Phone Need a Jump? Turn to These Editor-Approved Power Banks

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Have you ever scrambled to find an outlet at the airport before boarding your flight? What about suddenly realizing you’re down to your last 10 percent of battery life while camping or hiking? You’re not alone. These days, it’s increasingly challenging to stay charged when we’re constantly connected to our smartphones, computers, and electronics—and constantly on the go.

The good news is you can prepare for (and avoid) these stressful scenarios by investing in a portable power bank. Also known as mobile chargers or battery packs, these nifty gadgets serve as a lifeline to your dying electronics by recharging battery power when needed. Even if they’re not a daily necessity, power banks are a handy tool to have on standby when traveling, adventuring outdoors, or on busy days when you’re running around. They’re also beneficial during emergencies, blackouts, or natural disasters.

Deciding to buy a power bank is simple. The challenge comes with choosing which one to buy. Power bank models differ in charging speed, battery capacity, connectivity type, and shape and size. Some also come with features like the ability to solar charge, connect to a wall outlet, or charge larger electronics like tablets and computers. Read on for our breakdown of what to consider before shopping followed by the best power banks we recommend.

Best Power Banks

• Best Overall: INIU Portable Charger

• Budget Choice: Anker PowerCore Slim Portable Charger

• Large Battery Capacity: Mophie Power Boost XL Portable Charger

• Best for Emergencies: BioLite Charge 40 PD Power Bank

• Wall Charger Compatible: Anker 521 Power Bank

What to Consider

Before buying a portable power bank, think about how much battery capacity you’ll need, how fast you want your gadgets to charge, and the electronics you’ll be charging. At a baseline, consider each for its connectivity, capacity, power output, and added features. Doing so points you in the right direction to find a power bank that aligns with your lifestyle and ensures you’re able to charge your gear wherever and whenever you need to.

Connectivity

Connectivity determines exactly how your electronics interface with or connect to various power banks to recharge. This typically involves input ports for charging your gadgets, such as USB (or USB-A), USB-C, micro-USB, or Lightning ports, as well as output ports on the power bank itself, such as USB-A or USB-C ports. Connection types vary across all portable power banks, cell phones, computers, headphones, tablets, and electronics brands. It’s vital to determine the type of connection your devices have to make sure the power bank you buy can support that specific connection.

Most battery packs come with at least one standard USB port for power output and are compatible with USB-C, micro-USB, and Lightning connectors. Always double-check which type of connector your electronics are compatible with for charging before buying a portable power bank. You can also buy an inexpensive set of USB adapters to avoid any connection issues.

Battery Capacity

The best battery capacity depends on what type of gadgets you want to charge, how long you need power for, and how often you want to recharge your power bank. Typically, the higher the battery capacity, the more expensive the power bank. It’s key to opt for a power bank with sufficient capacity to meet your charging needs, especially if you frequently rely on fast charging, recharge large devices, or need to charge several devices at once.

Power bank battery capacity is most often measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). Low capacity power banks—best for small devices like smartphones and Bluetooth headphones—range from 1000mAh to 5000mAh. Medium capacity power banks—best for multiple smartphone recharges or tablets—range from 6000mAh to 15000mAh. High-capacity power banks—best for extended travel or computers—range from 16000mAh to 30000mAh and above.

Charging Time

Power output determines the overall power of your portable battery pack. In other words, the stronger the power output, the faster your devices will charge. We recommend looking for power banks with higher wattage (W) or a USB PD designation, which means the power bank is fast-charging certified.

Most portable power banks on the market range from 10W to 100W. It’s also important to make note if your devices are compatible with fast-charging power banks (USB PD) so you can take advantage of faster charge times for your electronics. These types of portable power banks are most often associated with USB-C ports and connectors.

Features and Size

All portable power banks come in different shapes and sizes, and with different features. For example, some folks may care more about the size of the power bank they’ll need to lug around versus battery capacity. Others may want features like kickstands, solar charging capabilities, and adaptors and connectors included with purchase.

How We Selected

In narrowing down our list of the best portable power banks, we relied on our own testing in the field as well as extensive research of products currently on the market. To best inform our selections, we looked to trusted brands such as Anker, Mophie, and BioLite and considered overall price points, product specifications—particularly battery capacity, power output, connectivity options, and weight. We also took into account special features like stands and extra accessories that come included and add value.

Portable Charger

With 10,000mAh of battery power, a lightweight design, and a price tag around $45, the INIU portable charge ranks at the top. This power bank features lightning-fast charging with one USB-C and two USB ports, meaning you can charge up to three devices at once.

This portable power bank is best for charging small electronics like smartphones, tablets, and Bluetooth devices. An LED display also makes it easy to see exactly how much battery capacity is left—that way you can make sure your power bank doesn’t run out of juice to recharge your devices.

PowerCore Slim Portable Charger

A total steal: You can snag this powerful and sleek portable charger for under $30. Anker is known for its high-performance battery packs at an affordable price point. That includes its PowerCore Slim charger, which boasts 10,000 mAh battery capacity and weighs just half a pound. Equipped with a fast-charge USB-C output port, this battery pack promises enough power to recharge newer iPhone models several times and Samsung devices over 1.5 times.

Power Boost XL Portable Charger

Recognized as an industry-leading power bank brand, Mophie has established the benchmark for excellence—including the Power Boost XL. Also known as the Powerstation XL, this portable charger packs a punch for its large capacity (20,000 mAh) and versatility.

While it may not be the most budget-friendly option among power banks, its slightly higher price tag is justified by a quality build, impressive capacity, and lightning-fast charging capability. Plus, this portable power bank is designed with 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastics.

Charge 40 PD Power Bank

You don’t want to be stuck without power in an emergency, like an unexpected storm or natural disaster. For this reason, BioLite stands out among the pack for its durable design, notable power output, and solar charging compatibility.

This battery pack is loved by outdoor enthusiasts for its non-slip rubber shell that protects from wear and tear in nature. Best for repowering small electronics, the BioLite 40D power bank can charge smartphones up to two times to full battery. You can also recharge the BioLite charger using an 18W solar panel.

521 Power Bank

Want to cut down on the number of power cords you have to carry around? The 2-in-1 Anker 521 comes with a fold-out AC plug so you can use it both as a regular wall charger and portable power bank. Equipped with an internal 5,000 mAh battery, this charger is powerful enough to juice up small gadgets on the go and serve as a regular charger in your home or office.

It’s extremely powerful and compact too. This charger fits in the palm of your hand but boasts a power output of 45W—which means faster charging without unnecessary weight.

Portable Charger

When it comes to weight-to-power ratio, the INIU Portable Charger gives you all the power you need without dragging you down. At a mere seven ounces, this portable charger is the lightest and slimmest of the lineup. With only 15W of power output, you may have to wait a bit longer for your devices to charge, especially if they have dwindling battery life.

However, the $30 price point and lightweight design make this a competitive power bank for days you want to bring along a little extra power in your pocket.

25,000 mAh Power Bank

For those times you need heavy-duty power—from long road trips to prolonged outages to charging a computer back to full power—a high-capacity battery pack is a must. The INIU 25,000 mAH can charge just about any device for several days. This charger is also ideal for powering up your computer on long-haul flights, airport delays, or times you won’t have access to a standard AC power outlet.

The INIU 25,000 mAH power bank will also recharge your devices quickly thanks to its 65W power output. If you’re open to spending a little more for rapid charging time, we also recommend the UGREEN 145W Power Bank.

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