For many of us, our electronic devices have become a fundamental part of our lives, which we rely on every single day. But what happens when these devices – such as phones, tablets, laptops and other gadgets – run out of juice while we are on the go? This is where power banks come in.
What is a power bank?
A power bank, or portable charger, is essentially a battery pack that stores electrical energy and provides an uninterrupted power supply when there’s no access to a power outlet. Most power banks consist of a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery, input and output ports, as well as a control circuit that regulates the flow of electricity.
How do power banks work?
To charge a power bank, simply plug it into an electrical outlet until it’s at full capacity – which is usually shown by either a light display or digital display on the power bank itself. To charge a device, connect it to the power bank via a USB cable. The power bank will then transfer its stored electrical energy to your device, recharging its battery even when it’s not plugged into another power source.
The benefits of power banks
Power banks are the ultimate charging accessory for all your tech – not only do they enable on-the-go charging and have the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously, but they also come in a range of sizes and designs to suit your needs. However, care needs to be taken when using any power bank as they can pose a fire hazard if damaged or overcharged.
Power banks in the news
From 1st October 2025, global airline Emirates banned the use of any kind of power bank on board all flights, following an increase in lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry.
What does this mean?
Emirates’ new rules mean that passengers can carry a single power bank under 100Wh on board – as long as the capacity rating information is clearly displayed. However, they cannot be used to charge devices on board and also cannot be recharged using the aircraft’s power supply. Power banks remain prohibited in all Emirates checked baggage and any power banks on board must be kept in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in the overhead lockers. These rules may differ for alternative airlines.
What needs to be done?
Here at juice®, we understand there are growing safety concerns around lithium‑ion battery fires, particularly after the recent KLM onboard fire in August this year. However, we believe there needs to be a more balanced approach that focuses on the quality of individual products as opposed to imposing a ‘blanket’ ban when it comes to power banks.
Proposed regulations
The airline industry is no stranger to imposing safety standards, and these could easily extend to the use of power banks on board. For this reason, we propose for regulations to ‘rubber stamp’ those that not only meet strict standards with built-in protections against overcharging and overheating, but also ones that are airline or aircraft approved with clear labelling to affirm capacity and safety, as per juice® products.
Not only would this approach bolster safety and preserve customer experience, but it would also lift any unnecessary negative perception toward the power bank product – designed solely to aid mobile phone durability and consumer convenience.
Why juice® is different
Our award-winning power bank range has been designed with ease in mind and are tested to quality standards, making them safe for use on planes. We have also removed the tech jargon and made understanding the power supply of each power bank simple as can be.
Whether you want one charge as an emergency back-up or 5/7 charges to get you through a long weekend, we’ve got you covered, and we’ve been thrilled to see the positive impact these power banks have made.
The market leader!
This year, we have retained our position as UK market leader for the fifth year in a row, with our power banks having grown 13.8% in value year on year.
In addition to our growing market presence, we have also continued our ongoing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, with every single one of our products – including our power banks – being manufactured from recycled plastic.
