Power Bank Fast Charging

How are battery banks rated? What should you look for when purchasing one?

• Established brands often provide more reliable performance and better warranty options.

NOTE: Any power bank with less than 25W PD won’t do the Super Fast Charging on Samsung devices, not to mention the Super Fast Charging 2.0 that requires 45W. For that reason I only use this one for non-Samsung stuff, and placed a new order for a 30W power bank.

When choosing a fast-charging power bank, ensure it supports the fast charging protocol compatible with your device, such as Quick Charge (QC), Power Delivery (PD), or Fast Charge Adaptive.

Battery banks, particularly those designed for fast charging, are rated based on several key specifications. Here’s what to look for:

1. Capacity (mAh)   “Look for higher Capacity”

• Milliampere-hour (mAh) is a measure of the battery’s capacity. Higher mAh means the power bank can store more energy and charge your devices more times. For example, a 10,000 mAh power bank can typically charge a smartphone with a 3,000 mAh battery about three times (considering some efficiency losses).

2. Output Voltage and Current (V, A)

• Voltage (V) and current (A) determine how fast a device will charge. Common outputs are 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A, etc.
• Fast charging typically requires higher voltages (e.g., 9V or 12V) and higher current (e.g., 2A or 3A).

3. Wattage (W)

• Wattage is the total power output, calculated by multiplying voltage and current (W = V × A). Higher wattage means faster charging. For example, a 5V/2A output gives 10W of power, while a 9V/2A output gives 18W.

4. Charging Ports

• USB-A, USB-C, and Micro-USB are common ports. USB-C is increasingly popular because it supports higher power delivery (PD) and faster data transfer.
• Look for multiple ports if you plan to charge more than one device simultaneously.

5. Input Power (Charging Speed of the Power Bank)

• Fast charging input (e.g., 18W, 25W, or higher) allows the power bank itself to recharge quickly.

6. Pass-Through Charging

• Some power banks support pass-through charging, allowing you to charge the power bank and connected devices simultaneously.

7. Efficiency

• Power banks are not 100% efficient; some energy is lost during charging and discharging. The efficiency rate (typically around 85-90%) indicates how much of the stored energy will actually be available to charge your devices.

8. Build Quality and Safety Features

• Look for power banks with overcharge protection, short circuit protection, and temperature control to ensure safe usage.

9. Size and Weight

• Larger capacity power banks tend to be bulkier. Consider the trade-off between capacity and portability.

In the context of power banks and charging technology, **PD** stands for **Power Delivery**. Power Delivery is a fast-charging protocol that is part of the USB-C standard. It allows for higher power levels to be delivered to devices, enabling faster charging.

### Key Features of Power Delivery (PD):
– **Higher Power Output:** PD can deliver up to 100W of power, though in the context of a 20W power bank, it typically means the power bank can charge compatible devices at up to 20 watts.
– **Smart Power Management:** PD dynamically adjusts the power output based on the device’s needs, ensuring efficient and safe charging.
– **Bidirectional Charging:** PD can allow both charging of a device and charging the power bank itself through the same USB-C port.

When combined with **QC** (Quick Charge), it means the power bank supports multiple fast charging standards, making it versatile and compatible with a wide range of devices.