External battery for tablets: reviews, tests, comparisons

The question of the capacity of portable devices, their "endurance" in the work is always relevant. Each tablet or smartphone is charged daily, and sometimes several times a day, depending on the intensity of operation. And, you see, it's not very pleasant to observe how the device you are working with is quickly discharged and forces you to stop working with it. Sometimes this can cause you to postpone all things and just "look at the ceiling." If you are traveling somewhere on the train, stand in a traffic jam or even expect your turn somewhere, this is important.

In some cases, the need to extend the life of your battery by any means becomes even more acute. For example, this applies to situations where you work with a tablet, discard some important documents from it, or create a presentation. On whether the gadget will function or simply turn off, reporting a low charge, the success of your work may depend.

Therefore, in this article we will talk about a solution that can make life easier for many users of mobile devices. This is an external battery for tablets, which allows to increase the service life of the device. Thanks to such an actual time, during which your gadget will serve you, can increase several times. The main thing is to always wear such at hand.

What is an additional battery?

We will begin with the general idea of the device described in the article. So to say, just describe what can be useful such a gadget, how it looks, by what principle is arranged.

After all, about the internal battery installed in all smartphones, we know that this is a power source for our electronic devices. Without it, it is simply impossible to ensure the operation of any gadget. It looks like a flat metal container, which has miniature dimensions (depends on the tablet model). An internal battery is installed under the back cover, thus creating no problems in operation.

In addition, there is also an external battery for mobile devices. It can be positioned as a separate device, an addition to your phone or tablet. The form in which such an accessory will be expressed can also differ significantly - some of them are sold in the form of key fobs to keys, while others are delivered to the market in the form of a whole bag. There are also many options for such devices, all of which have different characteristics and technical data.

An external battery for tablets and phones has a number of advantages. By connecting your device to such a "key fob", you can additionally charge it, respectively, to extend its operation time. This is the same as constantly having an outlet within reach. As you know, this is very convenient, because of what such batteries for tablets and smartphones are in demand today as never before.

Kinds

There are many classifications of such devices, depending on different criteria. It is possible to distinguish first of all the capacity of such batteries - it can be 1000 and 20 000 mAh; You can talk about the types of charging of such devices - using a network adapter (directly from charging) or through a microUSB cable; Another difference is the voltage that the battery gives to the charged gadget. The last factor, for example, will affect how quickly you can charge the device. This is especially important if you are looking for an external battery for tablets that, in principle, have more capacious batteries, and therefore should be connected to the network longer.

There are separate lines of batteries that work at the expense of solar energy. On such, for example, installed miniature solar panels, the capacity of which is quite enough to charge the smartphone. You can also subdivide devices into those that do not have any interface (they are organized as simply as possible), and also those that have a separate control panel, where the charge indicators are placed.

In the end, you can distinguish between these batteries based on the materials used to create the body, by color, texture, size, and so on.

Cost

If you are looking for an external battery for tablets, you should immediately determine which device from which price segment will be of interest to you first. After all, there are different models that can demonstrate completely different charging capabilities. For example, one is the simplest Blacksmith model for $ 10, and the other is a device with a maximum capacity of $ 50-60 (for example, Incipio Offgrid for Samsung S6).

In this regard, let me immediately identify the two facets within which you can make a choice. The cheapest products are unequivocally produced at Chinese auctions. There, a portable charger can be purchased for a couple of dollars, concluding a fairly profitable deal with the seller. However, one should be cautious, since Chinese suppliers often cheat on the actual capacity of the battery: where there are 20 thousand mAh, there may actually be only 1,000. Such cases, unfortunately, are not single.

Another way out is to buy the most original and original accessory. For example, it could be a portable battery for your iPad. Due to the fact that such a product is approved by inspection authorities, its value rises. Not the least role here also plays the attitude of people to "apple" technologies.

Capacity

One of the most important factors that characterize a portable charger, as you have already understood, is capacity. It indicates how long the life of a device can last. As you know, the "endurance" of the battery of your smartphone or tablet is also measured in this value. So what does this mean?

Here is a simple example to make it clearer. The phone has a battery capacity of 2500 mAh, while an additional battery - as much as 5000. Theoretically, the charge that accumulates a portable battery should be enough for two "replenishment" of the phone's battery. However, in practice it can only be "one and a half charges", since the rest of the energy will disappear taking into account the technical features of the device. Experts argue that the older the battery, the shorter the period during which it holds a charge.

It turns out a simple logic: the more capacious will be your external battery for mobile devices, the more times you can "replenish" the charge of your smartphone.

True, in this case it will be necessary to look for a balance between two parameters - the size of the battery and its cost. The larger the battery, the larger its dimensions and the final cost. Therefore, today on the market more demand for small batteries, which is enough to charge the battery of the smartphone by 60-80 percent. This is enough to make the device work until the end of the day.

Models

In order not to talk about some abstract categories, I would like to turn to specific devices on the market. Thus, we can characterize them and compare them with other accessories of the same kind.

So, immediately note that the manufacturers of gadgets from this line are either companies that produce accessories for smartphones (covers and films on the screen), or brands that are present directly in the electronics market. One of the first is Ozaki with their O! Tool Battery T52, made in the original design; The second belongs to Xiaomi Power Bank (at 10,400 mAh). There are also quite well-known companies that have at least one additional battery in the lineup. These are: ZenPower (model from Asus), YooBao, Mophie, Bootcase, PowerPlant, Drobak Trust Urban Revolt and many others. Some of the designated brands represent only one or two models, while others specialize in the production of entire rulers.

Comparison

It is best to compare the different versions of the batteries with each other to understand what they are capable of. Here, for example, there are two identical models: Nomi A052 and Xiaomi Power Bank. Both devices have a capacity of 5200 mAh (as an internal battery for the Samsung tablet), and the cost of the first is slightly lower: $ 10 and $ 13, respectively. What about the comparison?

First of all, these are the materials of the hull. No wonder "Chinese" Nomi cheaper than the same "Chinese" opponents. The second point is reliability. If Mi products are presented in the eyes of the buyer more successfully than Nomi, then the latter is something rather risky (you do not know how much it will serve you).

Another example of creating such "bundles" of models is OnePlus Power Bank and FrimeCom 6SO. The first device will cost 17, and the second - at $ 21, although the capacity of each is 10 thousand mAh. True, the second has a small competitive advantage, which in some cases can be really lucky: the presence of a panel to charge the device with the help of sunlight. Suitable battery for tablets (Samsung Galaxy - including), and you can work with it at home and in the office, placing it on the windowsill.

From the compact you can note the "keychain" Mophie (capacity 1000 mAh) and Trust Urban Revolt (4400 mAh). Obviously, the second device (made in the form of a "finger" rectangular accessory) can be called more bulky. However, the first option is more unobtrusive in everyday life. In addition, you can use such small batteries to temporarily recharge your gadgets.

Unfortunately, in the framework of this article, it is impossible to compare a large number of models, since this will take too much time. Let's just say that the whole market of portable batteries is divided into large batteries that can "keep" your gadget in the state of activity for several days, and for small "key rings" in order to carry them in a bag and apply it in the right situation. Also, there are original solutions, for example, batteries built into the cover. The latter are especially popular with Apple iPhone owners.

How to choose?

Suppose you have to buy one portable battery for a tablet or smartphone, but you do not know how to start your search for the perfect device. We recommend first of all to familiarize with the technical data of your device.

For example, one thing batteries for Chinese tablets (battery capacity of which reaches 6-7 thousand mAh), and the other is to find the best solution for your iPad mini. Be sure to read the instruction (or the description on the Internet), where the capacity of the batteries will be indicated. Knowing this information, you can calculate which external battery will work best, and how much charge it should be oriented to.

Tests

The second step is "testing." Carry out a miniature test with the battery that you are interested in: hold it in your hands, see if it will fit into your bag, whether it suits you by weight. This can be done directly in the store. And to find out how quickly it will charge your battery for the tablet ("Samsung" you or some other company does not matter), specify the characteristics of your charger. It should indicate the voltage that is output when connected to the network.

This can be from 0.7 to 2 V (average). If the characteristics of the portable charger are higher than indicated, this means that the charging process will be faster (and vice versa). This will provide an opportunity to learn how the process of interaction with such a portable battery will differ from working with a familiar network adapter.

Finally, you can read reviews on the websites of online stores, which describe in more detail the portable battery you are interested in for the tablet. Explay, Xiaomi, Lenovo and a number of other manufacturers publish some tests of certain gadgets on their technique. Thus, having found the same model, you will be assured of compatibility and excellent interaction in practice.

Advantages and disadvantages

In general, the advantages of gadgets, which we describe in this article, you can talk endlessly. This is a real way to increase the working time of your device, make it non-volatile and truly portable. In addition, such accessories can be your real salvation somewhere on the road or at work, if the tablet had important information or documents.

Of the disadvantages, it should be noted their "wear and tear". He expresses, of course, not in physical damage to the device, but that over time the battery keeps the charge weaker, because of which the service life is shortened. For this reason, respectively, and the ability to charge other electronic devices (tablet or smartphone) is reduced.

Such processes are normal, they occur absolutely with all the batteries. The solution can be unless the use of some devices with solar panels. Imagine how to charge the tablet battery from the energy of the sun!

conclusions

The electronics market presents a huge number of models of external or portable batteries. According to their purpose, they are positioned as such, which serve to work with a smartphone, as well as chargers for tablets. This characteristic is determined by their capacity and the level of output voltage.

Choose a device that is suitable for your device, not so difficult. First of all, pay attention to its charge and compare it with the data from your device. Measure the capacity of the batteries to know how much battery life you have. Next, determine the current strength (which affects the charging speed).

The rest is only a matter of taste. As external batteries are of different types, they have different coloring and are made in a variety of forms, you can choose an accessory for yourself, based on your own wishes. This is done very easily - think about which pocket of the bag you would like to wear, how often you will need it in everyday life and so on. Just think about such a question as the possible choice of a device with solar panels to be able to replenish the charge on your smartphone or tablet using energy from a natural source.

Where can I buy?

Sold batteries for charging on the "go" everywhere: in all electronics stores, in subways and even in communication lounges. We would recommend, of course, to order such a device in some online shop, and for a number of reasons. First, you will have a wider choice if you buy the right model on the Internet. Secondly, such sites, as a rule, put a smaller price increase than real supermarkets of electronics, so here such a product will cost you less. Thirdly, you can always make an order from abroad (for example, from Chinese auctions), where the cost is even lower.