8 Lifesaver Power Bank Ideas to Save Money

Why spend money on a new power bank when you can build one tailored to your needs?

Power banks are a must-have accessory for anyone who owns a smartphone. With one, you'll no longer need to rush to a Starbucks for a power outlet every time your phone runs out of juice or walk around with your original charger and risk losing it.

Although they're available in nearly every electronics store nowadays, you can build a power bank from scratch at home and save some money. Plus, you can tailor it to any size, shape, or capacity you fancy to power your smartphone multiple times.

Here are eight awesome and lifesaving DIY power bank ideas to try.

1. Pocket-Sized Power Bank

Are you always on the go but must keep your smartphone, laptop, and other mobile devices charged? If yes, this pocket-sized power bank is the perfect companion for you while you're traveling.

Enjoy some ice cream first because you'll need some ice cream sticks for the project. While at it, look for that USB cable you never use, a battery snap, 9V battery, transistors, and then check out this Instructable for pointers on how to go about the project.

2. Simple Power Bank With Solar Panels

Imagine a power bank you can recharge with solar power? Awesome, right? You'd no longer have to worry about power outlets on hikes or camping trips, as all you need is sunlight to recharge your power bank.

Pull it out and fully recharge your mobile devices; leave it in the sun before you head out for more adventures the next day, and you'll come back to find it full of juice and ready to use again. Look out for supplies and steps to follow while making it in this detailed Instructable.

3. DIY Laptop Power Bank

Whether you work from home or in a formal setting, working outdoors, from a cafe, or any other location outside your normal one is fun and the perfect way to break the monotony. However, if your laptop's battery drains fast, your remote working options are significantly reduced as you have to be tethered to a power outlet.

Fortunately, a laptop power bank effectively solves such a problem. And you can easily build one from home using a converter boost power supply, a mini digital voltmeter, banana plug sockets, a banana plug jack, a rotary taper potentiometer, a spring conductor terminal, and all the other supplies listed in this Instructable.

4. Joule Thief Power Bank

Millions of e-waste, such as used-up batteries, are trashed every day. Unfortunately, besides being a fire hazard, electric batteries that are trashed often contain toxic chemicals like lead which, if disposed of improperly, can have severe negative impacts on ecosystems.

Additionally, not every electric battery you throw out is completely energy depleted. So, instead of trashing that pair of triple-A batteries you just got through, follow this Instructable to make a joule thief power bank.

You'll save Mother Nature from additional waste and save money while creating a reliable DIY power bank for your smartphone and laptop. You can also conserve the environment by trying out these earth day electronics recycling projects for beginners.

5. Solar Charging Wireless Battery Bank

How do you make a solar wireless power bank to recharge your smartphone, iPad, laptop, and other mobile devices? Follow this step-by-step Instructable.

We'd like to quickly point out that you'll need technical skills and access to a 3D printer, but this guide does a good job breaking down everything. So, it's easy to follow and create your first reliable battery bank even if you've got zero soldering skills.

6. Power Bank Made From Old Mobile Battery

The pocket-sized power bank mentioned earlier is highly portable and reliable, but if it did not tickle your fancy, this power bank might be the perfect fit for what you need. It's smaller, more reliable, and uses an old phone's battery and a rechargeable battery cell.

So, if you have an old phone that you no longer use, this is a great way to put it to good use. You'll require connectors, lots of tapes, a micro slide switch, a wire, and this well-elaborated Instructable to build one. If you have more old phones in your junk box, check out these fantastic DIY projects using old phones.

7. DIY Solar Bag

A power bank is already game-changing. Imagine a solar-powered one attached to a bag you can discreetly bring wherever you go? That's what this Instructable lets you build. It takes about ten hours to charge in the sun and can fully recharge a 6.1V watt smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other device you prefer once.

Besides a solar panel and a bag, you will need a few connectors, a glue gun, and a soldering iron, and then follow the steps in the well-elaborated Instructable to build your DIY solar bag. If you're looking forward to camping with technology, this project could be a suitable power source.

8. Easy Wireless Power Bank

Wireless power banks are all the rage nowadays for a pretty good reason. They completely untether you from power outlets, save you from the chaotic life of tangled cables, and keep your phone full of charge whenever necessary.

However, as with most wireless accessories, they come at a price, which is usually not cost-friendly. So, building one is a great way to save some serious cash. Check out this Instructable for a step-by-step breakdown of building a wireless power bank right from home.

Build a Power Bank at Home

Power banks are one of the must-have accessories for your electronic devices, but most of them wear out fast, or you never get to use one for long because they are pretty easy to misplace since you have to carry them wherever you go. If you're tired of spending money on one, building one yourself would be the better option.

There are plenty of ideas, but if you want to keep the process simple and affordable, these eight DIY power bank project ideas are a great start. Feel free to implement your favorite project as is or maximize the hyperlinked Instructable guide as inspiration to build a better, more innovative version.