Even though laptop battery life increases with each new generation, you’ll still want a way to charge your laptop on the go when you eventually run out of juice. That’s why laptop power banks are becoming increasingly more popular—they give you the convenience of charging your devices even when you’re away from an outlet.
If you’re in the market for a laptop power bank, you should make sure you get a good quality portable charger that’s compatible with your device. But with so many power banks in the market, it’s hard to know which one to choose.
To help you out, here are eight things to keep in mind when shopping for a laptop power bank.
1. Charging Capacity
The charging capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere hours (mAh) and is one of the most important factors to consider while choosing a laptop power bank.
Laptops have large batteries, so it takes a lot of mAh to fully charge one. Because of this, we recommend a power bank with at least 20,000mAh capacity. This should be enough to recharge the best laptop that can be charged from a power bank at least once.
2. Charging Output and Input
You want to make sure that your power bank has a high charging output and input. The higher the output amperage, the faster your laptop will charge. Similarly, the higher the input amperage, the faster your power bank will recharge.
If you want to transfer energy from your power bank to your laptop, get a device with a higher watt-output rating. This way, you can quickly charge your computer to full and avoid the power bank bulk on your desk.
3. Brand name
A laptop power bank from a reputed brand will be of better quality and have more features than a power bank from a lesser-known brand.
Once you’ve identified a reputable manufacturer, read customer reviews on particular models. Pay attention to the comments of the reviews regarding the durability and safety certifications of the power bank. The best power banks will avoid problems like overcharging and overheating.
4. Number and type of ports
Note the output ports on the power bank. You’ll want to make sure it has the right ports for charging your devices. USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning are some of the most common ports on power banks.
Some laptop power banks allow you to charge multiple devices at once, so look for a power bank with multiple USB ports, including USB-C and USB-A ports.
Many people use power banks with USB-C output to charge their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Plus, many smaller devices support USB-A charging, including phones, headphones, and wireless mice.
Power banks with USB-C ports that support Power Delivery (PD) technology have some of the fastest possible charging (output) and recharging (input) speeds.
5. Build Quality
Power banks made from cheap materials, including low-quality plastic and shoddy materials, make them more vulnerable to damage.
You want a sturdy power bank that can withstand accidental knocks and the elements of the weather. You should opt for models with casings made of tough materials such as silicone rubber, polycarbonate, and anodized aluminum.
6. Portability
Laptop power banks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are lightweight and designed to fit in a laptop bag or backpack, while others are large and bulky.
Larger and heavier power banks tend to have higher charging capacities, so consider finding a balance between portability and energy efficiency. We recommend a power bank that weighs less than a pound if you’re planning on taking it anywhere.
7. Security Features
Incomplete circuiting and overcharging are two common reasons why power banks explode. Because of this, it is advised to look for a power bank with safety features like built-in protection against overcharging, short-circuiting, and overheating.
Also, consider power banks with lithium-polymer batteries. Thanks to their sturdier packing, these battery types are considered much safer than their lithium-ion counterparts.
8. LED Indicator
You can use the power bank’s LED indicator lights to keep track of its charging status and the amount of charge remaining, so get a power bank with visible LED indicator lights. If it doesn’t have an LED indicator, you’ll have to use your best judgment to determine when to charge it, which can be annoying.
Charge your laptop with power bank
Even though some laptops already have great battery life, many models still don’t have enough battery life for a day’s use without needing a top-up. This makes the power bank an essential accessory for people who usually use their laptop on the go.
So, if you’re planning to take a laptop power bank with you to work practically anywhere, tick the boxes above to ensure you get a model that will last you a long time.