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FEATURE TECH

POWER TIPS

For those times when you forget to put your gadgets on charge, wireless chargers are a convenient way to power up devices without the clutter of cables and adaptors. They come in a variety of types, from charging pads and magnetic discs, to docks and stands, and some can be installed in the car. A wireless charger requires a physical ‘magnetic handshake’ between the charger and device to deliver a constant and stable charge, however a thin plastic phone case up to 3mm shouldn’t create an obstacle. Qi is the universal standard for wireless charging, so a device needs to be Qi-certified to use a wireless charger. And always check the device’s specs for fast charge capability, and choose one with high wattage for faster charging. ALOGIC 4-in-1 Lift Wireless Charger with 10k Power Bank This package has it all. Ditch the cables Fully charge a power bank at least every 1–2 months, depending on usage. Never let a power bank’s capacity reach zero before recharging. How quickly a power bank can charge your devices is denoted by the Ampere (A) number. The higher it is, the faster the charging. Always keep power banks away from direct heat – never leave them in a hot car over summer.

Banking power Portable power banks provide a quick and easy charging solution and are a must-have addition to every school bag. These compact, high-capacity batteries can deliver several full charges – just remember to keep the power bank itself regularly charged. The type of devices you want to charge, how often, and how quickly, determines the type of power bank you need. Many support fast charging for compatible devices, and multi-port banks charge several devices simultaneously. Bigger the better Charge is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh), and the higher it is, the longer a power bank will last. This also determines the number of charge cycles in reserve. A 20,000mAh power bank should be sufficient to charge multiple devices taken to school, like a phone, tablet, laptop, and wireless headphones. Watts it all about? Most smartphones require 5W to charge and tablets up to 12W, while QI-certified fast charging uses 18W to speed things up. The amount of watts you need in a power bank will depend on a device’s power consumption and how many will be charged simultaneously. How many of us can relate to this? It’s 8:15 am, and you pull an iPad out of your child’s bag, suddenly realising it hasn’t been charged. Panic-stricken, it becomes a quick estimation game: is 46% battery enough to get them through the day? What if it isn’t?This is when you need a portable power bank. POWER PLAY Words Bec Summer

Supporting MagSafe phones and the Apple Watch, it has USB-C and USB-A ports for fast wireless charging with up to four devices.

MOPHIE SNAP+ 2-in-1

Belkin BoostUp Charge 10K 3 Port Power Bank Why charge one device at once when you can charge three?

Cygnett ChargeUp Maxx Digital 40k Power Bank Packing a huge 40,000mAh capacity and armed with USB-C and USB-A ports, it also features a digital display so you can check how much charge you’ve got left.

Wireless Charging Stand and Pad

MagSafe compatible and with a designated spot for AirPods, the Snap+ delivers fast charging for Qi-enabled phones – 7.5W for iOS and 15W for Android.

This versatile 10,000mAh power bank includes three ports: two USB-A, and one USB-C.

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