How much capacity does a portable power bank have

The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). In simple terms, a higher mAh means the power bank can hold more charge. Here's a basic breakdown: 5,000 mAh – Charges most smartphones about once. 10,000 mAh – Enough to charge a smartphone twice or a small tablet once.

Power banks are available in a wide range of capacities, from as little as 1000 mAh to as much as 50,000 mAh or more. However, it's worth noting that as the mAh capacity of a power bank increases, so does its physical size and weight– which can be a serious detriment in the backcountry or while traveling. Bigger is not always better!

Larger-capacity power banks tend to be bigger and heavier. Here's a quick guide: 5,000–10,000 mAh – Usually slim and light, good for everyday carry. 20,000 mAh or more – Bulkier but useful if you need lots of power. If you're carrying it in your bag or pocket daily, choose a smaller, lighter option.

Everyone's needs are different, but if you only occasionally need to charge a mobile phone, smartphone or a watch, a power bank with at least 10,000 mAh or 22.5 watts will meet your needs. A 30 watt, 10,000 mAh power bank is another option that meets many people's needs.

Again, for a standard laptop, a 20,000 mAh power bank with a compatible USB-C PD port is the minimum requirement. You can also look at 30,000 mAh or 50,000 mAh power banks. On the other hand, if you are planning to go camping/hiking, it's best to rely on a heavy-duty power bank.

Another new-age power bank like the Anker 737 — which has a capacity of 24,000 mAh — has a compact shape and weighs around 1.4 pounds. Besides that, it has USB-C fast charging ports. Note that conventional heavy-duty power banks take a long time to charge fully.