LIFE TECH FEATURE
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PORTABLE POWER
Few things are as frustrating as a
smartphone with a flat battery when you need
to make an important call home, or a tablet/
laptop that runs out of juice while you’re writing
a 2,000-word essay. The need to recharge tech
can be overlooked when life gets busy and the
school year begins, leaving users – and the
battery level – seeing red.
That’s where power banks come to the
rescue. These compact and portable high
capacity batteries deliver a fast recharge while
on the go, or an emergency top-up. They’re a
must-have addition to the school bag, offering
peace of mind that devices will last all day long.
The type of power bank you need depends
on the type of device being charged, how
often you charge it, as well as how quickly you
want it to charge. Also consider the number of
devices you want to charge – multi-port banks
will charge several devices simultaneously,
from smartwatches and phones to earbuds and
tablets.
Power banks support USB-A and USB-C
(for fast charge) connection, making them
compatible with most devices’ USB charging
cable.
Charge is measured in milliamps per hour
(mAh) – the higher the mAh, the longer the
power bank will last. If the power bank’s mAh is
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less than the device it’s charging, it won’t charge
that device to a full 100%.
How many charge cycles will it deliver? Your
device’s mAh value lets you quickly calculate
this. For example, most smartphones have a
battery that’s approx. 3,000 mAh, therefore
a 10,000mAh power bank will charge it three
times. Aim for a power bank that will charge
a phone at least twice. 15,000mAh is ideal
for devices like earbuds and e-readers, while
a maximum capacity of 20,000mAh will keep
a laptop or tablet energised. 30,000mAh is
recommended for larger laptops doing heavy
lifting.
A 20,000mAh capacity should be sufficient to
charge the kind of devices taken to school, like
earbuds, phone, tablet or laptop. The Cygnett
Boost V2 20K Power Bank is an ideal choice
for everyday school use and will charge three
devices simultaneously, with up to 5.2 phone
charges when fully powered. It’s fitted with a
USB-C port for 15W fast charging, along with
two USB-A connections, and a digital display to
check the bank’s power level.
If a power bank will only be used for a quick
recharge or an emergency top-up, then opt for
one with a basic, low capacity of 5,000mAh, like
the Cygnett ChargeUp Move 5K Dual USB
Power Bank, which also offers optimal charging
for Apple devices. However, if it’s going to be
used more frequently and for a full charge,
consider a fast-charging model that won’t take
hours to fully power up.
And remember to always keep power banks
and charging devices away from direct heat –
never leave them in a hot car during summer.
Say watt
Wattage is another thing to look
for when considering a charger.
You can determine the maximum
wattage of a device by its INPUT
value. Most smartphones require
5W to charge and tablets up to
12W, while Quick Charge certified
tech uses 18W to speed things up.
The amount of watts you need in a
charger will depend on the device’s
power consumption and how many
devices will be charged at the same
time – should you need to power up
a pair of phones, you’ll need 24W.
jbhifi.com.au
17/12/21 9:58 pm
