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A phone dies on a trip and a car will not start on a cold morning. What to look for in a portable battery charger comes down to the job: a jump starter for a car, or a power bank for a phone. This guide explains what each kind does, which figures matter, and what to check in the listing before buying.
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The quick answer
The listings cited here cover jump starters that start a car and power banks that charge a phone. Jump starters are rated by peak current: the Povasee unit lists 5000A peak and the Joltekon unit lists 4500A peak, and each has a 150 PSI tire inflator. Power banks are rated by capacity and watts: the Anker and Ridge units hold 10,000mAh, with 15W wireless charging and 30W or 20W wired charging. Pick the kind from the job, then check the figures below.
The table below lines up the portable chargers cited in this guide.
| Device | Kind | Peak / Capacity | Extra | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Povasee A6 | Jump starter + inflator | 5000A peak; 150 PSI | 60 jump-starts; 1500+ cycles | 24 months |
| Joltekon VP30 | Jump starter + inflator | 4500A peak; 150 PSI | 500-lumen lights; 3.3-inch display | 2 years |
| Anker MagGo | Power bank | 10,000mAh; 30W USB-C; 15W wireless | 1.8 charges for an iPhone 15 Pro | 24 months |
| Ridge 20W | Power bank | 10,000mAh; 20W; 15W wireless | Up to three full phone charges; 2.5W watch charging | Not stated |
Other portable chargers list different figures, so compare the listing with the job you need it for.
Jump starters: peak current and engine size
A jump starter is rated by peak current, in amps. The Povasee unit lists 5000A peak current, and the Joltekon unit lists 4500A peak current. The units start 12V vehicles, and the Joltekon listing names 9L gas or 8L diesel engines. A dead battery needs more than peak current: the Povasee listing says its RST button helps restart an engine when the battery voltage is below 9V, and the Joltekon listing says its force start function starts completely drained or low-voltage batteries. Check the charge before a start: the Povasee listing says to start the car when power is greater than 75%, and the Joltekon listing says battery power must exceed 50% before start-up. The Joltekon listing says to start the car within 30 seconds once the smart clip is connected.
Power banks: capacity and watts
A power bank is rated by capacity in milliamp-hours and by watts. The Anker and Ridge units hold 10,000mAh. The Anker unit gives 15W wireless charging and 30W wired charging through USB-C, and it provides up to 1.8 charges for an iPhone 15 Pro. The Ridge unit gives 20W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and 2.5W charging for a smartwatch, and up to three full phone charges. The Anker unit comes with a 60 cm USB-C cable, and the Ridge unit has built-in cables for Lightning, USB-C and wireless charging. The Ridge listing says to charge in an open, well-ventilated space, and to allow 10 to 15 minutes for the bank and the phone to cool if both feel warm.
Air compressor, lights and extras
The jump starters cited here do more than start cars. The Povasee and Joltekon units have a 150 PSI tire inflator: the Povasee unit inflates a car tire to 20 PSI in 2 minutes with a 35L/Min airflow, and the Joltekon unit inflates tires to 25 PSI with 5 inflation modes, 4 nozzles and 3 selectable units. The Povasee unit gives 4 preset inflation modes and 4 nozzles, with up to 25 minutes of continuous operation. The Joltekon unit has 500-lumen lights with 4 modes, and a 3.3-inch smart display. The Povasee unit has an LCD display, a flashlight and SOS signaling. Check the extras against the job: a tire inflator matters on the road, and a flashlight matters after dark.
Protection, temperature and storage
A portable charger needs protection against wrong connections. The Povasee unit lists 10 protection systems, including reverse polarity, reverse charge, over discharge, reverse connection, short circuit, over charge, over current, over heat and spark resistance. The Joltekon unit lists 10 built-in protections. Both units work across a wide temperature range: the Povasee unit works from -22°F to 140°F, and the Joltekon unit lists a temperature range from -4°F to 140°F. Recharge the jump starter every 2 to 3 months when it is not used, both listings say, and the Povasee unit holds standby for about 24 months when fully charged.
What to look for in a portable battery charger: what to check first
The question what to look for in a portable battery charger comes down to the job, the figures and the extras. Work through the checks below before you buy.
- Kind: check whether the charger is a jump starter for a car or a power bank for a phone, and match it to the job.
- Peak current or capacity: check the peak current for a jump starter, 5000A for the Povasee unit and 4500A for the Joltekon unit, and the capacity for a power bank, 10,000mAh for the Anker and Ridge units.
- Watts: check the charging watts: 30W through USB-C and 15W wireless for the Anker unit, and 20W wired and 15W wireless for the Ridge unit.
- Extras: check the extras the listing names: a 150 PSI inflator, lights, a display and cables.
- Protection: check the protection systems: 10 systems on the Povasee unit and 10 protections on the Joltekon unit.
- Warranty: check whether the listing states a warranty term: 24 months for the Povasee and Anker units, and 2 years for the Joltekon unit.
- Storage: check the standby and recharge figures: about 24 months of standby for the Povasee unit, and a recharge every 2 to 3 months.
FAQ: power away from the grid
What peak current do I need for a jump starter?
The listings cited here give 5000A peak for the Povasee unit and 4500A peak for the Joltekon unit, both for 12V vehicles. The Joltekon listing names 9L gas or 8L diesel engines. Match the peak current and the engine size the listing names to the vehicle you own.
Can a jump starter charge a phone?
Yes. The Povasee unit charges mobile devices, and the Joltekon unit charges USB-C devices such as phones, tablets and cameras. A power bank is the right choice when the only job is charging a phone.
How long does a jump starter hold its charge?
The Povasee unit holds standby for about 24 months when fully charged, and the Joltekon unit holds standby for about 24 months. Both listings say to recharge the jump starter every 2 to 3 months when it is not used.
What does the tire inflator on a jump starter do?
It inflates tires from the jump starter battery: the Povasee unit inflates a car tire to 20 PSI in 2 minutes with a 150 PSI maximum, and the Joltekon unit gives 150 PSI with 5 inflation modes and an automatic shut-off. Do not run the pump continuously: the Povasee listing says to cool the pump for a few minutes when it gets seriously hot before inflating again.
Can I take a power bank on a plane?
The Anker listing says its power bank is flight-approved and complies with air travel regulations in the United States and most countries, but it does not have China’s 3C certification and cannot be carried on domestic flights within China. Check the rules for the flight you take.
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