No matter what the device, at some point it needs to be charged if used as a mobile. And finding a power source for it means having a dedicated place to plug in to a power socket. However, that’s not always doable. Being out in the country and off the grid, sitting on a long airplane ride, trying to a use a phone or computer at a campsite, or dealing with an extended blackout all create situations where it’s not possible to recharge can all produce situations where a device can go dead. This is where a portable charger can be a life saver. However, portable charges are not all the same. Some can actually be harmful for a device due to poor quality. Doing a bit of homework before buying makes a big difference here, and it can be a lifesaver for your device.
Don’t Let the Battery Run Down
If you’ve had a car, then over time letting a vehicle battery go bad never seems to be fixed completely after a recharge. The battery tends to be damaged a bit and doesn’t quite hold a full charge afterwards again, even with a good charge and regular driving. The same sort of thing happens with mobile devices; the batteries begin to lose their ability to charge and last as well when fully run down and going dead. Avoiding this problem is a must, but unfortunately, lots of folks learn this the hard way after the first die-off running out of power.
Finding a Good Power Pack
Here are some of the more notable choices that work as well as their advantages and disadvantages, depending on how they are used:
iMuto
The iMuto power bank unit provides two separate ports for connection, packs in a 20,000 Ah charging load, and will keep a smartphone juiced up at least four times before needing its own charge. The added benefit of the status screen on the iMuto helps a user know exactly what’s going on with the remaining power left for charging. The unit can seem a little bigger in size than a usual charger, but what makes the iMuto a little more useful than some other charging banks on this list is the fact you can see its exact remaining charge, not a rough estimate like in some of the competitors, so you know how much more you can charge your devices for. Sure, the body of the power bank is a little large and ungainly, but the screen information squares things off when in use.
Anker PowerCore
When it comes to finding a charger that does its job fast, the Anker PowerCore is a great choice. It comes with a sizable battery, and it also adds the second benefit of a swift power up as well. While its one drawback is no support for a Qualcomm device, the Anker PowerCore does pack well over 20,100 Ah, and can run a charge cycle on a smartphone at least a handful of times before needing a recharge itself. The device can be a bit noticeable in the fact that it too heats up when charged, but it’s not a dangerous level in any capacity.
The Mophie Powerstation
For those who have Apple devices, the Mophie may very well be an interesting pick. It provides a 10,000 mAh energy tank, literally one of the largest sizes of mobile power storage available. The unit is sizable, but if you need to power up multiple Apple devices in the boondocks, then the Mophie is going to be something you want to look at. It provides the ability to power up two devices at the same time, which can be handy when you want your iPhone and iPad ready to go again. Additionally, the Mophie can also charge other devices that can do so with a USB-C connection or a Qi wireless charge approach, available in some Android smartphones.
Veho Pebble P1 Pro
Another unit hitting two big benefits, the Veho Pebble P1 Pro packs out an extremely fast charge rate, and it provides a dual USB port access as well as USB-C and microUSB connections. The Veho P1 Pro gets high ratings in both testing as well as practical reviews, and it has a proven track record for charging a smartphone at least twice and half before needing a recharge itself. Additionally, the unit is compatible with microUSB or USB-C, which helps when one might have misplaced the stock charging wire or it needs to be replaced after lots of use.
