Briefly about the main thing It is not necessary to purchase an external battery from a well-known brand, since it does not differ in any way from the models of lesser-known manufacturers in terms of reliability and performance. That is why we chose the most affordable devices that will never let the user down.
Best Power Bank The best external battery by far is the model. She - optimal choice in terms of price / quality / performance ratio.	Best Power Bank with Flashlight If it is important for you to purchase a model with a flashlight, but so that it also has high technical performance, then you can give preference. Although its battery capacity is slightly less than that of the Xiaomi model.

Modern people prefer to use smartphones instead of tablets and laptops, because they are just as powerful and at the same time more compact. But due to their small size, their time is reduced. autonomous work: It is impossible to install a large battery in a small case.

To solve the problems that arise because of this, you can purchase an external battery for your phone. How to choose which characteristics to pay attention to and which models are the most popular today, you will learn in the article.

Top external batteries

Name	Capacity	# Of USB ports	Amperage of USB ports	Battery level indicator	Lantern	Price
	16000 mAh	2	1000/ 2 100 mA	there is	No	Check price
	10400 mAh	2	1000/ 2000 mA	there is	there is	Check price
	15600 mAh	2	1000/ 2000 mA	there is	there is	Check price
	10000 mAh	2	1000/ 2 100 mA	there is	No	Check price
	12500 mAh	2	1000/ 2000 mA	there is	No	Check price

Why is it needed?

An external battery (also known as Power Bank) is designed to charge a smartphone or other mobile device if there is no access to power supply networks. To do this, the device is connected to a mobile gadget using a special adapter cable.

It is not always convenient to use a second battery to replace the main one. In addition, many modern flagship smartphones have a molded case, in which the battery is non-removable. In this case, using Power Bank is the best option.

Principle of operation

An external battery is a set of batteries combined with each other and enclosed in a case, which has a universal output (usually a USB port) for connecting an adapter. For the manufacture of the case, plastic (cheap models) or aluminum is used.

After connecting to the Power Bank of the smartphone, the standard charging process will begin. These steps can be repeated until the external battery is completely discharged. Due to the fact that it has a large capacity, you can simultaneously or in turn charge two or more gadgets, or one mobile device several times in a row.

Specifications

When choosing an external battery for a smartphone, pay attention to the main characteristics that will help you choose a high-quality and durable device.

Capacity

This is the main characteristic that determines the performance of an external battery. It shows how long the device will provide the mobile gadget with energy.

This parameter is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh). In order for the Power Bank to work effectively and without any problems with it, its volume must be at least 2 times the capacity of the battery of the device that it charges. But the larger this parameter, the better.

The larger the capacity of the external battery, the longer the period of its operation. But at the same time, the time for recharging increases.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that the larger the capacity of the selected device, the more expensive it will cost. The golden mean is 6000 mAh models. A Power Bank with a capacity of 15,000 mAh and more is suitable for charging a smartphone or even a tablet.

Current strength

The outgoing current affects the charging time of the device. The higher it is, the faster the smartphone will charge. For mobile phone the standard indicator is 800-1200 mA, for tablets 1500-2000 mA.

Good to know! It is desirable that this parameter coincides with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the smartphone or tablet.

Dimensions (edit)

Please note that the larger the capacity of the external battery, the larger it is, because it houses large quantity batteries. But in this case, everyone chooses a model for themselves, depending on the requirements that he makes to it.

For fans of hiking, a Power Bank of large capacity and dimensions is suitable. And for users who recharge their smartphone in order to "sit" in social networks a compact and less capacious option is suitable.

Don't buy models that offer high capacity in a compact package. These are gimmicks that are used to increase sales.

Peculiarities

Different Power Bank models may have their own characteristics.

1. Number of nests... Some models have multiple jacks for connecting two or more gadgets at the same time. In most cases, they have different outgoing currents: 1000 and 2000 mA for charging smartphones and tablets, respectively.
2. Cable with a set of adapters... Such devices are suitable for new, as well as for old smartphones that do not use Micro-USB or USB Type-C and other connectors.
3. External battery charging method... When buying an external battery, choose a model that charges via a Micro-USB socket. This will allow you to use a regular smartphone charger to charge it.
   There are Power Bank models with mounted on the case solar panels... Basically, they compensate for the effect of self-charging of batteries, but they will not be suitable for full charging of the external battery itself.
4. Battery level indication... The indicator will tell you how much energy is left in the external battery and when it needs to be connected to the mains for charging. This is a convenient option, but it affects the cost of the model.

The best choice

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 16000

The best choice!

The main advantage of the model is its excellent quality, high reliability and affordable cost. Thanks to metal case and a large battery capacity, you can easily charge the same gadget several times in a row (from 5 times or more).

The presence of two USB ports allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time, but their close location will not allow you to connect two massive plugs at the same time. In general, this is where the minuses of the model end, so it is the best choice for purchase.

Advantages

• frame;
• battery;
• battery level indicator;
• 2 USB ports;
• price;
• output current 2000 mA.

disadvantages

• location of USB ports.

TP-LINK TL-PB10400

Unfortunately, due to the large volume of the batteries, the battery case had to be made square, which is not always convenient in operation. In addition, it is made of plastic, albeit reliable. This reduced both the weight and the reliability of the Power Bank.

The current strength at the two outputs is different: 2000 and 1000 mA, so you can choose which device and where to connect.

The presence of two USB ports, a flashlight and a battery charging indicator allows you to operate the device comfortably and easily. Although the flashlight is of average quality.

Advantages

• battery;
• charge level indicator;
• 2 USB ports;
• Lantern;

disadvantages

• frame;
• Lantern.

Yoobao YB665

Price: 3,000 rubles.

Glossy plastic made the device stylish, but easily soiled, so it will need to be constantly wiped clean. Although the cost of Yoobao YB665 is quite high, the set of functions and reliability will allow it to be operated for a long time. In addition, the Power Bank comes with a charger and adapters for the iPhone.

Everyone calls this item differently, but they miss it equally when the battery is low and there is no outlet nearby. The arsenal of gadgets is now not limited to a smartphone, it often comes with wireless headphones, "Smart" watches, fitness bracelets, Bluetooth speakers ... Their owners have a particularly acute question of how to feed this whole menagerie. We tell you what external batteries differ from each other, how to choose the right one for you and how to use them correctly.

How much do your devices consume?

You need to start by answering exactly this question: after all, an amateur climber to shoot with a GoPro camera and edit video on a tablet in mountain hikes needs more energy than an office manager swimming with a player in a pool. For clarity, we present the average values ​​of the battery capacity for some types of devices:

action camera: 900 mAh;

wireless headphones: 150 mAh;

music player: 1800 mAh;

wireless speaker: 3000 mAh;

smartphone: 3000 mAh.

Taking these numbers as a basis, it is enough to remember which devices you use most often and plan to charge; get something like that: 1800 + 150 + 3000 = 4050mAh.

At first glance, this is the capacity that is needed in wireless charging to replenish the battery of all devices. In fact, it is advisable to multiply this number by another 20 percent in order to compensate for losses from heating, the effect of low temperatures outside and other factors. It turns out 5000 mAh.

The second characteristic that you need to pay attention to is output voltage and amperage. It is not necessary to remember physics, because most chargers have an output current of 1 A or 2.4 A. The more current (A), the better. After all, smart portable technology can limit the current to the desired value, but get more - no.

In general, portable chargers are divided into five conventional categories.

Pocket Assistants

How to calculate: capacity up to 3000 mAh

Such charges are a chic addition to the glove compartment of a car, a bag and a backpack, as well as an inner pocket of a skier's jacket. They are made, and they will help when you need to add a little charge on your smartphone or power up an action camera. You can choose a compact charger according to your liking in design, and it is not at all necessary to study the characteristics of the output current: often the real output current is 1 A, which means that the charging time will be about three hours.

Signature Redline R-2600 at 2600mAh with 1A current

Power bank can be safely charged for future use so that it lies just in case. The self-discharge of such devices is very slow, for a year your portable battery will sit only 10-15 percent.

Workers for every day

How to calculate: capacity about 5000 mAh

These daily charges are most often found in the hands of passers-by and in the interior of a car, where it is possible to recharge the battery from the cigarette lighter. Convenient, compact and effective assistants for active smartphone owners who are deprived of the opportunity to change the battery in non-separable device cases. And at the same time lovers of short trips and trips on their own. Such charges should be chosen according to the output current from 2.1 A, and also give preference - the coolest battery cells resemble thick batteries in shape.

Signature Huawei CP07 at 6700mAh with 2.4A current

Catering for a large company

How to calculate: capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 mAh

If you are a gadget lover and pay for purchases in a store not even with a smartphone, but with a watch, the collection of equipment can be fed with more powerful chargers. In this capacitive group, they have a strong output current, and even accelerated charging technologies, so the design and the number of ports for simultaneous feeding become the determining factor when choosing. Please note: the second USB output is often weaker than the first, so we recommend that you clarify this parameter in the specifications.

Ttec Powerslim 10,000 mAh with a current of 2.1 A

The accelerated charging technology significantly reduces the time to the cherished 100 percent on the smartphone battery. An hour, maximum one and a half - and the phone is completely ready for work. However, pay attention to what kind of accelerated charging technology your gadget supports. QuickCharge, SuperCharge, Adaptive Fast Charging - it's all different types that do not fit together. Thus, the smartphone can be quickly charged using SuperCharge (if it is Huawei P10), and Power Bank can support QuickCharge. In this case, it will be possible to power the gadget, but the charging time will be normal.

Pocket Power Station

How to calculate: for a capacity of 15,000-20,000 mAh

Many of these are ready to charge even MacBook 12 and other laptop models with a connector for USB charging Type-C. And at the same time, and distribute energy to several devices at once without power drops on one of the USB-outputs. These charging stations are good for everyone, but there is nothing to hide their size and weight. Such an ailment limits their scope of application, but if you need confidence in the operation of all equipment for a few days in advance, there is hardly anything comparable to them in terms of the effectiveness of the return.

InterStep PB16DQ 16,000 mAh @ 2.1 A

Wireless portable chargers

Attach your smartphone and see

More and more new smartphones are equipped with modules wireless charging Qi standard and analogs - for example, Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, iPhone 8, X. It is enough to put such smartphones on wireless charging, and the battery recharge will start automatically. No wires or confusion, because the technology is based on magnetic induction. Most of the smartphones that support wireless charging work just according to the Qi standard, and recently, fast ones that are suitable for them have begun to appear. When choosing such chargers, it is better to slightly increase the capacity margin in order to compensate for the loss of energy for such an effective transfer process. By the way, such chargers themselves can be charged from stationary sites.

Ferrari 10,000 mAh with Qi wireless charging

Instead of output

Deal with diversity portable chargers it is not difficult if you compare the vending model in terms of parameters and know what kind of capacity is required. Taking charge with a margin is impractical, because this will affect the convenience of carrying with you, without bringing much benefit. Having decided on the appearance and capacity, make sure that you have the necessary bonuses - wireless or fast charging, after which you can safely buy a convenient, practical and suitable device for you.

Contrary to popular belief, Power Bank does not damage your smartphone's battery. Just feeling that salvation is always at hand, owners of gadgets begin to use the device more actively, charge it more often, and thus generally increase the number of charging cycles, which is limited for each battery.

Every year new smartphones appear, more and more powerful and gluttonous. Innovations in the field of batteries are not yet foreseen, which means that the power bank (power bank, external battery, portable battery) remains the only way out for those who often live away from outlets.

What is the difference between external batteries

Portable power supplies, unlike the same smartphones and other types of advanced technology, cannot boast of a special variety. And this is quite logical. Batteries - These are batteries, but you still need to know a thing or two about them.

Capacity and accompanying dimensions

The most important parameter of an external battery is its capacity, which the manufacturer usually indicates in milliampere-hours (mAh). Roughly speaking, this is the amount of energy that a battery can store (but not transmit).

Please note: due to the fundamental laws of physics, no external battery can transfer 100% of the stored energy and no smartphone is able to fully absorb the energy received. Part of the resource is always lost during voltage conversion, and some is lost to heat.

On average, the cumulative losses range from 30 to 40%, although some (and usually more expensive) models of external batteries and smartphones can boast an efficiency of about 90%.

Thus, it is incorrect to determine the number of possible charges of a smartphone with a known capacity of the built-in battery from a powerbank with a known capacity using a simple division. The loss factor must be taken into account. Moreover, for reinsurance, it is better to take it at the upper limit, that is, at least 35%.

To put it simply, a powerbank with a declared capacity of 10,000 mAh in practice will transfer about 7,500 real mAh, which means that it will fully charge a smartphone with a battery with a capacity of 2,500 mAh, not four times, but only three times.

Please note that the above calculation is very average and quite optimistic. It is possible to check the real losses when charging a specific smartphone from a specific external battery only in practice.

In addition, physics obliges to draw a direct relationship between the capacity and mass of the power bank. To store more power, the battery needs to be heavier and larger.

Connectors

The vast majority of external batteries, and especially, are sold without cables. It is assumed that you will be using the cable that came with your smartphone. Accordingly, the connectors on the battery and the cable must match.

It may seem that you don't need to pay attention to the connectors, because all smartphones have the same cable with standard full-format USB on one end and microUSB on the other, but this is not the case.

For example, the bundled Nexus 5X cable has USB-C on both sides. And in order not to buy additional wires, you will have to look for an external battery with just such a connector, both output and input, or purchase an adapter.

Kanex GoPower Slim Aluminum USB-C

Some manufacturers, such as Motorola, include a plug with a non-removable cable in the package of certain smartphone models. In this case, the purchase of an additional cable is inevitable.

There are power banks with a built-in cable. In this case, it is important to make sure that the connector fits your smartphone.

EasyAcc iChoc 5000 mAh Ultra Slim

Power bank output current and fast charging

The external battery charges the smartphone, which is great. It's even better if he does it quickly, right? The charging speed depends on many parameters, but the determining factor is the output current of the powerbank. It should be no less than that provided by the smartphone manufacturer.

Finding the optimal amperage for your smartphone is easy. Take the plug that came with the device and look at the OUTPUT value.

Output current

It will say something like 5 V - 2 A. You need the number next to A because current is measured in amperes.

You can find out the output current of the powerbank in the description or instructions. If the external battery has more than one output connector, then the current strength is sometimes indicated directly on the case next to each connector.

HP 7 600 mAh Power Pack Slim Portable

If there are two or more connectors, remember that the total output current of the powerbank is limited. For example, a battery can have two outputs of 2.5 A each, but give a total of no more than 4 A. Accordingly, when two devices are connected at once, each of them can receive no more than 2 A.

If the output current of the external battery is less than that for which the smartphone is designed (for example, 1 A for a powerbank and 1.5 A for a smartphone), then charging will still occur, but noticeably slower.

There is no need to be afraid if the output current of the external battery is higher than that for which the mobile device is designed (for example, 2 A for a power bank and 1 A for a smartphone). Mobile devices have built-in protections that limit the incoming current to an acceptable value. Simply put, your smartphone won't explode or melt.

For the same reason, your mobile device will not charge faster if you use a plug or power bank with an output current higher than that specified by the manufacturer.

Let's say you find an external battery with a suitable output current strength, but the included plug will still charge your smartphone faster. What's the matter? Most likely, your smartphone supports some kind of accelerated charging technology like Quick Charge 3.0, Quick Charge 4.0, or a variant with its own name from a specific manufacturer (for example, mCharge from Meizu). Look for a power bank that is friendly with exactly the fast charging technology used in your smartphone.

Powerbanks with smart fast charging technologies like PowerIQ are gaining popularity. In theory, they recognize the device connected to them and supply the optimal current for it, but in practice this does not always work and not with all smartphone models.

External battery input current

No matter what capacious external battery you buy, its own energy supply will sooner or later be exhausted. It's nice when the powerbank charges your smartphone quickly, but it's even nicer if it charges quickly itself.

The charging speed of a powerbank is determined by its input current strength, voltage and the presence of one or another technology that provides more rapid replenishment of its own charge. There are now external batteries that can be fully charged in less than 30 minutes.

Please note: the powerbank's own charging speed does not affect the speed at which it charges the smartphone.

But lack of understanding of technology and gaps in knowledge of English can be confusing to the user. For example, you see a power bank that says something like 5 minutes charge. You might think that this miracle device charges your smartphone in 5 minutes, but in reality everything is different.

Let's say the capacity of a particular battery is 10,000 mAh and it is fully charged in 20 minutes. In this case, it will replenish approximately 2,500 mAh in 5 minutes. And this charge is really enough to charge a typical smartphone.

The problem is that the charging time of a smartphone is limited by its own maximum input amperage and the availability of support for one or another fast charging technology.

Simply put, the pretentious phrase 5 minutes charge actually means: "This powerbank needs 5 minutes to get the charge necessary for further full charging of the smartphone." Do not get caught up in marketing noodles and pump your technical literacy.

Best Power Banks

Lifehacker invites you to compile a top reader's powerbanks. Write in the comments the names and characteristics of the models that you use, and your opinion about them. If there is already a comment with your model, please add it and supplement it with your experience of use.

The models with the most pluses will be included in the Best Power Banks of 2017 selection, which we will publish.

Other guides for choosing a technique from Lifehacker.

How many times have you had to suffer from the discharge of your smartphone at the most inopportune moment? And if you need to call urgently or wait for an important message? It is good if there is an outlet or a computer nearby, from which you can quickly charge the device. But what if they are not there? The way out is to use an external battery (power bank). The Internet project "Be Mobile" has collected tips that will help you choose the best option for you.

First, let's define what an external battery is and what are its advantages. An external battery or Power Bank is a portable high-capacity lithium-ion battery from which you can charge a variety of mobile devices: phones, smartphones, tablets or electronic books... This battery is able to store energy within itself for a long time. You can take it with you to work, study, on a business trip or when traveling.

The portable charger can be made in various form factors with a plastic, polycarbonate or metal case. On sale you can find models in the form of boxes, bars, discs, cones and tubes of various colors.

Charges Power Bank from electrical network or from any device with a USB output (such as a computer or laptop).

All external batteries are equipped with one or more USB ports. Modern phones, smartphones or tablets can be charged using the USB cable, which in most cases is included with the device.

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The main parameter when choosing an external battery is energy capacity. Everything is simple and clear here. The larger the capacity, the more energy the device stores, and the more expensive it is. Capacity is measured in mAh - milliampere hours.

On sale at the present time you can find portable chargers with a capacity from several hundred milliampere hours to several tens of thousands. You can estimate the level of charge that you need, based on the battery capacity of your smartphone or tablet.

For example, in an average smartphone the battery has a capacity of 2,000 mAh, in productive and expensive models - from 2,500 to 3,000 mAh. This means that a fully charged 5000 mAh external battery will last for 2-2.5 charging cycles. A fully charged 10,000 mAh external battery will last for 4-5 cycles. If portable charging is necessary for a tablet, then you should choose from models with a larger capacity, for example, 20 or 30 thousand mAh.

Portable power supplies currently available use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Depending on the type and design option, the nominal output voltage of the battery can be different (3.7, 4.2 or 7.4 V), while the standard voltage of the USB bus power is 5 V direct current... Obviously, in this case, a 2000 mAh battery with rated voltage 3.7 V, even under ideal conditions, will not work even one and a half hours when powered by an external load connected via USB bus and consuming a current of 1 A. In addition, the amount of electricity that can be stored rechargeable batteries having the same capacitance but different voltages will differ.

Tip 2: look at the amperage, it affects the charging speed

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Another factor that affects the charging speed is the amperage. The more amperes, the faster the charging speed. For phones and smartphones, this figure should be at least 1 ampere. Otherwise, the process itself will be extremely slow. It will take 3 or 4 times longer to fully charge than from the mains.

For tablets, devices with amperage from 3 A will be preferable. Ideal option is 4 A.

Advice 3: trust, but verify, because the declared capacity does not always coincide with the real one

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One more important point- the real capacity of the Power Bank. The fact is that many manufacturers embellish the performance of their products. Of the 50 models of portable chargers that came to us for testing over the past year, 46 had a capacity significantly less than stated. On average, the difference was 25%.

For example, the manufacturer indicated that the external battery has a capacity of 10,000 mAh, but in reality - 7,800 mAh. The difference is related both to the dishonesty of the developers and to improper storage of batteries during transportation and subsequent sale.

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The real capacity is also affected by such an indicator as self-discharge.

On average, external batteries with a full charge are discharged by 5% within two weeks. This should be taken into account if you do not use the Power Bank for a long time. To activate electrolytic reactions, you should put the device on recharging before use.

Take into account the fact that the capacity of the battery will decrease over time. Our measurements show that with active use, a high-quality battery loses its capacity by 15% per year, the most cheap models - 35%.

Almost all Power Banks use LED indicators to monitor the charge level. And some external batteries are equipped with LED displays that show the exact state of charge as a percentage.

Tip 5: choose a power bank with multiple USB ports to charge your friends' smartphones at the same time

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Some models of portable chargers have several USB ports to connect two, three or even more at once mobile devices... This option is suitable for simultaneous recharging, for example, when you go on a trip with friends. It's comfortable. All of you can charge your phones, smartphones and even tablets together.

Often you ask us where you can guarantee to buy a cheap high-quality external battery. We cannot give a definite answer. Of course, the reliability of the purchase in a large Russian online store or in retail network higher, but prices are higher there. It is worth remembering that little-known Chinese sellers have a peculiarity: they can cheat. Their external batteries are much cheaper than branded counterparts, they often indicate the volume 2 or 3 times higher than the real one. Too low a price can be a trap. Although branded Power Banks in such stores can be fakes.

Compact

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If you need compactness, you can pay attention to ergonomic models, for example, Anker Astro E1. Such a battery does not take up much space in your bag or pocket.

Universal

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The ideal option would be batteries with a capacity of about 10,000 mAh. This is about three times more than the battery of a modern smartphone, which means that even taking into account the loss of energy during recharging, it will be enough to fully restore the gadget's charge several times. A qualitative example of such a power bank is the Anker PowerCore 10400 mAh model.

Another option for a high-quality external battery with universal functionality is the Aukey PB-N42 10000 mAh.

Supports fast and wireless charging

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If universal options are not your option, then you should pay attention to models with additional functions... For example, a power bank with support for fast charging will be able to charge compatible gadgets much faster than usual. If the battery is capable of delivering stably high current(about 2A), then even without fast charging support, your gadgets will charge stably and relatively quickly.

Among the recommended by us is an external battery Baseus Wireless Charge Power Bank for 8000 mAh. Its main feature is the presence of wireless charging of the Qi standard. That is, to charge a smartphone, you do not need to connect a wire to it, just put it on an external battery and that's it. Charging is on. In addition to wireless charging with a current of 1A, the device supports a wired USB connection of two compatible devices, while the output current to the USB connectors is 2A.

A good option for iPhone is the Zikko PowerBag 6000 mAh external battery. The main difference from popular external battery Xiaomi is MFI certified, meaning the battery is compatible with all Apple devices. The device supports fast charging- the output current to the USB connectors is 2.4 A. In order to track the capacity of the battery, there are special LED indicators on the end. A nice bonus - the smartphone is connected to the battery via the included Lightning cable.

Record-breaking capacity

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If you are looking for a strategic energy reserve, check out the 26,000 mAh HyperJuice AC Battery Pack. This giant can quickly charge absolutely any device, including a tablet, other portable equipment and even a laptop. There are 2 USB downstream connectors here. One provides a maximum charge power of 3A at a voltage of 5W, and the other provides a current of 2.4 A. A pleasant bonus is the ability to provide 220W power to any electrical appliances with a power consumption of up to 100 W. You can connect a laptop, flashlight and even a blender to such a battery.

HyperJuice AC Battery Pack is made of aluminum alloy, which perfectly protects the device from external mechanical influences.

We hope that our tips will help you buy a truly high-quality external battery and charge your phone, smartphone, laptop or e-book without any problems.