Category: India-Specific

  • Best trimmers for men in India 2021

    Best trimmers for men in India 2021

    Due to the corona virus lockdown most of us men have grown a majestic long beard, but the long beard might not seem so-majestic to some eyes. Probably you like a clean trimmed look that can flatter women at first sight or you just want to be perfectly groomed then a beard trimmer is a must have grooming accessory for you! A trimmer allows you to style and shape your beard according to your will. Whether you want a Santa Claus look or a clean shaped executive look a trimmer will aid you to tame those wild beard hair!

    Although trimming your hair might seem an absolute humongous task, it’s pretty easy and fun once you get used to it. Apart from using beard oils and other ointments to keep your beard healthy, a good trimmer is necessary to keep your beard in great shape. However finding a good beard trimmer that fits all your needs is easier said than done! Many new competitors jumped into the market seeing the sudden increase in demand in the past few months, which has overflowed the market. But worry not! We at Techoids have searched the market and curated a list of top trimmers that you can buy in India right now!

     

    Things to look out for before buying a trimmer

     

    • Type of trimmer

    Trimmers usually can be categorized into foil trimmers or rotary trimmers. Foil trimmers are the ones which have a set of moving blades behind a film of foil. These types of trimmers are easy to use and clean. You can use them to create fine line boundaries as they operate in either vertical or horizontal direction. But they can sometimes be noisy to work with.
    The rotary trimmers are the ones where you can find three heads which have the rotating blades. You can use these in any direction to get an even look from all sides. But these are slightly difficult to clean and repair if damaged. 

    • Build quality

    A good build quality is necessary to ensure a long lifetime as well as a firm grip on the trimmer. Go for a trimmer that has a sturdy body(if possible go for a stainless steel body) and a firm grip.

    • Battery

    Most of the trimmers have a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can provide a runtime of 60-90 minutes. Trimmers can take upto 6-9 hours of charging to top up. You can even find models with quick charging features that can give you enough juice to do a quick trim just in 10-15 minutes of charging.

    Some trimmers also come in corded variants where you need to keep the trimmer plugged in order to use it. Go for a model that can be used as both corded and cordless devices if possible. 

    • Trimmer length settings

    Trimmer length setting determines the remaining hair length after the trimming. The length settings can range from 1mm to 20mm depending upon the trimmer. Some trimmer go further beyond this range to ensure proper hair trimming as well as proper facial hair trimming. Make sure to pick a trimmer that gives you a proper control over the lengths. 

    • Blade material

    You can find trimmers with either titanium blades or stainless steel blades. Titanium blades last a little longer than the stainless steel ones because of the coating (they are coated with titanium nitrate). But the inclusion of titanium blades will surely bump up the price of the trimmer.

    • Brand

    Due to the increase in demand, the past few months have seen a surge of new competitors jumping into the trimmer market. Most of these are just cheap knockoffs and should be avoided. Make sure to opt for well recognized brands such as Philips, Syska or Panasonic. 

    • Warranty

    If you go for a branded trimmer it should guarantee a long period of working, but still it is an electronic device and is prone to malfunctioning. So it is always advised to go for a trimmer with a warranty period. These branded manufacturers will offer several years of warranty and as well great after sales assistance.

    • IPX rating

    Ipx rating denotes the device’s resistance against factors like water, dust etc. IP stands for Ingress protection and the X after IP denotes that the product is water resistant. There are various levels of protection from 0 to 8 against the ingress of solid particles. If the number after IP is 7 then it denotes complete protection from water submersion up to 1meter of depth. Greater the IPX rating, greater the resistance.

      IPX0-  Zero/ no protection

      IPX1-  Protects against Dripping water

      IPX2-  Protects against vertically dripping water

      IPX3-  Protects against sprays up to 60°

      IPX4-  Protects against splashing water

      IPX5-  Protects against water jets

      IPX6-  Protects against powerful water jets

      IPX7-  Protects in water up to 3 feet.

      IPX8-  Protects when immersed in water over 3 feet

     

    1. Philips QP2525/10 OneBlade Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver

    A shaver and a trimmer as well!

    Philips is one of the go to names for personal grooming products. Over the years they have built a great reputation and a solid customer base with their products. Philips QP2525 is a two in one device that works great for trimming and shaving as well. It has three length settings 1-4mm with a precision of 1 mm. You have to attach the clips in order to get the length that you desire. The trimmer is waterproof so it can be used in wet or dry situations. The trimmer uses one blade technology that allows for twin heads on a single blade. This ensures extra control and comfort for the user. You have to charge the trimmer for up to 8 hours to get a runtime of up to 45 minutes. It has a compact and well designed body that will last you years even after extensive use.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use 
    • Charge time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range: 1 – 4 mm
    • Length settings: 3 (1mm precision)
    • Price: ₹1,745.00

    PROS:

    • Waterproof body
    • Compact design
    • Durable dual-sided blades.

    CONS:

    • Blades need to be replaced from time to time
    • Needs 8 hours for full charge.

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x Replacement blade 
    • 3 x trimming combs
    • 1 x AC adaptor,
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card

     

    2. MI Cordless Beard Trimmer 1C

    Best budget pick!

    Xiaomi recently jumped into the trimmer market with their new device called Mi 1c. Mi 1c offers 20 length settings ranging from 0.5mm-10mm. It has a nice control wheel that you can use to set the lengths. The trimmer comes with a 600mAh rechargeable battery which can provide a run time of 60 minutes with a single charge. It has an impressive charging time of just 2 hours to top up the device. The micro USB port at the bottom can be used for charging, it also has three LED lights at the bottom to indicate the remaining charge. The whole trimmer is made out of high quality plastic with a solid body and a matte finish which gives it a premium look. Overall the MI 1c is value for money and well worth buying.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time: Up to 60 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 10 mm
    • Length setting: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,099.00

    PROS:

    • Great battery life and charging time
    • Premium look

    CONS:

    • Not fully waterproof
    • Only works cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x travel pouch
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    3. Mi Corded & Cordless Beard Trimmer 

    The best overall!

    This device paved Xiaomi’s way into the trimmer market. Being  a predecessor to the great MI 1c it shares the same design and look. It has 40 length settings with a range of 0.5-20 mm and a precision of 0.5 mm. You can use the wheel on the front to adjust the length settings. The trimmer has a stainless steel blade that ensures a comfortable experience. You can use the trimmer for about 90 minutes with a full charge of 2 hours. There’s a micro USB port at the bottom of the trimmer to plug the power in. The led indicators at the bottom denote the remaining charge in the trimmer.  You can use the device corded as well as cordless. It’s compact and easy to carry making it perfect for travel. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: 214 g
    • Running time: Up to 90 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,499.00

    PROS:

    • IPX7 waterproof design.
    • quick charge option.
    • 40 length settings with 0.5mm precision.

    CONS:

    • The adaptor is not included in the box.

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x travel pouch
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    4. Nova NHT 1076 Cordless: 30 Minutes Runtime Trimmer

    A super affordable pick!

    Nova NHT 1076 is a super affordable trimmer specifically designed for Indian consumers. It has 4 length settings ranging from 0.5mm – 9mm with a precision of 0.5mm. You can use the three clip attachments to adjust the trimming length. The trimmer is designed to provide grooming for beard, moustache as well as body hair. It  is rated IPX7 so it is water resistant. The body is made up of fiber and feels extremely durable and great to hold. The blades are made of stainless steel which provide precise cuts and are not easily rusted. The trimmer provides upto 30 minutes of runtime at a full charge of 10 hours which is pretty decent considering the price range. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 350 g
    • Running time: Up to 30 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 10 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 9 mm
    • Length settings: 4 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 469.00

    PROS:

    • Has a Safety Lock feature
    • hard blades

    CONS:

    • Long charging time
    • Only works cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 3 x trimming combs (3mm, 6mm, 9mm)
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x oil can
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    5. Syska HT200 PRO BeardPro Trimmer

    An affordable robust trimmer!

    Syska’s HT200 is another budget pick on the list that helps you to get the job done without emphasizing on fancy features. HT200 has 10 length settings ranging from 0.5mm – 10mm with a precision of 0.5mm, which is great considering the price range. It has self sharpening stainless steel blades that give you a precise and accurate experience on every single use. You can use it for 45 minutes with a full charge of about 6 hours. You can charge by using the micro USB port at the bottom. HT200 pro has an ergonomic design that provides a great grip on the trimmer. Overall HT200 is a good pick if you are bound by the budget. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 210 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 6 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 10 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 728.00

    PROS:

    • Robust design with a firm grip
    • Travel & Child lock

    CONS:

    • decent battery life
    • A little noisy to work with

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x stubble combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    6. Realme RMH2017 Beard Trimmer

    A new competitor!

    Realme recently entered the trimmer market with RMH2016. The trimmer has a minimalist premium look with a matte texture. It comes with two combs(10mm and 20mm) and has 40 levels of length settings with a precision of 0.5mm. The trimmer is rated IPX7 and is completely water resistant. It has a stainless steel blade which will last a long time without rusting. The 800mAH battery provides up to 120 minutes of runtime with a full charge of just 2 hours. This quick charging feature is possible due to the USB c charging port at the bottom. It also has a LED to indicate the remaining battery in the trimmer. Even though its Realme first experience in the trimmer market, the RMH2017 gives a tough competition to the other trimmers in the market!

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 182 g
    • Running time: Up to 120 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,299.00

    PROS:

    • Type C charging port
    • Stylish & Premium Look with good build quality
    • Great battery performance
    • IPX7 rated

    CONS:

    • Poor reverse trimming 

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x USB cable
    • 1 x oil bottle
    • 1 x sack
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    7. Syska UltraTrim HT700 Beard Trimmer

    A great trimmer with a stylish body!

    Syska Ultratrim HT700 is a great beard trimmer from the renowned Syska manufacturers. The trimmer has 20 length settings ranging from 1-10mm with a precision of 0.5 mm. You can adjust the built in stubble comb with the wheel in the front to get the desired length setting. The device has a great red and black colored design with a firm grip, it also comes in an all black variant as well. You can use it for around 45 minutes with a full charge of 8 hours. The charging indicator at the bottom turns red when the device is low on power. The trimmer is easy to clean as the stubble comb comes off easily. Overall the trimmer is a really good looking option with a decent battery and a satisfying performance.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 240 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 1 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,070.00

    PROS:

    • Colored indicators
    • Stainless steel self sharpening blades

    CONS:

    • Poor battery backup
    • Only work cordless

     

    8. Philips BT1212/15 

     

    An affordable Philips product!

    Philips BT1212/15 is no different than other great Philips products in terms of quality and durability. The trimmer comes with a set of three adjustable stubble combs with lengths of 1 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm. It has a great ergonomic design with a firm grip, which significantly improves handling. It has an all plastic body which is decent when compared to other devices in the same price range. The blades are made of stainless steel and have rounded tips for a smooth skin friendly experience. The BT1212/15 can give up to 30 minutes of use with a full charge of 8 hours. Overall the BT1212/15 is a good affordable choice for daily use. Even though the 4 length settings don’t offer a lot of flexibility, they still get the job done. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time : Up to 30 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 1 – 7 mm
    • Length settings: 4
    • Price: ₹ 831.00

    PROS:

    • Easy to clean
    • Powerful and sturdy
    • Good plastic body

    CONS:

    • Only 3 length settings
    • Takes 8 hours to charge fully

    INTHE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 3 x trimming combs
    • 1 x usb charging cable
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    9. Lifelong LLPCM05 Cordless Beard Trimmer

    A budget pick with a great run time!

    Lifelong LLPCM05 is another great affordable trimmer available in the market right now. It comes with a detachable adjustable stubble comb that gives you control over 20 length settings ranging from 0.4 mm – 10 mm with a precision of 0.5 mm. It comes with stainless steel blades that give precise cuts and are also detachable, so you can easily clean the head. The trimmer has a great run time of 50 minutes with a full charge of 8 hours, which is unparalleled in this price range! It also has a small indicator at the bottom to show the current battery level. Overall lifelong LLPCM05 is a great looking trimmer with an absolutely unparalleled run time.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 200 g
    • Running time : Up to 50 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 0.4 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 599.00

    PROS:

    • Detachable head 
    • Trimmer is gentle and smooth
    • Lowest level of precision cut (0.4) is provided by a trimmer

    CONS:

    • Only dry cut is possible
    • Only work cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x USB charging cable
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    10. VEGA Men X1 Beard Trimmer For Men 

    A great portable pick!


    Vega X1 is a recent entry in the trimmer market, but still gives a tough competition to the likes of MI and realme. The trimmer has a designer body with a camo imprint. The body is similar to what you would find in a MI trimmer.  It has 40 length settings ranging from 0.5 mm – 20 mm with a precision of 0.5 mm, so you get a lot of control over the trimming range. The trimmer is waterproof with a IPX7 rating, the body is fully washable making it easy to clean after use. You can use the trimmer for over 90 minutes with just a charge of 90 minutes. The quick charging feature allows you to use the trimmer for about 10 minutes with a charge of just 5 minutes when in a hurry. Another great feature of vega X1 is that you can use it cordless as well as when plugged in!

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 270 g
    • Running time : Up to 90 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 90 minutes
    • Trimming Range 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,075.00

    PROS:

    • Great battery performance
    • The trimmer is waterproof (IPX 7)
    • Corded and cordless use

    CONS:

    • one of adjustable clips quality is not up to the mark

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x cleaning oil
    • 1 x USB charging
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

     

    1. What is the difference between a trimmer and a shaver?

    Trimmers are devices that “trim” your hair. Trimmers consist of 2 or more sliding blades that are used to trim the hair. When your hair is passed through the blades, they get cut but not completely.

    Shavers are devices that shave the face. Unlike trimmers, shavers take 100% hair off the face. Since shavers get you a clean look, the blades have to come in contact with your skin one way or another. Over time, this can lead to skin hardening, and some people also feel skin irritation when they first start using electric shavers.

     

    2. What should i buy, a trimmer or a shaver?

    When you trim you remove a few centimeters/inches or lesser right from the ends. This helps in ensuring that hair/beard etc. are maintained well with no loose or unruly ends. Trimming helps with split ends too.

    When you shave, you cut the hair as close to the skin as possible. In fact, shaved hair will look non-existent for a few days depending on your hair growth speed.

    In either case, the hair is not removed right from the roots. That is called epilation. Shaving and trimming help in maintaining a certain look. Let’s assume you want to keep a small stubble on your face instead of a beard. In that case, you will trim as you shorten the hair length significantly. However, if you want to be clean shaven, you will shave your hair which will expose the skin and remove the hair as well.

     

    3. How much money should we spend on a trimmer?

    If it’s for personal use then not more than Rs.1399. A product from MI or realme should suffice your needs of daily usage and both of them fall under the range of Rs.2000. If you are going to use the trimmer for professional purposes go for brands like wahl which provide premium features but at an expensive rate.

     

    4. Which is better, the Xiaomi Trimmer or the Philips Trimmer?

    As Philips is more trustworthy due to its good build quality, and it is also serving its customers from a long time.

    Xiaomi provides you cordless experience as well as corded trimming, whereas Philips only provides you a cordless experience .

    Xiaomi may be ahead of Philips if budget is your concern. But if you really want something durable and best, Go for Philips.

     

    5. Can a beard trimmer be packed in airplane carry-on luggage?

    Beard trimmers are easy to pack and can be carried on the plane relatively easily. Though it is not on the ban list of custom items, it is a must that you carry the branded trimmers only.

     

    6. What is the risk of HIV transmission through a trimmer cut at a barber shop?

    There is hardly any risk of HIV transmission through razor cut at barber shops. HIV virus, once exposed to air, dies immediately. It can’t survive outside the human body. Otherwise, it requires some protected environment like the barrel of a syringe. For HIV virus to be transmitted, it should directly get into someone’s blood stream. In a barber shop, even if there is some contaminated blood on the razor, by the time it’s used on the next customer, the blood would have dried up and the virus died. Nowadays, I see barbers cleaning their razor with disinfectants before using it on a new customer. So, there’s nothing to worry about.

     

    7. Can a trimmer give a clean shave?

    Not as clean as a razor, a person would be able to notice the difference only if they are standing right in front of you. A slight stubble can be felt when you place your palm on your cheek when you use a trimmer or even an electric shaver in comparison to the razor. But the difference can only be felt if you have thick facial hair. If you’re someone with little facial hair there isn’t really going to be any difference . If you feel you don’t have the technique required for the razor and want to avoid cuts then use the trimmer/shaver.

     

    8. How do I maintain my trimmer?

    You should always clean your trimmer after every use to ensure proper hygiene. Most of the trimmers come with a detachable head, you can just remove the head and clean the blades with water. Make sure to check if the trimmer is fully water resistant or if just the head is water resistant.  After washing make sure to clean the blades with a dry cloth as the blades can rust if the water is just left on them.

     

    9. Should I go for a rotary trimmer or a foil trimmer?

    The decision depends upon your usage. Foil trimmer work exclusively in vertical or horizontal directions, you can use them to create fine boundaries alongside your beard. You can also use these trimmers to trim your moustache properly as it can remove the excess hair growing alongside your lip line giving you a better shape. Whereas the rotary trimmer can work in all direction but they cannot be used to create fine boundaries, you can use these type of trimmers for daily use where you just want to trim your hair without worrying about the boundaries.

     

    10. Can the blades cut your skin?

    The blades are covered by a foil, you hair enters the foil and gets cut so there is not contact between your skin and the trimmers. But if the blades get misaligned due to any damage or a fall there are chances that they might nick your skin. So it is always advisable to check the alignment of the blades prior using the trimmer.

     

    11. How can i stop the blades from corroding?

    Always store your trimmer in low humidity environment. After cleaning the trimmer blades make sure to dry them before putting them away. Make sure to clean the blades after every single use as the dirt particles or moisture if left on the trimmer can reduce its life expectancy. While the stainless steel blades on most of the trimmers won’t get corroded easily, it is still recommended to maintain the blades properly as they are still prone to corrosion. You can also opt for titanium blades that have a longer life expectancy than the stainless steel blades as they are coated with titanium nitrate.

     

    12. What is length setting in trimmer?

    The length setting on your trimmer is indicated by a figure on the comb or the dial. This figure represents the remaining hair length after grooming. This can be the hair length in mm or inches, or a setting. 

     

    13. In a trimmer clip, what does a 3mm or a 9mm mean? Which will cut a beard completely?

    Everyone wants the perfect beard and for that, the prime and most important things that need to keep in mind is to choose the perfect beard clip length before starting off. There are commonly three beard lengths and they are short beard, medium-length beard, long beard. There are different range of men’s beard trimmer clips that we get with beard trimmers. Usually, we will find trimmers from 1mm to 10mm but some trimmers like Panasonic ER207 have the range of 2mm to 18mm which could give as much as an option to the user.

     

    14. How long do electric trimmers last?

    Around 4 years for a residential trimmer having a reliable brand like Philips or Syska which usually come with a warranty of 1-2 years. 15-20 years for a commercial one used in a residential setting.

     

     

    CONCLUSION

    There you have it! We listed top ten trimmers from the market that you can buy right now. If you are still confused on what to buy, here’s a quick rundown of our favourite picks. 

    MI 1c fits all of the needs, whether you want a trimmer to try out different styles for your beard or you just need a trimmer to keep your beard in best shape MI 1c got you covered! also it has a small form factor so it is super easy to carry around.  Being a MI product and that too a recent one, you can expect great customer service and quick response to your queries. The product also has a 1 year warranty.

    If you add a few more bucks to your budget, you can go for the realme trimmer. Compared to the MI trimmer the realme trimmer has a better runtime of 120 minutes with a charge of just 2 hours. You also get more length settings to work with. The realme trimmer is great if you want that extra precision with the 40 length settings.

    If you are bound by budget and want a trimmer to just get the job done, you can go for Lifelong LLPCM05. The runtime of lifelong LLPCM05 is unparalleled if compared to other products in the same range.  You even get a wide array of length settings to work with that too at a budget friendly price.

  • Best mechanical keyboards in india 2021

    Best mechanical keyboards in india 2021

    When a casual computer user hears the words mechanical keyboards all they can imagine is CLICK! CLAK! CLICK CLICK! But they are more than just those satisfying mechanical sounds! Mechanical keyboards are high performance keyboards which have switches under the keys, this allows for tactile and accurate audio feedback. The high quality of these keyboards also stems from their durability and construction. 

    If you spend most of your time coding, gaming or typing, a mechanical keyboard will be a heaven sent item for you. These keyboards offer a high level of personalization, customizable RGB lights, custom keymapping, you can even swap individual keys!

    Doesn’t matter if you are finding a partner for those tense gaming sessions or your ultimate coding buddy, this guide will surely be useful in your pursuit! So dive in!

     

    Membrane vs mechanical keyboards

     

    Membrane keyboards are the most common and affordable keyboards in the market. The reason behind their popularity is their cheap price range. These are mainly bundled with pc builds and cheap laptops.

    It has a 3 layer design. The first layer is called the top membrane layer; it has a conductive trace underneath it. Once the key is pressed it moves through the second layer which is made up of holes(holes layer) and makes contact with the bottom membrane layer which completes the circuit and a signal specifying the key pressed is sent out. 

     

     

    Pros:

    1. Quiet as compared to the mechanical keyboards
    2. Is portable
    3. Is affordable for most of the people

    Cons:

    1. There is no feedback
    2. Pressing the keys partially will not register the keys
    3. It has a shorter lifespan as compared to the mechanical keyboards
    4. It is difficult to clean

     

    Mechanical keyboards unlike membrane keyboards have actual switches underneath the keys. There are a plethora of different switches available for mechanical keyboards each of which has a different travel and response time. The most common of these switches are the Cherry MX.

    The keys on mechanical keyboards have a more of a tactile feel and provide audio feedback. The accompanying switches are made to last upto 50 million keystrokes whereas the membrane switches typically last up-to 5-10 million keystrokes.

     

    Pros:

    1. Highly customizable design
    2. durable
    3. gives tactile feedback
    4. Easy to clean

    Cons:

    1. More expensive than membrane keyboards.
    2. The audio feedback may annoy some people
    3. Heavy

     

    Under the hood it’s all about switches

     

    Mechanical keyboards have actual switches underneath every key which handle the activation of keystrokes. Each of these keys and switches are customizable and can be replaced with a personalized choice.

    Every key switch is made up of multiple components, let’s take a quick look at these components:

    1.Upper housing

    Upper housing or keycap is the top most component that you will be making contact with. It is not a part of the switch but it still helps in generating the audio feedback when the key is bottomed out.

    2.Switching stem

    The actuation and travel distance of the switch depends upon the type of stem. It is the component that determines the switch type and gives it the tactile, clicky or linear feel.

    3.Gold cross point contact

    Gold cross point is a metal contact that registers the actual keystroke. When the key is pressed the contact mechanism closes the circuit and registers a keystroke. It is sometimes made up of gold to provide better conductivity.

    4.Precision coil spring

    The coil spring determines the amount of force required to actuate the key. Depending upon the key the resistance provided by the spring will be different. It also pushes the key back to its original position after the key is pressed.

    5.Base housing

    This is where the switch is mounted. It is attached to the PCB.

     

    Due to copyright and patent issues Cherry was the only brand making switches for mechanical keyboards. Now that their patent has expired a number of manufacturers have popped up offering comparable switches.

    Key switches like Cherry MX are mostly labelled by color like ‘blue’, ‘brown’ or ‘red’. Each color signifies a different type of switch which are either linear, tactile or clicky.

     

    Brown switches: Light tactile switches

     

     

    Brown switches offer a tactile bump halfway through the keypress. It sort of turns into a linear action after the bump at the top. This little bump at the top is what earns the title ‘tactile’. Even though these switches have that tactile feel they often lack proper audio feedback. 

    They have a softer click and require less power to press down. These are mostly preferred by gamers and typists who like to have good tactical feedback.

    Eg. Cherry MX brown switches

     

    Blue switches: Clicky switches 

     

    The blue switches are similar to tactile brown switches but offer a loud sound after the initial bump. These are suitable for the people who need reassuring feedback from the key after the key is registered. They bump around with audio feedback which is pretty satisfying. The sound can be annoying to people around you though!

    Eg. Cherry MX blue switches

     

    Red switches: linear switches

     

    The linear switch has the simplest mechanism among all the others, the stem moves up and down registering every stroke without bumping anywhere. These switches allow for fast and unambiguous control over the strokes.

    Eg. Cherry MX Red switches

     

    Nowadays due to the popularity of mechanical keyboards the market has seen the genesis of a bunch of new switch manufacturers, but still Cherry MX switches guard their position on top being the most popular one.

    Some of the other fine switches include topre, razer and kailh, each one of them has a different feel and personality.

     

    Keycaps

     

    With mechanical keyboards you can customize every key on the keyboard including their keycaps! You can easily swap out one keyset with another and give your keyboard a whole different look. 

    While choosing a keyset you should check the keycap material, thickness, profile and the design and choose what best fits your needs.

     

    Keycap material

     

    Keycaps mainly come in two different types of materials, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Both of which are just fancy names for plastic! But both of them have a different feel, sound and look.

    ABS caps are the most common one as they are the cheaper ones between the two. They develop a greasy or glossy look after some time and are smooth to work with.

    Whereas the PBT caps are higher quality than ABS caps and have a long lasting textured feel to them. These are used in keyboards where audio feedback is the priority as they produce a better sound than ABS due to their thick nature.

    But in the end it comes down to priority, some people like the glossy look and feel while some prefer the textured one, choose away!

    Keep in mind that if you have a backlit keyboard you might need something called Doubleshot keycaps or pudding keycaps. The normal keycaps might block the light coming from the keyboard, for this special type of keycaps are used. 

    Doubleshot keycaps are formed by injection moulding using two separate plastics. This allows the light to shine through the markings on the keycaps. This makes the keycaps nicer and easier to read

    Pudding keycaps are similar to doubleshot keycaps but they also allow light to shine through the sides. This allows for a really cool looking setup.

     

    Keycap profile

     

    Once you are done with choosing the material next up is choosing the profile, which is a little complicated.

    The keycap profile is the overall shape and design of the keycap. Some are flat, some are rounded, there are many options to choose from.

    Every profile has a distinct design where different rows of keys are given a different height to provide maximum convenience. Having different heights and design also helps the keyboard to become more portable and compact.

    Here are some of the most common keycap profiles

    Finding the best keycap profile is just a matter of preference. The sculpted variants like Cherry and SA are easier to work with while typing because they are designed to be in perfect reach of your fingers. But at the end of the day typing with sculpted keycaps might feel weird and may hinder your typing speed. So use what you are already familiar with, what your muscle memory is comfortable with.

     

    The mechanical keyboard lingo!

     

    Clicky

    Clicky is the term used to refer to the sound that the mechanical keys make when they are pressed to the actuation point.

    Debounce

    Debounce is basically a technique used to ensure that a key doesn’t register an input twice when pressed. So if a switch is debounced it is registering multiple inputs with a single click.

    Housing

    Housing refers to the component that actually holds all of the other components of a switch inside a key.

    Actuation point

    Actuation point is the point in a switch till where a switch needs to be pressed in order to send out an input signal.

    Hysteresis

    Hysteresis refers to a situation where the release point of the key switch is higher than the actuation point. This makes it difficult to hit the same key in succession.

    Linear

    Linear refers to the switches that provide no tactile or audible feedback. Their stem moves between the actuation point and its original position without any obtrusion.

    Stem

    Stem is the component of the switch on which the keycap is mounted on.

    Switch

    Switch is the component in the mechanical keyboards lying underneath every keycap that handles the actuation of the keys.

    Tactile

    Tactile refers to the switches that provide bump or tactile feedback on the actuation of the key.

    Tenkeyless

    Tenkeyless refers to a full sized keyboard layout without a number pad. 

    Tenkey

    TenKey refers to a full sized keyboard layout with a number pad. 

    60% keys

    60% keys refer to a keyboard layout with 60-61 keys with no function row.

    65%/70% keys

    65%/70% keys refer to a miniature keyboard layout with arrow keys and a total of 66keys.

    75% keys

    75% keys refer to a miniature keyboard layout with function keys.

     

    Here’s the list of some of the best mechanical keyboards in India. jump in!

    1. Corsair k95

    Switch: Cherry MX speed, Cherry MX brown

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.32 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable magnetic

    Price: ₹ 17,099

    Corsair k95 is an amazing mechanical keyboard that performs well both as a general purpose keyboard and a gaming keyboard. It comes in two variants one with the Cherry MX speed switches which are linear switches and another one with Cherry MX brown switches which are the tactile variant. Depending upon your taste and feel you can go with either of them. 

    A great feature that Corsair k95 has are its macro keys. It has 6 programmable macro keys lined along the left side of the board. They are in easy reach of the left hand, they can be programmed by using the iCUE app. It also has media control keys on top right of the keyboard for quick access to start, pause, forward/backward and stop commands. Not only that it even has a volume control wheel!

    The build quality is great, having a top aluminium plate with a good plastic base. The only region that it lacks in are the keycaps. The keycaps are made with ABS that might feel a little cheap.

    The keyboards backlighting is amazing, each key is lit separately. You can control the brightness of the lights directly on the board.

    ✔️ dedicated macro keys and media keys

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ❌ Not a lot of switch options

     

    2. SteelSeries Apex 7 Tkl Compac

    Switch: SteelSeries Red, SteelSeries Brown, SteelSeries Blue

    Size: TenKeyLess

    Weight: 771.11 Grams

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable magnetic

    Price: ₹ 21,939

    SteelSeries Apex 7 is a great TenKeyLess Keyboard with exceptional features and great companion software. It even has a small oled screen that can be used to tweak settings without closing the opened software. It comes in three variants having different switches, linear SteelSeries Red, tactile SteelSeries Brown, clicky SteelSeries Blue.

    Most of the keyboard is made up of plastic but has an aluminum top that gives it some rigidity. Being a TenKeyLess keyboard it is pretty compact, but can get pretty hefty when attached with a wrist rest. The keycaps are doubleshot made with abs.

    It has full RGB lighting that can be customised by using the SteelSeries’ engine software. They work great in dark rooms as the backlighting is really good.

    SteelSeries Apex 7 has dedicated media controls and are programmable through the SteelSeries’ engine software. The oled screen on the keyboard can be used to tweak settings while in-game and can also be used to display custom messages. The volume wheel can be used for navigation in the oled screen.

    ✔️ Great companion software

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ✔️ Handy oled screen

     

    3. Corsair k70 MK.2

    Switch: Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Silent Red, Cherry MX Speed

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.2 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 10,899

    Corsair k70 MK.2 is a versatile keyboard great for both gaming  and typing. The reason behind this versatility is the range of switches that it is available with. It is compatible with Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Silent Red, Cherry MX Speed, this encompasses all the styles and feels.

    Corsair k70 MK.2 is a full sized keyboard with TenKey. The addition of the wrist rest makes it larger than normal full sized keyboard. It is mainly made out of plastic with an aluminum top plate. The keycaps are made out of ABS which feel pretty good while typing. Overall the build quality is pretty decent for the price range.

    The keyboard has full RGB backlighting with individually lit keys. You can customize every key by using the dedicated software.

    The device supports USB passthrough so you can attach a device like a mouse to the keyboard rather than attaching it directly to the PC. Every key on the keyboard is macro programmable which can be done by using the iCUE software. There are also dedicated media keys and  a volume wheel at the top as well. 

    ✔️All keys are macro programmable.

    ✔️ USB passthrough

     

    4. hyperx alloy origins

    Switch: HyperX Red(linear), HyperX Aqua(tactile), HyperX Blue(clicky)

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.07 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 9,990

    HyperX alloy origins is a well designed full sized keyboard that skips all the fuzz and gets down to business. It doesn’t have any fancy features but is very well equipped with the necessary stuff. It excels both in gaming and typing because of its large array of switches. These are hyperX switches which are not so different from standard Cherry MX switches.

    The keyboard has a full aluminum body with a soft finish. The keycaps are made of ABS and are doubleshot. The keyboard has full RGB backlight and each of the keys is individually lit.  The lighting can be customized by using HyperX’s  NGENUITY software.

    The keyboard has no dedicated media keys but every key is programmable. So you can map a function  to any key of your liking.

    ✔️ Every key is programmable.

    Customization software only available on Windows.

     

    5. logitech g512

    Switch: Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear, and GX Blue Clicky, GX Red linear, GX Brown tactile

    Size: full size

    Weight: 0.8 kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 8,920

    Logitech g512 is a full sized keyboard with a sleek aluminum design that too at a decent price point. 

    The aluminum top has a greyish finish to it which looks really great with the matte black keys at the top. The board feels sturdy and well made because of the aluminum top. Other than that the board is quite minimalist without any dedicated media control keys and no other fancy features.

    The board has full RGB lighting and each key is individually lit. The lighting can be controlled by using the G hub suite. You can also sync to other logitech devices by using their light sync software.

    The keycaps are doubleshot ABS. Even though they are made up of ABS they do not feel cheap. The keyboard is available in a variety of switches, namely Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear, and GX Blue Clicky, GX Red linear, GX Brown tactile. These switches are similar to Cherry MX switches as they use the same stem.

    The keyboard supports USB passthrough and has a well braided giving it a sturdy feel.

    Overall the board is simple, sleek and stylish.

    ✔️ Well designed

    ✔️ Great build quality 

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

     

    6. cosmic byte cb gk 11

    Switch: JIXIAN Blue switch,  JIXIAN Brown switch

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.12 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: with wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 3,749

    Cosmic byte cb gk11 is an inexpensive outperformer! Cb gk11 is a full sized keyboard with full rgb lighting. It’s a budget mechanical keyboard which offers a pretty decent build quality and features.

    The top is made of aluminium which feels pretty decent. The top has a greyish finish with all black keys on top. The keys are doubleshot and are made with ABS. It also includes a decent detachable wrist rest.

    It comes in either  JIXIAN Blue clicky switches or JIXIAN Brown tactile switches which perform great despite the price point. The keyboard has full RGB lighting, it comes with 13 RGB Back-light Effects and 4 levels of brightness. You can change the lighting profiles right from the keyboard which gets stored on the keyboard memory.

    The keyboard also has dedicated multimedia keys which can be used to control volume, brightness etc.

    ✔️ Inexpensive

    ✔️ Decent build quality

    ❌ No customization software

     

    7. ASUS Rog Strix Scope

    Switch:  Cherry MX brown,Red, Blue, Silver Speed, and Silent Red

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.63 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 7,899

    Asus Rog strix scope is a solid mechanical keyboard that focuses on the essentials. It is reliable, responsive and great for gaming as well as typing.

    It is a full sized keyboard with ten keys and a lot of space between the keys, the ROG logo is as well spaciously placed. The keyboard lacks a wrist rest, but it can be purchased separately.

    The keyboard comes with Cherry MX brown,Red, Blue, Silver Speed, and Silent Red switches, so there are a lot that you can choose from. Being the standard Cherry MX switches their quality is always going to be top notch.

    It has full RGB lighting which can be customized using the ROG armoury software. The lighting can also be synchronized with other compatible devices by using the Aura Sync software.  The keyboard lacks dedicated media keys but allows programmable macros which can be again customized in ROG armoury software.

    In the end it’s a no nonsense keyboard that is a great choice for both gaming and typing.

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ❌ No wrist rest

     

    8. Xpg summoner

    Switch: Cherry MX silver, red, blue

    Size: full size

    Weight: 951g

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 9,749

    Adata’s XPG summoner is a full sized mechanical keyboard which offers a very comfortable wrist rest and a handy volume knob. 

    The top is made up of sandblasted aluminum that gives it a sturdy feel and a great look. It has a great metal volume wheel on the top right. Even with all that metal the keyboard feels light and easy to handle.

    The XPG summoner comes with Cherry MX silver, red, blue so there’s a lot to choose from. It’s great for gaming as well as for typing because you can just choose between the clicky or linear switches.

    One of the best features of XPG summoner is the faux-leather wrist rest. It looks and feels really great and can be attached or detached easily because of the magnets.

    The board features full RGB lighting and doubleshot keycaps. The lighting can be adjusted directly from the board as there is no companion software provided. The macros can be  set in this way as well. But setting them this way can be confusing to some.

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

    ✔️ comfortable wrist rest

    ❌ No companion software

     

    9. Corsair K68

    Switch:  Cherry MX red, Cherry MX blue

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.41 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 12,199

    Corsair k68 is a great mechanical keyboard that can work as both a gaming keyboard as well as a productivity tool. It is well built and comes with full RGB lighting and there’s also a more affordable red led variant. It is versatile as it comes in both Cherry MX blue and red switches, so you can have the clicky blue switches or the quieter red ones.

    The body is completely made out of plastic, which feels decent and robust as it doesn’t have any flex to it. The keycaps are made of ABS and are doubleshot. The keyboard is also rated IP32 for dust and water resistance.

    The board has full RGB lighting, the lighting can be customized in the iCUE software. If the RGB variant is too expensive you can always opt for the affordable red led variant.

    The keyboard offers dedicated media keys to play/pause, skip tracks or you can even control the volume. There’s a windows lock key which is a boon for gamers. All of the keys can be reconfigured by using the iCUE software.

    ✔️ Dedicated media keys

    ✔️ Great typing experience

     

    10. HP Omen Sequencer 2VN99AA

    Switch:  LK optical-mechanical blue switches

    Size: full size

    Weight: 830 Grams

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 10,999

    Hp omen sequencer is a full sized mechanical keyboard that boasts its experimental optical switches. At first glance it makes a great impression with its metallic black design and a ton of features.

    It has an anodized aluminium frame giving it a sturdy and reliable feel. On top of this aluminium frame are the black keys and a large metal volume roller. It has a sort of asymmetric design with those angled edges.

    The omen sequencer has  LK optical blue switches which are similar to Cherry MX blue switches but have less travel distance because of their optical nature. While the cherry switches operate purely on mechanical means these opt for optical means for actuation. Omen sequencer claims that this method reduces the response time drastically.

    It has full RGB lighting which can be customized by using the HP Omen software. There are five programmable macro keys placed on the left. But you cannot assign macros to any of the other keys.

    ✔️responsive optical keys

    ✔️ cool volume controller

    ❌ simplistic companion software

     

    Frequently asked questions

     

    1. What are Keyboard sizes (40%, 60%, TKL etc.)?

    The keyboard size generally refers to the number of keys on the keyboard.A standard (or 100%) keyboard has 104 keys, a TenKeyLess removes the Number Pad Cluster and a 60% Removes the Nav Cluster and arrow keys. A 40% board also removes the number row. There are more sizes, such as 30% or 50%, although they’re less defined. 

    2. I want to build a keyboard but know absolutely nothing about the process, where do I start?

    Check out this reddit field, pretty good stuff to get started with.

    3. Are there other switches besides Cherry? 

    Yes. There are several types of mechanical switches but the Cherry brand is the most prevalent. Some other good switches include topre and kailh.

    4. How can I replace the keycaps?

    You can use a tool called keycap puller to pull out the keys. These keycap pullers are often bundled with the keyboards.

    5. What switches are the best for gaming?

    For gaming you would need something with tactical feedback, your best bet would be Cherry MX brown, Cherry MX blue or topre switches.

    6. What kind of keycaps do I need for backlit keyboards?

    For backlit keyboards doubleshot keycaps and pudding keycaps are recommended as they propagate light properly.

     

    So which mechanical keyboard should you opt for?

     

    Believe it or not mechanical keyboards are here to stay as they appeal to everyone, from hardcore gamers to grealty focused typists. And they are getting affordable every passing day! We are seeing some great feature packed boards at an affordable price.

    Before buying a mechanical keyboard decide for what purpose you will be using it. Go for tactile blue switch keyboards if you chose gaming as that tactile feedback from the keyboard could make a great difference in the experience. Go for linear red switch or speed silver switch keyboards if you will be using your keyboard for just typing or programming, these are fast, responsive and quiet  offering a great productive experience.

    And that’s it we’ve gone through some of the best mechanical keyboard fitting in all budgets, now time to flex those RGB lights!

     

     

  • Best power banks under Rs.2000 in India 2021

    Best power banks under Rs.2000 in India 2021

    Most of the smartphones nowadays come with large capacity batteries that can function for hours and hours without charging.

    But what happens if you get stuck in a place where you can’t recharge your device?

    This is where power banks come into play! Power bank is an electronic accessory that can store power which in turn can be used to charge any compatible electronic device such as a smartphone or a smart watch.

    If you are always on the go, carrying a charger with you might not be the most viable option as charging ports might not be available everywhere. A power bank is perfect for topping up your devices when traditional electric power is not available, it keeps your devices alive when out on journey away from home and also provides extra juice in time of emergency.

    Power banks come in all shapes and sizes, a good power bank encompasses features such as portability, lightweight, great charging capacity and compactness. However, finding a good power bank that suits your needs is easier said than done.

    We at Techoids have curated a list to make the process of finding a good power bank less daunting! We have pulled these power banks from the big brands and popular companies, they are measured on how fast they charge, and how many full phone charges each power bank stores. Whether you want a portable budget friendly backup for your smartphone or you need something more powerful to top up multiple devices at the same time, you will find a pick in our list!

    Unsure of what to look for while purchasing a power bank? Check out the features you need to look out for section.

     

    Features to look out for while making a purchase

     

    1. Battery capacity

    One of the most important features to look out for while buying a power bank is the battery capacity. The battery capacity is measured in mAH (Milliamp hours). The more mAH, the more charging capacity your power bank has.

    Choose a power bank that has more capacity than the devices you have  because power banks lose some of their power due to heat and other factors. So if your phone has a battery capacity of 3000mAH go for a power bank with 9000mAH battery capacity.

     

    2. Battery type

    Along with the battery capacity another important factor that you should look out for is the battery type. Power banks mostly have either a Lithium ion battery or a Lithium polymer battery.

    Lithium polymer batteries are slimmer, more secure and provide better longevity. You will find these in most of the power banks because they are easily accessible to the manufacturers. But they are expensive as compared to lithium ion batteries.

    Lithium ion batteries have high energy density, low self-discharge and require circuit protection to operate safely. Lithium ion batteries usually have a low manufacturing cost.

     

    3. Voltage

    Compare the output voltage of the power bank and your device before buying the power bank. The power bank won’t work If the output voltage of the power bank is less than the device you are going to charge.

    If your power bank has voltage higher or lower than the device you will be charging, then it might end up damaging your device.

     

    4. Size and Weight

    Weight and size of the power bank mostly depends upon the size and type of the battery. The bigger your power bank is the more space it will have for ports and other connections.

    If you want a pocket friendly option go for something below 5000mAH. These are usually small and are good for one time charging.

    Anything beyond 5000mAH will be heavier and bulkier but will have enough juice to power up your phones or even a laptop!

     

    5. Build quality

    You should always check the overall build quality of the device as it affects the durability and lifespan of the power bank. Most of the power banks are made up of plastic with some finishing given to the surface.

    A high quality plastic body not only elongates the power bank’s lifespan it also manages the energy dissipation of the battery that ensures proper functioning of the device as well as makes it easier to handle.

    A low quality body will affect the charging performance of the power bank and it might also end up damaging the power bank.

     

    6. Charging points

    Power banks available in the market come with various different types of connections. Make sure that your device is compatible with the connections on the power bank.

    The more number of connection points, the more devices can be charged simultaneously.

    Most of the power banks will have  standard USB type A ports. You might also see USB type C ports floating around on some recent models. USB type C ports usually make charging faster as compared to USB type A ports.

     

    7. LED indicators

    LED indicators on power banks convey various information such as battery level, connection status etc. Make sure to check for different LED indicators on the power bank surface.

     

    8. Safety

    Low quality power banks may often include low grade batteries which are unreliable and dangerous. Overcharging these power banks may result in damaging the power bank  or damaging the device that you are charging.

    Go for a power bank from an established brand that guarantees safety. These power banks will have a stable good grade battery and will often come with  built in protection against short circuits and overcharging.

     

    9. Cables

    Make sure that your power bank comes with a good quality cable as it will directly influence the power bank’s charging  performance. A good cable would also ensure safety against sudden power surges and overheating.

    Most power banks will come with two cables, one for charging your devices and one for charging your power bank. You can use a micro USB cable to charge a power bank. The power bank may come with different types of detachable cables to charge your devices, this will make it easy to switch between cables for a variety of devices.

     

    10. Circuit protection

    A good quality power bank comes with multiple layers of circuit protection. This protection is necessary to shield your power bank from hazards such as overcharging, short circuits or sudden power surges.

    It also makes sure that the devices that you will be charging are free from such hazards.

     

    11. Warranty

    Most of the established brands offer a warranty on their devices. You can claim the warranty if the power bank gets damaged  or has manufacturing defects within the warranty period. This warranty period can range from 6moths to 1year depending upon the manufacturer.

    Most of the low quality power banks will not come with a warranty, so it is always advisable to go with established brands who offer warranty while making the purchase.

     

    Best power banks in India under Rs.2000:

     

    Mi 10000mAh Li-Polymer Power Bank 3i

    Elegant looking power house!

    Capacity: 10000 mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 14.8 x 7.4 x 1.5 cm

    Weight: 251 grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LED’s

    Mi 10000mAH 3i

    Mi 10000mAh 3i features a lithium polymer battery with a 12 layers advanced circuit protection. This 12 layer protection shields it against overheating, over current and short circuits.

    It has a body made up of a mixture of aluminium alloy and CNC edge, this mixture gives the power bank a robust structure that can resist collisions and impacts.

    The 10000mAH battery maintains a output of 18W. The battery is compatible with 9V|2A, 5.1|2.4A, 12V|1.5A devices and can charge most smartphones and laptops.

    It provides two USB output ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously. The power bank also features dual input ports (a type C and a micro USB), so you can opt between the two to charge the power bank.

    The power bank comes with 4 LED Lights, each LED Light symbolises 25% of power, once your device gets fully charged, all LEDs will light up.

    Mi 10000mAh 3i also comes with a low power charging mode where you can double press the power button to enter a 2-hour low charging mode to safely charge low power devices smart watches, earphones or bands.

    ✔️ 12 layers of advanced circuit protection

    ✔️ Dual input and output ports

    ✔️ Low power charging mode

     

    Ambrane PP-11 10000mAh Power Bank

    Capsule shaped ergonomic design!

    Capacity: 10000 mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 13.6 x 6.9 x 1.55 cm

    Weight: 250 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    Ambrane PP-11

    Ambrane is one of the leading producers of smartphone accessories. Ambrane’s PP-11 power bank is  one of the stylish and affordable products in their line up.

    Ambrane PP-11 has a 10000mAH lithium polymer battery which is safer and durable than any other lithium ion batteries.

    The outer coating of the bank is made up of ABS plastic material which is durable and scratch resistant. It also gives the product a stylish and ergonomic look.

    The power bank weighs around 250g and has a great capsule shaped design making it very portable and stylish.

    PP-11 has a 9-layer circuit protection which protects the power bank from high temperature, short circuit and overcharge.

    It has two USB output ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously with a power output of 5V/2.4A. It also has a USB type C and a micro USB port, you can use both of these ports to charge the power bank.

    ✔️ 9-layer circuit protection

    ✔️ Dual input and output ports

    ✔️ Sleek capsule shaped design

     

    realme 10000mAh 12W Power Bank 2i

    A powerful device with two ways fast charging!

    Capacity: 10000 mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 15.5 x 7.2 x 1.6 cm

    Weight: 250 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    realme 2i

    Realme Power Bank 2i is the second generation power bank in the realme series. It has a power capacity of 10000mAH and comes with 18W fast charging.

    The power bank has a sleek design with a grip texture and also has a curved body which gives a comfortable feeling while holding the bank.

    The Realme power bank 2i features a single USB-A port and a single USB-C port. Both of the ports support 18W charging. The power bank also comes with a USB-A to USB-C + micro-USB cable which is very useful when charging different phones with different types of ports.

    By double tapping the power button on the side of the power bank, you can invoke the low current mode. This mode ensures safety while charging low power devices such as smart watches.

    The power bank also features 13 layers of circuit protection which shields it from overcharging, power surges and high temperatures.

    ✔️ Comfortable curved design

    ✔️ Low power charging mode

    ✔️ 13 layers of circuit protection

    ✔️ USB-A to USB-C + micro-USB cable

     

    Ambrane 27000mAH PP-30

    A power mammoth!

    Capacity: 27000mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 15.5 x 8.06 x 3.15 cm

    Weight: 535 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0003/7565/2399/products/Slide-1_600x.jpg?v=1615889627

     

     

     

    Another great entry in the Ambrane’s power bank series, this powerhouse Ambrane PP-30 comes with a massive power capacity of 27000mAH! The battery is a standard lithium polymer type with a rating of 18W. It takes around 16-17 hours to top off the battery completely.

    Due to its massive capacity the battery is quite hefty and weighs around 535 grams. It has an all plastic body with rubberized finish on both the faces.

    PP-30 has two USB type A output ports. It also has a USB type C port which you can use to charge the power bank itself. The max output via the two USB Type-A ports is DC 5V/2A and they can charge two devices simultaneously.

    PP-30 is Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 certified, that is it can output 18W for devices that support fast charging.

    The power bank also features a useful LED torch on top alongside the USB output ports!

    ✔️ Massive 27000mAH battery

    ✔️ Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 certified

     

    URBN UPR10K 10000 mAh Li-Polymer Power Bank

    Ultra compact 10000mAH power bank!

    Capacity: 10000mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 2.2 x 6.3 x 9 cm

    Weight: 180 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tvr44i7LL._AC_SS450_.jpg

     

    URBN UPR10K is an ultra compact power bank with a power capacity of 10000mAH. Most of the power banks compromise size over power, but URBN UPR10K delivers best of both!

    The power bank has a plastic body, but the build quality feels super strong and reliable. The design is very simple and minimalist featuring a matte finish on the back side. The compact body and the matte finish makes it comfortable to hold and carry around.

    Urbn power bank comes with 4-Level circuit protection shielding it from overcharging and sudden power surges.

    The four sharp LED lights on the body tell you the power status of your power bank so that you can plan your usage and next charge.

    It has dual output ports so you can charge two devices at the same time. These ports support 2.4 Amp 5V fast charging.

    This product is validated by the Bureau of Indian Standard which deems it perfect for travel because of its compact size and great capacity.

    ✔️ Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certified.

    ✔️ Ultra compact design

     

    OnePlus 10000 mAh Power Bank (Fast PD Charging, 18 W)

    A sleek and powerful power bank from ONE PLUS!

    Capacity: 10000mAH

    No. of ports: 2 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium Polymer battery

    Size: 15 x 7.2 x 1.5 cm

    Weight: 226 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://electromania.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OnePlus-10000-mAh-Power-Bank-Fast-PD-Charging-18-W-Black-Lithium-Polymer-1.jpg

     

    This power bank  from the renowned brand one plus is a thing of absolute beauty! It has a distinctive 3D curved body that provides a perfect streamlined grip. Its lightweight and compact design make this device very attractive.

    One plus 10000mAH power bank has a capacity of 10000mAH and it also supports 18 W Fast PD Charging to charge your device faster.

    It has 12 layers of circuit protection preventing damage from overcharging and power surges. Its high level safety mechanism protects the connected devices from issues such as overcharging and short circuits.

    The power bank features two USB output ports both of which support fast charging. You can charge the power bank with the USB type C port featured alongside the two USB output ports.

    Double clicking the power button turns on the low current mode. This charges low current devices such as Bluetooth headsets and other wearable devices safely.

    The power bank has a distinct way of checking the charge left, you just have to shake the power bank to light up the LEDs and see how much power is remaining in the power bank.

    ✔️ Lightweight attractive design

    ✔️ Features a high level safety mechanism to protect connected devices.

     

    Philips DLP6006B 11000mAh Power Bank

    A massive power bank with triple USB!

    Capacity: 11000mAH

    No. of ports: 3 USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium ion battery

    Size: 6.5 x 2.2 x 14.5 cm

    Weight: 283.4 Grams

    LED Indicators: digital screen

    philips 11000mAH

    While Philips have been in the electronic market for a long time, they are comparatively new in the mobile accessories market. Philips’s latest power bank DLP6006 comes with a power capacity of 11000mAH.

    The body of philips DLP6006 is covered with plastic material made to look like stitched leather. The protruding digital screen gives it a great look! The powerbank is slim and compact but feels a bit heavy due to its lithium ion battery.

    The front of the power bank features a digital display that displays the current battery percentage of the power bank while charging or discharging. The digital display lights up after pressing the power button at the bottom of the digital screen.

    On the left side you will find three USB output ports, that means you can charge three devices simultaneously! All these ports are rated at 5V/1A.

    The top has a USB type C which can be used for charging the power bank. The top also features a handy LED flashlight!

    ✔️ Stylish Design

    ✔️ Digital display

    ✔️ 3 USB output ports

     

    DURACELL PB10050

    Solid Backup For Your Devices

    Capacity: 10050 mAH

    No. of ports: dual USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium ion battery

    Size: 8 x 2.5 x 9.2 cm

    Weight: 203 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    duracell

    Duracell’s batteries have always been associated with long lasting and good quality cells. PB10050 is Duracell’s latest attempt in the power bank market.

    Duracell PB10050 has a power capacity of 10050 mAH and the battery is made up of lithium ion, that makes it reliable as well as powerful.

    The power bank is designed after the iconic duracell battery! It retains the black and gold dual tone that Duracell batteries are famous for. It is made up of premium quality plastic, so it feels comfortable while holding and its also small and light enough to fit in every pocket and bag so it scores points in portability.

    The top of the power bank has two USB output ports and a USB type C, all of them support 2.4 Amps fast charging.

    The power bank claims to have a high efficiency of 91.12% making it extremely reliable and comfortable for all types of users.

    The device features four LED indicators that can be used to find out the remaining charge in the power bank.

    ✔️ Great power capacity

    ✔️ High efficiency

    ✔️ distinct design

     

    Syska 20000 mAh Li-Polymer Power Pro200 Power Bank 

    A massive syska power bank with 20000mAH capacity!

    Capacity: 20000 mAH

    No. of ports: dual USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium polymer battery

    Size: 15.8 x 8.2 x 2.4 cm

    Weight: 403 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Ntio+JlPL._AC_SS450_.jpg

     

    Syska is another one of those companies whose name synonyms with reliability. Syska’s power pro 200 is a massive power bank with a capacity of 20000mAH. The power bank features polymer cells which are BIS(Bureau of Indian Standards) certified.

    The design is minimal and gives a premium look. The body is made up of high grade plastic which makes it durable and comfortable to carry. It is available in two colors black and white, the black version has a rubber-oil finish and the white version has a glossy UV finish.

    The power bank has two USB output ports with rating of 5V/1A and 5V/2.1A respectively. You can charge the power bank with the USB type C port featured on the device.

    Power Pro 200 features an IC protection mechanism. This mechanism protects the devices connected to the power bank from hazards such as  power surges and overcharging.

    Another useful feature that the Power pro 200 has is the hibernation mode. When not in use the power bank automatically turns into sleep mode, this helps to prevent unnecessary power loss.

    ✔️ IC protection mechanism

    ✔️ hibernation mode

    ✔️ BIS(Bureau of Indian Standards) certified

     

    Redmi 10000 mAh PB100LZM  Fast Charging Slim Power Bank 

    Most affordable 10000mAH power bank!

    Capacity: 10000 mAH

    No. of ports: dual USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium polymer battery

    Size: 15.1 x 7.4 x 1.5 cm

    Weight: 247 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71cLfgkjSwL._AC_SS450_.jpg

     

     

    Redmi 10000 mAh PB100LZM is one of the most affordable 10000mAH power banks the market. It respects Xiaomi’s impeccable quality standards despite of its low price.

    The Redmi 10000 mAh PB100LZM has a plastic body which because of its matte finish feels nice to touch but can easily pick up smudges. The design is kept minimal with only the redmi logo on the front face. It has an anti slip design as the sides come with grooves that makes it easy to pick up.

    The curved design on the edges makes it easy to slip into pockets or bags.

    The power bank features two USB type A output ports. It even has micro USB and  type C ports which can be used to charge the power bank as well as other devices. Due to the inclusion of a variety of ports PB100LZM can charge all devices ranging from smartphones to fitness bands.

    Double pressing the power button turns the low power mode on. The low power mode ensures that there’s an optimal flow of current to avoid damaging the low power devices.

    The charge left in the power bank is indicated by the four LEDs at the bottom.

    The power bank has 12 layers of circuit protection to keep the power bank as well as the charging devices safe. It protects them from short circuit, overheating, overcharging, power surges etc.

    ✔️ Extremely affordable

    ✔️ Huge variety of output ports

    ✔️12 layers of circuit protection

     

    Ambrane Neos 20000mAh Li-Polymer Powerbank

    A power bank with great build quality!

    Capacity: 20000 mAH

    No. of ports: dual USB output ports

    Battery type: Lithium polymer battery

    Size: 16.1 x 10.5 x 4.1 cm

    Weight: 404 Grams

    LED Indicators: 4 LEDs

    https://www.businessinsider.in/thumb/msid-78297070,width-640,resizemode-4/Master.jpg

     

     

    Ambrane Neos is another great power bank from ambrane with a power capacity of 20000mAH.

    The body of Ambrane neos is given a distinctive look with a combination of curved and flat sides on the top and the bottom. The body is made up of hard ABS plastic which protects it from scratches and prevents it from slipping on surfaces.

    Because of its huge capacity the power bank feels a bit heavy to handle.

    The power bank has 4 LEDs placed right besides the power button that indicate the charge left in the power bank.

    It features two USB output ports and given its amazing capacity it can top up two devices simultaneously with ease. You can charge the power bank with the USB type C port or the micro USB port featured on the device.

    ✔️ A massive 20000mAH capacity

    ✔️ Durable ABS plastic body

     

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    1.Can power banks explode?

    This can happen due to overcharging or sudden power surges but it is only true for power banks of cheaper quality that do not feature protection against such hazards. All of the power banks on this list feature circuit protection that protects them from such unsafe conditions. This is why it is always better to go with established brands’ power banks.

    2.What does the mAh Capacity mean?

    mAH(milliampere hours) is used to measure the power capacity of the power banks. This is the amount of total charge that a battery can accommodate. The bigger the capacity of the power bank the more times it can charge your device before a Power Bank recharge is needed.

    3.How many times can i charge my phone with a 10000mAH power bank?

    If you own a 3000mAH smartphone you might expect the power bank to charge your phone at least 3 times. But that’s not true in most cases. These are the ratings provided by the manufacturer without inclusion of conversion rate. The actual output will differ in most cases depending on the conversion rate. Most of the good power banks have a conversion rate of 80-95%.

    4.Are power banks allowed on flights?

    Yes, power banks are allowed on flights. But they must only be carried in hand luggage. If the rated power is less than 100Wh, power banks can be carried without approval; approval is needed to carry power banks with power between 100Wh and 160Wh.

    5.What’s the lifespan of a Power Bank?

    The power banks are simply batteries that can be used for charging your devices. As any other normal battery their performance will degrade after a certain period of time. If properly taken care of and stored in a cool, dry place then there’s no reason your Power Bank won’t last for several years.

    6.Can power banks damage your phone?

    If the power bank provides voltage lower or higher than what is rated for your phone then the power bank might end up damaging the battery of your phone. It is always advisable to check the output voltage of your power bank before making a purchase.

    7.What is the difference between a Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer battery?

    Lithium polymer batteries offer a larger capacity as compared to lithium ion batteries. Due to this lithium ion batteries are much cheaper as in contrast with lithium polymer batteries.

     

    CONCLUSION

    The huge pool of power banks in the market can make the process of finding the best one daunting. It is easy and tempting to grab the cheapest power bank you can find but you will have to compromise on safety if you go for one. All of the power banks listed here are great option for a portable charging option. We hope that this list aided you to narrow down your search!

    If you are on a budget and want a reliable as well as a powerful power bank blindly go for URBN UPR10K 10000 mAh Li-Polymer Power Bank or Redmi 10000 mAh PB100LZM  Fast Charging Slim Power Bank as they are an established brand and also provide great warranty periods.

    If you are in need of a large capacity power bank go for Ambrane 27000mAH PP-30 or Syska 20000 mAh Li-Polymer Power Pro200 Power Bank  as both of them again are established brands that ensure reliability and safety.

     

  • Best All In One Printers In India

    Best All In One Printers In India

    All in one printers are the printers which can perform 3 tasks.

     

    • Printing 
    • Scanning
    • Photocopying

    Home Printers have been on steady decline for years because of increase in consumption digital media , but due to recent and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and resultant shift to digital meeting and classroom for White collar job workers, school and college going students the time we spend in online world and staring at computer / mobile screen has drastically increased.

    Schools and colleges are distributing lecture notes online and students are forced to study online with distractions of social media rather than old fashioned physical books. So concerned parents are getting their children printer so they can print the notes and study offline , or share their written notes with friends using the scanner function of All in one printer.

    So if you are a concerned parent looking to provide your child with comfort of physical notes and trying to cut down on their online time , Or a college student and office worker , We have prepared an extensive list best ALL in one printer available , tailored to your personal usage . 

    Things you should Consider before buying All in one printer.

     

    • Connectivity :-  Printer are Either wireless or need to be connected to device like PC through USB to be Used , now if you want to  perform Printing job strictly from pc , an normal printer would do , but if you want comfort of printing from anywhere in you house you should get wireless printer.
    • Usage :-  You should surely gauge your usage before buying a printer , If you don’t use printer regularly , the printing head , which is important of printer dries out and may need an replacement
    • Ink cost:-  there are some really low priced AIO printers out there which may look enticing , but they run through ink rapidly and replacing the ink cartridge or refilling will burn hole in your pocket.
    • Color prints :- Color printing uses ink rapidly , for any given printer for eg , if you print 500 black & white pages , you can only print around 100 color pages , so may want to get a printer with higher ink capacity if you will be heavily doing color printing.

     

    Best All In One Printers for low / personal usage 

     

    Canon PIXMA MG2577s All-in-One Inkjet Color Printer :- 2999rs

    • Printer Type – Inkjet
    • Connectivity-USB
    • Cost per page – Rs.7 (Black), Rs.9 (Color) 
    • Warranty – 1 year carry-in warranty from the date of purchase

     

    Pros

     

    1. Cheapest All in one printer in market 
    2. On printer Buttons for instant scanning and photocopying
    3. Good for low usage 

     

    Cons

     

    1. High Printing Cost per page 
    2. Low ink capacity, will run very quickly while printing photograph
    3. Slow printing, scanning speed 
    4. Warranty voids if not used with original ink cartridge from canon, expensive ink cartridges

     

    Verdict

    Canon PIXMA MG2577s All-in-One Inkjet Color Printer is strictly entry level All in one printer , which should be only if you have low printing usage but you need scanner for your work , which makes it better than getting a dedicated printer with no scanner .

     

    HP Deskjet 2331 – 3449 rs

    • Printer type: Inkjet
    • Connectivity : High-speed USB 2.0 Connectivity (pc)
    • Ink Cartridge: HP 805 Black Original Ink Cartridge, HP 805 Tri-Color Original Ink Cartridge
    • Cost-per-page – Rs 6 (Black), Rs 8 (Color)
    • Warranty – 1 year carry-in warranty from the date of purchase.

    Pros

    1. Faster printing speed than Canon PIXMA MG2577s.
    2. Lower cost for printing black and white pages than Canon PIXMA MG2577s
    3. Better and slicker design than Canon PIXMA MG2577s
    4. Ink cartridges prices are lower than Canon PIXMA MG2577s
    5. Better pc software , easy to learn and use
    6. On printer Buttons for instant scanning and photocopying

     

    Cons

    1. Slower color printing than Canon PIXMA MG2577s.
    2. Cost of color printing is still as high .
    3. Low duty cycle , printer head may need constant replacing after printing 1000 pages.
    4. Ink may run out fast when printing photographs

     

    Verdict  

    Better and more compact design, faster and lower printing cost for B&W white pages than Canon PIXMA MG2577s make it a better choice , definitely you should prefer this printer if you care about the looks of your electrical appliances .

    HP Deskjet 2723 – 5350 rs

     

    • Printer type: Inkjet
    • Connectivity : High-speed USB 2.0 Connectivity, WIFI
    • Ink Cartridge: HP 805 Black Original Ink Cartridge, HP 805 Tri-Color Original Ink Cartridge
    • Cost-per-page – Rs 6 (Black), Rs 8 (Color)
    • Warranty:- 1 year on-site warranty

     

    Pros

     

    1. Wireless connectivity 
    2. Can print & scan from anywhere in the home from smartphone or pc.
    3. Works with apple mac laptops and Macintosh desktops.
    4. Compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice commands.
    5. Can be connected to pc through USB and still be used in case wireless network is down 

     

    Cons

     

    1. Slow printing speed
    2. Some minor complaints of unreliable functionality when internet is slow
    3. Cost of printing is still high .

     

    Verdict 

    WIFI connectivity and compatibility with google home and Alexa voice commands make it much smarter than the printers mentioned above and much more convenient to use .

     

    With this , we are done with section of recommendation  for All in one printers which should be used for low / personal usage 

    These printers suffer for some issues like high printing cost and slow printing & scanning speeds but are totally fine to use if your usage is like printing a few dozens B&W pages per month and you have constant use of other functions like scanning and photocopy.

    If you think your usage is higher and you need to print Color photographs often , read our next section .

     

    Best All In One Printers for Medium / Family /Office usage 

     

    Canon PIXMA E477 All-in-One Wireless Ink Efficient Color Printer  -5100rs 

     

    • Printer type: Ink Efficient
    • Connectivity: USB, WIFI, WIFI Direct, Google Cloud Print. 
    • Compatible Cartridge: PG47 & CL57s
    • Page yield-400 pages (Black), 180 pages 
    • Cost per page – Rs 1.4 (Black), Rs 4 (Color), as per ISO

    Pros

    1. Cost efficient black & white printing
    2. Convenience of wireless printing.
    3. WIFI-direct :- Printer can generate its own WIFI hotspot so you can print even when home network is down
    4. At full ink capacity it can print up to 400 pages of B&W pages and 180 color pages .
    5.  Low Ink cartridge cost , Canon smartphone printer app has great and easy to interface.

     

    Cons

    1. Printing speed is still pretty slow compared to laser printers.
    2. Cost per Page is still much higher than ink tank printers.
    3. Can get bit Noisy during printing.

     

    Verdict

    Canon PIXMA E477 is very good value for money for customers who have medium usage who print around 100 pages a month , on full refill ink cartridge can last upto 3-4 months. Perfect All in One Printer Medium Home Usage

     

    Canon E4270 All-in-One Ink Efficient WIFI Printer with FAX/ADF/Duplex Printing –7000 rs 

     

    • Printer Type- Ink Efficient
    • Connectivity – Wi-Fi, USB, Apple Airprint, Google Cloud Print 
    • Pages per minute – 8.8 pages (Black), 4.4 pages (Color)
    • Cost per page – Rs 1.3 (Black & White), Rs 3.5 (Color) 
    • Compatible Ink Cartridge – PG-47 (Black), CL-57 (Color)

     

    Pros

     

    1. Extremely fast Printing pace , can print up to 9 Black & white  pages per minute and 4 Color pages per Minute
    2. Has ADF ( automatic document feeder ) , No need to manually place documents for Scanning
    3. Duplex printing :- Can print both sides of paper at same time , coupled with great printing speed , make this printer extremely fast and apt for office usage 
    4. Has Faxing facility
    5. Has Large LCD display for Easy and convenient use
    6. Fast Scanning Document scanning speed.
    7. Wireless 

     

    Cons

     

    1. Cost per Page is still much higher than ink tank printers.
    2. Can get bit Noisy during printing.
    3. Below average color printing quality.

     

    Verdict

    Canon E4270 is very good All in one printer for medium office usage , has a number of useful features like Fax , ADF and duplex printing which fulfill the purpose of fast and efficient printing and scanning needed in office work . 

     

    With this , we are done with section of recommendation  for All in one printers which should be used for medium / family / office usage 

    These printers are value for money if your usage is around 100 -200 pages a month , though they still offer inferior printing cost per page in comparison to ink tank printers

    If you are college student or small business owner , your usage will be much higher than 100 pages per month , and to get best value for money , you need to get ink tank printers , best of which will be recommended in next section

     

     

    Best All In One Printers for High /College/ Small Business  usage

    HP 315 All-in-One Ink Tank Color Printer with USB Connectivity – 10,500 rs 

    • Printer type: Multi-Function , Ink tank
    • Connectivity : 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0
    • Compatible ink: HP Ink Tank 315, HP GT53XL Black Ink Bottle (135 ml), HP GT52 Cyan Ink Bottle (70 ml), HP GT52 Magenta Ink Bottle (70 ml), HP GT52 Yellow Ink Bottle (70 ml)
    • Warranty : One year of 24/7 world-class technical support services through hp.com/support; One-year or 20,000 pages limited hardware warranty, whichever is earlier from the date of purchase; user replaceable parts have separate warranty periods
    • Pages per minute: Black: Up to 19 ppm (draft, A4); Color: Up to 15ppm (draft, A4)
    • Page Yield:- Black ~6,000 pages, Color ~8,000 pages

     

    Pros

    1. Extremely low Printing Cost per Page 
    2. Fast printing speed
    3. Ink refills are appropriately priced 
    4. Borderless Printing
    5. Ink bottles are resealable and provide spill and mess -free refilling ink experience. 
    6. Transparent ink tank makes it easy to monitor ink levels.

     

    Cons 

    1. No wireless features
    2. Usb cable for connectivity with pc provided with printer maybe too short
    3. Average quality color printing 
    4. Printer Head can be easily damaged and has Separate and lower warranty than printer .

     

    Verdict

    HP 315 All-in-One Ink Tank Color Printer is a good entry level Ink tank printer which can easily satisfy high volume printing and scanning needs of College students / small businesses.

    However one major con is lack of wireless connectivity , which can be remedied by adding some money and getting HP 410 , wireless variant of same printer.

     

    Canon Pixma G3000 All-in-One Wireless Ink Tank Color Printer -13000 rs 

     

    • Printer Type – Ink Tank
    • Connectivity – Wi-Fi, USB
    • Pages per minute – 8.8 (Black), (Color)
    • Cost per page – 9 paise (Black & White), 32 paise (Color)
    • Compatible Ink Bottle – GI-790 (BK), GI-790 (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
    • Page yield – 6000 pgs (BK), 7000 pgs (color)

     

    Pros 

    1. Wireless printing facilities , also has WIFI direct which enable wireless printing without need of WIFI router
    2. Extremely low Printing Cost per Page 
    3. Fast printing speed
    4. Can print Up to 6000 Black and White Pages and 7000 color pages on full ink capacity
    5. Extremely high DPI printing :- Expect crisp and detailed color prints
    6. Built-in integrated ink tanks create a compact printer body. Ink tank is transparent as to allow user to to monitor ink levels with naked eye without need to use any software to detect it 
    7. Comes with two extra Black ink bottles 

     

    Cons

    1. Unreliable printing head , may get damaged easily and need costly replacement even under warranty
    2. Very sketchy warranty plan ,printer warranty does not cover damage to some parts of printer 
    3. No LCD screen for ease and convenience 

     

    Verdict 

    Very good All in one Ink tank Printer which would have been perfect if not for sketchy warranty issues , I implore you do some extra research about warranty issue before buying this. 

    Two extra bottles of Black ink means the printer can print up to 18,000 pages before needing to buy extra ink refill makes this otherwise a very awesome deal.

     

    Epson EcoTank L3150 Wi-Fi All-in-One Ink Tank Printer (Black) -13700rs

     

    • Printer Type – Ink Tank
    • Connectivity – Wi-Fi, USB, App
    • Pages per minute – 33 pages (Black & White), 15 pages (Color)
    • Cost per page – 7 paise (Black & White), 18 paise (Color)
    • Compatible Ink Bottle – T003 (Black), T003 (Cyan), T003 (Magenta), T003 (Yellow)
    • Page Yield – 4500 pages (Black & White), 7500 pages (Color)
    • Warranty – 1 year or 30,000 pages whichever is earlier on-site warranty from the date of purchase

     

    Pros

    1. Wireless connectivity for easy and convenient use, WIFI direct feature is also present
    2. Extremely high speed of printing
    3. Lowest printing cost per page in this category
    4. Ink refill is very well priced 
    5. Printer has a very compact and sleek design , the ink tank is built into the structure of the printer itself unlike hp 315 so that it  does not take up much space. Ink tank refills have special nozzle which fits only fits into its respective tank so to avoid any spillage while re
    6. Remote Print Driver allows you to print through this printer anywhere in the world, given that printer has internet access. 
    7. Extremely High Printing DPI (5760 dpi) , Color printing will be extremely sharp , precise and clear 

     

    Cons 

    1. Lower Black & white paper yield than canon Pixma g3000
    2. No black extra ink refill provided 

     

    Verdict

    Epson is one of the biggest names in the world of printers , if you have a huge budget and some cash to splurge , it’s wholly recommended to get yourself a Epson printer as they are best in class. 

     

    With this , we are done with a section of recommendation  for All in one printers which should be used for High / college / small business  usage .

    Ink Tank printers are great for people who have the need to print a lot of pages a month but don’t want a huge whole in their pocket

    Extremely low cost per page of printing and fast printing make these printers ideal for people who want open small business around printing , or small businesses that have huge need for printing in their day to day activities .

     

    Frequently asked Questions 

    • What is printing DPI?

    DPI stands for dots per inch.  Higher the printing DPI is  More crisper and clearer the printing quality

    • What is page yield ? 

    -page yield is a number of theoretical maximum pages you can print from one full ink cartridge

    • How is printing cost per page calculated?

    -printing cost per page is calculated by dividing the maximum page yield of ink cartridge  with the cost of ink cartridge.

    • Is it recommended to use an official ink cartridge provided by a manufacturer  with these printers?

    -using any other ink cartridge rather than from the official manufacturer voids the warranty of the printer . However if the printer is once no longer in warranty , you can experiment locally available cheap alternative ink refills or cartridges. 

    • What if I keep the printer in-active for very long?  What will be the consequences?

    -It is not recommended to keep the printer in-active for a very long time, ink in the printer may dry out ,  or the printer head can stop functioning well. If there is no printing job for a long time it is recommended to take out full black print in order to keep the printer busy.

     

    *The prices of the printer mentioned in the article was the current price of these printers on  amazon.in during the writing of this article , you may find these for cheaper on other websites or local shops .

     

     Thanks for reading this article on best all in one printers in India, hope you get a clearer picture after reading the article as to which printer you want according to your needs and usage, for any further questions reach out to my Email.

  • Best Processors To Buy In India For Gaming Under 15000 Rupees

    Best Processors To Buy In India For Gaming Under 15000 Rupees

    Introduction

    With so many shortages going on in the current market, buying a processor at a good price seems like a difficult ordeal (not more difficult than buying a graphics card obviously), but the truth is, there are a lot of options for you to consider. A lot of budget processors offer great performance which a lot of users want while remaining pocket-friendly. Processors being an important and central part of any computer, many people assume that there’s absolutely no way you could cut costs on a processor without sacrificing a lot of performance. But that is absolutely not the case with processors nowadays and you can easily game and multitask on budget processors without any difficulty.

    Keeping this in mind, I’m gonna focus on processors that offer great gaming performance for their price. They’re equally good for other tasks too and offer an overall great experience.

    How does a processor affect gaming performance?

    A CPU is equally important as a GPU for gaming performance. The CPU is literally the brain behind everything that happens in your computer. Everything that happens in your computer is first passed through the processor which will then process it. If the CPU is slow, all the other components like your GPU won’t be able to perform at their full potential making the CPU the weak link in your system(bottleneck).

    There’s also the fact that most modern games use a lot of complex stuff like AI and world generation which puts a heavy load on your CPU, affecting the overall FPS. Thus having a good processor is essential for gaming. But that doesn’t mean you should compulsorily go for high-end 8 core processors because chances are you won’t need them especially while playing at a higher resolution. A good 4 core or 6 core processor nowadays will run almost all games comfortably as long as it is paired with a good graphics card.

    Keeping this in mind here are the processors you should go for in the under 15000 Rupees range.

    Processors under 10000 Rupees

    1- Ryzen 3 3100

    The Ryzen 3 3100 is a 4 core 8 thread processor which currently costs just Rs 9700 (on MD Computers at the time of writing and even cheaper during sales)  is a really good option for its price. This processor, while being affordable, does not compromise on performance 

    Pros-

    • Great gaming performance at a low cost
    • Included AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler 
    • Works with any AM4 motherboard and has PCIe Gen 4 support

    Cons-

    • No integrated graphics (requires a graphics card)
    • Low stocks currently and therefore hard to find at a good price

    Here’s the gaming performance of the chip paired with an RTX 2080ti (Bottleneck? Absolutely not)

    Name Of The Game Performance at 1080p       Performance at 4K
    Far Cry 5 (Ultra) 92 Average FPS 75 Average FPS 
    CS: GO (High) 360 Average FPS 265 Average FPS
    Rise Of The Tomb Raider (Very High)         131 Average FPS 84 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (High) 245 Average FPS 185 Average FPS

    2- Ryzen 3 3200g 

     

    The Ryzen 3 3200g at just Rs 9500 (at the time of writing on MD Computers) is a great option for those who wanna hold out on buying a graphics card in the current market due to the inflated prices. It has Radeon Vega 8 Graphics and is a 4 core 8 thread processor.

    Pros-

    • Has integrated graphics
    • Included AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler
    • Works with any AM4 Motherboard and has PCIe Gen 4 Support

    Cons-

    • The integrated graphics should be used temporarily as they do not give playable frame rates at high resolutions in most of the newly released AAA games.

    Here’s the gaming performance of the chip on integrated graphics (It’s not that impressive but still playable while you wait for that 3060ti to come in stock)

    Name Of The Game Performance at 720p      Performance at 1080p
    CS: GO (medium) 112 Average FPS 70 Average FPS
    Rise Of The Tomb Raider (lowest)           44 Average FPS 31 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Medium) 95 Average FPS 54 Average FPS

    Processors Under 150000 Rupees

    1- Intel i5-9400F

    The I5 9400f is one of the cheapest 6 core processors you can find at just Rs 10900 (at the time of writing on PrimeABGB). Although it does not have integrated graphics the performance of this processor and the 2 extra when compared to the rest of the processors at this price, make it a compelling buy.

    Pros-

    • Leading gaming performance at its price point
    • Bundled cooler (which is not that great, but it’s better than nothing)

    Cons-

    • No Integrated Graphics
    • No Hyperthreading

    Here’s the gaming performance when paired with an RTX 2080ti, and at just Rs 10500, this is really worth the price

    Name Of The Game Performance at 1080p
    CS: GO (High) 413 Average FPS
    Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Very High)         93 Average FPS
    GTA: V (Very High) 118 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Very High) 268 Average FPS

    2- i5-11400f

    The i5 11400f with 6 cores and 12 threads is the most expensive processor on the list at Rs 14,750 (at the time of writing on ezpz solutions.in) and also the latest one from Intel. This processor is an absolute beast for its price beating the Ryzen 5 3600 in games by almost 20% on average. It is surprising to say but Intel has now become the budget gaming processor king with the 11400f. This graphics card lacks an integrated GPU but is certainly the best choice when paired with a good graphics card provided you can find one in stock.

    Pros-

    • Unmatched gaming performance for its price.
    • Better price/performance for gaming than the 3600/3600x/5600x
    • 6 cores with hyperthreading

    Cons-

    • No overclocking potential as the processor is locked
    • No integrated graphics (so no display output until you source a graphics card)
    • Relatively less productivity performance than its Ryzen competitors

    Here’s the gaming performance of the 11400f paired with an RTX 3080. Also, have included a comparison with the Ryzen 5 3600 which is similarly priced and you can see why this processor is a beast for its price.

    Name Of The Game  i5-11400F

    Performance at 1080p           

        Ryzen 5 3600

    Performance at 1080p

     

    Red Dead Redemption 2 (High/Custom)            159 Average FPS  131 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Very High) 414 Average FPS  382 Average FPS
    Cyberpunk 2077 (Medium) 140 Average FPS  117 Average FPS
    GTA V (Very High) 122 Average FPS  105 Average FPS

    Conclusion

    With the current silicon shortages, finding a good processor at a good price can be quite challenging but I highly recommend the above processors if you can find them in stock at a good price Here’s a short summary- The 3100 and 3200g are great processors under 10k and the choice should be made depending on whether you need integrated graphics or not. The i5 9400f is a good choice if you want 6 cores and provides great gaming performance for its 11k price tag. However, if you can stretch your budget up to 15k, the 11400f is an absolute beast for its price and I highly recommend it if you’re someone who is looking for a budget processor so that you can spend more money on the graphics card which are overpriced nowadays.