How Long Does a Power Bank Portable Charger Last? A Complete Guide
A power bank portable charger can be a lifesaver when it comes to staying connected on the go. But one of the most common questions is, “How long does a power bank portable charger last?“.
The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the capacity of the power bank and the device you’re using to charge.
Also, a Portable Charger is another term for Power Banks if you didn’t already know!
How Long Do Power Banks Last?
One of the most important considerations when choosing a power bank is its longevity, or how long it will last before needing to be recharged.
Battery life can be different for pre-charged power banks in contrast to those that are not (click the highlighted text to read more).
High-quality power banks typically offer around 500 charge cycles, while lower-quality ones may only offer 300 charge cycles. With daily use, this translates to a lifespan of between 300 and 500 days for your power bank.
Charge Cycle of Power Bank
The capacity of charging a power bank and its life are measured in charge cycles.
A charge cycle is simply a complete process of charging a device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, from 0% to 100% and then fully discharging it.
Each time you charge your device using a power bank and then drain the device’s battery until it turns off, it counts as one charge cycle for the power bank.
The lifespan of a power bank is determined by several factors, such as its capacity, the number of charge cycles it has gone through, the quality of the build, the type of battery, and how the power bank is used.
However, below, an abstract idea of the longevity of each power bank containing 20000mAh, 10000mAh, and 5000mAh batteries is given.
How Long Does a 20000mAh Power Bank Last?
A 20000mAh power bank, considered a high-capacity power bank, can provide multiple charges for most electronic devices.
For example, a one-time fully charged 20000mAh power bank can charge an iPhone 8 around 7-8 times or a Samsung Galaxy S8 around 6-7 times before recharging.
Similarly, it can charge an iPad mini around 2-3 times or a MacBook Pro one time before recharging.
These values are mentioned for full-charge cycles from 0 to 100%.
As a general rule of thumb, a fully charged 20000mAh power bank can last several days for most devices with regular usage. It can also last for weeks or even a month with light use.
20000mAh Power Bank’s Life Expectancy
With proper care, high-end power banks like that with a 20000mAh battery typically last for 500 to 1000 charge cycles or more, providing reliable power on the go for a long time.
On average, 20000mAh power banks have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. If the power bank is from a good brand, it might even last 6-7 years. Some brands even offer a one-year warranty on their power banks.
How Long Will a 10000mAh Power Bank Last?
When it comes to charging smartphones, a 10000mAh power bank can provide multiple charges to most smartphones before needing to be recharged.
For example, an iPhone 11 has a battery capacity of 3110mAh, which means that a one-time fully charged 10000mAh power bank can charge an iPhone 11 around 3-3.5 times before needing to be recharged.
For tablets, a 10000mAh power bank can provide one or two full charges, depending on the tablet’s battery capacity. A tablet with a 7000mAh battery can be charged once from 0% to 100%.
10000mAh Power Bank’s Life Expectancy
Depending on how much you use it, 10000mAh power banks might last somewhere around 2-3 years. With proper care, the power bank can last for several hundred charge cycles, providing reliable power for a long time.
To increase the life of power banks, it is good practice to take care of your power bank by avoiding overcharging, not leaving it in high temperatures, and not letting it drain completely before recharging it.
How Long Does a 5000mAh Power Bank Last?
When it comes to charging smartphones, a 5000mAh power bank can provide one to two full charges to most smartphones before recharging.
For example, an iPhone 11 has a battery capacity of 3110mAh, meaning a 5000mAh power bank can charge an iPhone 11 around 1-1.5 times before recharging.
For tablets, a 5000mAh power bank can provide one full charge, depending on the tablet’s battery capacity. If a tablet has a 7000mAh battery, you can charge it up to 70%.
As for Apple’s iPad mini (6th gen), which has a 5124 mAh battery, a 5000mAh power bank can charge it up to 85-90% before recharging.
In conclusion, a 5000mAh power bank can last for a day with normal usage. It can provide one to two full charges for most smartphones and one full charge for a tablet with a similar capacity.
Again, it all depends on the device’s battery capacity, how often you charge it, and how you take care of the power bank.
5000mAh Power Bank’s Life Expectancy
A 5000mAh power bank has a shorter lifespan as compared to a 10000mAh or 20000mAh power bank because lesser charge cycles are utilized.
5000mAh power bank can efficiently complete 500-800 full charge cycles before they start deteriorating. On average, 5000mAh power banks last about 2-3 Years if used regularly.
Factors Affecting Life Expectancy of Power Banks
Several factors can affect the life expectancy of power banks, including:
1. Charge Capacity
The capacity of a power bank, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), determines the number of charges it can provide to a device before needing to be recharged.
Power banks with larger capacities, such as 10000mAh or 20000mAh, can last longer than those with smaller capacities, such as 5000mAh.
2. Charge Cycles
Power banks are rated for a certain number of charge cycles before their capacity starts to degrade.
As mentioned before, a charge cycle is a process of charging a device from 0% to 100% and then fully discharging it. High-end power banks typically last for 500 to 1000 charge cycles or more.
The higher the battery capacity, the fewer charging cycles elapsed, resulting in longer battery life of the power bank.
3. Proper Usage & Care
Proper usage and care can extend the life of a power bank. Avoiding overcharging, not leaving it in high temperatures, and not letting it drain completely before recharging it is all good practices that can help extend its life.
4. Charging Efficiency
The efficiency of the power bank, charging adaptors, and cables also affect the power bank’s lifespan. High-end power banks with higher charging efficiency will last longer than those with lower efficiency.
5. Temperature
Keeping your power bank in a high-temperature environment can damage the battery. This high temperature can negatively affect the capacity and charging efficiency, making the power bank less effective and shortening its lifespan.
6. Power Bank Battery Type
Different power banks use different types of batteries, such as Lithium Polymer and Lithium-ion. These batteries have varying characteristics, such as charging/discharging rates and life span.
Lithium Polymer Batteries
Lithium Polymer batteries have a slightly higher energy density than Lithium-ion batteries, which means they can last longer but are also more expensive.
Lithium-Ion Battery
In a power bank with a lithium-ion battery, frequent usage results in more charge-discharge cycles, ultimately leading to a decrease in capacity and overall battery life.
Typically, a lithium-ion cell can endure around 1000 cycles before becoming less efficient in holding a charge. However, by limiting charging to 80% capacity, the lifespan of the battery can be doubled to about 2000 cycles.
It is worth noting that charging efficiency and the charging condition of the device can also affect the lifespan of the power bank. High-end power banks with higher charging efficiency will last longer than those with lower efficiency.
These factors interact with each other and can affect the life expectancy of a power bank in different ways. By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision when purchasing a power bank and extend its lifespan with proper usage and care.
How Often Does a Portable Charger Need to Be Charged?
The frequency at which a portable charger, or power bank, needs to be charged depends on the number of charge cycles it has gone through and how you use it.
For example, suppose you have a power bank with a capacity of 10,000mAh. In that case, you can use it to charge your smartphone with a battery capacity of 3,000mAh. You could charge your phone three times before recharging the power bank.
Suppose you use it once daily to charge your phone and completely discharge it. In that case, it could last up to 1000 days before a recharge, assuming it maintains its capacity throughout all those charge cycles.
Make Your Power Bank Last Longer!
To make a power bank last longer, it’s important to:
- Avoid exposing it to high temperatures and avoid overcharging the power bank itself.
- Use the right charging adaptors and cables that are compatible with your device.
- Use the power bank only when needed, not just leave it plugged-in all the time.
- Please keep track of charge cycles, and recharge the power bank when its capacity starts to degrade.
- Use a high-end power bank with higher charging efficiency.
- Use it efficiently by not overcharging devices and not letting the power bank drain completely before recharging it.
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your power bank and ensure that it continues to provide reliable power on the go for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is It Okay to Use Power Bank Every day?
A: Yes, using a power bank daily is generally okay. However, it is important to use it efficiently and to take proper care of it.
Q: How Many Times Can a Portable Charger Charge My Phone?
A: The number of times a portable charger can charge your phone depends on the capacity of the power bank and your phone’s battery capacity.
For example, a 10000mAh power bank can charge an iPhone 11 with a battery capacity of 3110mAh, around 3-3.5 times before recharging.
Q: How Much Should I Charge my Power Bank?
A: Generally, it is recommended to charge the power bank between 50-80% of its capacity before storing it. This charge percentage ensures that the battery will not be overcharged or left in a deep-discharged state.
