What Is mAh? (Milliamp Hours) and How Does It Affect Chargers?
mAh, or milliamp hours, is a measure of electrical charge that affects the output and performance of your portable device and charger. If you’ve ever had trouble understanding why certain chargers work better than others or why laptop batteries tend to be so long-lasting compared to cell phone batteries, mAh may have something to do with it.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what mAh in power bank means and how it can affect your charging experience. Keep reading if you want to get informed about what mAh does for your electronic devices and learn more about choosing compatible chargers for maximum efficiency!
What is a mAh in a Battery?
The power capacity of a power bank or any other electronic device is measured in mAh, a system of units. Hence, every device that generates electricity has a mAh specification. What does mAh mean? Milliampere hours (mAh) are a unit of measurement used to describe the amount of battery capacity required to provide the flow of one milliampere of electrical current for one hour. Therefore, a power bank's capacity increases with its mAh.
Power banks with low capacities typically range from 1,000 to 5,000 mAh. These smaller, more portable power supplies would be ideal for you if you only sometimes boost power.
Power banks with a medium capacity range from 7,000 to 10,000 mAh. If you frequently rely on your phone when traveling, it could take some time until you find a wall charger. This selection of power banks could be ideal for you. A high-capacity power bank should be your pick if you require a bigger-capacity power source for a longer amount of time because normally it can deliver up to 120,000 mAh.
You might think heavy-capacity power banks should be the perfect choice as they can supply the most power. However, the more powerful a power bank is, the longer it takes to charge, and it is definitely bulkier.
Learn below to find out the best capacity for a power bank based on your needs.
How to Choose the Capacity of Your Portable Charger?
We suggest you make an early decision regarding the intended use of the power bank so that it can be dependable without requiring you to carry heavier, or bigger power banks.
Low-Capacity Power Banks
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1,000 mAh Power Bank
Nowadays, it is uncommon to see power banks with capacities below those of a typical smartphone. A backup battery pack that can be attached to a key chain or kept in a wallet may appear useless to some, but individuals who are not dependent on portable entertainment may find it appealing.
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5,000 mAh Power Bank
Given that most individuals don't leave home with a dead phone, a 5,000 mAh power bank should be sufficient to ensure that your phone lasts well over a day even if you're a heavy phone user.
These portable power banks are popular among phone users for a good reason—they offer enough capacity. They are also quite lightweight and easy to carry.
Medium Capacity Power Banks
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7,000 mAh Power Bank
A medium-capacity power bank is the perfect choice if you're traveling to locations where you frequently use your phone, and it might take some time before you find a wall charger. A power bank with a capacity of about 7,000 mAh can be used to charge multiple small gadgets, including headphones, as well as your phone.
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10,000 mAh Power Bank
A typical smartphone has a battery capacity of under 4,000 mAh. Therefore, a power bank with a 10,000 mAh capacity (real capacity 6,000–7,000 mAh) can charge the majority of smartphones at least two times to 100% capacity. The tradeoff is that power banks this size typically weigh more and are bigger than your phone.
20,000 mAh Power Bank
For a smartphone, a power bank with a 12,000 mAh capacity is more than necessary. Even a tablet with an 8,000 mAh battery can be charged. If your laptop has a 10,000 mAh battery, then the ideal choice would be a 20,000 mAh power bank.
Heavy Capacity Power Banks
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20,000+ mAh Power Bank
Over 20,000 mAh power banks are typically for camping or vacation because they can charge all of your portable electronics for a day.
Power banks with 120,000 mAh have a longer lifespan and are more akin to portable generators. They can recharge items like a mini-fridge and are typically found in the trunk of cars. They frequently have numerous charging ports so that several gadgets can be charged at once.
Therefore, keep in mind that power banks with a very high capacity and an inflated price are typically designed for camping rather than regular use.
Conclusion
After reading the above content, you should already know what is mAh. You shouldn't worry about choosing a power bank because there are many options available that will meet your demands. For daily use with a phone or while on the go, consider power banks with a capacity of between 3,000-5,000 mAh.
Power bank users with special requirements or for certain scenarios will find that 7,000–10,000 mAh is a viable alternative. And definitely get a 10,000+ mAh power bank for your tablet or laptop. To meet your different needs, Anker offers you a list of power banks of various capacities, get your own Anker power bank here.
FAQ
1. What's a Good Amount of mAh for a Portable Charger?
Your phone should last more than a day with a 5,000 mAh power bank. And the range of between 7,000–10,000 mAh is a great choice for phone users with specific needs or situations.
2. Is Higher mAh Better for Portable Charger?
Not necessarily. A power bank with a 10,000 mAh capacity is unquestionably more expensive than one with a 5,000 mAh capacity. Higher mAh also indicates it has more power, which means it weighs more and has larger designs that are frequently inconvenient to carry.
3. How Long Will a 10000 mAh Portable Charger Last?
The real capacity of a power bank with a 10,000 mAh battery ranges between 6,000 and 7,000 mAh.
For instance, the battery size of the iPhone 12 mini is 2,227 mAh. The iPhone 12 mini can be fully charged from 0 to 100% with a 10,000 mAh power bank two or three times (7,000 divided by 2,227).
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