The battery charge is coming to an end, but there is no socket in sight? Good that there are external charging sources. TECHBOOK presents the best power banks for smartphones.
The so-called power banks are electricity storage devices with different capacities. Depending on their size, they can fully charge a smartphone battery once or even several times – while being mobile and conveniently in your pocket. The higher their charging capacity, the more expensive their price is often. Many power banks still advertise additional functions. TECHBOOK has selected particularly recommendable models.
2600 mAh: XQUISIT power pack 2600 mAh
The power bank XQUISIT Powerpack 2600 mAh is an optimal and at the same time inexpensive solution to use the mobile battery as a reserve in everyday life. The device is characterized by its compact, handy design. Another very practical design detail: if you forgot the charging cable for your smartphone, you can use the cable integrated in the power bank. Alternatively, a second device can even be charged at the same time.
Features of the XQUISIT Powerpack 2600 mAh
Advantages and disadvantages of the XQUISIT Powerpack 2600 mAh
Rating at idealo: grade 1.4 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
- + Relatively fast charging
- + Compact and handy
- + Integrated fixed cable
cons
- – Capacity used up quickly, especially when charging two devices
- – No USB port
3900 mAh: LC Power Powerbank LC-PB-3900
The LC Power Powerbank LC-PB-3900 is a particularly slim model that can be quickly stowed in your pocket when you have to go. The charging performance is excellent and definitely recommended for all devices with a USB port. The charge status can also be read reliably on the corresponding display.
Features of the LC Power Powerbank LC-PB-3900
Advantages and disadvantages of the LC Power Powerbank LC-PB-3900
Rating at idealo: grade 1.4 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Very fast charging
- + Rather small, handy case
cons
- – With individual Nokia models, possible disruptions during the charging process
- – No micro USB port
5000mAh: Xoro MPB 500
The battery capacity of the Xoro MPB 500 is sufficient for a full additional charge of a smartphone. The estimated charging time is five hours. The power bank offers the possibility to charge two smartphones at the same time. It is equipped with practical protection functions so that both the charging devices and the power bank do not overheat or overcharge.
Features of the Xoro MPB 500
Advantages and disadvantages of the Xoro MPB 500
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.3 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Very fast loading
- + Practical protection functions
- + Compact design
cons
- – With very intensive use, malfunctions are possible after several years
6700mAh: Mophie Power Station PD 6700mAh
The power bank from Mophie is recommended because of the quick charge function and the pleasant non-slip surface – functionality and design are harmoniously combined in the Mophie Powerstation PD 6700 mAh. Reliable charging of up to two devices without them getting hot is always possible with this compact model on the go. The charging speed remains just as stable and reliable as when charging only one device.
Features of the Mophie Powerstation PD 6700 mAh
Advantages and disadvantages of the Mophie Powerstation PD 6700 mAh
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.1 | 5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Very fast charging with Power Delivery
- + More compatibility thanks to the USB-C connection
- – Comparatively high price
- – Relatively long charging time for the power bank itself
10050mAh: Mophie Power Station PD 10050mAh
An upgrade in battery capacity is necessary? Then it’s worth buying a more powerful model from Mophie: the Mophie Powerstation PD 10050 mAh power bank has a quick charge function and can charge up to two devices at the same time thanks to the reliable power pass-through technology, even while you’re charging. Compared to power banks with the same battery capacity, this model is relatively light and can therefore easily be taken anywhere.
Equipment of the Mophie Powerstation PD 10050 mAh
Advantages and disadvantages of the Mophie Powerstation PD 10050 mAh
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.1 | 5 out of 5 stars
- + Excellent charging speed thanks to Power Delivery
- + More compatibility thanks to the USB-C connection
- + Reliable pass-through loading
cons
- – Relatively long charging of the power bank
10,400 mAh: Hama Power Pack Joy 10,400 mAh
The power bank Hama Power Pack Joy 10400 mAh is optimized for the reliable charging of devices during use. The user-friendly design with the charge status display and the soft-touch surface is also convincing. The case is firm and compact in the hand, but it is a bit heavier than comparable models.
Features of the Hama Power Pack Joy 10400 mAh
Advantages and disadvantages of the Hama Power Pack Joy 10400 mAh
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.0 | 5 out of 5 stars
- + Fast and reliable charging, even of devices that are in use
- + Compact design with soft-touch surface
cons
- – Comparatively heavy case
15,000mAh: Xtorm XB102 15,000mAh
The Xtorm XB102 15,000 mAh power bank not only impresses with its large battery capacity, but also with its charging speed and the option of charging up to three devices at the same time. The model switches on and off automatically as required and thus maintains the capacity in a particularly energy-efficient manner for a longer period of time. Users also praise the clever design with the lined-up connections and the position of the integrated cable.
Features of the Xtorm XB102 15,000 mAh
Advantages and disadvantages of the Xtorm XB102 15,000 mAh
Rating at idealo: Grade 1.2 | 5 out of 5 stars
- + Very solid charging performance
- + Good equipment included
- + Charges up to 3 devices simultaneously
cons
- – No protection functions
20,000mAh: RealPower PB-20000
The RealPower PB-20000 power bank is ideal if you plan to travel for a long time and then have no mains power: the model is compact, charges quickly and reliably and, above all, offers a considerable capacity for a reasonable price. It also scores with practical protective functions and three connection options. However, the charging devices cannot be used during the charging process.
Features of the RealPower PB-20000
Advantages and disadvantages of the RealPower PB-20000
Rating at idealo: grade 1.7 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
- + Very high capacity
- + Very good value for money
- + Many connection options
cons
- – Charging process during operation not possible
- – Relatively heavy case
26,800mAh: Anker PowerCore+ 26800
Thanks to the battery capacity, the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 ensures a very long battery life for all devices that you need on the go. The recharging of the power bank works relatively quickly. Practical protective functions also ensure the charging process, the status of which is reliably indicated on a display. The only downside of this model is the relatively heavy case. Therefore, it is not so well suited for camping, for example.
Features of the Anker PowerCore+ 26800
Advantages and disadvantages of the Anker PowerCore+ 26800
Rating at idealo: grade 1.7 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Fast charging of up to 3 devices simultaneously
- + Very practical protection functions
cons
- – Relatively heavy case
The right power bank: you should pay attention to this
“With a power bank, you can basically recharge any device that can be powered via a USB port. So smartphones, cameras, headphones or even bicycle lamps,” says Holger Krumme from the HTV test center for electronic components in Bensheim. But when choosing the right model, there are a few things to consider.
Be careful with power banks on flights
If you want to take your mobile battery with you on the plane, you should know the airline’s regulations on the permitted battery size. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the power must not exceed 100 watt hours (Wh). This corresponds to around 26,800 milliampere hours (mAh). However, there are airlines that prescribe even stricter guidelines. With a power bank that has a capacity of 20,000 mAh, you are definitely on the safer side.
For comparison: A current iPhone 13 has a battery with a capacity of 3,227 mAh. A power bank with 10,000 mAh is enough to fully charge it almost three times. In theory at least. Since the actual charge capacity of the mobile battery is slightly lower than stated, in this case it is more like two than three full charges.
Be careful with the capacity specification
Sometimes the information about the capacity deviates very far from the actual performance. It is specified for rechargeable batteries in milliampere hours (mAh). Battery packs are available with capacities of around 1000 to 30,000 mAh. “Especially for no-name products from China, there are sometimes astronomical figures for the capacity of up to millions of mAh, which is technically not possible with this size,” warns Krumme.
The test laboratory also showed that the power banks from nebulous manufacturers sometimes only achieved less than one percent of the promised performance. No wonder: In some battery packs there were not only battery cells, but also metal plates or small bags of sand. Krumme therefore advises particular skepticism in the case of particularly low prices and high technical values.
The dangers of inferior power banks
Inferior quality power banks sometimes not only offer less performance, they can also catch fire during use. “An indication of this is, for example, that the entire battery swells up, but this is not always visible from the outside,” explains Krumme. Another warning sign is unusual heating. In both cases, the following applies: “You should never connect such a device to the power supply.”
Deep discharge protection is also important. “This electronic lock prevents the battery from being completely discharged, as this can lead to the destruction of the battery,” says Krumme. If such a defective power bank is still connected to voltage, this can also lead to strong heat development and, in the worst case, to self-ignition. Incidentally, if a power bank burns, it can hardly be extinguished, you can only let it burn out in a controlled manner.
The CE mark (Conformité Européenne), with which the manufacturer assures that European quality and safety standards are observed, is supposed to offer protection against low-quality products. For some cheap products, however, CE is only an abbreviation for the unofficial China Export symbol.
“This gives the customer the illusion that a product is CE-compliant,” warns Krumme. Visually, the signs for Conformité Européenne and for China Export can hardly be distinguished. In the Chinese variant, the letters are just closer together and the E has a long center bar. If buyers want to be on the safe side, they should therefore use power banks from well-known manufacturers. Well-known brand manufacturers are, for example, Anker, Aukey, Intenso or Powercore.
Conclusion
Capacity, size and weight – the power bank is selected according to individual needs. TECHBOOK recommends each of the models presented, but the editors noticed a very good price-performance ratio and clever design in the more powerful devices, especially the RealPower PB-20000.
More articles worth knowing about power banks and charging tricks
TECHBOOK offers many other articles with practical advice, product tests and manufacturer insights for anyone who wants to find out more about which factors can be decisive for the battery life of different devices or how they can optimize the charging process.