So you want to give your customers a power bank, but feel overwhelmed by all of the choices? With technical terms like mAh, output and amps, it’s easy to get confused about what’s right for your business. With help from our friends over at Leeds, we’ve put together this simple guide with everything you need to choose the right power bank for your promotion! To get started, let’s break down some important technical terms that are used to describe a power banks’s capabilities. Check out this handy graphic from Leeds that explains the four terms you need to know. (Click here to download a PDF version.) When you’re looking at power banks, a few simple questions can you help you determine the best fit for your needs.
What type of device do you want to charge and how quickly do you need it to do the job?
This is where output current comes in. Output is measured in amps with most chargers being .5A, .8A, 1A or 2A. If you want to charge a larger device like a tablet, you’ll need a lot more amps than if you want to charge a smartphone. Higher amps = faster charging times as well. Take the Watt Charger for example. It has 1A output, which means it can fully charge a phone in 1-3 hours.
How long will it take to recharge the actual power bank?
Input current, also measured in amps, tells us how long it takes for the power bank to get a full charge. Lower numbers indicate longer recharge times. With an input current of .5A, the Watt Charger takes 3-4 hours to get completely powered up and ready to go.
How long will a charge last?
Milliamp Hour (mAh) tells you the charger’s capacity. The greater the number, the longer the battery life! Standby time indicates how long the device will hold a charge while not in use. If you want to charge a tablet, you’ll need a power bank with high mAh. Let’s take another look at the mAH for the Watt Charger. With a 3,200 mAh capacity, it’s ideal for charging pretty much any smartphone. It can fully charge an iPhone 1.5 times, giving you an extra 12 hours of talk time. When you can’t get to an outlet, having a power bank like this one can save an entire work day!
What can I charge?
Most power banks can charge one or two devices at a time. As far as brands and types of devices, choose a charger that has a USB port for maximum compatibility. Want to charge multiple devices at the same time? You’ll need a power bank with dual USB ports and a combined output current of at least 2.1A. For example, a device might have a Dual Output of 1A for the first port and 2A for the second port. To get the total output, add the two together. With a total output of 3A, you could easily charge both a smartphone and a tablet.
Choosing the Right Logo Power Bank:
Now that you’re familiar with the basics, let’s put that knowledge to work with a quick comparison of a few popular styles. 1. Entry-level: The Jolt Charger has a 2,200 mAh battery, which means it can fully charge most iPhones and buy you an extra eight hours of talk time. It’s compact and works well for a quick, one-time charge. This is an excellent choice if you’re on a tight budget! It works well for students and people who need a quick power boost in the middle of the work day. 2. Budget-friendly with dual outputs: The Vault Charger can easily charge two devices at once, making it a great value at as little as $19.98 each. With 6,600 mAh, it can fully charge an iPad Mini or give a partial charge to other tablets. It even has a built-in LED flashlight! 3. Sleek design: The Zoom Accel Slim Power Bank contains a 5,000 mAh battery and it’s super slim. With a 2.1A output, you can charge a smartphone and some tablets at the same rate as a wall charger. It also has a 2A input, so when it’s time to recharge it, it will power up quickly. This is an excellent choice for people on the go 4. Best overall: If you’re looking for an all-out workhorse, the Zoom Energy Pack will definitely get the job done. It sports a whopping 11,200 mAh, dual outputs and 6 months of standby time. With this power bank, you can charge a cell phone in as little as a 1.5 hours and a tablet in four hours. Perfect for long trips and people who depend heavily on their mobile tech for their daily jobs. Still not sure what’s right for you and your business? That’s okay. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us and we’ll help you create the perfect logo power bank for your promotion!