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For something that does exactly one task — charging your device while you’re on-the-go — a portable charger has a lot of specs. There’s how much power your power bank can hold, how fast it charges your device, and the number of ports. Usually a high-capacity power bank will let you charge your device several times, but they’re often bigger and cost more (though that’s not always the case). An ultra-compact charger, on the other hand, may fit into a pocket, but in exchange you may get fewer ports. And wireless charging is convenient, but it’s also less efficient than using the ports.
A lot of this comes down to preference, but one thing that’s certain about choosing a portable charger is that you want to know where it comes from, so you don’t fry your phone. You can find tons of battery packs from unknown brands on Amazon, but I’d recommend going for a brand with a years-long reputation for building reliable products that last. (This is a category in which it matters.) Anker’s one of the best known brands in the space, but companies like Belkin, Jackery, Goal Zero, BioLite, and Nitecore also make good chargers, and others like Moft that specialize in accessories like cases make portable chargers as well.
To find the best portable chargers, I tested several power banks while going about my days, and also considered other models I’ve used.
Update on October 4, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Capacity
Many power banks have a capacity of at least 5,000 milliamp hours (mAh). That’s more than enough to charge an iPhone 16 Pro Max (which has a capacity of 4,685 mAh) one time. If you want one that’ll charge your phone more than once, a portable charger with 10,000 mAh is a better choice. Some power banks can even recharge a laptop, though you’ll have to double check your laptop’s battery capacity (an M1 MacBook Pro has roughly 5,152 mAh) as well as its wattage requirements (see below) to make sure it can give you a full recharge.
Charging speed
Charging speed is determined not only by the charger output, but also by the charging rate the device (and charging cable) can accept. For a phone, a power bank that delivers 18W or more is considered fast-charging, meaning you can get your smart phone from 0 to 50 percent in about half an hour (though this may not be true in very hot or very cold environments). Some faster-charging power banks may cost more, so consider how urgent your charging needs typically are, and if the speed is worth the extra cash. Laptops require 60 to 80W for charging, so be sure to look out for chargers with faster speeds if your laptop frequently needs recharging.
I also considered the method by which you actually charge the power bank; almost every one I recommend can be charged using a USB-C cable, but most will require you to carry a power brick with you to recharge it. Some chargers, however, have built-in A/C plugs so you can plug it directly into the wall like a regular charging brick and refuel while your phone is charging — and usually at a higher speed to boot.
Charging output
Portable chargers typically furnish at least one USB-C port to connect to whatever they’re charging. Some models may also include a USB-A port in case you’re using an older cable. There are also power banks with Qi charging, a wireless technology that lets you place your phone, earbuds case, or anything else that’s Qi-compatible on the charger for recharging. Apple’s MagSafe technology is a version of Qi 2 charging with additional magnets to improve the connection between the device and accessory. All iPhones from the 12 series forward are MagSafe- and Qi-compatible, and most flagship Android smartphones from companies like Samsung and Google work with Qi 2, too. That said, MagSafe can’t charge Qi 2-compatible devices as quickly as it can charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones.
Best portable charger overall
Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 30W (unplugged), 65W (plugged into wall) | Charging output: USB-C (2), USB-A (1)
Anker’s 733 power bank is the best overall because not only does it have enough capacity to recharge a phone twice, but it also has the highest charging speed and greatest number of ports of the models on this list other than the BioLite Charge 100 Max, which is significantly larger and heavier.
This charger is the only one on the list to have a built-in A/C plug, so you won’t need to carry a power brick with you. It replaced my yearslong go-to charger, the Anker 533, because it help me cut down on the space my gear takes up in my bag. With the two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, you can charge up to three devices at once, all from one outlet (or without an outlet).
With a capacity of 10,000 mAh, this battery holds enough power to charge most smartphones multiple times. Even if you run your entire life from your phone, this will give you plenty of juice to get through the day. It can charge devices at a speed of up to 30W when used as a power bank, and 65W when it’s plugged into the wall (which is how you would need to use it to charge a laptop).
Compared to the Anker 533, this power bank is quite a bit heavier, weighing 11.29 ounces (the 533 weighs 8.5 ounces), which may matter if you’re trying to minimize how much you’re carrying.
Best (less expensive) portable charger
Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 18W | Charging output: USB-C (1), USB-A (1), Qi
The Anker 533 served as my go-to travel charger for nearly three years. This power bank has a slim profile (its 2.7-inch thickness makes it easy to slip into smaller pockets), high capacity, and wireless charging capabilities that all give it an edge over similarly-priced chargers. It has the same capacity as the 733, slower charging speed (though the difference won’t be noticeable if you’re charging your phone), and one fewer USB-C port, but it still has a USB-A port. The 533’s charging speed maxes out at 18W, which isn’t enough to charge a laptop.
In addition to its USB ports, this charger has Qi wireless charging, which the 733 does not offer. It won’t charge as quickly as if you plugged the device into one of the ports, but it does mean that you can still give your device some power when you forget your cable at home. Unlike the Moft and Anker MagGo, though, this wireless charger can’t latch onto your device while in use, making it harder to use your phone while it’s charging. On the other hand, if you need to charge the 533 overnight, you can plug the power bank into the wall outlet in and plop your phone on top to charge both at the same time. It has a stand to hold your phone up for media viewing, though it props the phone up at nearly a right angle, which makes it hard to view from above, and you can’t wirelessly charge your phone while it’s in the stand.
Best Qi 2 portable charger
Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 15W | Charging output: USB-C (1), MagSafe and Qi 2
While Anker’s 733 offers the best convenience for travel, I’d rather carry the company’s MagGo power bank for day-to-day charging. I’ve tested an older model, and liked it due to its support for Apple’s MagSafe technology, in which a ring of magnets allows for perfect alignment for wireless charging. The MagGo also has a built-in adjustable stand, a nice touch for those who like to watch a movie or two while traveling or commuting. Although it’s marketed towards iPhone users because of its MagSafe support, it’s still a Qi 2 charger, so it will charge an Android phone, it just won’t stick to the back the way it does with an iPhone.
The MagGo is about as thick as a deck of cards, but it has a much higher capacity than the slimmer Moft (and the same as both the 733 and 533). Given its size and ability to charge your phone without any cables, this charger works great for carrying day-to-day, but I’d still recommend the 733 for traveling since you’ll likely need to have a cable with you anyway.
Just as with the 533, you can charge the MagGo while wirelessly charging your iPhone, and this one is more bag-friendly since it’s over an inch-and-a-half shorter.
Best ultra-portable MagSafe Charger
Capacity: 3,400 mAh | Charging speed: 20W | Charging output: USB-C (1), MagSafe (iPhone only)
Whenever I take my fanny pack out for a long day of errands or activities, Moft’s MagSafe-friendly power bank always tags along. Although its capacity is significantly smaller than those of other chargers on this list, the Moft has the slimmest design: It’s roughly the same dimensions as a stack of eight credit cards, and its surface is a faux leather that feels nice to the touch — every other portable charger I’ve tested has had a plastic casing. The MagGo is about the same length and width, though about double the thickness, and has more than twice the battery capacity.
The Moft power bank is especially useful for iPhones, as it uses MagSafe as its primary method of charging. Since it’s lighter than the MagGo, it’s easier to use a phone while the Moft is attached. With a capacity of 3,400 mAh, it barely holds enough battery to charge an iPhone 16 Pro (which has a capacity of 3,582 mAh) from 0 to 100 percent, but as long as you’re only using this to top off your phone, that’s plenty. Do note, though, that because batteries deteriorate over time, this power bank’s smaller capacity may be a hindrance down the line.
If you need to charge another device, you can do so via the Moft’s single USB-C port, though that’s mostly there to charge the actual power bank. The MagGo is a better option if your phone frequently needs a charge, but if you like to travel light, I recommend the Moft.
Best portable charger for convenience
Capacity: 10,000 mAH | Charging speed: 18W | Charging input: USB-C | Charging output: USB-C (1), Lightning
Belkin’s BoostCharge Plus 10K is the only power bank I tested that had charging cables built into it, with both USB-C and Lightning cables that you can pull out from the sides of the device. That, plus its large capacity (enough to charge most phones multiple times) make it a great travel companion, even if you forget your cables at home.
The BoostCharge Plus 10k has the same capacity as the MagGo, Anker 533, and Anker 733, but it’s taller than the 733 by 1.2 inches. On the other hand, the 733 is significantly chunkier. There isn’t a USB-A port on this power bank, but forgoing an outdated port in exchange for a more convenient way to plug your phone in seems like a worthwhile tradeoff. If you prefer a wireless charger, this one doesn’t support it, and in that case I’d recommend getting the BoostCharge with MagSafe, which has the same capacity.
Best portable charger with a stand
Capacity: 10,000 mAH | Charging speed: 18W | Charging input: USB-C | Charging output: USB-C (1), USB-A
Though Anker’s 533 does have a stand, the angle it holds your phone at is not very useful. Beklin’s Power Bank 10k + Stand, on the other hand, has a drawer that slides out from the bottom of the speaker. The edge of the drawer has a lip that holds your phone in place, at an angle that you can look down at when it’s on the table, or view straight on if you want to watch a video on your nightstand. I’ve also enjoyed using it to hold my phone up while I play a game with a wireless controller.
If you like watching movies from your phone and don’t already have something to hold it up, this power bank provides a handy way to keep your phone charged while allowing you to watch from a comfortable position.
Best portable charger for laptops
Capacity: 25,000 mAH | Charging speed: 100W | Charging input: USB-C | Charging output: USB-C (3), USB-A (1), Qi 2
After accompanying me on a recent trip, BioLite’s Charge 100 Max cemented itself as my favorite travel charger when I need to work, thanks to its massive battery, multiple ports, and ability to charge a laptop without being connected to an outlet. I’m a fan of its outdoorsy look, which has a gray-and-orange color scheme that’s more fun to look at than the black design of most portable chargers.
The Charge 100 Max is 1.5 inches thick and about two inches wider and an inch longer than the Anker 533. Even with the added bulk, I managed to fit it into the front pocket of my carry-on backpack without any hassle (and it’s FAA carry-on compliant). It weighs a not-insubstantial 1.28 pounds, so I’d recommend another portable charger like the Anker 733 if you prefer to travel light.
With a capacity of 25,000 mAH, the Charge 100 Max can recharge a MacBook Pro twice or an iPhone 15 Pro Max six times. With its three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and Qi 2 charging pad, you can charge many devices at the same time. Not all the ports charge at the same speed, though; two of the USB-C ports have an output of 100W, while the third maxes out at 15W. The Charge 100 Max’s charging speeds are impressive, too: In exactly an hour, it brought my MacBook Pro from 44 percent up to 88 percent.
The side of the Charge 100 Max has a stack of LED lights that indicate the power bank’s battery level. You can tap a button to check its charge, but whenever you’ve got something plugged in to charge, the light will automatically illuminate so you can keep an eye on its power levels.
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