Power Banks vs. Battery Cases: Which is Right for You?
Tags: mobile
Published: 2024-01-08 17:55:05

If you travel often (especially for work), nothing’s more important than having a charged mobile device. Power banks and battery cases make sure your phone can stay charged anywhere you are. And power banks don’t just charge your phone- they charge other gadgets too! Containing a rechargeable battery, your power bank or phone battery case provides you with all the juice you need, on the go. 

While power banks and battery cases serve basically the same purpose, and the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re somewhat different beasts. You may prefer one over the other, so let’s get into the nitty gritty of power banks vs. battery cases to find out which of these power solutions is the most adapted to your needs.


**Exploring the Virtues of Power Banks**

Power banks are large-capacity power storage units, used to charge your electronic devices. The power bank itself can be charged in any available outlet. For Smartphone users who dread ever losing power, these devices can make life less stressful.

Power banks seem simple enough on the surface but they’re more complex than you’d think. Let’s review some things you should know about these [mobile accessories](https://www.zagg.com/) and how they work.

First of all, there are 3 different types of power banks:

**Universal/Standard**
The most ubiquitous type of power bank, the universal/standard style charges phones and tablets, earbuds, and other small electronics.

**Solar**
Equipped with photovoltaic (solar) panels, these units are charged by the sun. They’re great for long trips when you plan to be outdoors a lot. The primary advantage of solar power banks, aside from not requiring an outlet to charge, is the environmentally sound use of renewable energy.

**Wireless** 
The latest entrant to the world of power banks is wireless. These devices charge your electronics by simply placing them on top, so you’ll have no cables to worry about! These are great for all devices that can be charged wirelessly.


**Characteristics of Power Banks to Consider**

The size and capacity of the power banks you’re looking at are important. This device is intended to make life on the go easier, so size matters. That energy source needs to be easy to carry. Capacity is also a key consideration, depending on your charging needs.

Check the charging time for your gadgets on power banks. A quick-charging power bank is your best bet or a charge-through power bank (see below). You’ll also want a power bank that features overcharge and short-circuit protection and features that manage temperature.


**Judicious Use**

To extend your power bank’s lifespan and for optimal performance, the following are best practices:

**Don’t overcharge:** To prevent overcharging your power bank, unplug it as soon as it’s reached a full charge or purchase a power bank with overcharge protection as suggested above.

**Store in a cool, dry place:** Again, choose a power bank with temperature management to support longer life and better performance.

**Use Regularly:** Regular use maintains your power bank’s capacity to charge. If you don’t use it regularly, fully charge it and then, disperse the energy every few months.


**Lithium**

Batteries are evolving and are now capable of holding a tremendous amount of charge. Yesterday’s nickel-cadmium batteries not only couldn’t do that, they took eons to charge! The introduction of the lithium-ion battery in 1991 changed all that. Since then, the cost of this new type of battery has been reduced to 1/10th of the original purchase price. And they’re now capable of holding 3 times the charge. But this last fact can be problematic.

With great power comes the need to understand that such potency can have consequences. Charging your phone incorrectly can lead to overcharging, which can overtax it, leading to a meltdown of components. It’s also important that you use only a quality power bank that’s compatible with your phone.

Make sure to take proper care of your cables and stop using them if internal wiring becomes exposed. Cables can present an additional hazard if not maintained in good condition.

Heat, in general, is the enemy of the power bank. Leaving it in an overheated location, like on the dashboard of a car reduces its lifespan and effectiveness. Giving your power bank the same respect you give your mobile device can prevent unwanted damage and possible incendiary consequences.

Also, choose branded power banks that have [UL certification](https://lamarcosystems.com/news-insights/articles/is-ul-certification-important) or a commensurate regional consumer safety certification to ensure quality. 

*TIP: If your power bank makes an unaccustomed noise, investigate the source immediately, [The cause](https://dev.to/betpido/what-is-wrong-power-bank-makes-noise-when-being-charged-4g78
) may be heat or faulty components. Follow up to be safe.



**Capacity**

Power banks are measured in milliampere hours (MaH), indicating the number of hours of charge held by the device. Mobile devices are measured in the same way. But the MaH of your power bank may not provide the number of charges you believe it’s capable of. Why?

Because there’s a disparity between the voltage of your power bank and the charging input of your device. This factor skews the number of charges you can expect from your power bank. The voltage of an average lithium battery is 3.7 but the voltage of your phone battery needs 12.5 Wh (watt hours). 

Using a [MaH to Mh conversion calculator](https://helpdeskgeek.com/reviews/everything-you-should-know-about-power-banks/), you’ll see that the disparity in voltage between the phone battery and input to charge accounts for the difference in the number of charges available from a fully-charged power bank. That 10,000 MaH apparently available to your 2,500 MaH phone battery seems to promise 4 charges but it’s really more like 3.


**Power Loss in Transfer**

Converting energy from one location to another always results in a loss of energy. The chemical energy of your bank being converted to electrical energy held in your phone is always going to result in some dumped energy being burned in the process of transfer.


**The Bottom Line**

A power bank, despite the challenges inherent, is a good bet for those who require additional power on the move. A power bank that’s been fed with a charge is the best friend of people who need the assurance of on-demand juice, wherever they are. 

Your best strategy is to treat your power bank like a friend, never neglecting to charge it. Keep your mobile device at a 30 to 80% charge to prevent the possibility of overcharging and the [consequences that come with it](https://theconversation.com/should-you-charge-your-phone-overnight-will-overcharging-make-it-explode-common-battery-myths-debunked-214956). This is necessary to manage the interface between your energy source and your mobile device. 

The bottom line is that a power bank is a good bet for on-the-go juice that won’t let you down, especially for charging multiple devices.  


**Battery Case vs. Battery Pack? What’s the Difference?**

A battery case is an innovation that can keep your mobile device going strong, preventing the heartbreak of running out of juice at the worst possible moment. But what’s the difference between the battery case and the battery pack? Let’s break it down.


**Battery Case**

The battery case functions as an external power source, specific to the phone, adding the assurance of continual charges. But it should be noted that the battery case also adds weight to the phone. For those who need a reliable charge, that’s probably a minor consideration.

A good battery case should provide an additional day’s charge when you’re on the go, making it well worth your while.

**Battery Pack**

The battery pack is an external power source that charges your phone and other devices. These devices carry more power than battery cases and can charge other small electronics. The real difference is that the battery case is tailored to your phone and designed to be in service continually. The battery pack, on the other hand, provides power for other electronics and is created only for the phone. While battery cases are specific, battery packs are not.

**Which is Right for You?**

Much depends on your needs and the electronics you carry with you while working on the go. If all you need extended power for is your phone, then the battery case will do the job.

But if you’re carrying items like digital cameras or headphones, you may need a battery pack. These come in various sizes, with varying capacities. For the best performance, choose a battery pack that works with 2.1 Amp. These will charge everything you have much more quickly than 1 Amp units.

With a battery pack, you can also share juice with desperate road warriors whose phones have died in transit. But for a battery back to be as useful as possible, it must be kept charged and the cables you need to transfer power need to be with you.

Ultimately the battery case is best for someone who’s primarily concerned with keeping their mobile phone in service. There’s nothing more convenient than charging your external power source and phone at the same time, so if you’re traveling only with a phone, the battery case is for you!

The only drawback of battery cases is their weight and the fact that it somewhat distorts the design of your mobile device. But these are aesthetic considerations and surely less important than having a fully charged phone that’s ready to go at all times.


**Power Banks vs. Battery Cases**

Now that we’ve got an idea how the battery case differs from the battery pack and what the virtues of power banks are, let’s ask the original question again, working from our enhanced understanding.

The power held by the power bank is considerable, depending on its capacity. As pointed out above, that capacity can be a little deceptive. One of the best features you can look for with a power bank is [pass-through charging](https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-pass-through-charging/). This feature allows you to power up your electronics while the power bank is plugged in and charging.

Ultimately, making an informed decision between a power bank and a battery case boils down to the end user’s behavior. Do you move around with a galaxy of electronics in need of on-to-go power? If that’s the case, choose a power bank. It does it all.

But if you’re traveling only with your trusty mobile device, you may be better off with a battery case. Despite the aesthetics and weight involved, the convenience of a battery case is in its simultaneous charging of both the external power source and your phone. 

The power bank is a great innovation for people on the move who would prefer not to worry about where their next charge is coming from. But remember - that power bank needs to be kept charged! For those with a full complement of electronic gadgets, the power bank is a great way to keep your operation rolling with all the juice you need.