Whether you’re looking to charge your phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch, or other devices, there’s a lot to consider before buying a power bank though. As a final note, what you won’t find are any power banks from RavPower, Aukey or Mpow. These have all been removed from Amazon, seemingly due to the companies incentivizing people to write reviews by offering gift cards and the like. While these reviews might still be honest, the promise of money could spur people into writing overly positive and unrepresentative ones.
So while you can still find power banks from these companies elsewhere, we can’t recommend them on the basis of this business practice. This is a slightly smaller power bank than others on offer, and that’s great for people who only want a lightweight portable charger that can easily fit into a small bag or pocket. Offering mostly everything you could need at this price, the iMuto 20,000mah power bank has a 20,000mAh capacity that means you can charge the average smartphone over four times without a problem. The price is that it’s a fairly bulky power bank and it’s certainly heavy but with two ports and a screen that shows you how much charge is remaining, it’s certainly practical if not particularly portable.
The Anker PowerCore 20,100mAh power bank is a bit more stylish for the price, and still offers a huge 20,100mAh battery so you can recharge multiple times without issue. Mophie Powerstation Wireless XL 10,000mAh power bank Plenty of options with style too TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at invisibleSHIELD 33 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Extensive port options + Wireless charging Reasons to avoid – Expensive – Large
The Mophie Powerstation Plus XL 10,000mAh power bank is ideally designed for iPhones and iPads thanks to its embedded Lightning cable. Veho Pebble P1 Pro 10,400mAh power bank Fast charging and a sleek design TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Two USB ports + Fast charging Reasons to avoid – Unusual design
The Omars Mini Power Bank 10,000mAh Battery allows you to charge up to three devices at once thanks to its one USB-C and two USB-A ports. While you won’t be using them to recharge your laptop or games console, they’re good for a quick boost to your phone when you’ve realized you overestimated your battery’s capabilities.
Anker Astro E1 5,200mAh power bank Incredibly small yet quite potent for the size TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Check Amazon 27 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Very small design + Lightweight Reasons to avoid – Limited capacity – No Qualcomm Quick Charge support The Anker Astro E1 5,200mAh power bank isn’t going to be a long term solution but if your smartphone simply needs an electronic pep talk of sorts, this will do the job. Mophie Powerstation Mini Universal Battery Easily grippable and very lightweight TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Very lightweight + Easy to grip Reasons to avoid – Limited capacity The Mophie Powerstation Mini Universal Battery looks pretty nice for the price and it’s certainly lightweight.
Capacity is a mere 5,000mAh but that’s fine for daily use and you can charge multiple devices at once via the USB-C and USB-A ports. An integrated four-light LED power indicator shows you the charging status and current battery life at all times which is useful.
It feels good in your hands too with a premium fabric finish and textured perimeter for an easy grip. Small enough to fit into your hand, the JvGoal Power Banks 12000mAh will still charge your iPhone a few times and let you know exactly what’s going on via its LCD display. The display shows the remaining power so you’re in control with two USB output ports to give you some flexibility. Anker PowerCore 13000 Power Bank Lightweight if not particularly slim TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Walmart Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Decent capacity for price + Lightweight design Reasons to avoid – No Qualcomm Quick Charge support
Packing in plenty of juice for the price and size, it can charge an iPhone a couple of times without a problem as well as a tablet from 0% to 100%. That means they’re typically fairly bulky and sometimes unwieldy things that you’re definitely going to notice in your bag but they’re built to last which is a huge help.
MAXOAK 50,000mAh power bank A huge array of ports for the price TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Six ports + Huge battery Reasons to avoid – It’s pretty big It’s capable of dealing with laptops and the Nintendo switch as easily as it is your smartphone or tablet so it’s great if you’re off the grid for a while
Its capacity isn’t as vast as some options here but it’s surprisingly slim and lightweight for what it offers meaning it’s pretty convenient. Alongside that is a a useful flashlight feature for camping and a 5-segment LED indicator so you know how much power you have remaining at all times. Bextoo Power Bank 30,000mAh Surprisingly stylish for a power bank TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Stylish design + Good capacity Reasons to avoid – Only two USB ports The PowerOak 50,000 mAh Power Bank isn’t designed for tossing in your bag without thinking about it because it’s huge.
It also crams in six output ports with one aimed at laptops, one for digital cameras, two for smartphones and tablets, and another couple too for good measure. You’ll still be able to charge your phone a couple of times and it’s MFI certified so you know it’ll work well with all your Apple devices, as well as anything else you throw at it. Still reasonably slimline, it has a built-in flashlight, the ability to charge up to three devices at once, plus bundles in a USB-C cable. Anker Power Bank 20,000 A more potent slimline Anker power bank TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Two USB ports + High capacity for size Reasons to avoid – No Qualcomm Quick Charge
Despite that small stature, it still packs in USB-C, USB-A and micro-USB ports and can charge your phone over once throughout the day. It makes up for it with key features like a thin design, both Micro-USB and USB-C inputs and 10,000mAh of juice.
The best wireless power banks mean you don’t need to worry about carrying too many cables with you to recharge your devices.
Utilizing many Apple and Android devices’ abilities to charge wirelessly, you get all the convenience of a wire-free existence while on the move.
Like with the everyday power banks, capacity can vary massively here depending on your budget but don’t count on it being too high given the technology used. Mophie Powerstation all-in-one 20,000mAh power bank The best option for Apple devices by far TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Charges up to four devices + Built-in magnetic Apple Watch charger Reasons to avoid – Bit expensive
Anker Magnetic Wireless 5,000mAh power bank The ideal solution for the iPhone 12 users amongst us TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Magnetic attachment + Charges through cases Reasons to avoid – Limited functionality for non-iPhone 12 users 4. iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank A neat way of keeping things wireless TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Finger Holder + Simple design Reasons to avoid – Low-ish capacity
Its 6,000mAh capacity should mean you won’t ahem to worry about finding power too soon either, plus there’s a LED that lets you know what’s going on.
The MagSafe Battery Pack is the Apple accessory you grudgingly buy knowing it’ll do the best job for your iPhone 12.
Anker PowerCore III Wireless Power Bank The one stop shop solution with some bulk TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Wired and wireless charging options + Reliable brand Reasons to avoid – Not the lightest There’s no device the Anker PowerCore III Wireless Power Bank can’t cope with which is sure to be useful.
Kilponen Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh High capacity with a solar power flare TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon Reasons to buy + High capacity + LED indicators Reasons to avoid – Only two ports Pxwaxpy Solar Power Bank 26800mAh Good capacity with some decent port options TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + High capacity + USB-C and micro-USB options Reasons to avoid – Bulky Capable of charging your devices a good half a dozen times, it won’t let you down either.
A ADDTOP Solar Charger 25,000mAh Plenty of panels for the outdoor approach TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Solar panels for better absorption + Good capacity Reasons to avoid – Not the simplest setup
It’s well-designed for the outdoor experience although its panels can take a bit of effort to set up and arrange appropriately. That includes a whopping 36,000mAh capacity which will help you charge your phone multiple times without a problem as well as tablets.
A built-in flashlight with emergency modes and simple hooks for attaching the solar panel complete the package. Appreciating you’re outdoors, the Anker PowerCore Solar 20,000mAh is designed to handle dust, rain, and a few knocks thanks to its IP65 rating.
Best power banks 2021: Reviews and buying advice
(You might also be interested in our our roundup of USB car chargers if you spend a lot of time in transit.) Building on the success of the Powerstation Plus XL (our previous pick for best overall power bank), Mophie’s Powerstation XXL matches its predecessor in efficiency, achieving 92.51 percent of its stated maximum current, plus it’s stylish, portable, and affordable price. The combination wall charger and portable power bank format makes the Powercore Fusion 5000 exceedingly convenient. It’s limited to two USB-A ports for device charging, but that doesn’t dimish its great handiness-to-cost ratio.
If you spend a lot of time on the road and value device preparedness, the Sherpa 100AC makes a trusty, if pricey, companion. But that buys you two USB-C ports capable of fast-charging speeds, two standard USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, a standard U.S. 110V outlet, a full complement of cables, and a nifty status display and buttons for controlling various functions of the pack.
Sporting the sort of sleek yet rugged exterior you’d expect from Otterbox, the Fast Charge 20,000mAh is both handsome and utilitarian. With a capacity near 252.7Wh, a nice complement of ports, a built-in flashlight, and an included carrying case, this highly portable power station makes a great travel companion for road trips. Determining whether a power bank lives up to a company’s promise entails more than simply connecting it to a phone and charging.
Then to track efficiency, we use an AVHzY USB Power Meter in tandem with a DROK Micro Load Tester.
As we use the DROK load tester to drain the pack of power, we are able to test against a battery’s stated maximum current, and verify that proper shutdown mechanisms are in place should something go wrong during a charging session (such as a device drawing over the maximum amps). We are able to run that test and get an instant readout to confirm support for QC 3.0, for example, without needing to have compatible phones or devices on hand.
For those with a compatible device, make sure the battery pack is Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0, or PD certified. Don’t put 100 percent confidence in a company’s claims of a pack being able to charge, say, a Galaxy S8 or iPhone X six times over. Look at the specs of the battery, and ensure that its input isn’t limited to slow charging such as 5V/1A.
You can find more information at the Consumer Products Safety Commission, as well as Amazon’s own recall site.
Best Power Bank 2021: Top Portable Chargers
We want multiple ports for charging additional gadgets, and more efficient use of power outlets to free up sockets. Aside from those from big names such as Anker, power banks also tend to go on- and offsale pretty quickly. There was a time when power banks with LCDs were rather expensive, and as prices started to come down they began to flood the market. When you’re dealing with relatively large amounts of power, it’s significantly more useful than trying to guess whether one or two lit LEDs worth of juice is going to get you through the day.
There are two full-size USBs, plus a USB-C PD port that can act as both input and output, and all three support 18W Quick Charge – although only one at a time. Charmast supplies a soft mesh carry case and a short USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, a nice touch.
While it’s something of a throwback to power banks from a couple of years back, with its built-in LED flash (certainly useful for camping trips) and durable but plasticky design, it also takes us back to the days where you didn’t have to sacrifice ports for portability. The JIGA has USB-C, Micro-USB and Lightning inputs, allowing you to fill its battery using whatever cable you have to hand.
Hailing from Anker, a respected brand in the power bank market, this 20,000mAh portable charger represents very good value at this capacity. We’re pleased to find support for Power Delivery, but do note that it’s only up to 18W, and therefore not likely to be sufficient to charge a USB-C laptop.
On top is a power button with four integrated LEDs that reveal remaining capacity, and you can use this to enter a trickle-charging mode suitable for smartwatches and earbuds. You can use it at home or work plugged in, and carry it around with you for wired or wireless charging when you are away from a power socket.
As the name suggests, the PowerCore III 10K has a decent sized 10,000mAh battery, which should offer at least three charges from the power bank before it needs recharging itself. The power bank is nicely designed, with a rectangular body and rounded corners, plus a soft-touch black casing. Not that it’s going to take an age to recharge, thanks to a 10W Micro-USB input, but note that the power bank itself does not charge wirelessly. It’s lacking, for example, Quick Charge support, USB-C and an LCD display (none of which is yet standard in the power bank market).
These days that is a single charge for most phones, but with older iPhones and budget Androids you should expect to find a small amount of juice left over for emergencies. Almost identical in design to the IonGo 5K before it, but here with both USB-C and Lightning cables built-in (hence the name Duo), the Moshi is an undeniably cool-looking power bank that comes tucked away inside a vegan-friendly soft leather case with a magnetic clasp and an anodised aluminium faceplate. The additional cable means it’s now suited to Android as well as iPhone users, although as before this is Made For iPhone-certified. Use Lightning and USB-C together and you’ll see slightly slower charging speeds, with a max total output of 3.4A (17W). You don’t need to understand what mAh means, only that if your phone spec says it has a 4,000mAh battery you are going to need at least a 4,000mAh bank in order to get a full charge. As a rule of thumb, 5,000mAh is a single-use power bank that will be easily portable; 10,000mAh hits the sweet spot, both portable and offering around two charges; 20,000mAh is high-capacity, most useful for those who are going to be away from mains power for extended periods or will be charging multiple gadgets. Do note that if you’re travelling on a plane your portable charger must be in your hand luggage, and anything over 27,000mAh (100Wh) needs approval from the airline (over 43,000mAh/160Wh, forget it). Second, with most devices offering a row of four LEDs to denote how much power remains inside the bank, working out how much you’ve actually got left can be impossible.
An LCD screen will give you an exact readout of remaining capacity, though these are rarely found on low-capacity and cheap banks. These days even 10W, though marketed as ‘fast charging’, barely scratches the surface of what recent smartphones are capable of. That seems pretty straightforward, although power manufacturers rarely provide the speed of their outputs measured in watts. We’ve put together a range of articles to help you choose the best charging tech for the mobile devices you carry everywhere.
Best Power Banks: Complete Reviews With Comparison
Product Highlights The most notable highlights of the Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank include: High Charge Capacity You will find that with this power bank, you can charge your iPhone up to seven times and your iPad mini four times. When appreciated the fact that the Anker PowerCore Portable Charger has two charging ports that you can use at the same time.
Moreover, you’ll also like how small the Anker PowerCore 20100 Powe Bank is, though it’s slightly heavier than other power sources on the market.
Another downside is that compared to other power banks, this model doesn’t charge a dead phone to 100% as quick.
Extremely Compact Design As mentioned, the Anker PowerCore+ Mini is the size of a lipstick tube and weighs just around three ounces. It’s also built relatively well for such a small unit, thanks to the aluminum casing that prevents damage from accidentally dropping the charger.
What’s not to like about the Anker PowerCore+ Mini: Best Power Source for Backpacking or Hiking Even though the Anker PowerCore+ Mini is adaptable to Apple products, it doesn’t ship with a lightning cable, just a standard to micro USB charger. You will have to buy your own Apple charging cable in order to use the power bank, which is a large inconvenience.
Product Highlights The main features of the Aibocn Power Bank include: Anti-fingerprint Finish If you’re the type of person who likes to keep their electronics clean, you will appreciate the anti-fingerprint casing on the Aibocn Power Bank.
Designed to fit into the palm of your hand, this is a power bank that you can pack in your luggage for air travel or keep in your pocket while commuting. Another thing you’ll appreciate is the LCD screen, which gives you a digital reminder of the charge left in the bank. Aside from that, we also found upon arrival that the power bank was a bit larger than advertised, which made it more difficult to pack.
This also means that it’s far larger than other units, but it does pack a more powerful punch to allow for multi-device charging. FAA-approved Design The Omnicharge Portable Power Bank is fully built to meet the specifications of the FAA.
We also appreciated how the power bank charged to 100% in around four hours, which makes it easy to prepare before a trip.
You’ll also love how easy it is to switch between charging settings with or without instructions, making it simple to use while on the go. What’s not to like about the Omnicharge Portable Charger : Top Power Bankfor Versatility Unfortunately, the Omnicharge Portable Power Bank isn’t designed to charge larger equipment as fast as a regular outlet. Finally, due to its larger size, it’s not as easy to pack in luggage as other power banks on the market.
check Simple user interface CONS Charges large equipment slowly The vast majority of power banks will offer two or more USB ports for charging, and depending on the number of devices you travel with, this is important to think about.
On average, you may only need two USB ports at most, as you can charge your phone and tablet at the same time.
When you get into the power range of 200000mAh and up, you’ll be dealing with much bulkier units that are too heavy-duty for everyday devices. Since you’ll be using the device on the go, you won’t want it to become damaged if it accidentally falls and hits the ground. The vast majority of power banks need to meet certain safety specifications to protect your devices.
It’s always important to make sure that the charger you’re interested in has been certified to protect the batteries from overcharging or undercharging. You’ll also want to ensure that the device won’t get too hot while charging, as this can cause fire hazards. The main idea behind power banks is to create a portable device that can easily fit into a pocket or a bag. If you plan on putting it in a laptop bag, you can work with larger models that measure bigger than the palm of your hand. As mentioned, it’s important to confirm safety ratings when you’re buying power banks. These unique devices hold power so that if your phone is dying, you can plug it in for a charge.
First, upon arrival, plug your phone into the power bank so you can drain the entire battery. Step 3: Store the power bank in a safe place until you need to recharge your phone or tablet while on the go. Store the power bank in a safe place until you need to recharge your phone or tablet while on the go.
The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for Phones and Tablets
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. The Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux lacks the built-in cables that set the TravelCard models apart, but its capacity (10,000 mAh, or enough to fully charge most smartphones three times) is a lot higher.
The Anker PowerCore III Fusion 5K is handy if you want a single, reliable charger that you can plug in the wall to charge your devices overnight and then pack up and carry with you during the day.
Mobile power bank reviews
The battery life of your smartphone is under a lot of extra strain from apps, social media, music streaming and online video. A power bank will help keep your phone charged throughout the day whether it’s an iPhone or Android with a micro-USB or USB-C input.
The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for 2021
Watching your phone or tablet steadily run out of juice when you’re nowhere near a power outlet is stressful. Regardless of your budget, you can find a portable charger that will keep your device going when your battery icon starts to dip in the red.
Power banks that fit comfortably in your pocket are typically good for a full phone charge or two, while anything designed to keep you going all day is going to require a bag or a purse. On the pocket-friendly front, most smaller batteries that maximize portability have a capacity of 5,000mAh and under, which gives you just enough charge to top up most phones once.
Once you get above 5,000mAh, battery size increases to the point where it’s less likely to fit into your skinny jeans but can still be stowed in a jacket pocket. To make a device charge faster (by increasing the total wattage), most manufacturers either vary the voltage (more common) or boost the amperage.
Power Delivery (PD) is a newer protocol in which two compatible devices negotiate on the fastest charging option available. This standard allows you to charge supported phones to 50 percent capacity in 30 minutes, which is especially helpful when you need power in a pinch. Wireless charging has also become very popular, as it allows you to power up compatible devices without the need for a cable, by simply resting them on top of the battery. Qi is the dominant standard for compatible Apple and Samsung phones, and some battery packs support that technology. It combines the portability and protection of a case with a built-in power cell to keep your phone topped off at all times. Belkin Boost Up Charge Power Bank 5K + Stand Play Series $34.99 at Amazon See It Works With: Phones and Tablets Belkin’s latest Boost Up Power Bank is a strong pick for smartphone gamers.
This handy 5,000mAh battery pack features a built-in smartphone stand that holds your phone in portrait or landscape position while it charges. An additional Lightning port lets you quickly recharge the power bank using your regular iPhone charger or dock. This playful battery pack sports a tempered glass build, but is small and durable enough to slide into your carry-on bag.
If so, the Nimble Champ Lite Portable Charger is a perfect match; it uses recycled plastic material and ships in plastic-free packaging.
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