$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (2024)

Because there are more and more people active on their mobile phones, laptops, and tablets for longer periods of time, these electronic devices are more powerful than ever.

Despite the increase in power, most of us still find ourselves in need of charging our batteries throughout the day, especially when traveling. For these times, a power bank is a real lifesaver. However, not all power banks are equal, particularly when it comes to price.

For people interested in a quality power bank, it is important to know the difference between what you are getting with the cheap power banks and the more expensive power banks.

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (1)

Power banks (or external battery chargers) have become a necessity for most of us to charge our mobile phones, gaming devices, laptops, tablets, and more since we are now using these devices longer than the battery’s capacity. Power banks consist of a specific type of battery in a special case with a special circuit that controls the flow of the current. The device allows for storage of power to be used later to charge an electronic device. A power bank on hand is an ideal backup to recharge or top off a device when you are far from a wall outlet. These power banks are good for just about any USB-charged devices such as Cameras, smartphones, GPS systems, Gaming Devices, Laptops, GoPros, MP3 players, and even tablets. Practically anything that charges from USB at home can be charged from a power bank.

There are many different types of power banks on the market today, but they all do essentially the same thing - allow people to charge their electronic devices. When it comes to cost, the prices will vary according to the features and specs included in a particular power bank.

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (2)

Power Bank Capacity

The capacity of a charger will affect its price. The higher the capacity, the higher the price. To determine if you require a high capacity power bank, you have to consider what device you will be charging, how many times you will require it, and if you will be charging multiple devices.

For example, a tablet requires more power than a smartphone, and charging multiple devices requires a higher capacity power bank. To determine your needs, look up the capacity of the battery that is already in your device which is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The mAh rating is the storage capacity available for a particular battery. Higher mAh ratings for the same battery type will generally mean longer run time. The power bank that you require should exceed that number so you’ll get at least one full charge out of it. You may find that a low-capacity power bank does not exceed your needs. The iPad Pro has a 10000 mAh+ battery so you will require a high capacity power bank for one full charge. Power banks that are 20,000 mAh and higher are normally sufficient for those on-the-go and need a lot of power as it is necessary for keeping devices topped up.

There are many benefits to buying a high capacity power bank. It allows you to charge your device multiple times over. It is very convenient to have the power bank if you are one that often forgets to charge your device overnight or you travel a lot, making it difficult to always have access to a wall outlet. As well, the larger power banks tend to come with more than one output port which allows for charging more than one device at the same time.

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (3)

Amps, Ports, and Plugs

The size, number of ports, and plugs all affect the price of a power bank. The more that a power bank can do for you, the more it will cost. The cheaper power banks tend to offer the minimum of specifications and features. For instance, a high capacity power bank that charges multiple devices at once will often have enough USB ports, unlike a cheap power bank.

The more expensive power banks should have the ports rated for the device you’re plugging into it. Sometimes only one of them is rated at 2.4amps or higher so it is important to check. If you are traveling light or want to keep the portable power bank in a pocket it is important to be aware that size and weight will increase with capacity. Also, many power banks that charge laptops tend to be larger, heavier, and more expensive.

The output voltage of the power bank should be equal to or higher than that of your device. If the description of a portable power bank does not specifically state your device, compare its specs to those of the charger you are considering. For instance, an iPhone and most Android smartphones need at least one amp, while an iPad and other tablets expect 2.4 amps. It is important to get it right so you don’t experience really long charging times or the inability to charge. Note: To fast charge a device, you may need a battery that can output up to 3.0 amps. If you want to get more power into your phone quickly, you may want to get the high output battery.

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (4)

Cheap vs. Expensive

The release of power banks into the market has really helped with keeping people from experiencing the frustration of dealing with a dead or dying battery in small mobile and computing devices. However, there are power banks out there that may be cheap but do not meet your needs. And, cheap power banks cannot always be trusted as many come with false specs and may even be a safety hazard. Some unknown manufacturers use bad materials in their power banks. These cheap power banks can explode sometimes. You should purchase power banks with safety certificates from trusted brands.

Most power banks will slowly lose charge over time. The higher quality and more expensive power banks last a long time, while smaller and cheaper power banks tend not to last as long, A good power bank can hold charge for 3 to 6 months with minimal loss. Zendure power banks are equipped with long-term standby mode and hold up to 95% of the charge for 6 months. Lower quality power banks tend to hold a charge for no more than 4 to 6 weeks.

Power banks can be recharged easily by attaching to any USB port. These devices give us freedom to use our portable devices without worrying about the battery. As well, we can travel without worrying about finding a wall outlet for charging. Like most products, you get what you pay for, so if you need a reliable power bank with specific specs, you may want to spend a bit more and get a high quality, high capacity power bank from a trusted brand.


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October 07, 2019

Tags: reviews

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Comments

Vivi Ho said:

Very Nice.

Amy Cho said:

Very Nice.

Chan Ho Ki said:

Very Nice.

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

$10 Power Bank vs. $100 Power Bank, What's the Difference? ›

The cheaper power banks tend to offer the minimum of specifications and features. For instance, a high capacity power bank that charges multiple devices at once will often have enough USB ports, unlike a cheap power bank. The more expensive power banks should have the ports rated for the device you're plugging into it.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive power bank? ›

The higher the price, the more power capacity a power bank will have. If you opt for a small capacity, you'll only be able to charge a single device at a time, and, depending on the device and if you're using it, you might not even be able to fully charge once.

Are cheap power banks worth it? ›

Are cheap power banks worth it? Yes, cheap power banks are worth it if you seek a budget solution. You can get a decent-quality power bank already for just a few dollars, and they'll keep your phone charged once a day.

What is a good amount for a power bank? ›

For daily use with a phone or while on the go, consider power banks with a capacity of between 3,000-5,000 mAh. Power bank users with special requirements or for certain scenarios will find that 7,000–10,000 mAh is a viable alternative. And definitely get a 10,000+ mAh power bank for your tablet or laptop.

What is 100W power bank? ›

100W power banks provide a high-capacity portable charging solution, capable of quickly charging multiple devices on the go, ensuring you stay connected and powered up. Check out Anker's 100 watt power banks to enjoy charging convenience and efficiency on the move.

How do you know if a power bank is good or not? ›

When choosing a power bank, consider capacity, output current, portability, brand, quality, features, and price. Capacity is the most important factor, while output current determines charging speed. Portability affects size and weight, and number of ports is important for charging multiple devices.

Why are some power banks so expensive? ›

When it comes to power banks, you get what you pay for. The more expensive models tend to be made with higher quality materials and have a more powerful battery. This means that they will last longer and be able to charge your devices more quickly. Of course, this also makes them more expensive.

What is the smallest most efficient power bank? ›

Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000mAh

This pocket powerhouse may well be the only power bank you need for refuelling almost all your gadgets, with a small and lightweight design that packs in far more ability than you'd expect.

What is the difference between a power pack and a power bank? ›

Power banks typically have capacities ranging from 2,000mAh to 20,000mAh, while battery packs can have capacities up to 50,000mAh. A larger capacity means the device can charge your smartphone multiple times without needing to be recharged. Power banks tend to be slower than battery packs in terms of charging speed.

How long will a power bank last? ›

The average lifespan of a power supply unit is around 3 years. The most powerful element that influences the lifespan of the battery is its cell. Generally, battery cells contain 18650. Most instructions of the battery charge-recharge cycles are around 500 times, with some extending to about 800-900 times.

Is 10W power bank good? ›

Power banks for tablets have a minimum 10W power, which makes charging fairly fast. You can charge almost all iPad models and many Samsung tablets extra fast with a power bank with Power Delivery fast charging. This way, you can fully charge your battery 2 to 4 times as fast.

Is 10k power bank enough? ›

10000 mAh Power Bank

So, a power bank with a 10,000 mAh capacity (actual capacity 6,000-7,000 mAh) is enough to fully charge most handsets at least once and charge small phones like the iPhone 12 mini three times. The downside is that power banks of this size tend to be larger and heavier than your cell phone.

How big is a 100 watt power bank? ›

Not Added
Connector type‎usb,usb-a,usb-c,wireless
Product dimensions5.59 x 12.98 x 16.99 cm; 450 Grams
Item Weight‎450 g
Manufacturer‎imuto
ASIN‎B094V37MQ5
27 more rows

Is 100W charger worth it? ›

At 100W, Anker claims that you can achieve a 34% time saving when charging an iPad Pro or iPhone 14 Max. Anker also claims over one thousand devices and counting are compatible with its chargers (anything that charges with USB-C should be just fine).

Should I charge my Powerbank to 100%? ›

Instead, get into the habit of charging your power bank to about 80% of its capacity. Not only will this help to extend its life, but it'll also help to save electricity too!

Is a 10k or 20k power bank better? ›

Power bank capacity explained

Power banks can range from single charge (3000mAh) to well over (20,000mAh), and most of the latest smartphones have a battery with around 3000mAh. A 10,000mAh power bank should be able to charge a smartphone up to three times and a 20,000mAh power bank more than six times.

Does brand of power bank matter? ›

Not really. Knowing everything about a power bank can help you decide the quality, but the quality is not the only standard to define a “good” product. It also has to do what you want. Yes, high-capacity power banks have a longer lifespan and higher charging rate, however, a high capacity also means a bigger size.

How long will a 10000mah power bank last? ›

The lifespan of a power bank can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. However, in general, a high-quality power bank with a capacity of 10,000mAh can last for around 500 charging cycles. If you charge your devices once a day using the power bank, it should last for approximately two years.

How long does a 20000mAh power bank last? ›

The typical smartphone requires somewhere between 2000 to 3000 mAh to charge fully. So, you should get ten charges from a 20000mAh power bank in theory. However, you will probably get closer to 5 or 6 charges in reality.

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