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The Best Power Banks & Portable Chargers [2024]

The Best Power Banks & Portable Chargers [2024]

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Power banks are convenient as they allow you to charge your electronic devices from anywhere at any time. They help you to keep connected whether you’re having a busy day or a weekend away.

The best power bank is portable, powerful and versatile. Many portable chargers are designed for use with phones and tablets but there are also options that can be used to charge laptops, cameras and gaming devices.

Use the reviews and buyers guide below to find the best portable charger for you.


1. Anker Powercore 10000 (Top Pick)

Anker Powercore 10000, One of The Smallest and Lightest 10000Mah External Batteries, Ultra-Compact, High-Speed Charging Technology Power Bank for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and More (Black)

Arguably the best mid-size portable charger available on the market globally, the Anker Powercore is small and lightweight making it ideal for use on the go without compromising on other important features.

The charger may be small in size but it is big in power, which is why it’s our top pick. It can provide almost three and a half iPhone 8 charges or two and a half Galaxy S8 charges.

The device is compatible with most USB charged devices and it uses high-speed technology to deliver fast charging. The MultiProtect Safety ensures surge protection and short circuit prevention to keep you and your devices safe.

The Anker Powercore 10000 is high quality, small and powerful. The set comes with a micro USB cable, a travel pouch, a welcome guide and an 18-month warranty.


What We Like:

  • Compact size
  • Powerful and high-speed
  • 18-month warranty

What We Don’t Like:

  • Not compatible with iPod Nano, iPod Classic or devices with an input below 50mA

2. Cygnett 20,000 mAh ChargeUp Pro USB-C Power Bank





This power bank supports charging USB-C laptops, smartphones, tablets and gaming devices so if you have multiple types of devices to charge, this is an advanced option.

The Qualcomm technology works to charge 75% faster than a standard 5W USB output. The total output of the Cygnett 20,000mAh power banks is 63W with a 45W USB-C port.

With a 20,000mAh capacity, you can charge a laptop, charge a tablet twice or charge a smartphone up to 10 times. This unit also features safety surge protection.


What We Like:

  • Compatible for charging laptops  
  • Fast charge
  • Convenient and easy to use

What We Don’t Like:

  • Quite large in size 

3. ROMOSS 20000mAh Power Bank Sense 6S Portable Charger (Best Value)


ROMOSS 10000mAh Portable Charger Type-C with LED Display, 3 Inputs and 2 Outputs External Battery Packs, Ultra Compact Power Bank Compatible for iPhone Xs Max, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, Samsung S8 and More


This super-compact portable charger has a large digital LED that displays battery percentage and allows you to charge 3 devices simultaneously. The ROMOSS 20000mAh are the best power banks when you have multiple devices to charge.

The power bank can be comfortably held in your hand or fits in a bag or purse. It has three input options; lightning cable, micro-USB and USB type- C. It also offers 3 USB ports for charging 3 devices at one time.

20,000mAh gives enough power to charge an iPhone XR 5 times, an iPhone 8 8 times, a Samsung Galaxy S10 4 times and a Nintendo Switch twice. The bank comes with a user manual and a 12-month warranty.


What We Like:

  • Great value for money
  • LED display 
  • 3 inputs and 3 outputs
  • Large capacity

What We Don’t Like:

  • Charging cable is not included

4. Anker PowerCore 20100 4.8A Ultra High Capacity Power Bank


The Anker PowerCore 20100 is a lightweight and portable power option that is built to be durable. It has a matte finish that looks great and prevents fingerprints and smudges.

This is one of the best portable chargers as it is light but still offers ultra-high charging capacity.

It takes 10 hours to recharge this bank and it can charge an iPhone 7 over 6 times, a Galaxy S6 five times and an iPad mini 4 twice. It uses PowerIQ and VoltageBoost to deliver high-speed charging.

This device also has multiple safety features including surge protection, short-circuit protection and high-quality battery cells. This Anker powerbank comes with an 18-month warranty.


What We Like:

  • Long-lasting and reliable 
  • High performance 
  • Includes important safety features

What We Don’t Like:

  • Not ideal for quick charges

5. Cygnett 10,000mAh Portable Power Bank


This portable power bank can be used with a wide range of USB powered devices. It conveniently comes pre-charged and is ready to use straight out of the packaging.

There is a digital display that indicates the battery capacity and when it is time to recharge the device. When the charger is not in use it will automatically turn off to preserve power.

This slimline design can be taken anywhere and uses a 10,000mAh lithium-polymer battery and SmartChip Technology for faster charging.

This portable charger also has several safety features including protection against over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature and short circuit.


What We Like:

  • Digital display
  • Pre-charged and ready to use
  • Automatically turns off to preserve power

What We Don’t Like:

  • Does not come with a travel pouch

6. iMuto 20000mAh Portable Charger Compact Power Bank

iMuto 20000mAh Portable Charger Compact Power Bank External Battery Pack LED Digital Display Smart Charge for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/X XR 8 7 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy S10, S9, Note10, Tablets More

The iMuto 20000mAh offers high compatibility and high capacity in a compact, portable package. It has a useful display that shows the percentage of battery power remaining.

You are able to charge two devices at once and the USB ports are able to detect your device to deliver the fastest charge. The power bank also comes with a small LED light that can be very useful during a blackout.

The charger uses lithium ion batteries and has smart protecting technology to stop over-charging, over-current, over-voltage or short circuits.

Included in the set are a micro USB cable, a waterproof travel pouch, a user guide and an 18-month warranty.


What We Like:

  • Fits into a pocket
  • Includes an LED flashlight
  • Fast charging 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Heavier than it looks (408g)

7. Cygnett 2,500mAh ChargeUp Pocket Lightning


The Cygnett ChargeUp Pocket Lightning provides 2,500mAh in a slimline, ultra-light design.

It can fit into your pocket, bag or purse so it is easy to carry this charger with you.

There are two ports, an integrated micro USB cable with a lightning converter and an LED battery indicator. The portable charger has been pre-charged so it is ready to use.

This model uses Lithium Polymer battery technology so it can hold more charge and provide higher output. The charger can be used with any device that uses USB charging giving it a wide range of compatibility.


What We Like:

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Integrated micro-USB cable
  • Battery light indicator 

What We Don’t Like:

  • The lightning converter is not attached so can be easily lost

8. Mophie Powerstation Plus External Battery with Built in Cables


The Mophie Powerstation is a convenient universal battery with a built-in switch-tip charging cable.

It is a great option for charging on the go and is ideal if you often forget to pack a charging cable.

The compact, slim design makes this portable battery easier and more comfortable to carry.

The aluminium finish looks smart and gives the device a premium feel. The power button displays the charging status and current battery capacity.

This powerstation offers a 2.1amp output for charging phones and tablets. It also allows you to charge two devices at the same time. The battery has been triple-tested to ensure safe operation and peak performance.


What We Like:

  • Sleek design
  • Built-in charging cable
  • Can charge two devices simultaneously

What We Don’t Like:

  • Problematic if the cable breaks

9. Xiaomi Zmi No.10 Pro 65W 20000mah USB PD Power Bank


This offers a high speed, high-power option that is able to charge the new Macbook/ Macbook Pro (Thunderbolt 3 ports), laptops with USB-C charging bots, smartphones, the GoPro Hero 5/6/Fusion and the Nintendo Switch. The versatility of this charger is impressive.

The design is sleek and easily portable. The aluminium shell has rounded corners that help prevent scratching or damaging your devices when they are being stored together.

This device is not only a power pack it is also a USB 2.0 hub for laptops that need extra USB ports.

The Xiaomi Zmi recognizes and optimally charges the plugged-in device. These power banks comply with airline regulations meaning they can be used safely on planes.

The pack comes with a USB Type-C to C cable, USB-C to USB-A cable and a user guide.


What We Like:

  • Versatile
  • Sleek
  • Optimally charges devices 

What We Don’t Like:

  • The user guide is in Chinese only

Power Bank and Portable Charger Buyer’s Guide


A smartphones battery life is known for running low faster than we’d like but fortunately, power banks are a convenient, portable solution to this problem. Use this buyer’s guide to find the best portable chargers available.

Power Options

  • Small – Small power banks will be between 2500 – 3000mAh. They usually have one USB port and provide enough power to fully charge a smartphone. These smaller options are cheaper and more compact in size so they are ideal for portability and providing extra battery capacity in emergency situations.
  • Medium – Medium-sized banks will be between 3500-10000mAh. They usually provide enough power to charge a smartphone twice or charge a big battery phone once. They are a great option if you are looking for a solution to use regularly or if you’re heading on a weekend trip and you want to keep your phone charged. These are more expensive than smaller options.
  • Large – Large options will be 10,000mAh – 40,000mAh. They can provide enough power to give multiple charges for multiple devices. They are heavier and more expensive but they provide a lot of power that should get you through several days without using wall sockets. These larger options are less portable but are ideal for charging lots of devices.

If you find that a regular power bank doesn’t meet your needs for energy, you might want to consider a portable power station. These are larger units that can handle a lot more charge, making them ideal for longer trips or powering more demanding devices.

They’re not as easy to carry around as the smaller power banks due to their size and weight, but if you need to keep larger devices like laptops or cameras charged, or if you need power in remote locations, they’re a good option to look into. Just remember, the increased power comes with increased size, so they’re better suited for situations where portability isn’t your top priority.

Ports

If you want to charge more than one device at a time look for a charging option that has two or more output ports.

The number of charging ports and the type of charging ports is important to note. If your phone or device charges using a USB-C cable then look for a power bank that has a direct USB-C port for more efficient charging.

Cables

Some USB power banks come with a cable included, and some actually have built-in cables. Built-in cables are great in theory because it means you won’t forget the cable but actually it’s better to have ones you can remove.

Cables you can remove gives you the freedom to change them and switch between cable type as needed. It is also better as you can’t easily change the built-in cable if it becomes damaged or stops working.

Size & Shape

The charging capabilities and the max output often comes hand in hand with the size of the charging brick. The more power the power bank offers the bigger and bulkier it is going to be.

Depending on your needs, it might be best to find a middle ground between portability and power delivery.

Battery packs usually come as either a rectangular brick shape or a cylindrical pen shape. The pen shape is more portable and easy to carry around but also usually offers less charge and is less stable.

Block chargers are far more common and tend to offer the highest capacity.

LED lights

Some banks have charging-status lights that show how much battery power is left. This is a very useful feature and will help you know when you need to recharge the bank.

Smartphone Capacity

If you are looking for a power bank for your smartphone, take a look online to find out the battery of your smartphone.

Once you know the capacity and charging requirements of your phone you can calculate how effective the power bank you are looking at will be. You should also make sure your phone model accepts the amps of the bank.

Most power banks offer 1 amp/ 5 watts or 2.4 amp/ 12 watts but there are some phones that only accept 2.1 amps or higher so be aware of this.

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Safety Features

An important factor is safety features including over-current protection, over-voltage protection and overcharge protection.

The battery pack should have undergone testing to ensure it’s safe to use. The product needs to be durable, high-quality and safe to use.

Additional Options

Solar power – if you are looking for a more eco-friendly option or you will be away from a wall outlet for a while, a solar-powered bank could offer a suitable solution.



Power Bank FAQs


How many charges do you get from a 10,000mah and 20,000mah power bank?

As a rough guideline, a good 10,000mAh power bank will charge an iPhone 8 about four times and a 20,000mAh will charge an iPhone 8 about seven times.




This article was written by Cara Holmes

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