Power banks have become an indispensable part of our modern lives, keeping our devices charged on the go. Over the years, we’ve witnessed a steady increase in power bank capacities, mirroring the ever-growing demand for more energy to fuel our gadgets. In the early days, power banks with capacities under 10,000mAh were the norm. However, as technology advances, we’re now approaching an average capacity of 20,000mAh. High-capacity models have even reached the 30,000mAh to 70,000mAh range. But, is there a genuine demand for 100,000mAh power banks, and do they actually exist?
The Growing Demand for 100,000mAh Power Banks
As our reliance on smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices continues to surge, the thirst for higher power capacities has outpaced the technological capabilities of portable charger manufacturers. This has led to a noticeable demand for power banks with a whopping 100,000mAh capacity. However, finding products that can genuinely deliver on this promise is no easy task.
Unfortunately, a troubling trend has emerged in recent years, where power banks with fake 100,000mAh capacities flood popular marketplaces. These products often make lofty claims but fall short in delivering their promised power. For example, on eBay, we have a similar situation. A quick search after “100000mAh power bank” brings back a whole list of products with suspiciously low price tags:
It’s safe to say that all these products are simply fakes, fooling people out of their money.
The Real Cost of a 100,000mAh Power Bank
So, what should you expect to pay for an actual 100,000mAh power bank? To start, if you come across a device claiming to offer such capacity for a mere $20, it’s likely a scam. The real price of a 100,000mAh portable charger is significantly higher. In fact, a genuine product with this capacity is likely to cost upwards of $200 or more. Anything priced lower should raise red flags about its authenticity.
Exploring Alternatives: Portable Power Generators
While classic power banks with 100,000mAh capacities remain elusive, you can explore electric power generators with equal or greater capabilities. These devices, although bulkier and heavier than standard power banks, serve multiple purposes and come at a higher price point. If you require a substantial amount of mAh, these generators can be a viable alternative.
The Truth About Battery Capacity
It’s important to note that the advertised capacity of power banks is often higher than their actual usable capacity. Due to power losses and inefficiencies in both the battery and charging process, most power banks provide about 80% of their stated capacity. This is a common industry practice.
For instance, a power bank listed at 100,000mAh may deliver less in practice. However, an 80% efficiency still dwarfs the abysmal 10% efficiency of many scam products.
To truly obtain a device with a real capacity of 100,000mAh, you should consider one with an advertised capacity of at least 125,000mAh.
The Future of Power Banks
As battery technology advances, we can expect to see power banks with ever-increasing capacities. Several promising developments hold the potential to bring us closer to the elusive 100,000mAh power banks:
Graphene:
Graphene batteries, which are thinner, faster, and boast higher capacity, have already started to make their way into power banks. With graphene technology, batteries can store 1000Wh per kilogram, a vast improvement over classic Li-Ion batteries’ 180Wh per kilogram.
Gallium Nitrate (GaN):
Although currently applied in wall chargers, GaN technology shows promise for inclusion in portable battery chargers. This could lead to smaller, faster power banks with higher capacities.
Glass Batteries: This futuristic technology, still under development, holds the potential to store three times the capacity of current Li-Ion batteries and last twice as many charging cycles.
With these emerging technologies, we can anticipate portable charger prices gradually decreasing while overall capacity increases. It’s not unreasonable to assume that, in a few years, 100,000mAh power banks will become as common as the 10,000mAh options available today.
Flight-Worthiness and TSA Regulations
However, one aspect that might not change significantly is the 100Wh limit imposed by the TSA for the capacity of batteries allowed on board airplanes. Unless new technologies fundamentally alter the way batteries work, the maximum capacity permitted on flights is likely to remain around 26,000-27,000mAh. Consequently, 100,000mAh power banks may not be considered flight-worthy anytime soon.
In conclusion, the quest for 100,000mAh power banks continues, with emerging technologies holding the promise of meeting this demand in the future. While they may not be a reality just yet, the evolving landscape of battery technology suggests that they might become a common sight in the years to come.
