We live in a constantly moving world in which mobile devices are our windows to social media, the internet and entertainment resources. The only problem is that those mobile devices don’t have an unending battery supply. When they die, so does your handheld communication. How many times have you been stuck with a dead phone or tablet with no charging cable? A portable battery pack is the on-the-go solution for those moments when you need a quick charge.
External Battery Packs: What to Look For
External battery packs come in all different shapes and sizes, with different features and functionality. The best mobile battery packs combine high-capacity batteries with a small form factor and low weight, making them very portable. Most USB battery packs are compatible with all devices that charge via USB – just make sure you have the right cables to connect to the external battery pack’s USB ports. We’ve come up with a list of key points that the best external battery packs have:
Battery
When you’re away from a wall outlet for extended periods, then you’ll likely want the largest battery you can get. However, it’s important to remember that the larger the capacity of the external battery pack, the bigger it is physically. You should look for a balance of portability and high capacity. The best battery packs also allow pass-through charging. Pass-through charging allows you to charge your smartphone while the battery pack itself is charging. If the external battery pack isn’t built specifically to handle pass-through charging, attempting to do so can damage the battery’s longevity.
The battery pack should have at least two USB ports for charging your mobile devices, and one of them should be rated for at least 2.1 amps. You need 2.1 amps to charge tablets in a reasonable amount of time. In regards to charging, you should also make sure that the input port for the USB battery pack is rated for as many amps as possible. This determines how long it takes the battery pack to reach a full charge.
Physical Characteristics
This is where portability comes into play. You want a device that is both slim and narrow. This makes it easy to put the external battery pack anywhere your smartphone would fit. You also don’t want a heavy battery pack, as that could really weigh down your pocket, purse or whatever you store it in.
You should check the device’s maximum amperage for all USB ports. If the device has three ports that are rated for 1, 1 and 2.1 amps respectively, then the device needs to be able to handle a maximum of about 4 amps. Anything less than 4 amps and you won’t get the full benefit of the 2.1-amp port if all three ports are in use simultaneously.
Useful Extras
Many external battery packs offer features that aren’t really relevant to their performance. An example of this is an LED flashlight. It may seem a little gimmicky, but having a flashlight incorporated into a mobile phone battery pack can be useful if you’re on vacation and need to root around in your luggage, or in various other circumstances. There are other features like this that aren’t integral to an external battery pack’s functionality but can help you in minor ways.
Support
As with any product, it’s important to know how long the warranty is and how to contact customer support if you have any issues. Some manufacturers offer product manuals online in case you lose yours. Some of them also have an online knowledgebase that you can look through for more information on their products. The more information available to you, the better.
To alleviate any worry you have of being away from home or work without a charged cell phone, an external battery pack is the answer. It is a small enough device to always carry with you, and it can conveniently recharge your phone at least twice before you need to recharge the pack. You can go on vacation, work long hours or enjoy the outdoors, comfortable in the knowledge that your USB-powered devices will continue running for days. The best mobile battery packs offer you peace of mind and keep you connected.
