Understanding the capacity (mAh) and the charge efficiency of a power bank (2024)

FAQs

How to understand power bank capacity? ›

Power bank capacity explained

Capacity, shown as milliamp hours (mAh), is a rough indication of the power bank's charging capabilities – the higher the number, the more power it can deliver to your device before it also runs out of juice.

Most power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, with an average conversion efficiency rate of around 80-90%. However, factors such as the power bank's current level, the condition of its battery, and the charging circuit's quality can affect this rate.

mAh stands for milliampere-hour, a unit used to measure the energy capacity of batteries and power banks. It indicates how much charge a battery or power bank can hold and how long it can power your devices.

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.

A 1000mAh battery will theoretically last for one hour when discharging at 1000mA or for 1000hrs when discharging at 1mA, or 10hrs at 100mA.

Charging via 240-volt outlets (a more powerful outlet used for dryers and EV chargers) will typically result in an efficiency of ~90%. Charging via direct current (DC), like Superchargers, will typically result in an efficiency of 99-100%.

Higher-quality cables often offer better conductivity, resulting in faster charging speeds. Also, make sure you're using a cable that supports the maximum current and voltage that both your device and the power bank can handle to get the most efficient charge.

A higher mAh rating means more stored energy, allowing the power bank to recharge your devices multiple times. However, keep in mind that the efficiency of the charging process can vary, and factors like cable quality and charging speed also play a role in overall performance.

Is a higher mAh battery better? ›

What Does mAh Indicate? mAh (milliampere-hour) indicates the charge capacity of a battery and how long it can power a device. The higher the mAh rating, the longer the battery is expected to last.

Consider the charging speed of your devices and choose a power bank with an appropriate charging speed. If you plan on using your devices heavily or in a time-sensitive situation, you may want to choose a power bank with a higher charging speed.

For those always on the move, a smartphone with a battery capacity of above 6000mAh is ideal. This ensures your device can keep up with navigation, capturing memories, and staying connected even when access to charging is limited.

Should I get 10000mAh or 20000mAh power bank? It depends on what you'll be using it for. If you want to charge your phone twice or thrice, then a 10000 mAh will work fine and fit in your pocket. But if you're planning on charging your phone more than three times, then a 20000mAh is the way to go.

A higher mAh rating indicates a higher capacity and longer battery life. For example, a 5000mAh power bank can store 5000 milliampere-hours of power, while a 10000mAh power bank can store 10000 milliampere-hours.

A power bank with 10000 mAh capacity can charge your smartphone at least twice. A 20000 mAh power bank can do the same more than four times. Another factor is that a 10000 mAh power bank is suitable to charge your smartphone, but should you need one to charge other devices like tablets or laptops, 20000mAh is better.

Generally, a 20000mAh power bank can charge a typical smartphone with a 3000mAh battery about five to six times. If used solely to charge a single device, it can last several days, but this will vary with the device's power demands and the power bank's own energy loss during charging.

The measurement of a battery's capacity is in milliamp-hours. In terms of a new smartphone, every 10,000mAh represents roughly 1.5 full charges. So, a 5,000mAh power bank will give a phone almost a full charge, whereas one with a 20,000mAh capacity can charge a state-of-the-art phone three complete times.