As a professional manufacturer of power banks and portable Portable Power stations, we are often asked a question by our customers: What exactly is the difference between power banks and Portable Power stations? How should one choose when customizing? Let’s have a brief chat about this topic today!
一 What are the Differences between Power banks and Portable Power stations?
Although both can provide power support, there are significant differences in capacity, interfaces, charging, application scenarios, etc. The following is a detailed comparison between the two:
1 Capacity and Energy
In daily life, we are accustomed to using mAh (milliampere-hours) to distinguish the capacity of power banks, such as the common 10000mAh and 20000mAh, etc. The capacity of portable energy storage is distinguished by Wh (watt-hours), such as the common 300Wh, 600Wh and above.
However, in fact, Wh (watt-hour) is the international standard unit for measuring energy. If you want to compare power banks with portable Power stations, you can convert them using the formula: Wh ≈ mAh × voltage (V) / 1000 (the voltage is usually 3.7V), so as to better compare their capacities.
2 Regarding application scenarios
Power bank: Lightweight and portable, it is usually used for daily use such as commuting, shopping, and hiking, to charge devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, and smartwatches.
Portable power station: A fully functional mobile power supply device, suitable for use in scenarios such as self-driving tours, camping, outdoor photography, live streaming, and emergency power outages. Besides charging mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other devices, it can also power car refrigerators, projectors, drones, cameras, electric cookers and other equipment.
Application scenarios of mobile power banks and portable power stations
| Scenario | power banks | portable power stations |
| commuting | ✅ (Lightweight and portable) | ❌ (Large in size) |
| tour | ✅ (Hiking, short trips, car trips, etc.) | ✅ (Suitable for self-driving Tours and RV trips) |
| camping | ❌ (Does not support high-power electrical appliances) | ✅ （It can power rice cookers, lighting, drones, etc.） |
| power failure emergency operation | ❌ （undercapacity） | ✅ （Emergency lighting, router operation, UPS uninterruptible power supply） |
| Shooting/live streaming | Partial support (mobile phones, cameras, drones…) | ✅ （It can simultaneously supply power to lights, speakers, drones, etc） |
3 Regarding safety performance
Power banks: The main materials of the battery cells are lithium polymer and 18650 cells. High-end models may use 21700 cells, which can basically meet the safety requirements for daily charging.
Portable power stations: mainly ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries, especially lithium iron phosphate batteries, which have extremely high safety, strong thermal stability and strong shock resistance, and can meet the usage requirements in relatively complex outdoor environments!
| character | Power banks | Portable power stations |
| Commonly used battery cells | Lithium polymer batteries, 18650/21700 cells | The mainstream high-end models with lithium iron phosphate batteries |
| cycle life | 300 to 500 times (capacity maintained at 80%) | 2,000 to 3,000 times (with 80% capacity maintained) |
| safety | Better (but high capacity still poses risks) | Excellent (Self-ignition temperature up to 800℃, heat-resistant and shock-resistant) |
4 Regarding charging methods
Power bank: Usually equipped with 1-2 USB-C and 1-2 USB-A ports, it may have LED lights or digital display screens.
Portable power station: 2-4 AC sockets, multiple USB ports, DC interface, car charging port, solar input port, etc.
| interface type | Power bank | Portable power station |
| USBOutput | ✅（Type-C/USB-A） | ✅（Type-C/USB-A） |
| AC output | ❌ （Usually not supported） | ✅(220V pure sine wave, compatible with household appliances) |
| DC output | ❌ (The vast majority do not support) | ✅ (DC round hole DC output） |
| Solar input | ❌(Only a very small number of large-capacity power banks support） | ✅ (Supports 100W-200W solar panel charging) |
| car charger input | ❌（a small number of large-capacity power banks support） | ✅ (Supports car charging) |
For example: The Joway 80000mAh outdoor power bank supports car charging input and solar panel power storage
5 Summary of Core Differences
| item | Power bank | Portable power station |
| capacity | mAh(commonly 5000-30000 mAh) | Wh/kWh (ranging from a few hundred to several thousand Wh) |
| Size/Weight | Compact and lightweight | It’s large in size and a bit heavy |
| output | USB-A、USB-C | USB-A、USB-C AC (alternating current socket), DC (direct current port), car charger port, USB-A, USB-C |
| applicable equipment | Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, etc | Laptops, mini refrigerators, lamps, projectors, drones, small household appliances, power tools |
| Input | USB adapter, car charger | Wall sockets, car chargers, solar charging panels |
| cost | lower | higher |
| example | Daily charging, short trips, business trips | Camping, RV travel, outdoor activities, and home backup power sources |
二 How to choose between a mobile power bank and a portable power station for customization?
If your target users have ordinary daily charging needs, you can customize a power bank. Besides, power banks are low-cost and can be used for employee benefits, business gifts, etc., and are highly practical!
If your target users are outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor live-streaming teams, outdoor photography workers, etc., you can consider customizing lithium iron phosphate portable energy storage!
Joway is a professional manufacturer of power banks and portable power stations. We offer:
√ power bank OEM/ODM/ gift customization service (flexible design of capacity, interface, appearance, etc.)
√ Corporate gift solutions (brand LOGO, packaging customization, etc.)
√ Lithium iron phosphate portable power station OEM production (high safety performance, long service life, AC sockets, etc.)
If you want to customize a power bank or portable power station, please contact us to obtain our product catalog and quotation sheet!
