The reason your battery takes so long to charge

Portable batteries or power banks have become increasingly common in recent years. Whether you’re out for the day or on vacation, a portable battery pack ensures that devices like smartphones, headphones, and even laptops don’t run out of battery. Many modern power banks feature the Power Delivery (PD) protocol which allows for higher power output, which directly translates to faster charging. But when it comes to charging the battery, sometimes it can take longer than expected. And there are several reasons for this.

From low power charging adapters to damaged and worn cables to exceeding charging limits and overheating, it could be anything. In most cases, evaluating your adapter and cables and checking the power bank’s manual should clear things up. Also keep in mind that the capacity of the power bank plays a major role in the time it takes to fully charge it. The higher the capacity, the longer the charge, provided other factors remain constant. With the same 10-watt adapter and cable, a 20,000 mAh power bank will take about 8 to 12 hours to charge, compared to 4 to 6 hours for a 10,000 mAh battery.

Additionally, charging a battery while drawing power from it simultaneously increases charging time. The age of the battery also plays a role. An older model may not charge as quickly as when it was new because batteries degrade over time, affecting their charging speed.

One of the main reasons why your portable battery charges slowly is because it isn’t getting enough power. This happens when you connect it to a source that cannot provide sufficient power. For example, a 5 watt adapter, even paired with the best cables, will charge your battery slowly. However, this doesn’t mean that using a 65 or 100 watt adapter will automatically speed up the charging rate. You will need to know the input rating of the power bank. This is the maximum power it can consume. Anything below this value will increase charge time, but anything above won’t magically improve things. The input rating is usually indicated on the battery itself. If not, you can find it in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website.

Using damaged, worn out, or cheap USB cables is another common reason for slow charging. A damaged connector can have a major impact on charging rate. When choosing cables, it is important to opt for those that have a higher current rating and are properly shielded. We also cannot ignore the fact that not all batteries are of high quality. And one of the biggest problems of a low-quality power bank is that it takes longer to charge itself and recharge connected devices. This is why it is recommended to always go for the top-rated power banks. Finally, extreme temperatures, too high or too low, can increase charging time.

As you can see, there are way too many reasons why your battery might take too long to charge. But fixing it is usually simple. You just need to identify the underlying cause and fix it. In many cases, it is a faulty low-power adapter or charging cable, and replacing them is often enough.

Do not try to charge your power bank while you are using it unless it has a passthrough feature. However, even if your power bank supports passthrough functionality, avoid it when you need faster charging. This is because when you charge your battery and connect it to another device simultaneously, the input power is distributed. This means your battery isn’t getting as much power as it ideally should. Additionally, with power banks typically featuring lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, it is recommended to charge them between 32 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

That said, if your power bank is too old, it is likely that the battery has deteriorated considerably. At this point, using another adapter or changing cables won’t help. What you need is a new power bank. And when you’re looking for one, make sure it comes with essential security features. This will extend its lifespan and protect your devices.