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The 11 Best Portable Power Bank Chargers for Travel [2024]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

806 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

36 Published Articles 3307 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

Things to look for in a power bank, the 11 best portable power banks for travel, final thoughts.

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When you’re miles from anywhere, a portable power bank can quickly become your very best friend.

Giving an extra burst of battery life to your cell phone or iPad can keep you amused for longer, or more importantly, ensure that you’re always able to get in touch with the rest of the world.

Size and Weight

Your power bank is designed to be portable, otherwise, what’s the point?! With this in mind, the physical size and weight of it will be major factors in considering which one is right for you.

The charger should be able to fit neatly in the same space as your cell phone; otherwise, you’ll have one in your pocket while carrying the other in your hand — not cool!

Bottom Line: Look for one that will fit neatly in your pocket, purse, or backpack . While power banks should have a sturdy feel about them, they shouldn’t be uncomfortably heavy, so opt for one that’s light enough not to weigh you (or your pockets) down.

Milliamp (mAh)

The power capacity that your power bank kicks out is measured in milliamp-hours or “mAh.” The amount of mAh available will define how much charge you can expect to get out of your power bank.

Common capacity ratings range from 2,000mAh to 20,000mAh and in some cases, even as high as 40,000mAh. To give you a rough idea of how the amount of mAh juice in the bank affects what you can charge and how often, consider the following:

• An iPhone 7 can be charged approximately 6 times with a 20,000mAh power bank
• A Samsung Galaxy S8 can be charged approximately 4.5 times with a 20,000mAh power bank
• An iPad mini can be charged approximately 4 times with a 20,000mAh power bank

Think about what devices you need a power bank for and how long you’ll be away from a power outlet. If you just need something to keep your phone topped up a couple of times a day, a 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh will do the job just fine and it will be physically smaller, too.

Hot Tip: Most airlines will cap power banks at 20,000mAh while some will allow larger. Always check with your airline as to what the maximum capacity requirements are.

Inputs (1A, 2A, or 2.4A)

At some point, your power bank will need charging up to ensure it can provide the backup charge power you need. What you want is a nice, quick recharge speed that means you can get back out there without having to be attached to a wall socket for hours on end.

The input charging speed is dependent on the type of wall charger used. A standard wall charger with a 2A output would recharge the power bank twice as fast as one with only a 1A output. For this to happen, your power bank would need to offer a 2A input.

While some do offer this, many still rely on a 1A input which will take longer to reach a full charge.

Hot Tip: Newer power banks can be charged even more quickly with the addition of a 2.4A input option. Look out for these if you want the fastest charge on the market. 

1. Pint-sized Perfection for Single-use Charging

Anker PowerCore, 5000 mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger

Capacity: 5,000mAh

Lightweight and super useful, this tiny, compact charger is enough to provide 2 full charges for your iPhone 8 or 1 charge for your iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S9.

Measuring 4.5 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches and weighing 4.8 ounces, you’ll have no problem fitting this handy charger in your pocket or purse on the go.

With a fairly impressive battery capacity of 5,000mAh, this product is well-made and is an excellent example of an established brand squeezing good-quality components into small packages.

The charger features PowerIQ technology that identifies the type of device it’s charging to optimize efficiency, as well as a VoltageBoost to overcome cable resistance for top-speed charging.

With both a USB and micro USB port and the ability to be fully recharged in as little as 3 to 4 hours, this small battery pack will be with you on every adventure.

As a one-off, emergency charger, this is one of the best in the business. When you need that little bit extra, you can retrieve this from your handbag to allow you to stay charged on the go.

There’s no real downside to this particular power bank, but if you want more power, you’ll need to invest in a model with more capacity. As with all Anker chargers, this model also comes with an 18-month warranty.

What We Like

• Comes with a travel pouch

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t include a USB-C cable

2. Superstar Power Bank Offering Dual Charging

• Lanluk Portable Charger Power Bank

Capacity: 25,800mAh

This is a popular and very impressive power bank from Lanluk. With 2 incredibly fast USB ports, powerful and efficient lithium-ion batteries, and a highly portable design, this is a great option for anyone who needs to boost their power on the go.

Measuring just 5.9 x 3 x 0.6 inches and weighing 12.3 ounces, the slightly heavy feeling in your pocket is more than made up for by the superfast charging capability it offers.

This power bank has 2 USB ports that can be used to charge multiple devices at the same time — 1 2.1A outport and 1 1A outport. The unit also offers Auto IC technology that very cleverly identifies your device for maximum charge efficiency .

Different devices will vary on how many times they can be charged, but to give you an idea, your iPhone 8 could be charged a whopping 7 times when this power bank is fully charged.

• Charges 2 devices at once
• Recharge of the power bank could be quicker

3. A Great Little Charger That Packs a Punch

• TG90 6000 mAh Portable Charger

Capacity: 6,000mAh

Compact and lightweight, this small power bank is incredibly portable. Weighing in at just 4.3 ounces and measuring only 4.1 x 0.5 x 2.6 inches, complete with cables, it’s one of the smallest 6,000mAh chargers available .

This TG90 power bank can easily fit in your pocket, purse, or day bag for easy charging on the go and its tiny size belies its powerful charging capabilities. Built-in iPhone and Android cables mean you don’t need to remember to bring your cables, and there are 2 additional 2A outputs (USB and Type-C) for charging multiple devices.

When it comes to charging your power bank back up, this can be done in as little as 3 hours without other connections, or you can charge up while charging your portable devices at the same time. If you happen to be short of light, this power bank also has a handy built-in LED flashlight.

This is a great power pack for the price, and should you run into any problems, you can relax knowing that it comes with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.

• Small and lightweight to fit in any bag
• Only holds a charge for 1 or 2 phones

4. A Great All-around Charger for Days Out and Long Journeys

• Anker 321 Power Bank

Capacity: 5,200mAh

The Anker 321 Power Bank   offers a handy amount of extra capacity for keeping your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or tablet topped up while you’re away from home.

Measuring just 3.78 x 1.78 x 0.91 inches and weighing 4.5 ounces, you’ll easily be able to take this everywhere with you.

Using Anker’s PowerIQ device-detection technology, charging times will be adjusted to help reduce charging time and increase efficiency, depending on what device you have plugged in.

With a USB-A and USB-C port, you can charge 2 devices at the same time and this compact portable charger has enough power to charge your iPhone 13 once. The bright LED indicators show the power level at a glance.

This is a great portable charger from one of the best brands on the market. Affordable and efficient, this won’t last you for weeks on end, but it will provide you with more than enough power for an extra charge or 2 when you need it the most.

• Comes with an 18-month warranty
• Doesn’t come with an iPhone charging cable

5. A Firm Favorite for Those Who Need Power

• Anker PowerCore II 10000 Ultra Slim Power Bank

Capacity: 10,000mAh

The upgraded PowerCore II is an impressive power bank that features Anker’s new charging chip.

Being able to squeeze the power into a single chip makes for a lighter and more powerful charger that’s more portable than ever before. Measuring 5.39 x 2.6 x 0.59 inches and weighing just 7.52 ounces, you can easily pop this in your handbag, backpack, or pocket.

Kicking out 10,000mAh of power, you’ll be able to charge your iPhone 8/X/XS/XS Max/XR, Android smartphones, tablets, USB-C MacBook, or your iPad anywhere you go. When it comes to recharging the device itself, it can take between 4 and 10 hours, depending on the type of input you’re using.

The super-high-speed capacity means you can quickly and efficiently charge an iPhone X over 2.4 times, a Galaxy S9 2.2 times or an iPhone 8 over 3.6 times before the power bank’s battery is empty.

The PowerCore II looks as good as it functions, too, with a soft silicone surface that cushions your smartphone and helps to prevent scuffs and scratches, as well as a slim design that can rest perfectly next to your cell phone.

• Super thin to fit easily into your carry-on or laptop bag
• Only has 1 USB port

6. One of the Best-loved Power Banks Ever Made

Anker powercore 13000.

Capacity: 13,000mAh

This ultra-portable, 2-point power bank is robust enough to go anywhere with you while offering the capacity to keep your cell phone or devices topped up on the go.

Measuring 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weighing just 8.47 ounces, this lightweight charger is small enough to fit in your pocket, purse, or wallet alongside your cell phone.

With enough oomph to charge an iPhone 8 almost 5 times, an iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8 3 times, or an iPad Air 2 1 time, this is useful for anyone on the move.

The patented PowerIQ technology ensures intelligent high-speed charging for all your devices, while the VoltageBoost prevents cable resistance from slowing your charging speeds.

With simultaneous dual-port charging, you can be off on your adventures again in no time. As some of the most popular and best-selling portable chargers in the world, the PowerCore range is fast to charge up. You can have a fully charged power bank in 4 to 10 hours, depending on the cable speed.

30% lighter than other comparable power banks and just the right size to take anywhere, this is a solid option for anyone looking for more power away from home.

• Has 2 high-speed USB ports
• No wall charger included

7. A Great Choice for Charging Small Laptops on the Go

• Sikon AC Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank

Capacity : 31,200mAh

This is a veritable beast of a power bank that provides a whopping 31,200mAh, an AC outlet, and 3 additional USB outputs (5V/2A, and Type-C output and input 5V/3A,) all wrapped up in a thin, highly portable power bank.

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds and measuring 2.8 x 2.8 x 8.6 inches, it’s too big to fit in your pocket but should fit just fine in a large purse or laptop case. If you want to work on your laptop on the go and keep it powered up, this is a reasonably compact choice, given the amount of power it can provide you with.

While the Sikon Power Bank is compatible with numerous devices, its primary function is to keep your laptop operational no matter where you are .

It works best in association with smaller laptops such as MacBooks, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, Dell XPS, HP TPN-C116, and THINKPAD E430, as well as some others that operate at no more than 85 watts.

It provides fast and effective charging capabilities, although 1.8 full charges of your laptop will drain the power bank entirely, meaning you’ll need to plug it into a wall socket somewhere before you head out again.

It will also charge your phone, GoPro, iPad, and even gaming gadgets, so while it works well with laptops, it’s not limited to just their use.

• The display shows the percentage of charge remaining
• The cooling fan is quite loud

8. Best Value Power Bank for Outdoor Adventures

BLAVOR Solar Power Bank

Great for outdoor explorers, this 10,000mAh portable power bank comes complete with carabiner, compass, and a built-in flashlight to help you stay connected and on track wherever you are.

Measuring 5.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches and weighing 9.3 ounces, this is a great choice for anyone needing extra power on the go.

This power bank also doubles as a Qi wireless charging device.

This power bank has a choice of micro USB, USB-A and USB-C connections. It can efficiently charge 3 devices simultaneously and most cell phones between 2 and 2.5 times on 1 full charge.

While it does offer solar power capabilities, it’s advised that this function is used as backup and that the power bank be fully charged before you set off on your next adventure.

Designed to last, this sturdy charger is IPX5 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof and covered in flameproof material, making it a durable outdoor addition to your camping, hiking, or trekking equipment to ensure that you can reliably keep in touch with the rest of the world when you head off the grid.

The only downside to this particular model is that the solar panel seems like a bit of a gimmick, but if that doesn’t worry you, it’s still a useful little charger for using away from home.

• Great for camping or other outdoor adventures
• The solar panel isn’t something to rely on

9. 2 Power Banks for all Your Charging Needs

2-Pack Miady 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger

Capacity: 10,000mAh each

This 2-pack of Miady power banks will ensure that your devices never run out of juice. While not in the same leagues as the more expensive, bigger brand power bars and banks on the market, the Miady portable charger is a nifty bank that will see you right for an extra charge when you need it most.

Keep both chargers for yourself or gift the second to your partner or friend. You can choose between a set of black and white power banks or a couple of other brightly colored combinations.

This power bank can charge cell phones and small devices quickly and offers 10,000mAh capability. There are 2 USB outputs on both devices, both rated at 2.4A, and a micro USB port rated at 2A.

4 LEDs light up to indicate the percentage of power remaining (each light represents 25%) and the power bank automatically powers off if no device has been connected for 30 seconds.

• Available in a few different color combinations
• Doesn’t always start charging automatically when plugged in

10. Great for Gamers on the Go

• Antank Power Bank For Nintendo Switch

With enough power to charge up your Nintendo Switch even while you play it, this is a medium-sized charger that measures 6.1 x 3.2 x 1.9 inches and weighs 8.8 ounces. It was the first power bank to neatly attach directly to the back of a Switch , so there’s no need to hold it awkwardly while you play.

This nifty power bank will give you between 8.5 and 12 hours of total charge playing some of your favorite Nintendo Switch games.

While this power bank has a built-in Type-C cable to connect to your Switch, there’s also a Type-C port and a USB (3A) to charge up your iPhone and other devices.

• Can be used and charged simultaneously
• Can feel quite weighty on the back of the Switch

11. Great for Vacations and Overnight Stays

• VimPower Portable Charger 22000mAh Battery Pack

Capacity: 22,000mAh

Made from 2 high-density, lithium polymer batteries, this multi-device charging power bank is an effective and affordable way to keep your cell phone, iPhone, or iPad fully charged on the go.

Weighing just 1.1 pounds and measuring 7.5 x 4 x 1.3 inches, this clever pack will easily fit in your purse, backpack, or laptop bag.

This power bank features 2 USB A ports, 1 Type-C port, and 2 micro USB ports, which can charge multiple devices at the same time, and it comes with a couple of charging cables, too. The highly efficient 22,000mAh capacity battery can charge most phones over 5 times, and most tablets over 4 times, meaning you can keep entertained and in touch wherever you go.

The 15W and 30W ports supply super-quick charge times that are 2 to 3 times faster than traditional power banks , and to give you an idea of this speed — an iPhone XS Max can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

For its size and capability, this power bank is to back to full charge in as little as 7 hours, and should you experience problems, it does come with a full 3-year warranty from the manufacturer.

• 30W ports can charge some laptops
• Different ports aren’t clearly marked with charging capabilities

There are plenty of reasons why you should invest in a portable power bank and there are just as many types and variations for you to choose from.

Before you commit, look for a model that can charge your devices quickly and efficiently and that doesn’t take days on end to charge itself.

An efficient power bank will completely transform the way you use our portable devices when you’re away from home. Choose wisely, and you will be able to extend the battery life of your cell phone, tablet, laptop, and even small gaming consoles, literally anywhere in the world.

Love streamlining your travel tech? Don’t miss out on these other product reviews:

• The Best Portable and Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots for Travel
• The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Travel
• The Best Travel Electronic Organizers for Your Cables and Cords
• Best Travel Products – Tech & Photography Focus

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i bring a power bank on a plane.

Power banks can only be transported on a plane in a carry-on and cannot be in your checked luggage.

Airlines usually allow a 100Wh power bank with a 5V output, which equates to 20,000mAh.

Some airlines will allow 160Wh power banks if you declare it beforehand. Always check with your airline before you fly.

What is the best portable power bank?

Some of the best portable power banks that we recommend are:

• Anker PowerCore 1300
• Anker PowerCore 5000 mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger
• Qi Solar Power Bank

Is 20,000mAh good for a portable charger?

20,000mAh is a fairly common capacity for many portable chargers, which equates to around 6 full charges of an iPhone 7.

How many mAh is good for a portable charger?

How do i choose a portable charger.

The important things to consider when choosing a portable charger are:

• The size and weight, so it’s not too bulky for your needs
• The power capacity that the power bank kicks out (measured in milliamp-hours or “mAh”)
• The input charging speed

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 19 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your Devices

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Best Overall Nimble Champ (Series 2) Read more

The Upgrade Pick Anker 737 Power Bank Read more

Best for Phones Anker Nano Power Bank Read more

Best for Tablets Einova Eggtronic Ultra Fast Power Bank (63W) Read more

Portable devices have a Murphy’s law–like ability to run out of power at the least convenient moment: as you step on the bus, right in the middle of an important meeting, or just as you get comfortable on the couch and press Play. But if you keep a battery-powered portable charger handy, all those situations are a thing of the past.

There are hundreds of portable battery packs, and picking one can be confusing. To help, we've spent years working our way through all of them. This obsession started when Scott Gilbertson lived off-grid in a vintage RV , powered primarily by solar panels. But even if you're not living in an off-grid solar setup, good power banks will come in handy. These are our favorites. Be sure to check out our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for Apple-specific portable chargers, and our Best Portable Power Stations guide if you need more power.

Updated June 2024: We added portable chargers from Gomi, Anker, and FansDreams and updated prices.

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Best Overall

The Nimble Champ topped this list for years, and now its successor is taking over by combining everything that made the original so good and bringing some welcome improvements. At 6.2 ounces, it's one of the lightest on the market. It's smaller than a deck of cards and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end. While Scott used the original for years, the new version has only been out for a few months, but so far, so good. It feels durable, comes in a snazzy new range of speckled color finishes, and has a bright lanyard loop that makes for easy carrying and helps you pick it out of your backpack. The Pro version is bigger but doubles the capacity (to 20,000 mAh) and has a similar design with two USB-C ports that go up to 65 watts. There's also a smaller version with a 5,200-mAh capacity that tops out at 15 watts.

The other reason we like Nimble best is because of its environmental efforts . Batteries are not environmentally benign. They use lithium, cobalt, and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially questionable at best. But Nimble's use of bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging at least reduces the environmental impact where it can be reduced. This new version uses 90 percent recycled plastic (up 25 percent from the original) and comes in smaller plastic-free packaging. Nimble includes a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

Two USB-C ports (20 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

The Upgrade Pick

For folks who don’t mind paying for quality, the Anker 737 is a versatile and reliable beast with a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity. With power delivery 3.1 support, this power bank can send or receive up to 140 watts to charge phones, tablets, and even laptops. You can charge it from zero to full within an hour. It’s relatively compact for its capacity, but it weighs almost 1.4 pounds. Tap the circular power button on the side once and the snazzy digital display shows the remaining battery percentage; tap it again and you get stats, including the temperature, total output, cycles, and more. The screen also displays watts in or out when you plug something in and a remaining time estimate based on the current rate. It fast-charged everything I tested it with, and you can charge three devices at once without a problem.

Two USB-C ports (140 W) and one USB-A (18 W). Can charge most phones at least four times (24,000 mAh).

Best for Phones

If you want a compact charger that comes in fun colors and simply slots into the bottom of your phone for a top-up, Anker’s dinky charger is tough to beat. This power bank has a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi certified), so you don’t need to worry about cables. It packs 5,000 mAh of energy (enough to fully charge most phones). I tested the USB-C version with several Android phones and found it stayed in place, enabling me to use my phone more or less as normal. There’s a USB-C port for recharging the power bank, and it comes with a short cable. It might not be a good pick if you use a thick case.

One USB-C (22.5 W) or Lightning (12 W) connector and one USB-C port for charging only. Can charge most phones once (5,000 mAh).

Best for Tablets

WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been enjoying his time toting around this 20,000-mAh charger. It's slim, fits easily into the padded sleeve of most backpacks, and has enough capacity to recharge an 11-inch tablet twice from zero percent. It's capable of dishing out 45 watts of power for fast charging via the USB-C port, and 18 watts from the middle USB-A port. In a pinch, you can use it to recharge a laptop (as long as it's not a power-sucking machine like a MacBook Pro). It has a lovely fabric material on the exterior, and there's an LED that shows how much juice is left in the tank.

Two USB-A ports (18 W and 10.5 W) and one USB-C (45 W). Can charge most tablets two times (20,000 mAh).

Best for Laptops

Goal Zero updated its Sherpa line of portable chargers with better wireless charging capabilities: 15 watts, up from 5 watts in the previous model. I tested the Sherpa AC, which features two USB-C ports (60-watt and 100-watt), two USB-A ports, and a 100-watt AC port for those devices that need a pronged plug. It strikes a good balance between power storage (93 watt-hours in my drain test) and weight (2 pounds). It’s enough to charge up my Dell XPS 13 almost twice.

You get a nice color LCD display that shows how much power you've got left, how many watts are coming in and how many are going out, and a rough guess as to how much longer the battery will last (if conditions remain the same). Recharge times vary depending on whether or not you have the Sherpa wall charger (sold separately), but I was able to get it to recharge in under three hours no matter what power source I used. There's also an 8-mm port on the back for attaching a solar panel if you have one. The Sherpa is not cheap, but if you don't need the AC out and can live with a single USB-C (100-watt out, 60-watt in), the Sherpa PD is otherwise the same thing for $200.

Two USB-C ports (60 W and 100 W), two USB-A (12 W), and one AC (100 W). Qi wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most laptops one to two times (25,600 mAh).

Best for Fast Charging

Ugreen's charger is, as the name suggests, a 145-watt charger with a 25,000-mAh battery. It's surprisingly compact for the power it provides, although at 1.1 pounds, it's definitely not ultralight. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. What sets the Ugreen apart is that you can actually draw 145 watts while charging. That works out to one USB-C port at 100 W and the other at 45 W. Very few other batteries we've tested are capable of that feat, and none that I know of at this size. If you want to charge fast, this is the power bank for you (although it's worth noting that reviews around the web suggest it doesn't support Samsung's fast-charging tech). There's a small LED readout on the side of the battery with the current charge state of the battery. I'd have liked to see some charging info on that screen as well, but that's a small quibble with what's an otherwise outstanding option if you need to keep your laptop charged up wherever you are.

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 45 W) and one USB-A. Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (25,000 mAh).

Best-Looking Power Bank

I am a sucker for Sharge’s transparent designs and cyberpunk aesthetic, but this prism-shaped power bank is more than just a pretty face. With a maximum output of 170 watts, a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity, and an IP66 rating for water resistance (fine in the rain, but best not to submerge), the Sharge 170 has form and function. The smart display shows battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts. It supports many standards, including power delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, and it fast-charged most of the devices I tested, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MacBook Air. You can simultaneously charge three devices at fast speeds, and the box includes a braided USB-C cable and a wee velvety bag. It can also recharge completely in an hour via USB-C at up to 140 watts (with the right cable and charger). The only thing I don’t like is the relatively high price.

Two USB-C ports (165 W) and one USB-A (30 W). Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (24,000 mAh).

A Repairable Power Bank

While I love the swirly designs, solid metal bottom, and compact size, it is Gomi’s ethos that really sells these power banks. Handmade by a small indie business in Brighton, UK, from recycled plastic, with power generated by repurposed ebike batteries, Gomi claims at least 50 percent less CO 2 emissions than comparable power banks. It looks and feels good, with curved sides, and Gomi promises up to 6-foot drop protection. There’s a power button on the side to light up the four LEDs and show how much of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains.

Both ports can deliver up to 18 watts, and you can charge two devices at once. It takes around four hours to fully charge from dead. There is a two-year warranty with this power bank offering free repairs. Gomi has designed it to be easily repairable, so even out of warranty you can get it fixed for a maximum cost of £20 ($25) plus shipping. If it should get damaged beyond repair somehow, Gomi will recycle it properly. You also get a braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

One USB-C port (18 W) and one USB-A (18 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

Folding Wireless Charging

With an unusual design that features a fold-up wireless charging stand for phones and a charging spot behind it for your wireless earbuds case (if it supports Qi wireless charging), plus a USB-C port to plug in a third device, the Satechi Duo is a handy power bank to have in your bag. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity with LEDs to show how much juice is left. The downside is that it is slow, offering up to 10 watts of wireless charging power for phones (7.5 watts for iPhones), 5 watts for earbuds, and 10 watts from the USB-C port. It takes three hours to refill the battery with an 18-watt charger.

One USB-C (10 W) and two Qi wireless charging spots (up to 10 W). Can charge most phones one to two times (10,000 mAh).

Best Qi2 Portable Charger

The latest entry in Anker’s MagGo range is the first Qi2 power bank we've tested. The Qi2 wireless charging standard borrows elements of Apple’s MagSafe, enabling supported phones to connect with perfect alignment using a ring of magnets. Qi2 brings faster wireless charging rates of up to 15 watts, but it is also backward compatible, so older Qi devices can still charge, albeit more slowly. This compact portable charger has a handy kickstand, a two-way USB-C port on the left edge, and a power button with an LED display showing remaining power as a percentage of charge time on the right. It can accommodate Qi2 or MagSafe phones in portrait or landscape orientation (it works with Apple’s StandBy mode ). I tested with an iPhone 14 Pro and got 25 percent in around 20 minutes. Despite a large capacity, it falls short of two full charges for your iPhone when charging wirelessly. You might squeeze out a little more if you plug in the short USB-C cable provided.

One USB-C port (27 W) and Qi2 wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most smartphones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

Best MagSafe

Anker's slim MagSafe power bank comes in a few fun colors and stays stuck to the back of any MagSafe iPhone (and Android phones using MagSafe cases ) to charge it wirelessly. You can also recharge the power bank or charge another device with it via the USB-C port, and it has a wee foldable stand built in. Just know that Anker has an older version of this that has the USB-C port on the bottom edge of the power bank. The new model (A1614) has it on the side, and you can turn off the power bank so it doesn’t charge the device (when you only want to use the kickstand). We recommend some alternatives in our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide .

One USB-C (12 W) and Qi wireless charging (7.5 W). Can charge most phones to between 50 and 80 percent (5,000 mAh).

Best for Apple Watch

Remembering to take a power bank with you for a night away is a real achievement, but what about your Apple Watch ? It may be one of the best smartwatches , but the battery rarely lasts beyond a full day. This compact, black power bank from Belkin has a soft-touch finish and an Apple Watch charger built in at one end. Even better, it can fast-charge your Apple Watch, and there’s enough capacity to charge your iPhone or AirPods via USB-C at the same time, making this the perfect portable charger to stow away in your bag or pocket. You get a 1-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

One USB-C port (20 W) and one Apple Watch fast charger (7.5 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

Best for Outdoors

If you are hiking, camping, cycling, or running, the BioLite is a handy companion. This durable power bank is lightweight, a good size to slip into a pocket, and has a nice grippy textured finish. The yellow plastic makes it easy to spot in a bag or crowded tent, and it indicates the port end, making it easier to plug in when the light is fading. The smallest size is enough to fully charge most phones, and the USB-C handles 18 watts in or out. Two additional USB-A out ports let you simultaneously charge up multiple devices, though you will probably want to size up to the 10,000-mAh Charge 40 ($60) or the 20,000-mAh Charge 80 ($80) if you plan on doing that.

Two USB-A ports (18 W) and one USB-C (18 W). Can charge most phones at least once (6,000 mAh).

Best Wall Charger Power Bank

Hybrid devices are great when space is limited. This wall charger and power bank in one is a solid hybrid option. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft raved about it , and after testing, I have to agree. The display shows you what percentage of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains, there's a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and two built-in cables (USB-C and Lightning). But that’s not all. Turn it on its side, and you have a magnetic wireless charger. There’s even a wee slide-out phone stand and a strap for easy carrying. While you can technically charge five devices at once, it’s awkward, and the battery will die quickly. Still, this is a handy multipurpose power bank to have in your bag. You can refill it by plugging it straight into the wall or via the USB-C port, but it takes a few hours to fully charge from empty.

One USB-C port (20 W), one USB-A port (22.5 W), one USB-C cable (15 W), one Lightning cable (12 W), and Qi wireless charging (up to 15 W, only 7.5 W for MagSafe iPhones). Can charge most phones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

Most Portable

The svelte Clutch, available in black, white, or pink, is about the same size as a stack of credit cards and weighs around 2 ounces. It’s designed to slide easily into pockets and bags and offers a modest top-up for your phone’s flagging battery. The third version of the super-slim portable charger packs a larger battery than its predecessors, at 3,300 mAh. You charge it via the USB-C port, and there's a built-in charging cable (there's a different Lightning model). It’s slow, it gets quite warm when plugged in, and a full Clutch added only around 40 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery. It also scuffs quite easily in a bag. You can get higher capacities and more efficient chargers for less, but portability is the point of the Clutch V3, and it’s a handy size to tuck away in your bag for emergencies.

One USB-C port and a built-in Lightning or USB-C cable. Can top up your phone (3,300 mAh).

Cyberpunk Style

If you loved the clear craze that gave us a wave of translucent electronics in the 1990s, then you will immediately see the appeal of Shargeek’s power banks. A see-through case provides a clear view of the ports, chips, and bundled rechargeable Samsung Li-ion batteries inside this portable charger. The color display gives you a detailed readout of the voltage, current, and power flowing in or out of each port. If you dig into the menu, you can find stats showing temperature, cycles, and more.

The DC barrel port is unusual, and you can specify the voltage and current you want to suit different devices; it can deliver up to 75 watts. The first USB-C supports PD PPS and can go up to 100 watts (enough to charge a laptop), the second USB-C goes to 30 watts and supports PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 4 standards, and the USB-A port is QC 3.0 and puts out 18 watts. In short, this power bank will fast-charge most devices. It comes with a yellow 100-watt USB-C to USB-C cable and a wee bag.

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 30 W), one USB-A (18 W), and a DC barrel port. Can charge most laptops once (25,600 mAh).

Best for the Rest

Got devices that don't charge via USB? Yes, they're still around. I have an old, but still great, GPS device that runs on AA batteries, headlamps that take AAA batteries, and countless other odds and ends that need batteries. After running through several brands, I've found Eneloop rechargeable batteries to be the longest-lasting and most reliable. The fast Panasonic charger can recharge any combination of AA and AAA batteries in less than four hours, and you can sometimes get it bundled in a pack that includes four AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

The standard AA Eneloop batteries hold around 2,000 mAh each, with AAA batteries holding 800 mAh, but you can upgrade to Eneloop Pro (2,500 mAh and 930 mAh, respectively) for more demanding gadgets, or go for Eneloop Lite (950 mAh and 550 mAh) for low-power devices. They come precharged with solar energy, and Eneloop recently switched to plastic-free cardboard packaging.

Rechargeable batteries are a smart idea, and Eneloop are the best , but if you need alkaline batteries for some reason and you are in Europe, check out the Itson range . They are made in the EU from recycled materials, and they are very affordable.

Best for the Car

It’s a horrible feeling when your car refuses to start because the battery is dead, but if you have a portable battery pack like this one in your trunk, you can give yourself a jump-start. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft  called it a roadside lifesaver after it jump-started his car several times on a long trip home from out of state. The Noco Boost Plus is a 1,000-amp, 12-volt battery pack with jump leads. It also has a USB-A port to charge your phone and a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight. It’s a good thing to have in your trunk, but you must remember to charge it every six months. It’s also IP65-rated and good for temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit up to 122 degrees.

One USB-A port. Can jump-start a car up to 20 times.

A Portable Power Station

Folks seeking more power for camping or a long road trip should pick up the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. This cute and compact battery has a fold-out handle, packs a 288-Wh capacity, and weighs 8.3 pounds. It has two USB-C ports (18 W and 100 W), one USB-A (15 W), a car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W, 600 W surge). There is plenty of power to keep your small gadgets going for a few days. There’s also an AC input, or you can charge it via USB-C. The fan kicks in sometimes, but the Silent Charging Mode keeps it below 45 decibels. You can manage it with Jackery’s app via Bluetooth, and it also has a handy flashlight. We have found Jackery gear reliable and durable, and you can expect to get at least a decade out of this battery. Go any bigger than this and portability gets debatable. We have a separate Best Portable Power Stations guide with recommendations for folks who need a lot of power.

If you want charging options for going off-grid, you can get the 300 Plus with a 40-W book-sized solar panel ($300) . It took me around eight hours to charge the battery with this panel in blue sky sunshine. If you want a faster charge and have the space for a larger panel, consider the 300 Plus with 100-W solar panels ($500) .

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 18 W), one USB-A (1 5W), one car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W). Can charge most phones more than 10 times or a laptop three times (288 Wh).

Honorable Mentions

There are so many portable chargers out there. Here are a few more we like that just missed out on a place above for one reason or another.

• FansDreams MChaos for $59 : I love the idea of a wearable power bank, and this one comes in lime green with a carabiner that makes it easy to attach to a bag. It also has a built-in, retractable, 28-inch USB-C cable to charge your phone at up to 20 watts. Recharging the power bank is a little slower at 18 watts. The colored LED gives you a sense of remaining juice as it goes from green to orange to red, but the 5,000-mAh capacity means you’ll be lucky to get one full charge for your phone, and even the discounted price feels a little high. We also tested the 10,000-mAh model ($89) , which has a nicer design. Pull the 2.3-foot retractable USB-C cable out and the percentage remaining pops up visible through the shiny plastic of the case. There’s a USB-C port on the bottom for charging, and it goes up to 22.5 watts either way.
• Sharge Flow Mini for $20 : With a similar design to Anker’s Nano Power Bank above and the same 5,000-mAh capacity, you might be tempted to go for this instead. It comes with interchangeable USB-C to USB-C or Lightning connectors (which I worry will be easy to lose) and has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a strap, though it’s tricky to pull out. There’s a power button with four LEDs to show the remaining power, and it only takes an hour and a half to refill, but the charging rate maxes out at 12 watts either way.
• Infinacore Pandora Portable Power Global Wireless Charger for $60 : This was our pick for the best wall charger power bank, but the Raycon that replaced it packs more power and charges faster. This is still a decent charger that plugs directly into the wall, and it has the advantage of optional EU and UK plug adapters for an extra $10, making it a handy travel companion. It offers 8,000 mAh via one USB-C port, two USB-A ports (18 W total), and Qi wireless charging (5 W).
• Baseus Blade 2 for $100 : With an extremely thin design, this 12,000-mAh-capacity power bank is easy to slip into a backpack and can charge most phones a couple of times or top up a laptop at up to 65 watts. It has a display showing battery life as a percentage or time remaining and the input or output for both USB-C ports. We've tried many products from up and down the Baseus product line. While they are generally reliable, we do think there are better options.
• Iniu Power Bank BI-B64 for $80 : Offering relatively low prices, Iniu is a power bank brand on the rise. This portable charger packs a 27,000-mAh capacity, can put out up to 140 W, and charges three devices at once via the two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. We also tested the very similar BI-B63 ($60) , which has a slightly lower capacity at 25,000 mAh but seems like a better value. Unfortunately, both fell slightly short of the stated capacity when tested. We also like the color options available in the company's slimmest version .
• Anker Prime Power Bank for $130 : With a total combined output of 200 W and a hefty 20,000-mAh capacity, this is a solid choice for charging any device; you could even use it to charge two laptops at once via the two USB-C ports. There is a USB-A port, too, and a digital screen like the 737 listed above. You can also buy a Power Base ($70) for this, which enables you to stick the power bank on top and charge it via pogo pins. The base makes it easy to keep the power bank topped up and is handy for desktop charging with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (combined max output 100 W). I tried the UK version (£130) , which worked great, but WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu had issues with the US base failing to charge the power bank.
• Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000 for $40 : Another solid option from Anker (also available for £30 from Amazon UK ), this power bank has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a loop for easy carrying and a further one USB-C and one USB-A port. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity, good for just shy of two full charges for most phones. It maxes out at 30 watts each way and can be fully charged in around two hours.
• Acefast Fast Charge Power Bank M1 for $45 : The see-through design and fun colors (we got purple) make this worth a look. It has a 10,000-mAh battery inside, supports power delivery, and can go up to 30 watts. The display shows the remaining power as a percentage, and you can recharge it in less than two hours.
• OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger for $50 : Finished in durable aluminum, this clever OtterBox power bank has a built-in Apple Watch charger. The rubberized bottom helps it stick to surfaces, and Nightstand mode makes it a handy bedside clock. But the limited 3,000-mAh battery means it runs out fast if you use the USB-C to top up your iPhone.
• Juice 3 Portable Charger for £20: An environmentally conscious alternative for folks in the UK, Juice power banks come in lots of colors, are made from 90 percent recycled plastic, and come in 100 percent recycled packaging. The series is numbered based on roughly how many charges you can expect to get out of it for the average smartphone, so the Juice 3 holds three full charges.
• Rugd Power Brick for $60 : This shock- and water-resistant (IP67 certified) charger doubles as a bright 16-LED with an SOS mode, and has a hefty 10,050-mAh capacity (one USB-C at 18 W and a USB-A that supports QC). It’s also bright orange, weighs just 280 grams, and comes with a carabiner for easy attachment, all of which make it an excellent camping buddy.
• Mpowered Luci Pro Lux for $37 : This solar-powered inflatable lantern boasts 10 LEDs and emits a lovely warm glow that’s perfect for camping or walking at night. It is IP67-rated and packs down flat for easy carrying. While it’s not primarily a power bank, the 2,000-mAh battery in the Luci Pro can charge your phone in an emergency. A nearly full Luci Pro boosted my Pixel 6 Pro by around 25 percent. It takes at least 14 hours to charge back up using the solar panels, or you can plug into an outlet and recharge in three.
• Mophie Powerstation , Powerstation XL , and Powerstation Pro AC for $35+ : Mophie's 2023 update to its Powerstation line has three devices in 10,000-, 20,000-, and 27,000-mAh capacities. They're bulky, nondescript devices with USB-C and USB-A ports, but the latter has an AC port and is great for travel. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the XL during his trip to Japan and had no trouble keeping his Switch Lite and Pixel 7 Pro topped up. There are LEDs to indicate remaining battery life, but there's otherwise nothing special about 'em.
• Excitrus Magnetic Wireless Power Bank for $120 : Power banks can be dull, so I like the unusual green fabric skin here, and a display embedded in the black plastic frame shows the remaining power percentage. This 20,800-mAh-capacity power bank has two USB-C ports (100 W and 45 W), a USB-A (18 W), and a wireless charging top (10 W) that works with Apple’s MagSafe. On the downside, it’s big, and it seems to drain slowly, even when not in use.
• iWalk Portable Charger for $30 : WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the Lightning version of this power bank while covering the Apple event and it reliably topped up his iPhone. The 4,800-mAh capacity won't fully refill your device, but it's tiny enough to keep in a bag at all times. There's an LED that shows the remaining percentage of power left. The company also has a MagSafe power bank ($30) .

What to Consider

There are a few things worth thinking about when you’re shopping for a portable charger.

Capacity : The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), but this can be a little misleading because the amount of power you get out depends on the cable you use , the device you're charging, and the charging method (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get the maximum capacity. We try to provide an estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for devices.

Charging speeds and standards : The charging rate for devices like smartphones is measured in watts (W), but most power banks list the voltage (V) and the amperage (A). Thankfully, you can calculate the wattage yourself simply by multiplying the voltage and amperage. Unfortunately, getting that maximum rate also depends on your device, the standards it supports, and the charging cable you use. Many smartphones, including Apple’s iPhones , support the power delivery standard, meaning you can use higher-power power banks to recharge the device with no issues. A few phones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S range, support a supplementary PD protocol called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) that goes up to 45 W. Many phones also support Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge (QC) standard. There are also other proprietary fast-charging standards, but you won’t generally find power banks that support them unless they come from the smartphone manufacturer.

Pass-through : If you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously, it will need pass-through support. The Nimble, GoalZero, Biolite, Mophie, Zendure, and Sharge portable chargers listed support pass-through charging. Anker discontinued support for pass-through in some of its products because it found that differences between the output of the wall charger and the input of the device charging can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its lifespan. Monoprice does not support pass-through charging, either. We would advise caution when using pass-through, as it can also cause portable chargers to heat up.

Travel : It’s safe to travel with a power bank, but there are two restrictions to keep in mind when you board a flight: You must have the portable charger in your carry-on luggage (it cannot be checked), and it must not exceed 100 Wh (watt-hours). If your power bank has a larger capacity than 27,000 mAh, you should check with the airline. Below that should not be a problem.

Why You Should Avoid Cheap Stuff

Many years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 gained notoriety when its batteries caught fire in a series of incidents. There's been a steady stream of similar, though isolated, incidents ever since. However, despite the high-profile coverage of batteries gone wrong, the vast majority of Li-ion batteries are safe.

The chemical reaction that occurs inside a lithium-ion cell is complex, but as in any battery, there's a negative and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the negative is a lithium-carbon compound, and the positive is cobalt oxide (though many battery makers are moving away from cobalt). These two compounds cause a reaction that is safe when controlled and delivers energy to your devices. When the reaction gets out of control though, you end up with earbuds melting in your ears. What changes a safe reaction to an uncontrolled reaction can be any number of things: excess heat, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacture, or using the wrong charger.

The three basic rules that have kept me safe (thus far) through testing dozens and dozens of batteries are:

• Avoid cheap cords, chargers, and outlet adapters.
• Make sure batteries aren't exposed to excessive heat (over 110 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage.

Avoiding cheap wall-outlet adapters, cords, and chargers is the most important. These are your most likely source of problems. Those chargers you see on Amazon for $20 cheaper than the competition? Not worth it. They probably got the price down by skimping on insulation, leaving out power-management tools, and ignoring the basics of electrical safety. Price alone is no guarantee of safety, either. Buy from reputable companies and brands.

Then there's heat. Too much of it can cause all manner of problems, both in terms of discharge and in terms of safety. Avoid heat, and pay attention to your batteries when they're charging. If your device gets overly hot when charging, this can be a sign of problems. Similarly, beware of any swollen, bulging, or otherwise misshapen batteries.

Eric Ravenscraft

Boone Ashworth

Lauren Goode

Medea Giordano

Scott Gilbertson

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The best power banks 2024: top portable chargers from Anker, Otterbox, and more

Keep your gear charged when you're on the go

• Best for everything
• Best for power users
• Best MagSafe
• Best bargain
• Best Apple Watch power bank
• Best sustainable
• Best ultra-slim
• How to choose
• How we test

The list in brief 1. Best power bank for everything 2. Best power bank for power users 3. Best mini power bank 4. Best MagSafe power bank 5. Best cheap power bank 6. Best Apple Watch power bank 7. Best power bank combo 8. Best sustainable power bank 9. Best ultra-slim power bank How to choose How we test

The best power bank is more than just a battery, it's peace of mind. There are so many power banks to choose from, so we've tested the best of the bunch and you can be confident that our recommendations are the best portable power options you'll find anywhere. 

Almost every power banks on this list can charge the latest iPhone 15 at the faster USB-C speeds, though wireless charging and pocket power is more about convenience than speed, so we also have wireless power bank options and a great travel card that fits easily in your pocket. 

For every power bank, we don't just look at the battery capacity, we check how much battery you're getting for the extra weight you have to carry. You can look for the power-to-weight ratio on every battery pack below, and the higher the ratio the more power you get for your trouble. 

We've tested every power bank in this list, and many more, in order to bring you the best options. Below, you'll find everything from the very small to the very large; from the wired to the wireless; from innovative bricks to forms you wouldn't expect. Read on for our favorites.

The quick list

Shall we cut to the chase? Here's our quick guide to the best power banks – and you can read more in-depth details on each battery pack by following the links. 

The best power bank for everything

The Anker 733 Power Bank is the one we never leave home without. It charges our phone and all of our accessories fast, and it's even powerful enough to charge a Chromebook or MacBook Air. 

Read more below

The best power bank for power users

The Anker Prime 250W power bank is serious overkill for most, but if you're a power geek who would love to know everything about the devices you're charging, it'll blow you away. It can also charge a laptop, phone, and more multiple times over. 

The best mini power bank

The Nano doesn't have enough juice to give you a full charge, but it makes up for that power with a pocketable size and super-convenient swing-out USB-C plug.  

The best MagSafe power bank  

The Baseus stands out through its magnets – which were strong enough to easily hold an iPhone 15 Pro Max in landscape mode in our testing – while its kickstand makes it a great desktop alternative. 

The best for cheap power bank

The Airpow may be the cheapest on this list, but it has plenty features and enough power to charge the biggest smartphone battery more than once. With a generous port selection too, it's a steal at around $20. 

The best Apple Watch power bank

Own both an iPhone and Apple Watch? The Otterbox 2-in-1 has a magnetic dock for your wearable, and also acts as a mini desk clock while the watch is charging. Very cute and convenient. 

Load the next product...

The best power bank combo

If you carry a water bottle everywhere, and you also need a spare battery, why not carry both in one device? The Tylt Bottle has two USB ports and also charges wirelessly. Oh, and the bottle is fully insulated to keep your drinks cold. 

The best sustainable power bank

This gorgeous power bank from Gomi is expensive, but you're saving the planet. The batteries are repurposed from e-bikes, and the plastic is re-used non-recyclable plastic bags. Worth it for a brighter future. 

The best ultra-slim power bank

If you need the most portable power bank available, the TravelCard Plus is slim enough to fit in a large wallet, and it packs just enough power to finish the night in style. It even has USB-C and Lightning plugs attached for convenience.  

The best power bank 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best power banks in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

1. Anker 733 Power Bank (GaNPrime PowerCore 65W)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You travel a lot and need power: We never take flight without the Anker 733 in our carry on luggage. It replaces multiple wall chargers and gives us a large battery on the go.  ✅ You carry a small laptop and a phone: The Anker 733 is powerful enough to charge a laptop and a phone together. Or you can charge your phone, headphones, and smartwatch all at once.

❌ You want a more portable option: Because of its combo nature, the Anker 733 is a bit bulky and cumbersome, but if you use it both ways, it's worth the trade-off in size to have such a useful device.   ❌ You only want to charge a phone: If you don't need to charge a laptop occasionally, or you only carry a phone with no accessories, the Anker 733 is more than you need. 

The Anker 733 is a revelation, and though it isn't the most powerful or feature packed power bank on this list, it is the best overall power bank to carry if you charge multiple devices, no matter what those devices might be. It can charge an iPhone 15 at full 20W speed, and it can even power a Chromebook or small laptop like a Macbook Air whether it's plugged into a wall or not. 

Speaking of that wall plug, it's the most useful feature ever on a power bank. Some power banks come with a built in USB-C cord, but this Anker comes with a two-prong power outlet plug. That makes it a wall charger as well as a power bank, and the utility can't be understated. 

You might think that adding a 65W wall charger to a power bank would add a lot of bulk. Well, you're right, the Anker 733 is big, and it's power-to-weight ratio isn't as high as the heavy hitters on this list. On the other hand, you can charge the battery and three devices in a wall, then simply remove the Anker 733 and keep charging those devices with the built-in battery.

The Anker 733 has a 10,000 mAh battery inside, which is just shy of enough power to charge an iPhone 15 to 100% twice. It can charge a big Galaxy S23 Ultra to 100% once, then lift the battery to around 30% again. 

There are two USB-C ports on the Anker 733, and both are capable of 65W charging when the power bank is plugged in to a wall outlet, or 30W when the battery is running the show. There's also a USB-A port for legacy devices. You can charge the Anker 733 by plugging it into the wall or you can plug in one of the USB-C ports to charge the battery. 

• ^ Back to the top

2. Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)

✅ You want the absolute best power bank: It has an app to monitor charging details, enough power to drive a MacBook or two, and fast recharging using both USB-C ports. Truly an unmatched power bank.  ✅ You need power for days and days: You could leave with your iPhone 15 on a Monday and use only this battery until you return on Friday. It has enough juice for days of charging, not hours. 

❌ You don't need all those extras: The Anker Prime power bank is pricey, and if you don't care about monitoring charge Wattage or days of battery life, find another option. ❌ You want a compact battery: The Anker Prime power bank has a very high power-to-weight ratio (PWR), but it's still the heaviest battery on this list. It's more than three times the weight of our bargain pick. 

The Anker Prime series of Power Banks, including the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) and the Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank (200W), are for people who truly love to geek out on power banks. If you came looking for the absolute best power bank you can buy, this is the best we've tried. 

First, let's start with the raw power. The big Anker Prime can power a MacBook Pro or any big laptop: it's USB-C ports are capable of 140W of power individually, and the entire battery pack can crank out 250W divided between the two USB-C and one USB-A port. 

You can also charge the Anker Prime using both USB-C ports at the same time, for a combined recharging rate up to 170W. That means you can completely refill this whopping 27K mAh battery in under 40 minutes. I thankfully had an Anker 737 GaN Prime charger that was up to the task, and it's fun to see the percentage climb. 

Think this is an amazing power bank? We're just getting started. The Anker Prime power bank has a built-in display, and it's no cheap LCD, it's a sharp OLED that gives you detailed information about the power going out or coming into the power bank. If that's not enough, there's also an Anker app you can download that gives you even more information about the battery on your smartphone.

That app is essential because there's a Find My feature built into the battery. It doesn't work like an AirTag over UWB, it's only Bluetooth, but it's useful if you misplace your battery in your office (or you have multiple batteries, like I do). 

In terms of charging, this massive power bank can charge an iPhone 15 more than five times. It can charge a big Galaxy S23 Ultra's 5,000mAh battery three-and-a-half times. Best of all, it charges at the fastest speed available on most of your favorite phones (excluding Oppo/OnePlus's unusual SUPERVOOC battery). 

Is the Anker Prime worth the high price? That's hard to say, since the larger battery has suffered from some availability issues, though the smaller version packs most of the same features, including the same maximum 140W charging speed in each USB-C port. If you want the best and you love to know about the power your devices are drawing, the Anker Prime Power Bank is the one to buy. 

3. Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W)

✅ You just got a new iPhone and want the perfect accessory: What better way to celebrate having a USB-C port than buying a new power bank that uses it well. ✅ You want a power bank that fits in a small pocket: The Anker Nano is the smallest power bank on our list, but it packs a big wallop for its small size, and that fold-down USB-C plug makes it easier to carry. 

❌ You need to charge back up to 100%: The Anker Nano carries a respectable 5,000 mAh of battery life, but the power lost in charging means it can't get an iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23 back to full power in a single charge.  ❌ You want to charge old stuff: We're not bothered by the lack of USB-A ports on this small charger, but if your watch or headphones requires it, every other charger on this list has on (including the water bottle charger). 

Everybody on our gift list who got a new iPhone is going to get an Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W) this year. This cute little charger is perfectly sized to sit beneath your favorite smartphone, plugged into the USB-C port with a little plug that opens out or hides away for a sleek look. 

The Anker Nano is only 5,000mAh, but that doesn't mean it can fully charge a 5,000mAh phone battery like you'll find in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Power banks are about 60-70% efficient, depending on the phone's technology, so this power bank is good for charging an iPhone 15 to nearly full, but that big Ultra will only get about 65% charge. 

That's just fine, because this power bank is the perfect pocket companion to keep you going through a busy day. If you need more power, you'll have to carry a bag to hold a big battery, but the Anker Nano gives you enough power for busy digital living, without added bulk.

In fact, this is the most efficient battery on our list, in terms of power-to-weight ratios. At only 100g, the Anker Nano is the smallest, but it still packs in plenty of power for that weight. You could buy six Nano power banks and have more power for less weight than buying the big Anker Prime. 

The Anker Nano used to be available in an Apple Lightning version, but those days are thankfully behind us. No matter what phone you are using, especially if you're enjoying the new iPhone 15, this is the power bank you should keep on you. 

Before you buy, why not check out the latest Anker promo codes ?

The best MagSafe power bank

4. baseus magnetic foldable power bank 20w 10000mah.

✅ You want a powerful magnetic charger: The Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is a high-capacity battery built onto a very strong magnet. It holds onto an iPhone tightly, even in landscape mode.  ✅ You want a portable StandBy dock: If you have an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 17, you can use the Baseus Magnetic Foldable as a dock for your iPhone in StandBy mode, giving you a cool desk clock with notifications or a digital photo frame. 

❌ You don't have a magnetic phone: You don't need an iPhone to enjoy the magnetic charging, but you'll need a case that lines up your phone with Apple's MagSafe wireless configuration, or else your phone won't charge properly.  ❌ You need to charge quickly: The Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is a strong magnet and a big battery, but it charges very slowly, whether wired or wireless. If you don't mind your iPhone wearing a backpack, that's not a problem. 

There are plenty of wireless power bank options on the market, but the Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank impressed me with its incredibly strong magnet. I have the official Apple MagSafe battery pack, and it's magnetic attraction is much weaker than this Baseus power bank. While the Apple battery fell off my phone occasionally, the Baseus Magnetic power bank held tight with less worry. 

That means I could twist my phone sideways into landscape mode and use the Baseus power bank as a portable stand for Apple's new StandBy mode, which is one of my favorite features on iOS 17, and certainly the one I use the most often. 

The Baseus Magnetic power bank can't charge very quickly; the company says it can only charge an iPhone at 7.5W, which is half the wattage a MagSafe iPhone is capable of handling. That was not problem, because this is a power bank that can stick to your phone for a while, so speed won't be of the essence. 

For the price and performance, the slower charging speed is a fine trade off. The Baseus Magnetic Foldable power bank had the second highest power-to-weight ratio on our list, and Baseus chargers are potent and affordable, a good mix.

If you have more than just your smartphone to charge, the Baseus Magnetic power bank has a USB-C port as well, and it can charge up to 20W, which is faster than the magnetic charging, if you really need a speed boost. 

With 10,000 mAh inside, it can charge an iPhone 15 to 100% just short of twice. A Galaxy S23 Ultra will get back to 100% charge once with an extra 35% or so on top of that.

The best cheap power bank

5. baseus airpow power bank 20w 10000mah.

✅ You need more power for less money: The Baseus Airpow power bank starts at $20 in the US and is on sale often, including Black Friday, so it's a real steal. ✅ You need more than one USB port: Most batteries with this many USB ports cost much more, so having two USB-C and one USB-A port will help you charge everything you carry. 

❌ You're trying to keep it simple : The Baseus Airpow doesn't have any built in wires or wireless charging, so you'll need to carry extras when it's time to power up.   ❌ You want to charge fast: While the 20W charging is respectable and can keep up with the new iPhone 15 USB-C port, most Android phones can charge faster than that, so a faster battery pack would help. 

If you haven't heard of Baseus, the company makes a healthy lineup of affordable, well-designed battery packs that don't feel nearly as cheap as their prices would indicate. The most affordable of the bunch, the so-called Airpow Power Bank, starts at $20 in the US but is available on sale often, including a 25% Black Friday discount. 

With three USB ports, including a USB-C port capable of 20W charging and a USB-A port for legacy devices, this battery is surprisingly feature-packed for such an inexpensive power bank. 

The Airpow is not a small power bank, but Baseus makes efficient gear that doesn't take up too much space. It's power-to-weight ratio is on par with the best battery packs from Anker and others. At 245g (more than half a pound), it's bulky, and you'll need to carry extra wires, but it's sleek and nice looking enough to keep in a hand bag. 

With 10,000mAh of power inside, the Baseus Airpow can charge an iPhone 15 once to 100% then once again to nearly full. It can charge a Galaxy S23 Ultra to full once, then add another quarter of a charge.

It's not the fastest battery, but that's expected for this price range. While a flagship phone like the Galaxy S23 Ultra can accept a charging speed up to 45W, the Baseus Airpow can only hit 20W maximum. That's enough for the iPhone 15, though the iPhone 15 Pro has an unpublished charging speed in excess of 20W. 

If you need more, Baseus has plenty of options available in a range of capacity sizes with a variety of features. The options aren't quite as fast or polished as the best power banks from Anker, but the prices are better, and Baseus doesn't add more bulk for less bucks. 

6. Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger

✅ You worry more about your Apple Watch battery: Big iPhones have a big battery, but your watch might not last the day. You don't need a big phone battery when this cute 2-in-1 charger makes a great option instead. ✅ You want your watch to be a desk clock: The Apple Watch has a charging made that makes it a small clock, and this battery turns your watch into a timekeeper that won't get in the way while you're typing, while also keeping your battery full. 

❌ You have a watch that isn't from Apple: The Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank only attaches magnetically to the Apple Watch. Other smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch, won't work with this one, not at all.   ❌ You need power for your phone: The 3,000mAh battery inside is plenty to keep your Apple Watch going, but that isn't enough power to get you even halfway charged on an iPhone 15, and even less on bigger phones. 

The Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch is a unique solution to a common problem. Your phone lasts longer than ever before, but wearable batteries haven't quite caught up to the all-day promise. With this cute little power bank, you don't need to bring the special Apple Watch charging cable or a larger battery. This little doodad does the trick. 

The front of the battery is a magnet, and it can hold the Apple Watch standing up. The Apple Watch offers a standby screen with a clock when it's charging, making this power bank effectively a small desk clock, which can be a useful tool if you need to keep time but hate wearing a watch while you type. 

Unfortunately, that magnet isn't quite strong enough for the fanciest Apple Watch bands I own. I have a gorgeous titanium Apple Watch band sent from Nomad , and it was too heavy to hang onto the Otterbox Power Bank's magnet, even though its titanium is incredibly lightweight compared to other metal bands. That's not a big surprise, there are a few chargers this larger band won't fit.

Frankly, the power-to-weight ratio for this little power bank isn't very impressive, it's heavy for the slim 3,000mAh power that it offers. Instead of efficiency, you get to leave your extra-long, super-annoying Apple Watch cable at home and instead just pop your watch onto this cute little thing. It's a worthwhile trade, at least if Watch power is your biggest concern. 

There isn't quite enough power in the Otterbox 2-in-1 power bank to recharge a phone fully, but you're welcome to try. Besides the Apple Watch magnet, it also has a USB-C port that can charge up to 15W, so you can feed some headphones or get a few more hours of screen time in a pinch.

7. Tylt Bottle 2

✅ You were already planning on carrying both: A lot of people carry a water bottle every day, and often bring a power bank along for extra charging. Why not carry both in one device? ✅ You work or study from a library or cafe: The Tylt Bottle 2 is really the perfect device for students in a library or working from a cafe. Rest your phone on the wireless puck and let it charge while you work, without fussy wires and outlets. 

❌ You need a lot of power: Thankfully, the battery on the Tylt Bottle 2 isn't so big it adds too much weight, but that also means it isn't powerful enough for multiple charges.  ❌ You need fast power: This is a very slow charger, whether wired or wireless, so it's better for casual charging while you sip your water and read a book. 

There are plenty of combination power bank and some other device, but the Tylt Bottle 2 actually makes sense because we're usually carrying an insulated water bottle anyway, so we might as well screw a battery onto the bottom. With a 5,700mAh capacity, the Tylt Bottle 2 is just enough to get us through a very busy day, or keep the phone powered while we play games at the cafe. 

The bottle is actually a nice, insulated affair, and it kept ice in cold water for 12 hours, which is all that we need. It has a good, strong strap to carry the bottle, though we would have liked a lid that was easier for sipping.

You can buy the Tylt Bottle with just a power bank attached, but our review sample from AT&T had the full wireless charging treatment. It's easy to set up a phone to charge while studying, working out, or working away from home: all places we take a water bottle and need a full phone battery. 

Tylt could have just added a wireless charging feature and called it a day, but the Tylt Bottle 2 has a few surprises on board. First of all, in addition to wireless charging, you still get both a USB-C and USB-A port for charging just about anything you have.

Tylt also wisely left enough of a gap between the battery and the bottle that you can coil a small USB-C cord (included) into that space. That way, even if you're not charging wirelessly, you're not adding a lot of extra bulk to your bag. It's a smart setup. 

Admittedly, making a battery that also fills up with water is a quick way to make a heavy battery, so we won't knock Tylt for being a heavy power bank. If you were already carrying both, the Tylt Bottle 2 power bank insulated water bottle combo is a fun, smart way to keep your kit charged. 

This bottle isn't available on Amazon, but you can find it elsewhere, including directly from AT&T as one of the accessories they offer when you buy a phone. Maybe that means we'll see it offered in a bundle deal sometime soon. 

7. Gomi Power Bank

✅ You care about the environment: Batteries are bad for the environment, but Gomi takes batteries from the landfill and uses them until they are truly depleted ✅ You love that swirly style: It helps that the Gomi Power Bank is one of the coolest around, with plenty of colors available. You can even customize, if you order enough of them. 

❌ You want a cheap battery: The Gomi Battery pack costs four times what a normal pack costs, but you also get to save the planet.   ❌ You need fast power: With only 18W of power delivery, the Gomi Battery pack isn't the fastest charging battery on our list.  

The Gomi Power Bank comes from a small company in the UK that doesn't just recycle, it actually re-uses old batteries that were destined from the landfill. By testing the batteries from discarded e-bikes, Gomi salvages the cells that are still good and uses them in the power bank, cutting down on e-waste in a unique way. 

Even the plastic is re-used, not just recycled. Gomi says it uses plastic bags that cannot be recycled. It adds color and presses them into the cool swirly patterns you see. You can also get a Bluetooth speaker, or even artwork and trophies, in the same style, all made from re-used plastic. 

If you live in the UK, you can easily get your battery repaired or swapped when it finally loses its charge. Even international customers can make the swap, but it isn't as easy if you're not local. 

If you care about the environment, and everybody must, then solutions like the Gomi Power Bank need to become more common, even if they cost a bit more. 

7. TravelCard Plus

✅ You need a battery that fits in a front pocket: The TravelCard Plus is truly pocket-sized, its as thick as six or seven credit cards, and it comes with its own cords attached. ✅ You only need a little more power: If you just need to top-up at the end of the day, the TravelCard Plus is just the right amount of power.  

❌ You need to charge your phone fully: With only 3,000mAh of battery power, you'll get less than a 50% charge on most new phones with the TravelCard Plus.  ❌ You don't need Lightning: The TravelCard Plus has USB-C and Lightning cords attached, even if you don't need Lightning any more. Not a big deal, but I'd trade that cord for more battery.  

If you're looking for that elusive power bank that can also fit in a (large) wallet, the TravelCard Plus is the battery you need. It's incredibly thin and light: about the same size as seven credit cards stacked. It doesn't have much power, but it doesn't waste space either, so you get just enough battery to keep your phone going a few more hours. 

How many hours? With a 3,000 mAh cell, the TravelCard Plus will take a smaller iPhone 15 to about 60% battery life, but any larger phone, like an iPhone 15 Pro Max, won't even get a 50% charge from this diminutive pack.

That's fine with us, because the TravelCard Plus has an excellent power-to-weight ratio, which means its not wasting space to shrink down small. You get all the battery that can fit in such a small pack, plus it comes with convenient USB-C and Lightning cords already attached. 

You may not have a Lightning iPhone any more, but your AirPods (or Magic Mouse) might still use Lightning, and then you'll be thankful for a battery pack that still gives your older Apple gear some juice. 

How to choose the best power bank for you

How do i choose the best power bank for me.

If you are charging a small smartphone, a simple power bank will suffice. If you plan on charging a laptop occasionally as well, or many devices at once, you'll want a power bank with more power and more features. 

If you have a newer Android phone, or the latest iPhone 15 models, you'll want a power bank with faster charging speeds to get your battery full faster. Charging speed is measured in wattage, and the iPhone 15 can charge just a bit faster than 15W, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra can charge up to 45W. 

You can also find a power bank that charges your phone (or even your Apple Watch) wirelessly. These will usually charge slower, but they can be very convenient if you want to leave wires at home.

Which power bank is the best quality?

Anker makes the best power banks we have tested so far, but batteries from Baseus and Otterbox also performed well. All of the power banks on this list passed our testing, traveling with us on the road and powering our devices at home.  

Anker is the best in part because it packs more power into its batteries at a lower weight. Its batteries charge faster than competitors. Its small Anker Nano battery has the best power-to-weight ratio of any battery on our list.

Which brand is best for power banks in 2023?

Anker is making the best power banks right now by far. It offers the best power-to-weight ratio, the fastest charging, and the most useful features. It far exceeds our expectations of what's makes a great power banks. 

How many times can my power bank charge my phone?

A 10,000mAh battery will give your phone around 6,000mAh of extra battery charge. Apple doesn't publish its battery capacity, but teardowns have shown that the iPhone 15 has a battery with around 3,350mAh of battery life. That means a 10,000mAh battery can charge that phone twice ... almost. You may not get to 100% the second charge, but you'll be in the 90% range. 

Any power bank that is 5,000mAh or smaller will probably not guarantee 100% charge on an iPhone 15 or larger phone. If you have a big battery phone like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which packs 5,000mAh inside, you'll need a power bank closer to 8,000mAh or more if you want a full recharge. 

How we test the best power banks

We have tested the best power banks by using them to charge a variety of devices, including Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy phones. We have also charged Apple iPad tablets, and small laptops including a Pixelbook Go and a Surface Laptop Go. 

We used the best power banks extensively while traveling to see how well they fit in our luggage and their relative utility versus the weight add to our pack. 

To test charging times and claims, we charged a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and an Apple iPhone 15 to determine how many charges each battery offers these devices. We chose a common smaller battery phone as well as our best phone overall for this purpose. 

Using the Anker Prime power bank, we were also able to test the charging speed claims of other power banks, as the Anker Prime will report charging speed in wattage. 

• Looking for a laptop charger? Here are our best portable laptop chargers . We've also featured the best portable projectors .

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Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.

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The best power banks and portable chargers for 2024

Never run out of juice again, no matter where you are with these best portable battery chargers..

Finding yourself far from an outlet when your phone hits five percent can make you feel a little shaky — which is why stashing a portable charger in your bag is never a bad idea. People who travel or are simply forgetful will appreciate the benefit of having a little extra juice on hand, but picking out a good portable charger from among the thousands out there can quickly get overwhelming. I’ve spent the past year and a half testing more than two dozen units to help you find the best portable power banks for all kinds of different scenarios, from a partial recharge for an iPhone to a massive laptop battery for working out in the field.

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K)

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Capacity : 10,000mAh, 15W | Ports : One USB-C in/out | Included cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 15 : 1.64 | Charge time iPhone : 4 to 100% in 2h 26m and 0 to 70% in 1h 8m

Anker’s MagGo Power Bank was one of the first Qi2-certified products to come on the market, and the new standard has made the brand’s popular MagSafe/kickstand model much faster. It brought an iPhone 15 from near-dead to half-full in about 45 minutes. For reference, it took our former top pick in this category an hour and a half to do the same. It’s similarly faster than Anker’s previous generation of this model, the 633, as well. After that initial refill, the MagGo 10K had enough left over to get the phone up to 70 percent on a subsequent charge.

In addition to faster charging speeds, this Anker power bank adds a small display to indicate the battery percentage left in the bank, plus the approximate amount of time before it’s full (when it’s refilling) or empty (when it's doing the charging). A strong MagSafe connection makes it easy to use the phone while it charges and the small kickstand creates a surprisingly sturdy base for watching videos and the like. If you twist the phone to landscape, StandBy mode kicks in.

The power bank did a fine job of charging our Galaxy S23 Ultra, but the lack of support for Qi2, even on the newest Galaxies and Pixels, means the most popular Android will simply charge at a slower rate — and won't benefit from the zero-effort magnetic alignment. There’s also a single USB-C port for recharging, so if you need to fill up something without wireless capabilities, you can.

• Qi2 tech enables extra fast wireless charging
• Sturdy kickstand props up iPhones as it charges
• LED display for battery percentage
• More expensive than other MagSafe packs

Capacity: 5,000 mAh, 22.5W max | Ports : One USB-C and one USB-C connector | Cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges Galaxy S23 Ultra : 0.65 | Charge time : 0 to 65% in 1h 2m

The Anker Nano power bank is impressive for how much charge it delivers in such a small package. It’s the exact size and shape of the lipstick case my grandma used to carry and has a built-in USB-C connector that folds down when you’re not using it. That means that, in addition to being ultra-portable, you also don’t need to remember to grab a charging cable when you toss it in your bag. There’s also a built-in USB-C port that can refill the battery or be used to fill up a different device with an adapter cable. You also get four indicator lights that let you know how much charge remains in the battery.

In my testing, the 5,000mAh battery provided enough charge to get a depleted Galaxy S23 Ultra back up to 65 percent in about an hour. That’s relatively quick, but the Nano is also small enough that, with an adequately sturdy connection, you can use your phone while it’s charging without feeling too awkward. The charger’s small size also makes it a good pick for recharging earbuds.

For a little more juice and an equally clever design, Anker’s 30W Nano Power Bank is a good option. It’s bigger in size and capacity (10,000mAh) and includes a display indicating the remaining charge percentage. The attached USB-C cable doubles as a carry handle, which is a nice touch. That cable is in/out and there’s another USB-C in-out port in addition to an out-only USB-A port.

• Very portable
• Small enough to get misplaced

Capacity : 10,000mAh, 18W max | Ports : One in/out USB-C, two USB-A out only | Cable : USB-C to USB-A | Number of charges iPhone 14 Plus : 1.36 | Charge time iPhone : 0 to 100% in 1h 50m, 0 to 50% in 36m | Number of charges Galaxy S22 Ultra : 1.33 | Charge time Galaxy : 0 to 100% in 1h 33m, 0 to 50% in 45m

BioLite is probably better known in the outdoor community than the tech world, and it’s fair to say that the Charge 40 PD is geared more towards camping trips than urban commutes. But this battery simply outperformed the others in its category. The rugged, yellow-accented exterior is a refreshing change from the standard shiny black of many tech accessories. It also has a rubberized finish and feels solid enough to handle the bumps and jolts of riding around in a purse or messenger bag all day. It gave both the iPhone and the Galaxy one and a half charges, which means it’s plenty capable of reviving a dead phone a couple of times when you’re out and about.

The Nimble Champ gets an honorary mention here because it’ll also deliver a few reliable fill-ups and comes in a rugged package. It delivered a full charge to the iPhone in two hours plus 22 percent more in 16 minutes. It gave the Galaxy a full charge in an hour and 37 minutes, then got the phone from dead to 41 percent in 50 minutes. At the same $60 price point as the BioLite, Nimble gets extra points for being one of the few B-Corp-certified personal tech manufacturers out there, meaning they’ve committed themselves to higher environmental and social standards, and took the time to prove it through B Lab’s certification process.

• Rugged build
• Plenty of charge in a compact size
• Just one USB-C port

Capacity : 15,000mAh, 18W max | Ports : One in/out USB-C, one in/out USB-A | Cable : USB-C to USB-A | Number of charges iPhone 14 Plus : 2.33 | Charge time iPhone : 0 to 100% in 2h 2m average, and 0% to 33% in 27m | Number of charges Galaxy S22 Ultra : 2.33 | Charge time Galaxy : 0 to 100% in 1h 35m and 0 to 37% in 33m | Number of charges iPad Air : 1.31 | Charge time iPad : 0 to 100% in 2h 23m and 0% to 31% in 38m

At the medium-capacity level, you can charge multiple devices at once or power up something larger than a phone. The Otterbox Fast Charge power bank only lists 15,000mAh of capacity, but it performed nearly as well as the 20,000mAh batteries while costing about $30 less. Over the month and a half I spent testing battery packs, this was the unit I grabbed the most when my own devices dropped to empty. It has a stylish exterior with a gray faux leather finish and copper detailing. A little bigger than a deck of cards and weighing just over 11 ounces, it’s a nice looking accessory that feels solid.

It filled up both smartphones twice, then replenished each an additional third. I introduced the iPad to the mix here and got a full charge plus an extra third. The Otterbox also lost very little battery power while sitting dormant, which means if you carry it around on the off chance that you’ll need it, it should have plenty of power when the time comes.

• Attractive design
• Solid build
• Great capacity for the price
• Doesn't charge as quickly as others in its range

Capacity : 20,000mAh, 65W | Ports : Two USB-C in/out | Cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 11 : 2.95 | Charge time iPhone : 5 to 100% in 1h 39m average | Number of charges Galaxy S22 Ultra : 2.99 | Charge time Galaxy : 5 to 100% in 59m average | Number of charges iPad Air : 1.83 | Charge time iPad : 5 to 100% in 1h 55m and 83% in 1h 21m

Nimble’s Champ Pro battery delivers a screaming fast charge and got a Galaxy S23 Ultra from five percent to full in under an hour. That’s faster than every other battery I tested except for Anker’s 737, our high capacity pick — and that model costs $30 more. It lent nearly three full charges to both an iPhone and Galaxy device and has enough juice to refill an iPad more than once. The battery pack itself also re-ups from the wall noticeably faster than other models, so it’ll get you out the door quicker.

The company, Nimble, is a certified B-Corp, meaning they aim for higher environmental and social standards and verify their efforts through independent testing. The Champ Pro uses 90 percent post-consumer plastic and comes in packaging made from paper scrap with a bag for shipping back your old battery (or other tech) for recycling.

The unit itself feels sturdy and has a compact shape that’s a little narrower than a smartphone and about as long. The attached adjustable lanyard is cute, if a little superfluous, and the marbled effect from the recycled plastics give it a nice aesthetic. You can charge devices from both USB-C ports simultaneously, and both are input/output plugs.

My only qualm was with the four indicator lights. On a second testing round, it dropped down to just one remaining pip, yet went on to deliver a full fill-up plus an additional top off after that. That said, I’m glad the indicator lights under-estimated the remaining charge rather than the other way around, and the accuracy seemed to improve after subsequent depletions and refills.

• Super fast charging
• Made from recycled materials
• Sturdy and compact design
• Indicator lights underestimate charge

Capacity : 27,000mAh, 85W max | Ports : One in/out USB-C, two out only USB-A, three wireless pads | Cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 15 : 5.67 | Charge time iPhone : 5 to 100% in 2h 22m average and 5 to 68% in 35m | Number of charges Galaxy S23 Ultra : 4.46 | Charge time Galaxy : 5 to 100% in 1h 21m average 5 to 46% in 25m | Number of charges iPad Air : 2.78 | Charge time iPad : 5 to 100% in 1h 55m average and 5 to 78% in 1h 11m | Number of charges MacBook Pro : 0.79 | Charge time MacBook Pro : 10-89% 1h 18m

The selling point for Lion Energy’s Eclipse Mag is supposed to be the three wireless charging pads on its topside, but I found its wired performance to be even more impressive. The 27,000mAh battery translates to about 100 watt hours, aka the TSA’s largest approved capacity for travel. It’s more compact than other 27K batteries, though at two pounds and 8.5 inches long, it’s hardly small. The soft-touch plastic on the exterior is thicker at the angled-off corners, which makes it feel like it could handle a tumble — Lion Energy doesn’t list any sort of mil spec or other ratings for drop endurance so I didn’t subject the tester unit to any rough handling.

Measuring the recharge time of the batteries from the wall isn’t one of the metrics I usually test, but Lion Energy claims a 90 minute refill and my experience lines up with that. It refilled our iPhone 15 five and a half times and the Galaxy S23 Ultra nearly five times. It revived a 16-inch MacBook Pro from 10 percent to 89 percent while it was in use. That works out to about 14 percentage points more than our current command center battery recommendation. The previous pick in this category, Anker’s 737 , charged up a Galaxy S22 Ultra slightly faster than the Eclipse Mag refilled a Galaxy S23 Ultra (which have the same battery capacity) but the Eclipse had more charge to give every device.

A double-press of the status button enables wireless charging and more than one device can be charged at once. Magnets align with an iPhone’s MagSafe circle to position the phone quickly. Finding the sweet spot for the Galaxy phone takes a little adjustment, but was easy enough. It took nearly three hours to fully charge the iPhone 15 from five to 100 percent, but getting it to 87 percent only took two hours. With any portable battery, the charge rate slows significantly as the device approaches 100 percent — and that’s even more noticeable with a wireless portable charger.

Lion Energy told me the Eclipse Mag is designed for Apple Watches only. Not surprising given the Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t support wireless charging and Samsung recommends you only use its chargers to refill a Galaxy Watch. My Apple Watch snapped into place easily and started charging right away (after I remembered to double press the button to fire up the wireless pads).

At $149, it’s relatively affordable for a 27,000mAh battery, particularly given the wireless charging feature. I wish it had more than one USB-C port, but I suppose the wireless pads make up for the lack. Overall, it’s a solid choice for long trips or for working away from an outlet for a day or two.

• Massive 27,000mAh capacity
• Quick charge wired charging times
• Wireless charging works well for a portable battery
• Large and heavy

Capacity : 27,000mAh, 140W max | Ports : One USB-C in/out, one USB-C out, USB-A, 100W AC | Cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 11 : 3.75 | Charge time iPhone : 0 to 100% in 1h 40m average and 75% in 46m | Number of charges iPad Air : 2.15 | Charge time iPad : 0 to 100% in 1h 56m and 15% in 19m | Number of charges 16” MacBook Pro : 0.65 | Charge time MBP : 10% to 75% in 1h 29m

The TSA’s 100-watt-hour battery limit translates to around 27,000mAh for lithium ion batteries. Mophie’s Powerstation Pro AC is so massive it necessitates a grab handle and get close to the edge of that max carry-on size. You probably won’t find a larger, acceptable portable power bank — after all, an on-the-go charging brick is pointless if you can’t travel with it. I took this one through security at two airports and no one gave it a second glance.

To power your mobile work setup, the Powerstation has four ports. Three of them are the usual USBs, but there’s also a three-prong AC outlet. Most current devices charge via USB (and doing so is more efficient than using a power adapter between the cable and power bank), but older devices and certain mobile workstation accessories — speakers, lights and printers come to mind — might only power up through a basic wall plug. Just be sure to hold down the status button until the light turns red to turn on the AC port.

The AC plug powered most small appliances I plugged into it, including a small speaker, an HP printer and various LED lights. The 100 available watts isn’t enough to continuously push a charge through the 140W power adapter that ships with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but via the USB-C port, it was able to charge that laptop from 10 percent to 75 percent in under 90 minutes.

The four lighted LED indicators will tell you when the battery is full. Unfortunately, it’s not the best indicator of when the bank will run out of juice. It charges for quite a while with four and three pips lit up, but then quickly cycles through the last two dots before it dies. So it might be better to just remember how much you’ve used the brick rather than relying too heavily on its indicators.

Smaller devices like a smartphone will get numerous charges; I got nearly five refills on an iPhone 11, and two charges and some change on an iPad. The Powerstation Pro AC was even a little faster at both tasks than our previous pick for a mobile command center. That said, this bank is overkill for a simple mobile device fill-up. At 2.6 pounds, it makes the most sense as a power source when you’re working in the field with multiple components.

The Lion Energy Trek power bank is pretty similar to the Powerstation Pro AC. It has the same 27,000mAh capacity and three USB ports plus an AC plug. The exterior has a more rugged feel and there’s an LED screen indicating outgoing wattage and remaining charge. Charging times and number of refills was on par with what the Powerstation delivered and the Trek is currently about $30 cheaper too. However, just one of the USB ports is Type-C and the display inaccurately indicated the power bank’s remaining charge, repeatedly saying it had 25 to 35 percent remaining just moments before dying completely. But if those two caveats don’t bother you, this could make a reliable travel companion.

• Massive capacity
• Unique AC outlet

Capacity : 20,000mAh, 200W max | Ports : Two USB-C in/out, one USB-A, charging pins | Cable : USB-C to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 11 : 3.75 | Charge time iPhone : 0 to 100% in 1h 48m average and 75% in 47m | Number of charges iPad Air : 1.54 | Charge time iPad : 0 to 100% in 2h 11m and 54% in 47m

Not only does Anker’s new 20,000mAh Prime power bank look pretty slick, it’s also easier to recharge — as long as you pony up for the companion base . Magnets help align the pins so you can just plonk the battery down and move on with your life. The set will run you $200, which is pretty spendy for a battery bank, but if you consider that the base offers extra ports (one USB-A and two USB-C), you can also use it as a power hub for other devices, which takes some of the sting out of the price.

The battery itself has the same three ports as the base and a blocky, upright design. The case is a textured metallic plastic with a high-polish, built-in screen and rounded corners. It tells you how many watts are flowing out to each device and displays the overall remaining charge within the battery. When you press the power button, it takes a moment to wake. But the extra processes that run the screen don’t seem to slow the battery down or diminish the power it has to give. Its charge times and capacity was on par with the other 20K batteries I’ve tested.

I’ve been pretty careful with my review unit, but I’d be worried that the sleek and shiny finish will get wrecked with regular use. It does come with a faux-suede pouch to carry it in, but I doubt anyone will use that regularly — after all, the whole appeal of the Prime’s base and battery set is the low-hassle efficiency.

• Convenient charging with the base
• Sleek, attractive design
• Has a charge indicator display
• Expensive, especially with the base
• Shiny screen seems easily scratched

Capacity : 15,000mAh, 32W max | Ports : One USB-C in/out, one USB-C in, one USB-A | Cable : USB-A to USB-C | Number of charges iPhone 11 : 2.99 | Charge time iPhone 11 : 0 to 100% 2h average and 0 to 99% in 1h 45m | Number of charges iPad Air : 1.17 | Charge time iPad : 0 to 100% 2h 23m and 0 to 17% 15m

Plenty of battery packs are built to withstand drops and other abuse, but very few are waterproof or even water resistance. It makes sense; water and electrical charges aren’t good companions. The Nestout Portable Charger battery has an IP67 rating, which means it can handle being submerged in water for a number of minutes, and Nestout claims a 30-minute dunk in a meter of water shouldn’t interfere with the battery’s operation. I couldn’t think of a likely scenario where a power bank would spend a half hour in three feet of water, but I could see a backpacker traversing a river and submerging their pack for a few minutes, or a sudden downpour drenching all of their gear. So I tested by dropping the battery in a five gallon bucket of water for five minutes. After drying it off, the unit performed as if it had never been wet.

The water resistance comes courtesy of screw-on caps with silicone gaskets that physically keep the water out, so you’ll need to make sure you tighten (but don’t over tighten) the caps whenever you think wetness is in your future. The company also claims the battery lives up to a military-standard shock/drop specification which sounds impressive, but it’s hard to pin down what exactly that means. I figured it should at minimum survive repeated drops from chest height onto a hard surface, and it did.

As for charging speeds, it wasn’t quite as quick as our recommendation for a mid-capacity bank. The Otterbox charged an iPhone 14 Plus to 80 percent in about an hour and the Nestout got the smaller iPhone 11 to 80 percent in the same amount of time. Another thing to note is that the supplied cable is short , just seven inches total, so you’ll likely want to use your own cord.

Nestout also makes accessories for its batteries, which I found delightful. A dimmable LED worklight snaps on to the top of the battery while a small tripod holds them both up. The portable solar panel reminded me of a baby version of Biolite’s camping panels . Nestout’s version refilled the 15,000mAh bank to 40 percent in under three hours, which sounds slow, but is actually fairly impressive considering the compact size of the panels. This is also a blazingly hot summer, so I’d expect better performance in more reasonable weather.

• Waterproof with the caps secured
• Clever accessories (sold separately)
• Survived drop tests
• Not the fastest charge times
• Included cable is short

A few companies now make phone cases that double as batteries. The Juice Pack from Mophie is the first one I’ve tested, so it’s hard to call it the best in its category, but I found a lot of reasons to recommend it. The case splits in two, making it easy to put on, but once installed, the phone feels secure in its protective sheath. I was surprised by how little bulk it adds; it’s a little longer at the bottom and a little thicker at the back, but I doubt anyone would even guess the case was also a battery.

When my tester iPhone 15 started to die, I long pressed the back button (a short press indicates battery level) and the charging bolt symbol immediately kicked on. It took about an hour and 45 minutes to get the phone from ten percent to 65 percent before the battery depleted. Compared to other batteries capable of delivering a partial charge, that’s not terribly fast. But it provides a few extra hours of life and it’s always there when you need it.

The Juice Pack presents a couple drawbacks, though, with the biggest being that it prevents wireless charging. When it is time to recharge from the wall, a USB-C cable goes into the Juice Pack at the bottom edge, right where the phone’s port is. Power is directed first to the phone then switches to refilling the case battery.

The other downside is the fact that it’s a case. It only works with an iPhone 15, 15 Pro or 15 Max, depending on which version you buy, and it won’t lend a charge to any other device that may need it. Also, like the Model T, the Juice Pack comes in any color you want, as long as that color is black. Some people won’t care, but others will probably lament the lack of personal expression. Still, if you often find yourself forgetting to charge your phone and you also forget to bring an extra battery, this is a good lifeline.

This impressive little external battery pack from Baseus is a strong contender for knocking Anker’s MagSafe battery off its pedestal in this guide. Baseus’ bank is about half the price and has a built-in USB-C cord so you can recharge non-iPhones without needing to have a cable on hand. The cable can also be used to recharge the bank itself. Even though it doesn’t use Qi2 wireless charging technology, it managed to charge an iPhone 15 just as fast as the Anker unit. It lacks Anker’s status display and kickstand, though, but if those features aren’t essential for you, this is a great buy.

Battery type

Nearly every rechargeable power bank you can buy (and most portable devices) contain a lithium-ion battery. These beat other current battery types in terms of size-to-charge capacity, and have even increased in energy density by eight fold in the past 14 years. They also don’t suffer from a memory effect (where battery life deteriorates due to partial charges).

One drawback you may have heard is the possibility of lithium ion batteries catching fire . To limit the danger, battery packs require internal mechanisms to limit things like voltage and pressure. While you should still make sure a battery isn’t exposed to unnecessary stress like excessive heat, damage from drops or operating in freezing weather, battery packs are considered safe enough to bring on an airplane. According to the TSA , external batteries rated at 100Wh or less (which all of our recommendations are) can fly with you – just make sure you stash them in your carryon as they aren’t allowed in checked baggage.

Power bank manufacturers almost always list a battery’s capacity in milliamp hours, or mAh. Smaller batteries, say those that can charge a smartphone to between 50 and 75 percent, tend to have a 5,000mAh capacity. Larger batteries that can recharge laptops and tablets, or give phones multiple charges, can exceed 25,000mAh. Unsurprisingly, the prices on most batteries goes up as mAh capacity increases, and since batteries are physical storage units, size and weight go up with capacity as well. If you want more power, be prepared to spend more and carry around a heavier brick.

You might think that a 10,000mAh power bank could charge a 5,000mAh phone to 100 percent twice, but that’s not the case. In addition to simple energy loss through heat dissipation, factors like voltage conversion also bring down the amount of juice that makes it into your phone. Most manufacturers list how many charges a battery can give a certain smartphone. In our tests, 10,000mAh of battery pack capacity translated to roughly 5,800mAh of device charge. 20,000mAh chargers delivered around 11,250mAh to a device, and 25,000mAh banks translated to about 16,200mAh of charge. That’s an average efficiency rate of around 60 percent.

More manufacturers are making power banks with wireless charging. Not hassling with cables is nice, but it’s important to note that wireless charging is less efficient than plugging in your phone. Outside of MagSafe options, wireless portable chargers historically didn’t make the cut for our top picks for this guide for that reason. The Qi2 wireless charging standard arrived last year and improves performance for wireless charging, including for portable banks. Currently, iPhones are the only handsets that support the new tech, but as it’s an open standard, expect Google, Samsung and others to adopt it for future phones. In my testing, I’ve noticed an uptick in the performance of non-Qi2-enabled batteries as well, so you'll now see wireless options on this list.

Since Apple ditched the Lightning cable and adopted USB-C, we’re getting closer to a standard for charging connections — and all of our picks have at least one such port. But plenty of other devices use older interfaces, like USB-A and microUSB ports, plus Lightning for older iPhones. You can find cables with just about any combination of those connections, so when you’re picking out a battery, just check that one end of your preferred cord will fit.

Most battery packs have more than one port, which gives you different charging options. You’ll typically see at least one port labeled “in/out,” which means you can use it to both charge the bank and charge your device. While USB-A output ports can power up smartphones and other small devices, they can’t charge larger devices. Plus, they aren’t as fast as USB-C ports overall. That’s something to keep in mind when you’re deciding which ports and charging cables to use to connect your phone to the pack.

There’s even more variation among USB-C ports themselves, with different ports on the same device supporting different power transfer rates. What that means in practical terms is an iPhone will charge just fine plugged into a power bank’s 18W port. But to properly charge, say, a MacBook or similar laptop, it’ll need the extra juice supplied by a 100W port (which larger power banks can offer). Power banks with more than one port can also charge multiple devices at the same time, but speeds and the overall charge delivered will be lower.

You’ll also want to consider your charging cable. For anything larger than a smartphone (and to access fast-charging capabilities) you’ll want to use USB-C ports and cables. But not all cables are created equal, even when they have the same USB-C plugs on the end. If you want power delivery from a 100W USB-C power bank port, you’ll need a 100W-rated USB-C cable. Luckily, power banks capable of delivering 100W tend to include a compatible cable. For any devices that don’t, we’ve tried and liked Anker’s 100W USB-C cable . For smaller devices, we used this 60W cable from Nimble and we don’t recommend bothering with cables under 60W. For around $20, higher-capacity charging cables will make sure you’re not wasting time with connections that limit your potential power transfer.

For the most part, these rechargeable batteries have a squared-off, brick-like design, though many nod towards aesthetics with attractive finishes and detailing. While that doesn’t affect how they perform, it’s a consideration for something you’ll interact with regularly. Some portable power stations include extra features like MagSafe compatibility, a built-in wall plug or even a kickstand. Nearly all have some sort of indicator to let you know how much available charge your power bank has left, usually expressed with lighted pips near the power button. Some of the newer banks take that a step further with an LED display indicating remaining battery percentage.

Before we even put our hands on a battery pack, we did extensive research. We considered brands Engadget reviewers and staff have tried over the years and we checked out customer ratings on retail sites like Amazon and Best Buy. Then we get our hanHere’s the full list of power banks we've tested, which range from small wireless banks to large, multi-device batteries.

MagSafe-compatible

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack (5,000 mAh)

Spigen ArcHybrid Mag (5,000mAh)

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery (5,000 mAh)

Baseus Magnetic (10,000mAh)

Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K) (6,600 mAh)

Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (10,000mAh)

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (10,000 mAh)

Low capacity (≤10,000mAh)

Mophie Juice Pack (2,400mAh)

Anker 511 Power Bank (5,000 mAh)

Anker 313 Power Bank (10,000mAh)

Nimble Champ (10,000mAh)

Biolite Charge 40 PD (10,000mAh)

Anker Nano (5,000mAh)

Mid capacity (10,001 - 20,000mAh)

Baseus Blade 2 (12,000 mAh)

Otterbox Fast Charge (15,000mAh)

Mophie Powerstation Pro (20,000mAh)

Anker Prime (20,000mAh)

Nestout Portable Charger (15,000mAh)

Nimble Champ Pro (20,000mAh)

High capacity (20,001mAh+)

Mophie Powerstation Pro XL (25,000mAh)

Anker 737 Power Bank (25,600 mAh)

Zendure Supertank Pro (26,800mAh)

Mophie Powerstation Pro AC (27,000mAh)

Lion Energy Eclipse Mag (27,000mAh)

Lion Energy Trek (27,000mAh)

We're continuously updating this guide as companies release new products and we test them. We remove some products as we find picks that are more worthy of the best portable charger designation. We also add updated specs and prices where necessary. For testing, I used each battery with some combination of an iPhone 15, an iPhone 14 Plus, an iPhone 11, a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, a Galaxy S23 Ultra, a 5th-gen iPad Air and an M1 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro. I charged one phone battery at a time, even though some packs are capable of multiple-device charging. I charged the phones and tablets from between zero and five percent until they were 100 percent full (or until the power bank was dead), and didn’t use the phones or tablets while they charged other than to power them on and enter the unlock code. In the case of the MacBook, I used it while it was charging (it’s my work computer).

I used the charging cable included with each power bank to charge the Galaxy S22 Ultra, MacBook Pro and the iPad Air. For the iPhones, I used the USB-C to Lighting cable that Apple provides. In the case of the lower-capacity power banks that didn’t include a cord or included one with USB-C to USB-A connectors, I used this 60W-rated USB-C to USB-C cable .

For reference, here are the battery capacities of each device we used for testing:

iPhone 11: 3,110 mAh

iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh

iPhone 15 : 3,349 mAh

Galaxy S22 Ultra : 4,855mAh

iPad Air : 7,729mAh

16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro: 27,027mAh

I noted the times for each charge and the number of charges each bank provided. I also paid attention to things like ease of use and overall design.

Baseus Blade 2

The Blade 2 from Baseus has a unique, flat shape that’s just a little wider than an ereader — which may make it easier to slip into a low profile laptop bag. It charged a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra considerably faster than any other battery bank we tried, getting it from four percent to full in just over an hour. It then filled the phone back to 62 percent from dead on a second charge in about a half an hour. But $100 is a lot for a standard power bank that holds fewer than two full charges. But if you can find the Blade 2 on sale, snap it up.

Anker MagGo (6.6K)

Anker’s 6.6k MagGo is pretty similar to our top pick for a MagSafe-compatible battery pack. It supports the Qi2 charging standard and props up your iPhone so you can use it or enable StandBy mode while powering up. This one even lets you set the viewing angle from 30 to 65 degrees. It was speedy in getting an iPhone 15 up to 50 percent in about 40 minutes. But for the added bulk, it doesn’t have as much capacity as the 10K MagGo, holding just enough juice for a single full charge plus about 5 percent. But it is $20 cheaper, which may be key for some.

Portable charger FAQs

What's the difference between a portable power bank and a portable charger.

A slew of terms are used to describe power banks, including portable batteries, portable chargers, external battery packs and even, somewhat confusingly, USB chargers, which is what wall chargers are often called. They all mean the same thing: a lithium ion battery that stores a charge so you can refill a smartphone, tablet, earbuds, console controller, ereader, laptop, or just about any other device with its own built-in, rechargeable battery.

There’s little difference between the terms, so the specs you’ll want to pay attention to are capacity (expressed in mAh), size and weight so you can find the right balance between recharging what you need and portability.

Power stations, on the other hand, are distinct. These are bigger units (often around the size of a car battery) that can be used to charge multiple devices multiple times, but notably, they can’t be taken on airplanes.

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The best portable chargers and power banks in 2024

Here are the best portable chargers to keep your devices juiced up while you're on the go

• Best overall
• Best budget
• Best for iPhone
• Best Travel
• Best for Apple Watch
• Best for Camping
• How to choose
• How we test

The best portable chargers keep your electronics powered while you're out and about. These handy peripherals can charge a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, wireless earbuds, and even some laptops. Because you'll inevitably find yourself with low battery life when outdoors, you'll need a reliable portable charger to keep your electronics going. Not having one could prove to be extremely inconvenient.

We've done a battery (pun intended) of tests on some of the most highly-rated portable chargers on the market. To that end, we've pulled from both big brands and popular competitors. While these specific portable chargers regularly appear on bestseller lists, they're all different in several important ways.

We've got these best portable chargers ranked in order of what we would buy, with shoutouts for the best portable charger, our favorite budget charger, and the best portable charger for iPhone.

The quick list

Here's a quick overview of the best portable chargers you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews.

The Anker Prime 20,000 mAh power bank  is one of the best portable chargers around to power all of your devices. If you're looking for the best power efficiency for your on-the-go lifestyle, this is it because you'll spend very little time charging your phone to get back a lot of battery. 

Read more below

The INIU 10000 mAh Portable Charger won’t cost you a fortune and ultra compact, yet it’s still beefy enough to charge phones. This budget portable charger often fetches for around $20 when it’s on sale, but its regular $30 cost still undercuts many of the other options out there.

With its MagSafe connection, the mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini is an excellent portable charger for the iPhone. Even if you don’t have an iPhone that supports MagSafe, or simply have an Android phone, you can still charge them with its USB-C port. 

With its svelte size, the Scosche PowerUp 600 is the ideal portable charger for travel because it packages a 5,400 mAh battery. What makes it unique is that it can also help to jumpstart a car if it has a dead battery.

If you own an Apple Watch, there's a built-in charger for that with the Satechi Quatro. This versatile charger features a 10,000 mAh battery and a separate wireless charger for phones.

The Anker Power Bank Fusion 10K is an all-in-one portable charger that includes an integrated USB-C cable to charge your gadgets, along with flip out prongs to directly charge it in an outlet without the need for a separate power adapter.

Get the convenience of charging your larger electronics, like tablets and laptops, with the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus. It packages in an immense 31,000 mAh battery in a compact size that's perfect for camping.

John is a senior editor for mobile covering phones, accessories, chargers, smart home devices, and EVs. During his off-hours, John enjoys using smart telescopes for astrophotography, doing lawn work on the weekends, and trying to get his two cats Instagram famous. He's also been on YouTube for 15+ years doing hosting duties and his work has appeared in publications such as PhoneArena, Digital Trends, SPY, and Android Authority.

The best portable chargers you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best portable charger overall

1. Anker Prime 20,000 mAh

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Anker’s well known for its lineup of power solutions, so it comes at no surprise that the Anker Prime 20,000 mAh power bank tops our list of best portable chargers. With its generous battery capacity, it’s more than capable of charging small stuff like your phones and wearables — but it’s also powerful enough to charge laptops too.

What makes it better is that it features a maximum charging speed of 200W, which is ridiculously fast if your device can support it. For fast charging phones, it could take 30 minutes or less to get it back up to 100% capacity. Meanwhile, the unit itself charges at a speedy rate of 100W. There’s also a handy display that shows its charging capacity and the actual speeds it’s charging with its USB ports.

The best budget portable charger

2. INIU 10,000 mAh Portable Charger

Although it might not be as familiar a brand, the INIU 10000 mAh charger is the best budget portable charger with its affordable cost. You won’t spend a whole lot picking it up either, since it frequently gets discounted to get it down to around $20, which is super cheap compared to the other options.

This INIU charger stood up in 15-minute and 1-hour timed charging (at 22%, 78%), with times that were within 1-2 percentage points ahead of what we got out of comparable Anker PowerCore Slim's times. Even with its ultra affordable cost, we’re glad that INIU offers a 3-year limited warranty — which is more than the usual 1-year that other battery bank makers offer.

The best portable charger for iPhone

3. mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini

There’s something to say about MagSafe. It lends a helping hand with the mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini in keeping it fastened snugly on the back of a compatible iPhone with MagSafe for on-the-go charging. That way, you can always have it on hand — even when you need to top it off while waiting for your coffee in the morning.

With its 5,000 mAh battery, it’s able to provide nearly a full charge to most iPhones, but there’s also a USB-C port on hand to charge other phones and gadgets.

The best portable charger for travel

4. Scosche PowerUp 600

You just neve know what can arise when you’re vacationing or traveling, which is why the Scosche PowerUp 600 is the perfect companion to keep your gadgets charged. There’s a 5,400 mAh battery capable of speedily charging phones with its 10W charging speed.

However, its value in being a portable charger for travel is its unique ability to jumpstart a dead car battery. The last thing you need to worry about while traveling is a disabled vehicle, but you can save yourself time and heartache by bringing it back to life with the Scosche PowerUp 600.

The best portable charger for Apple Watch

5. Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank

One of the most versatile portable chargers out there, the Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank, doesn’t just have enough fuel in the tank to charge all of your gadgets wired or wirelessly with its beefy 10,000 mAh battery, but it also packs an Apple Watch charger that lets you conveniently charge on the go.

This means you won’t have to remember to bring along your Apple Watch charger since it integrates one, which helps to save you space in your bag — and it also means less clutter when you have to charge. With its 18W charging speeds, it’s fast enough to give you a decent charge in a short amount of time.

The best Anker portable charger

6. Anker Power Bank Fusion 10K

Versatility is what the Anker Power Bank Fusion 10K is all about. That’s because this portable charger from Anker doesn’t force you to bring along other cables and adapters to use it. With its integrated USB-C cable, it packs 30W wired speeds that’s fast enough to power some laptops in addition to phones. You can also lean on its other USB-C port to charge another device simultaneously with its 10,000 mAh battery cell.

Recharging the Anker Power Bank Fusion 10K is also a cinch because it features a built-in foldable charger when the battery itself needs to be recharged. With this setup, you might not even have to worry about bringing any of your chargers and cables because it conveniently packages everything into its design.

The best portable charger for camping

7. Jackery Explorer 100 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus is the perfect portable charger for camping because of how it packs a large battery that could get you days of powering your gadgets, without being too heavy to carry around. With its 128W charging speeds, it doesn't take all that long to charge smaller gadgets like phones and smartwatches. At the same time, that fast charging speed can also recharge laptops and MacBooks with ease.

For camping, the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus features a design that's shock and fire-resistant. And due to how it's still incredibly compact, it's not as burdensome like other traditional power stations that weight 10+ pounds. And finally, you can also get the optional compact sized solar panel to recharge it on days when it's sunny while you're camping, which is perfect when there are no outlets around.

How to choose the best portable charger

Finding the right charger capacity: You'll often see a four to five-digit number, with the letters mAh following it, and that's your first big indicator of how much this charger is right for you. If you're constantly refueling your phone and other gadgets, go for at least 10,000mAh. For each extra device you charge, add at least 5,000 to the mAh rating you're looking for. Just need to prevent your device from hitting 0 on late nights out? You'll be good with something in the under 5,000 mAh rating, provided you remember to charge it often.

Be a ports authority: If you hold onto your devices forever, and don't already know what a USB-C port is, you can probably just get whatever fits your price. But if you're the kind who wants faster charging, look for a brick that has PD in its name. The best portable chargers, at least for my money, charge devices the fastest and use the Power Delivery (PD) standard. Also, their USB-C ports mean you can refuel these power banks with the same cords used to charge modern laptops.

Utility to meet the demand: You just never know what needs charging. Whether it's your phone, wireless earbuds, or some other gadget, a portable charger needs to have the utility to meet the demand. That's why it's also good to look out for power banks that have other ports besides USB-C and charging pads on them.

Charging speeds matter: Having a huge battery is wonderful to get more charges in before the battery bank needs its own recharge, but it's also good to look at its charging speed. Faster charging speeds means your device will go from empty to full in a shorter amount of time. You'll want to look at 30W charging speeds at the very least.

How we test the best portable chargers

You want a charger that was put through the rigors of refueling, so we did just that. With timers in hand, we kept draining an iPhone 15 Pro and then timed how much time it took for each power bank to refuel those phones. Along the way, we checked out how much of said iPhone 15 Pro (the same one) were refueled after 15 and 60 minutes. We kept that iPhone at 100% brightness the whole time.

Our ranking also factored in the portability and designs of each model, as especially small and pocket-friendly chargers can't physically store as many mAh of battery power as their larger brethren. Similarly, the smaller a charger is, the less likely it has more than two ports (one for gaining a charge, the other for giving power).

Those looking to keep their tech protected throughout each and every charge should check out our guide to the best surge protectors .

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Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

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• Codeape Anker has 2 usb a output ports (even says so in your description)... -ve for that device says just one usb a output port... Reply
• Marcel Bro Best power banks and chargers of 2023? And most of them only output USB A?! This article is heavily outdated. Reply
• Arctic Strix This article was either done by a bad Ai, written within 5min by someone who searched for the most bought battery banks on Amazon, or reused from several years ago. The "best portable charger" is not a 10,000mAh USB-A 15W charger for $20, that's just one of the most purchased on Amazon. One of the best portable power banks is going to be the Anker 737 or the Ugreen 145w. They both feature two type C outputs and one type A output, the Anker 737 being able to output up to 140W compared to Ugreen maxing at 100W. Anker has a 24000mAh battery and PD3.1 complaint and Ugreen is 25000mAh with PD3.0; they both are compatible with all charging standards. These might be a bit overkill for the general user, but they are among the best, if not the best portable power banks. Reply
• View All 3 Comments

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Table of contents

Best Backpacking Power Banks & Portable Chargers of 2024

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Electronics are essential items in many hikers’ backpacks, so getting the best power bank to keep them going on trail is really important. Whatever your electronics setup looks like, we know it can be a real drag when something runs out of juice in the backcountry.

We’ve researched more than 40 power banks over the last four years, and tested 25 of the most promising battery packs on trail to bring you this guide. Whether your charging needs are extensive or you just need a simple battery to top up your phone every once in a while, our expertise will help you find the best power bank for your adventures.

Most hikers carry a smartphone, but you may also have things like wireless headphones, a rechargeable headlamp , and a fitness or GPS watch that need to be charged up on trail. We like carrying our tech gadgets in a fanny pack so they’re close at hand when we need them.

Quick Picks for Power Banks

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Best power bank overall:  INIU 20000 PD ($30)

Best ultralight power bank:  Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 ($60)

Best budget 10,000 mAh power bank:  INIU Megapower 10000 ($27)

Best large-capacity power bank: Charmast 26800 ($43)

Budget power bank with an excellent weight-to-power ratio: OKZU 10000 ($28)

Most compact power bank: Charmast 10000 Mini ($30)

Best single-charge power bank: Goal Zero Flip 24 ($30)

After logging more miles with our top power bank picks and testing some new ones, we’ve made some updates to our list:

• The Iniu 20000 PD power bank remains our number one pick and is now even more affordable.
• The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen. 2 battery bank moves into our number two spot due to its low weight, durability, and quick charging.

Iniu 20000 PD

Best power bank overall

Weight: 12.2 oz.

mAh: 20,000

Time to full charge: 6 hrs. (USB-C)

• Very affordable
• Quick charge output
• Recharges quickly
• Large charging capacity
• Large digital battery display
• Can charge multiple devices at once
• Pass-through charging
• A bit heavy/bulky

The convenience of the Iniu 20000 PD makes it one of our go-tos for times when we need to power multiple devices or when we’ll be away from wall power for an extended period. It charges pretty dang fast for how large it is (about six hours with a USB-C cable and a quick charge block ), and it can charge a smartphone to 50% in just 30 minutes. The large digital display also makes it easy to see exactly how much juice you have left instead of having to guess at what indicator dots might mean. The Iniu 20000 is a bit bulkier and heavier than many other batteries, but we think it’s worth the carry if you tend to need a lot of power for things like mapping apps and photography.

Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2

Best ultralight power bank

Weight: 5.3 oz.

mAh: 10,000

Time to full charge: 3.5 hrs. (USB-C)

• Can charge two devices at once
• Battery life indicator isn’t very clear

The Nitecore NB 10000 (Gen 2) is a great choice for those whose priority is keeping weight and bulk to a minimum. It’s smaller than most other 10,000 mAh batteries and it’s the lightest medium-capacity power bank on our list. The sleek carbon fiber housing makes this battery both lightweight and durable – two attributes hikers will surely appreciate. The one gripe we have with the NB 10000 is that the battery life indicator isn’t very clear, but this isn’t a huge deal once you get a feel for how this battery works with your devices. The NB 10000 is a little on the pricey side, but the short recharge time, low weight, and compact size make this an ideal battery for longer backpacking trips.

Iniu Megapower 10000

Best budget 10,000 mAh power bank

Price: $27 (often on sale for less)

Weight: 7 oz.

Time to full charge: 4 hrs. (USB-C) / 7 hrs. (micro USB)

• Lightweight
• Not as efficient as some
• A little slower to charge than other 10,000 mAh batteries

The Iniu Megapower 10000 is an affordable power bank that will provide the average smartphone with 2-2.5 charges. This mid-capacity power bank is lightweight, compact, and it can charge multiple devices at once. It takes slightly longer to charge than other batteries with the same capacity, so it may not be the most efficient choice for thru-hikers who need a quick turnaround in town. But if you’re looking for an affordable battery with a good balance of weight to power, the Megapower 10,000 is hard to beat.

Charmast 26800 Ultra Slim QC

Best large-capacity power bank

Weight: 15 oz.

mAh: 26,800

Time to full charge: 9 hrs. (USB-C) /11 hrs. (micro USB)

• Excellent value (usually on sale)
• high charging capacity
• quick charge output
• charges multiple devices at once
• Heavier/bulkier than others
• takes longer to charge than some

The Charmast 26800 is the largest capacity battery on our list, and at its typical sale price of around $40, it’s also one of the best deals. This massive power bank can charge a modern smartphone around six times, and it also has an output high enough to power larger devices such as a tablet or laptop. Oh, and did we mention it can charge an impressive four devices at once? While the Charmast 26800 is a bit heavier and bulkier than the batteries we typically like to backpack with, it’s perfect for travel or for hiking trips where photography is a focus and you’ll need a way to power camera batteries or other larger electronics.

Budget power bank with an excellent weight-to-power ratio

Weight: 6.8 oz.

Time to full charge: 3 hrs.

• recharges quickly
• pass-through charging
• Only charges one device at a time

The OKZU 10000 is a killer deal – it’s the most affordable power bank on our list, yet its specs are on par with more expensive batteries. It’s lightweight, it recharges quickly, and it has quick charge output, but it can only charge one device at a time. This may not matter if your charging needs are simple, but you may want to consider paying a little more for a power bank with dual charging if you want the ability to charge multiple electronics simultaneously. That said, the OKZU 10000 is an awesome value, and you could even carry two of them for less money and weight than most 20000 mAh chargers.

• Charmast 10000 Mini

Most compact power bank

Weight: 6.7 oz.

Time to full charge: 3.5 hrs. (USB-C) / 10 (micro USB)

• excellent value
• can charge multiple devices
• Not as efficient as others
• no pass-through charging

If keeping your battery as compact as possible is your main priority, the Charmast 10000 Mini is your guy. This battery is smaller than a standard deck of cards – that’s nearly half the size of other batteries with the same charging capacity. Despite the tiny package, the Charmast 10000 still has the features of full-size batteries – like quick charge compatibility and multiple device charging. In our testing, we did find this bank to be slightly less efficient than some others – meaning a bit more of the 10,000 mAh capacity is lost between the bank itself and the device being charged. That said, this pocket-size battery will still give around two full charges for a modern smartphone.

• Goal Zero Flip 24

Best single-charge power bank

Weight: 4.6 oz.

Time to full charge: 6 hrs.

• Small charging capacity (charges the avg. phone once)
• No quick charge output
• Power input can be hard to use

We’ve been using Goal Zero power banks for many years now, and we love them for their low weight and compact size. The Flip 24 is a tiny power bank that will fit in any pocket, and it’s perfect for outings close to home when you only need a little extra power. This battery will only charge a smartphone once or twice, so we typically use it for day hikes or as an emergency charger. If you need more juice, the Flip charger also comes in a 36 (about three charges) size. But we would recommend going with a different power bank for longer trips since this one can be a little difficult to charge on the go.

What’s Most Important to You in a Power Bank?

Power banks are getting more and more affordable, and it’s possible to get a super efficient and compact battery for very little money nowadays. Cost starts to ramp up if you’re looking for an ultralight bank, but most of the inexpensive batteries on this list are still reasonably lightweight.

Best value power banks

• Charmast 26800

Best budget power banks

• INIU 20000 PD
• INIU Megapower 10000

Best high-end power bank

• Nitecore NB 10000

Since weight adds up quickly in a backpack, finding the best balance between weight and charging capacity is key. If you have multiple electronics to charge (or devices with large batteries), you may want to go with a slightly heavier power bank with more milliamp hours. If you don’t have many electronics or you don’t use them much on trail, you can save some ounces by choosing a smaller-capacity battery.

Lightest power banks

Battery banks with the best balance of weight to charging capacity

NUMBER OF CHARGES

Milliamp hours (mAH) tell you how much juice a power bank provides.

A 20,000+ mAH power bank will charge an average smartphone about 4 times. This size is great for powering large electronics (like a camera) or multiple devices on long trips. We recommend going with a large-capacity bank in this range if you frequently head out for 4-5 day trips, carry a large amount of rechargeable electronics, or you’re sharing with a hiking partner.

Many hikers with more modest power needs find that a 10,000 mAH battery does the trick. Smaller banks will recharge faster, often cost less, and are usually smaller and lighter. Go with this size (or smaller) if you’re looking for a power bank for daily use around town, you’re usually not on trail for more than a couple days at a time, or if you’re the type that likes to truly disconnect when out in the backcountry.

Best 20,000+ mAh power banks

Best 10,000 mAh power banks

Best power bank under 10000 mAh

CHARGE TIME

It’s becoming more common for power banks to have quick charge (or power delivery [PD]) compatibility. Not only does this charge your devices much quicker, but the power bank itself can reach full charge a lot faster. We find this especially important on longer trips and thru-hikes that include stops for resupply, because quick charge allows you to get in and out of town much faster. Be sure to use a quick charge block to take advantage of this feature.

Best quick charge power banks

OKZU 10000 – Photo credit: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

Nitecore NB 10000 – Photo credit: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

INIU 20000 PD – Photo credit: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

Photo credit: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

Critical Battery Bank Considerations

HOW MANY CHARGES WILL I GET?

A lot of factors go into how many charges you’ll get out of your power bank, like how large your phone battery is, how many devices you’re powering, and the outside temperature. On average a 20,000 mAh battery will charge a standard smartphone about four times, a 10,000 mAh battery will provide about two charges, and smaller capacity power banks typically provide one to one and half charges.

CHARGING CABLES / BLOCK

To get your power bank to full as quickly as possible, make sure you’re using a  quick charge block and charging through the quick charge port (usually indicated by a little lightning bolt). Some power banks have multiple quick charge ports – typically a USB-C port and a USB-A port. You probably won’t notice much of an efficiency difference between using a short cable, a long cable, or a cable with multiple dongles. But we can tell you that it’s often worth it to pay a little more for a quality cable that will be durable on the trail or for travel.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Most power banks are decently waterproof and dustproof – look for the IP rating in the manufacturer specs to determine how much moisture/dust it can tolerate. Just like with your smartphone, very cold temperatures can drain the life of your power bank. When we expect temperatures to dip below freezing, we take precautions to protect our electronics. We recommend keeping battery-powered devices in your pocket or wrapped in a sock during the day and in your sleeping bag at night when the temperatures drop.

PASS-THROUGH CHARGING

Pass-through charging is an especially convenient feature for long hikes that include a resupply. It allows you to charge devices off of your power bank while the bank itself is charging. This is an efficient way to juice up all your electronics at once and it can get you out of town a little quicker after a resupply.

Honorable Mentions

The following power bank didn’t make our final list, but it’s still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of them might be perfect for you:

Anker PowerCore 26800 PD Bundle

This is a very large-capacity battery bundled with a quick charge cable and charging block for powering larger electronics like laptops and tablets. It’s fairly expensive, but it’s a convenient choice for folks looking for a battery bank for traveling.

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

• Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
• We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
• Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
• We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
• We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
• We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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What’s the Best Portable Charger for Travel? 12 Compact Picks

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Need to charge on the go? Take a look at the best portable power bank options to make sure your device stays charged as you travel and explore new places!

Best Portable Battery Charger for Travelers

Table of contents.

Whether you’re using your device to look at maps, find the best place to eat, stay in touch with your travel buddies, or snap photos of the sights around you, having it charged and ready to go at all times is a must! With these handy little gadgets, you’ll be able to keep your battery upped wherever and whenever, so you’ll never stress again about being on a flight or out in an unfamiliar place with a dying phone! 

Without further ado, here are the top picks for the best portable phone charger and/or general charger for other devices, like tablets. Take a look!

Best Portable Chargers for Your Devices

Shop Anker Portable Battery Pack: Amazon | Anker

Top Selling Portable Cell Phone Charger : Anker Portable Charger

Anker is far and away our readers’ top pick, and this Anker PowerCore Slim portable battery charger for phone was the blog’s biggest and best seller during Prime Day! Use it with any phone via a USB cord, and get anywhere from 2.25 – 1.2 charges depending on your device (iPads and tablets included)! It’s super light for how much battery it holds, weighing under half a pound, and it’s skinny enough to slip into the pocket of your bag as you head out on your travels.  

A reader gives a review, “Anker makes the best portable power bank hands down. I have several but this size is my favorite because it’s not too big but it will charge my phone several times. It’s nice because I can charge it before I leave and use it for all my devices on the plane etc. then it usually still has enough to last a few days of traveling before I need to charge it again!”

You can shop directly through the Anker website .

Power Juice Portable Charger

Power Juice Slim Portable Charger iPhone and Android Compatible

The Power Juice por table phone battery charger is slim and compact, super easy to throw in your purse without taking up much room. It has a built-in wall plug and 2 USB ports so it’s compatible with any phone. And you can charge 6 times depending on your battery capacity!

I had a similar portable power chargers that was a must for weekend camping at BlogStock and six days at Glastonbury. Aside from camping, it’s also perfect for long travel days when I’m on planes, trains, or buses and my phone is my main form of entertainment (including taking photos to amuse myself). A 14-hour flight? No problem.

A user says, “Took on 5 day cruise, it was still halfway full! Incredibly long lasting for phones. It is larger than the smaller Pocket Juice Endurance we usually get but man it’s worth it if you don’t mind a slightly heavier larger box. ”

Before you head out on your next trip, refer to this  electronics checklist !

Anker PowerCore Mini Lightweight Travel Power Bank

Anker PowerCore Mini Portable Charger for iPhone and Android

The Anker Powercore portable USB charger quickly and easily charges your electronics without adding a bunch of extra weight to your travel bags. It’s about 4” tall and just under 5oz, so you’ll barely feel it in your bag. Despite its mini size, it’s a really good portable charger that works super fast, and, depending on your phone, give it 1-2 full charges! 

One reader says, “I LOVE this portable charger mini and have used it for many trips. So small, not heavy to tote around, and easy to keep in your pocket or bag all the time. And it recharges easily overnight so you can always carry it freshly charged each morning.”

Anker PowerCore 10000 Mobile Power Bank

Anker PowerCore Android and iPhone Portable Charger

Continually, our readers have voiced Anker as their favorite portable charger power bank brand. This small portable charger is ultra compact yet powerful, holding 3 full phone charges! Having this little guy with you during your travels will definitely give you peace of mind and allow you to use your phone to your heart’s content! 

One reader shares her experience, saying, “I really like this one! It holds a few charges. I took this one and my bigger Anker one on a five-day trip since it was new and I hadn’t really tested it out, but I could’ve just taken the smaller one!” 

  Truly, Anker is voted by TFGs as the best portable bank charger.

iWALK Travel Mobile Power

iWalk Portable Charger for iPhones

If you have an iPhone, this one’s for you! The iWalk portable wireless charger is said to be one of the best portable iPhone charger options, as it’ll plug straight into your iPhone, no extra cords needed. It’s SO small and lightweight (size of a lipstick!), sleek in design, and holds about 1-1.2 full charges depending on which model you have. 

This wireless portable charger comes very highly rated, and so many readers love it, too! One review says, “This charger is easy to carry around in a small bag and easy to attach to your phone so you can continue to use it while charging. It also recharges quickly. Absolutely saved me many times on vacation when using GPS totally drained my phone. Best travel purchase I made this trip. Highly recommend!”

Another popular power bank from iWalk is this one , with 9000mAh and a size of a credit card!

A new variant of the iWalk portable charger , equipped with a USB-C port compatible with current iPhones, is now available!

Our readers share the  best portable carbon monoxide detector  to take with you so you can relax and enjoy your trip without worry!

Apple MagSafe Travel Power Bank

Magsafe Apple Portable Charger

This Apple iPhone portable charger might just be the most compact and easy-to-use charger around! If you have any version of the iPhone 12 or 13, it’ll simply snap to the back of your phone with magnets, ensuring it stays on and in place, even if loose in your bag. 

This portable battery charger for iPhone is just under 4” tall and super light, and while they are definitely pricey, many users say the convenience outweighs the cost. One user says, “Holds a charge for a considerable time. Perfect for all day travel and flights. A must-have when traveling!”  

Shop INIU Mini Portable Charger: Amazon | Walmart

INIU Portable Charger

This INIU portable charger is a powerhouse! that has 3 USB ports which can all be used at once, and users confirm that it charges incredibly fast (it can charge your phone up to 58% in only 30 minutes)! It can quickly charge iPads and tablets, too, and has universal compatibility, so you can share it with your travel buddies as well. 

A traveler reports, “Exceeded expectations. Super fast charge-up and charges devices simultaneously, so iPhone and iPad or both phones could be recharged while out and about all day and evening. Weighs 12 oz, fits right into the slot in my tech-savvy travel backpack, and connects to a built-in USB. Saved our trip to Italy !” 

We’re sharing our pick for the  best adapter for travel . Keep reading to find out!

Shop Miisso Ultra Slim Built-in Cables Power Bank: Amazon | Walmart

Miisso Power Bank Portable Charger

Miisso’s portable battery chargers are light, slim, and just about the size of a credit card, so they’re beyond easy to carry! Depending on your phone, this fast portable charger can hold 1-2 full charges, and with 2 attached cables and one USB port, you can charge up to three devices at the same time! It’s universally compatible and will have your back as you set out on your next travel adventure. 

A traveler shares, “Exactly what I needed on my recent trip to Europe . Perfect for when you’re out all day and need a top up on a phone or two. LOVE the convenience of built-in cables; connections are secure and solid, well made and well designed.”

Durecopow Solar Charger Power Bank

Durecopow Portable Solar Charger

Heading somewhere more remote? If you have a hiking or camping trip planned, or won’t have access to an outlet, this Durecopow solar portable charger will get the job done! When charged via USB, it has a super large capacity to support thousands of charge cycles (wow!) and high-speed charging. 

This solar portable phone charger is super durable, waterproof, dust-proof, and drop-proof, and as a cool added bonus, it comes with a built-in LED flashlight and compass! 

One happy user reports, “Love this lightweight charger! Perfect for traveling. Lasted me three whole days of charging my phone twice each day for a camping trip. Love the flashlight on it as well.”

UUGEE Portable Solar Power Chargers

UUGEE Portable Charger Solar Power  

This Errbbic solar powered portable charger is another great option for remote travel or travel with limited electricity. You can take it with you as you adventure around the globe without worrying about finding an outlet, and it’s universally compatible so will work with any device. Plus, it’s waterproof and easy to carry! 

Our readers weigh in on these portable solar phone chargers , with one saying, “It has some weight to it, but two phones can charge at the same time, it holds a charge forever and has a solar as backup (slow to charge that way, but it’s still cool).”

Visit this power outlet guide for travelers to see a full list of plugs and outlets by country!

Shop Mophie Battery Case Portable Charger: Amazon | Walmart

Mophie Portable iPhone Charger Case

How about protecting your phone and charging it at the same time?! Major win-win. This portable fast charger iPhone case will give your phone 160% more power and has a simple power switch to turn the battery on and off with the LED status indicator button or press to display battery levels and charge status.

Users say it’s heavy duty and will also protect your phone from scratches, drops, and daily wear and tear. Note that it’s only compatible with iPhones — find all of the sizes here !

One user says, “I love it since iPhone originally started to support it. I’ve always had a Morphie case. It makes charging on the go very very easy and convenient. ” 

We’ve asked our readers to choose the  best portable Bluetooth speaker  for travel, and their picks speak volumes!

innotech Portable Battery Charger Built-in Cable

Innotech Portable Charger for Android and iOS

Readers love that this Innotech portable charger with outlet comes with built-in cords (along with a USB input) to keep things simple. With a sleek, compact, and lightweight design, this portable power charger is convenient to carry around, and it’ll charge your devices fast. 

One reader shares, “I love the convenience of having four cables built into this power bank. No more tangled cables or searching for the right one. It’s a neat solution that simplifies my charging needs, whether I’m using an iPhone, Android, or other devices. Shipping time was also excellent!! ”

Best Portable Charger for iPhone /Android Comparison Chart

[wpsm_comparison_table id=”440″ class=”center-table-align”]

NEWVANGA International Universal All in One Travel Adapter

Universal Travel Adapter with Two Type C and One USB Ports

Hair tools such as blow dryers, wands, curling irons, and straighteners use up a large amount of electricity so it’s particularly important that they are used with the correct voltage. 

For example, in the US we use 110-120V whereas in Europe they use 220-240V. If we plug our electronics into each other’s outlets, they can blow a fuse and stop working. In some cases, they can even fry your hair. The video below can also shed light on adapters, converters, and the right voltage.

 Watch the video above or read this post to learn about the differences between travel adapters, converters, and voltage!

Is  a portable charger bank  a must for your travels? Let us know in the comments!

For more ideas on other travel electronics, please read:

• Best Travel Cord Organizers to Stop Tangled Electronic Cables
• What’s the Best Travel Power Strip? Readers Share 8 Picks
• Voltage Converter vs. Travel Adapter: How do They Work?
• What are the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel?

LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!

Hope you found this post on the  best portable cell phone charger  useful. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the suggestion, this will be my must have power bank for camping. I should order this now for my next camping trip!

This was just the article for me! Have been in the market for a portable charger that will actually work and won’t require a Sherpa to carry it! Have ordered one as a gift and one to keep. Thanks for doing the research and should I run out of battery on my next adventure, it will be my own darn fault!

Thanks TFG! This article helped me pick a new, lighter weight charger to carry during my 3 week Italy trip this last summer. It came in handy so many days! Just the right size to fully recharge my phone once, which covered me for all the navigating and picture taking. And I didn’t have to carry around my giant, heavy brick. It was so great to have a functional, light weight battery!

The iwalk portable charger is a gamechanger for me. Since it attached directly to the phone, it eliminates the need to carry a cord – which I always seem to forget when I’m out sightseeing for the whole day. This battery pack has given me at least two full charges before needing to be recharged. Love it!

I just preordered the new iPhone 15, wondering which would be the best portable charger for me?

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The 11 Best Portable Travel Chargers

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Travelers use their phones for just about everything—from navigating and translating to snapping photos and looking up the nearest place for great sushi—and sometimes there just isn’t enough battery life to get it all done. That’s why a good portable charger is a must-pack. The best portable chargers are lightweight and effective, and many even do double duty to truly earn their spot in your suitcase.

INIU Portable Charger

If you’ve got more than one device to charge on the road, consider this offering from INIU . It features two USB ports so you can power up both your phone and something else (such as a tablet or e-reader, or your companion’s phone). It charges quickly, is compatible with most devices, and weighs less than half a pound. It’s also got a handy LED flashlight.

Smartphone Charging Wristlet

To power up your phone discreetly, tuck it into this wristlet from Uncommon Goods . Made of vegan leather, the bag has a hidden USB power cord inside that will charge most iPhones and micro USB-compatible phones up to 1.5 times. It will automatically power on once connected.

Anker PowerCore 10000

The Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the most popular portable chargers on Amazon, compatible with both Android phones and iPhones as well as most tablets and laptops. It weighs less than seven ounces and is about the size of a deck of cards, making it easy to pack even if you’re traveling with only a carry-on.

PhoneSoap Go

Calling all germaphobes: You can charge and sanitize your phone at the same time with the PhoneSoap Go . The device uses UV light to kill more than 99 percent of bacteria and is compatible with just about any phone, even larger ones. Though the PhoneSoap Go was designed for phones, it will also sanitize any smaller items that fit into it, such as glasses, keys, or watches.

Auzev Charging Cable Bracelet

Wear charging tech right on your wrist with this innovative bracelet from Auzev . It’s a charging cable for Apple devices that looks like a braided leather bracelet and weighs less than an ounce. See this page for all available sizes.

Metecsmart Power Bank

With a built-in lightning cable, the Metecsmart Power Bank is designed to charge iPhones twice as fast as your phone’s original charging cable. It also has a built-in micro USB port for powering up Android and other devices. Thanks to pass-through technology, it can charge your devices while it’s also charging itself.

BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

Campers and hikers will appreciate this charger from BigBlue , which has multiple solar panels that stretch out nearly three feet to absorb the energy of the sun but then fold up to a relatively compact size when not in use. The included micro USB cable is compatible with most Android phones, some DSLR cameras, and most iPhones and iPads. The charger weighs 1.35 pounds and is waterproof.

Courant Carry Wireless Charger

Sick of traveling with a snarl of cables? It’s not cheap, but the Qi-certified Carry charger from Courant will power up your phone wirelessly. (It does come with a USB-C cable as well, just in case.) Encased in Italian leather, this sleek portable charger comes with a carrying bag and is compatible with a wide range of phones.

Pocket Power 5K Power Bank

This ultra-portable charger from Belkin weighs less than five ounces and measures just 4.86 x 2.49 x 0.51 inches, making it easy to slip into your pocket or purse. Its universal USB port is compatible with a variety of devices, including iPhones and iPads, Galaxy and Google phones, and Apple Watches. One nice feature: a warranty worth up to $2,500 if your device is damaged while connected to the charger.

Mophie Juice Pack

Mophie’s Juice Pack will not only protect your phone but also provide up to 38 hours’ worth of extra power, thanks to a battery built into the case. You can power up the case without cables using any Qi-compatible wireless charger (not included). Cases are available for a variety of iPhones and Galaxy devices.

RapidX X5 Car Charger

The X5 Car Charger is one of the best travel chargers for road trips because it plugs into both cigarette lighters and 12v-24v outlets and can power up to five devices at once. It has an extended USB hub so everyone in the back seat can plug in as well. The charger is compatible with iOS, Android, and other devices.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 8 Genius Ways to Preserve Your Phone’s Battery Life While Traveling
• 8 Innovative Phone Cases and Accessories for Travel
• 5 Smartphone Essentials You Should Never Travel Without

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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• Electronics
• Accessories

The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for Phones and Tablets

By Sarah Witman

Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries.

Whether you’re a glued-to-your-screen smartphone owner who can never make it through a day on a full charge, or you just need an occasional battery boost, USB power banks are a panacea for low-battery anxiety.

After putting in hundreds of hours of research and testing, we’ve found that the Belkin Boost Charge Plus 10K is the best power bank to charge a phone, tablet, or another small, handheld device.

It’s an all-around great portable charger that can offer you peace of mind whenever wall outlets are out of reach.

Everything we recommend

Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K

The best power bank for phones, tablets, and more.

This power bank is small and light, and its rounded edges make it easy to slip into a pocket. It comes in only one color, but it has two built-in cables and enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.

Buying Options

TravelCard Plus

A boost of power in an ultra-thin package.

This power bank is one of the smallest and lightest we’ve tested. It has a powerful USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C and Lightning cables, and a 3,000 mAh rated capacity. But it recharges slower than our other picks.

Budget pick

Scosche GoBat 10K

Plenty of power, but no built-in cables.

This power bank has a USB-C PD port to charge devices at top speed, as well as a USB-A port for older devices. It’s not as slim as we’d like, but it’s lightweight and can charge most phones three times.

What we look for

We searched for power banks with enough wattage to ensure the fastest possible charging and recharging speeds.

We sought out power banks weighing 8 ounces (half a pound) or less, making them easy to carry around in a wallet, pocket, or bag.

We preferred power banks rated for at least 2,000 mAh and up to 10,000 mAh capacity, which tells you roughly how much battery life they hold.

We chose power banks with a warranty of at least one year, giving you plenty of time to use it and ensure it’s not a dud.

The Belkin Boost Charge Plus 10K weighs about half a pound, and its rounded edges make it easy to hold or slip into a pocket.

Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port can charge most handheld devices and recharge itself at top speed (with the right USB-C cable and wall charger ), and it can pass power to another device while being recharged from a wall outlet.

It only comes in one color, but it has enough capacity to fully charge most smartphones up to three times, as well as built-in USB-C and Lightning cables that are easy to slide in and out of their holsters.

• Rated capacity: 10,000 mAh (36 Wh)
• Weight: 8.4 ounces
• Tested input: 19 watts (USB-C PD port or built-in USB-C cable)
• Tested output: 18 watts (USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C cable, or built-in Lightning cable)

The TravelCard Plus has less than a third of the Belkin’s capacity, but it’s much lighter and slimmer.

Its USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C cable, and built-in Lightning cable can fast-charge most smartphones or other handheld devices (though it recharges more slowly than our other picks).

It’s just as sleek-looking and sturdy as our top pick, and it comes in a wider variety of colors. Plus, as of this writing, it’s nearly half the price.

• Rated capacity: 3,000 mAh (15 Wh)
• Weight: 2.7 ounces
• Tested input: 7 watts (USB-C PD port or built-in USB-C cable)
• Tested output: 15 watts (built-in USB-C cable) or 10 watts (built-in Lightning cable)

If money is tight, and you can live without the convenience of built-in cables, go for the Scosche GoBat 10K .

It’s on a par with the Belkin in terms of its power, capacity, build quality, and ease of use.

It has a fast-charging USB-C PD port (input and output) and a USB-A port (output only), and unlike our other picks it comes with a USB-C charging cable.

While it has a slightly chunky shape, which makes it a bit cumbersome to stow in small spaces, it weighs less than half a pound.

• Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Tested input: 25 watts (USB-C PD port)
• Tested output: 20 watts (USB-C PD port) or 17 watts (USB-A port)

The research

Why you should trust me, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: belkin boost charge plus 10k, also great: travelcard plus, budget pick: scosche gobat 10k, other good power banks, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been a science journalist for nearly a decade, covering a wide variety of topics from particle physics to satellite remote sensing.

Since joining Wirecutter in 2017, I’ve reported on surge protectors , portable power stations , and more. For this guide alone, I’ve spent more than 100 hours cumulatively researching and testing power banks.

Most people can find use for a USB power bank (also called an external battery pack, backup battery, or portable charger) to keep phones and other devices charged while on the go.

Rather than tracking down a wall outlet, owning a USB power bank allows you to enjoy a conveniently portable (albeit limited) power supply.

The question is, which one best fits into your habits? Some might need only a small battery to give their phone a boost at the end of the day, while those who travel a lot may be looking to power multiple devices over the course of several days.

A wallet-sized power bank is great to keep on hand for those unexpected (yet critical) moments when your phone is dying and no outlets are nearby.

But if you want something for weekend trips or a regular commute, the picks in this guide offer one or more full charges for most smartphones but can still fit easily in laptop bags, totes, purses, or even large pockets.

These power banks are robust yet portable, allowing you to charge small devices such as wireless headphones , computer mice , keyboards , vaporizers , digital cameras , and more.

Strategically placing a few of these around the house isn’t a bad idea either: You can keep one in your foyer to grab as you’re running out the door, or one near the couch for when you’re curled up cozily under a blanket and really, really don’t want to get up to plug in your phone.

For laptops and other large devices that charge via USB-C or AC , we have separate guides for power banks with much higher capacity ratings than the chargers we recommend here.

With tons of brands and models to choose from, we checked out major retailers to find the most widely available options and narrowed the scope of our search using the following criteria:

• Powerful charging and recharging: For models with USB-C output or input, we preferred those rated for at least 15 watts. That’s the minimum wattage needed for full USB-C charging and recharging speeds (though devices that support the even faster USB-C standard— USB Power Delivery , or USB PD—need at least 18 watts). Likewise, for models with USB-A output or Micro-USB input, we looked for those rated for 8 watts or more. Anything less powerful would be painfully slow.
• No heavier than half a pound: Power banks should be small and lightweight, making them easy to tote around in a wallet, pocket, or bag for an entire day. We preferred to test power banks weighing 8 ounces or less, since we don’t think most people want to carry something in their pocket or purse that weighs much more than a smartphone (for reference, an iPhone 14 weighs 6.1 ounces and a Pixel 7 weighs 6.9 ounces ).
• Capacity rating of 2,000 to 10,000 mAh: The capacity rating listed on the power bank tells you roughly how much power it can hold. Since batteries with a capacity rating of more than 10,000 mAh tend to be bigger, heavier, and more expensive, for this guide we focused primarily on those with enough capacity to give your phone a boost of power or to fully charge it several times.
• At least a one-year warranty: A year is plenty of time to use your power bank and make sure it’s working properly, although longer warranties are always preferable.
• Brand reputation: We favored brands that we’ve had good experiences with in the past when it comes to responsive customer support and product reliability. We discounted models still undergoing a crowdfunding campaign, as well as brands lacking a visible web presence.
• Price: We used a ratio of capacity (mAh) per dollar to break ties between otherwise similar models.
• Built-in cables: We preferred power banks with some type of built-in cable or plug. This type of feature is indispensable when executed well, since separate charging cables (even if they’re neatly coiled up) take up more space in a bag.

We tested the performance of each power bank in a few key areas, including the following:

• Weight: We used an Escali Primo Digital Scale to confirm the advertised weight of each power bank.
• Size: Rather than measure the dimensions of each power bank, we considered size in terms of whether a power bank fit inside a wallet, a pocket (we tried a variety of pants, skirt, and jacket pockets), or an accessories pouch .
• Look and feel: We took note of each power bank’s bulk and exterior texture, and considered how easy and intuitive its features were to use.
• Charging output of USB-A ports: We connected a half-charged power bank to a Drok USB load tester , turned up the amperage as far as it could go without overloading the power bank, and recorded the measured maximum output (watts) from each USB-A port.
• Charging input and output of USB-C ports: We used a Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer to measure the maximum output (watts) from each USB-C port
• Device compatibility: Because some devices can be finicky when it comes to charging, we plugged each of the power banks into a half-charged Nintendo Switch, iPhone 14, and pair of Jabra wireless headphones to make sure they could successfully top them off.

The Belkin Boost Charge Plus 10K is compact, sleek, and powerful. It has a USB-C PD port, built-in Lightning and USB-C cables, and as much battery life as any model we tested. It’s on the pricey side, but no other model we’ve tested matches its unique combination of features.

It has built-in cables. In addition to a fast-charging USB-C PD port, the Belkin’s built-in Lightning and USB-C cables can charge most phones or other handheld devices (or recharge the unit itself) at top speed.

It packs a lot of power. We measured up to 19 W flowing into the power bank through either the USB-C PD port or built-in USB-C cable, and up to 18 W flowing out through the USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C cable, or built-in Lightning cable. With two devices plugged into the power bank, we measured a total maximum output of 24 W—more than twice as much power as some models we tested.

It has passthrough charging. While recharging the Belkin, you can simultaneously charge another device (we measured up to 15 W of passthrough charging power). This is a highly convenient, yet somewhat rare, feature.

It has great battery life. With a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, the Belkin has enough juice to fully charge an iPhone 14 (and most other smartphones) up to three times, while some models we tested struggle to bring a phone from empty to full just once.

It won’t weigh you down. Weighing 8.4 ounces, or just over half a pound, the Belkin doesn’t add a lot of extra bulk to a backpack or purse. Plus, its built-in cables negate the need to carry additional charging cables.

It’s enjoyable to use . The best-designed products are those you barely notice, and the Belkin is no exception. It has a streamlined, minimalistic look that blends in easily with its surroundings. Its rounded edges make it comfortable to hold and easy to slip into a pocket, while the textured plastic shell offers some extra grip.

While the same is true of nearly every model we tested, this power bank is effortless to use: A single button turns it on and off (it also powers down automatically when not connected to anything), and four small LEDs indicate how much battery life remains.

It’s sturdily built. The Belkin has a rugged build quality, and the attached cables slide seamlessly in and out of their holsters without showing signs of straining or tearing.

Belkin offers a long warranty and good customer support. Belkin’s two-year warranty gives you more than enough time to use the power bank and ensure it’s in working order. We’ve found the company’s customer support to be responsive, too.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• At the time of this writing, the Boost Charge Plus 10K costs $70, making it one of the priciest models we tested.
• This model doesn’t come with a wall charger, or any other accessories. But since most people already have a compatible wall charger (or several) at home, and they’re fairly inexpensive, we don’t think it’s a major issue. (Plus, it helps reduce e-waste .)
• Lastly, as of this writing, this power bank is only available in black. That’s unfortunate for those who haven’t embraced the soft goth aesthetic , but we’ll give it a pass. (It’ll likely spend most of its time inside the dark depths of a backpack, purse, or pants pocket anyway.)

If you want an ultra-compact power bank that can fit in a small crossbody bag or clutch, the TravelCard Plus is your best bet.

It doesn’t have enough capacity to fully charge most smartphones, but it’s one of the lightest models we’ve tested, and like our top pick it has built-in USB-C and Lightning cables. Plus, it comes in a wider variety of colors than our other picks.

It’s powerful for its size (though it recharges at a snail’s pace). The TravelCard Plus isn’t quite as powerful as our top pick, but it still has plenty of juice to charge most devices (or recharge itself) at a steady clip.

This model lacks passthrough charging, but the built-in USB-C cable can pass up to 15 W to connected devices, and the built-in Lightning cable can pass up to 10 W.

We measured up to 7 W while recharging the power bank from either its USB-C PD port or built-in USB-C cable. That’s pretty sluggish compared to our top pick (although, since the capacity is so much lower, it still only takes about an hour to fully recharge).

It’ll keep your phone from dying (but might not fully charge it). With a rated capacity of 3,000 mAh, the TravelCard Plus is well within our desired range for battery life. Although it doesn’t have quite enough capacity to bring most smartphones from 0% to 100% charged, it can easily top off or revive a dying device.

It’s super lightweight. Weighing just 2.7 ounces—roughly akin to five sheets of notebook paper—the TravelCard Plus is one of the lightest power banks we’ve tested.

It’s sleek yet sturdy. The TravelCard Plus is a tad bigger than a typical credit card (3.6 inches by 2.4 inches), and about as thick as four credit cards stacked (0.3 inch). Not only is it slimmer than most power banks we’ve tested, but it’s sturdily built and has a sleek look with rounded edges and a polished-metal finish. The built-in cables are dainty, but they showed no signs of tearing in our testing, and they slide smoothly in and out of their holsters.

It’s easy to use. Like our other picks, this power bank has just one button (to turn the unit on and off) and four battery-status indicator lights.

It’s well-supported. Despite a relatively small web presence, TravelCard backs its products with a two-year warranty, and we’ve had generally good experiences with its customer support.

It’s relatively affordable. Like our top pick, the TravelCard Plus doesn’t come with a wall charger or other accessories, but it’s nearly half the price of that model. Plus, most people likely already have a compatible charger that came with their phone or another device, and don’t need a surplus.

It comes in a wide range of colors. Most models we tested come in just one or two colors, but the TravelCard Plus has eight options: black, white, silver, gray, red, teal, blue, or indigo.

If funds are limited, and you can stand to carry a separate charging cable or two, the Scosche GoBat 10K is a less-expensive alternative to our top pick.

It’s comparable in terms of power, capacity, and build quality. And while it’s chunkier in shape, and lacks built-in cables, it’s also a bit smaller and lighter.

It’s supremely powerful. This power bank edged out the rest of the bunch in terms of input, and it was also one of the best performers when it came to output. We measured up to 25 W flowing into its USB-C PD port, up to 20 watts out of its USB-C PD port, and up to 17 watts from its USB-A port.

It has great battery life. Just like our top pick, the Scosche has a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh, so you can fully charge a phone up to three times.

It weighs less than a roll of quarters. At just 6.4 ounces, the Scosche is a couple ounces lighter than our top pick, though still not as light as the TravelCard Plus.

It’s sturdily built. Encased in a hard plastic shell, the Scosche is relatively rugged, and it has a sturdy build quality.

It’s comfortable to hold (and easy on the eyes). This power bank’s blocky shape makes it a bit tougher to slip into small pockets or purses, but it’s still quite compact, and its rounded edges feel comfortable in the hand.

The power bank has a sophisticated look overall, though it only comes in black (we’d also prefer the company’s logo on top of the unit to be a bit subtler, but it’s not super splashy).

It has a great warranty. Scosche is a brand we trust, and its three-year warranty (longer than our other picks’ two-year warranties) gives you plenty of time to use your power bank and ensure it’s not a dud.

It’s relatively affordable. This model costs nearly half as much as our top pick, as of this writing, and it comes with a USB-C charging cable (which is handy if you don’t already have one or want a backup).

If you need maximum power and don’t mind a less-streamlined unit that costs a bit more than our picks: Get the Mophie Powerstation Plus . Offering slightly more power than any of our picks, it has a built-in USB-C PD cable (up to 30 W output), built-in Lightning output cable (up to 18 W output), and USB-C PD port (up to 20 W output and 23 W input) with passthrough charging.

Like our top pick, it has a 10,000 mAh capacity rating and weighs 8.4 ounces (just over half a pound). Also, it’s backed by a two-year warranty, and comes from a brand we trust.

Unfortunately, it only comes in black, and it's the costliest model we tested ($80 at this writing, with no included accessories). Plus, while it has a generally good look and feel, its built-in cables are maddeningly difficult to slide in and out of their holsters. For some people, though, the extra power might make these sacrifices worthwhile.

If you want a power bank that doubles as a wall charger: Get the Anker PowerCore Fusion 10000 . In addition to its handy fold-up input plug, it has a USB-C PD port and USB-A port to charge up to two devices with 20 W of combined output power. And like our top and budget picks, it has a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh.

It comes in either black or white, its plastic exterior has a pleasantly grippy texture, and convenient battery-status lights tell you when it needs to be recharged. It’s ruggedly built and backed by a brand we trust, and it has an ample 18-month warranty.

On the downside, it’s pricier than most of our picks ($50 at this writing), and you’ll need to supply your own charging cables. It’s also significantly bigger and heavier than our picks, weighing a whopping 9.6 ounces. But if you want more versatility, and can live with the extra bulk, it’s a great option.

If you want a wide range of color options and can live without built-in cables: Get the Zendure SuperMini 20W . A former top pick, it has a USB-C PD port with up to 19 W output and 20 W input, as well as a USB-A port with up to 17 W output. It also has passthrough charging and a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh. Weighing just 6.4 ounces, its rounded edges make it easy to hold and slip into a pocket. It is intuitive to use and ruggedly built, and thick ridges on its outer shell make it easy to grip (or locate at the bottom of a cluttered bag).

Zendure backs this model with a two-year warranty, and we’ve generally had good experiences with its customer support. It costs more than most of our picks ($48 at this writing), but it comes with a USB-C cable and it’s available in more colors than any of our picks, including red, white, silver, blue, light green, light purple, and light pink.

If you want recycled materials and packaging and can live without built-in cables: Get the Nimble Champ . It has a USB-A port (up to 16 W output) and USB-C PD port (up to 18 W output and 16 W input) with passthrough charging, and a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh.

Weighing just 6.5 ounces, it’s sturdily built and has a chunky yet compact shape. It’s easy to use, comes from a reputable brand, and has a two-year warranty. Sadly, it's more expensive than most of our picks ($50 at this writing), and the charging cable that comes with it only supports up to about 12 W. But it’s one of the only options we tested containing (at minimum) 72% post-consumer recycled plastic, and with entirely plastic-free packaging.

It also comes with a free e-waste recycling kit (we have more tips on how to recycle used electronics here ), making it a slightly more sustainable option overall.

If you want a power bank with replaceable batteries and don't mind sacrificing some power: Get the Panasonic BQ-CC87 . Powered by up to four AA or AAA rechargeable batteries , this power bank has an unusual design that allows you to reuse it indefinitely—making it more sustainable than most power banks, which become useless when the internal battery wears out.

The BQ-CC87 is fairly lightweight (around 3.1 ounces with four AA batteries inserted), and it comes in two colors (black or white). It's made by a reputable company and backed by a two-year warranty. And costing just $25 at this writing, it’s the least expensive model we tested.

On the downside, its charging ports are less powerful than those of other models we tested (we measured just 5 W flowing into its Micro-USB port and out of its USB-A port), and it has only about 2,550 mAh of battery life (with four AA batteries inserted) to top off a phone or other small device.

Lastly, this unit has a blockier shape than most models we tested, and the plastic cover is relatively flimsy (we strongly recommend stowing it in a pocket or bag organizer to keep the batteries from popping out of their slots in transit). But if you’re someone who already uses rechargeable AA and/or AAA batteries, this could be a versatile addition to your charging setup.

Hyper announced the HyperJuice 5,000mAh Capsule Power Bank with Cables at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2024, and we’re planning to test it against our current picks. Its unique design includes a 1-foot USB-C cable on one end, a 3-foot USB-C cable on the other, and a built-in cable clip to keep them tidily wrapped up. It can charge up to two devices at once, or charge a single device while recharging itself, and it has a rated capacity of 5,000 mAh. It’s set to sell for $50 when it becomes available in fall 2024.

Several other companies—including Anker, Belkin, ESR, Mophie, and more—have recently released power banks with Qi2 wireless charging capabilities , which allows compatible devices to take advantage of the new standard’s faster charging speeds and secure magnetic connection. We plan to test as many Qi2 power banks as we can get our hands on in the coming months, and we’ll add our testing notes to our guide to the best wireless portable chargers and power banks as soon as we can.

This is not a comprehensive list of every power bank we’ve tested. We’ve removed models that no longer meet our requirements or are discontinued.

The Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 is our former pick for people who want a power bank that doubles as a wall charger. It has a rated capacity of 5,000 mAh, a handy fold-up plug, and a pocketable size and shape. However, its charging ports (two USB-A output ports and a Micro-USB input port) are much less powerful than those on our top and budget picks.

We tried the Clutch V3 Lightning , Clutch V3 USB-C , and Clutch Max in our latest round of testing, and all three were disappointing. Despite costing nearly twice as much as comparable models, their built-in cables are flimsy (we literally ripped one out of its socket), and the Clutch Max failed to charge past 25% (we gave up after three attempts).

The Mophie Powerstation Hub is a power bank that can also be used as either a wall charger or wireless charging pad. However, its rated capacity (6,000 mAh) is significantly lower than our top and budget picks’ ratings, and its angular shape makes it less comfortable to hold or slip into a pocket. Plus, it costs $100 at this writing, which is far pricier than comparable models.

The Mophie Powerstation PD is super lightweight, weighing just 5.2 ounces, and has a pleasantly pocketable shape and grippy texture. However, it offers significantly less capacity (6,700 mAh) than our top pick , which is just a few ounces heavier.

The Mophie Powerstation Plus (USB-C) and Mophie Powerstation Plus Mini (USB-C) are sleek-looking and lightweight. But the built-in USB-C cables are especially tricky to get back into their slots, which we think would drive most people up the wall.

The RAVPower 10000mAh Power Bank (RP-PB186 ) is on a par with our budget pick in terms of its capacity (10,000 mAh) and charging options (one USB-C PD port and one USB-A port), but it has rough ridges at each of its seams that make it less comfortable to hold.

The TG90° Portable Charger 6000mAh External Battery Pack is one of the smallest and lightest power banks we’ve tested, weighing just 4.1 ounces, and its capacity rating (6,000 mAh) is higher than those of power banks we’ve tested that are twice its size. As a major added convenience, it has two built-in cables (USB-C and Lightning) that slide in and out of their holsters easily, as well as a USB-C input port. It’s also relatively sturdy and well built. Despite these attributes, however, we don’t feel comfortable recommending this model without long-term testing; aside from its Amazon storefront , the company has no web presence.

The Tronsmart Trim 10000mAh USB-C Power Bank has the same capacity rating (10,000 mAh) as our top and budget picks, plus it adds a Micro-USB input port. However, we don’t think an extra (and slower-charging) input option offers a significant benefit for most people, and we prefer the look and feel of our picks.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

Meet your guide

Sarah Witman

Sarah Witman is a senior staff writer who reports on powering and charging technology for Wirecutter. She previously worked as a writer, editor, and fact checker for several science magazines. Though she researches and tests chargers for a living, her phone battery is usually low.

Further reading

The Best USB Phone Charger

by Sarah Witman and Nick Guy

No matter what kinds of USB-powered devices you own, we have picks to power them at their fastest charging speeds.

The Best Power Banks for Laptops With USB-C

by Sarah Witman

The Anker 747 PowerCore 26K is our favorite power bank for charging modern laptops as fast as possible while you’re on the go—no need to hunt for a power outlet.

The Best Portable Solar Battery Charger

The Allpowers SP012 Solar Panel 100W is the best choice for charging a phone and other essential devices in the great outdoors.

The Best Portable Power Station

Our top pick for three years running, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best portable power station for going off the grid or prepping for an emergency.

The 9 Best Portable Chargers for Travelers

By Paris Wilson

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There’s nothing worse than getting through the hustle and bustle of airport security only to finally make it to your gate and realize that your phone is out of battery. Searching for an outlet can be a pain and more often than not leaves you stuck hovering over one awaiting your turn. A portable charger offers peace of mind and freedom that airport outlets, hotel lobbies, and coffee shops just can’t supply. Even when you're not traveling, they're useful to have on hand for days when you forget to charge your phone at night or notice it’s running low midday after too much time on Google Maps (or TikTok).

The best portable chargers are compact, portable, and have a battery life that can last you more than one charge (an especially helpful feature for group travel). Read on for full reviews of our editors’ longtime favorites, as well as more recently tested chargers we recommend.

How we tested:

Each new charger was tested for at least three weeks. While testing, we kept these key questions in mind: how long it took to charge devices, how many devices it could charge at one time (and which devices it’s compatible with), and how long it took to charge the charger itself. We also brought them on the road to see how they fared while traveling, and included reviews for chargers we've used long-term.

Can you travel with them?

Yes, portable chargers are safe to travel with, as long as you pack them in your carry-on. They range in size, but even the largest power banks will fit into a carry-on bag or tote.

What are the qualities to look for in a portable charger?

When looking for a portable charger, it’s important to keep in mind the mAh, size, and the devices you plan to charge with it. Some portable chargers have multiple cables that can be plugged directly into your device while others come with built-in ports for USB or USB-C cords. Consider whether you want something specifically for your phone, or a multipurpose power bank that can charge your computer, smartwatch, or earphones, too.

What does mAh stand for?

It stands for milliampere hours which is a unit of measurement that’s used to describe the capacity of a battery. The higher the number, the more battery power you have. Chargers can range from as low as 1,000 mAh to as high as 50,000. For everyday use, it’s fine to get something in the 3,000 to 4,000 range, but we recommend upping the capacity when you’d like to charge more than one device at a time or if you’re looking to use it on a device of five volts or higher.

Editor favorites

Battery capacity: 20,000 mAh Dimensions: 11" x 5" x 2"

I never leave the house without my portable charger. I’m very meticulous about my phone battery and my portable charger is super easy to carry around all day. I’ve had it for five years and have had no use for anything else. It has two ports so I can charge multiple devices at once and it’s small enough to fit in my purse or my fanny pack while traveling. It’s quite thick so you don’t feel like it will break on you. Charging it is easy. There is a small cord that you plug into its side and then plug the charger into the wall, but any type of similar cord will work. It does take a while to charge, about a day if you want it to be full. However, the battery will last you at least three or four charges to your phone. — Kayla Brock , associate social media manager

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: 6" x 3" x 0.7"

I’ve had this BioLite charger for a year, and while there are smaller versions I prefer for day-to-day use (this one’s less than a pound, but about the same dimensions as my iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is to say a bit bigger than I’d like when carrying it in a purse), it’s a reliable option for trips when you know access to outlets may be infrequent, and can toss it in a backpack or tote. It has two USB slots and one USB-C slot, so I’ve used it to power up other devices like my Kindle, FitBit, and AirPods. You can get two to three full phone charges before needing to plug in the battery park; for more charge time—up to five hours—upgrade to the Charge 80 . — Madison Flager , senior commerce editor

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: 5" x 2" x 1"

I’ve had this portable charger for about nine months now. I was intrigued to find one that didn’t need a separate charger—it has a fold-down plug that you can stick directly into the wall when it’s running low. I’ve charged my laptop, phone, and even camera with it. It has three built-in fast-charging cables that are compatible with Android and Apple devices, and three different cable ports along the bottom. It usually takes about two to three hours to fully charge and when I’m using it passively that can get me through two charges. It’s on the larger side, about the size of a long bifold wallet. I’ve been able to charge my Apple watch, phone, and camera with it. This is always tucked away in my backpack or tote , especially on longer flights. — Paris Wilson , commerce producer

Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh Dimensions: 5" x 2" x 3"

This charger is one of the first things I put in my bag when I’m on my way out the door, especially if I’m traveling. I’ve used it for about a year now and love it. It's slim which means it fits in all of my purses, even the smallest one, and is very lightweight and easy to carry around. It holds a pretty good charge so you can use it a few times before you need to recharge it. I like that the side shows four little lights which show how much battery life the power bank has left. I also appreciate the design which is pretty cute and much more stylish than any of the other phone banks I’ve used before. — Jamie Spain , travel bookings editor

Battery capacity: 4,500 mAh Dimensions: 3" x 2" x 1"

I never go anywhere—to work, to dinner, to travel—without this tiny portable charger. It’s about the size of my AirPods case or my favorite lipstick, meaning I can pack it in nearly any fanny pack, sling bag, or tote I’m carrying. And while I love it most for its compact size, it also really works—giving my phone a full charge on the go. I’ve been using mine to charge my iPhone for years and have even gifted it to several family members and friends. — Meaghan Kenny , associate commerce editor

Newly tested chargers

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: ‎5" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: Two full phone charges

Until being asked to test one for this story, I never really used a portable charger. This was not for lack of need—my phone’s battery is perennially in the orange, and no lifestyle changes or memory tricks have availed in fixing who I am as a forgetful person. Keeping this INIU power bank in my messenger bag has, quite simply, made my life a whole lot easier. The charge comes lightning-fast, and its charging port is the same as required for my Macbook, plus there are two USB out ports so you can charge two devices (even three, if you want to use the charging port as well!) at once. The little paw tracks how charged up it is at any given time, with little toes blinking blue from left to right, which is just icing on the cake. — Charlie Hobbs , editorial assistant, destinations

Pros : Can charge up to three devices at once, slim, charges devices quickly Cons : A bit heavy

Battery capacity: 6,000 mAh Dimensions: 4" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

I was very impressed with this ultra-slim power bank. It’s about the size of a credit card and lightweight, easily fitting in my jacket pocket or purse. Conveniently, it features two built-in cables and a USB to charge an iPhone or other devices directly. These small built-in cables can be neatly tucked into the device when you’re not using them, so there’s no need to worry about tangled cords in your tech case. It gives my iPhone a full charge quickly, and can even charge multiple devices at one time. Another feature I love: There’s a small LED light on the device that lets you see how much charge the power bank has left. — M.K.

Pros : Small, built-in fast-charging cables  Cons : Power bank drains quickly

Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh Dimensions: 4" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

For weeks, this foldable charger kept popping up on TikTok and Instagram—when I finally got my hands on one, it didn’t disappoint. The credit card-sized portable charger is probably the most compact one I own, and is magnetic, which means you don’t have to pull out a cord or deal with a tangle of wires in your bag or lap when using it. At first, I was doubtful of how strong the magnet would be, and found myself being delicate with my phone when moving through an airport while charging, but over time I’ve gotten used to the durability. I’ve taken it with me on a few recent flights, and have been using the kickstand when watching videos or shows on my phone—though of note, the kickstand angle is better for viewing your phone vertically rather than horizontally. — M.F.

Pros : Compact, good for in-flight or daily use, charges via a USB-C cable Cons : Can only charge a single device at once; requires MagSafe case; gets warm with extended use

Battery capacity: 2,500 mAh power Dimensions: 5" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

Calpak is a Traveler team favorite, but I hadn’t had a chance to branch out to more of their travel accessories . Voila, the portable charger that not only charges your devices but is in a beautiful leather luggage tag that you can personalize. I’ve taken it on flights to Barcelona and Cleveland where I was met with different scenarios for each trip. Traveling to a different country, I was concerned that I would run into issues with trying to use an adapter, but that was not the case. It was my saving grace while in the airport, and was an everyday necessity when I was on walking tours. It’s smaller than an iPhone but just as thin, so it can fit into a jacket pocket or crossbody bag. You can only charge one device at a time and while it is helpful, it is not a charger you should rely on for more than a few hours or so. Also if you do decide to use it more as a luggage tag, you'll need to take the charger off before checking in your luggage at the airport. — P.W.

Pros : Small, thin, lightweight Cons : Only charges one device at a time

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

I always keep this $49 power bank in my car because of one life-saving feature

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The AstroAI 2000A 12V jump starter is available from Amazon for $49 .
• It's easy to use, has a bright, clear display, and is powerful enough for over a dozen jump starts.
• There's no USB-C output port.

Right now, it's summer, and car batteries are at their best. The weather is warm, and there's no ice, frost, or snow. Give it a few months, and you'll soon find out whether your car battery is ready for another winter.

If you're lucky, your car might falter in the morning when you're at home, or somewhere you can get emergency roadside assistance. If you're unlucky -- and it's always worth planning for when luck is not on our side -- your car will decide to die at night when it's cold and wet.

Also:  The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested

This is why it's always good to be ready to help yourself (or others, as most of the time I need a jump starter, it's for somebody else's vehicle). In short, I think the AstroAI 2000A 12V jump starter belongs in every car's glove box or trunk. 

AstroAI 2000A 12V jump starter tech specs

• Capacity : 48.84Wh
• Peak Output Current : 2,000 amps
• Product Dimensions : 3.8 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Output Ports USB-A 3.0 : 5V⎓3A or 9V⎓2A USB-A 2.0 : 5V⎓2.4A DC : 15V⎓10A
• Input USB-C port : 5V⎓2A or 9V⎓2A
• Recharge Time : 3.5 hours at 9V⎓2A 
• Weight : 2 lbs
• Compatibility : 7.0L gas/3.0L diesel 12V engines

I'm old enough to remember when car jump starters were huge, heavy devices containing lead-acid batteries. Actually, I can remember when we jump-started cars using jumper cables. Things have moved on, and now you can get a device that's a substitute for your car's battery that's not much bigger than a power bank.

Since most people don't need to jump-start cars all the time, this device is primarily a big power bank. It features two USB-A ports for charging devices and a DC output where you can attach a car 12V socket to power devices, such as car vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and tire compressors.

Outputs and the input for charging

There's a USB-C port built into the jump starter, although it's only used to charge the device. That's a shame because USB-C is now pretty much the standard everywhere, and charging modern devices with USB-A is slow. That said, having USB-C to charge the jump starter is a huge advantage over devices that still use micro USB.

Also:  This powerful power bank is perfect if you charge a lot of devices

At the end of the jump starter, there's a compass. While I'm not sure what I'd use it for, the compass does sort of point north, which is a nice change from some of the others I've seen built into things like power banks.

The compass.

No jump starter would be complete without an LED flashlight, and this one offers four modes: flashlight, strobe, SOS, and flashing red warning lights. It's a neat feature, especially when trying to jump-start your car at night in the rain.

LED flashlight

The LCD is big, clear, and easy to read at night and in bright sunshine, giving you a quick view of what the jump starter is doing.

Around the display are three tactile buttons that turn the jump starter on, the flashlight on, and the boost mode on. There's also a light that shows when the jump starter is being charged.

LED display and buttons

The main purpose of the jump starter is, as the name suggests, to jump-start vehicles with a dead battery. Can the AstroAI 2000A do this? You bet it can. I tested the device several times and found that each jump-start took about 5% off the battery life. If I switched to boost mode, needed if the car battery is severely depleted, each start took about 10%.

Also: Is car charging destroying your iPhone?

Everything about the jump starter is nice, easy, and straightforward, which is exactly what you need because, as I mentioned earlier, chances are you won't use your jump starter on a bright sunny day. It's likely to be dark, cold, and wet, so the more straightforward the device, the better.

The AstroAI 2000A 12V jump starter in action

The process is simple. Connect the jump leads to the jump starter, attach the crocodile clips to the appropriate terminals on your car's battery, power up the jump starter, and start your vehicle as you normally would. When you're done, you can pack everything in a handy little pouch, ready for the next time you need the device. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The AstroAI 2000A 12V jump starter  is a neat, easy-to-use, yet powerful piece of kit. For $49, it's hard to go wrong. Whether you want to charge your phone or start your car, this jump starter is up to the job. All you need to do is open your car's hood, find your car's battery, and the jump starter will guide you through the rest.

This device epitomizes what an emergency tool should be. This jump starter is something you can use day-to-day to charge your smartphone and tablet, rather than something you throw into the trunk and forget about until your car breaks down. 

Featured reviews

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These 10 Travel Essentials Deserve a Forever Spot in Your Carry On—and They're All $20 or Under

From power banks to blackout masks.

As a travel writer, I’m always brainstorming my next plane, train, or car ride. The further the better, but I’m also a fan of weekend trips , heading home to see family, and living out of a suitcase for multi-month stints. Basically? I’ve become an expert in packing across my personal item, carry-on luggage , and any checked bags.

Whether you’re on a quick jaunt or determined to pack everything you need in your carry-on suitcase and overhead bin, certain travel must-haves are more space-saving (and useful) than others. As an experienced, professional shopper, I’ve combed through dozens of listings to find the exact 10 products to maximize your packing list and solve any problems on the road—and they’re all under $20. Read on for my favorites.

Best 10 Travel Essentials Under $20:

• Cubetastic Hanging Toiletry Bag , $15 (was $17)
• Simplicity Fold Up Sun Hat , $20 (was $22)
• Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale , $10 (was $13)
• Vantamo Personal Safety Alarm , $20 (was $25)
• Steripod Toothbrush Protector Set of 2 , $6
• Yiview Sleep Blackout Mask , $10 (was $15)
• Fyy Travel Cable Organizer , $10 (was $13)
• Olarhike 6-Set Packing Cubes , $17 (was $23)
• Perilogics Universal Airplane Phone Holder Mount , $14 (was $18)
• Charmast Power Bank with Built-in Cables , $20 (was $30)

Cubetastic Hanging Toiletry Bag

Buy on Amazon

I would consider my makeup and skincare routine pretty minimalist, but that’s still always my biggest struggle when restricting myself to a carry-on; somehow, even the basics take up so much room. Other toiletry organizers I’ve tried are too tall for regular use in a hardshell (without having to practically break my suitcase to make it close), but this shorter, more compact toiletry bag gets the job done without sacrificing features. It contains multiple compartments and a hanger for easy unpacking when you get to your final destination. Elastic straps hold bottles without budging, and it even comes in 21 stylish colorways.

Simplicity Fold Up Sun Hat

UV protection is always a must, but I nearly always forget a hat during my travels.  It provides the same look and aesthetic as a floppy hat, but with the convenience of being able to pack tight and fold up. It’s not only chic, but it will certainly keep the sun out of your eyes, whether you’re adventuring or hanging out at a poolside cabana. You can customize the fit with its hook and loop closure, and its lightweight rattan is a beachy bonus, too. Better yet, it’s available in 11 shades.

Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale

Despite my best efforts, I’m actually a tried-and-true overpacker. And when it comes to baggage weight, I used to go by feel, hoping and praying at the check-in counter that my carry-on bag would squeak by the scales. That is, until I discovered this under-$10 portable luggage scale. Now I can never go back. It’s simply so convenient to stow this handy gadget in the suitcase when not in use and leverage it to inform my packing choices. Its LED screen is easy to read, and the device itself is easy to use; it’s easily saved me $50 (or those embarrassing minutes rearranging on the airport floor) on many occasions.

Vantamo Personal Safety Alarm

Unfortunately, as a solo female traveler, I can never be too careful. Whether walking city streets at night or struggling to navigate a new destination, a personal safety alarm is a cheap investment that can pay off in spades for peace of mind. This convenient item attaches to the end of your keychain and also includes an alarm and strobe light. Hikers and others might also appreciate having this companion on trails or other isolated situations. Plus, it lets you know when it’s low on battery, so you’re never stuck without it and wishing. And unlike other safety items like pepper spray, you can actually take this on the plane.

Steripod Toothbrush Protector Set of 2

I personally like to keep my toothbrush easily accessible in my personal item, because I’m nearly always taking redeyes. Whether I’m doing a nighttime routine in the airport or exhausted and collapsing when I get to my final destination, brushing my teeth is my absolute first priority to refresh myself. Digging around in my bag is the last thing I want to do, so this toothbrush protector pack is a must to keep the bristles (ew!) from getting makeup, germs, or anything else on them while rattling around in a carry-on pocket. This protector just snaps onto the end of the tootrhbrush and even has infused peppermint oil vapors to add a little spa-like touch.

Yiview Sleep Blackout Mask

Whether trying to catch some limited Zs on a redeye or struggling to sleep in a new destination or hotel, a blackout mask can go a long way in maintaining your sleep quality on the road by reducing visual stimuli. Unlike other masks, the soft, built-in eye cups of this pick block 100 percent of the light by providing 3D coverage—no light leaks around the edges. A blackout mask especially comes in handy in hostels, on public transportation, and in other areas where people are maybe not so considerate about keeping lights on during rest hours. Act quickly while it’s 33 percent off. 

Fyy Travel Cable Organizer

Unfortunately, I’m nearly always traveling with about 15 various tech items: cameras, memory cards, smartwatch, charger, laptop, charger, phone, charger, etc. The cords doth overwhelm, and there’s little I hate more than having to dive to the exact bottom of my bag in a crowded airport terminal because my phone’s at 8 percent. So a cord organizer can go a long way in reducing my travel concerns (and frankly, my temper). The double layers of this zip-up organizer mean you have plenty of pockets for arranging your tech accessories as you like, and it’s even waterproof. Shop the organizer in 22 chic colorways.

Olarhike 6-Set Packing Cubes

Nothing maximizes your bag capacity quite like packing cubes: compressible, zip-up cases that stuff and streamline your clothes. As someone who used to roll and fold my wardrobe to fit in my hardshell carry-on, these were an absolute game changer in making my luggage instantly organized (and practically double what I was able to bring). This set of six is a great start to the practice; fine mesh allows you to see what you’re reaching for without having to unzip everything, and two-way zippers won’t get stuck. Side handles make each one easy to tote too; I just throw them directly into a dresser at my next destination rather than having to unpack, re-fold, and put away each item individually. I especially love that this pack comes with a unique array of sizes for various creative assortments.

Perilogics Universal Airplane Phone Holder Mount

Consider me intrigued. While many airplanes now have mini device-holder stands built in for your phones and media, most flights I’m on don’t, which means I’m often straining my neck and back and crouching over the tray table in an awkward position to watch my shows. I’ve seen various “hacks” promising you can fold your barf bag into an origami holder, but I’ve always failed at the attempt. So this clever Amazon gadget is a thoughtful solution for newer iPhones and most Androids; simply rig up the mount to the back of the chair in front of you for easy, hands-free viewing. It even has 360-degree rotation for sharing a screen with a companion. Over 13,000 Amazon shoppers rate this pick five-stars, with one reviewer writing that they even use it on their nightstand and shower handle.

Charmast Power Bank with Built-in Cables

I bet you didn’t think you’d get all the way down the list without encountering a power bank, right? A portable charger is a total classic for any travel must-haves list, and for good reason—it’s universally needed. Recently, I’ve been in a ton of airports without charging infrastructure. Either half the outlets don’t work, or they’re impossible to access. So having an extra charge on hand is so worthwhile, especially because I don’t need to coordinate multiple cords either. This bank has them built-in with lightning, micro-USB, and USB-C attachments, as well as multiple input options too. With so many ports, you can charge up to six devices at once, and a clear numerical battery indicator will let you know its status. It’s pretty light too, clocking in at less than half a pound.

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Anker Zolo Power Bank, 10,000mAh 30W Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C Cable for Travel, Fast Charging Battery Pack for iPhone 15 Series, MacBook, Galaxy, iPad, and More (Black)

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Speedy 30W Charging: Experience the cutting-edge speed of 30W fast charging technology that propels your iPhone 15 from 0 to 57% battery in just 30 minutes.
• Ready for Endless Use: Crafted for durability, the 5.4-inch built-in USB-C cable is tested to endure over 10,000 bends, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of everyday use.
• Mighty Compact Power: This compact and powerful 10,000mAh power bank provides up to 2 full charges for an iPhone 15 and 1.94 charges for a Samsung S24, making it ideal for travel.
• 30W Bi-Directional Charging: With two-way fast USB-C charging, enjoy up to 30W output and 20W input, ensuring your gadgets are quickly powered.
• What You Get: Anker Zolo Power Bank (10K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

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10,000mAh 30W High-Speed Portable Charger

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Warranty & support, looking for specific info, product description.

Is it normal for the charging speed to be slow?

The charging speed depends on whether the charger and cable can meet the power bank's requirements. Using a 20W fast charger, the power bank can be fully charged in approximately 2.5 hours.

Can it charge low-current devices like earphones?

Yes, this power bank features a low-current charging mode.Simply double tap the power button to enter this mode to charge small electronic devices and double tap again to exit!

Does it support charging while discharging?

Yes, the power bank supports pass-through charging with a max input and output of 5V/3A. Note that it does not support simultaneous charging and discharging for laptops. For longevity, avoid charging your phone while charging the power bank.

Can I bring it on a plane?

Yes, in general, power banks with a battery capacity under 27,027 mAh (100 watt-hours) can be legally and safely carried on planes.

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Dubai travel: Spare batteries, power banks not allowed for check-in; list of banned, permitted items at DXB

Here are tips for passengers to have a smooth passage at the world's busiest airport, by angel tesorero.

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Dubai International (DXB), the world’s busiest airport , has reminded passengers not to carry or put any spare batteries or power banks in their checked-in luggage as these are “safety hazard and prohibited”.

In a tweet on Monday, DXB said: “It is advised that you pack these (spare batteries or power banks) in your hand or carry-on baggage instead.” On its website, authority also noted: “Security check is an essential part of modern air travel. It’s vital to ensure everyone’s safety.

Travel tips

To help things run smoothly at the airport, DXB gave the following tips:

• Put ‘loose’ items – mobile phone, wallet, watch, keys etc – in your hand baggage.
• Keep a laptop where it can be easily reached. You’ll need to place it in a separate security tray at the scan.
• If your belt has a metal buckle, or your shoes have heels, take them off and put them in a security tray.
• Place liquid containers in a clear, resealable plastic bag, within your hand baggage. Remember each liquid can’t be more than 100ml. Exemptions will be made for medication, baby milk/foods, and special dietary requirements to be used during your trip.

Permitted and prohibited items

Meanwhile, based on the guidelines by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the following items are permitted both as carry-on and checked-in baggage:

— Baggage with installed lithium batteries - Non-removable batteries. Batteries must contain no more than 0.3 g lithium metal, or lithium-ion must not exceed 2.7 Wh (Watt-hour). Batteries must be removed if baggage is to be checked in. Removed batteries must be carried in the cabin.

— Gas cylinders, non-flammable, non-toxic, worn for the operation of mechanical limbs. Also, spare cylinders of a similar size, if required to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey

— Hair styling equipment containing a hydrocarbon gas cartridge, up to one (1) per passenger or crew member, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. Hair-styling equipment must not be used on board the aircraft. Spare gas cartridges for hair styling equipment are prohibited in checked or carry-on baggage.

— Lithium Batteries: Portable electronic devices (PED) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, including medical devices such as portable oxygen concentrators (POC) and consumer electronics such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops and tablets. For lithium-metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 2 g, and for lithium-ion batteries, the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh. Devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and protected from damage. Each person is limited to a maximum of 15 PED.

— Lithium battery-powered electronic devices: Lithium ion batteries for portable (including medical) electronic devices, a Wh rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh. For portable medical electronic devices only, lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content exceeding 2g but not exceeding 8g. Devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and must be protected from damage.

— Non-radioactive medicinal or toiletry articles(including aerosols) such as hair sprays, perfumes, colognes and medicines containing alcohol; and non-flammable, non-toxic aerosols, with no subsidiary hazard, for sporting or home use.

— Oxygen or air, gaseous, cylinders required for medical use. The cylinder must not exceed 5kg gross weight. Liquid oxygen systems are forbidden for transport.

Items permitted only in carry-on baggage and not in checked-in luggage

— Batteries, spare/loose, including lithium batteries, non-spillable batteries, nickel-metal hydrid batteries and dry batteries for portable electronic devices must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Articles which have the primary purpose as a power source, e.g. power banks are considered as spare batteries.

These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. The lithium metal content must not exceed 2g. Lithium ion batteries’ watt-hour rating must not exceed 100Wh . Each person is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries. Non-spillable batteries must be 12V or less and 100 Wh or less. Each person is limited to a maximum of two spare batteries

— Fuel cells containing fuel, powering portable electronic devices (e.g. cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers and camcorders)

— E-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes, other personal vaporizers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. (Note that smoking is not allowed inside a plane at all times)

— Mobility aids or battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with lithium ion batteries where the design of the mobility aid does not provide adequate protection for the batteries

Items permitted only in checked-in luggage and not in carry-on baggage

— Mobility Aids: Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with nonspillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries

— Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with spillable batteries or with lithium ion batteries (see 2.3.2.3 and 2.3.2.4 for details).

— Thermometer, medical or clinical, which contains mercury, one (1) per person for personal use, when in its protective case.

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I've Solo Traveled in 65 Countries, and These Are the 10 Amazon Safety Items I Keep in My Carry-on — From $9

Thousands of other travelers rely on them, too.

Travel + Leisure / Francesca Fasciglione

I know some women can’t fathom traveling solo. But for me, it was always a given. Granted, I grew up watching “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” If you’ve never seen it, it’s kind of like the OG “Dora the Explorer.” As silly as the cartoon was, I credit it for inspiring me to pursue a career as a travel writer. Since 2015, I’ve traveled solo to at least 65 countries, ( see my top five favorite countries here ). I’ve even lived abroad alone — at least long enough to need a haircut or teeth cleaning — on four different continents.

While I haven’t always escaped unscathed, I don’t plan on putting the kibosh on flying solo anytime soon. For me, the rewards still far outweigh the risks. That said, I’ve definitely learned to pack smarter, especially after I was the victim of a mugging in South Africa last year. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time interviewing law enforcement, both in the U.S. and abroad, and other victims. I’ve also gone down the rabbit hole of researching safety products. The surprising result? Instead of feeling more afraid, I feel more empowered. 

The best part is that most of these products created to make solo travel safer cost less than $30 and are TSA-approved for your carry-on. Some are designed for personal safety, others are designed to protect your belongings, even before you get to your destination ( in-flight theft is a thing , as evident by this recent viral Reddit post ). Disclaimer: These products aren’t foolproof, but they are serious deterrents and provide valuable peace of mind. I don’t think solo travel is for everyone. But if you’re about to embark on an adventure with just you, yourself, and you, please consider packing any of the 10 products below. 

She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm 

My friend Sonja, who often runs and cycles alone, first introduced me to this little, potentially life-saving, alarm . With more than 4,000 sold in the last month, it’s an Amazon’s #1 bestseller. To activate the alarm, simply pull the pin. To turn the alarm off, just reinsert the pin. I can say firsthand that perpetrators hate anything that draws attention to them. My mugger ran away the second I started screaming, and my friend, who’s a safety expert, says alarms are actually more effective than pepper spray. Plus, this alarm includes a flashing strobe light. Shoppers love that it’s stylish (it comes in cute colors and looks like an iPod Shuffle) and that it attaches to almost anything via keychain.“The noise level is really good, actually it's somewhat piercing,” writes one shopper , who got theirs for vacation security and loves how lightweight it is. 

SABRE Personal Safety Kit 

While I love the Birdie, I personally carry SABRE’s alarm because it has a larger range (1,250 feet versus 100 feet). You can buy just the alarm ($12), but I recommend buying this kit, which has an impressive 4.8-star average rating, because it also comes with this law enforcement-approved SABRE pepper spray . Note: Unlike personal safety alarms, pepper spray is NOT permitted in your carry-on luggage. That said, you can pack up to four ounces in checked baggage as long as it has a safety mechanism to prevent it from discharging. But back to the alarm; this one also has a light and is activated by pulling a pin. One shopper says having it on their keychain is like having “an extra little security blanket.”

Vantamo Rechargeable Personal Alarm 

While the above alarms run on batteries that eventually need replacing, this rechargeable one from Vantamo charges via USB-C cable (included). That said, one charge can last up to a year, so you don’t need to plug it in very often. It also comes with a battery level indicator and double-sided speakers — features most other personal alarms lack. Aesthetically, I think it’s the prettiest personal alarm I’ve seen, and based on reviews I’ve read (it has more than 2,900 five-star ratings), it also gets points for being so loud it will leave your ears ringing. “Great for places you can’t take your pepper spray!” reads one review titled “ Best travel companion .” 

Nightcap The Original Drink Cover Scrunchie

Knock on wood, no one has ever tried to spike my drink, but I do have friends and family members (including men) who have had this happen to them. That’s why I love the idea of this drink cover “scrunchie.” As seen on “Shark Tank,” it’s basically a scrunchie (yes, you can wear it in your hair), that doubles as a straw-compatible cover for your cup. Technically, the reusable cover is stashed in a hidden sanitary pocket in the scrunchie, so you don’t need to worry about germs. You also don’t need to worry about people slipping things into your drink. It has 4.7 stars and more than 6,500 ratings, and more than 1,000 were purchased in the last month alone. “It seamlessly blends style with safety,” writes one shopper , who deemed it a travel essential.

Geekey Multi-tool

I grew up in rural Montana where it’s not uncommon for girls to receive Leatherman multi-tools before they turn 10. Heck, I got my pink one as a first communion gift when I was just 8 years old. Of course, knives aren’t allowed on planes. But if having a multi-tool on your person makes you feel safer, consider this TSA-approved (even for carry-ons) bestseller with more than 5,100 five-star ratings. “It’s easy to carry, always with you, and, trust me, it has all sorts of gadgets that you can use,” sums up one shopper . Another review, titled “ Functional! As a woman I feel comfortable using this tool ,” reads: “[A]ll the guys are like, ‘What cool gadget does she have?’” 

HNHMT Portable Door Lock & Door Stop Alarm

I love that Booking.com has a Travel Proud program , which certifies hotels that have undergone additional training to welcome LGBTQ+ travelers. While I don’t identify as LGBTQ+, I try to book these certified properties because they clearly care about keeping guests comfortable and safe. That said, sometimes I end up in dodgy motels where this portable door lock and door stop alarm are musts. It’s a simple kit that fits most doors. In fact, so many travelers rely on it that more than 3,000 were sold in the last month. “It takes seconds to install … and it’s a very loud alarm,” writes one satisfied shopper , who “slept soundly” knowing that if someone tried to get in the room they’d have time to react and be ready. Note: You don’t need any tools for the lock, but the door stop alarm does require a 9-volt battery (not included). 

BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank

In my opinion, having a dead device is actually worse than not even having a device. For that reason, I try to keep all of my electronics — especially my Apple Watch and iPhone, which my friends and family use to track me —  juiced up. This popular power bank (more than 6,000 were sold last month, and it has nearly 30,000 five-star ratings) is compatible with most devices. It’s also wireless, so you don’t need to worry about packing cables, except for the one you use to charge it, and it doubles as a flashlight. But wait, it gets better! It even comes with a compass. “Lightweight but durable” is how one traveler describes it in their rave review, titled “ Important to have .” 

ThunderFit Women’s Silicone Wedding Rings

Yes, fake engagement rings are a thing . They may seem silly; however they can seriously help deter unwanted attention from potential suitors. In the last month alone, I’ve had at least four Uber drivers propose to me. Granted, they lived in developing countries and basically saw me as their ticket to the U.S. (I can’t say I blame them for shooting their shots). I love these particular bands because they’re made of silicone which doesn’t bother my sensitive skin. Plus, they don’t have a gemstone that snags on things. “These fit great and were very comfortable and durable,” recalls one traveler , dubbing them the “the perfect travel ring.” 

Zpsolution Zipper Clip Theft Deterrent

My favorite features of my beloved Cotopaxi Allpa Carry-on are the anti-theft loops for the zippers. Still, most luggage doesn’t come with this built-in security. Fortunately, for just $13, you can make practically any pack or purse unattractive to pickpockets. With more than 2,000 bought last month, these handy theft-deterrent zipper clips are ranked #1 on Amazon’s list of Best Sellers in Zippers . “They were easy to use and I felt my purse and backpack were more secure,” writes one shopper , who used theirs on a recent trip to Europe. And while they work best with double zippers (so you can lock them together), they can also attach to other things. “I simply attached the clasp to my purse zipper and secured it to the strap,” explains another traveler , having used theirs on a recent trip to Italy after they fell victim to a pickpocket in France. 

Travelambo RFID-blocking Leather Clutch 

There are tons of worthwhile RFID-blocking wallets out there, but I love that this one is actually a clutch. In addition to a zippered pocket for coins and cash, it has a phone slot, 25 credit card slots, a receipt slot (gotta keep those receipts for business expenses), and two clear ID windows. All of the contents are protected by an aluminum-embroidered lining that blocks RFID signals. And don’t let the low price fool you. This sleek leather accessory is handmade by a “team of 15 experienced craftsmen.” It has nearly 15,000 five-star ratings, and comes in 20 colors. “I will definitely order this again, but unfortunately, it looks like that won’t be for quite some time,” jokes one “wallet snob,” who praised its durability and said it passed their 32-point inspection process. 

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