We all love our technology – phones, tablets, iPads, they come with us wherever we go. They help us multitask (I can read email, work on a presentation and watch my 6 year old do gymnastics all at the same time). They help us to stay on task with our busy work schedules. They keep our children entertained in waiting rooms with games. They keep us entertained with ebooks and online magazines. They capture memories with pictures and videos. Most importantly they help us stay connected. They do all of this…as long as they still have battery life. But what to do when we have the dreaded low power warning?!
That’s where portable chargers come in handy. Sure we all like to think we will remember to plug our devices in each night but sometimes we forget. And sometimes we just want to use our smart phone after 3pm in the afternoon (if it’s so smart, why can’t it last for a full day?). In any case plugging into a wall charger isn’t always an option. The office, a soccer game, airport, coffee shop, we’ve all been there and needed a boost (and I don’t just mean a double espresso).
When looking for a portable charger, there are many options available. I have been using this particular model and here are my thoughts.
Out of the box: The charger is a good size and initially seems a bit heavy, it weighs more than my phone. But I was optimistic this would translate into more power. I also noticed right away the cord for the charger is fully integrated into the design which means one less cord to keep track of in my kitchen drawer. After reading the short booklet, I was ready to go in under a minute. I plugged the charger into my USB wall outlet and let it sit overnight. The next morning the power bank was fully charged and ready to go.
How it looks: The cord which allows you to charge the power bank, attaches onto the side seamlessly which means the charger doesn’t have any odds and ends sticking out. The sleek design makes it easy to slip into a purse, tote bag or even a pocket. The indicator lights are very handy. There are 4 of them and they let you know how much power is left…25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The power button is easy to find. The device measures 5.25″ H X 0.5″ W X 2.5″ L, which allows plenty of room for a logo.
Powered up: I have tested this out on the following devices – iPhone 5, iPad mini, Kindle paperwhite and Kindle fire tablet. The charger was able to fully charge each of these items and (this is the best part) – it only used up about 25% of the stored power of the power bank. That’s right, I was able to fully charge one device and still have enough power to do 2-3 more charges. In my opinion this is one of the best features of this particular power bank. It holds 3-5 times more charge than others available right now. I love that I can use this charger several times before it needs to be plugged into the wall or computer to be recharged.
Technical specs: The PB 10200 Charger has dual charging ports and 10,200 mAh Li-polymer Grade A battery. The device includes an integrated USB to Micro USB connecting cable which can be used to charge the power bank or charge your device with a 5V/1A output. There is an additional USB port to charge a second electronic device with a 5V/2.4A output. The batteries have undergone evaluation for numerous quality standards. Standby time is 6 months – although I have yet to let it sit for more than a week before needing to use it for my phone and tablet.
Overall this charger is easy to use and packs a lot of power. It is in demand for a large target market – everyone wants the the power to stay connected. Definitely something to keep in mind next time you are looking for the perfect go-to item. Click here to find out more about this product including pricing.