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There may come a time when you’re planning a trip and situations arise where you don’t have access to power. It’s never fun to have a dead smartphone, laptop, or headphones when you need it and can’t find anywhere to charge back to full. To prevent yourself from searching for a way to charge your device, you could always invest in a portable power bank.
Portable power banks are great tools to have with you while traveling, whether you’re heading out on a road trip, a backwoods camping adventure, or traveling for a work trip. Since these devices have lithium batteries, though, make sure you have a TSA-approved power bank if your travels include airplanes. The best part is that most power banks typically come with multiple USB charging ports so you can provide power to several devices at once, and they can be used to power anything from phones and tablets to other small electronic devices such as rechargeable flashlights and wireless headphones. There are several portable chargers recommended by Consumer Reports to choose from, and having one in your travel kit can be the difference between having a fully charged device and sitting in complete boredom.
When you do and don’t need a portable power bank
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There are several reasons you may want to own a portable power bank. They are useful tools for anyone who may do a lot of traveling for work and make camping a little more comfortable if you need access to your phone or lighting when the sun sets. Many are lightweight and can be quite a reliable device if you are in a pinch. You can even find portable power banks under $50 that are worth adding to your kit.
Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but you won’t find a lot of power in nature. Bringing a portable power bank means you can charge your phone to make calls in case of emergency and use GPS to find your way, so you don’t get lost. Power banks can also charge flashlights, lamps, and radios so you can be prepared in emergencies. Bringing one with you to a convention can also be useful if you won’t have easy access to a wall outlet.
Even if you’re staying in a hotel or RV, a portable power bank can still be helpful, as some of these lodging situations can have inconvenient access to power outlets. And if you ever end up losing power due to a storm or other issue, a portable bank is a great backup to be sure you can still reach people.
The types of portable power banks available
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There are several portable power banks available for those who may be interested in one. They all function the same way, but vary when it comes to how many ports and power they have. You’ll want to find a portable power bank that fits your needs the best. If you just need one to keep your smartphone charged, then you may not need to spend all that much for a power bank.
The Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W) is capable of providing a quick charge to your device, multiple, for that matter. The small charger features three USB ports with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. That’s a lot of power for three different devices, but that energy can be reduced if all three ports are being used at the same time. The portable power bank is also quite inexpensive, costing around $30, but that may fluctuate with sales and discounts.
There is also the Blavor Solar Power Bank includes a solar charger so it can be charged in the sun, or normally as needed. It has three USB-C charging ports, a flashlight, and a compass, too. It’s also quite powerful can may be able to handle charging a laptop as well. Listed at a price of around $40, discounted to near $30 at the time of writing. You may also find cheaper power banks if you don’t want to spend a lot.
