Power banks have become constant helpers in blackouts and supported our mentality of charging smartphones in the absence of light. And even though they seem to have adapted to the schedules, some people have bought a charging station or a generator, the power bank will still be a necessary thing. You can take it on a trip, power your router, connect a pocket fan on your desktop, and use it in several other scenarios.
It seems that there is nothing complicated in choosing a superbank, but we have considered non-obvious points, collected useful features, and compiled the top popular models in 2024.
Content
How do I choose a superbank?
Main features
The selection scheme classically begins with an answer to a question: «What am I going to charge with this power bank?». For a smartphone, you can choose power banks up to 10 thousand mAh, and for laptops, you need to move to larger numbers and capacities. The capacity determines how many times you can charge your device, and the output power determines how fast the power bank can charge the device (and whether it can charge it at all). For example, most regular laptops require 45 to 65 watts of power, while gaming laptops require 90-100 watts. That’s why basic power banks with 15 W of output won’t work for a laptop, even if their capacity is large.
Support for fast charging (Quick Charge, Power Delivery, etc.) will be a useful option, but keep in mind that you can quickly charge both equipment and restore the power reserves of the power bank itself. In this case, fast charging should be available for both OUT and IN.
Ease of use depends on the number of ports, so it’s better to choose models with a rich set of USB Type-A, Micro-USB, USB Type-C, and Lightning connectors. Then the power bank will be suitable for various smartphones, speakers, and other small electronics. It’s even more convenient when cables are integrated into the power bank’s body so you don’t have to forget to bring the right one.
The case of the device is more often plastic, a metal solution may look more reliable, but it will still collect scratches (I can assure you as a long-term user of aluminum models from Xiaomi).
Additional features
Manufacturers often dilute the basic functions with additional features: wireless charging, solar panels, flashlights. And if everything is more or less clear, then among the non-obvious items, pay attention to the presence of pass-through charging. This is a feature that allows the power bank to simultaneously receive a charge and power other devices, saving time.
Clear charge indicators will also be useful (newer models often use screens with percentages, while older ones have LEDs). It is imperative that the gadget has overload and short circuit protection. For models that are purchased for use on the road, you can choose solutions with shock and moisture-proof cases.
Power banks for the router
For the lucky users of providers who have installed batteries on their equipment, you should think about how to power the router so that Wi-Fi works without light. In the case of fiber-optic Internet (GPON, XPON), you will have to power not only the router but also the ONU terminal itself, so you need to look for a power bank with two ports and USB-DC cables for 9V or 12V. Instead of a regular power bank, you can choose a special device that looks more like a mini UPS. It provides seamless switching from mains power to its own energy, and automatically charges when the lights come on, preparing for the next power outage. A regular power bank will have to be turned on and recharged as needed, but it will also be enough to keep the Internet running without power.
Popular models of overbanking in 2024
Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 20000
Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 — a classic that many users choose for everyday use. This power bank has a Micro-USB input port, two USB-A output ports, each supporting up to 18W, and a USB-C port (up to 18W) that works both for charging the power bank and other gadgets. QC3.0 and PD3.0 fast charging technologies are supported.
The device is quite large and heavy, but it will always find its place in your luggage or backpack to keep your gadgets charged on the go. This is not the most portable solution, but it is balanced in terms of performance and cost.
In addition to the classic QC3.0 and PD3.0 fast charging protocols, the device supports proprietary technologies from Samsung and Huawei, which will be convenient for owners of the respective smartphones.
The BASEUS Bipow may seem a bit heavy for the road, as it weighs 645 g. It has a more modern look due to the screen on the front panel. It displays the percentage of charge, which is more informative than a few LEDs. The price for such a power bank starts at UAH 1,500.
Canyon PB-108
This model from the Canyon brand can already be called a portable solution. It offers a base capacity of 10,000 mAh, of which 6,300 mAh is actually available. It is suitable for charging one smartphone on the go, allowing you to extend the battery life of the gadget a little without access to an outlet.
Canyon PB-108 is equipped with three input connectors and two outputs. A special feature is the Lightning input, which will be appreciated by owners of Apple devices who use the appropriate charging cables.
The model weighs only 230 g, so it won’t weigh down your bag or backpack. The case is not only light, but also thin, so it fits into a jacket pocket. Thanks to this design, the power bank is best suited for those use cases where it is important to maintain the portability of the equipment (traveling, filming). The price for this model is one of the most affordable — from 500 to 1000 hryvnias.
BASEUS Amblight 65W 30000
BASEUS Amblight — is a representative of the older models, which have a high power and a capacity of 30,000 mAh. It is able to restore the energy of a laptop, as it has a 65W output power of the USB-C PD port (suitable for laptops that are charged via the USB-C connector).
BASEUS Amblight is able to work with multiple devices simultaneously, as it offers five ports: three USB 2.0, one USB QC3.0, and one USB-C PD. It supports a wide range of fast charging protocols: Quick Charge 3.0, Power Delivery 3.0, as well as Huawei’s proprietary Fast Charge and SuperCharge protocols.
The model weighs half a kilogram and is designed with a round display that shows information about the remaining energy and other process parameters. It takes about 3 hours to charge on its own. It comes with a USB type C cable (for maximum fast charging power, choose cables that support the appropriate current). The price of this model varies from 3,300 to 7,000 hryvnias.
ANKER 737 Power Bank
The ANKER 737 is an even more powerful power bank that delivers 140 watts of peak power from the USB Type C port. With this power, you can count on powering a 16-inch MacBook Pro, as well as charging the power bank itself — it takes only 54 minutes to restore its own 100%.
The capacity of the model is 24,000 mAh, and you can charge three gadgets at once. For this purpose, the power bank has two USB-C and one USB-A (18 W). The ANKER 737 retains the brand’s corporate identity, weighs 630 g, and offers a user-friendly display that even shows the calculation of the required charging time.
The model also supports low-current charging (for headphones, smartwatches), as well as the function of pass-through charging. You will have to pay a lot of money for such a powerful model because the price of ANKER 737 varies from 6,300 to 8,300 hryvnias.
Remax Lesu II RPP-565
Remax Lesu II RPP-565 — is also a powerful solution, but don’t let the 60,000 mAh capacity mislead you. These figures hide the actual capacity of 37750 mAh, and the output power does not exceed 22.5 W. This means that, for example, this power bank will not charge a laptop. But it is suitable for those scenarios where you need to have a large supply of energy and be able to use various gadgets. It is also a solution for a large family where everyone wants to recharge their smartphone.
For this purpose, the device offers not only a large capacity, but also a variety of ports, as well as two built-in USB-C and Lightning cables that work for outgoing charging. The model has three USB-A, one USB-C, and one microUSB ports, and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. Thanks to such parameters, this model is well suited for the scenario of powering a router and an optical Internet terminal.
Among the additional features, the device has a built-in flashlight, a display, and a leather carrying strap. And with a weight of one kilogram, it would be quite difficult to carry the device without a handle.
With all these parameters, Remax Lesu II RPP-565 costs from 2000 hryvnias, and therefore will not require significant expenses from your wallet.
BASEUS Magnetic Mini 20W 10000
For owners of Apple smartphones, the BASEUS Magnetic Mini power bank will be an interesting purchase. Adapted for MagSafe-enabled gadgets, this baby will help extend their battery life by allowing you to simultaneously charge a pair of devices — via an induction panel and a USB-C port (18W).
The power bank is firmly attached with magnets and has a compact, streamlined design that fits in a pocket. When attached to a smartphone, it does not interfere with photography because it does not block the camera. The 10,000 mAh capacity is enough for basic use, and both Power Delivery and Quick Charge 3.0 protocols are supported for fast charging.
Price BASEUS Magnetic Mini is nicer than the original Apple accessory because this power bank can be found from 1,500 to 3,300 thousand hryvnias.
Choetech B664
The combination of high capacity and power — this is what Choetech B664 is all about. The 50,000 mAh power bank delivers 65 W per USB-C port, so it’s perfect for charging laptops, tablets, and other demanding devices. Three USB-A ports allow you to use it in conjunction with a router or when the whole family has accumulated discharged equipment.
It is similar in design to the previous model from Remax, as it also has a handle, display, flashlight built into the case, and similar dimensions. However, the support for high-speed charging protocols makes this model more expensive — the price starts at 4000 hryvnias.
General recommendations
Although the power bank seems to be a simple device, it has certain peculiarities in its operation. For example, to prevent the batteries from being subjected to significant wear and tear, it is recommended to charge the device regularly to keep its charge at 50-80%.
Also, do not leave the power bank in direct sunlight (for example, on a windowsill), avoid extreme temperatures, and do not completely discharge the device, which negatively affects its service life. Keep these little things in mind when using your power bank to ensure that your device will serve for a long time and be productive.
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