Smartphones have become extremely powerful. Battery technology has sadly grown at a slightly slower pace that smartphones and with that we have on a daily basis have to endure the annoying tone of our smartphones pinning for the charger.
Fortunately, we can always rely on power banks to keep the lights on especially when we are distances away from the mains.
There are a good number of power bank brands available on the market and hence the onset of the complex affair of deciding what best meets your requirement.
Here are a few pointers that you need to consider next time you are out shopping for a power bank.
![[image] Power Banks Kenya Online](https://mobitrends.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image-Buy-Power-Bank-Oline-Kenya.jpg)
Battery Capacity
The battery capacity of a power bank is the one of the principal factors that determines what you should be paying for a Power Bank. The larger the battery capacity of the power bank, the better.
It is highly advisable that you purchase a power bank that is at least three times the capacity of your smartphone battery. For instance the 1905 mAh battery of the Microsoft Lumia 535 will rhyme well with a 7000mAh power bank.
Design
Power Banks are not created equal. You have the affordable but average looking ones as well as the expensive but extremely gorgeous ones.
![[image] Power Banks Kenya](https://mobitrends.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image-Power-Banks-Kenya.jpg)
If you consider portability a priority you should go for a light-weight power bank design that economizes on space. You could also go for a sturdy one that will last you longer.
Brand
Batteries will explode if grossly mishandled and thus it is very important that the power bank you have is an authentic one from a well-established brand.
Another reason for you to stick with a brand you trust is that with Power Banks it is easy to get swindled on the capacity of the Power Bank. A power bank with a 10000 mAh capacity could as well have just a 2000 mAh capacity.
Number and Type of Output Ports
Most Power banks come with a minimum of two USB ports. This allows you to charge two portable devices at a go.
About the type of output ports, it is important that you understand about current draw. The current draw rating of the power bank USB discharge port will determine how fast your smartphone charges.
Modern Power Banks have USB ports with a 2.1A rating. This delivers enough battery juice to power your smartphone in the shortest time possible.
Indicator Lights
It is important that a power bank has indicator lights to display the amount current you have left in it. This is necessary for you to be able to plan on the usage of the power back and alert you in advance when it’s time to recharge it.
Most power banks come with indicator lights, but they are some that have an inbuilt LCD display.
Additional Features
Some power banks come with extra features such as pass through charging functionality or an LED flashlight.
Pass through charging is by the way a feature that allows your power bank to recharge while it is simultaneously discharging to a device.
LED flashlights will often come in built on a power bank in order to provide some form of lighting when in the outdoors or simply during blackouts.
Do you have other that you think one should consider? Drop them in the comments section below.
Kevin is a tech enthusiast and the lead writer at MobiTrends.co.ke. He has been writing about smartphones and tech related topics since October 2012. About Us | Contact Us
