Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Advice on what to look for in a Power Bank

(37 Posts)
DaisyAnne Thu 20-Oct-22 13:46:23

What to look for, what you have and like, anything you think I need to know. This will be pretty much from zero knowledge at the moment.

henetha Fri 21-Oct-22 11:03:19

Done! It will be here by the 24th. Great! smile

henetha Fri 21-Oct-22 10:45:14

Ok. Grannywannynanny I will copy and paste in a minute.
Thanks very much.

Grannynannywanny Fri 21-Oct-22 10:40:32

henetha I’m not sure if I copied the the other link properly. Here’s another www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Multiple-Braided-Lightning-Connector/dp/B0B9S7Q7M7/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_sspa?psc=1&crid=2Q8BSBLPDQJJM&keywords=power+bank+charging+cable&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjc5IiwicXNhIjoiMy4wNiIsInFzcCI6IjMuMDMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=%2Caps%2C71&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1666344860&sr=8-7-spons

henetha Fri 21-Oct-22 10:36:42

Oh, that's great, Grannynannywanny. Thank you so much!
Yes, it's just the little cables which don't fit. It never occurred to me that they alone can be replaced. I'll buy one today. smile

Grannynannywanny Fri 21-Oct-22 10:32:57

henetha

I'm so annoyed; I've recently had a new phone and now my two power banks don't fit it. I thought they were universal, but apparently not.

I think you might be able to replace the charging cable with a universal one that fits multiple devices. I had a quick look on Amazon. This link will hopefully lead you to a selection.

Belkin Universal Cable (3-in-1 USB-C, Lightning, Micro-USB Charging Cable) Charge Smartphones, Tablets, Power Banks and more (3.3ft/1m)

Grannynannywanny Fri 21-Oct-22 10:21:17

Something to consider for anyone with a Virgin landline. I don’t know if this applies to other suppliers but it might be worth checking it out. I received a letter from them last week and a small plug in device for my phone socket in preparation for them soon upgrading everyone’s phone line to fibre.

No idea if there’s any advantage to the upgrade but after reading the leaflet there appears to be an annoying disadvantage. It states that following the upgrade the phone line will not function during a power cut. So presumably there will be no back up option to use an old corded phone.

henetha Fri 21-Oct-22 10:05:32

I'm so annoyed; I've recently had a new phone and now my two power banks don't fit it. I thought they were universal, but apparently not.

harrigran Fri 21-Oct-22 08:40:23

I bought one in Sainsbury's, they were selling them off for £6. Mine will charge my phone twice.
I bought the power bank at the same time as a basic plug in phone for the landline.

Franbern Fri 21-Oct-22 08:36:27

Grannynannywanny

I bought one about 3 years ago after being caught in a power cut for several hours and my mobile had died.

It’s an Anker make. I bought on Amazon for £18. My daughter and son have the same one. After a full charge it will charge up a mobile phone 3 times before the unit needs another charge. It’s about the size of a chunky cigarette lighter.

I was going to write a post on this matter, then read this one from Grannynannywanny - and it says nearly everything I was going to write.
A also purchased an Anker one just over three years ago. Had spent the day on a coach trip - during which received phone calls about date for a hospital procedure. During the afternoon my phone ran out of charge, coach was very delayed and I knew people would be trying to find out what was happening.- and purchased this little gadget to prevent it happening again.

It is excellent - travels with me if am away from home for anything more than a few hours. Must admit thought most people with smartphones had one.

winterwhite Thu 20-Oct-22 21:44:28

I’ve just bought an Anker 325 to recharge my iPhone if necessary during prolonged power cut when landlines are out. Supposed to do 5 charges before needing recharging itself but haven’t tested that yet. Cost about £35 on Amazon.

muse Thu 20-Oct-22 21:36:44

Another vote for Anker. I've had my Anker PowerCore 20100 - 20000mAh for over two years now, through Amazon. It's not the smallest of Power Banks but once fully charged it lasts for ages.

I can get about 8 full iphone charges from it.

Aldom Thu 20-Oct-22 21:34:49

DaisyAnnethank you. smile

Jaxjacky Thu 20-Oct-22 21:12:41

This one as it can charge up to 3 items.

DaisyAnne Thu 20-Oct-22 20:47:47

Thank you all, including Mr B for his advice. I will have some research to do on prices, but this will give me a great list.

Grannynannywanny Thu 20-Oct-22 20:26:23

I bought one about 3 years ago after being caught in a power cut for several hours and my mobile had died.

It’s an Anker make. I bought on Amazon for £18. My daughter and son have the same one. After a full charge it will charge up a mobile phone 3 times before the unit needs another charge. It’s about the size of a chunky cigarette lighter.

Blossoming Thu 20-Oct-22 20:01:34

Mr. B has INU and YOSIB. He says to check they’re compatible with your devices.

V3ra Thu 20-Oct-22 19:37:00

Another vote for the INIU which is light enough (190g) to carry in a bag or pocket.
My older one is a POWERADD which holds more charge but is heavier (400g) if you want to carry it.

Razzamatazz Thu 20-Oct-22 18:36:19

If anyone is thinking of flying with a power bank in hand luggage, do check the individual airline rules about them.

Razzamatazz Thu 20-Oct-22 18:34:11

I feel much better DaisyAnne, the power was off here for days before I was able to get someone in to check if it was 'safe'. Other people were off for six weeks, many power lines in the NE are above ground still and were down.

Initially I looked for an old fashioned corded phone to plug straight into the phone point as well, but as the lines are going digital, they won't work eventually.

DaisyAnne Thu 20-Oct-22 18:26:06

Razzamatazz

Last year when my roof flew off in Storm Arwen my mobile phone was at 20%, electricity was off as water was pouring in. I ended up having to go to my friend at 7.30 am in the morning to charge it so I could phone for help.

I recommend Juice powerbanks. I have a heavy duty 20,000mAh that does about 7 charges, including my laptop, I leave this one in the house. I then have a smaller Juice 2 5,000 mAh that I carry in my handbag.

Thank you Razzamtazz. It's good to be able to compare. I like the idea of the heavy duty one and it looks like a reasonable price too.

DaisyAnne Thu 20-Oct-22 18:22:23

Aldom

DaisyAne I simply meant that if the word Charger had been included it would have been more obvious what a power bank is. I can't recommend one, true, but I took the time to explain what they are used for. Hope this is acceptable to you. I did not intend to be rude by what I said.

Ignore me Aldom. I didn't mean to sound so cross. The trouble with the internet is you can't see the benign smile wink

Razzamatazz Thu 20-Oct-22 18:20:16

Last year when my roof flew off in Storm Arwen my mobile phone was at 20%, electricity was off as water was pouring in. I ended up having to go to my friend at 7.30 am in the morning to charge it so I could phone for help.

I recommend Juice powerbanks. I have a heavy duty 20,000mAh that does about 7 charges, including my laptop, I leave this one in the house. I then have a smaller Juice 2 5,000 mAh that I carry in my handbag.

DaisyAnne Thu 20-Oct-22 18:18:47

Enid101

I’ve got an INIU. Cost about £20, is easy to use and light enough to carry in a handbag. I get about four charges of my mobile before it’s needs re-charging. Hope that helps.

Thank you Enid. I'll have a look.

Blossoming Thu 20-Oct-22 18:17:58

Mr. B uses two, I’ll ask him what kind they are.

Fleur20 Thu 20-Oct-22 17:59:13

You can also get solar powered power bank chargers for any interested..