Why Everyone Needs To Stock Up On Power Banks – Review Geek

We’ve all made purchases we regret, especially when it comes to technology. But there is one item that is quite cheap, practical, and will more than prove its worth in its lifetime. That is the humble power bank.

Like all batteries, there is a limit to the life of a power bank. And technology is advancing too, so obsolescence is a consideration. If you dig around in a drawer, you might have an old 1000mAh power bank that was enough to fill a phone ten years ago; Things have come a long way since then, and modern power banks are arguably an everyday essential. They are very cheap and have a lot of applications. Not only should you have a power bank, but you should have a reasonable collection of them.

It can rescue you in a pinch

As advanced as modern phone batteries are, heavy use can see most phones run out of charge in less than a day. Worse yet, there are times when you may leave the house without having charged your phone the night before. Or a long trip can leave you with a dead smartphone.

A power bank on your person can get you out of trouble in these situations. Banks with around 10,000 mAh capacity can charge the average phone twice before they run empty. They are also quite small and portable. Ultra-portable 5000 mAh power banks are also available and will get a full charge from most devices. Either one can be slipped into a backpack, purse, or even a pocket without causing a problem. However, you should also pack a charging cable, as cheaper power banks tend not to have a wireless charging option. There are power banks with built-in USB-C or Lightning cable connectors instead of generic USB ports, but I think it’s best not to limit your possibilities.

You will also be in a position where you can help other people when they need a quick charge. My wife’s phone goes through the red zone a lot, so I often find her handing her a portable power bank on her way out the door. I was also at a bar in Boston recently, and the wireless charging stations they had built into the table were not working. Since I had a power bank with me, I was able to help an acquaintance put enough power into her phone to get her home.

Finally, there are power outages. Your home may not have electricity, but your phone can keep you in touch with friends and family. Your phone’s internet connection is also likely to work, even if a storm caused major damage. It’s a vital lifeline, and a stack of fully charged power banks can keep you going for a long time.

Expands the functionality of other objects

A power bank can help repair or improve other devices that have battery problems. If your elderly cell phone can only hold a charge for a few hours, a power bank can help keep it going. Similarly, if you’re a VR enthusiast who likes long sessions in Meta Quest, a power bank is a great way to extend your gaming session while staying “wireless.” The same applies to PlayStation and Xbox controllers. If you don’t have a spare battery and don’t want to drag a cord across the room, a power bank can keep your controller running as long as you need.

Then you have objects that are designed to work with power banks. Many carry-on bags, backpacks, and jackets have built-in cords and compartments meant to hold a power bank. Just plug a fully charged power bank into the USB cable in said compartment, and you’ve got a handy outlet somewhere in your case, bag, or coat that you can use to charge a device. There are also specialized devices that can charge things like Apple Watches on the go.

There are also things like camping trips and hikes to consider. Portable solar panels aren’t great, but packing a few power banks can help keep essential devices like flashlights, smartwatches, and navigation tools charged.

Perhaps surprisingly, it can also keep you warm. Heated coats and jackets, with electrical elements running through them, are widely available. Plug a power bank into one, press a button, and you have your own personal heater on your body.

They are incredibly cheap

Money is tight these days, and when it comes to saving cash, non-essential electronics can be first on the chopping block. However, power banks are not really expensive and provide a lot of value for a fairly reasonable outlay. You can get a high-quality power bank from a reputable vendor for less than $20.

Power banks get even cheaper when electronics are on sale. You can get between 25% and 50% discount in some cases. So occasions like Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber ​​​​Monday, and post-holiday sales events are an ideal time to stock up. They’re also something you really can’t have too many of.

If you only have one, you may forget to charge it and not be able to use it when you need it. If you have several and keep them in a designated area, chances are at least one is charged, and seeing the number of charged power banks dwindle may remind you to plug in another one while you grab the one you’re going to use.

smaller is sometimes better

It’s worth noting that in most cases you’re probably better off with several smaller power banks than one large capacity one. Having a 40,000 mAh bank capable of powering a laptop or charging a phone eight times over may initially seem like a good idea, but you’re actually limiting yourself in a big way. Even if it costs more, several smaller power banks, ideally around 10,000 mAh, are more practical. It is more likely that at least one of them is loaded. Particularly since you can have one depleted on charge while using a fully charged one.

Then there is portability to consider. Larger batteries are heavy and cannot be transported as easily as smaller power banks. The weight might not seem like much at first, but after you’ve been lugging the bag your power bank sits in for a while, you’ll start to notice it, especially if it also contains other devices like laptops and tablets. It is also prohibited to take portable batteries larger than 27,000 mAh on planes, making them even more difficult to travel with.

Keeping a few power banks around won’t do it any harm. They are like a multitool or a smart watch. They just make life easier. If you don’t have one, you don’t know it, but when you do, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them in your life.

But why stop at one? As said, you are better off with multiple power banks. If you see one for sale or have a little extra cash, pull the trigger and add it to your collection. You’d have to set up a battery hoarding complex before it really hurts your finances, and the more you have, the more likely it is to be ready when you need it. If you’re trying to add to your collection without breaking the bank, I can recommend the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger. The fact that it still uses Micro USB for charging is a drawback, but it makes up for it with its compact size, capacity, and reliability. If you can afford to splurge, the Zendure Power Bank 10000mAh Mini is ideal for those who prefer portability above all else.