How long does a portable charger/power bank last? If you’re looking for a way to charge your mobile device, you can pick from a variety of portable chargers and power banks. While there are a variety of factors to take into account when shopping for a portable charger, one of the most crucial choices has to do with how long you want your portable charger or power bank to last. Portable chargers are typically well made, capable of handling a heavy load, and designed to last for a long time in terms of both daily and lifetime usage.
However, you should consider the power cell of the battery you decide to purchase when looking through portable chargers and selecting the one that is best for you. The power cell will provide you with important information that will help you choose a battery that will last for the duration of its lifespan as well as during daily use.
How Does A Power Bank/portable Charger Work?
Inside the hard shell case that your power bank comes in is where it’s actually located. Simply put, a power bank uses a USB cable to transfer energy that was previously stored in the battery during charging to your phone or other devices via the micro-USB cable.
There are other items, such as a circuit board for safety, inside that hard case, but in essence: it’s a rechargeable battery.
Power banks typically contain two main battery types with varying levels of capacity and voltage. As we’ll see, each of these factors can have an impact on how long your power bank lasts.
How Long Does A Power Bank/Portable Charger Have A Battery?
All brands of portable chargers have a power bank service life of about 3 years on average. Many of the original Zendure customers who purchased power banks in 2013 said so when polled. We are happy that we consistently outperform industry expectations.
So what factors into battery life? The battery cell is the main component whose impact on the battery’s operational life is greatest. Typically, polymer or 18650 batteries are used. Most battery charge-discharge cycle instructions are repeated 500–500 times, while others are repeated 800-900 times. The battery should experience some loss with each full charge and discharge.
For instance, a portable charger with a 5000mAh battery and 500 times charge-recharge capacity can be used for 1000 days, or roughly three years if it is charged every two days. Capacity is the second factor that may have an impact on working life. In the same way, a battery’s capacity determines how much power it can deliver to meet device demands, how few times it needs to be charged and discharged, and how long it will last.
Factors Affect A Portable Charger/Power Bank Lifespan
Similar to the battery in your smartphone, the lifespan of each power bank is initially determined by the number of full charging cycles it receives. There are several important factors that will affect how long your power bank will last. The frequency of charging, the caliber and type of power bank you own, and how you use it are all factors that affect the potential of a power bank.
For instance, if you use your power bank to charge your device(s) more frequently, it will last less time overall, but you will still get the same number of charge cycles as someone who uses their power bank less frequently.
Duration Of Charging
A power bank should hold a charge for about 600 minutes on average, but it may last up to 2,500 minutes in the best scenarios!) depending on both how you charge it and the power bank itself.
The 600 estimate refers to a full power bank charging cycle, which is when the power bank is plugged into the wall to charge and goes from 100% to 0% charge to 100% charge again. This means that each partial charge does not equal a full cycle because you only charge your power bank partially each time (which is the correct and best usage; more on this in a moment).
You’ll get more charge cycles and a longer power bank life if you choose a power bank with a larger battery capacity.
The power bank loses some of its overall charging capacity after each cycle is finished. Throughout the product’s lifespan, that quality gradually deteriorates. Better batteries in this regard are those made of lithium polymer.
Power Bank Quality And Type
Depending on the original quality and use of the power bank, the lifespan of a power bank is typically between 3 and 4 years, and it will typically hold a charge for 4-6 months.
A power bank’s lifespan is influenced by a variety of aspects including usage, product quality, and make. These include:
- Battery capacity – high to low
It will either be a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery in the power bank. The oldest and most widely used battery type, lithium-ion, has a built-in circuit that regulates the power flow from the battery to your device to prevent overcharging and/or overheating (this is the type of battery your phone likely has). On the other hand, lithium polymer does not heat up and does not require a circuit, though the majority do so that it can detect other problems for safety. Stronger, lighter, and less likely to leak electrolytes are all benefits of lithium polymer.
Remember that not all power banks will be transparent about the type of battery they use. Using lithium polymer batteries, custom USB power banks are built with a circuit to recognize things like electrostatic discharge and overcharging.
- Quality of build/materials
If a power bank is poorly constructed, its lifespan will be considerably shorter. To protect you and demonstrate their level of confidence in their own products, look for a reputable company that uses high-quality materials and offers a respectable warranty. The majority of power banks will have a 1–3 year warranty. There is a lifetime warranty on CustomUSB.
- The capacity of the power bank
Some devices, like laptops and tablets, have larger batteries and will require a power bank with a higher capacity. Depending on the size, this will shorten or prolong the life of the power bank because charging these larger items may require more of the power bank’s charge capacity. Depending on their age, phones may have a range of capacities.
Milliamp hours (mAh) are used to express capacity. So, for instance, if you select a power bank with a capacity of 5,000 mAh and your phone has a capacity of 2,716 mAh (like the iPhone X), you’ll get two full phone charges before you need to recharge the power bank.
A power bank with a larger capacity than the device(s) you plan to use with it is required.
- Bringing it all together
Recall how a power bank with more mAh can charge your phone more frequently before it needs to be recharged, meaning it will last longer. In any case, you should combine the mAh factor with the others. A lithium polymer battery, for example, won’t heat up as much and won’t degrade as much over the course of a month, so you’ll be able to use it longer. Furthermore, if the item is produced by a reputable company and is made of high-quality materials, it will last longer.
As an illustration, the 5,000 mAh lithium polymer battery in this PowerTile charger can be charged and discharged more than 1000 times without losing much of its level charge capacity, and it is constructed from high-quality materials, so it will likely last longer than a similar product with a lower-quality lithium-ion battery that might have a higher mAh.
Read More: Can You Bring Your Portable Charger on a Plane
Use With Caution
You have a say in how long your power bank lasts, so take good care of it to get the most use out of this useful external battery. Here are some suggestions for using your power bank correctly:
- When a power bank is first purchased, make sure to fully charge it. Starting it off at full charge is the ideal scenario.
- Charge your power bank immediately after each use. This prevents it from reaching zero and keeps it ready to charge your devices when you need it.
- Charge any power banks that are not in use on a regular basis to prevent damage.
- In environments with high humidity, avoid using your power bank. Keep it constantly dry.
- Avoid putting power banks in a bag or pocket with other metal objects like keys because they may short-circuit and damage the device.
- Hold onto your power bank! The battery or circuit board inside might be harmed by this. If you want your power bank to last a long time, you must handle it carefully.
Ways To Increase The Lifespan Of A Battery Pack
- Use the battery between 0 and 25 degrees Celsius, which is the recommended operating range.
- Use caution when using it near a heat source.
- A hot or humid environment is not a good place to keep a portable charger.
- Use the battery responsibly. Unusual use (including, but not limited to, excessive use, using techniques, environmental conditions, etc.) will easily lead to performance degradation of lithium batteries, shorten the run time, affect the lifespan, and may even lead to bulging, smoke, and fire.
- Periodic (every three months) recharge of the lithium battery is advised.
1. Use The Power Bank With Compatible Devices
Make sure your power bank is compatible with the device you’re using it to charge by ensuring that it has a lower mAh rating than the power bank and that it is specifically mentioned in the power bank’s description as being compatible. You can find this information online or by getting in touch with the business that created the power bank.
Ensure that you also check the voltage and current. Power banks typically have 3.7 V and 1A or 2A current. Use the 1A version instead of the 2A one for your phone because that is what it is really intended for; otherwise, both your power bank and the phone will be harmed. You risk damaging both your device and the power bank if you charge anything that isn’t intended for it.
2. Charge Your Smartphone To More Than 80% By Using The Power Bank
Power banks are under strain when they are charged past 80%. It’s a voltage issue; once it reaches a certain value, the current gradually begins to decrease. If you only use your power bank to charge your smartphone up to 80%, it will use less energy and last longer.
Read More: How To Charge A Portable Charger?
3. While Using, Stay Away From Extreme Cold Or Heat
Extreme temperatures should not be used with your power bank because they will harm the battery and reduce its lifespan. Don’t leave it in your car and always keep it at room temperature.
4. Keep The Power Bank Fully Charged At All Times
To avoid having your power bank run out of juice before it reaches 0%, charge it as soon as it reaches 50%. This is because when it drops too low, the voltage drops as well and damages lithium batteries by causing carbonization, which reduces their potential.
5. Keep Your Power Bank Away From Liquid
Power banks are not designed for use in water, just like phones without waterproof cases. Keeping them away from all liquids and areas with high humidity will prevent damage and possibly ruin.
Conclusion
So how long is a power bank good for? Simply put, there isn’t a universal solution! According to factors like quality, battery capacity, build, brand, type of battery, and how you use the battery, the average lifespan is between 1.5 and 3.5 years, or 300 and 1000 charge cycles.
More importantly, you should learn how to select the best power bank and how to extend its life. It’s also important to realize that how frequently you use your power bank to recharge your device(s) will affect how long it lasts because it will go through more charge cycles.
When buying a portable charger, you have a lot of options, but you need to do your research if you want one that will last a lifetime and reliably charge your devices without difficulty or hassle. Look around and read the information provided by the businesses you are purchasing from, such as capacity and battery cell life. To ensure that your product will function as intended and has been used by many people before you, also take a look at the reviews and testimonials of the companies you come across.