Ideally, a smartphone’s battery is supposed to last for at least a day at a stretch. But quite often, due to excessive usage or tasks that are exclusively processor-intensive, you find your Android Smartphone out of juice. There are a handful of solutions to this problem.
Starting with the classic, finding a socket and charging your phone to carrying a separate battery pack with you for charging your phone. But none of these methods are as easy and efficient as using a portable charger.
Here I will discuss the different types of chargers for your Android phone. Including the differences between them. I’ll also be giving recommending you some of the best android chargers on the market.
Let’s dig in, shall we?

Just How Many Android Charger Types Are There?
To make things easier to understand, I’ve decided to classify the Android portable chargers into a few categories based on their power capacity, functionality, and performance. Here they are: Power banks, car chargers, portable chargers, solar chargers, and wireless chargers. Let’s go over them in detail, shall we?
Android Power Banks
Power banks are a blessing. Especially for those who have an active and busy life with no time to stop and stare. Corporate professionals, journalists, healthcare providers… you name it! Basically people who always need to stay connected without skipping a beat!
Android Power Banks are devices that have a battery unit we need to charge once a day/3 days/a week/a month. Noticed the different time-frames I put there? That’s because of the amount of charge they can hold. This brings me to my next point.
The two primary aspects you need to keep in mind when buying a power bank is: Battery capacity, and Size. Let’s face it, these are two of the most basic requirements when you’re buying a portable power source.
When you carry an external power source, obviously you’d want it to provide enough juice to charge your device at least twice. What’s the point of it being portable if you can’t slide it into your old jeans’ pocket, right?
Android Portable Chargers
Android Portable chargers are a combination of power banks and classic old wall socket chargers. You can easily carry one in your pocket or backpack, and put your phone to charge as soon as you find a socket.
One of the best things about portable chargers is that they can charge themselves up while charging your device if connected to a socket.
They’re mostly popular among people who travel a lot. Yes, power banks are also an option. But more often than not, you don’t get the time and opportunity to charge both your device and the power bank at the same time.
Especially if you have only one socket to do all the charging, you ought to be using a portable charger to get two things done at once.
Wireless Chargers for Android
As the name suggests, these function without wires. I still remember the first time I saw a device like this. I was still a sophomore in college. The entire concept of being able to charge my cellphone without any wires seemed so futuristic to me that I saved up from my allowance to buy one.
It was a classic old Anker with very limited capacity. But it was a big shot back then. Fast forward to 2020, and here we have a wide range of wireless chargers with different specs and features designed to meet all sorts of requirements. I’ve used a handful of wireless chargers since my first one.
Solar Chargers for Android
Solar chargers are one of the most energy efficient options to keep your devices powered especially if you’re a trekker or a camper who often hikes to remote areas.
There are places where even if you do manage to get a GPS signal and cellphone reception, you still won’t be able to get any electricity. That’s when solar chargers come in handy.
Apart from the benefits of charging without electricity, solar chargers are a great way to decrease your carbon footprints as they leave very little to none residue due to being charged from natural sources (sunlight).
As a traveler, I’ve had the chance to use a fair number of solar chargers over the years. I can tell you, using these babies isn’t all that easy. But these things are convenient when you’re looking for some eco-friendly alternatives and have somewhere far to go for a vacation.
Which Are Some of the Top Chargers for Android Phones?
To answer your question, “You’ll find many on the market.” However, some of them might be over your budget. Some “So Called” best android chargers might not do the job for you. You’ll have to find what works for “Your Phone” specifically. That’s why studying various websites with numerous power banks, portable chargers, wall chargers, wireless chargers, and solar chargers. You’ll have to sift through them all. This is a tedious task, I know.
Hence, I’ve gathered up every ounce of my experience and “Research” to recommend you 10 Top Android Chargers in this article. You’ll find every breed of charging devices (almost) represented in these short reviews. Here, take a glimpse of the features of these units before jumping into detailed explanations.
Table could not be displayed.Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000 PD
No products found.This is one of the smallest 10,000mAh power banks or portable batteries you’ll find. Anker PowerCore Slim is just about the size of your phone, it’s pretty darn handy.
The ‘PD’ in its name stands for Power Delivery. This means, the USB-C port of this portable smartphone charger can charge at up to 18W, whereas a standard USB-A port can only give a maximum output of 12W.
Apart from high-speed charging, the USB-C universal port also offers compatibility with various devices. The port is a combination of a Power Delivery port and a PowerIQ-enabled USB port. Together, they provide charging to virtually any mobile device, including Android smartphones.
Speaking of universality, the Anker PowerCore also offers a bunch of different charging modes to go with your device’s preference. There’s the classic old PowerIQ-enabled USB-A port, the super-fast18W Power-Delivery USB-C port, and the “Trickle-Charging Mode” for devices that are low-powered.
Pick one that goes best with your device, and forget ever running out of battery power in the middle of the day.
People can also charge Bluetooth speakers and android headphones/earphones with this. It even supports charging the Nintendo Switch. Just without the “Charge-and-Play” in TV mode. Let’s face it, that’s too much to ask for anyway.
On top of all that, this charger allows you to charge two devices at once with its dual USB ports. Talk about versatility! Plus, since it’s so small and lightweight… portability is not even a question here. You can literally slide it into your pocket along with your phone, and forget that it’s even there.
If you’re wondering, “How long this huge source of power takes to recharge itself?” You’re in for a surprise. The portable charger capable of charging any mobile device at least twice. All that within less than an hour. To top it off, it takes only 4.5 hours to fully charge itself before setting out for the day.
Pretty amazing, eh? Let’s put this charger under the lens for some up-close inspection. Let’s look at it’s pros and cons. You’d think that an amazing device such as this will only have positives. But it has it’s fair share of drawbacks as well.
Pros
- Slim and lightweight (barely bigger than an average-sized smartphone).
- Versatile with universal charging ports and dual charging.
- Charges Android phones from zero to 50% in about 50-60 minutes (2 to 2.4 amp charging), and iPhones twice the speed of Apple’s original charger for iPhones.
- This little power bank is sturdy and durable.
- I’d say, Anker’s customer support is nothing short of extra-ordinary.
Cons
- This tiny wonder is Incompatible with HTC 10, and some well-known tablets by Asus and Lenovo.
- It takes too long to charge compared to other portable chargers from the same brand.
No products found.
Aukey 10,000mAh PD portable charger
No products found.This is another slim and sleek power bank especially designed for those who are always on the move. Just like the previous one on my list, Aukey PD is also a USB-C with ability to charge devices at up to 18W.
Usually what happens is, a charger that delivers so much power takes forever to charge your phone (Or any other device). I mean, you can keep using it while charging. But that takes a toll on the device’s mobility.
Not in this case. Not while Aukey has our backs. The Aukey’s quick charge 3.0 port can charge compatible devices at up to 4 times the speed of any conventional charger. That makes it one of the best portable chargers for Android.
One thing that many brands overlook when it comes to these machines, is the build quality. I mean, the reason why a lot of people use portable chargers in the first place is because they always have to be on the run. With no time to pause even to charge their devices.
It’s quite obvious that people who lead such active lives will need power sources that are sturdy and tough. The ones that don’t pick up scratches and dents are a huge plus as well.
It seems like Aukey has listened to their prayers. Because, the Aukey power bank has built-in safeguards that protect it from excessive current, overheating, and overcharging. What more could you ask for?
As far as the broad compatibility is concerned, versatility options make it suitable for use with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and even Nintendo devices. The sleek and slim design and the lightweight construction turns it into your phone’s ideal companion for traveling long hours.
You guessed it right! This’ll help greatly during international flights when you use your phone to watch movies or maybe read a little. On top of that, the dual charging allows you to charge two devices simultaneously.
Let me share some personal experience. I took it with me for a business trip to Vienna and I could charge both my cell phone and my QCY T2C wireless earbuds twice with it before it finally ran out of juice. Trust me, it was a long long journey.
After so many years of using this gem, it still provides me with the same consistent performance. Yep, you’re talking to a very satisfied customer.
Pros
- This unit provides power and charges your phone quickly.
- Has 3 input ports and makes use of all 3.
- Portable, compact, and pocket-sized.
- Uses two methods for charging your phone.
- Charges your phone from 0 to 50% in 30 minutes!
Cons
- Power Delivery mode works with devices that have 18W capacity.
- Maximum output of the device can be too low for some users.
No products found.
NonoUV 4Pack Dual Port USB Charging Block Brick
No products found.This USB charging block brick has two USB ports and is compatible with almost every Android and iPhone out there. Not just cellphones, you can even charge your Nintendo and Kindle devices with it, just like it’s their very own charger.
The dual port USB charger has two charging ports, each capable of giving a power output of 2.1 amps, and can take in an input of maximum 110-240V global wide voltage. It allows you to charge any 2 cellphones or devices at once with maximum charging speed.
It’s equipped with upgraded smart IC technology that can reallocate the charging current that’s the most efficient and set it up for your device. This enables it to charge any device 50% faster than any random 5W charger you’ll find in the market.
The built-in smart IC recognition technology also works on making the entire process of charging safer for you and your devices. It uses a unique synchronous rectification scheme to reduce internal temperature and noise while charging actively and efficiently.
The USB plug can identify potential risks of short circuits and will automatically stop working when the power is full. This gives you protection from overcharging, overheating, and overcurrent, while providing the highest power output within the charger.
Using this charger is fairly simple and easy. Even my grandma can use it on her own. All you need to do is carry a USB cable with you. Probably all of us does that by now. Plug the charger into a socket, plug the USB cable into it, and its ready to charge your device!
There’s a reason why the makers of this charger called it a ‘block brick’. It’s because of the cubic design and construction of this thing. It’s basically a pocket-sized power source that fits inside the palm of your hand and you can carry around in your backpack with no trouble.
The charging cube has a robust structure and can withstand normal everyday use. The charger comes in four color variants: Blue, Purple, Green, and Rose. Which makes it a great choice for gifts.
Of course, if you’re buying a present for someone, you’d want to get it in their favorite color. On top of all this, the company provides excellent customer service. Have any complaint or queries about their product? Just email them, and they’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Pros
- Dual charging makes it capable of charging two devices at onc.
- Universal USB port makes it compatible with almost every device out there.
- Portable and compact design makes it easy to carry.
- Smart IC ensures 50% faster charging than its contemporaries.
- IC recognition technology protects your device from overcharging, overheating, and overcurrent
- Durable and robust design with a wide selection of color choices.
Cons
- NoNo charger may get hot after extended hours of using.
- Ports may not be compatible with all sorts of USB cables.
No products found.
Amoner Wall Charger
No products found.Amoner has been a trusted brand for chargers and additional power sources for some time now. The thing that sets it apart from other manufacturers is the fact that it pays extra attention to ensure the safety of its products while keeping them power packed.
There’s an integrated built-in safety system that works actively to protect your device from overcharging, overcurrent, overvoltage, overheating, and short circuits. The intelligent IC recognition technology will automatically identify the devices that are connected and deliver the maximum output.
This makes room for a super-fast charging speed of 24W, with total current of 5V/4.8A on each of the ports. Oh, did I forget to mention that it has two separate charging ports? Well, yes it does! You can use them to simultaneously charge two devices with the same charging speed and wattage.
Also, the input of this charger is AC100-240V, which is the international range. Which means, you can use this charger in any corner of the world without damaging the charger, your device, or the socket you’re charging it from.
The ultra-compact design (with the plug oriented perpendicular to the length of the charger’s body) not only makes it easy to use and carry, but also prevents it from blocking out other outlets while charging from a socket or an extension board. Plug it in horizontally to take full advantage of the compatibility.
When it comes to compatibility, this one’s a keeper. It’s compatible with most Android and iOS phones. But not just cellphones, you can also charge tablets, iPads, Kindles, PSPs, digital cameras, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and power banks with it.
The versatile compatibility of this charger versatility makes it the magic solution to all your battery issues.
The charger is made with rustic materials that can withstand regular usage. The build has a premium finish to it, and doesn’t feel cheap at all. It’s rather sturdy and holds on firmly to your wall’s socket as well as the USB cables that you attach to it.
The only problem that you might face with it is that when you’re charging two devices together, you might often find the charge hanging loosely from the wall. This is bound to happen when you have a short cable. But that can’t be avoided because your devices are ought to have some weight. All in all, I think it’s a good deal in such affordable price.
Pros
- Compact, portable design makes it easy to carry and efficient to use.
- Smart IC technology with built-in smart chip will detect the connected devices automatically and provide the best power outputs for them.
- Compatible with a wide variety of devices ranging from smartphones up to Kindles and digital cameras.
- Built-in safety system for protection from overcharging, overheating, and overcurrent.
- Power socket suitable for outlet types all over the world.
Cons
- Gets a little warm when charging for long hours.
- Might get jiggly loose from wall socket when charging two devices together.
- Does not have foldable prongs.
No products found.
Samsung Wireless Charger Duo
No products found.This charger will impress you the moment you pull it out of the box. The looks and the uber cool finish of this thing give it an ultra-modern aura. The smooth, matte black finish and slick, curvy lines make it so aesthetically pleasing that you won’t be able to resist buying it if you see it.
The great thing about this wireless charger is its versatility. Its advanced Qi wireless charging technology will allow you to charge two devices simultaneously without having to plug in a cable. Hold on. By two devices, I don’t mean just smartphones.
You can even charge both; your phone and your smartwatch on it at once! It supports a wide variety of Samsung smartwatches including the Gear S3, Gear Sport, and Galaxy Watch. You can charge any of these with this charger simply by placing the watch on the charging pad.
But don’t get disheartened thinking it only supports Samsung watches and smart devices. This charger is Qi certified, which means it’s compatible with any device that has a Qi certification. And that not only includes Samsung devices, but also a handful of Apple devices including the Apple iPhone 8 and the Apple iPhone X.
That’s not all. If you’re already impressed by the looks of it, then the build and the design of this thing has some more surprises for you in store.
It won’t be an exaggeration if I say that this is a ‘cool’ charger. I mean, seriously. It has a built-in fan and vents that work together to literally keep your device along with the charger itself cool while it charges. No more fear of overheating or short circuits.
There’s also the Fast Charge wireless charging output which ensures that you experience up to 7.5W of charging capacity all the time. Along with a 4,300 mAh charging capacity, this makes it simply invincible. Overall, it’s a great deal especially for Samsung users. But other smartphone owners can also try it out. Here are its good and bad sides.
Pros
- Feel free to charge up two devices at once with this charger at the helm.
- Samsung Duo Charger comes with air vents and fans to avoid overheating.
- There’s an LED indicator that indicates when the devices are done charging.
- This universal portable charger is QI certified for safety and ease of use.
Cons
- I’ll not lie to you, the portable charger is rather bulky when it comes to size.
- This machine has a pad that other devices need to be placed on for charging.
No products found.
ZealSound’s Dual Fast Charger
No products found.The ZealSound Dual Fast charger is an attention-grabber thanks to its minimalistic design and versatility. Before using this charger, I wasn’t familiar with its manufacturer. I was on a holiday and I had to buy a wireless charger on an emergency basis.
I went into the store and picked one that seemed to be the most promising. I have to admit I got lucky, because looks can often be deceiving.
As I’ve said before, I can’t get enough of the minimalistic and stylish design of this thing. It’s basically just an oval pad with a tempered glass surface. Yep, that’s just about it. No extra marking or charging posts or anything. Not even a stand to dock your smartphone onto.
It has just what you need, and only what you need.
But despite being so small and simplistic, the charger doesn’t feel cheap at all. In fact, it feels quite hefty and thick which complements to the premium finish. The company paid some attention behind the looks of this charger.
Apart from black, it has three more color variants for the bezel ring to suit your taste; red, silver, and blue.
That was all about the looks of it, now let’s get to the ergonomics and design of this thing.
To begin with, it has a lightning and USB C-Type connector in the rear end. The package comes with a 3.3-foot-long USB-A to USB-C cable and an outlet adapter for the USB cord.
On one side of the charger, there’s a round depression or dent that activates the Magnetic Charging Mode once the phone or watch is placed on that area.
The charger has a LED charging indicator light that turns off on its own once your device is fully charged.
On the inside, there’s an intelligent temperature control system that ensures a cooler and more energy efficient charging. Also, there’s the “Premium copper coil” which makes room for a fast charging with heat dissipation. It offers three charging modes for smartphones, 10W, 7.5W and 5W. This is pretty much enough to cover any Android device, or any Apple device up until the first three generations.
Pros
- This android charging station is rather slim with a sleek and lightweight design.
- The machine uses cooper coil to make the heat dissipation system better.
- I had control over temperature, surge protection, and short-circuit protection with this.
- As with all the top Android Chargers, ZealSound is Qi certified.
- People can charge up to three phones using this little device without problems.
- This is a tiny benefit but I could use my phone while it recharged itself.
Cons
- ZealSound Smartphone charger can’t recharge your phone through metal cases, magnetic cases, and pop-sockets.
- This little thing can’t handle newer generation apple devices.
- You won’t get an “Electric Outlet Converter” with this. This is a bummer.
No products found.
JellyComb Multiport Charger
No products found.Suppose you’re on a long road trip with family and friends. You went camping, hitchhiking, and doing all sorts of fun activities. You probably even packed every necessary thing starting with food and first aid supplies.
But the one thing that you must remember to take with you is a good charger. One that’s capable of providing a stable source of power to all your devices.
Let’s face it, carrying a bag full of chargers is not an option, and everyone fighting over the few charging ports that your car’s dashboard offerswill probably spoil the fun of the entire trip.
JellyComb provides the solution to all of those problems. It houses not one, not two, but SIX USB ports that can charge anything from Android to iPhone. The cable of this charger is over four feet long, which should be long enough to be within the reach of everyone in the vehicle unless you’re riding a RV.
The charging capacity of the JellyComb is 65W, which is enough to juice up any device you plug in. Not just that, the charger has the latest ‘smart’ charging ports technology that will allow you to charge all sorts of combinations of smartphones and tablets at their optimal outputs efficiently.
Although it’s a car charger and people don’t usually go for the looks of these things, but still I’d say the design of this charger truly reflected the term ‘ergonomic’.
It’s simple and minimalistic design takes away the huge messy clutter of cables and wires from inside your car and replaces it all with a compact charging hub. The bottom of the USB hub is rubberized to keep it firmly in one place even when you’re using all 6 ports.
When it comes to safety, the JellyComb is crafted with the safest and most advanced materials on the market which includes composite materials that are fireproof. The hub has built-in safeguards incorporated to protect your devices from excessive current, overheating, and overcharging.
It also offers lightning protection. Sounds quite impossible, right? Usually, monuments and buildings come with lightning protection. What it does is, it discharges the massive amounts of electrical energy that’s produced by thunderstrikes into the groundand prevents your electrical devices from burning out.
When you’re out for a drive in a stormy weather, this can be a lifesaver. To sum it up, this charger is a safe and handy little tool to stick onto your car’s dashboard. Here are all its ups and downs summed up.
Pros
- This is the most adaptive android car chargers on my list. It charges six devices at once.
- Advanced charging technology makes it easy, fast, and convenient for us to charge phones.
- The makers attain UL certificate. It shows how safe this device is for using inside a car.
Cons
- I didn’t find any flaws with it whatsoever.
No products found.
Anker Roav SmartCharge F2 Bluetooth FM Transmitter
No products found.If you like to travel solo and need all your charging requirements met at one spot, then this is the charger for you. The general idea about car chargers is that they stay connected to your car’s battery and they charge your phone. But this one here is capable of doing way more than that.
For a start, it has hands-free calling option that runs on Bluetooth. I know, being on your phone while driving is risky business. But there are unavoidable emergency calls that you have to take. But even then, it’s a good idea to keep both your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road. The hands-free calling option of this charger allows you to do just that.
There’s also a built-in FM transmitter that lets you blast your music while you’re out for a long drive. To keep everything under your control, there’s the ROAV mobile app that helps you monitor your battery status. There are two USB ports, so even if you take a friend along, they can charge their device simultaneously with yours as well.
But that was all about the additional features of this charger. What about the main thing? How good is it at…charging? Well, let’s just say that it does its job pretty well. The dual charging USB ports have POWERIQ technology that makes room for high speed fast charging.
The USB ports can also be used for connecting your phone or tablet to the charger’s transmitter and playing your music directly from your device.
The design of this charger is not as durable as its other counterparts, and to be fair, the body feels a little bulky due to the “Answer” button and the “Forward/Back” buttons. But it should fit perfectly well inside the cigarette lighter outlet of your car. Design-wise, it’s not the best charger in the market, but it has its own perks.
The only thing I found missing among all the bells and whistles that this charger offers is a car locator. It relies on the last know GPS location of your phone. I mean, they could easily use Bluetooth to get the job done. Why depend on GPS? With all of the specs and features mentioned above, this can be a good choice if you’re a hoarder for multi-tasking. Here are its perks and quirks.
Pros
- You have Dual USB charging ports for charging two smartphones at once.
- People have a dedicated “Answer” button to receive calls as the device charges their phones.
- Anker Roav comes with it’s own integrated memory slot for us to play music through while the phone charges.
- I could even play FM radio thanks to the embedded radio transmitter in the device.
Cons
- The design and size of the device looks a bit out-dated thanks to the features.
- You don’t have a car locator (as if you’d need it) with this device.
No products found.
RAVPower Solar Charger 24W Solar Panel
No products found.This is a multi-purpose charging panel that will provide power to your phones and tablets in almost every situation. Be it in the city or out in the campsite, the RAVPower solar charger is here to keep your devices juiced up while not being harsh on the environment.
This is a 24W solar charging panel that has 3 USB outputs that are compatible with most devices. The unique foldable design allows it to be folded into a small and compact package to save space. The charger is also waterproof, which makes it even more ideal for camping and hiking.
To make things even tidier, the foldable charger has an integrated zippered pocket that’s designed to store all your charging cables in one place when you travel. You can even use it to tuck your smartphone into it to keep it away from sight while it charges.
When it comes to charging speed, it can charge 3 separate devices simultaneously. How fast your device would charge depends on what device you’re charging with it. But generally, a smartphone with a 4K+ mAh battery power should be pumped up well within an hour or so.
The speed becomes a bit questionable when the charging panel is charging itself up. I mean, 30 minutes to charge only 2% may seem pretty unimpressive at fast glance, especially if you’re not used to with solar chargers. But most of solar chargers are a bit slow in this matter.
But we have to keep in mind that they have a huge battery and can go on for days on end on a single charge.
The foldable design makes the charger durable as well as portable. It has a rugged finish especially designed for camping and outdoor use. As it is a solar charger, of course you’d lay it out in the sun to charge.
So obviously it needs to be dust and weatherproof. The fact that it’s also waterproof is a nice cherry on the top. What I’m getting at is, If you’re into solar chargers, you should definitely check this one out. Here are the pros and cons of it in a nutshell.
Pros
- People can charge up to three smartphones thanks to three different ports here.
- The amp count of the ports vary from 2.4 amps to 4.8 amps to allow flexibility to the users.
- Make nRavPower solar charger has a foldable design to ensure portability.
- RavPower’s Solar charger is waterproof, dustproof, and resists all kinds of weather hazards.
- The carrying case you see with the product has pockets to store
- This portable android charger is both durable and sturdy at the same time.
Cons
- I’d call this one a bit too heavy for its size.
- This is a solar charger and it takes long time to get my phone charged.
- I had to keep this under direct sunlight. It stops charging my phone even if a tiny shadow appears.
No products found.
BigBlue 5V 28W Solar Charger
No products found.This is currently considered to be one of the ‘smartest’ solar chargers available on the market for tech enthusiasts.
Why? Because apart from charging your devices, this also has a built-in digital ammeter that’ll provide information about amperage for charging speed, along with a voltage regulator that will offer a stable output for safer charging.
It’s like the charger has a mind of its own and it genuinely cares to ensure that you have a safe and well-monitored charging experience. A great choice for those of you who want something a bit more sophisticated.
The simple yet practical design of theBigBlue charger has four folding panels. This leaves plenty of room for the sun’s rays to touch the surface area and charge it up. There’s also a zippered pocket that keeps your devices safe and secured while they’re charging.
The industrial-strength PET polymer fabric on the cover of the panels has grommet-reinforced holes that you can use to attach the panels to a backpack. There are also hooks on the back that you can use to hang it from a tree.
You can go full Tarzan with it. Just make sure the branch is strong enough to carry the weight of it.
Don’t worry about leaving the charger at the campsite to charge in the sun while you go for a hike and coming back to find a rain-soaked and damaged solar charger. This thing is waterproof and can withstand sudden rain showers without any additional protective measures.
One of the best things about this charger is that it never fails to maintain a secure connection with the device it’s charging even if there’s a shadow covering it up. I mean, that’s only natural, isn’t it? In nature, there will be dark clouds as well as sunshine.
A good quality solar charger should be able to adapt with all that. Just like this one does. The wattage of this charger is 28W, which is ample enough to fully charge three devices with moderate battery capacities. Yes, it has three USB panels and each panel provides 2.5A power with a total of 5A power capacity.
Pros
- BigBlue Solar Smartphone Charger can charge your phone even if it’s cloudy or partially shady outside.
- I had four panels and 28W power to work with. The product charges super-fast.
- People have three USB ports to work with in this charger. One can recharge three phones with it.
- I’d. say this charger is affordable when compared to the features and prices of it’s contemporaries out there.
- BigBlue Smartphone Charger is waterproof and weatherproof at the same time. It’s a worthy purchase in my book.
Cons
- This solar charger is a bit heavier than its contemporaries.
No products found.
The Essentials for Buying A Portable Charger
At this point, you should be clear about why one needs a portable charger and which ones are the best out there in the market.
But as the saying goes, “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” It’s always a good idea to look beyond your horizon and try out new things.
Who knows, you might come across something that is not on this list, but meets all your demands even better. For that reason, we at Androidista always encourage you to explore new products and give us feedback about them so we could learn from you as well.
To make the job easier for you, here are some tips and tricks on finding and choosing the best portable charger for your Android smartphone.
Size and Capacity
When it comes to batteries and chargers, size does matter. But this size is not just the physical dimension of the battery/charger. How powerful your phone or device’s battery is on the inside is what determines its size.
In other words, the power capacity of your battery is an important thing to consider when buying a portable charger.
Most cellphone batteries are measured in “milliamp-hours”, or mAh. Commonly most battery sizes range up to 10,000 or even 12,000 mAh. The greater number of milliamp-hours on the charger indicate more recharges for your device, or enough power to charge devices with bigger batteries like tablets.
Usually portable chargers and power banks are divided into three categories based on their charging capacities; low range, mid-range, and high range. Each has its own separate uses.
Power Output
The standard USB port is ideally supposed to support any standard USB cable. But the amount of power that it provides may vary. For example, a 1 amp USB port will be able to charge your smartphone or tablet, but much slowly than a 2.4 amp port will.
Also, if you’re charging multiple devices at once, the devices take forever to charge, and it puts excessive pressure on your devices’ batteries. A good idea to bypass that is by using a charger that provides a power output of 3.4A or above in each port.
Number of USB Ports
How many devices do you use on a regular basis? For me, it’s usually my smartphone, my smartwatch, and my Bluetooth earbuds. I always carry these three things with me wherever I go, and often need to charge all three at once.
How many devices you charge at once is an important factor to consider when you’re buying a portable charger as it’d help you to narrow down your options from so many choices.
It’s always a good idea to buy a charger that has more ports than you’d need. What if a friend wants to tag along with you in one of your trips? Won’t you share your charger with them?
Types of Batteries
This aspect is especially crucial for power banks. There are basically two types of batteries used in power banks; lithium-ion and lithium polymer. Although they are very similar in most areas, there are subtle differences between them.
For instance, lithium-ion batteries have a higher power density. The lack of it causes what’s known as the memory effect (when batteries become harder to charge over time). They’re also a bit more cost efficient than their counterparts, the lithium polymer batteries.
Lithium polymer batteries are more flexible and robust, and tend to last longer. They’re also very low profile and lightweight and very rarely suffer from leaking electrolyte.
Cables
Unless you’re using a wireless charger, wires and cables are a necessity. Make sure that the charger you buy has good quality cables and a good pace for storing them as well. You shouldn’t have to carry around a huge stack of cables that get tangled up costing you your precious time untangling them.
Too short cables may also prove to be cumbersome especially when you’re trying to use your device while charging it. It’s better to choose a cable length that is medium. If you use multiple devices with different types of USB ports, then it’s a good idea to use a cable that is detachable as it makes it easier to switch between devices.
When the Charger Gets Charged
No battery pack or charger has an unlimited source of energy. None of them charges up by itself either. Like it or not, you need to charge these things. I know, it’s quite annoying to have to wait for your charger to charge up before you can use it to charge your device. But you gotta do what you gotta do.
Don’t worry, most power banks and portable chargers have some sort of an indicator that’ll tell you when they’re out of battery and needs charging. Most of them are pretty easy to charge up as well. Just plug it into a socket and you’re done. If you’re using a solar charger, then this job becomes even easier.
Just lay it out into the sun for a few hours and voila! All charged up! Try to get a charger that has an LED indicator that tells you how much juice it has left.
Always Be on The Safe Side
When buying a portable charger, always check if it’s safe to use. Most portable chargers, battery packs, and power banks go through several levels of safety checks before getting the approval to release them in the market, but still, practical experiment always has more value than hypothetical tests.
Check for Qi certifications, compliance with the legal standards of safety, and what safety measures are mentioned in the key features of the product. Most portable chargers look pretty much the same on the outside. But when it comes to safety, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Portability
The whole point of portable chargers is the portability they offer. People with different requirements buy different types of portable chargers for their own purposes. But this is one feature that remains constant in all of their criteria.
Try to make sure that the charger you buy offers the optimum portability instead of becoming an extra burden on you.
Durability
Portable chargers are usually made for people who are always in a hurry. Obviously, they have to be rough and tough to last all your adventures. The best ones will still provide a power packed performance even after a heavy use amidst drops and scratches and in extreme weather conditions.
Look for the ones that do.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smartphone Chargers
Small products like these have so many hidden perks that we don’t know. This is the same for quirks. It’s natural for the users to have more questions than answers. I get that. While I won’t be able to answer “ALL” the questions people have, I’ll be doing so for some of the popular ones. Cheers!
Do Android Chargers Lose Their Mojo After A Few Years?
Let’s be honest about this, chargers are basically different cables woven together by a plastic or rubber sleeves. Sometimes, the cables are woven by a braided sleeve. These things degrade over time.
Also, the USB port (for example, USB A Port) has a lifecycle. There’s a fixed amount of time for these devices you can plug in and out. Usually, it’s 1500 times. After you reached the limit, they’ll slow down the charging process for your phones.
Should You Charge Your Android Smartphone after the Battery is Completely Discharged?
You see, lithium batteries nowadays have certain micro-chips that prevent these phones from being fully discharged by people. This, in turn prevents some nasty chemicals from damaging your cellphones.
Just to be safe, I’d advise you not to do that. Discharging the smartphone battery consistently is not something people should do. If you wait to drain Lithium ion batteries completely, your phone will be damaged. In my experience, I’ve seen modern android smartphones having a recharge threshold of 40%. I always keep my battery juice above that. I’d be charging my phone before it comes down to it.
Is It Normal for Your Phones to Heat Up When Charging?
It is not! Android phones (or even iPhones for that matter) heat up when we use them too much. Especially, during the “Charging Process.” It happens when these things get used and charged at the same time due to the battery being juiced up and emptied. My tip would be not to use these devices for calls or playing games while they’re being recharged by one of these machines.
Help! My Android Smartphone Won’t Charge, What Should I Do?
I feel it’d be best to show you what you can do in this situation rather than writing about it. Here’s one video from our friends’ YouTube Channel PayetteForward to help you with the issue.
To Wrap It Up
Some of the best android chargers have long surpassed the category of luxury and have entered the zone of necessity. Nowadays, everyone uses one, no matter what they do. Whether you’re a heavy cellphone user or an occasional scroller, you’ll run out of juice at the end of the day.
That’s when you will feel the need of a portable charger. This write-up is here to walk you through the different types of portable chargers and which one is the best for what purpose. Hope it helps.
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