Charging a Powerbank: What Do I Need to Know?

You're having a great time dancing at a festival, you turn around for a moment and immediately lose all your friends. You quickly send a message, but then your phone dies. Luckily, you brought your compact powerbank today and you're not left without power! You connect your phone to the charger, but then the emergency scenario strikes. Your powerbank is empty.

There you are, without power or any way to reach your friends. To prevent this from happening next time, here are some tips for charging your powerbank. This way, you'll go prepared and fully charged to your next festival!

How to charge a powerbank?
How to know when your powerbank is full or empty
How the charging time of your powerbank works
Boost the lifespan of your powerbank
My powerbank is no longer charging. What now?
The powerbank for you

How to charge a powerbank?

Charging a powerbank is very easy. To begin, connect the included charging cable. You do this in the USB port of the powerbank. Then plug the charging plug into the wall outlet to charge the powerbank.

This is the fastest and most common way to charge a powerbank: preferably use a charger with sufficient power (e.g. 18W or 20W) and a suitable cable.
Tip: A faster adapter means a shorter charging time for your powerbank.

No power outlet nearby, but still need to charge your powerbank? There are a few ways to do it — they might just be a bit slower than you’d like:

Through the USB port of a laptop or computer – slower, but handy on the go.
With a solar panel – ideal for camping or outdoor use, though it depends on sunlight.
A 12V car charger – perfect while travelling or on the road.

Before charging for the first time, always check the specifications of the powerbank. This indicates which devices your powerbank can charge and how often. For example, Fresh 'n Rebel powerbanks have a battery indicator. This allows you to see exactly what the battery level of your powerbank is. Wait until the powerbank is fully charged and then disconnect the charging cable to use it.

How to know when your powerbank is full or empty

You’ll know your powerbank is fully charged when all LED lights stay on. If the lights are flashing, it’s still charging. The four battery indicator LEDs show how much energy remains at any time. Press the button to see the battery level: four lights mean 100%, three 75%, two 50%, and one light means 25% or less.

How the charging time of your powerbank works

The charging time depends on the battery capacity (how much energy it holds) and the input power (how much current it can take in at once). The higher the capacity, the longer it takes — unless the powerbank supports higher input, in which case it can charge faster.

For example:

Our 18,000 mAh powerbank has an input of 5V/3A, 9V/2.22A or 12V/1.67A. With a 12V charger it’s full in about 3.5 hours, and with a standard 5V charger it takes around 5 hours.
The 6,000 mAh powerbank is smaller and charges faster — about 2.5 hours via a 5V/2.4A input.
The 27,000 mAh powerbank has much more capacity, but thanks to its powerful 45W input it can also charge in around 2.5 hours with the right charger. With a regular 5V/2A charger, it can take up to 10 hours.

In short: a faster charger (higher volts or watts) and a higher powerbank input mean your battery will fill up quicker — even with larger models.

So, if you’re wondering why your powerbank takes so long to charge, check these possible causes:

You’re using a weak adapter (e.g. an old 5W phone charger).
The cable is worn out or low quality.
The powerbank has a large capacity — it’s normal that it takes longer.
You’re charging via a computer USB port, which is much slower and not meant for full charging.

Boost the lifespan of your powerbank

Of course, you want to benefit from your powerbank for as long as possible. That's why it's important to handle it carefully. Boost the lifespan with the tips below.

Always store the powerbank in a cool and dry place.
Avoid extreme temperatures.
Protect your device from direct sunlight or bumps by using a case, for example.
Keep an eye on the battery level. If it drops below 50%, make sure to charge your powerbank. This ensures better performance and a longer lifespan.

All Fresh 'n Rebel powerbanks are equipped with 6 safety features that also help extend the lifespan and ensure safety. Read more about this in our blog: Safe use and maintenance of your powerbank.

My powerbank is no longer charging. What now?

You're all prepared for a long day on the go and have been charging your powerbank for a few hours. You unplug the device and see to your great annoyance that your powerbank hasn't charged. How can this be and what should you do now?

Check if the lights on the powerbank are on and what the battery indicator shows.
Check if the charging cable is defective.
Check if there is dirt or dust in the USB port.
Check the wall outlet to see if the problem lies there.

If the above steps don't solve the problem, please contact us. We'll take a look and think along with you so that you can charge your powerbank in no time.

The powerbank for you

With all these tips, you've become an expert in charging powerbanks. You now understand how the powerbank works, whether you can use it while it's charging, and how to extend its lifespan.

Which model suits you best? That's up to you. Fresh 'n Rebel offers multiple options and distinguishes itself by offering 3 different capacities. Choose the model that best fits your specific wishes and use.

Minimal user? The 6,000 mAh powerbank is perfect. Compact, smooth design, ideal for travel — and approved for air travel.
On the go a lot? The 12,000 mAh powerbank charges your phone up to 4 times and your tablet up to 2 times. It even has fast charge functionality!
Want ultimate freedom? The 18,000 mAh powerbank charges up to 6 devices completely — fast and worry-free.

After reading this blog, if you're still not sure which capacity you need for your powerbank, no worries! Read our blog: How to choose the right capacity for your powerbank?