The thinnest power bank. Portable Power Bank: main selection criteria, TOP best devices

Hello friends! Summer is coming! What does this mean? That the time has come to plan a vacation and for many, a vacation is a trip to loved ones or to new places. For some, preparing for such events may feel like moving to another place of residence.

This is when you want to take everything, everything, everything with you, just to have it. So there you go! In addition to everything that you could prudently provide for yourself, for any lengthy trip, one gizmo can be very useful. It is called “Power bank” or, in our words, “External battery”.

What is PowerBank for?

The name itself suggests that this is some kind of bank, battery, but what? No, no, we’re not talking about your money, we’re talking about an energy bank, something that will charge your phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop, navigator, camera, etc. It will charge where there is no electrical outlet. I think it’s clear why this device is needed, because you don’t really want to queue at the power socket on the train to recharge your gadget.

And what a shame it is not to capture amazing shots while traveling, just because the battery in a smartphone simultaneously performs the functions of a camera, video camera, movie theater, navigator, music center, and... and even the phone - it suddenly ran out of charge at the most inopportune moment.

You never know the situations when this “Power bank” thing can come in very handy. The principle of its operation is as follows: at home before a trip, you charge an external battery from the network, it accumulates energy in a volume several times greater than in your smartphone or other device (And this value must be taken into account when choosing a battery) and then, as needed, an external battery gives the accumulated energy to the “Patient”. As soon as the opportunity arises, we replenish the “Donor”.

What are the options?

However, there are also options that are more independent of the outlet - for example, an external battery with a solar panel. This is simply an excellent solution, especially since now, compared to the times around the beginning of the 2000s, solar panels have become very efficient.

A modern solar panel can recharge even at low lighting levels, in room light, of course not as well as in bright sun, but still. This “Solar” Power Bank will charge itself from bright light. Agree, this is very convenient, you can immediately imagine such a picture. ⇓ ⇓ ⇓

(Addition) After writing this article, I bought myself exactly the same external battery as on the backpack and compared what the sites on which they sell them promise with what the real battery produces.

On websites, output parameters are often indicated as two outputs of two amperes. (For this model can)

In fact, one output is capable of delivering more than one amp, while the other is only capable of delivering half an amp. But this is quite enough, and otherwise everything is absolutely exactly as described - a great thing!

I made conclusions about some discrepancy by measuring the parameters on my copy and posted a video about it.

In addition to the Power Bank with a solar battery, of course, there are more exotic options, but they are not as effective. Remember there used to be such flashlights, they were called “Bug” buzzed…. got electricity, so you can charge your phone with a buzz too. But what a horror it is!!! How much do you need to buzz? Therefore, in this review I will bypass the buzzing.

So, if you have not yet burdened yourself with buying an external battery, but have already realized how necessary it can be when away from an outlet and have decided to definitely purchase it for future travels, then the following description may be useful for you.

Power bank. External battery for smartphone, tablet, laptop. How to choose the right one

A small difficulty is that you should not approach the purchase of this device according to the principle “Oh, how cute and small it is! Wow, there’s so much in it.” If you really count on results and efficient operation, then when purchasing this device, follow the simple recommendations described below and do not buy into the small size of the device, a little larger than a lipstick, and at the same time with a specified capacity of 6000 mAh.

By the way, in Chinese online stores, such external batteries are sold for very inexpensively, but pay attention, they are often only a case with electronic filling.
But the battery itself needs to be purchased and installed independently, usually these are batteries from the 18650 series, and often the capacity indicated on the battery is far from true. It will do for a phone, but for more serious things..... So be careful!

What you need to know to optimally choose the right external battery

You need to find out several parameters of your devices for which you are purchasing a Power Bank. Because it's important:

So that the capacity of the External battery is several times greater than the capacity of the Internal battery installed in the device that we will charge.
The external battery must be capable of delivering the charging current required for the device being charged.
It is necessary to provide the necessary connecting wires or adapters.

Well, now in more detail on these points.

Questions regarding capacity - on average, the battery capacity in smartphones is approximately 2500 mAh. THOSE. For phones and smartphones, the normal backup battery capacity is 5000 mAh. If it’s just for a phone, then maybe less. But for a tablet, it is better to take an external battery with a larger capacity, since their batteries average 4000 mAh and above. This means that you need 8000 mAh and higher in reserve. (If you want to know exactly the battery capacity of your device, take a look at the instructions, section technical specifications.)

Of course, this does not mean that if you purchased an external battery with a large reserve of capacity, then it will not be suitable for a simple mobile phone, it will be very suitable; the greater the reserve of capacity, the more autonomous charge cycles. It’s just that if you don’t plan to charge powerful devices, then do you need to overpay for a larger capacity and carry a less compact and less lightweight device with you? However, the choice here is yours.

Another important parameter is the charging current.

What can an external battery produce? And what charging current is needed for the device being charged? You also need to pay attention to this. Current is measured in A (amps) but can also be written in mA (milliamps) 1 A = 1000 mA. (Your captain is obvious) Typically, a smartphone consumes a current of 1 A, but a tablet can already request 2 A.

Therefore, pay attention to the characteristics of the “External Battery” you purchase, whether it is capable of having at its output the current required for your devices.

Moreover, the rule also applies to current - You can charge even “small” ones with a high current. Each device will take as much as it needs, but charge “big” ones with a low current…. This is also possible, but this will be a long and ineffective process and most likely you will not achieve a full charge. Yes, and the “donor” will work with overload, which is a minus.

Well, finally, you need to take care of the connector, fortunately, in the latest models the MicroUsb standard has been adopted as a rule, well, if you don’t take into account “Apple” products, they have their own song. Often, an external battery may come with a set of adapters for different devices. But you can also use the standard cord from your gadget, if it and the power adapter are not integral, but are made separately. A la "USB"<—>“Your device”, thanks to the manufacturers, they are doing just that now.

In general, no matter what you use a Power Bank for, pay attention to the charging current, battery capacity, and connectivity. For devices that are not a telephone, smartphone, tablet, also look at the voltage, not all of them are powered by 5 volts, there are exceptions.

External battery for laptop

If we are talking about an external battery for a laptop, then in addition to a high capacity (at least 20,000 mA, and preferably more), it must provide a voltage suitable for your laptop, since some of them are powered by a voltage of 19 V, others 16 V, and others by some other voltage. no matter what.

Well, again, so that you have the necessary connector suitable for your laptop for connection. I saw offers online that stated that the external battery they sold also charges laptops, but when checked, it turned out that its output voltage was only 5 Volts. So don’t fall for this trick, unless your laptop is powered by exactly this voltage, but I personally don’t know any, usually from 15 to 20 Volts.

When choosing an external battery for a laptop, make sure that it fully matches your laptop model in terms of voltage, current and the presence of the required connector. These characteristics of your laptop can be found either on the bottom of the case or on the standard power supply.
If the selected charger is capable of delivering more current than required, then this is even good, it will not damage the device being charged, but it will not work at the power limit either. And this is a plus.

And of course I will be glad to see your comments and additions on this topic! Write in the comments and share with friends if you think this note is necessary.

The main problem of modern electronic gadgets is autonomy. Their power is so high (or the battery capacity is insufficient) that in most cases the performance without an outlet is not enough even for a day. Naturally, no one wants to be left with a dead device at the right time, and that’s why power banks were invented. These are special devices capable of storing energy and sharing it with peripheral devices. Roughly speaking, portable rechargeable batteries. These are exactly what we will talk about in this material - we will consider and analyze which power bank is better in 2017.

Powerbank IconBIT FTB Travel 4.0

This device is no longer just an external battery. It is designed for lovers of outdoor recreation, long trips or even hiking. What's unusual? Let's look at the details point by point:

Design unusual. The rectangular shape is framed by thick rubber side panels that extend from the surfaces. This provides additional protection against bumps and falls. The case is made of impact-resistant plastic and has dimensions of 142x75x14 mm. The top edge is rounded and equipped with a special eyelet for hanging, for example, on a backpack. On the front panel there is an indicator of operation and the level of filling of the internal storage. In addition, on the same side there is a solar battery that charges the power bank from the heavenly body. At the ends there is one USB port for connecting peripheral devices, and at the bottom there is a microUSB for charging the battery itself.
Specifications quite good - the battery capacity of the power bank is 5000 mAh, and the current strength at the output ports is 1A. This is enough for 2-3 charges of a smartphone with a medium-capacity battery. The power bank replenishes its own charge from a computer, household outlet or sunlight. Moreover, in the latter option it will take about 6–7 hours to fill the battery 100%, and with classical charging - 2–2.5 hours. Supports simultaneous power transfer to 2 external devices.
Additionally It is necessary to mention two features of the power bank: a flashlight and protection from external influences. The first one is clear, just a high power LED capable of illuminating the environment. But the second nuance is more interesting. In addition to durability, the case has an IP65 sealing level. This means almost 100% protection from moisture, dust and dirt.

This is the ideal device for charging on long trips. Large battery, compact size, solar powered - an ideal combination for those who spend a long time away from outlets.

The price of IconBIT FTBTravel 4.0 in Russia is 1400 rubles. And this is the cheapest power bank for a smartphone in our TOP 8 best power banks of 2017.

Powerbank Rombica NEO PRO 180

This model is designed for charging any peripheral equipment, from a player to a laptop. For this purpose, the universal power bank is equipped with appropriate connectors and has a sufficiently large battery capacity. And together with its beautiful appearance, it is a real work of art:

Design, without exaggeration, is unique. The rectangular case is made of aluminum and has a special “smoky” texture, which not only looks incredibly beautiful, but also effectively hides scratches. True, such a case and the volume of the battery affected the size. The device is quite large (192x85x21 mm) and heavy (570 g). On the front side there are internal charge indicators and an activation button framed by an LED ring that shimmers in different colors. At the top end there are output ports for charging: 2 USB outputs and 2 universal round ports. With their help, smartphones, tablets, laptops and even Apple equipment are charged. The power bank looks stylish and has the most universal functionality.
Specifications They don’t cause any complaints at all, or even a hint of them. The battery of the power bank has a capacity of 18,000 mAh and is capable of transferring charge to all known types of mobile gadgets. USB provides a current of 1A for one port and 2.1A for the other port. Universal outputs are designed to charge the laptop directly, as well as the external battery itself from a power outlet or computer. Although no one forbids charging external devices from both. So, one shows a current of 3.2A at the output, and the second is a converter and has the ability to switch modes - 12V, 16V and 19V. Supports simultaneous charging of 3 devices.
Additionally I need to say something about the delivery package. Such concern for consumers is rare - in the box with the device itself, the user will find a network adapter for charging the power bank, a cable with USB and microUSB connectors, 10 adapters for the charging ports of laptops of various models and brands. And for dessert, there are also 2 wires for the MacBook: MagSafe connection cords of the 1st and 2nd generation.

This is truly a universal and extremely voluminous power bank, suitable for all users.

The price of Rombica NEO PRO 180 in Russia is 7,300 rubles. Check out the video review below:

Power bank TP-LINK TL-PB10400

But there is nothing extraordinary in this model, except for its appearance. An ordinary external energy storage device with a good capacity. This cannot be considered a minus, because low cost goes hand in hand with average characteristics. However, why this device is presented in our TOP 8 best power banks of 2017, let’s take a closer look:

Design is the main feature of this drive from TP-LINK. While most people settle on the classic rectangular flat shape, the engineers of this company decided to pay primary attention to appearance. The power bank looks like a volumetric prism with a square cross-section and rounded corners. If you choose the closest comparison, it would be a wooden block. Of course, there is a huge difference between wood and the TL-PB10400, and the design of the drive can easily be called stylish and strict. On one of the side faces there is a USB port for charging the power bank itself. And all the active elements are located at the end. The body itself is made of white plastic, and the ends are covered with the same material, but in a light blue hue. Dimensions are 88x44x44 mm with a weight of 240 g.
Specifications could be called standard, but some features prevent this from being done. Firstly, there is an LED flashlight. Secondly, there is only one control button - it serves both to activate the flashlight and to check the current charge in the battery. There are also 2 USB ports: one for smartphones with a current of 1A, and the second is designed for charging tablets at 2A. The total capacity of this mobile battery is 10400 mAh. Simultaneous charging of 2 devices is supported.
Additionally I need to say something about working with the device. Unlike analogues that require activation, here charging of the connected gadget begins automatically after 30 seconds. This is another feature of the power bank.

This device combines simplicity and convenience. No additional steps are required for use, and the appearance is extremely pleasant.

The price of TP-LINK TL-PB10400 in Russia is 1600 rubles. Video review is presented below:

Power bank Sony CP-V10

Unfortunately, the only advantage for this device was the Sony inscription on the case. Let's look at what mistakes the manufacturer made in this review:

Design There are no complaints, which is quite expected, given the company that released this power bank. The body is made of plastic with a dotted texture and looks very beautiful. It practically does not collect scratches and abrasions, and there are no fingerprints left. Dimensions are 127x72x17 mm with a weight of 245 g. In fact, the battery is large enough for its capabilities, but this does not cause any particular inconvenience. The standard shape is a rectangle. Black color.
Specifications pleasing only at first glance. The total capacity is 10,000 mAh, while charging the device itself takes about 5 hours, which is too long. At the end there is only one USB port with an output current of 1.5A - still not enough for tablets, but smartphones charge perfectly. The internal charge indicator is also available and shows every 25%.
Additionally it must be said that the declared capacity is such only under certain conditions. So, 10,000 mAh is achieved only at 3.7V, but if you use gadgets with an operating voltage of 5V, then the capacity is reduced by almost 2 times, and is 6300 mAh. This, of course, is written in the specifications for the power bank in very small print, which does not improve the situation at all.

Overall, this is an average quality device for charging phones. With such indicators, the cost is clearly too high, and, most likely, it is better to choose a cheaper and more functional analogue.

The price of Sony CP-V10 in Russia is 2300 rubles. More about the model in the following video review:

Power bank HIPER MP15000

A device about the functionality of which one would like to say “even too much.” Some options are not clear why they are needed, although, in general, the battery performs well when used for its intended purpose.

Design as simple as possible. Before us is a rectangle made of white aluminum alloy with a glossy surface. Strength is not a concern, and the battery survives any drops normally. But the coating itself is not pleasing - it quickly becomes covered with scratches and collects all the fingerprints it can. At the end there are USB and micro-USB ports for charging the power bank itself. Also available is a flashlight and an SD card reader. The dimensions are impressive 134x70x20 mm, the weight is also not small - 365 g.
Specifications pleasantly surprised. The total battery capacity is 15,000 mAh. There are 2 USB outputs with a current of 1A and 2.1A for smartphones and tablets, respectively. Simultaneous charging of 2 devices is supported. The internal reserve indicator has a 25% step and an LED structure.
Additionally There are a couple of things that need to be said. Firstly, the card reader. It is this module that is frankly superfluous, because using a power bank, even of such an impressive size, as a physical medium is extremely inconvenient. It is unlikely that this function will ever be useful. Secondly, let's look at the delivery package that will please any user. In the box, along with the battery itself, 5 additional adapters are supplied: 1 each for microUSB and miniUSB, 1 for portable devices from Nokia and 2 for devices from Apple - 30 pin and 8 pin (Lightning). The set, frankly speaking, is rich.

Despite the presence of a useless card reader, the power bank has quite decent characteristics and a beautiful appearance. It charges quite quickly and works great.

The price of HIPER MP15000 in Russia is 1900 rubles. More details about the device in the video below:

Power bank ASUS ZenPower (10050 mAh) ABTU0054.5

If you are interested in which power banks are best to choose for traveling, then this is undoubtedly the model from Asus. This is an external energy storage device, most likely for tablets, although it will also charge smartphones without any problems. Its main feature was the body - you can safely take it on trips of any nature.

Design classic - a flat rectangle without decorative elements or decorations. Actually, the device itself is one continuous decoration. The body is made of aluminum with a glossy finish and is available in 6 colors: blue, yellow, pink, silver, dark blue and black. This set is extremely unusual for portable batteries, although it allows you to better express the individuality of the user. Any shade looks beautiful, stylish and bright. At the end there is a connector for connecting chargeable peripherals. The dimensions are small - 90x59x22 mm. Weighing 215g, this product from ASUS is one of the smallest and lightest power banks in the world.
Specifications not amazing, but quite acceptable for a device of this class. Battery capacity 10050 mAh. There is only 1 USB output with a constant current of 2.4A. In fact, the port is universal and suitable for smartphones, tablets, players and Apple equipment. The only negative is that you won’t be able to charge the laptop - there won’t be enough current. There are also intelligent overload and short circuit protection systems. On the case, next to the charging port, there is a battery full indicator.
Additionally You need to pay attention to the operating conditions. This is one of the few technical devices that can withstand cold weather well. The manufacturer guarantees performance within the temperature range from -40 to 70 degrees Celsius.

This device survives travel well. Africa? Antarctica? No problem - ZenPower will easily replace the outlet.

The price of ASUS ZenPower (10050 mAh) ABTU0054.5 in Russia is 1,700 rubles. More about the device in the following video:

Power bank Meizu M10

Smartphones and tablets have already proven their worth, but what about power banks? Let's find out how good and versatile the external battery from Meizu is in this review:

Design not quite common. The rectangular shape is common, but the combination of colors is rare. The main shade is white, and the end with the ports is dark gray. The case is plastic, with a glossy shine. Thanks to the work of the designers, the impression of an extremely expensive gadget is created. Next to the connectors there is also a charge indicator for the battery itself. It is not entirely clear why the dimensions turned out to be so large - 143x75x18 mm. And this while weighing only 235 g.
Specifications do not differ from analogues. Power bank capacity 10000 mAh. There is only one USB output for connecting a device that requires charging with a current of 2A. There is also microUSB for a charging power bank. In addition to the popular short circuit and network overload protection systems, there is a built-in safety system that prevents and alerts about overheating.
Additionally It should be noted that the charging output only supports a voltage of 9V, although the device can be charged from both 5V and 12V. This selectivity somewhat narrows the list of smartphones and tablets that can be connected to the battery.

It is difficult to call this model universal, however, it fully copes with its tasks and does not cause any complaints.

The price of Meizu M10 in Russia is 2700 rubles. And here is a video review of the device:

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro

Xiaomi, as usual, is on top. The created device looks stylish and has a modern “filling”.

Design can easily be considered a classic thanks to its rectangular shape and rounded corners. The case is metal with a wide variety of colors: black, grey, blue, yellow, orange, silver and grey. Dimensions are 128x75x12 mm, and weight is 223 g. The coating is smooth and matte, and this is rare. At one end there are USB ports, a charge level indicator and a button to activate the energy transfer process.
Specifications keep up with the times. The capacity is not maximum, but quite sufficient for household needs - 10,000 mAh. But the situation with outputs is more interesting: regular USB and more modern USB Type-C are available. Thanks to the latter, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging technology is supported. Both ports support an output current of 2.1A. There is also an automatic system against overheating, short circuit and network overload.
Additionally I'm glad that the kit includes adapters for microUSB and USB Type-C.

An excellent device for charging smartphones and tablets. Simple, concise and most effective.

The price of Xiaomi Mi Power Bank Pro in Russia is 2000 rubles. More about the device in the following video review:

As can be seen from the variety of the TOP 8 best power banks of 2017, choosing a suitable model will not be difficult. This year will definitely be a happy one for owners of smartphones and tablets - now there is no need to rush to the outlet, because an inexpensive, effective, good power bank is always at hand.

It’s a rare iPhone owner who doesn’t put the smartphone on charge during active work in the evening. What’s more, most competitive devices of a similar level also suffer from power-hungry software and meager battery capacity. A socket or cigarette lighter often comes to the rescue of mAh-wasting users, but there are situations when all that’s left is you, the iPhone, and the red indicator that threatens to cut off the power to the device. It is precisely for such cases that the so-called Power Banks were invented, ready to supply energy to equipment at any time. We decided to help potential buyers with their choice and weeded out seven of the highest quality external batteries, characterized by high-quality assembly, design, weight and other parameters.

Practice has shown that you should trust only branded manufacturers of the accessories under review, since the Chinese market only attracts 100,000 mAh for 2-3 thousand rubles, but in reality the recipient gets boxes full of bolts or a lack of batteries themselves inside, the number of which can charge an iPhone at most one and a half times . Most importantly, the brand provides real capacity, which allows you to more or less calculate the number of full charges of the device. Therefore, no handicraft manufacturers, only venerable brands!

Mi Power Bank 16000 mAh

A fairly well-known Chinese manufacturer opens the parade of external batteries Xiaomi. Its power was enough for 3 energy tanks with a capacity of 5000, 10400 and 16000 mAh. Due to the specifics of the material, we will take the maximum version. The official website promises 5 full charges of the iPhone 6, the battery of which is designed for 1810 mAh. Using this data, you can easily adapt to other devices, knowing their capacity.

Externally Mi Power Bank looks very down-to-earth and stylish, you even get the feeling that Jony Ive didn’t waste time on some Chinese business trip. It resembles a small aluminum remote control from a slightly outdated TV, only its weight of 350 g and the absence of buttons on top give it away. But there is one large power key, next to which there are external battery charge indicators, a micro USB input for connecting to a power source, and two USB outputs responsible for bringing your equipment out of its dying state.

Such a light, compact, available in a variety of colors, and a capacious Power Bank has only one drawback - and this is not the price, which, by the way, does not even exceed the 2000 ruble level! They love to counterfeit the Mi battery, so the purchasing process turns into a lottery, but, fortunately, even domestic dealers have prepared very affordable offers.

Anker 2nd Gen Astro E5 16000 mAh

The brainchild, not particularly different in size from the Mi Power Bank Anker Already outwardly it lures the buyer with an elegant black case with “fused” indicators indicating the fullness of the battery. Efficiency Anker 2nd Gen Astro E5 It also gives away the presence of a carrying case, with which you can intrigue others who associate the word “anchor” exclusively with fasteners and bolts.

The E5 version with 16000 mAh on board will provide 6.2 full charges of iPhone 6 (1810 mAh), 1.3 full charges of iPad Air (8850 mAh), etc. Energy capabilities are more or less identical to Mi. By the way, have you already convinced yourself that not the entire declared capacity is consumed, but a much smaller volume? The number of full charges depends on several factors, which we will discuss in a separate article. This is not a scam by the manufacturer, but technical subtleties, so don’t worry and read on.

An interesting feature of this battery is IQ charging. This exclusive option, according to the developers, quickly recognizes the powered device and fills the battery. Both USB outputs are equipped with this technology. Between them is logically located Micro USB for charging the Astro E5 itself. Nearby there is a signal light that lights up when turned on. And the key on the side of the case is responsible for entering it. A short press on it displays the remaining mAh in the Power Bank, while strong pressure turns the device on and off.

Here you can find fault with the dirtyness of the case, which likes to collect fingerprints worse than Touch ID. In everything else, Anker did their best: fashionable look, LG batteries, dual IQ charging, $40 price tag. Amazon cannot organize delivery to Russia, but intermediary services will come to the rescue, capable of transporting a package across the ocean even for $10.

RAVPower® Xtreme 23000 mAh

Restaurants provide portions for large groups, and in the world of external batteries there are RAVPower Xtreme 23000 mAh. It is big itself - it barely reaches the size of an iPad mini, but you can understand it: even a laptop can be fed with such a huge device! iPhone 6 charges entirely 8.2 times, iPad Air - 1.68. To distribute energy, there are 2 USB ports and 2 alternative outputs, to which a whole bunch of adapters included in the kit are connected.

Almost 600 g of lithium are enclosed in a brutally discreet case, where the power key and a small screen showing the current charge of RAVPower Xtreme are clearly visible. There is no need to guess by the lights - the device gives obvious percentages and does not fool your head.

You will have to spend $99 on this Power Bank. The delivery situation is the same as for the Anker product. You need to use the services of intermediaries.

UNU Ultrapak Tour 10000 mAh

It turns out that you can win over an audience not only with crazy capacity, design or accessibility! UNU Ultrapak Tour appeared as a kind of exception to the rule, as he distinguished himself by high-speed charging of himself. Yes, yes, you understood correctly, this external battery can replenish its own energy reserves in about an hour and a half. Some Chinese counterfeits charge one iPhone during this time, but here – as much as 10,000 mAh.

At the same time, the pocket battery informs the user in detail about the progress of replenishing the bins through a display located on the surface. It displays not only the percentages, but also the completion time. We can’t say anything about accuracy, because this is only revealed through practice.

Like its neighbors in the selection, UNU Ultrapak has two USB ports with 1 and 2.1 A, prepared for your iPhone, iPad and other gadgets. The developers did not bother to write specific indicators and only indicated that smartphones will restore 400-500% of the charge, phablets - 300-400%, tablets - 80-120%. You understand that all these devices can differ radically in both the capacity and energy efficiency of the hardware, so lining them up in one line is stupid. We also leave this point to trial and error.

Well, you have to pay for speed. To be specific, $99. There is no delivery to Russia, we recommend contacting an intermediary.

iWalk Extreme TRIO 10000 mAh

We continue to identify strengths in interesting offerings in the power bank market. Up to this point, built-in cables have never been mentioned. IN iWalk Extreme TRIO Lightning and MicroUSB connectors are comfortably sewn in, allowing you to forget about additional “laces”. In fact, the unusual pyramid design is so cleverly designed that it hides cable compartments under its body. They don’t stick out, don’t get in the way, and always come in handy at the right time.

The device is thin and light (400 g). The engineers also removed all the necessary connectors from view: at the end you will find one USB distributing high-speed 2.4 A, an “On/Off” button and a standard Micro USB input to replenish the energy reserves of the external battery. The miniature display fits well into the local concept and meticulously displays the percentage of charge, voltage and number of amperes that iWalk Extreme delivers.

Both black and white models cost the same $79. Not as cheap as we would like, but for this amount you will get not only 10,000 mAh: two wires, an eye-catching appearance, a display, a creative approach to packaging - it’s completely justified. We think we won’t surprise anyone if we say that delivery to the Russian Federation is not carried out directly through Amazon.

Limefuel Blast L240X PRO 24000 mAh

We wrote about sophistication and that’s enough. Limefuel Blast L240X PRO— the most capacious external battery from our selection. Without providing potential buyers with any information regarding the charging time of mobile devices and laptops, the device takes its toll in numbers. 24000 mAh inspires confidence! Especially when you consider that the cost of this portable battery is less than that of the iWalk Extreme mod - $69.99 versus $79. There you paid for design solutions, but here for mAh, which fit in an unremarkable wrapper with a green glow.

In addition, this box of vital energy has its place in 4 USB output ports to share with friends. By the way, fast charging at 2.4 A is also present here. The rest is standard: Micro USB, “light bulb” and green capacity indicator.

Native Union JUMP 800 mAh

In the end, we decided to give you a little break from the enormous mAh and mock us with an unusual external battery, which is famous not for its capacity, but for its very compactness. Native Union JUMP is not just a box for iPhone headphones! It has 800 mAh capacity to keep your smartphone afloat for at least some time, and an interesting feature with a built-in Lightning cable.

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 operating principle 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 power 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 multiple 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 uses 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 “lifesaver” 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, it is always worth checking the product characteristics and giving 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”:

An external mobile battery or power bank for a laptop may be the best option for increasing the operating time of your laptop computer.

With an average capacity of built-in batteries of 3000–6000 mAh, the average duration of use of the gadget does not exceed 3–5 hours.

A good power bank will increase this time by at least three times, allowing you to work on your laptop even in the complete absence of electricity for several days.

In order to figure out which model is best to purchase today, you should take into account several important factors, ranging from capacity to functionality and price.

Types of power banks

A modern power bank is a universal battery suitable for several types of devices at once.

In fact, if you have a suitable adapter, you can charge any gadget from a power bank - from a mobile watch and player to a tablet and laptop.

For ease of use, the array with batteries is enclosed in a housing with one or several outputs (USB and microUSB).

Different models of external batteries differ in the following parameters:

power ranging from 1000–50000 mAh;
number of connectors;
presence of a charge indicator;
type of battery (lithium-ion or lithium-polymer). They are distinguished from conventional batteries by their long service life and maximum energy capacity;
size and weight, which usually depend on power;
design;
device manufacturer.

The standard model of an external power supply is a small rectangle that resembles an MP3 player or portable hard drive.

They are charged from the network (using a regular charger), from the USB connector of a PC, and even from the laptop whose resource they will be used to increase.

Features of choosing a battery

The main factors when choosing mobile external batteries are size, capacity and manufacturer.

The next most important point is the design of the device and its durability.

If the device will be used to charge several devices, you should pay attention to its functionality - the presence of a charge indicator and several inputs.

Characteristics

The main characteristic of the device that is worth paying attention to is the name of the manufacturer.

Popular brands in this segment are PowerPlant, Drobak and Xiaomi, which produce powerful batteries that are suitable for any type of mobile electronics, including laptops.

Little-known manufacturers are not as reliable, and their stated battery capacity may actually be lower.

The next point is the degree of protection of the external battery from dust, moisture and shock.

And, if impact resistance is not the most important characteristic, then preventing liquid and dust particles from getting inside can be called an important option.

All functional models of well-known brands have such protection - not to such an extent that you can dive with them, but enough to be in a room with high humidity.

Fully protected, including from falling, the external battery option can usually be recognized by the orange or dark red design of the case.

Another quite important characteristic of the device is its capacity. The larger it is, the longer the laptop will work without recharging from the mains.

Batteries with minimal capacity are not suitable for use to extend the charge of a laptop.

To do this, you should choose models with 20,000–30,000 mAh or more.

A capacity of 20 thousand mAh is already enough to increase the operating time of an average laptop PC by 3 times, 30 thousand is enough for a fivefold increase.

Although, if mobility plays the main role, you should pay attention to devices with a capacity of no more than 10,000 mAh - they are also quite productive, weigh no more than 200-300 g and fit in the pocket of a laptop bag.

Advice: You shouldn’t chase a large capacity, looking for batteries with 40-50 thousand mAh - most often these are fakes with smaller parameters.

An additional parameter that requires attention from female and youth users is the design of the device.

Often such equipment is not just made in the usual discreet color, but can have an original and eye-catching appearance.

When choosing a case material - plastic or metal - it is worth noting that modern plastic is often not much inferior in strength to aluminum.

Moreover, many new models of portable chargers are encased in a polymer shell, having no less wear resistance.

At the same time, they are more pleasant to the touch than metal options.

Functionality

The functionality of different models may vary markedly. For example, some power banks are capable of charging no more than one laptop at a time.

With the help of others, you can increase the operating time of your laptop PC, tablet, smartphone, or several laptops at the same time.

If the number of charging connectors reaches 3 or even 4, an additional connection device can be, for example, a small USB lamp.

The connectors differ in current strength, which determines the charging time. For a tablet or smartphone, a 1 or 2 A USB port is sufficient.

The laptop may require a 3.2A connector that can charge its main battery faster.

An additional advantage of the device can be a digital indicator, which shows how much charge is left.

Whereas the built-in LED lamp will ensure that the power bank can also be used as a temporary lighting source, and one that lasts much longer than even conventional hand-held flashlights.

Compatibility of models produced in the last few years may not be considered. All of them are suitable for charging any gadget.

Moreover, some power banks come with adapter cords designed for most connector options - from USB and microUSB to inputs for various laptop models.

Advice: When charging a laptop, the second battery must be connected to the power supply. Because if you connect them to a USB connector, the battery will not charge the laptop computer, but, on the contrary, will be recharged from it.

The most powerful

The most powerful of all consumer-trusted portable chargers is the PowerPlant K2 50000.

This battery can replace the batteries of ten laptops and 15 medium-sized tablets at once.

The complete set of adapters allows you to use it specifically for charging laptop computers.

Safety options include protection against short circuits, spontaneous discharge, and overheating.

Technical specifications:

capacity: 50000 mAh;
adapters included: for Toshiba, Sony, Acer, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo and HP laptops;
price: from 12,000 rub.

The best solar powered option

A good option for a power bank for a laptop would be the KS-303 model, which can be charged not only from the electrical network, but also from the sun.

This will increase the already decent battery capacity of 20,000 mAh, sufficient for many hours of operation of the laptop.

Additional features of the device include protection of connectors from moisture and a rubberized housing.

Gadget characteristics:

capacity: 20000 mAh;
features: 220 mA solar battery;
cost: from 3000 rub.