Charge Laptop with a Portable Charger: What You Need to Know

Most people who study or work in neighborhood libraries or coffee shops fear the battery low notification, particularly when there is no available charging port in sight.

This leads to a common question: "Can you charge a laptop with a portable charger ?" And the answer is definitely! However, not all generic portable chargers are capable of charging a laptop. Therefore, ensure that it is compatible with your laptop.

This article will give some reasons why you should consider purchasing a laptop power bank to increase your productivity and provide a simple way on how to charge a laptop with an external battery. 

Why You Should Consider Buying a Power Bank for Your Laptop?

Portable chargers for laptops are sometimes known as power banks. If you have the appropriate connector, you can charge most of your devices, like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and many others, all from a single source. They can take care of all your charging needs in one place.

If your laptop battery dies, you will be in a difficult situation, especially if you're far from a power outlet. This is one of the reasons why purchasing a laptop power bank is almost a must. Also, consider that it is not always possible to find a charging station. In this case, you should always have a power bank with you.

How to Charge Laptop with Power Bank

Now that you’ve decided a laptop power bank is a great addition to your tech arsenal, it’s time to learn how to charge a laptop with a power bank:

• Get the appropriate power bank for your laptop. The majority of laptops need 16V-20V output. However, most standard power banks only provide 5V output. So you''d better first find out the voltage output and power rating that your laptop requires are commonly listed in the handbook or on the AC adapter. And then choose the proper power bank accordingly.
• Before you leave, make sure that your power bank is fully charged.
• Connect your laptop to the power bank. Although USB-C cables and ports are used to connect the majority of power banks to laptops, you can also find power banks with Lightning or USB-A ports.
• Turn on the power bank. Depending on the brand and model of your power bank, you may need to turn a switch or press a button in order to begin charging your laptop.

Extra tips: Make sure to choose a high-capacity portable charger that can fully charge your laptop at least once, giving you ample power during long trips or workdays. 

Things You Should Consider on Charging Laptop with External Battery

Before you purchase a power bank for charging laptop, you should consider a few things

Is the Power Output Sufficient to Charge a Laptop?

First and foremost, you should check the power output of the power bank to ensure it can fully charge your dying laptop.

Since different laptop models consume varying amounts of energy, you should also check your model's specifications to find out how many watts it needs. Use Google to quickly verify the specifications of your laptop.

But if we want to find a power bank that works with most standard laptops, let's consider average numbers. The average laptop consumes between 30 and 70 watts per hour, with gaming laptops probably using the most power.

It means that you will need a power bank with a power output of at least 50W to charge a standard laptop successfully. Obviously, it would be preferable if you could choose an option with a higher output as this means that it can juice up your laptop's battery faster.

Does It Have Ports That Your Laptop Is Compatible With?

The USB-C delivery port is now the standard way for laptops to connect to chargers. Because of this, the majority of power banks have an identical USB C output that enables them to charge laptops.

But if your laptop is an older model, you need to make sure that the charging port works with the power bank you want to use. Some brands of laptops have their own charging ports or limited charging slots. This is especially true for their thinner models.

Is the Capacity of the Power Bank Sufficient to Charge Your Laptop?

Simply said, the capacity of a power bank refers to the total amount of "stored energy" that it possesses. If you intend to charge large electronic devices such as laptops, you absolutely need a power bank with a sufficiently large capacity. In fact, in order for your power bank to last more than one full charge, you will need to supply it with energy that is multiple times greater than what is required.

Anker 737 Power Bank is an example of a portable charger with a large battery capacity. It comes with a 24,000mAh capacity, supports 140W Power Delivery 3.1 technology, and features an integrated display that offers real-time charging info, making it perfect for powering a laptop on the go, especially for professionals.

Conclusion

Now you know how important it is to have a laptop power bank to help you be more productive. If you're looking for a laptop power bank, make sure to consider the capacity, portability, and compatibility before making your purchase. We recommend the Anker 737 Power Bank, which is designed to charge laptops. The 60W USB-C and 18W USB-A ports on this power bank allow it to charge headphones, AirPods, and other devices simultaneously.

FAQs About Laptop Power Bank

Can I Charge My Laptop With 10000MAH Power Bank?

Yes. With 10000MAH Power Bank, you're able to get some extra juice for extended battery life but can't charge it fully because laptops typically operate on a minimum of 50Wh, while 10Ah is around 37Wh. Though it won't provide the same full charge as higher capacity batteries, this power source is useful in helping your laptop stay alive and running longer!

Can Laptops Support Power Bank?

Yes, power banks can be used with laptops. However, compatibility between a power bank and a laptop must be considered. Laptops are high-powered devices that come with chargers that can be 105W or even 135W. In contrast, most power banks have a 5V/2A or 9V/2A power output, which is nowhere near what a modern laptop requires. This is why it's important to first find out the laptop charging rate.

Can Power Bank Replace Laptop Battery?

Power Bank cannot replace your laptop battery as a power source. Because most laptops need 18 to 19 volts, but a power bank only has 5 volts.

Can a 20000mAh power bank charge a laptop?

Yes, a 20000mAh power bank can charge a laptop if it provides the required output, typically 30W to 60W via USB-C Power Delivery (PD). Ensure the power bank’s output voltage matches your laptop’s needs, for it to deliver at least one full charge.