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• You Won't Want to Carry That Heavier Battery Around

• A Battery and Phone Can Fit in One Hand

• Keep Multiple Batteries in Various Locations

• Less Risk When a Battery Fails

• They're Affordable Enough to Be Impulse Purchases

When deciding on a portable external battery, the choice often comes down to opting for the largest capacity you can afford or selecting a smaller one. I advocate for the latter, arguing that smaller batteries offer more benefits.

Don't misunderstand me—larger batteries have their advantages. I own portable batteries capable of powering my home. However, I complement these with a variety of smaller units.

5 You Won't Want to Carry That Heavier Battery Around

The name itself hints at the reason. These are portable battery banks, and their usefulness hinges primarily on their portability.

Larger capacity battery banks don't simply house a larger "tank" filled with more energy. Instead, they typically contain more batteries of the same size, which is why they're called battery banks.

These larger units are heavier and bulkier. A battery that's twice as heavy and thick occupies more space in your daily carry bag, feels more burdensome to carry, is less comfortable to hold, and may not fit into a pants pocket.

4 A Battery and Phone Can Fit in One Hand

Many smaller battery banks are about the size of smartphones. They're slim and light enough to hold alongside your phone. You can press the back of your phone against the battery, sandwiching them together. While not ideal for long-term use, this setup is manageable if you need to finish watching a long video with a friend.

Some batteries are specifically designed for this use. Anker's MagGo batteries, for instance, use magnets to attach to the back of your phone.

Anker also offers a Nano line of small batteries that plug directly into the bottom of your phone without a cable, staying in place like a phone fanny pack. The aim is the same: to provide portable power without setting your phone down.

3 Keep Multiple Batteries in Various Locations

Batteries are often priced based on their storage capacity. If a 10,000mAh battery costs $20, a 20,000mAh one might be $40. For 20,000mAh of storage, you could choose one large battery or two smaller ones. I believe there are significant advantages to having multiple batteries.

My wife and I have our bed positioned in the center of our room, away from easy access to power outlets. Instead of setting up a trip wire for nighttime charging, we now use portable battery banks.

In our family of four, having at least four batteries is beneficial. This setup is sufficient for worst-case scenarios like power outages or trips where everyone needs to charge simultaneously. It also allows us to leave a battery at common charging spots away from walls, such as our coffee table or dining room.

2 Less Risk When a Battery Fails

Investing all your money in one large battery means it must perform flawlessly. All your eggs are in one basket, leaving little room for error.

I experienced this firsthand. I spent over $100 on a 26,800mAh battery capable of charging a laptop. My wife and I bought two, and both failed around the same time. They powered on, but their USB ports stopped functioning, rendering them useless.

Now, I purchase batteries that are affordable enough that it's not a major issue if one fails. I can buy six for less than the cost of something like the Anker Power Bank 25K.

Related ##### Anker Power Bank 25K (165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) Review: An Advanced Battery

No need to search for an outlet with this fast-charging battery.

PostsSince switching to using my phone instead of a laptop, I no longer require the 60W charging speeds of more expensive portable batteries. The 20W charging speed is close enough to the maximum for my Galaxy Z Fold 6.

1 They're Affordable Enough to Be Impulse Purchases

The 10,000mAh batteries I bought this month cost only $15 each. That's barely more than the price of two chai lattes on a road trip (which is why I prefer making mine at home). For a family our size, a few batteries are much cheaper than stopping for fast food.

In the world of consumer tech, a small battery bank is among the most affordable accessories you can purchase. It's cheaper than a Bluetooth controller, speaker, or even a decent pair of earbuds. One of the few similarly priced and reliable accessories is a cheap phone stand, which is handy regardless of cost.

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They're so affordable, you can place one everywhere.

PostsAs long as you buy your battery from a reputable brand that's less likely to catch fire (or more likely to be recalled and replaced if it does), you're in good shape.

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Frequently, it's the more expensive batteries that encounter issues nowadays, as they push the boundaries of current technology. Smaller batteries, on the other hand, often utilize older, more established technology. They're reliable, cost-effective, and always useful to have on hand. The more, the better.

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