Comparison CTECHi GT500 vs Jackery Explorer 500

USB type C ports are smaller than classic USBs, and they also have a convenient reversible design that allows you to connect the plug in either direction. USB type C was originally designed to be able to implement various advanced features: increased power supply, fast charging technologies, etc.

Since the port is relatively new and quite powerful (there are USB type C with a power of 60 W and even 100 W), the total number of such connectors is often limited to 1 port, less often two).

- The strength of the power. The maximum power output through the USB type C connector to a charging device. Note that different ports of the charging station can output different power (for example, 1.5 A and 2.1 A). In this case, the highest power strength is usually indicated.

— Power. The maximum power in watts (W) that the charging station is capable of delivering to one rechargeable gadget. The high output power of the USB type C port allows you to speed up the charging process. However, the appropriate power must be supported by the device being charged - otherwise the speed of the process will be limited by the characteristics of the gadget.

In wireless charging mode, energy is transferred to the gadget being charged through an inductive surface, which is usually built into the upper plane of the charging station case. There can be one slot for wireless charging or several of them are provided. The range of this technology does not exceed a few centimeters. However, this method of charging eliminates the fuss with wires and reduces wear on the connectors. One of the key disadvantages of this format is considered to be low power and, accordingly, slow charging speed.

The presence of a DC connector (or several such outputs) in the device to power external gadgets with direct current. The standard DC jack is round and has a pin in the center. However, its dimensions may differ in depth and diameter. The voltage output to the DC output may be different. The most popular options are 18 - 20 V for powering laptops, 12 V for various specialized devices and automotive electrical accessories.

The ability to replenish energy reserves in the battery cells of the charging station via the USB type C connector. This port itself is small in size and has a convenient double-sided design, thanks to which the plug can be inserted in either direction. However, in charging stations it does not always work as an input interface.

DC connector for a distinctive round plug (like those used in many laptops) used to recharge the battery of the device. Note that DC- in plugs may have different sizes, and chargers with such plugs may have different operating voltages. In practice, this leads to the fact that finding a suitable charger for a portable station is not easy, you need to be especially careful when searching.

— Li-Ion. The key advantage of lithium-ion batteries is their high capacity with small dimensions and weight. Also, Li-Ion batteries are not subject to memory effect and can charge quite quickly. Of course, this option is not without its drawbacks - first of all, it is sensitivity to low or elevated temperatures, and if overloaded, the lithium-ion battery can catch fire or even explode. However, thanks to the use of built-in controllers, the likelihood of such “accidents” is extremely low and, in general, the advantages of this technology significantly outweigh the disadvantages.

— Li-Pol. An improved version of lithium-ion technology (see the corresponding paragraph): the liquid electrolyte in Li-Pol batteries is replaced with a solid polymer. At the same high capacity, the batteries have become more compact, there is practically no “memory effect” in them, and the likelihood of fires and explosions in the event of critical violations of operating conditions is minimized. The downside of these improvements was increased cost and increased sensitivity to frost. However, most often these shortcomings are not significant.

— LiFePO4. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are a modification of lithium ion batteries (see corresponding paragraph) designed to eliminate some of the shortcomings of the original technology. LiFePO4 batteries are characterized by a...large number of charge/discharge cycles, chemical and thermal stability, low temperature tolerance, short charging time (including high currents) and safety in operation. The likelihood of an “explosion” of a LiFePO4 battery when overloaded is reduced to almost zero, and in general, such batteries cope with high peak loads without problems and maintain the operating voltage almost until discharge.

— Li-Ion NMC. A type of lithium rechargeable battery using a complex alloy in the manufacture of the cathode. It contains nickel, manganese and cadmium. This “recipe” allows you to increase the power of a power source based on Li-Ion NMC elements. Batteries of this type have a high specific capacity and a stable discharge voltage, provide a long operating time of the charging station with high performance, are characterized by a complete absence of “memory effect”, maintain functionality over a wide temperature range and are fireproof.

— VRLA. Acid batteries with a regulating safety valve to release excess gas. The abbreviation VRLA stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid. Batteries of this type have a sealed, non-separable design and come in two types: AGM VRLA (the battery plates are equipped with a layer of fiberglass absorbent) and GEL VRLA (with a gel electrolyte in a jelly-like state). Batteries with a control valve are resistant to deep discharges, do not require topping up with distillate throughout their entire service life, and do not emit hydrogen or oxygen.

- Semi-solid State. An advanced type of lithium-ion battery (see above), which combines some of the characteristics of liquid and solid batteries. It uses an electrolyte that is in a semi-soft or gel-like state, making the batteries more resistant to leakage than traditional wet batteries. Semi-solid state technology allows for a significant increase in the energy density of cells. As a result, it is possible to make compact batteries with high energy intensity.

The number of charge-discharge cycles that the battery can withstand without significant loss of performance.

In the process of operation, the batteries wear out, which causes their performance to suffer (in the first place, the capacity decreases). Battery life is usually measured in charge-discharge cycles. However, models with the same declared resource are not always equally durable in practice. Different manufacturers may interpret “significant loss of performance” in different ways: for example, one brand indicates the resource up to a 20% decrease in capacity (DOD > 80%), another - up to a 60% decrease (DOD > 40%) Behind the abbreviation DOD worth decoding Depth of Discharge, i.e. discharge depth. Therefore, when choosing, it makes sense to focus not only on pure numbers, but also on other sources - test results, reviews, etc. Also note that battery life can be noticeably reduced if the operating conditions are violated (for example, in case of overheating or hypothermia).

Time to charge the portable power station from a fully discharged state to 100% charge when using the power adapter from a household outlet. This refers to the original battery and standard charger.

Time spent on a full charge when using the original panel in bright sunlight. In cloudy weather, the charging time of the device from the solar panel can be strikingly different downwards.