How to choose a power bank? 3 factors to consider.

What to consider? — Capacity (mAh)

The capacity of a power bank refers to how much energy it can pack into its profile, measured in mAh (milliampere-hour). Think of it like the fuel in your car's fuel tank — the bigger the capacity, the more fuel you can put in there, and the more miles you can cover. There're typically four levels of capacity on the market for you to choose:

• 5,000 mAh for ultra portability. Great for one-time phone top-up.
• 10,000 mAh for a balance between portability and urgent power backup. Great for charging a phone and a second accessory, such as your earbuds.
• 20,000 mAh as the most popular choice for its capacity large enough for frequent travellers and long-day users.
• 25,000 mAh - 30,000 mAh and above for multi-device users who demand reliable and large power source, for example: outdoor photographers and people on business trips.

"I fly a lot, so which power bank can I carry with me or check in?" you might be wondering.

According to IATA (International Air Transport Association), power banks with a capacity below 100 Wh (~ 27,000 mAh) get a free pass, need before-flight approval if it's between 100 Wh and 160 Wh (~27,000 mAh and ~43,000 mAh), and not allowed if it exceeds 160 Wh (~43,000 mAh).

What to consider? — Power (Watt)

A power bank's power, measured at Watt, means how fast you can charge your phone and other devices. On the market, these are the typical Watt choices:

• 10W - 15W for standard charging that meets basic charging needs. Often seen in compact and older power banks.
• 18W as the entry-level fast charging rate that supports QC (Quick Charge) and PD (USB Power Delivery).
• 30W - 45W for faster charging phones and devices like iPad, Nintendo Switch, and thin laptops.
• 60W - 100W for fast charging high-performance laptops and devices; also supports charging for multiple devices at the same time.
• Between 100W and 240W for charging power-hungary devices like gaming laptops and work stations.

What to consider? — Ports

For the latest power banks, there are usually two kinds of interfaces you can find: USA-A and USB-C (also known as Type-C).

As of the writing of this blog in December 2025, most smart phones, tablets, and laptops on the market feature USB-C ports for charging and data transfer — Apple ditched the Lightning port beginning with the iPhone 15 series in 2023. If the power bank has a built-in cable that features a USB-C port, it would just make charging much easier.

If you're still using USB-A to USB-micro or Lightning cables to charge up your older devices, a USB-A port on the power bank would be appreciated, as you don't have to source for new cables.

Say, you use power banks to charge up more than just one phone, look for one that features multiple ports, so you'll be more at ease when more than one low-battery device cry for power at the same time. For power banks with a capacity at 10,000 mAh, you will often find at least two ports, usually one USB-C port and one USB-A port. For capacities larger than that, you will often find three ports: a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and another USB-C port at the end of a built-in cable.

One pro tip for using the port is that you might need to take a close look at each port's output power, so you're charging your device using a suitable Watt — higher power such as 45W for laptops and lower power (18W) for phones.

What power bank to gift your family and friends this holiday season?

At Vention, we design and make a variety of power banks for you to choose from. For this holiday season, we make the following recommendations based on the needs of each walk of life.

For family and friends who prioritize portability — Their bags are heavy already and pockets full.

For family and friends in need of large capacity (heavy gamers and people who travel a lot.)

For bread earners who travel a lot and are in need of reliable power backup for their Mac and PC.

All the power banks above are available via our official online shop. Shop for your family and friends today.