10 Best Portable Chargers In 2018

It’s hard to get away from the fact that we are more reliant on technology than ever before, whether its phone, tablets or any other device. It’s also technology which never seems to have enough battery to cope with the demands, which is why getting the best portable charger can be so important.

If you’re looking for the best external battery charger though then there’s a lot to consider as you need to know what you are going to be using it for, how much power and capacity it has and also other crucial factors such as how durable it is and how easy it is to carry.

In this guide we explain all those different options so you can purchase your portable charger in full confidence and we have also looked through the portable charger reviews in order to show you the best products on the market. Once you’ve read through this guide, you’ll know exactly what you want.

How To Choose A Portable Charger – Buying Guide

Use

One of the greatest things about portable chargers is the number of uses that you can have for them as there is a wide range of situations where they could come in very useful. If you are looking to buy your charger for one specific reason then it could well be that you end up using it for something entirely different.

One of the great times when this can be used is when you are out there camping and away from any power outlet. This means that you have the option to keep your device fully charged so you’re never going to be without your crucial piece of technology. There are smaller chargers which would give your device a boost or there are larger chargers which mean that you can be out in the wild for days on end and not have to worry about finding somewhere to plug in your device.

There are other great uses as well such as if you’re out on a boat for a long time which doesn’t have any power and you need to keep your devices powered up or it could well be that you’re simply at the beach all day and don’t have to worry about your phone dying or any other device that you have.

While a portable charger might be seen as simply an opportunity to keep using your phone as you wish but it can also be a lifesaver in times of emergency as well. If you’re out there away from anyone else and your phone dies it could cause serious trouble, with a portable charger though you know that you’ll always be able to charge up your phone and get it going.

Power

The power of the charger is going to be the most important consideration in which portable charger that you are opting for but there are also other key factors in your decision making process as well. When it comes to power you simply want a product that is going to be able to charge your device as much as possible.

There is a key factor when it comes to power though and that is the fact that the more power that you have, the bigger your device is going to be. If you were wanting to have a high powered device then you’re going to need to accept a larger charger which may be difficult for some depending on their use.

Capacity

While other aspects can alter the amount of charge that is going to go into your devices, the capacity of the portable charger is going to be the most important thing and this will vary from one charger to the next and is going to be the most key factor in your buying decision.

The figure that you need to look out for in relation to this is a chargers milliampere hours (mAh) which is a measure of how many amps can be transferred in one hour. While this is not an exact indication of the amount of power it has, it’s going to be by far your clearest indicator on how much charge your product is going to give.

This shows the amount of power that it is going to be able to hold and then send over to your device. While the facts about exactly what this means and how it relates to how much it will be able to charge can be very technical, it’s more or less a simple case of the bigger, the better as if you get a charger that has a high mAh  then it’s going to be better for you.

This is going to be listed on every product that you see as companies know that it’s the most important figure. They also generally list how much they are able to charge devices too which will give you a useful reference point on how much power it has. The smallest chargers will probably be able to charge a smartphone once while the most powerful ones might be able to charge a phone over six times over.

Technology

While power is a crucial consideration, there are also other key factors that come into play as well with the technology that is in the device. One piece of technology that could be crucial to many people is a chargers ability to charge a number of different devices at the same time.

There are a couple of reasons why this could be so important as firstly it could be that you have a number of different devices that you want to charge at the same time such as a phone, tablet or a camping lantern. It might also be the case that you are carrying a portable charger for a whole group and everyone wants a charge when you’re stopping for a rest.

The ability to charge a number of different devices might be important but you want to ensure that it has the right ports that are going to fit into your devices as well as you don’t want to have a situation when you are out there only to find that you can’t plug your charger into your device.

Another important piece of technology to look out for is the ability for the charger to deliver its power quickly. This could be crucial if you’re short on time and a lot of these devices will be able to charge more quickly than your traditional charger at home. These pieces of technology might be the difference in you buying one product over another, regardless of power.

Construction

The construction of your portable charger links in heavily to the use that you are going to have for it. If all that you’re going to be using a portable charger for is a back-up in emergencies and you’re going to be leaving it in your bag then the construction isn’t going to be that vital.

If you are planning a camping trip or some other similar activity then you will want your charger to have a higher level of construction so it’s able to deal with the harsher environment. Having a battery that is shockproof as well can be useful she this will prevent your charger from easily breaking if you were to drop it.

Portability

All portable chargers are going to be quite small otherwise they obviously wouldn’t be portable but they do still come in a wide range of different sizes. Some of them you are able to be placed in a pocket and you’ll be able to charge on the go and there are some that are even the size of a lipstick.

There are other portable chargers though which are able to hold a lot more power so are generally a lot bigger. These are still portable but would probably have to be kept in a backpack or any other type of bag. You just need to know what you are going to be using your portable charger for and make plans so you know how you are going to carry it.

FAQs

Q: Will Charging The Battery With Portable Charger Damage The Battery?

A: Your cell phone battery pack or any other device will only be affected in the same way as it is from any other charging method and not something that you need to worry about. There has long been a perception that these types of methods can damage a battery but it’s largely a myth.

There are though some devices that will use technology to assess your devices needs and give it the amount of charging that is required. This though will just ensure that there is no wasted energy or overheating to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your charger.

Q: Are External Battery Chargers Allowed On A Plane?

A: The answer to this question is unfortunately a complicated one but you’ll be happy to know that almost all portable chargers are able to be taken onto a plane. The exception is whether or not the device has a power rating above 100 watt hours.

Now you may be wondering what devices rate over 100 watt hours and this can be worked out by the milliampere hours divided by 1,000 and then multiplied by the nominal voltage. It is only the very high-powered chargers that are over this mark and the user reviews will often have this figure worked out for you.

Q: What Charges The Battery Charger Itself?

A: Obviously these chargers need to be charged themselves and this can be done in a number of different ways but you want to ensure that they are fully charged before you head out on your adventure otherwise there is no point taking the product.

They’ll be able to be charged via USB into any electrical device but the best and most effective way would be to charge them by using a wall outlet. This will be able to charge them in the quickest time and allow you to get out there and using the product to charge your other devices.

Q: Is It Safe To Leave The Charger In A Hot Place?

A: Hot temperatures can damage any piece of electronic equipment as you don’t want it to overheat. Sometimes you can’t help it though if you are out there on a hot day but in these situations you just want to ensure that you are not leaving it out in direct sunlight. When you are storing your battery, you want to do so in a cool, dry location such as a drawer in your home.

Q: Will The Battery Life Drain With Time?

A: Whether it is the battery in your phone, laptop or any other electrical device, the battery will drain over time so the answer to the question is yes, but it’s the same for everything. This though is one area where batteries have really improved and they are able to hold their charge for a lot longer. This is why getting a high-quality product is important.

Q: Can You Charge A Laptop With A USB Port?

A: No. You are only able to charge a laptop via the power port. The USB slots are there to power up external devices such as a keyboard r a mouse and unfortunately you can’t get it to go the other way. Laptop naturally require a tremendous amount of power so this wouldn’t work.

Globo Surf Overview

A portable charger can be an important device in many different situations but it can also be crucial in emergencies as well but picking the best one for you can be tricky when there are so many different options out there to choose from.

You first need to assess what you are going to be using it for as it could be that you need a device that is as small as possible or you could well want one which is as powerful as possible depending on your own needs. If you’re camping for days on end then you would probably want a charger that is able to charge your device multiple times.

This is where you need to strike a balance between size and power as generally the larger capacity a portable charger has, the bigger and bulkier it will be. Ideally you’d want to get the biggest charger possible so that you are always covered but there may be size limitations in terms of what you can carry or you may be worried about getting it on a plane.

Aside from the raw power of a product, there are also other details to consider such as the type of ports that they have. You need to ensure that they have the right connections for you and your devices but also if you would be wanting to charge multiple devices at the same time then you need to ensure that your charger is able to do this.

Not all portable chargers enable fast charging as well which is a great feature for those who are going to be in more of a rush as this will be able to deliver power quicker than your device at home. If you are going to be camping for doing any other form of rugged activity, then you also want to ensure that it has a solid construction and would be resistant to any bump and drops.

When you have everything considered you’ll have a lot more confidence in being able to choose the top rated external battery charger for you. When you have it, you will have peace of mind knowing that you can use your device as much as possible without having to worry about it running out of battery.