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Portable devices have a Murphy’s Law-like ability to drain your battery at the most inconvenient moments: when you’re boarding a bus, in the middle of an important meeting, or when you’re sitting comfortably on the couch and pressing play. But all this will be a thing of the past if you have a portable battery charger at hand.
There are hundreds of portable battery packs available, and choosing just one can be difficult. To help, we have spent years solving all of these problems. This obsession started when I (Scott) was living in an old van powered mostly by solar panels. But even if you don’t live in an off-grid solar installation, a good battery can come in handy. These are our favorites. If you need more power, be sure to check out our guide to the best MagSafe power supplies for Apple portable chargers, as well as our guide to the best portable charging stations.
September 2023 Update: We’ve added power supplies from Anker, Jackery, Ugreen, Monoprice, and Baseus, removed discontinued products, and updated features and pricing.
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Capacity: The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), but this can be a little misleading since the amount of power it produces depends on the cable you use, the device you’re charging it with, and how you charge it. (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get maximum power. We will try to estimate the cost of the equipment you purchase.
Charging speed and standards. Charging speeds for devices such as smartphones are measured in watts (W), but most power supplies indicate voltage (V) and current (A). Luckily, you can calculate the power yourself by simply multiplying the voltage by the current. Unfortunately, getting the fastest speeds also depends on your device, the standards it supports, and the charging cable you use. Many smartphones, including Apple’s iPhone, support Power Delivery (PD), which means you can use a larger battery to charge your device without any problems. Some phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S series, support an additional PD protocol called PPS (Programmable Power Standard) up to 45W. Many phones also support Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge (QC) standard. There are other proprietary fast charging standards, but you typically won’t find power banks that support them unless they’re from the smartphone manufacturer.
Pass-through: If you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device at the same time, you’ll need pass-through support. The listed portable chargers Nimble, GoalZero, Biolite, Mophie, Zendure and Shalgeek support pass-through charging. Anker has discontinued pass-through support because it discovered that the difference between the wall charger output and the charger input could cause the power supply to cycle on and off quickly and shorten its life. Monoprice also does not support pass-through payment. We recommend caution when using a pass-through connection as this may also cause the portable charger to overheat.
Journey. It’s safe to travel with a charger, but there are two restrictions to keep in mind when boarding a plane: you must carry a portable charger in your carry-on luggage (not checked) and you must not carry more than 100 Wh (Wh). Watch). If your power bank capacity exceeds 27,000mAh, you should consult with the airline. Anything less than this shouldn’t be a problem.
There really isn’t a best all-around charger because the best one depends on what you need to charge. If you need to charge your laptop, the best phone charger may be useless. However, in my testing, one charger brand rose to the top of the list. Nimble’s Champ offers the best balance of power, weight and price when I need it. At 6.4 ounces, it’s one of the lightest on the market and you’ll barely notice it in your backpack. It’s smaller than a deck of cards and can charge two devices at once: one via USB-C and one via USB-A. I have been using this product for many years and rarely leave home without it. The 10,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge my iPad and keep my phone running for almost a week.
Another thing I like most about Nimble is its environmental efforts. Batteries are not environmentally friendly. They use lithium, cobalt and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially problematic at best. But Nimble’s use of bioplastics and minimal plastic-free packaging at least reduces its environmental impact.
1 USB-A (18W) and 1 USB-C (18W). Can charge most smartphones two to three times (10,000 mAh).
★ ALTERNATIVE: The Juice 3 Portable Charger (£20) is an eco-friendly alternative for Brits, offering a power bank in a range of colours, made from 90% recycled plastic and 100% recycled packaging. Series numbers are roughly based on the expected number of charges for the average smartphone, so the Juice 3 can be charged three times.
For those who don’t mind paying for quality, the Anker 737 is a versatile and reliable beast with a huge 24,000mAh capacity. With Power Delivery 3.1 support, the power bank can deliver or receive up to 140W of power to charge phones, tablets and even laptops. You can charge it from zero to full in an hour. It is relatively compact in terms of its capacity, but weighs almost 1.4 pounds. Press the round power button on the side once and the gorgeous digital display will show you the percentage of charge remaining; press it again and you’ll get stats including temperature, total power, cycles and more. When you plug something in, the screen also shows the input or output power, as well as an estimate of the remaining time based on the current speed. It charges all the devices I tested quickly, and you can charge three devices at once without any problem.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a high-capacity power supply, and this product from Monoprice proves it. This power bank offers impressive versatility with five ports, support for QC 3.0, PD 3.0, and wireless charging. Results were mixed, but it quickly charged most of the phones I tested it on. Wireless charging is convenient when you don’t have cables, but it’s not a MagSafe charger and the total power received is limited since it’s much less efficient than wired charging. However, given the low price, these are minor issues. Press the power button and you will see how much power is left in the battery. A short USB-C to USB-A cable is included in the package.
1 USB-C port (20W), 3 USB-A ports (12W, 12W and 22.5W) and 1 Micro-USB port (18W). Qi wireless charging (up to 15W). Charges most phones three to four times (20,000 mAh).
If you want a compact charger with a cool color that simply plugs into the bottom of your phone to charge, the Anker Compact Charger is your best choice. This power bank features a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi certified), so you don’t have to worry about cables. Its capacity is 5000 mAh (enough to fully charge most phones). I tested the USB-C version on a few Android phones and found that it stayed in place, allowing me to use the phone more or less normally. To charge the power supply, there is a USB-C port, which comes with a short cable. If you are using a thicker case, this may not be the best choice.
1 USB-C (22.5W) or Lightning (12W) and 1 USB-C for charging only. Can charge most phones once (5000mAh).
Wired Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu happily carries this 20,000mAh charger with him. It’s slim enough to easily fit into the padded case of most backpacks, and has enough capacity to charge an 11-inch tablet twice from empty. It is capable of delivering 45W fast charging power through the USB-C port and 18W power through the USB-A port in the middle. In a pinch, you can use it to charge your laptop (unless it’s a power-hungry machine like a MacBook Pro). It has a nice fabric material on the outside and has an LED light that shows how much juice is left in the tank.
Goal Zero has updated its Sherpa series of portable chargers to provide improved wireless charging: 15W compared to 5W on previous models. I tested the Sherpa AC, which has two USB-C ports (60W and 100W), two USB-A ports, and a 100W AC port for devices that require a pin plug. It strikes a good balance between power output (93 Wh in my power consumption test) and weight (2 pounds). This is enough to charge my Dell XPS 13 almost twice.
You get a nice color LCD display that shows you how much charge you have left, how many watts you’re putting in, how many watts you’re putting out, and a rough guess at how long the battery will last (under certain conditions). remain the same). Charging time depends on whether you have a Sherpa charger (sold separately), but no matter what power source I used, I was able to charge it in three hours. There’s also an 8mm port on the back for connecting a solar panel if you have one. The Sherpa isn’t cheap, but if you don’t need AC power and can use a single USB-C (100W output, 60W input), the Sherpa PD is also $200.
Two USB-C ports (60W and 100W), two USB-A ports (12W), and 1 AC port (100W). Qi wireless charging (15W). Charges most laptops once or twice (25,600 mAh).
The new Ugreen charger, as the name suggests, is a 145W charger with a 25,000mAh battery. Although it weighs 1.1 pounds, it’s surprisingly compact for its power and definitely not ultra-light. There are 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port. What makes Ugreen unique is that it consumes 145 watts of energy when charging. The calculation is 100W for one USB-C port and 45W for the other port. Few other batteries we’ve tested can do this, and to my knowledge, none of this size. If you need fast charging, this is the power bank for you (though it’s worth noting that reviews online suggest it doesn’t support Samsung’s fast charging technology). There is a small LED indicator on the side of the battery that shows the current charge level of the battery. I’d also like to see some charging information on this screen, but that’s a minor quibble if you need to charge your laptop on the go, but otherwise it’s a great option.
Two USB-C ports (100W and 45W) and 1 USB-A port. Can charge most cell phones about five times or a laptop once (25,000mAh).
It has an unusual design and features a fold-out pad for wirelessly charging your phone, a charging pad for your wireless earbud case (if it supports Qi wireless charging), and a charging pad for connecting a third device. USB-C port, the Satechi Duo is a convenient power bank that fits in your bag. It has a capacity of 10,000 mAh and comes with an LED to show the remaining charge. The downside is that it’s slow, providing wireless charging power of up to 10W for phones (7.5W for iPhone), 5W for headphones and 10W via USB-C. It takes three hours to fully charge the battery using an 18W charger.
1 USB-C (10W) and 2 Qi wireless charging stations (up to 10W). You can charge most mobile phones once or twice.
One of the biggest problems with portable chargers is that we forget to charge them, which is why this clever little gadget from Anker is one of our favorite iPhone accessories. At first glance, it appears to be a wireless charging pad with MagSafe support and a place to charge AirPods on the base. The neat thing that gives it a place here is the detachable portable charger that slides out of the stand when you need to go. It attaches to the back of any MagSafe iPhone (and Android phones with a MagSafe case) and continues to charge wirelessly. You can also charge a power bank or other devices via the USB-C port. If you just want a MagSafe power bank, the Anker MagGo 622 ($50) with a built-in small folding stand is a good option. In our guide to the best MagSafe power banks, we recommend some alternatives.
Remembering to take your power bank with you when you go out for the night is truly an accomplishment, but what about your Apple Watch? It may be one of the best smartwatches out there, but the battery rarely lasts more than a full day. OtterBox This smart power bank is made from durable aluminum and comes with a built-in charger for your Apple Watch. The rubber bottom helps it stick to surfaces, and the nightstand mode makes it a convenient bedside clock. The 3000mAh battery recharged my Apple Watch Series 8 3 times, but you can also charge your iPhone via USB-C (15W), making it the perfect portable charger to carry in your bag or pocket.
1 USB-C port (15W). Charger for Apple Watch. Can charge most Apple Watch at least 3 times (3000mAh).
Whether you hike, camp, bike or run, the BioLite is your comfortable companion. This rugged power bank is lightweight, large enough to fit in your pocket, and has a nice textured finish. The yellow plastic makes it easy to spot in a bag or crowded tent, and also marks the ends of the ports, making it easy to plug in when the light dims. The smallest size is enough to fully charge most phones, and USB-C can handle 18W of input or output power. Two additional USB-A output ports let you charge multiple devices at once, although if you plan to do that, you’ll likely want the Charge 40′s 10,000 mAh ($60) or Charge 80 ($80) maximum capacity.
With a capacity of 26,800 mAh, this is the largest battery you can take on a plane. It’s perfect for vacation and even resembles a durable suitcase. There are four USB-C ports; the left pair can handle up to 100W of input or output power, and the two right ports can output 20W each (total maximum simultaneous output power is 138W). Supports PD 3.0, PPS and QC 3.0 standards.
This portable charger allows you to quickly charge our Pixel, iPhone, and MacBook. It can be fully charged in two hours with a suitable charger and supports pass-through charging. The small OLED display shows the remaining charge in percentage and watt-hours (Wh), as well as the power going into or out of each port. It’s thick, but comes with a zippered pouch that stores cables. Unfortunately, it is often out of stock.
Four USB-C (100W, 100W, 20W, 20W, but maximum total power 138W). Charges most laptops once or twice (26,800 mAh).
Available in black, white or pink, this slim clutch is about the size of a stack of credit cards and weighs about 2 ounces. It fits easily into pockets and bags and provides moderate battery life to your phone. The third version of the ultra-thin portable charger features a larger battery than its predecessor, with a capacity of 3300 mAh. You can charge it via the USB-C port, and there is a built-in charging cable (there are different Lightning models). It’s slow, gets warm when plugged in, and a fully charged Clutch only increases my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery life by 40%. You can get larger, more efficient chargers for less money, but the Clutch V3′s focus is on portability, and it’s a size that’s easy to throw in your bag in case of an emergency.
Besides the banal name, what makes this power supply unique is the built-in charging cable. Cables are easy to forget or lose and get tangled in your bag, so having a power bank with USB-C and Lightning cables always connected is a smart idea. The Ampere power bank has a capacity of 10,000 mAh and supports the Power Delivery standard. Both charging cables can provide up to 18W of power, but that’s the maximum total power, so while you can charge an iPhone and an Android phone at the same time, the power will be split between them. This power bank does not come with a USB-C charging cable.
One built-in USB-C cable (18W) and one Lightning cable (18W). 1 USB-C charging port (input only). Can charge most phones two to three times (10,000mAh).
If you’re a fan of the transparency craze that started the translucent electronics craze in the 1990s, you’ll immediately appreciate the appeal of the Shalgeek Power Bank. The clear case allows you to easily see the ports, chips, and included Samsung lithium-ion battery inside this portable charger. The color display gives you detailed readings of the voltage, current, and power going into or out of each port. If you delve deeper into the menu, you can find statistics showing temperature, cycles and much more.
The DC cylinder is unusual in that you can specify voltage and current that suit different devices; it can provide up to 75W of power. The first USB-C supports PD PPS and can deliver up to 100W of power (enough to charge a laptop), the second USB-C has a power of 30W and supports PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 4 standards, as well as a USB-A port. has QC 3.0 and has a power of 18W. In short, this power bank can charge most devices quickly. The package includes a yellow USB-C to USB-C 100W cable and a small bag. If you’re not interested in DC ports, you might prefer the Shalgeek Storm 2 Slim ($200).
Two USB-C ports (100W and 30W), one USB-A (18W), and a bullet DC port. Can charge most laptops once (25,600 mAh).
Do you have a device that won’t charge via USB? Yes, they’re still there. I have an old but still great GPS unit that runs on AA batteries, a headlamp that runs on AAA batteries, and a bunch of other things that require batteries. After looking at several brands, I found that Eneloop batteries are the most durable and reliable. Panasonic’s fast charger can charge any combination of AA and AAA batteries in less than three hours, and can sometimes be purchased in a package with four Eneloop AA batteries.
Standard Eneloop AA batteries are around 2000mAh each and AAA batteries are 800mAh, but you can upgrade to Eneloop Pro (2500mAh and 930mAh respectively) for more demanding gadgets or opt for Eneloop Lite (950mAh and 550mAh)) Suitable for low power consumption devices. They are pre-charged using solar energy, and Eneloop recently switched to plastic-free cardboard packaging.
It’s a scary feeling when your car refuses to start because the battery is dead, but if you have a portable battery like this in your trunk, you can give yourself a chance to start. Wired critic Eric Ravenscraft called it a road savior because it started his car several times during long drives home from out of state. The Noco Boost Plus is a 12-volt, 1000-amp battery with jumper cables. It also has a USB-A port for charging your phone and a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight. Keeping it in your trunk is fine, but remember to charge it every six months. It is also IP65 rated and suitable for temperatures ranging from -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
People who need more power for camping or long-distance travel should choose the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. This cute and compact battery has a foldable handle, 288 Wh capacity, and weighs 8.3 pounds. It has two USB-C ports (18W and 100W), USB-A (15W), a car port (120W), and an AC outlet (300W, 600W surge). Its power is enough to keep your gadgets running for several days. There’s also an AC input, or you can charge via USB-C. The fan sometimes works, but in silent charging mode the noise level does not exceed 45 decibels. It can be controlled using the Jackery app via Bluetooth and has a handy flashlight. We’ve found Jackery equipment to be reliable and durable, with a battery life of at least ten years. Anything more than that and portability becomes moot. We have a separate guide to the best portable power stations with recommendations for people who need a lot of power.
If you want off-grid charging capability, you can buy the 300 Plus ($400) with a book-sized 40W solar panel. Charging the battery using this pad under blue skies and sunshine took me about eight hours. If you need faster charging and have room for a larger panel, consider the 300 Plus ($550) with a 100W solar panel.
2 USB-C ports (100W and 18W), 1 USB-A port (15W), 1 car port (120W), and 1 AC outlet (300W). Can charge most mobile phones more than 10 times or charge a laptop 3 times (288Wh).
There are many portable chargers available in the market. Here are a few more places we liked but for some reason missed the ones above.
Years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 became infamous after its battery caught fire in a series of incidents. Since then, similar but isolated incidents have continued to occur. However, despite high-profile reports of battery problems, the vast majority of lithium-ion batteries are safe.
The chemical reactions that occur inside a lithium-ion battery are complex, but like any battery, there is a negative and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the negative electrode is a compound of lithium and carbon, and the positive electrode is cobalt oxide (although many battery manufacturers are moving away from using cobalt). These two connections cause a controlled, safe response and provide power to your device. However, when the reaction gets out of control, you will eventually find the earbuds melting into your ears. There can be many factors that change a safe response to an uncontrolled one: overheating, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacturing, or use of an incorrect charger.
After testing dozens of batteries, I have established three basic rules that have (so far) kept me safe:
It is extremely important to avoid using cheap adapters for wall outlets, power cords and chargers. These are the most likely sources of your problems. Are those chargers you see on Amazon $20 cheaper than the competition? not worth it. They can reduce the price by reducing insulation, eliminating power management tools, and ignoring basic electrical safety. Price itself also does not guarantee safety. Buy from trusted companies and brands.
Post time: Oct-23-2023