Do you really want to trust your $600 cell phone to a cheap power bank?

Do you really want to trust your $600 cell phone to a cheap power bank?

Power banks are everywhere and they are the hottest, fastest growing new item in the promotional product industry.  They are convenient and a real life safer if your battery goes dead.  But as with all exciting new tech items, it isn't long before someone makes it "cheaper".  Here are some of the differences you should look for when purchasing these items.   However, in this case, "cheaper" can be truly dangerous.

You will find that many power banks and chargers look identical on the outside – but the inside can be very different and that is reflected in the price.  Poor quality power banks have been known to explode and catch fire as well as damage the phone and simply not work after a few charges.  Over 10,000 factories have opened in the past 4 years due to the high demand of power banks.  However, many of these are small, underfunded and lack expertise required to produce a quality battery pack.  They sell based on price and do not warranty their products or care about safety issues.

Here is what you need to know first.  All Power banks or mobile battery chargers have a mAh rating.  mAh is commonly used to describe the total amount of energy a battery can store at one time.  Different devices require different capacities to charge fully.  For example you can charge most cell phones with a 2200 - 2800 mAh. ASamsung Galaxy S4 has a capacity of 2600 mAh.  An iPad requires a charge of around 11,000 mAh.  Chargers can be found with as much as 50,000 mAh but the price and weight increase as you purchase more mAh in a charging device.  It is important to know how the charger will be used.  It will not help to purchase a low mAh charger if you are interested in charging your iPad. 

How to buy a reliable Power Bank:

One of the most popular style power banks -
they all use the same casing but it is important
 to know what is inside.

First off, and most important, are the batteries Grade A batteries?  Batteries are graded with reference to capacity, internal resistance, continuity and leak proofing.  Those that don’t meet the standards are classified as B or C grade and sell at lower prices.  Used batteries are also recycled and introduced into the battery market as a way to lower the price of power banks.

Premium batteries go through the following tests: drop testing, thermal shock testing, microcomputer vibration testing, battery impact extrusion prick testing, aging testing.

Does it have an anti explosion valve built into the battery?

Certification and Safety – Are the batteries UL listed?  Are they FCC and CE certified and do they comply with UN 38.3 regulations for safe transportation?  All these are assurances of quality and testing.

 

Is there a manufacturer warranty? 

Good chargers charge more quickly and also shut off after the device is fully charged to prevent over charging and damaging the device.  Also these chargers with premium batteries will last longer, and hold a charge longer as well.

Chargers come in a variety of styles - some are fashionable, some look like other items all together.  Style can be important and enhance the presentation of the item whether given as a gift or an employee reward or incentive.  

We have a large variety of shapes and styles and can even create totally custom shapes to fit your brand or promotion.  We can also create beautiful gift sets combining a charger with other items to further enhance your gift.

This is definitely an item that you want to purchase with care from a reputable distributor working with an excellent supplier.  

Kathy Finnerty Thomas is the President of Stowebridge Promotion Group.  We help companies be memorable through the use of promotional products, the only advertising they will thank you for.  With 20 years of experience Stowebridge has taken a different route to helping customers with their promotional items.  We work with companies all over the United States as well as Canada, Australia and many other countries.  We have our own in house graphics department to make art easy and creative.  We also have our own in house screen printing, embroidery, large format printing, vehicle graphics and wraps, laser engraving.  We spend a great deal of time working with our key suppliers to be the most knowledgeable promotional products partner you will find.