When it comes to gadgets, it is no secret that power banks have become somewhat of a necessity. There is no feeling worse than running out of power on your smart gadget when you need it the most. To avoid this, investing in a decent power bank seems like the most logical thing to do.
Power banks are extremely popular and there are tons of different varieties available on the market. This can make it difficult to pick the perfect power bank for your needs.
Many people wonder: is a 20000 mAh power bank good? Questions like these have more to do with understanding the capacity of a power bank and how much charge they can provide. Without further ado, let’s get started.
The Plight of Modern Living and Technology
After all, no one wants to have a dead smartphone just when you need to make that important call or end up with a laptop with a dead battery minutes before the most important presentation of your career. So, how does one decide which power bank battery to opt for and what mAh caters best to their individual needs? Is a 20000 mAh power bank good enough, or can you settle for something less? The following provides you with a comprehensive buying guide to help you choose the right power bank along with our top power bank recommendations so that you can stay powered up on all your smart gadgets anytime, anywhere.
Choosing the Right Power Bank
Choosing the right power bank can be challenging, especially when you don’t know what you’re looking for. Thus, it is important to understand the different specifications and characteristics of each one. Let’s consider the various factors one by one that should be on your checklist while evaluating and choosing the right power bank.
One of the easiest features to consider while buying a power bank is its capacity or how much mAh it has. While many people tend to argue that a power bank with a higher capacity is good, you shouldn’t necessarily go for the highest mAh you can find.
So, What Really Is mAh?
Before we consider the different factors involved in buying a power bank, let’s first try to understand what mAh really is. The abbreviation mAh stands for milliamps per hour. It is a unit indicating exactly how long or for how many hours a particular power bank can deliver current or mAh. Standard charging adapters typically give an output of 1000 mAh.
This means that when you charge your smartphone for an hour, the phone ends up containing 1000 mAh. But a power bank consisting of 10000 mAh gives you the chance to charge the same smartphone ten times. Thus, the higher the mAh in a power bank, the more power it can deliver. Moreover, the mAh value also serves as a good indicator of the type of power bank and its function.
Is a 20000 mAh Capacity Good, and How Much Capacity Do You Need?
The first and foremost thing you need to do is evaluate how much capacity you need in your power bank to deliver adequate power to your gadgets. Since the mAh is an indicator of the type of power bank you need, as a rule of thumb, the higher the mAh, the more power it can deliver.
Small-sized Power Banks
Power banks with a capacity of up to 7500 mAh are suitable for charging smaller devices like smartphones. They can provide a full charge to smartphones from one to three times. Such power banks are small in size and can easily fit into one’s pocket.
Medium-sized or Mid-range Power Banks
Medium-sized power banks are those that have a capacity from 7500 to 14,999 mAh. These can provide up to 4 to 5 charges for small gadgets like smart phones and tablets. Moreover, power banks with up to 14,999 mAh are relatively small in size and can easily fit in your purse, bag, or even your jacket pockets.
Large-sized Power Banks
Power banks with a capacity of more than 15,000 mAh fall under the category of large-sized power banks. Since they are higher in capacity, they also tend to be bulkier and heavier, which makes them difficult to carry around. They need to be transported in a bag. Given their high capacity, these can easily charge multiple laptops and other smart gadgets in no time.
However, one key point to remember here is that while you may be allowed to carry a large-sized power bank in luggage while traveling, a power bank with over 27,000 mAh cannot be carried on a plane as hand luggage.
Taking a Closer Look at the Charging Connectors
While the capacity does play a key role in deciding which power bank to buy, one must not ignore the charging connectors in the process. Although the output on power banks is universally a USB Type-A, the connector used to charge a power bank is a bit different. While charging connectors for power banks usually use a micro –USB and sometimes a mini –USB, new power banks also have a lightning connector to facilitate Apple gadgets.
What About Voltage and Amperage?
The speed at which a power bank can charge your gadgets plays a crucial role in deciding which power bank you need to invest in. Just like the capacity is measured in mAh, speed is measured in terms of voltage and amperage.
Amperage can be best defined as the amount of electricity that is transferred from a power bank to a smart electronic device, whereas voltage accounts for its potential energy. By multiplying the two, we end up deriving the total power or, in other words, the “wattage.” For instance, a power bank with a 22.5 speed can easily charge your smartphone up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Taking the Input/Output Ports Into Consideration
A typical power bank consists of two ports: the input port (for charging the power bank) and the output port (for charging your devices). These ports play a big role in determining the speed at which the power bank will charge your smart gadgets.
While most power banks have standard input and output ports, more commonly known as the USB-A ports, due to the changes in most electronic devices, many power banks today also have a USB-C port. Alternatively, a micro USB may also be present in some to allow the power bank to charge.
The Importance of Having a Power Indicator
This is one of the most overlooked areas when purchasing a power bank. The role of a power indicator in a power bank is to keep you informed about the charging status of your power bank. After all, there is no use wondering if a 20000 mAh capacity is good for a power bank if you cannot monitor its charging status. The power indicators are usually made of small LED lights, making charging devices relatively easier.
While power banks are just devices holding the energy to charge your smart devices on the go, they come in many different shapes and sizes. This, as a result, puts pressure on buyers who must now make a well thought out decision so that the power bank matches their individual needs. Among these various decisions, one of the most crucial ones is regarding the power bank’s capacity. Do you want to save money and buy a 3000 mAh power bank, or is a 20000 mAh capacity good enough to meet the needs of all your gadgets?
Why a High Capacity Offers the Best Charging Experience
While low and medium capacity power banks may prove to be beneficial for some gadgets and devices, power banks with a high capacity offer the best charging experience.
- To begin with, they have a 20,000 mAh power capacity or sometimes even higher. This allows users to use the power bank for days and charge all their gadgets to full power not only once but multiple times before the need to recharge the power bank itself arises.
- Secondly, they allow you to charge many powerful gadgets with ease, like USB-C laptops. Some use AC outlets — however, that gets into portable power station territory.
- Additionally, the anxiety of your power bank running out of charge itself is almost non-existent due to its large capacity. Moreover, power banks with a capacity of 20000 mAh or higher usually have two or more charging ports. This allows users to use one port to charge the power bank itself while using the other to charge their devices.
Top Power Banks With 20000 mAh Capacity or More
Now that you know what a 20000 mAh capacity power bank is and have basic knowledge about the different levels of capacity of power banks along with their uses and benefits, let’s consider some of the top reviewed power banks with 20000 mAh capacity.
The RAVPower 20,000mAh 18W Power Delivery Tri Output and Tri Input Power Bank
The RAVPower portable charger is a well-known large sized power bank. Weighing only a pound with a size of 6.2 x 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.6 inches, it has many lucrative features, including its use of Power Delivery and Quick Charge, as well as its use of a high 20,000mAh power capacity.
Additionally, the RAV Power also has a lightning input port that is rarely used on any power bank, along with a digital screen for indicating its power capacity. While this may not be anything fancy, it is definitely better than a few dots indicating the amount of power left.
The Anker Power Bank Core Essential 20,000 PD
The brand Anker is quite a reputable brand, and their latest Anker Power Core Essential is definitely worth considering if you are out to buy a power bank.
Weighing about 345.5g and shaped like a black plastic brick, the exterior is covered with a textured top to provide a sturdy grip. Alternatively, there is support for power delivery, but it is capped at 18W. Hence, it is not likely to charge a USB-C laptop. Still, this is a useful device for quick-charging a phone or tablet.
However, Anker does provide a full-size USB joined by a USB-C input/output port along with four integrated LEDs to reveal capacity. Moreover, a USB-C to USB-C cable is also provided along with the power bank, which is a nice touch.
The Anker Power Core Essential is reliable, has great capacity, and is a good value for your money. It’s definitely worth considering!
Tech Charge Super- Fast 20,000 Power Bank: Best High-Capacity Smartphone Power Bank
If you plan to settle for nothing but the best high capacity smartphone power bank, then perhaps Tech Charge Superfast Power Bank is worth taking a second look.
Although a bit pricey, the Superfast Power Bank from Tech Charge has a capacity of 20000 mAh and weighs only 349g. With such a capacity, Tech Charge claims that this power bank will charge an iPhone 8 for a minimum of eight times at least. When compared to others, this power bank definitely stands tall for its unique compact look coupled with a soft rubber-like outer case that gives it both a sleek design and a great grip.
With a two-year warranty, the superfast power bank supports 18W over a USB-C Power Delivery port and two full-size USB-A outputs (one acting as a Quick Charge 3.0 port and the other rated at 15W).
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What does mAh stand for?
The abbreviation mAh stands for milliamps per hour. It is a unit indicating exactly how long or for how many hours a particular power bank can deliver current or mA.
Is a higher mAh in a power bank good?
Yes, the higher the mAh in a power bank, the more power it can deliver. Moreover the mAh value also serves as a good indicator of the type of power bank and the function it provides.
What are the different sizes of power banks?
Medium-sized power banks are those that have a capacity from 7500 to 14,999 mAh. These can provide up to 4 to 5 charges for small gadgets. Smaller-sized power banks have a capacity of up to 7500 mAh and can provide a few charges for small gadgets. Large power banks have a capacity of more than 15,000 mAh and can quickly charge large and small gadgets.
What are the input and the output port used for?
A typical power bank consists of two ports. The input port is used for charging the power bank, while the output port is used for charging your devices and gadgets.
Why do most power banks have a USB-C port?
Modern power banks also have a USB-C port along with a micro USB to help facilitate charging more technologically advanced gadgets.
What is the purpose of a power indicator in power banks?
The role of a power indicator in a power bank is to keep you informed about the charging status of your power bank.
How many types of power bank batteries are there?
Power banks have two types of batteries. These include lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries.
Which batteries are more in demand today?
Given their make and composition, lithium polymer batteries are more in demand nowadays.
Can you carry your power banks on a plane?
A power bank or any other electronic device that uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery cannot be carried on a flight. You can, however, put it in your luggage.
What is amperage?
Amperage can be best defined as the amount of electricity that is transferred from a power bank to a smart electronic device.
What is wattage?
Wattage is the total power or amount we get by multiplying the amperage with voltage. This helps gauge the speed at which a power bank can charge your gadgets. For instance, a power bank with a 22.5 speed can easily charge your smartphone up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Conclusion
The capacity of a power bank plays a key role in influencing a buyer’s decision. After all, you know best what devices you will be charging and how much mAh will be required. So, is a 20000 mAh power bank good? Unfortunately, there is no universal yes or no answer.
It all comes down to several factors, including why you need power in the first place, which gadgets you plan to recharge, and how frequently. Finding answers to all of these questions will help you make a more informed buying decision.
We’ve listed several excellent options for power banks to choose from, but feel free to go research your own. Just make sure that it isn’t too heavy but still provides enough charge for all your most important devices. We also recommend reading customer reviews to get a sense of how well the power bank functions. Good luck shopping!
