The 7 Best Power Banks to Keep Your Gadgets Going
Keep your gadgets powered up, wherever you go.
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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.
![Headshot of Erica Zazo Headshot of Erica Zazo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/14786947-c311-4e75-92b9-f00755915453_1684503195.jpeg?fill=1:1&resize=120:*)
Erica Zazo (she/they) is a Chicago-based freelance writer covering outdoor news, gear, and guides for Backpacker Magazine, Outside, and more. She’s a big fan of urban nature, exploring lesser-known trails and towns, and the Midwest. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @onecurioustrvlr.
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