Warning about potential dangers from cheap power banks

The current market for power banks is very diverse in types and prices, consumers can easily get lost in the matrix of fake, counterfeit and poor quality products. To compete on price, many manufacturers have cut costs, ignoring basic safety standards.

High-end power banks can charge and cool your phone at the same time, not only providing high performance but also integrating multiple layers of safety protection.

Meanwhile, many cheap power banks may look attractive in terms of specifications and price, but they pose many risks such as the capacity listed on the packaging may not be true to reality, the internal components may be recycled batteries, and they often lack important features such as voltage regulation or overload protection.

Using cheap backup chargers for a long time can lead to battery failure, slow charging, damage to important components in the phone, and even cause the risk of fire or explosion.

Cheap Power Banks: A Hidden Threat to Your Phone

Choosing a cheap power bank may save you money in the short term, but it poses serious risks to the longevity and safety of your device.

While some low-cost models perform reliably, many are built with low-quality components and lack precise voltage regulation, a key factor in protecting phone batteries.

The core difference between genuine backup chargers and cheap floating products lies in 3 components: battery core (cell), control circuit (PCB) and protective shell.

The battery core is considered the “heart” of the device. Reputable brands use high-quality lithium‑polymer (Li‑Po) or lithium‑ion (Li‑Ion) cells that have undergone rigorous testing for longevity and safety.

On the contrary, many cheap models use recycled battery cores, with “virtual” capacity. These poor quality cells have low electrochemical stability, are easily deformed and generate high heat when charging or discharging.

As a result, the control circuit cannot handle it in time, leading to a short circuit, a thermal chain reaction, and eventually an explosion. In other words, the initial savings can turn into a huge safety risk and equipment repair costs later.

Every smartphone is designed to receive current within a safe voltage range. When using a substandard power bank, the phone may continue to receive power even after it is fully charged.

Prolonged overcharging, combined with constant heating, will silently wear down the battery, causing rapid capacity loss and reducing the overall lifespan of the device.

Not only causing battery failure, some cheap power banks also pose a risk of fire and explosion, especially if they are made from recycled batteries, poor quality circuit boards or substandard insulating materials.

A little warmth during use is normal, but if the charger becomes too hot or blisters, that's a serious warning sign that you shouldn't ignore.

Criteria to keep in mind when choosing a safe backup charger

When choosing a power bank, balancing price and safety is key. A good choice doesn’t have to be expensive, but it certainly shouldn’t be the cheapest on the market.

First of all, you need to choose products from reputable brands, buy at stores, official distribution systems, with full anti-counterfeit stamps, Vietnamese sub-labels and clear warranty policies.

In particular, give priority to models with popular international safety certifications on the packaging such as CE (European standard), FCC (American standard), RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances), these are signs that the device has passed rigorous tests for resistance to overheating, short circuits and electrical risks.

Second, don’t overlook the specs. A good power bank should have a minimum output of 5V/2A, which is enough to ensure your phone charges quickly but safely. Cheap, substandard models can cause voltage fluctuations, which can have a long-term impact on your device’s battery.

Also, look for built-in protection features like overcharging protection, automatic circuit breaker, and temperature control, which are technologies that help prolong the life of both the charger and your phone.

In addition to choosing to buy a quality backup charger, the correct way of using it also plays an important role in ensuring safety and prolonging the life of the device. Avoid charging and discharging the battery at the same time because this habit can easily overload the battery and generate heat. Do not place the backup charger in places with high temperatures such as in a car parked in the sun or near a heat source.

In particular, stop using immediately if you detect any unusual signs such as the battery being swollen, deformed, unusually hot when charging or emitting a strange smell, which could be an early warning of a risk of fire or explosion.