Portable Power Generators

Load shedding remains a daily reality across South Africa, and staying powered up is no longer a luxury… it’s a necessity. For students, remote workers, and gamers, a dead battery can mean a missed deadline or a lost match. We sat down with our in-house tech experts to answer your most common questions about portable power banks and how to choose the right one to keep your essential devices running when the lights go out. Let's get you prepared. ⚡

Your Load Shedding Power Questions, Answered

Here’s a straightforward Q&A to help you navigate the world of portable power and find the perfect solution for your needs.

Q: What's the real difference between a simple power bank and a mini-UPS? A: A power bank is designed to charge DC devices like your phone, tablet, or wireless headphones via USB. A mini-UPS, on the other hand, is specifically designed to keep low-power AC/DC devices like your internet router and fibre box running seamlessly the moment load shedding hits. Think of a power bank for your pocket, and a mini-UPS for your internet connection.

Q: What does "mAh" actually mean, and how much capacity do I really need? A: mAh stands for milliampere-hour, and it’s a measure of battery capacity. For context, a 10,000mAh unit can typically charge a modern smartphone 2-3 times. If you just need to keep your phone alive, you can find excellent power banks under R1000 that do the job perfectly. For charging multiple devices or a tablet, aim for 20,000mAh or more.

Q: Can any power bank keep my Wi-Fi on during load shedding? A: Not exactly. To power a router, you need a power bank or mini-UPS that can output the correct DC voltage (usually 9V or 12V) through a round DC connector, not just a standard USB port. Always check your router's power requirements before you buy.

Q: What’s the deal with all the different ports? USB-A vs. USB-C PD? A: USB-A is the classic rectangular port we all know. USB-C is the newer, smaller oval port. The key difference is Power Delivery (PD), a fast-charging standard that mostly uses USB-C. A power bank with a USB-C PD port can charge modern laptops, phones, and other compatible devices significantly faster. Many quality options, like those from WINX, include a mix of both port types for maximum compatibility.

Q: Is a bigger, more expensive power bank always the better choice? A: Not necessarily. It’s more important to match the features to your needs and to choose a reliable brand. It's often smarter to buy a mid-capacity unit from a trusted name like Promate, known for quality components, than a no-name brand with inflated capacity claims. Reliability is key.

Q: What safety features should I look out for? A: Look for mentions of overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and over-temperature control. These features protect both the power bank and your expensive devices from damage, giving you peace of mind.

Q: Where can I see all the different options available? A: The best way to find what’s right for you is to compare models. You can browse a wide variety of trusted brands and capacities in our complete power banks collection to find the one that fits your exact load shedding survival kit.

Promate PowerPack-20 Pro 20000mAh Power Bank with AC Charger / 20000mAh Power Bank / 27W Power Delivery / USB-C and Lightning Cables / AC/DC Dual Mode Charging Input / POWERPACK-20PRO

R999.00In Stock

Promate Titan-130 20000mAh Power Bank / 60W & 100W Power Delivery / 30W QC 3.0 Port / Smart TFT LCD Screen / TITAN-130

R999.00In Stock

Romoss Pulse 20 20000mAhWH Power Bank - White - PPB20-101-1A45

R449.00In Stock

Winx Go Far 50000mah Power Bank PD 20W / Charge all your mobile devices while on-the-go / Built-in compass / Built-in LED display & flashlight / WX-PB105

R1119.00In Stock

Promate Bolt-10PD 10000mAh Super Slim Power Bank with Dual 20W USB-C Port & QC 3.0 Port - Black / 22.5W QC 3.0 Output / Dual 20W USB-C Port / LCD Battery Display / Bolt-10PD.Black

R299.00In Stock

Promate PowerUp-Trio 5000mAh Ultra-Compact Power Bank with Dual Folding USB-C & Lightning Connector & Apple Watch Charger - Black / 20W Power Delivery / 2 Ways Charging via USB-C In/Out Connector & Port / Compact Design / Built in Kick Stand / PowerUp-Trio.black

R399.00In Stock

Key Takeaways

• Check the Capacity: A 10,000mAh unit is great for phones; 20,000mAh+ is better for multiple devices or tablets.
• Know Your Ports: USB-C with Power Delivery (PD) is essential for fast-charging modern tech.
• Routers Need DC Output: To keep your Wi-Fi on, you need a power solution with the correct DC output, not just USB.
• Prioritise Safety: Always choose power banks with built-in protection against overcharging and short-circuits.