5 Devices You Can Charge With Power Banks (Aside from Your Phone)

We usually associate power banks simply with charging phones, which is the main reason most people buy them in the first place. However, your power bank can charge or power a wide range of other devices that you use daily, and with modern power banks having larger batteries, the number of devices they can charge has increased significantly in recent years.

Daily gadgets and accessories that you can charge or use using power banks range from laptops, portable gaming consoles, Bluetooth speakers, smart watches, routers, heating accessories like electric pillows and hand warmers, and much more. Of course, it all depends on the power rating of the device, the type of charging connector and the capacity of the power bank.

While a decent 10,000 mAh power bank should charge most devices, for those who are power hungry, you’ll need a 20,000 mAh power bank. Apart from this, your power bank can also charge many rechargeable batteries, which adds even more devices to the list. People are now even exploring the idea of ​​solar power banks. They’re not the fastest, but if you’re away from a reliable power source for days, solar power banks come in handy. Before proceeding, make sure that the output voltage of the power bank meets the input voltage requirements of the target device. This can be checked using the manual that comes with both. If the voltage requirements are not met, the setup may not work and you even run the risk of damaging the target device.

One of the most important devices you can charge with a power bank is your laptop. However, it is not as simple as it seems, and you cannot use all power banks for this purpose. The good news is that many modern power banks are designed to charge laptops alongside other devices. You’ll need a power bank that has at least one USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port with high power profiles such as 45W or 100W, an output voltage that matches the laptop’s requirements, and a capacity of 20,000 mAh or more. The first two are non-negotiable since laptops charge at much higher power and voltage than smartphones and tablets.

You can usually find the laptop’s input voltage on a sticker on the underside of your laptop or in the manual that came with it. As for the capacity of the external battery, the larger the better. Newer laptops come with batteries ranging from 40 Wh to 99 Wh, depending on their power requirements. This is why a larger capacity power bank is more likely to fully charge your laptop multiple times, provided it can supply the required voltage.

You will easily find several reliable power banks and portable chargers for laptops. The choice ultimately depends on the power of your laptop, the input voltage, the type of tasks it performs, how many full charge cycles you need, and whether you plan to charge other devices as well. Because if you do, you’ll need a power bank that has multiple ports and enough capacity.

Your power bank can also charge portable game consoles. If you are a seasoned gamer, this is one of the essential accessories for gaming on the go. Indeed, portable gaming consoles and PCs, while more powerful than ever, still don’t last more than a few hours, especially during intense gaming. And due to their compact size, higher capacity built-in batteries cannot be installed.

As was the case with laptops, you will need a power bank that can provide enough power to charge your portable gaming console. Ideally, look for one with a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port and support for profiles such as 18W, 45W or 60W, but this depends on the device you’re using. For example, although the Nintendo Switch can run on chargers up to 39W, it only requires 18W for charging. So even a regular power bank should be able to provide enough power. For a Steam Deck, you need a power draw of 45W, which requires a high-power USB-C port. This also has another advantage. When connected to a power bank or any charging source, the gaming console can even deliver faster performance than when you use it unplugged.

As you can see, it is important to understand the requirements of your portable gaming console before charging it with a power bank. But ultimately, they work, giving you hours of extra gameplay.

Another piece of tech that works great with a power bank is a travel router. It is an essential device for people going on vacation. A travel router connects to a wired or wireless network and can then share that connection with other devices. It also extends coverage, acting as a Wi-Fi range extender, and enhances security on public networks. And the best part is, compared to other gadgets, a travel router does not require high power to operate.

Most travel routers are USB powered, although you’ll find a few with built-in batteries. On average, they require between 1.5 and 5 W to operate, which even a standard external battery can provide. As for capacity, again you don’t need much, but more is better. A 10,000 mAh power bank can run a travel router for hours. Keep in mind that travel routers don’t require a lot of power. They can even be connected to your laptop’s USB port, so your power bank is more than capable of powering it, even for long periods of time.

Modern external batteries are not limited to phones, tablets and laptops: they can even be used to charge drones and cameras. This is especially useful for photographers and drone enthusiasts working in remote areas without an available wall outlet. But remember to always check compatibility when charging drones or cameras with external batteries.

Many cameras now have USB ports for direct charging, but you may need a power bank that supports 18W or 45W output to charge a camera, depending on the manufacturer. Some Sony cameras support USB PD (Power Delivery), so you may need a power bank with at least one USB-C PD port. You can check the charging power required for your camera model.

When it comes to drones, the idea remains the same. If the drone allows USB charging, simply connect it to your power bank that can provide the required power and voltage, and it should start charging. For drones, however, the power requirements are slightly higher. Many reliable drones typically require a 30W or 45W power supply to charge, so you’ll need a power bank with a high-power USB-C port. Anything higher, say 60W or 100W, can speed up the charging rate. When it comes to capacity, go for at least 74Wh or more to get a few charge cycles out of the power bank.

If you’re looking to run non-tech devices with a power bank, heating accessories like electric pillows or pads and hand warmers are perfect. These don’t require a lot of power to operate or charge. A typical USB-powered heating pillow or pad requires a power supply of around 10W, although larger ones may need more. Likewise, hand warmers typically require 10W power for charging, which a standard power bank is capable of providing. For models that support fast charging, you can opt for power banks that support 15W or 18W power, depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, the input voltage is 5V for most hand warmers, and your power bank should be able to provide it.

As for battery life, even a 10,000 mAh power bank should provide hours of continuous use, provided the output voltage is 5V. Keep in mind that battery life here largely depends on the heating levels at which the device is used. The higher the temperature, the higher the power consumption and the shorter the operating time.

Aside from that, any low-power device running on USB power can usually be powered or charged with a power bank. Common examples include portable LED lights, USB-powered fans, and small desk lamps. And the best part is that they don’t require a large capacity external battery. Even a 10,000mAh or 37Wh power bank should be able to run a 3W fan or portable light for more than 10 hours.