The clock strikes 4 PM, and the tedious monotony of your office day is beginning to hit. Your smartphone, that trusty sidekick you rely on for keeping you organized and productive, is gasping for life at a perilous 15% battery. Panic? That’s not your style. You recall your secret weapon – you have a power bank. With a swift move, you reach into your bag, pull out your trusty power bank, and hook it up to your device, turning the tide and keeping your productivity on point.
A good power bank is a total game changer in the modern tech arsenal. New portable chargers can fuel everything from tiny earbuds all the way up to a high-end Apple MacBook Pro. Yet, the journey to find a top-notch, dependable one amidst the multitude of subpar knock-offs can be treacherous. Fear not, for I am here to be your guide, navigating you through the tech wilderness to uncover the perfect power bank that stands tall in quality, safety, and reliability.
More: Best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert tested
What is the best power bank right now?
I’ve rigorously tested hundreds — yes, literally hundreds — of power banks in recent years, putting me in the perfect position to identify which ones truly deserve your hard-earned money.
My pick for the best power bank overall goes to the Anker Nano 10,000 mAh for its portability, quality construction, and the fact that it has USB-C and USB-A ports, which means it caters to both old and new devices, and it has a super handy built-in USB-C cable. While it’s my favorite, there are plenty of other options with different price points, features, and brands in mind. For example, if you’re looking for a power bank with sheer power, the Cuktech P-series 25,000 mAh can give you several recharges of a smartphone or close to a full recharge of a MacBook Pro. Read on for all of my picks for the best power banks you can buy right now.
The best portable chargers of 2024
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Anker Nano 10,000 mAh
Best power bank overall
While MagSafe power banks are now all the rage, if you need to charge anything else, you still need to remember a cable. The Anker Nano has a built-in USB-C cable and two USB ports — one USB-C and one USB-A.
The built-in USB-C cable is a decent length at 0.6ft (19cm) and can be used for both charging the power bank and charging other devices. The cable fits through a metal loop on the power bank, keeping it out of the way when not in use and allowing it to be used as a lanyard loop when you’re not charging anything.
Review: Anker Nano 10,000 mAh
This simple but highly effective feature makes the power bank easy to carry around, especially when your hands are full with other gadgetry.
Online reviews for this power bank are very positive, praising its lightweight, compact design.
Anker Nano 10,000 mAh tech specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 1 x USB-C cable, 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Max output: 30W
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Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh 130W
Best power bank for large power capacities
This power bank is what I’d consider as chunky. It’s a fair-sized brick weighing in at a pound. Inside are batteries that hold 20,000mAh (72Wh) of power, enough for a few charges of a modern smartphone and more than one charge of a laptop — while still being within the limit for airline travel.
The batteries are rated for 1,000 recharge cycles, and the unit can hold its power for up to 200 days, which is relatively long.
Review: Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh 130W
At the end of the power bank, there are three ports with a combined output of 130W. Two USB-C ports, one of which can charge the unit in as little as two hours, and a USB-A port for legacy devices.
But the real trick up the sleeve of this power bank is the TFT display. This shows a multitude of information, including battery capacity, inputs and outputs, whether trickle charge is enabled, and real-time voltage, current, and power curve.
The online reviews for this power bank are very strong, with owners praising its power output, reliability, and dependability.
Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh, 130W tech specs: Capacity: 20,000mAh | Ports: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Max output: 130W
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Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Power Bank
Best small power bank
This is one of the smallest power banks that you can buy, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s basic. Here, not only do you get 5,000mAh of battery capacity, but you also get a wireless charging pad and a USB-C port that can be used both for charging the power bank and other devices.
This bank also supports MagSafe wireless charging for an additional layer of convenience since iPhone owners don’t need to carry a cable around with them. Finally, there’s a trickle charge mode that allows the bank to charge low-power devices such as headphones or smartwatches without the power bank automatically switching off, so you can keep listening to tunes and audiobooks for longer.
This power bank makes a great, stylish, and practical gift — I’ve sent them out to folks for the holidays, and I also keep a few handy to hand out to people who don’t have a power bank of their own.
Reviews are very positive for this power bank, and owners are pleased with its size and performance. I noticed some reports of overheating, but I’ve not experienced that and speculate that the owner might have a thick case on their smartphone.
Tech specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x wireless charging pad | Max output: 15W
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Cuktech P-series 25,000mAh
Best power bank for cool, high-tech looks
It’s hard to come across a power bank that impresses me anymore. Most are mundane plastic enclosures with a few ports. However, the Cuktech P-series 25,000mAh power bank is a game-changer. With its stylish design and advanced technology, it pushes the envelope of what a power bank can achieve.
After using it on a week-long trip away from home, I was amazed by its durability. Everything about the P-series power bank feels premium and stylish; from the packaging to the design. There’s even a futuristic pulsing blue light on the front while the power bank is in use that looks very sci-fi.
Review: Cuktech P-series 25,000mAh
I must admit that my inner geek loves the TFT display on this power bank. It displays important — at least to me! — information such as battery level, power, voltage, and current. A tap of the button brings up a graphical display of the input and output wattages.
Online reviews highlight the power of this unit, along with the usefulness of the display, and the cool, futuristic styling goes down well with geeky owners!
Cuktech P-series tech specs: Capacity: 25,000mAh | Ports: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Max output: 210W
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Klarus K5
Best power bank for thse who spend time outdoors
Whenever I encounter a power bank that’s rated for water and dust resistance, it immediately captures my interest. This kind of resilience in a power bank is not only impressive but also incredibly practical for anyone leading an active outdoor lifestyle.
The Klarus K5 offers just that, a carbon fiber clad power bank that has it all — it’s ultralight, ultra-thin, and waterproof to IP68. I’ve thoroughly tested the dust and water resistance of this power bank, and it impressively shrugs off both elements.
Review: Klarus K5
At 157 grams, the Klarus K5 is ideal for lightweight adventures, and the 10,000 mAh capacity offers enough power for multiple recharges of my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It can also keep my GoPro running overnight for time-lapse photography.
Online reviews praise this power bank’s ultralight and ultra-thin design, stylish good looks, and water resistance rating.
Klarus K5 tech specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, | Max output: 22.5W
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Which is the best power bank really depends on what you want from a power bank — for some, portability is the main feature, for others it might be having the maximum possible output power. For others, it might be how many ports it has.
|
Power Bank |
Price |
Ports |
Max output |
|
Anker Nano 10,000mAh |
$40 |
1 x USB-C cable, 1x USB-C, 1 x USB-A |
30W |
|
Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh |
$70 |
2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A |
130W |
|
Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Power Bank |
$30 |
1 x USB-C, 1 x wireless |
15W |
|
Cuktech P-series 25,000mAh |
$99 |
2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A |
210W |
|
Klarus K5 |
$70 |
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A |
22.5W |
As always, it depends on your needs and what you’re looking for. Some people want giant power banks for multi-day adventures, others want something small to get them out of an emergency. Some want something stylish and sleek, while others want total geekery and get something that’s more like a charging computer than a simple power bank.
|
Choose this power bank… |
If you want… |
|
Anker Nano 10,000mAh |
The best power bank overall. It’s portable, well built, and offers both USB-C and USB-A ports, and that built-in USB-C cable is perfect for those who always forget to pack a cable! |
|
Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh |
The best power bank for its large battery capacity and power, and a display that is clear and readable. One of my all-time favorites and is available for $70. |
|
Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Power Bank |
A tiny power bank that packs a big punch. You can have this attached to your iPhone and forget that it’s there. |
|
Cuktech P-series 25,000mAh |
A big, powerful power bank with a great futuristic look. It features a really detailed display that will appeal to those who want to know everything that’s going on, and the 210W max power output can keep up with anything. |
|
Klarus K5 |
A sleek, stylish, and lightweight power bank that’s also dust and water-resistant. This is perfect for use when camping, hiking, or working outdoors. |
A variety of factors impact the quality and usability of power banks. Here are some things to take into consideration before buying one:
- Battery size: Power banks range from giving you a single charge to several charges, and may increase in size and price accordingly. I think of anything below 7,500 mAh as a small power bank that perfect for topping up a smartphone, 7,500 to 20,000 mAh as a medium power bank good for a few recharges, and maybe an emergency top-up of a laptop, and 20,000 and above as a big power bank better suited to those wanting to charge laptops and such or who are going to be away from a power outlet for a few days.
- Portability: Some people want giant power banks for multi-day adventures, while others want something small they can hold in their pocket for daily charging or emergencies.
- Design: Some want something stylish and sleek, while others want total geekery and get something that’s more like a charging computer than a simple power bank.
- Weight: Big power banks can really pull on your pocket or bag, so choose wisely if you intend to carry it around with you.
- Ports: Do you want one or two or more ports? Do you need USB-A or will USB-C be fine? These are points to consider before making a purchase.
- Passthrough: Do you want to be able to charge the power bank while it is charging other devices? I find this a handy feature when traveling because I can use the power bank as a charger for multiple devices so I only need a small wall charger.
I test and review a lot of power banks, and this allows me to filter through hundreds of units to find the best of the best. On top of that, I use power banks a lot when traveling or going off-grid for hiking and camping. This allows me to get real-world, hands-on experience of the product for extended periods of time. Finally, every product that I use, test, or review is thoroughly safety tested to make sure that you’ll be buying a reliable, safe product.
Here are the key factors I consider when testing power banks:
- Capacity: I’ve seen plenty of companies make exaggerated claims about their power bank’s capacity. I charge and discharge each power bank several times to test the rated capacity to make sure that this corresponds with the capacity stated on the box.
- Power output: A lot of cheaper power banks might be able to hit the rated power output for short periods, but this can take a dive under heavy load or when the power bank gets warm. I test every power bank under heavy load to make sure that it can output the maximum stated output power for extended periods.
- Safety: If the power bank overheats in use or when charging, it doesn’t make this list. Plain and simple.
- Robustness: How does the power bank stand up to regular use? Does the shell resist scratches and knocks? Are the ports high quality and durable? If it’s going to make this list, it must be tough enough to put up with heavy use.
FAQs on power banks
There is, but fear not, because it’s actually quite a generous limit.
FAA rules (and this rule is mirrored by most aviation authorities) allow you to take a power bank with a capacity up to 100Wh or 27,000mAh without declaring it. Beyond this, you must check with the airline and declare the power bank.
Most modern power banks have a feature called pass-through charging that allows you to charge it and use it to charge other devices simultaneously. This is a handy feature if you have limited number of power outlets and what to charge multiple devices — for example, when traveling.
Lithium-ion batteries — the batteries found in most power banks — are good for about 800 recharge cycles. This means if you used a power bank daily, and each day you ran it empty before recharging it for the next day, you’d get more than two years of life.
In reality, people easily get 5 years from a power bank, and normally, it’s technology moving forward and making the power bank obsolete that kills it, not usage.
The bigger the power bank’s capacity, the longer it will normally take to charge. However, this depends on a lot of factors — from whether it charges using USB-A or USB-C, to the power output of the charger doing the charging.
Other power banks to consider
Here are a couple of alternative power banks to consider — all from reputable manufacturers and all offering safe, reliable charging.