How to choose a portable battery. Choosing the best external battery: an overview of eight power bank models. Which company to choose an external battery

Portable external batteries for powering mobile devices, which ten years ago were still a curiosity, are now very popular. But the need to use them is different for all people. It can be said with certainty that the more “mobile” a person's lifestyle is, the more he needs this adaptation.

And if for those who rest on weekends by the river, this is just a desirable attribute, then for hikers it is already a must-have item of inventory: being left without navigation, light and communication in a deep forest is not the best prospect. An additional battery will also be useful for frequent travels due to production needs, as well as for long trips or flights (but in the latter case, you need to make sure that they are not prohibited from being carried in hand luggage, the rules may change at any time).

There is a good English-language term in the world for their designation (power bank), but no such short Russian was invented for them. Most often, the name "external battery" is used, but there are also longer ones: "universal external battery", "portable external battery", "portable charger". And in everyday life they are often called simply "power banks" ("power banks"). So they will be called in our review (for brevity).

Today we will conduct a mass test of eight devices with medium and high power reserves (with a capacity of 5000 mAh and more).

All of them different manufacturers (Chinese, of course). And although the circuitry and technical solutions are largely standardized here, the devices still turned out to be different. And what unites them is that they are all officially supplied to the Russian Federation. And this is a good sign: importers do not want problems with sales and claims from "retail", so they test product samples before purchasing a batch.

And so that the test results are perceived correctly, I will begin the review by setting out several almost obvious postulates that are valid for all external batteries without exception:

1. All "power banks" contain a battery charge controller and an output voltage converter (since the output voltage is not equal to the voltage of the battery (s) used there, and it must be raised or lowered). The need for conversion (in a typical case - to a voltage of 5 V) is the main source of loss of efficiency (losses on key transistors, on rectifier diodes, on the resistance of winding elements, etc.).
2. The nominal capacity of the battery installed in it is indicated as the capacity of "power banks", and not supplied to the load (which is always less, since the efficiency of the converter cannot be one hundred percent).
3. The nominal capacity of the battery inside the "powerbank" may not coincide with the actual one - like all radioelements, the batteries have a rating tolerance. Usually no one indicates the tolerance value, but it can be taken for about +/- 10% (this also depends on the manufacturer's conscientiousness).

These postulates lead to the conclusion that it would be naive to hope for a full charge of the phone, for example, with a 4000 mAh battery, using a portable battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. This can happen in absolutely fantastic cases, when the capacity of the battery installed in the "powerbank" due to the technological spread turned out to be much higher than the nominal value. And there is no "cheat" in this: this is physics!

A few words about determining the efficiency of devices in the " fast charging"(When the output voltage rises above 5 V) and differences from the calculation in" normal mode ". In normal mode (supply voltage 5 V), the smartphone battery in most cases is charged with exactly the current that comes from the outside (with small losses in the controller). But in the "fast charging" mode, the incoming power is converted to the current and voltage of charging the smartphone battery, which is optimal for this without harming the battery. That is, the incoming power is used almost to the maximum.

In this regard, the efficiency for the normal mode was calculated as the ratio of the given capacity of the "powerbank" to its face value. If the manufacturer overestimates the capacity in the parameters, then he will ruin his own reputation by reducing the efficiency. And for the "fast charging" mode, the efficiency was determined by the transferred energy in Watt-hours (the transferred capacity was multiplied by the voltage at the output of the "powerbank" in this mode).

The energy of the device under test was also determined from the powerbank rating, and the battery voltage was taken as 3.7 V.

Specifications and test program

Below are two tables with the characteristics of the tested models. The first contains the parameters of conventional "power banks" (with a capacity of 5,000 - 6,600 mAh), and the second - with an increased capacity (from 10,000 mAh).

Small power banks

Model	Capacity, mAh	Output current, A; number of outputs	Dimensions, mm / weight, g	Price, rub.	Comment
Xiaomi Mi NDY-02-AM	5 000	2.1 A; 1 out.	125.0 x 69.0 x 9.9; / 156	900	Metal case
Nobby Comfort NBC-PB-06-01	6 000	2.1 A; 1 out.	131.0 x 71.0 x 14.5 / 155	1 000	Digital indication of charge, soft-touch case
HIPER EP6600	6 600	2.1 A; 1 out.	141.0 x 71.0 x 8.0 / 140	1 500	Available different design device design
Canyon CNS-TPBP5DG	5 000	2.0 A; 2 out.	138.2 x 69.2 x 9.4 / 128	700	Two inputs, two outputs
InterStep PB6000	6 000	2.0 A; 2 out.	145.0 x 72.5 x 9.9 / 150	1 500	One input, two outputs

Big Powerbanks

Model	Capacity, mAh	Output current, A; number of outputs	Dimensions, mm / weight, g	Price, rub.	Comment
Nobby Expert NBE-PB-10-01	10 000	3.0 A (5 V), 9/12 V - current not specified; 2 out. USB-A	136.0 x 66.0 x 13.3 / 200	2 400	Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Anker PowerCore 10000 with Quick Charge 3.0	10 000	3.0 A (5 V), 2.4 A (10 V); 2.0 A (12V); 1 out. USB-A	166.0 x 58.0 x 22.0 / 198	2 100	Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
ADATA A10050QC	10 050	3.0A (5V); 2.0 A (9 V); 1.5 A (12V); 2 out. (USB-A, USB Type-C)	105.2 x 64.07 x 23.0 / 247	2 200	Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0

Most of the presented devices are based on modern lithium-polymer batteries with a "flat" design and high energy density. An exception is the Anker and ADATA models; judging by the shape of the case, they use standard cylindrical batteries. Lithium polymer batteries - this is a modern modification of lithium-ion, in which the characteristics are improved: in addition to increasing the energy density, the number of charge-discharge cycles is increased and the self-discharge value is reduced.

The "Price" column contains the recommended retail prices and average prices based on the Russian retail data. In reality, in different ways retail outlets there is a very wide range of prices (greed does not know borders), so this data is an extremely approximate guideline; do not misunderstand me.

The discharge of "power banks" to the load was tested in two modes: at the maximum permissible output current and at a current of 1 A (this is how much a "typical" smartphone consumes when charging). For models with support for "fast charging", we tested the mode with the maximum permissible current with the output voltage set to 12 V. In addition, we tested the operation at low load (50 mA), which ideally should not be perceived as a complete disconnection of the load; and accordingly should not work automatic shutdown devices.

All tested portable batteries successfully operated short-circuit protection and failed to burn a single device. Other "automatic" functions also worked successfully: turning on when the load is connected, turning off when the load is disconnected.

To charge the "power banks", a charger with an output voltage of 5 V and a current output of up to 3 A was used, which was supposed to meet the needs of any of the heroes of the review. For the "purity of the experiment", the shortest of the cables was used when charging - 18 cm (for the HIPER EP6600, an exception had to be made, more details below).

For control electrical parameters used a USB tester and a QC2.0 / QC3.0 "fast charge" emulation board connected in series:

The emulation board was used only to test the “fast charging” mode; when testing the standard mode (5 V), it was excluded from the circuit. Also, a check was carried out in "combat work" - real charging a smartphone with a weak autonomy (and therefore the situation with its feeding from the "power bank" is very vital).

The difference between real powering smartphones and laboratory tests with a fixed load current is in two factors. First, the charging current of real devices is not constant (as a rule, it is higher than the average current at the beginning of charging and lower at the end). Secondly, during charging, the device works and therefore energy consumption continues simultaneously with charging.

As a test smartphone, I chose my personal Sony. I always use it “in nature”, because it provides excellent navigation quality, acceptable photo quality, is hermetically sealed from water and resistant to minor impacts. But his battery is modest - only 1,910 mAh, which is why in real life, when going out into the countryside, I definitely take a power bank with me. The number of charges from the tested devices was checked. The result will be expressed as the sum of the percentage of charging the smartphone.

And, finally, the last point of the program - checking the charging of mobile devices "on the aisle", when the latter is connected to the "powerbank", and the latter is connected to the charger. If the mode is successful, both should be charged - both the external battery and the mobile device powered by it. This situation is not vital, but it is interesting.

Review Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 5000 NDY-02-AM

First, I will briefly list again

Capacity	5000 mAh
Output current	2.1 A
Weight	156 g
Dimensions	125.0 x 69.0 x 9.9 mm

Xiaomi Mi NDY-02-AM is the only one of the “small” portable batteries with a metal (aluminum) case presented in the review:

This model is made in a flat case with rounded sides and flat ends. In general, the look is austere but elegant. Note the rough surface, which will make the scratches inevitable during use less noticeable.

On one of the ends there is information about the device, however, printed in a hard-to-read light gray font (in addition to the date of manufacture):

The other end contains the entire "control panel":

Everything is here: a control button, a charge level indicator of four white LEDs, a microUSB port for charging and a full-size USB port for connecting a charging device.

The battery level indicator does not work as usual. When charging the "power bank" it constantly glows as a "thermometer" of this process (everything is usual here). But when discharging to a charged device, the indicator behaves differently: it "blinks" at a large interval, and the number of blinking LEDs shows the level of residual charge.

The only button can be used mainly to control its own charge: pressing it "animates" the indicator. It is not necessary to use it to turn on the device in "combat" use: thanks to automatic switching on when the load is connected, everything works by itself. And on shutdown it does not work at all. To do this, disconnect the load or wait until it is fully charged.

It should be noted that if the button does not turn off, then this is not a drawback of the device. Historically, in power banks, this button works to control the charge and turn it on (and many models do not have it at all). Therefore, the ability to turn off the device is the exception, not the rule. All other test subjects will also be affected.

Xiaomi Powerbank is one of the few participants in our test competition that supports charging "on the go". Simply put, you can connect it to a power source (for charging) and at the same time connect a device to be charged (for example, a phone) to it. This will charge both devices.

Device model	Xiaomi Mi NDY-02-AM
Rated capacity	5000 mAh
Accepted charge	4,922 mAh
Charging time	3 h. 50 min.
Average charging current	1.28 A
The given charge is 5 V / 2 A; Efficiency	3539 mAh; 70.8%
Voltage in 5 V / 2 A mode	4.62V
	3722 mAh; 74.4%
Voltage in 5 V / 1 A mode	4.62
	192%
	there is
	there is

conclusions

Xiaomi has turned out, as always, a "classic of the genre". The device is not loaded with any excesses and does not try to portray something "fancy", but it works properly in all parameters and in a way familiar to the user. Also, many will like the nice metal body.

The only "but" is that our Chinese comrades have learned to counterfeit not only Apple and Samsung products, but also their own Xiaomi (because it is very popular). Therefore, when buying in questionable places, there is a chance to run into a battery "similar to Xiaomi".

Review Nobby Comfort NBC-PB-06-01

Main technical characteristics:

Capacity	6,000 mAh
Output current	2.1 A
Weight	155 g
Dimensions	131.0 x 71.0 x 14.5 mm

This "powerbank" came to us in a completely "Russified" package:

As a complete set, the box contains a microUSB cable and operating instructions:

The instruction in this case is a purely formal document (it just should be). Nothing interesting, except for the obvious things, is described in it.

The cable is rather short, 30 cm. But it is made this way not because the manufacturer feels sorry for the wires, but because the short cable has less resistance and, accordingly, less losses. This remark also applies to all other tested devices.

The Nobby model received a dark blue plastic case with a pleasant soft-touch surface:

The main feature that distinguishes it from the rest of our review is the presence of a digital battery charge indicator (visible in the right upper corner on the picture). This will allow the user to better navigate the current state of the external battery.

Outwardly, it seems that the "powerbank" is inserted into a blue case and can be pulled out from there. But alas, this is not the case. What looks like a blue case is an integral part of the case and nothing can be pulled out of it. You can also find some similarity in the shape of the device with a lighter, only very large.

The powerbank case is distinguished by the rounding of all corners and edges, in addition to the end on which the “control panel” is located (it is flat):

The "control panel" is extremely simple: a microUSB connector for charging, a full-size USB for discharging, and a control button, which, as in the previous case, is not required at all (but can be useful for monitoring the device's status). The latter works only to turn on and control the battery charge.

Of the features, it should be noted that when charging the "powerbank" itself, it charged up to 95% at a normal speed (about four hours), and the last 5% gained slowly (it took him another hour and a half). And if time is limited, waiting for a full charge is not necessary, 95% is also not bad.

Measurement results technical parameters:

Device model	Nobby Comfort NBC-PB-06-01
Rated capacity	6,000 mAh
Accepted charge	6,061 mAh
Charging time	4 hours 01 minutes (up to 95%)
Average charging current	1.51 A
	4 422 mAh; 73.7%
	4.55V
The given capacity is 5 V / 1 A; Efficiency	4517 mAh; 75.3%
Voltage in 5 V / 1 A mode	4.66V
Number of smartphone charges 1 910 mAh	220%
Supports "light load" 50 mA	there is
On-the-go charging support	there is

conclusions

The device, just like the previous Xiaomi battery, fully and without problems fulfills its functions, including work with low load and charging "on the go".

Of the advantages, two additional features should be noted. The first and foremost is a digital charge indication. This is not only pleasant, but also useful, as it gives the consumer more accurate information than a standard "thermometer" of four LEDs. The second positive feature is the case based on soft-touch plastic. Many users like this material and competes successfully with metal cases.

There are no obvious drawbacks, but to those features that we usually call "may not suit", we will include a long set of the last 5% of the charge. Basically, most lithium-based devices will slow down charging at the end, but here the slowdown is stronger than usual.

HIPER EP6600 Review

Main technical characteristics:

Capacity	6 600 mAh
Output current	2.1 A (5 V)
Weight	140 g
Dimensions	141.0 x 71.0 x 8.0 mm

There is nothing special in the technical characteristics, but in the external design there is:

This "powerbank" is enclosed in a glossy plastic case in the shape of an ordinary smartphone, but the drawing of the front side puzzled me: it was not possible to immediately identify what kind of pattern it was.

The answer came after turning it on:

Before us is the silhouette of a black cat. When the device is turned on (either for charging or discharging), the cat's eyes glow and inform the owner that the device is "in use".

In this case, the eyes also "blink". Blinking stops when the device is fully charged in charging mode. And the level of the current battery charge is also displayed by them. The larger it is, the more the eyes are “open” (there are four levels of “opening”).

This powerbank model is available in several designs, but cat eyes are present in all versions. In contrast to the front side, there is nothing interesting on the back side, except for the technical parameters:

An uncomplicated external battery control panel is on the top edge:

There are a control button (optional, as in previous cases), a full-size USB connector (for connecting a charged device) and a microUSB connector for charging the "powerbank" itself. The control button works fully - on, off and charge control.

Control of technical parameters gave the following results:

Device model	HIPER EP6600
Rated capacity	6 600 mAh
Accepted charge	6 476 mAh
Charging time	5 hours 42 minutes
Average charging current	1.14 A
The given charge is 5 V / 2.1 A; Efficiency	4 329 mAh; 65.6%
Voltage in 5 V / 2.1 A mode	4.76V
The given capacity is 5 V / 1 A; Efficiency	4441 mAh; 67.3%
Voltage in 5 V / 1 A mode	4.90V
Number of smartphone charges 1 910 mAh	216%
Supports "light load" 50 mA	there is
On-the-go charging support	No

This model does not support on-the-go charging: when it is connected to a power source, the connected mobile device stops charging.

The initial attempt to charge the powerbank with a short cable (18 cm) had to be interrupted, since the charging current at the beginning of the process was 2.64 A. This value exceeded the charge current declared for the device of 2 A. The problem was solved by connecting a longer cable (1 m), which introduced additional losses into the circuit, and the current at the beginning of the charge dropped to 1.26 A.

In the reality this problem may not be encountered by all users, since its manifestation will depend on the used charger.

conclusions

Despite the "toy" look, the HIPER model is quite capable of giving the necessary amount of charge to the phone. The relatively low value of the efficiency is compensated by the slightly increased value of the battery capacity in comparison with other participants in our "competition".

The pluses include an interesting design with "cat's eyes". This design is unusual and eye-catching. And the disadvantage is that the charge current is exceeded when using a "short" cable, which can have a negative effect on the battery life cycle. The problem is solved in an elementary way, but the manufacturer does not warn about it.

Canyon CNS-TPBP5DG Review

Main technical characteristics:

Capacity	5000 mAh
Output current	2.0 A (5 V)
Weight	128 g
Dimensions	138.2 x 69.2 x 9.4 mm

Most sites for this "powerbank" for some reason indicate the dimensions and weight in the package. Therefore, here are our own measurements.

The body of the device is plastic, with a matte surface, with the top and bottom sides of different colors. The upper side is lighter:

And the lower side, respectively, is darker:

The controls and connectors of the device are spaced apart on different side faces.

On one of the wide side faces there is a control button (also not very necessary) and a charge indicator:

The control button, even if it is not really needed (thanks to the automatic on-off switch), works fully functional: both on and off.

And on the opposite side there is a microUSB connector for charging a "powerbank":

There are three more connectors at the end: two full-size USB outputs for charging connected devices and a Lightning connector for charging a power bank:

Thus, the Canyon model received two inputs and two outputs. Moreover, the inputs for charging it are different: microUSB and Lightning, which will allow you to charge with any of these types of cables.

At the same time, it is desirable for the user to pay attention to the fact that connecting two powerful devices for charging at the same time can exceed the maximum permissible output current of the powerbank and cause a decrease in voltage at its outputs (or triggering of protection).

Control of technical parameters gave the following results:

Device model	Canyon CNS-TPBP5DG
Rated capacity	5000 mAh
Accepted charge	5 111 mAh
Charging time	4 h. 55 min.
Average charging current	1.04 A
The given charge is 5 V / 2 A	3,532 mAh; 70.6%
Voltage in 5 V / 2 A mode	4.73V
The given capacity is 5 V / 1 A	3 784 mAh; 75.7%
Voltage in 5 V / 1 A mode	4.93
Number of smartphone charges 1 910 mAh	191%
Supports "light load" 50 mA	there is
On-the-go charging support	No

This external battery does not support charging devices "on the go". When it connects itself to charging, the output power is cut off.

conclusions

This model is equipped with two charging inputs (this can be noted as a plus) and two outputs for discharging to the load. The last fact we can write down as "pluses" only conditionally - the simultaneous connection of two powerful devices (for example, smartphones with capacious batteries), the "powerbank" may not approve, the output current is not so high for this. It is better to recharge such gadgets one by one.

Of the conditional "minuses" we can note the most simple plastic case (which had a positive impact on the price of the device).

Not sure how to choose an external battery for phone? Everything is extremely simple, but requires elementary attention. How to make a reasonable choice will be discussed below.

Problems and methods of its resolution

Why is an external charger so popular today, because the power of standard lithium energy sources used in the same mobile phones is growing from year to year? Do not forget the fact that all, without exception (or with rare "Chinese" exception), models are positioned as smartphones.

As the dynamics of sales show, push-button phones if it is in the hands of users, it is rather used as a backup, so as not to "promptly" damage the road during operation iPhone.

Or, the previously popular "push buttons" are used as a status solution, but despite this their popularity has practically disappeared.

The same smartphones that are used today differ significantly from their predecessors (compare at least the models of 2009 and 2016), in terms of their performance modern developments are head and shoulders above their “grandfathers” in all respects.

This is the whole problem, with an increase in the functionality, indicators of the phone itself, the diagonal of the sensor, on most of them the charge of a standard rechargeable battery lasts a maximum of 1-2 days of normal use.

And you must admit that if you use a mobile phone intensively, the likelihood of battery discharge at the most inopportune time is very high.

All that remains is to protect yourself by purchasing an additional power source for your mobile, which you can carry with you on the road without fear of stopping due to the low battery charge of your only means of communication with the outside world.

All Hardy Battery Phone Reviews

Where and when an external battery comes in handy

A universal external battery that can be useful virtually anywhere.

For example, the following situations can be noted:

• A trip to the village or to nature in order to ensure your own rest. By far the best thing to take with you push-button telephone, the charge of which will certainly last for a long time (well, at least with reasonable use, for 4-6 days). But, what if it is not? The smartphone, as mentioned above, will sit down after the first day of use, and the resting person will be left without communication. In this case, an additional charger will save the day.
• When traveling to work, especially when it comes to large cities. When driving in the subway, in order to occupy yourself, you want to play, or watch a video on a mobile device, listen to music, and this in itself leads to a faster discharge of the smartphone. In addition, it is not always possible to be sure that he managed to charge it in a hurry, so that the left 10% of the charge will not be enough for the road. Naturally, if you have an external charger with you, the problem will be solved.
• Finally, the most commonplace situation is when you forgot to charge for stationary use at home. Or do not wear it in principle, relying on the "immortality" of the smartphone in any situation. You just run the risk of spending a lot of time at work, study, looking for a way to recharge (and after all, don't plug two wires into the outlet, no one will). An external charger will save in this situation too.

What is Power Bank - a few terms

So, what is an external battery, or what is the common name for a device in progressive Europe, Power Bank? According to the information provided by the developers of such a unique device, this is a kind of set of batteries (conventional batteries), placed in a special case with USB leads.

Interestingly, the specified connector is universal, since you can easily purchase a set of adapters, and thus any modern mobile device will be charged.

You should be more careful with older models and brands of phones, as it is not always possible to find the optimal connector for them.

The device is enclosed in a case (plastic for cheaper models, aluminum for expensive ones), characterized by increased strength and resistance to impacts and deformations.

Do not forget that real batteries are used for mobile devices (for example, for the same samsung smartphones), which, if not properly supervised by the owner, can explode.

Depending on the selected model of external charger, such indicators as quality, class of used batteries may differ.

Fundamental differences are also noted in the style and the concept itself, taking into account that each developer tries to "stand out" from competitors and offer the market only an original technical device.

Recently, impressive in comparison with conventional elements have appeared in the market segment, which allow charging several devices connected to them simultaneously.

However, no matter how menacing the unit may look, its purpose remains unchanged - charging for smartphones and other mobile devices.

Further, it is proposed to conduct an overview of the most "relevant" moments of choosing a unit, in order to simply understand what is the best approach to buying to do and how this will affect the future performance of the device.

The analysis is proposed to be carried out on specific performance indicators that can be characterized as very important to the user.

How to choose the capacity of the device

The very first thing to know about an external battery when buying it is the capacity indicator. What to expect in this situation, the best unit is the one with the maximum capacity, and this is often due to the number of batteries installed in it. The capacity indicator is set in milliampere-hours (abbreviated mAh).

Also, the number of batteries significantly affects the final weight, even the dimensions of the device itself. The larger the capacity, the more energy such a battery can give to your mobile device.

But not everything is so simple, I would like to pay attention to one important point.

One illustrative example can be given with rechargeable batteries made in an official factory and in a local Chinese production.

True, this applies more to computer equipment, but the official models have original factory-power batteries. Logically, if you take a battery with increased power, it must certainly be heavier.

In fact, if a cheap and Chinese, Chinese-made rechargeable battery (supposedly of increased power!) Is selected, its weight is two times less than the original one, and it holds a charge about 2-3 times less.

Therefore, you should not trust the colorful stickers, it is best to check such batteries, at least by weight, or by the performance indicators of the phone.

What elements are in an external battery

As the technical documentation shows (and as can be seen from our own experience), Li-on cells are installed in external batteries (as an alternative to Li-pol), which are currently positioned as the most proven energy sources that are relevant for recharging a mobile device. The first type is usually understood as lithium ion cells, and the second - lithium polymer.

Among their advantages, the following can be highlighted in a nutshell:

• A sufficiently low level of the self-discharge indicator, which will allow using the device for a long time without the need for additional recharging of the battery itself;
• The maximum possible indicator of specific energy consumption, another important selection criterion, which should be made in favor of lithium cells;
• High performance characteristics, thanks to which the process of use will become as pleasant as possible for a potential user.

By the way, it is worth noting that the record capacity indicator for such devices today is approximately 25,000 mAh, there are a lot of options for how and how to charge such an external battery.

Battery selection criteria for smartphones

I would like to highlight the issue of choice as a separate item specific modelbased on the capacity indicator. For example, if your smartphone has a rechargeable battery with a capacity of 2500 mAh, an external cell with a capacity of 3000-3500 mAh will be the best solution for charging it. It makes no sense to take less, you can try more, but it will be clearly unnecessary.

For example, to fully charge the same tablet you can recommend using an external battery with a capacity of about 5000 mAh or even more, depending on the screen resolution, diagonal, and other performance indicators. This is really the best option, considering that too "capacious" models are too "expensive", they simply will not pay for themselves.

How many times can a mobile device be charged

Still, I would like to analyze the issue of using external high-capacity cells to charge ordinary smartphones. Imagine a situation, your phone has a 2500 mAh battery and a charger has 10000 mAh.

At first, you can rejoice at the possibility that such a capacity will be enough for as many as 4 (!) Full-fledged charges, but in practice everything looks completely different.

The approximate number of charges will vary within three, and the reason for this factor is extremely simple. First of all, the minimum self-discharge of the battery is relevant, and the external battery actually does not differ from the usual one, only with its location outside the phone and with a larger capacity.

Over time, the capacity indicators will deteriorate as well as with conventional batteries.

It is worth noting such an indicator as the voltage, which in external batteries is set at about 3.7 V, which, let's say, may also depend on the indicator of the total charge level at the current time.

Therefore, the value can change both up and down. If we talk about the Power Bank, its voltage is 5.0 V, provided that there is some circuit inside that helps to increase the voltage indicator to the required value.

This circuit also has its own efficiency factor, which differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. In order to ensure the most reliable and full charge of the mobile device, it is worth adding another 30% to the indicator of the capacity of your battery when choosing.

Appearance, body

Relatively appearance there are no specific preferences for devices, "design" is an individual choice of everyone. I just wanted to note the advantages of choosing devices placed in aluminum cases, which, as practice shows, are more resistant to mechanical and other types of impact.

The bottom line is that during the operation of the product, there will be situations in which it is damaged during long-term wearing, often careless, to various shocks and deformations.

If the case is plastic, the likelihood of its damage remains extremely high, which, ultimately, will force the owner to go to the store very soon to replace it.

Among others, aluminum, of course, although a rather soft metal, will protect the structure from possible deformations, and will not give an opportunity for plaque to form on the surface.

As you can see, the choice of an external battery is quite simple and does not require decisive action and long thinking from the buyer. But if the choice is made correctly, you can forget about the sudden discharge of your mobile device for a long time, at least until the battery becomes completely unusable.

Video material:

Every year new smartphones appear, more and more powerful and gluttonous. Innovations in the field of batteries are not yet foreseen, which means that the power bank (powerbank, external battery, portable battery) remains the only way out for those who often live far from outlets.

What is the difference between external batteries

Portable power supplies, unlike the same smartphones and other types of advanced technology, cannot boast of a special variety. And this is quite logical. Batteries - they are batteries, but you still need to know a few things about them.

Capacity and accompanying dimensions

The most important parameter of an external battery is its capacity, which the manufacturer usually indicates in milliampere-hours (mAh). Roughly speaking, this is the amount of energy that a battery can store (but not transmit).

Please note: due to the fundamental laws of physics, no external battery can transfer 100% of the stored energy and no smartphone is able to fully absorb the received energy. A part of the resource is always lost during voltage conversion, and some goes into heat.

On average, the cumulative losses range from 30 to 40%, although some (and usually more expensive) models of external batteries and smartphones can boast an efficiency of about 90%.

Thus, it is incorrect to determine the number of possible charges of a smartphone with a known capacity of the built-in battery from a powerbank with a known capacity using a simple division. The loss factor must be taken into account. Moreover, for reinsurance, it is better to take it at the upper limit, that is, at least 35%.

To put it simply, a powerbank with a declared capacity of 10,000 mAh in practice will transfer about 7,500 real mAh, which means that it will fully charge a smartphone with a battery with a capacity of 2,500 mAh not four times, but only three times.

Please note that the above calculation is very average and quite optimistic. It is possible to check the real losses when charging a specific smartphone from a specific external battery only in practice.

In addition, physics requires a direct relationship between the capacity and mass of the power bank. To store more energy, the battery needs to be heavier and larger.

Connectors

The vast majority of external batteries, and especially, are sold without cables. It is assumed that you will be using the cable that came with your smartphone. Accordingly, the connectors on the battery and cable must match.

It may seem that you don't need to pay attention to the connectors, because all smartphones have the same cable with standard full-format USB on one end and microUSB on the other, but this is not the case.

For example, the bundled Nexus 5X cable has USB-C on both sides. And in order not to buy additional wires, you will have to look for an external battery with just such a connector, both output and input, or purchase an adapter.

Kanex GoPower Slim Aluminum USB-C

Some manufacturers, such as Motorola, include a plug with a non-removable cable in the package of certain smartphone models. In this case, the purchase of an additional cable is inevitable.

There are power banks with built-in cables. In this case, it is important to make sure that the connector fits your smartphone.

EasyAcc iChoc 5000 mAh Ultra Slim

External battery current output and fast charging

The external battery charges the smartphone, which is great. It's even better if he does it quickly, right? Charging speed depends on many parameters, but the determining factor is the power bank's output current. It should be no less than that provided by the smartphone manufacturer.

Finding the optimal amperage for your smartphone is easy. Take the plug that came with the device and look at the OUTPUT value.

Output current

It will say something like 5 V - 2 A. You need the number next to A because current is measured in amperes.

You can find out the output current of the powerbank in the description or instructions. If the external battery has more than one output connector, then the current strength is sometimes indicated directly on the case next to each connector.

HP 7 600 mAh Power Pack Slim Portable

If there are two or more connectors, remember that the total output current of the powerbank is limited. For example, a battery can have two outputs of 2.5 A each, but give a total of no more than 4 A. Accordingly, when two devices are connected at once, each of them can receive no more than 2 A.

If the output current of the external battery is less than that for which the smartphone is designed (for example, 1 A for a powerbank and 1.5 A for a smartphone), then charging will still occur, but noticeably slower.

There is no need to be afraid if the output current of the external battery is higher than that for which the mobile device is designed (for example, 2 A for a powerbank and 1 A for a smartphone). Mobile devices have built-in protections that limit the incoming current to an acceptable value. Simply put, your smartphone won't explode or melt.

For the same reason, your mobile device will not charge faster if you use a plug or power bank with an output current higher than that specified by the manufacturer.

Let's say you find an external battery with a suitable output current, but the included plug will still charge your smartphone faster. What's the matter? Most likely, your smartphone supports some kind of accelerated charging technology like Quick Charge 3.0, Quick Charge 4.0, or a variant with its own name from a specific manufacturer (for example, mCharge from Meizu). Look for a power bank that is friendly with exactly the fast charging technology used in your smartphone.

Powerbanks with smart fast charging technologies like PowerIQ are gaining popularity. In theory, they recognize the device connected to them and supply the optimal current for it, but in practice this does not always work and not with all smartphone models.

External battery input current

Whatever capacious external battery you buy, its own energy supply will sooner or later be exhausted. It's nice when the powerbank charges your smartphone quickly, but it's even nicer if it charges quickly itself.

The charging speed of a powerbank is determined by its input current strength, voltage and the presence of one or another technology that provides a more rapid replenishment of its own charge. There are now external batteries that can be fully charged in less than 30 minutes.

Please note: the powerbank's own charging speed does not affect the speed at which it charges the smartphone.

But lack of understanding of technology and gaps in English can be confusing to the user. For example, you see a power bank that says something like 5 minutes charge. You might think that this miracle device charges your smartphone in 5 minutes, but in reality everything is different.

Let's say the capacity of a particular battery is 10,000 mAh and it is fully charged in 20 minutes. In this case, it will replenish approximately 2,500 mAh in 5 minutes. And this charge is really enough to charge a typical smartphone.

The problem is that the charging time of a smartphone is limited by its own maximum current input and the availability of support for one or another fast charging technology.

Simply put, the pretentious phrase 5 minutes charge actually means: "This powerbank needs 5 minutes to get the charge necessary for further full charging of the smartphone." Do not get caught up in marketing noodles and pump your technical literacy.

Best external batteries

Lifehacker invites you to compile a top reader's powerbanks. Write in the comments the names and characteristics of the models you use, and your opinion about them. If there is already a comment with your model, please add it and supplement it with your experience of use.

The models with the most pluses will be included in our 2017 Best Power Banks selection we will publish.

Other guides for choosing a technique from Lifehacker.

Despite numerous attempts by developers to make mobile devices more comfortable for users, the problem of quickly discharging the internal battery remains open. When normal use cell phone, standard charging lasts 12 hours. People whose work involves constant phone calls and Internet access can land the phone in 5-6 hours. External batteries for smartphones will help to avoid an unpleasant situation rating best models from those offered on the market? Which external battery is better to buy? Let's try to figure it out.

Principle of operation

The external battery is called Power Bank, which means "power bank". A portable device is a complex mechanism of numerous parts hidden under the body. The power supply has one or more connectors for connecting mobile phones to it. These are usually standard USB ports. The body of the jar is made of silicone, plastic or aluminum.

Having connected to the battery, the smartphone starts the charging process. Depending on the capacity of the Power Bank, you can fully charge the phone at a time, and some devices are capable of recharging two or more gadgets.

How to choose an external battery for your phone

Before making a purchase of a power supply for your mobile, you need to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of Power Bank.

1. Capacity: The most important point in choosing a charger is its capacity. The more it is, the longer the battery can work. The optimal solution would be a capacity from 600 to 1500 mAh.
2. Current: the current strength is also important, because the more powerful it is, the faster the phone will be charged. For modern gadgets it is better to choose batteries with indicators from 800 to 2000 mA.
3. Size: it should be understood that the more powerful the external battery, the larger it is. This is due to the fact that it contains more power parts.
4. Design: Today, the Power Bank market is full of variety. In stores, you can find classic square and rectangular batteries in strict colors, as well as bright devices made in the form of funny toys.

Additional functions

In addition to the main function - charging the phone, portable batteries can have other properties. Most Popular additional features Power Bank:

• lantern;
• solar battery;
• wi-fi router;
• automatic shutdown;
• digital charging indicator;
• holder for the device.

Some devices have pockets for convenient storage of USB cables and other little things.

TOP 10 best external batteries for smartphones and tablets. Rating 2018/2019

The manufacturer is of great importance in choosing an external charger for the phone. The most successful in the development of such devices are Canyon and Xiaomi. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the best batteries (power bank) 2018/2019 according to consumer reviews.

Chart leaders who distinguished themselves for their best qualities, high sales and an affordable price:

1. Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2

1st place - Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2: the device combines all the most the best qualities: energy intensity, compact size, current power and additional functions. Xiaomi can charge 5 mobile devices at once, because the capacity of its power supply is 20,000 mAh. Moreover, the cost of such a gadget is on average 2,000 rubles.

The powerful current is due to the introduction of the innovative Qualcomm Quick Charge technology into the charging system, which greatly revives a dead phone.

Among other things, Mi Power Bank 2 has two built-in USB outputs at once, which will allow two devices to be powered simultaneously.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the design features of the case, which is made of plastic, which will undoubtedly affect the device if it falls. In addition, the new Power Bank is not cheap - about 3000 rubles, which exceeds average price similar devices.

2. ASUS ZenPower ABTU005

2nd place - ASUS ZenPower ABTU005: the first thing that catches your eye is the style of the device. The model is presented in five vibrant, trendy colors at once. The size of the battery also captivates, despite the high capacity of 10050 mAh, the device easily fits in the palm of your hand and is suitable for small women's clutches.

ZenPower can charge four mobile phones at once, and it can be done quickly enough. Battery current capacity is 200mA

The disadvantage of the device may be its price, which is on average 1500 rubles. Also, unlike the leader in batteries, ASUS has only one USB port.

3. Canyon CNE-CPB130

Canyon CNE-CPB130: the optimal solution for people who actively use their mobile phoneas well as those who love travel. The device's capacity of 13000 mAh is capable of supplying energy to 3 smartphones. And with two USB ports, you can charge your phone and tablet at the same time.

The cost of such a battery is 1400 rubles, which is an average and acceptable figure. The disadvantages include big size the case, which is due to the high power of the device.

Less popular models, but also noteworthy:

4. Rombica NEO NS100

4th place - has two USB ports and a capacity of 10,000 mAh, which is enough for two devices. The current strength is high enough - 2.1 A. It has an interesting design and a thin body. The disadvantage is the high price, which varies from 2500 to 1800 rubles.

5. HIPER Mobile Power

HIPER Mobile Power 15000 mAh, is a very powerful device and allows you to charge your smartphone up to 4 times. It is unique in that it has a built-in flashlight and a digital charging indicator. Unfortunately, not everyone likes its angular design and large dimensions. The cost of such a device is average - from 1,500 rubles.

6. TP-LINK TL-PB

6th place - a compact and attractive-looking battery with a capacity of up to 10400 mAh. and two USB input... Portable charger is suitable for travel and business trips. The main disadvantage of the device is its high price from 2500 rubles, which is due to the unique design and reliability of the manufacturer.

7.iconBIT FTBTravel

The small capacity of 5000 mAh allows you to charge the phone one to two times. However, the main advantage of the model is its unique case, which is ideal for travelers and tourists: it is made of durable plastic, is waterproof and has a convenient holder. The price of such a gadget is 2100 rubles.

8. KS-IS KS-239

8th place - KS-IS KS-239 has an attractive design with rounded edges. At the same time, the weight and size of the device are very compact, and the capacity of 10400 mAh is enough to charge 2-3 phones. The metal case speaks of the reliability of the device. With all these advantages, the price of Power Bank is only 1200 rubles. The disadvantages include the company itself, which is not very popular in the world electronics market.

Have you ever looked for an under-table outlet instead of browsing the menu during your lunch break? Or have you encountered the phenomenon of worldwide redneck, when in public places like an airport or a bus station, you were asked to gild a pen in 15 minutes of charging the device? If yes, then a) how we understand you; and b) it's time to do something about it!

The average smartphone sits down within a day. A tablet can be planted in about 8-10 hours, laptops work even less (5 hours of active use is already an achievement). So if you are not the owner of Apple iPad Air with its 12 hours of operation, an external battery will help you!

Preparatory stage

Dear reader, the information below requires brain activation :-). Because you cannot buy an external battery relying only on the budget, size, color and material of the case. With this approach, you will throw money down the drain. We guarantee this to you.

So, to choose the right external mobile battery, you will need the following information about the device for which you are making this purchase:

• battery capacity;

For most smartphones / tablets and laptops, this indicator is measured in mAh: modern smartphones, on average, have batteries with a capacity of about 2,800 mAh, small-format tablets - about 4,000 mAh. Apple device battery capacity is traditionally measured in Wh (Apple iPad Air, for example, has a 32.4 Wh battery, which means 11,560 mAh, and the new one has 6.9 Wh, i.e. 1,810 mAh).

The laptop battery, depending on the price category of the device, can have a capacity of 4 400 mAh (48 Wh) or more.

• current strength;

We look at this parameter on the "native" charger. Usually, smartphones can be charged with a current of 1A, for tablets you need 2A, and for laptops - from 2.5 A.

• connector type.

Most batteries use USB / microUSB cords or have a sufficient set of plugs / adapters included. But there are also exceptions. What should interest you? Does the bundle of an external battery for a tablet / smartphone / laptop suit the connectors of your device? Fortunately, the harsh times of the mid-to-late 2000s, when even phones from the same manufacturer had different charging connectors, have passed and microUSB has become a generally accepted format.

By the way, when an external USB battery has not one, but several outputs, it will only benefit you. So, one device can combine ports for Apple products and devices charging from microUSB, or, like in Power Bank JLW-658, there can be several ports with different amperage - you can charge smartphones and tablets.

Please note that the price of an external battery will directly depend on the set of functions and capacity (you can clearly see this in the model reviews below).

External battery device

So, we already know in a nutshell about the types and number of ports. Now about how different models can be arranged.

In most cases, external batteries have a charge indicator: so we find out both the state of charge and the degree of "discharge" (sorry for the captaincy). The indicator can be made both in the form of an economical LED-backlight, and presented on a small display.

Additionally, various models can be equipped with, say, a flashlight (there is in the already twice mentioned Power Bank JLW-658 battery - hold the power button for 3 seconds, and - let there be light!), Can also act as a Wi-Fi access point (Kingston MLWG2 and MobileLite Wireless G2 from the same manufacturer - the best external batteries in this group), as well as read your flash drives for fast data transfer from the drive to third devices (for example, HooToo TripMate HT-TM01) or just have a port for connecting an HDD.

Another interesting option is an external battery with a solar battery. Don't forget: external batteries also need to be charged, and they may also run out of time ... Therefore, a solar external battery is a great option for those who are used to having a spare for a backup :-) .

Charging the battery from sunlight is a rather rare option for ordinary electronics stores, but it is quite possible to find and buy such a device on the Internet. For example, the Eton FRX3 and HiNation HiLight models.

Plus, not every portable battery has to have a "brick" look: an external battery for iPhone from Mophie, in addition to extra time for work, can also bring extra space for internal storage. Provided that you are ready to put up with the extra dimensions of a smartphone for the sake of such pleasant bonuses, the Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5 from Mophie with a capacity of 2,100 mAh is what can help out in a critical "battery" situation, and the Mophie Space Pack, in addition to being charged , will also add memory - +16/32/64 GB for iPhone 5s / 5c.

We are also carefully looking at how you can charge the external battery itself: reviews of models that can only be charged from a laptop or computer are not the most flattering. Plus, the charging process itself in this way will be slower than you would if you connected the unit directly to an outlet.

Universal external battery

Yes, there are. More precisely, yes, you can choose one based on your needs. So, let's say you need an external battery for your smartphone, but you don't exclude the possibility of charging the tablet from it. Therefore, we choose with a margin: a battery with a capacity of 2x the capacity of a smartphone or 2x a capacity of a tablet (the second option is more acceptable, there will never be an extra charge), as well as a current strength, a greater current strength of the tablet. Why is that?

Because from a battery with 2A you can charge a smartphone designed for a maximum of 1A - the device will take exactly as much as it needs. But not vice versa. Weak batteries can also charge devices that require a higher current strength, but then the charging process can be noticeably stretched, and such contact, if it is regular, will not benefit the devices. So all the attention is on tsiferki, comrades! Let's act like educated people :-) .

Now, to consolidate, let's go through the models.

Typical External Battery: Power Bank JLW-658

Power Bank products should not be confused with the English designation "power bank", i.e. "External battery" in our way.

The model has two USB port, Supports charging two devices at the same time. 1A and 2A ports to charge smartphones and tablets.

You can charge the battery either by connecting it to a computer or from a power outlet via an AC adapter.

The package includes a cable for recharging via a USB connector from a PC, as well as an adapter for charging iPhone 4 and microUSB.

Battery charge is displayed on a digital display. There is a flashlight.

Model capacity: 13,000 mAh.

Time to fully charge the battery: 11 hours.

Dimensions of the device: 105x73x23 mm.

You can buy Power Bank JLW-658 for 2,500 rubles.

External battery with Wi-Fi

• Andrey 27.02.2016

  Nikita's answer:

  "Nikita 01/20/2015" is most likely a fake. Xiaomi is famous for its quality, I have a 16Ah, 5Ah battery, a wireless speaker, a headset and various little things. Marriage is certainly possible, but the overall level of quality is at their best, it is not for nothing that they are called "Chinese Apple".

  Reply

Maxim 08/04/2015

How lucky you are. At our work, the chef ordered SITITEK Sun-Battery SC-09 solar rechargers, the manufacturer indicated a capacity of 5000 mAh. The real capacity is slightly lower than the declared one, but in principle, three small gadgets can be charged.

Reply

Artyom 09/23/2015

I myself ran into nonsense (I bought 3 Chinese of different brands on a garbushka for a year, and after 3-4 months everything began to lose capacity, I had to look for a new one). As a result, I was satisfied with Remax. Although the Chinese, too, they hold the capacity for a long time. Every time I test the purchased battery according to the principle, I divide its capacity by the capacity of the phone's battery and see how many recharges will come out in reality. In general, I recommend Remax V6i Proda Jane Series 10000mAh!

Reply

Olesya 10/01/2015

Does the battery capacity have to be twice the capacity of the tablet? If I have a tablet battery capacity of 7000 mAh, and I buy an external battery with a capacity of 10400, for example, will he not be able to charge it at all?