Power Up: The Convenience of Portable Chargers

If you’re like most Americans, portable electronic devices have become an essential part of your everyday life. We keep mobile phones, tablets, and e-readers at arm’s length, and increasingly rely on them for communication, entertainment and productivity. That’s why the idea of running low or even out of battery power (gasp!) can be the cause of major headaches for techies and non-techies alike. Fear not, though, as a portable battery provides an excellent solution for keeping you powered. 

A portable battery is an external battery for your phone or other portable personal electronic device. There are many reasons to buy a portable battery. For a lot of people, a portable battery provides peace of mind that you’ll never be stuck without access to your mobile phone. It doesn’t matter if you rely on your device to call, text or email, GPS, or to keep up with social media—a portable battery allows you to plug in when needed and stay connected to the world.

A portable battery also provides convenience for the user. Rather than awkwardly seeking an open outlet at a coffee shop or airport, a person toting a portable battery can charge their device whenever and wherever they want. A portable battery is also inexpensive compared to the portable electronics they charge, so a small investment in a battery helps ensure your device to stay powered.

When selecting a portable battery, you’ll need to determine when, where and how you might use it. For example, what type of device do you need to charge, and how many different devices will you charge at one time? Also, how long will you be away from a wall charger in between uses? This is important, as one of the key parts of a portable battery is the battery’s charging capacity.

A good starting place is to get a battery that can fully charge your device one time. For example, an iPhone X has a 2,716 mAh battery, which means that you’ll need at least a 3,000 mAh battery to charge it one time. If you need to charge it several times in one trip, or perhaps charge additional devices, you’ll want a battery with at least 16,000 mAh. If you’re not sure what size battery to buy, always opt for a larger capacity.

There is more to buying a battery than charging time, as many people also consider the battery size. Battery size matters if you plan to carry the device in a pocket, purse, backpack or glove box. Additionally, portable batteries have features like multiple USB ports for charging more than one device at a time, an integrated LED flashlight, Bluetooth to monitor battery charges, rugged construction for outdoor usage and even solar charging capabilities.