Capacity: Look at Rated Capacity First
When choosing a power bank, battery capacity is the primary consideration, directly affecting how many times you can charge your devices, as well as the size and portability of the power bank itself. Note that the labeled "labeled capacity" is not the same as the actually outputtable "rated capacity"; actual power output is typically about 60% of the labeled capacity. This difference should be factored into your evaluation when purchasing, so you can more accurately estimate actual usable power and avoid over-expecting battery life.
Fast Charging: Wattage and Protocols
Charging speed is another key factor. For smartphones and tablets, to achieve fast charging, it is recommended to choose products supporting 25W or higher charging speeds; for charging laptop computers, 45W or higher specifications are recommended. Common fast-charging standards currently include USB Power Delivery, i.e. USB PD, widely used in phones such as iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy, as well as Programmable Power Supply, i.e. PPS, mainly used for Google and Samsung devices. Check the protocols supported by your own devices when purchasing.
Port and Extra Feature Trade-offs
The choice of ports affects usage flexibility. Multiple USB-C and USB-A ports can charge multiple devices at the same time, but when charging multiple devices simultaneously, total output power is distributed across the ports, which may reduce the charging speed of individual devices. Some Anker power banks feature built-in cables, Qi wireless charging, or MagSafe wireless charging. While these add convenience for outdoor use, they may affect the size of the power bank and are not necessarily the fastest charging method, so weigh them against your needs.
Recharge Efficiency and Boarding Rules
The power bank's own "input charging speed" determines how long it takes to recharge, which is equally important for frequent users. Some products support the "charge while discharging" function, i.e. pass-through charging, allowing them to power other devices while charging themselves. For frequent flyers, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration TSA stipulates that only power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh may be carried on board, and they must be placed in carry-on baggage. Confirm that the specifications comply before departure.