Does anyone have a recommendation for an emergency backup charger for a smartphone? Something small i could keep in my pack that would provide a couple charges to my iPhone before it needs to be recharged? Not looking to spend an arm and a leg.

5/8/2015 9:21:03 AM

I don't know if these codes are still valid, but I've been happy with RavPower products

http://slickdeals.net/f/7837289-ravpower-element-10-400-mah-dual-usb-portable-power-bank-for-16-49-ac-ravpower-deluxe-13-000-mah-dual-usb-portable-power-bank-w-ismart-for-23-99-ac-more-amazon-com?

And [comfortably] fitting in your pocket *and* providing 2-3 full charges for an iphone/smart phone might be a bit of a stretch imo

Some others: http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/wireless/7073960011/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_cps_1_4_last

[Edited on May 8, 2015 at 10:28 AM. Reason : Avoid ACCPower...had one break and got no support from the manufacturer ]

5/8/2015 10:27:23 AM

http://www.amazon.com/KMASHI-Thunderbolt-Incredible-Blackberry-Smartphones/dp/B00JM59JPG/ref=zg_bs_7073960011_3

i use this one. can charge my phone 4 times or so. i like how it uses same included cable to charge android phone and battery pack

5/9/2015 6:55:57 PM

I have Intocircuit 11200mA and no complaints. lol they changed description for wirecutter name drop.

http://amzn.com/B00BB5GR0A

5/9/2015 8:36:27 PM

This bad boy... Small and powerful.
http://www.amazon.com/Aukey-12000mAh-Portable-Charger-External/dp/B00M835WGE#

5/9/2015 11:24:24 PM

^ That picture/product design makes me think it's as small as a cell phone, but the product dimensions are listed at 6.7 x 1 x 3.2 inches. Is it really an inch thick?

5/10/2015 10:30:39 AM

^^That one looks cool.

^The dimension I'm seeing is 0.63 inches thick.

The couple synapse posted are great.

For what it's worth my company provided me this with my laptop:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=&cs=04&sku=451-BBLZ

It's also 12,000mAh and only 10 ounces. It will charge my tablet and phone at the same time but it also charges my laptop which is a huge plus. It's $99 so quite a bit more than others but it's awesome.

[Edited on May 10, 2015 at 5:07 PM. Reason : s]

5/10/2015 5:06:12 PM

Actually, this is the newer version that I have.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SSY1AJU/ref=pd_aw_sim_107_6?refRID=1NEF6DN0EFK0232W456V

5/11/2015 7:37:10 AM

I have this one:

http://www.ianker.com/product/A1202012

The updated version is this:

http://www.ianker.com/product/A1208011

I like the fact that it has a little LED flashlight. I use it when I am camping and want to keep my phone and tablet charged up. I can run both for most of the weekend and keep them topped off with this thing. It would probably do much better if you were somewhere with better cell reception, but we are usually in rural as hell locations with little cellular service so my cellphone just kills its battery signal hunting. Even with this batter pack I usually keep it in airplane mode unless I want to make a call or text out.

5/11/2015 8:03:49 AM

thanks guys. I went with an Anker brand off of Amazon. It's not the largest battery pack, but the reviews were all stellar and it's got enough juice to charge my iPhone 6 almost 2.5 times so that's sufficient for me. It'll mostly be used at festivals and overnights where i'm away from a car or wall charger for the entire day. Hopefully i won't be needing more charges than that.

5/11/2015 8:55:31 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-External-Technology-Motorola/dp/B00P7N0320


This one.

5/11/2015 1:54:04 PM

how long do the batteries last on these things? is it okay to charge and then let it sit around for a long time unused?

5/12/2015 8:20:26 AM

Maybe 500 full cycles?

5/12/2015 8:57:14 AM

i mean, do they have any loss if they sit unused? can you keep one charged in your car for a "just in case" situation or will it be flat when you need to use it?

5/12/2015 9:02:47 AM

I assume most new batteries are lithium ion which don't have a "memory". For calibration purposes they should be fully drained and recharged every few months but they won't really be damaged by sitting in storage. At least this is the case with laptop and newer batteries. I can't really speak to what all these types of batteries are though.

5/12/2015 9:16:10 AM

Quote :

" is it okay to charge and then let it sit around for a long time unused?"

Yup

Quote :

" it's got enough juice to charge my iPhone 6 almost 2.5 times so that's sufficient for me. "

Probably just twice


[Edited on May 12, 2015 at 9:38 AM. Reason : I like that 12000 mah one Jeep posted]

5/12/2015 9:33:35 AM

Quote :

"" is it okay to charge and then let it sit around for a long time unused?""

the pamphlet for mine said for best results to recharge every 4 months if not being used.

5/13/2015 9:02:27 AM