
forms;
interface;
dimensions;
color;
material;
the presence of additional design elements.

As for the material, everything is simple here. As a rule, the devices in question are made of metal, plastic or polycarbonate. Sometimes there are also combined models. If we talk about external design, we can distinguish two large groups of portable batteries:

Individual boxes- the most common design option. Such devices always have a nice design and compact dimensions. The main advantage of boxes of any shape is that they can have a solid capacity, which is enough to completely replenish the charge of several phones at once (their exact number depends on the battery capacity of the smartphones themselves).
Wrist bracelets- a modern and truly unique design option. Such devices are easier to carry (no need to allocate a separate place for them in your bag or pocket). Moreover, such technical innovations look quite stylish. However, they have one significant flaw: low battery capacity. Thus, such models are designed to partially replenish energy reserves so that the user can perform several important operations on the phone. Such products will not be able to completely “feed” the battery of modern mobile devices (unless you are charging a rather old smartphone model).

The principle of operation of any Power Bank is clear: it connects to the device, and it begins to replenish its charge. But how to charge the external batteries themselves? There can be three ways here.

From a wall outlet or laptop. Models charging using this method are the most common. The operating principle is as simple as possible. The user connects the Power Bank to the network or laptop via a USB cable. Over a certain period of time, the battery draws energy from the connected source. When the energy reserve is completely restored, a special light comes on (although there may be other types of signal).
From a built-in dynamo. Without exaggeration, this is a rather unusual way of charging. With this device, the user rotates a special handle, which produces electricity. The main disadvantage of such devices is noise: during rotation there will be a strong buzzing noise, distracting others. Among the advantages are a decent battery capacity, long charge retention and, of course, a positive effect on the small muscles of the arms (a Power Bank of this kind will replace a wrist expander).
From the sun. This is probably the most modern option for replenishing energy reserves. Such batteries play the role of a miniature solar station equipped with special lenses. These lenses capture the rays and convert them into electricity. Such models are very popular in hot countries where the scorching sun is commonplace. Almost any Power Bank of this kind has a solid capacity that allows you to charge both smartphones and tablets from it. Moreover, the presence of such an external battery significantly saves household electricity. The only negative is that the catching lenses require close care, otherwise the device will stop working.

What to look for when buying a Power Bank?

There are many factors to consider when purchasing an external battery for your smartphone. We will look at 5 fundamental aspects that will help you make the right choice.

Battery capacity- this is, without exaggeration, the most important indicator of the quality of such products, affecting their practicality and, accordingly, price. To measure capacity, a special unit is used - milliamp hours. The modern market is filled with batteries of various capacities: from several hundred to several tens of thousands of milliamp hours. The choice of a specific model directly depends on the battery of your mobile device. According to experts, a Power Bank is considered suitable if its energy reserve exceeds the phone's reserve by at least 20%. If you want to use a battery that is enough for several charges, then you should give preference to analogues whose capacity exceeds the volume of a telephone battery by at least 3 times.
Current strength- a moment that directly affects the charging speed. To measure current, a unit such as ampere is used. In order for a smartphone to charge relatively quickly, the Power Bank must have a power equal to at least 1 ampere. If you do not meet this criterion, you risk getting a battery that will replenish its energy supply longer than a stationary power supply.
Compliance of the declared capacity with the actual one. Unfortunately, not all market players are honest. In order to attract buyers, they use all sorts of tricks. One of the most common techniques is to artificially increase the performance characteristics of a product. For example, the packaging may state 10,000 mAh, but in practice it turns out that the battery only has a 7,000 charge. An additional concern is the fact that among all external batteries, more than 70% have incorrect characteristics. Of course, reduced capacity is not always the result of tricks. The battery may lose some of its capabilities if the rules of transportation and storage are violated. For this reason, it is recommended to always check whether the declared capacity corresponds to the actual capacity. To do this, you need to use special devices. It is clear that such a check can only be carried out in a regular store, where the product is in front of your eyes. If a purchase is made via the Internet, you need to consider whether a particular online store provides a service for returning and exchanging goods. This is the only way to protect yourself from wasting money.
External battery self-discharge rate. This is another extremely important point. As you know, any technical product wears out over time and its performance capabilities decrease. In this regard, Power Bank is no exception. With prolonged use, the battery capacity begins to decrease, as a result of which the number of charges that can be carried out suffers. Information regarding the self-discharge coefficient should always be clarified with consultants before purchasing. But there is one pitfall - not a single consultant will tell the whole truth on this issue. Here it is better to be guided by a simple pattern: over the course of a year, the volume of high-quality batteries drops by 10–15%; As for cheaper analogues, in 12 months they lose from 30 to 40% of their capabilities. In addition, it is worth remembering that in the absence of practical use, the accumulated charge is also consumed. Expensive batteries lose up to 10% of their energy reserves in 14 days. Cheap models can lose up to 30% of energy over a similar period of time.
Number of ports for connection. If you live alone and want to use the “energy bank” personally, one USB port will be enough for you (even if you have two smartphones). If you have a family where everyone needs a working phone, it is better to buy models equipped with several sockets for connection. Also, 2 or more ports may be needed if you decide to go camping with a group of friends. Naturally, the volume of such portable charges must be appropriate.

The most popular models of external batteries

Knowing the above information will come in handy when purchasing a portable battery for your smartphone, but knowing the best models of such devices will make your choice even easier. Let's look at the best brands of external batteries separately:

iPower 6- This is a fairly compact device that can be carried in your pocket. It has a cylindrical shape. The declared capacity of this device is 2600 mAh. It has 6 sockets of different standards, so iPower 6 is suitable for many types of portable gadgets.
SC-A120- one of the most compact models available on the market. The charge capacity is quite small - only 1900 mAh, so this device is suitable for replenishing a small amount of energy (for example, to make a couple of important calls). The battery is equipped with several types of sockets so that you can connect different mobile devices. Its highlight is the presence of two conducting paths to replenish energy reserves. The first way uses solar energy, the second - electricity from an outlet.
iPower13- an improved version of the first device. This model has a larger capacity - 8400 mAh. In addition, the case has rubberized inserts, which makes it shock-resistant.
Gigabyte Power Bank OTG G66B1- a practical option for an external battery with a capacity of 6600 mAh. Mobile devices are connected via a standard USB input, as well as via a micro-USB socket.
Metrans Power Bank- a very good model, the energy volume of which is 10400 mAh. The body of the device is made of aluminum, making the entire structure more durable. This Power Bank supports simultaneous charging of two smartphones at once. As for personal energy restoration, it takes about 6 hours.
Xiaomi PowerBank is a battery that is rapidly gaining popularity. Several versions of this model have already been released, with a minimum battery capacity of 5400 mAh. This is an ideal option for smartphones of the same brand.
Xiaomi PowerBank 16000- the best external battery of 2017 (at least for now). As the name suggests, this product has a 16,000 mAh charge. This volume is enough for both a phone and a tablet.

We should also highlight the Power Bank in the form of a bracelet. This device has a small capacity of 1500 mAh. It is enough to partially charge your smartphone. Of course, the small capacity does not allow bracelets to compete with other types of external batteries, but ease of use and the ability to become a kind of “magic wand” make them popular technical products.

Actual number of external battery charges

Many inexperienced users incorrectly calculate the number of possible charges. In particular, they believe that if they have a 9000 mAh external battery and a 3000 mAh smartphone, they will be able to use the “energy bank” three times and raise the charge of their device from 0 to 100%. Actually this is not true. Let's find out what such people forget to take into account.

Battery self-discharge- the point mentioned above. Even when the Power Bank is not in use, its energy is consumed. Of course, in high-quality models this happens slowly, but still, after disconnecting the external battery from the power source, it begins to lose its energy reserve.
The difference between the output voltage of the smartphone and the battery during charging. As a rule, this indicator for phones exceeds the same value for “energy banks”. To replenish energy reserves quickly, each Power Bank is equipped with a special circuit that artificially increases its output voltage. The result of this increase is that part of the available energy is spent on maintaining the charging process, rather than on the charging itself. This means that the phone is missing about 30% of its potential charge.

We can conclude that to calculate the number of charges, it is necessary to subtract 20–30% from the declared energy capacity of the battery and only then divide the resulting value by the volume of the smartphone’s battery. In addition, it is imperative to take into account how long the Power Bank has been lying idle, because a long absence of practical use also depletes the energy reserve.

Price of external batteries for smartphones

The price of external batteries for a smartphone in Russia starts from 600–700 rubles. These are the least spacious models. Batteries with a significant capacity cost 1500–1600 rubles.

So we have looked at the main aspects that will help you choose the right Power Bank. As you can see, there is nothing particularly complicated in this process. However, you should always check the characteristics of the product and give preference only to products from reliable manufacturers. This will save you from purchasing a low-quality technical product. The following video review is also devoted to the method of correctly purchasing “energy banks”:

Admit it, you too have had times when you wanted to pray to all known gods just so that the battery on your phone wouldn’t die prematurely. This is a typical situation in which almost any person finds himself with a mobile device in his pocket. Why almost everyone? Because those who didn’t turn out also had a power bank in their bag to charge their phone.

Power bank is simply irreplaceable for those who communicate a lot on the phone

Mobile power bank includes players and video cameras, cameras and GPS navigators. Basically, any electronics you use. The point of operation of such a device is that you connect your gadget not to an electrical outlet, but to a power bank. It acts as a portable “socket” for your devices that need to be recharged.

This is convenient because you can recharge your device anywhere, even if there are no sources of electricity, an outlet or a suitable charger nearby. Mobility, simplicity and versatility are the main trump cards of this technology.

How to use an external battery: charging your phone

In order to use an external battery, you do not need to have any secret knowledge. Everything is as simple as two and two. All you need is a gadget that is dead, the cord that comes with it, and, in fact, the external battery itself. All parts need to be connected to each other and charging will start automatically (in most cases). But it happens that after connecting the phone does not start charging. It’s not scary and the power bank is not broken, you just need to make a couple of extra moves:

press the On/Off button once or twice;
hold down the On/Off button for a few seconds.

Exactly what action you need to do depends on the model of your portable battery. Usually this information is written in the device instructions.

Phone charging process

Please note that charging may not start even after the above steps if the battery has been lying for some time with the cord connected to it. And after that you decided to put your smartphone on charge. When you are not using the external battery, do not leave any devices (including wires) connected to it.

Now it will be easier to use an external battery, half the battle is done: you have connected your smartphone and charging has begun. The battery has an LED indicator that lights up after the charging process starts. It will remain on until the smartphone battery is fully charged. After this, the external battery will automatically turn off. This function is present in most high-quality models so as not to recharge the smartphone and not reduce its battery life.

How to charge the power bank itself?

Using a portable battery for mobile devices is really very simple. Just as it is easy to charge smartphones or tablets with its help, the process of charging the external battery itself does not cause any difficulties. To do this, you need to take a charger from your smartphone or tablet (the external battery often does not come with any wires to reduce the cost of the equipment) and connect it to the mains.

Power bank is charged from the mains

The process indicators will be the same LED lights. Over time, they should all light up, which will indicate that the power bank is fully charged. Once charging is complete, the system automatically turns off the power to prevent overcharging (which may damage the battery or reduce its service life).

Features of operating an external battery

To use an external battery for a smartphone for a long time, you need to adhere to some rules for its operation:

do not leave the device in the cold (low temperatures damage any batteries, including external batteries);
for charging, use only high-quality cords (cheap accessories can cause overheating, short circuits and other damage);
use your battery regularly (and if you decide not to use it for a long time, then make sure that its charge level is not lower than 80%);
buy high-quality power banks from leading companies (they guarantee the quality of work and last for the stated amount of time).

Buy only high-quality Power banks

Agree, using an external power bank is not difficult. You only need to remember a few rules for the device to work without interruption for a long time (manufacturers promise up to 500 charge cycles).

Haven't bought it yet? Rules for choosing a power bank

If you have already heard a lot about the benefits of power banks, but have not yet managed to choose a model for yourself, we will help you. We recommend choosing among trusted brands, and paying attention to several important parameters:

capacity. Everything is simple here: the higher it is, the more energy the power bank can store and, accordingly, the more charge cycles will be available;
current strength. The charging speed depends on this indicator; it must be at least 1 ampere, otherwise it will take a very long time to charge the smartphone (for tablets the indicator should be higher - from 3 A);
real capacity. Check the actual battery capacity and do not trust manufacturers' statements;
self-discharge Remember that over time, the battery capacity will gradually decrease (self-discharge per year with active use can range from 5–15 to 35%);
number of USB ports. As practice has shown, it is more convenient when the external battery has several USB inputs at once (to charge several devices at the same time or if one of the ports begins to work poorly).

Now you know how to use an external battery. Tell us in the comments if you have a battery, what brand it is and whether you like it.