The charging time of a power bank depends on several factors: the power bank’s capacity, the charging technology, and the power adapter. We’ll address each of them in the course of this article.
Here are some examples of power banks and their recharging times:
[table id=9 /]The Charging Time Depends on 5 Main Factors
1. The Power Bank Capacity
Capacity is one of the key factors that influence a power bank’s charging time. All things being equal, the more capacity a power bank has, the more time it needs to get recharged.
This is why a 10000mAh power bank can generally be charged in 3 to 4 hours, while a 30000mAh power bank can take as much as 6 to 8 hours to charge, but actual times can vary based on the specifics of each power bank.
It’s also worth noting that in some cases, power banks with a large capacity may charge faster than other models with a lower capacity due to the 2nd factor on the list. But all other things being equal, the larger the capacity, the longer the charging time.
2. The Charging Technology
Charging technology is another important key factor that can have a significant impact on a power bank’s recharging time. There are different charging technologies that can help power banks charge faster.
On the slow end, you have the older power bank models that come with micro USB input ports. These charge generally quite slow, and are not capable of using fast charging.
Next are the fast charging technologies, such as Power Delivery (PD) which is one of the most popular ones. This is a charging standard that is associated with USB type C ports and which allows for power output levels as high as 100W. Check out our curated list of some of the best PD power banks. Other popular fast charging technologies are Qualcomm Quickcharge and Anker’s PowerIq.
However, new technologies are always emerging and they’re promising to bring unprecedented charging times. One such upcoming technology is graphene. This is a material created of sheets that are just one Carbon atom thick and which have super-conductor properties. Although not yet fully mainstream, there are already some power banks that take advantage of it. You can see some of them here.
3. The Power Adaptor
The power adaptor/wall charger/charging brick or however you want to call it is yet another important piece in a power bank’s fast charging time. It doesn’t matter if you have a state-of-the-art portable charger that is capable of charging in under one 1h if you use a power adaptor that supplies just 5V/1A of power.
Some of the fastest charging power banks come with their own power adaptor, such as the Apollo Traveller portable charger for example. Although the cost of the adaptor is reflected in the price, you can be sure that you have the best choice for a fast charging time for your power bank.
However, most power banks don’t come with an adaptor. In this case, you need to choose one that delivers enough power to quickly charge your device. As in the case of power banks, adaptors are also influenced by different charging technologies. For example, some of the fastest charging power adaptors come with Qualcomm Quick Charge protocols or are built using GaN technology.
4. The Charging Cable
Although seemingly not relevant, charging cables play an important role in the power bank charging process. Low-quality cables or damaged ones can dramatically slow down the charging process due to increased electrical resistance.
Overall, for the best charging experience, it is recommended to always use the charging cable and/or wall charger that came with the power bank. This way you guarantee maximum compatibility between each of these key components.
5. The Charging Source
Sometimes it may happen that you can’t use the wall charger in order to top up your power bank, so you need to rely on alternative charging methods such as a laptop’s USB port or a car cigarette charger. In these cases, if the power supplying source cannot provide the maximum amount of power that the portable charger might require, then it is expected that the charging times to increase significantly.
Generally speaking, wall sockets can deliver the most power, so they should be used as a main charging source. However, in some cases, other power sources can deliver similar amounts of power as well. Just make sure to double-check before starting the charge, so that you know what to expect in terms of charging times.
Safety Considerations
In order to achieve the quickest charging times, it’s often easy to overlook basic safety guidelines. Generally speaking, refrain from using unknown power sources, charging adaptors, or power cables. Make sure to always follow the indications in the portable charger’s user manual.
Don’t store or operate the power bank in excessive temperatures, either too hot or too cold. Besides negatively affecting charging times, extreme temperatures can cause damage to the internal battery and limit its lifespan. Always use the power bank in a well-ventilated environment that’s neither too hot nor too cold.
In many cases, people forget their portable chargers on the dashboard of their cars during hot summer days. This can be a recipe for disaster, especially under direct sunlight.
How to Find Fast-Charging Power Banks
If you’re looking for a power bank that is capable of charging really fast, then check out our curated list of the fastest-charging power banks.
Alternatively, you can visit our power bank review page and use our custom-made filter to select the desired charging time as pictured below:
How to Properly Charge a Power Bank
I have created a dedicated walkthrough guide on the official Power Bank Expert YouTube channel.
Don’t Forget To Treat Your Power Bank Right
Sometimes, you unknowingly do things that might hamper the longevity of your portable charger and reduce its efficiency. Here are some of the practices that you should follow to gear up the charging speed of your power bank and ensure its upkeep.
Avoid draining its battery by plugging in devices to your portable charger while it’s charging. It will slow down the charging speed. Given the case, it doesn’t support simultaneous charging and discharging.
- Switch OFF the power supply a bit earlier before the power bank reaches its full charging capacity. It will improve the efficacy of your power store and increase its lifeline.
- Don’t keep your portable charger in extreme temperatures as it may permanently damage it.
- Practice eco-friendly disposal methods when you want to throw it away.
If you have any further questions on how long it takes to charge power banks, please let us know in the comments or get in touch via our contact page. Thank you!
