Power Bank Buying Guide

With the world growing increasingly reliant on technology, staying connected is an essential part of life for many people. When your phone runs out of battery at the wrong time, it can be a big problem - particularly if you’re out and about and don’t have access to an electrical outlet.

It’s at times like these that a Portable Power Bank can be a real lifesaver.

Power Bank chargers come in a range of different shapes, sizes, and capacities, so choosing the right one can be a bit of a challenge. Our buying guide will introduce you to the different types of portable chargers, and help you identify the features of the best Power Banks in Australia.

What is a Power Bank?

A Power Bank is a portable battery that relies on a special circuit to control the flow of power. Think of it as a convenient back-up where you can store energy for charging up your electrical devices when no wall sockets are available.

The best portable Power Banks typically feature a rugged and durable exterior to help protect against the knocks, scratches, and bumps they may experience when carried around in a bag or pocket.

Some portable chargers come with a single port, while others come with several, allowing for multi-device charging. It’s important to note that connecting multiple devices will spread the current across each connected port, potentially impacting the speed at which you can charge your devices.

What Can Power Banks Charge?

Portable Power Banks can charge an array of different devices, though they’re typically designed for portable devices such as smartphones. Many Power Banks also have the capacity to charge tablets, wireless headphones, compact cameras, handheld gaming devices, and even laptops. You’ll need to have a compatible cable for every device you wish to charge. 

Not all Power Bank chargers come with a cable, but most feature ports that allow you to easily switch out cables according to the device you’re charging. 

Phone Power Banks

Portable phone chargers are a lightweight, efficient, and convenient item to keep close at hand in case your phone dies when away from your home or office. As phones require the least amount of power, all of our Power Banks have the wattage to safely charge your phone.

Most modern smartphones charge via a USB-C port, though you’ll most likely need a lightning cable if using your Power Bank as a portable charger for an iPhone. 

Mini Power Banks can usually hold enough juice to recharge your phone once or twice, but if you buy a Power Bank with a higher capacity, you can completely recharge your phone over 7 times! 

Check out our extensive range of Android and iPhone Power Banks.

Tablet Power Banks

Most portable phone chargers can be used to charge up your tablet as well, though the larger capacity of tablet batteries means you’re unlikely to get quite as many charges. A standard iPad, for example, has a capacity of over 8,000 mAh, meaning you can expect at least two charges from a 20,000 mAh Power Bank. However, some tablets and iPads require more wattage to charge than mobile phones, we recommend using a Power Bank with at least 30w charging to safely charge your tablet.

Laptop Power Banks

While not all portable chargers are suitable for laptops, some of our higher capacity laptop Power Banks are certainly fit for the job. Small, lightweight, and deceptively powerful, and are a fantastic option for freeing creatives and remote workers from their desks, allowing for productivity on the go. Laptop Power Banks start at 60w charging, as laptops require much more power than a mobile phone or tablet, and we recommend checking your documentation of your device to ensure you do not under power your laptop. Power Banks are not suitable for gaming laptops or high end multimedia laptops.

Check out our range of Cygnett Power Banks for laptops.

What Capacity Do I Need?

The capacity of a Power Bank is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the mAh, the larger the capacity of the battery, and the more recharges you’ll be able to get from it. Determining the best portable charger for you will depend on what you’re charging, and how many devices you typically need to charge throughout the day. To work out roughly how many charges you’ll get, divide the capacity of your Power Bank by the stated capacity of your device (you can usually find this information online). For example, if you buy a power bank with a 20,000 mAh capacity and use it to charge a smartphone with a 2,815 mAh battery at 5Vdc 2A, you can expect roughly 6 charges.

5,000 mAh Power Banks

A mini Power Bank with a capacity of around 5,000 mAh is a great option for small devices such as smartphones. In most instances, you can expect your phone to get one to two charges from a Power Bank of this size. 

Check out our Cygnett 5,000 mAh Power Banks. 

10,000 mAh Power Banks

10,000 mAh Power Banks offer a little more ‘oomph’ when it comes to charging your devices. 

This larger capacity portable Power Bank can usually be expected to recharge a smartphone at least twice, and is ideal for multi-device charging and larger tech such as tablets. It can also be a great choice for heavy phone users who tend to wear out their device more than once throughout the day. 

Check out our Cygnett 10,000 mAh Power Banks.

20,000 mAh Power Banks

The best portable charger for multi-device users and tech-loving individuals who are always running out of juice, our 20,000 mAh Power Banks give you at least 5 smartphone recharges before requiring a top up itself. 

You can use it to charge up phones, tablets, handheld gaming devices, headphones, and much more so you can stay connected no matter where you are and what you’re doing.

Check out our Cygnett 20,000 mAh Power Banks.

27,000 mAh Power Banks

A true workhorse when out and about, a 27,000 mAh Power Bank is so powerful it can even be used as a portable laptop charger. This makes it an ideal option for remote workers and creatives who need to work on the move, as you can keep your computer charged up even when you don’t have access to a power socket. 

Check out our Cygnett 27,000 mAh USB-C Laptop and Wireless Power Bank.

What Are the Different Ways I Can Charge With a Power Bank?

Most portable Power Banks supply power via a cable which connects to a USB port. This allows you to conveniently switch out cables to suit different devices so you can charge anything from Samsung and Apple devices, through to headphones, laptops, and portable gaming units. 

Here are some of the most common options for charging your devices with a Power Bank. 

USB-A Charging

This rectangular-shaped port should be familiar to you, as laptops, hard drives, TVs, and a range of other devices have been using the technology for years. Currently, the vast majority of portable chargers come with at least one USB-A charging port. 

Explore our USB-A portable chargers here. 

Micro-USB Charging

Established in 2007 and still popular in a range of small electronic devices, many older smartphones use micro-USB technology. However, the technology is largely being replaced by USB-C technology in newer smartphones and laptops. 

USB-C Charging

With greater charging capacity and faster data transfer speeds, USB-C has gained a firm foothold in contemporary smartphone and laptop technology. A USB-C Power Bank typically charges much faster than USB-A. 

Explore our USB-C portable chargers here. 

Wireless Charging

A convenient way of topping up your devices, wireless charging Power Banks allow you to recharge Qi-enabled tech simply by laying them on top of the charger. This means you can enjoy cable-free convenience as you quickly charge smartphones, tablets, Air Pods, and more. 

Magnetic Charging

Magnetic charging gives you the same cable-free convenience as a wireless charger, plus the ease and peace of mind of magnetic mounting. Magnetic Power Banks feature magnets on the inside, which allow you to snap your charger securely onto your device to ensure the perfect charging position at all times. 

These chargers are typically compatible with Apple MagSafe technology, as well as other magnetic charging accessories.

Explore our magnetic portable chargers here. 

Fast Charging

Fast charging is where power is provided faster than what a standard charger is capable of delivering.

This increasingly popular technology allows you to recharge your devices much quicker, so you can get up and running sooner. With the introduction of USB-C technology in 2014, fast charging has become a vastly more accessible feature in a range of devices.

The majority of contemporary smartphones have smart charging capabilities, and many portable chargers are able to deliver it, including wireless Power Banks.

When you have a wood fire in your house, having a fire stoker next to the fireplace is essential. Many fire stokers come with stands that let you keep them close at hand, but as those who have a fireplace know, these stands can be bulky and awkward to place aesthetically. A solution to this problem is to mount your fire stoker on the side of your fireplace; you could even mount other fire tools such as shovels and brushes. Our magnetic discs can hold your fire tools next to your fireplace, making them easily accessible, and minimising clutter around your fireplace.

How Much Do Power Banks Cost?

It really is a matter of ‘you get what you pay for’ when it comes to Power Banks. 

Generally speaking, the higher the capacity, the higher the price. Mini Power Banks start as low as $30, while more powerful portable chargers tend to cost a few hundred dollars. It’s important to remember that the extra cost typically comes with more power, faster charging, multi-device connection, and other helpful features, so even the most expensive Power Bank is sure to earn its keep. 

Cygnett Power Banks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities, so we recommend taking a look at your options to find the best portable charger to suit your needs. 

You can explore our full range here.