Let’s admit it. We are all becoming quite dependent on the ubiquitous mobile device. And when that battery life gets critically low, Mr. Anxiety arrives with a gleam in his eye and no charging stations to be seen.
Let’s admit it. We are all becoming quite dependent on the ubiquitous mobile device. And when that battery life gets critically low, Mr. Anxiety arrives with a gleam in his eye and no charging stations to be seen. Most smartphones can barely keep a charge for 24 hours with moderate use, which is why we are always plugged in to a charger whenever one is available…from the house to the car to work, all to keep the power-hungry device happy.
Enter the power bank, a portable battery unit. A compact “brick” that comes in various sizes, power banks can keep your phone charged up for days, and the right power bank can even charge your tablet and laptop.
Here are some facts about selecting and using your new power bank.
Safety and quality! Power banks contain rechargeable lithium batteries. UL and CE certifications (look for the identifying marks) ensure that your device has been rigorously tested and will have safety features to protect you and your peripherals from bad juice, including overcharge, overvolt and overheating protection. FCC certification will tell you that the power bank is safe for air travel.
Enough juice to make a smoothie. Does it have enough power? Power banks’ energy charge capacity is measured in mAh, or milliampere hours. The higher the mAh number, the more juice you can squeeze! Larger capacity power banks don’t need to be charged as frequently. They can fully charge a smartphone multiple times and can even charge a tablet once before needing to be recharged themselves.
How do you make it work? Every power bank comes with a micro-USB cord that you connect to a standard USB port. Use your smartphone’s connector, your laptop, or any other convenient port to charge your power bank. When it’s time to charge your device, plug the USB end of the charging cable from your phone/tablet/whatever into the power banks’ port then connect to your device. Et voila!
How long will it take to charge my device? The charge speed depends on the output current (A, or amps). The higher the amp, the faster the charge. A larger mAh won’t charge your device faster, but a larger A will. If the 2200 mAh and 4000 mAh power bank both have an output of 1A, but another 2200 mAh power bank has an output of 1.5A, the latter will charge your device faster.
What do the FCC, CE, and UL markings on a power bank mean? All of our power banks contain rechargeable lithium batteries, and are safety tested to prevent the device from catching fire. UL and CE markings indicate the power bank will protect your device’s circuits, and FCC markings mean that the item is safe for air travel.
How long do power banks last?
Our premium power banks last an average of 500 cycles when stored properly— away from direct sources of heat and water.
Care & Feeding
Respect your power bank. Don’t crush or pierce your power bank; don’t expose to heat (i.e., leaving in a hot car, or too close to a heat source). Use the correct cables. Not giving your power bank the respect and care it deserves could be a recipe for disaster.
How to pick the right power bank
Whether you are buying power banks for your clients or employees, keep these things in mind to ensure that your choice will represent your brand and be highly useful!
- mAh rating – Make sure there’s enough capacity to power the devices. The power bank you choose needs to have a capacity that is at least equal to that of the intended device’s battery. Smartphones require a capacity of 2000 – 4000 mAh, while tablets need between 4500 and 10400 mAh. Most power banks work with all brands and models.
- Portability – Higher capacity power banks are generally larger in size, so make sure you aren’t forfeiting functionality for portability. Being able to get a full charge on your device is the name of the game!
- Functionality – Some chargers have multiple USB ports, allowing you to charge more than one device simultaneously!
- Make your brand POP! Imprinting options include elegant laser engraving, 1-color and full-color graphics.
