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Power Banks – Power that you can bank upon




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Smartphones have become an integral part of life. From the time you wake up till you sleep you extensively use your smartphone for; calls, emails, entertainment and more. Now, just picture this scenario, you are running late for work and you realize that you have forgotten to switch on the charger after plugging it in the socket. This situation is no less than a nightmare especially if you are expecting your boss’s call at any moment or an urgent mail to attend to on the go. You can’t afford to waste time by staying back just to charge your phone right? This is when you can bank upon a power bank. You can easily attend to the emails while your smartphone is getting charged up on the move. Before you read ahead, here’s a quick take on how a power bank works. These portable gadgets come with high power batteries and a distinctly designed circuit that controls the flow of electric energy or power stored in the ‘bank’ which is used to charge your smartphones, tablets or other devices. There are many models available for you to choose from. So, before you head out to pick the right power bank here’s a quick checklist.

Capacity Matters

Another major aspect to look for while buying a power bank is the capacity. The thumb rule while buying a power bank is the number of times you desire to charge your device in a day. Here’s a pro tip: while buying a power bank keep in mind the mAh of the device you want to charge. The mAh of the Power bank should be equal or higher than that of your phone or device you use. If you’re wondering how to figure it out well it’s pretty simple. Go to in the settings options -> About Phone -> Battery information. Under this option, you will find battery capacity of your device that is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). In case you own an iPhone 7 that comes with a 1960 mAh battery you should select power banks ranging between 2800 mAh-5000 mAh. And, if you own a Samsung Galaxy J7 or Samsung Galaxy S8, or any android phone with similar battery capacity ranging between 3000 mAh-3300 mAh, then it is worthwhile to go for a power bank ranging between 5200 mAh – 10000 mAh.

Whereas, if you are looking for power banks to charge your iPads or tablets then you would require a power bank that provides much higher capacity mAh. 


Compact or Heavy duty?

While commuting, I have observed that there are some people who prefer to hold their mobile phones in their hand no matter how crowded the train is. Whereas, there are some who also prefer to keep their devices in their pockets while travelling. Do you too hold your device in your hand or keep it inside your pocket? Yes? In either case, opting for power bank weighing approximately around 86-92 grams is a good choice. As it is light in weight and can be easily held in your hand or be placed in your pocket.
But if you are looking for power banks that could also charge your iPad or tablet while traveling, that’s when you could go for a high capacity power bank. These power banks weigh roughly around 300-500 grams and could be an ideal pick for you as it can be easily carried around in the bag without being felt burdened. 

With that said, Universal power bank is a preferred choice amongst many commuters, wanderlust lovers and nomophobics (a cell phone addict)


Battery Necessities

Batteries are the core of any power bank. It’s important to pay attention to the type of cells or batteries used. There are basically two types of batteries used in power banks; Lithium-ion or Lithium-polymer.
Lithium-ion cells essentially consist of a rigid liquid chemical compound between them. Made rechargeable in nature these batteries include an electronic controller which monitors the discharge and regulates power supply in order to avoid it from being overheated or exploded. 
On the other hand, lithium polymer cells consist of gelled electrons and are packed in a soft pouch making them more lightweight. These power banks are more resistant to overcharging and leakage.

Apart from this, ensure to opt for power banks that come with over voltage protection (OVP), overcharge protection (OCP) and over temperature protection (OTP) as it safeguards the life of the power bank even when overheated. It is advisable to go in for power bank of reputed brands since, the batteries used in cheap quality power banks could be a potential threat, as it could explode due to heat or overcharging.


The Need for Speed

Isn’t it disappointing when your phone isn’t fully charged despite it being plugged accurately to the power bank for hours? Perhaps, you start to think of it as a wasteful investment. But that’s not true. Voltage & Amperage are two vital facets that impact the speed of charging in a power bank. Therefore, it is important to know the output and input level of voltage and amperage of your power. Let’s get a brief on what are these two vital aspects.

 
Voltage basically controls or manages the flow of electric energy during the charging process. It helps in keeping the speed of the current (amp) constant. But, if the voltage is low the time taken to charge your device will be more.
You might have understood that Amperage (Amp) is regulated by voltage. It is the time taken to charge. Higher the current (amp) the device charges rapidly.
Many economic power banks come with a charging speed of 1 Amp. If your portable power bank has 1 Amp charging current then you are likely to experience fairly slow charging process.
Whereas, in case of dual or multi-port banks you may find each port carrying different amperage. Where one port may have a 2A charging current the other may consist of 1.0A charging current.
While, 2.4A charging speed is more of a regular and desired speed option because it provides a charging speed similar to that of your plug–in wall charger. Quick charging technology has recently managed to dominate the market. Wondering what is quick charge technology all about? This technology offers unbelievably quick boost to your device when the battery is almost drained out and then gradually slows down when it’s about partially charged. This smart technology aids in preventing damage to the battery from overheating thus, increasing is its lifespan.
Certain Android phones like, LG G6 and HTC U are enabled with the latest Quick Charge 3.0 technology and can be charged almost full within few minutes.
But, not every phone can support the full power of a rapid charger. Hence, it is essential to check if your phone supports quick charging technology.

Multiple port Connectivity

Do you use your tablet and smartphone simultaneously and extensively? Then, multiple port connectivity power bank is highly recommend for someone like you. You will find a range of power banks with two to five USB ports available in the market. These power banks not only offer great multi-charging options but can also be used as a charging hub for multiple electronic devices. Now go ahead and watch movies or prepare your presentations on your tablet without being worried about the battery getting discharged. 


Battery Capacity Sensors, Warranties & more

You probably would have experienced frustrating moments wherein you realized that your power bank has drained out just when you have plugged in your smartphone or tablet to it. To avert such situations you should pick power banks that come with built-in battery capacity sensors. These skilfully designed sensors not only indicate the power left in the power bank but also notifies you when your smartphone or tablet is fully charged.   It’s vital you check the type of warranty provided by the power bank manufacturer. Wait, what types of warranties? Yes, you will basically come across two type of warranties while purchasing a power bank: limited warranty & limited lifetime warranty. The limited warranty covers the gadget for a specific period of time from the date of purchase. Do remember, to keep the purchase receipt to prove purchase date. Whereas, your gadget is covered for a reasonably long duration under a limited lifetime warranty. Apart from the types of warranties, here are a few do’s and don’ts you need to bear in mind while using a power bank.

  • Keep the power bank AWAY from direct sunlight, humidity or water.
  • It is advisable to NOT leave the battery on prolonged charge as it could damage its lifespan
  • Only use connecting cables provided with the power bank or of your mobile device.
  • Don't cover the power bank or your device when charging as the device could explode if not charged in a well-ventilated environment.

Do check our range of Power banks that can extend the battery life of your devices and would never leave you powerless – indeed something that you can bank upon.


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