Portable chargers, also known as power banks, are essential to almost all people of today. They can store the right amount of milliamp-hours (mAh) for when your devices suddenly run out of power in an unexpected place. However, picking the best power banks for your needs is not easy — not with compatibility, charging speed, and capacity to consider.
There are specific power banks for iPhones. Some battery packs can double as an Apple Watch charger. There are those who can even support Qi charging. And would you believe that there are power banks that charge solar light? The list just goes on.
Out of the pool of battery packs for different uses, you may ask how we can pick the best power banks fit for our phones and devices. In this article, we have listed down only the best portable power banks out there to narrow down the choices for you. We have also discussed the commonly asked questions about this type of product to help you through your buying decision.
Also read: Best Wireless Chargers
Best Power Banks in 2022
- Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank
- ROMOSS Sense 8P+
- MAXOAK 50,000mAh Power Bank
- AUKEY Power Bank 20,000mAh
- Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
- Anker PowerCore II Ultra Slim 10000 Power Bank
- Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand
- Belkin Pocket Power
- iMuto 20,000mAh Power Bank
- RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh
- Mophie Powerstation Plus XL
- Omni Ultimate
- HOCO J82
- RAVPower 30,000mAh AC Power Bank
- iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger
- Baseus PPBD20K 20000mAh
- JIGA 30000mAh Portable Charger
- Mi Power Bank Pro
- Veho Pebble Explorer
- Blavor Solar Power Bank
This is one of Anker’s best-selling power banks for both iPhone and Android phones. Compared to other power banks, this model is more extensive and heavier because of its high power capacity of 20,000 mAh.
It has dual USB charge ports where the charging cables can be connected and can charge two devices at once. It also comes with a USB slot for charging up, taking up to 10 hours to charge at full capacity. Android phones and iPhones can charge up to 50% in about 40 to 50 minutes.
Moreover, Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank has a sleek design, making it portable. It also has reliable performance and stable build quality.
A list of the best power banks is not complete without Romoss, a brand known for its battery and charging solutions. Out of its many charging packs for mobile phones, Romoss Sense 8P+ is one of the most dependable. Its large-capacity 30,000 mAh battery is estimated to give nine full charges to iPhone 13.
Sense 8P+ has two USB-A output ports. The Double Lightning port is capable of a maximum 10.5W output. That said, it can also provide low power output and is safe for other types of devices like a smartwatch and earbuds.
The other USB-A port, on the other hand, has Romoss’s Fit-Charge technology, a quick charging chip that can deliver 17.1W output. Using this port can fully charge your device four times faster than conventional chargers.
For the power input, Sense 8P+ has a type-C, micro USB, and a lighting port. The type-C port, however, doubles as an output port and also has the Fit-charge technology. It will take 11 hours to completely top up this power bank using an 18W wall charger.
If you need a more dependable power bank for all your devices, the MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank is the answer you are looking for. This is one of the best capacity power banks, with a high power capacity of 50,000mAh.
It has six output ports and can charge mobile phones, tablets, and yes, including laptops. The best thing is that you can charge several devices on this battery pack simultaneously, so you can save time. Additionally, this portable charger recharges quickly with the use of the home charger included in the package. It will only take six to eight hours to recharge it completely.
Moreover, this power bank is sturdy and very reliable. It’s the perfect portable charger for those who love to travel. There’s no need for a stable source of power because of its superb power capacity.
AUKEY PB-N93 is a small and slim power bank that has a high battery capacity of 20,000mAh. It utilizes a wide range of advanced charging technologies to meet all the device-charging needs.
This power bank uses quick charge and can charge up to three devices simultaneously with up to 90% efficiency. There are three ways of charging with this power bank. It has a USB-C port that serves as an output. Also, there are two USB-A ports wherein one serves as a fast-charging port. The other one is for standard charging.
Additionally, there are four white LED power capacity indicators at the top of this portable battery charger. These LED lights show how much battery remains in the power bank and when it’s at full capacity. It takes roughly 6.8 hours to fully recharge AUKEY PB-N93 if you are using an 18W PD charger. However, recharging this portable power bank using the regular 5W charging will take a dreadful 20 hours.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is arguably the best power bank for iPhones. With this wireless compact charging pack, you can give your iPhone a little power boost in, literally, a snap. All you have to do is to attach the device to the back of your iPhone and it should start charging without the need for a lightning cable.
But the catch is it is compatible with select iPhones only, specifically the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series. According to its page, Apple MagSafe Battery Pack can give iPhone 13 Minis a 70% power boost, 60% for iPhone 12, 13, and their Pro version, and 40% for the Pro Max.
When recharging the pack, Apple recommends using a 20W or higher USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C to Lightning Cable. You can still use it while recharging, doubling as a charging pad for your iPhone.
This power bank gets the perfect spot for a must-have power bank because of its size and ability. It’s a small and light all-around portable battery charger, able to charge up to three smartphones with its 10,000mAh battery capacity and fast charging. It can intelligently identify the device to deliver the fastest possible charging experience.
Additionally, this portable battery charger has four LED power capacity indicators. These LED lights blink when charging is ongoing and once charged, the lights turn off. It will only take four hours to fully charge this portable battery charger. This is the best power bank for people on the go.
Belkin markets this power bank for gamers, but we think people who love streaming movies would love this more. Imagine you are towards the climax of the movie you are watching and your phone suddenly reminds you it’s time to recharge. With this Belkin power bank, you won’t have to click on pause — thanks to its built-in stand that can hold your phone in landscape or portrait position.
The Belkin Gaming Power Bank has two ports on its side: USB-C and USB-A. The USB-A is where the power cord of your phone goes, while the USB-C is intended for other devices and for charging the battery pack itself.
You can get this battery pack in either 5,000 or 10,000 mAh. Since you’ll likely use this for emergency top-ups, we recommend getting the cheaper version instead.
The Belkin Pocket Power is an ultra-slim portable power bank that you would love to keep. It is something that you can easily fit in your, well, pocket and pull out when your phone’s battery needs a quick top-up. But because of its size, its capacity is understandably low at 5, 000 mAh. You can’t use this for off-road adventures; it’s a good companion for everyday use.
Despite its size and capacity, the technology involved in Belkin Pocket Power is far from being inferior. It has a temperature rise regulation module for preventing overheating and energy loss. When the sensors detect excess heat or voltage fluctuations, the battery will automatically shut down for safety. The Belkin Pocket Power is also MFI certified, so it will work well with Apple devices.
This compact power bank can cater to the whole family’s devices with its battery capacity of 20,000mAh. It is quite long but thin. However, it is reliable for people who are looking for a high-capacity and fast-charging power bank. It has a quick charge port and a normal USB port. They are very useful for both quick-charge device users and normal device users.
Charging this 20,000mAh power bank is faster compared to other power banks on the market. Since it is using a quick-charge tech, recharging will only take 6-7 hours. Also, there’s an LCD power capacity display where the power capacity in percentage is shown. This power bank uses basic safety features making the user and device safe while charging.
This compact portable charger has a battery capacity of 20,000mAh. It is an ideal choice for people with a bit more cash and who love the idea of charge banks for Macbooks and smartphones.
It has a sleek design but with a thin rubberized coating. However, it is a lightweight and portable battery pack. It has Type-C and iSmart USB ports that allow for fast and simultaneous charging. By pressing and holding down the power button, this power bank can be turned on or off.
Also, this portable battery charger has five LED lights that show the remaining battery. It recharges in just four hours which is faster compared to other portable battery chargers. Also, it provides advanced protection from overcharge, short circuits, and current surges. It also has air vents for heat dissipation.
This aluminum top plated power bank is the best for the iPhone, but you can also use this on micro-USB Android phones. Its 10,000mAh battery can recharge four smartphones and a tablet, and it has a pass-through charging feature. It charges a device first than itself while recharging from the USB wall charger and a supplied 9″ micro-USB cable.
Moreover, the Mophie Powerstation Plus XL is equipped with adaptive charging technology, which means it can identify the fastest charging speed for various devices and delivers up to 2.1A of power. Meanwhile, its built-in switch tip cable charges a variety of Apple and micro USB devices.
Also, it has power indicators that show how much power is left and when it is fully charged. The added smart charging circuitry on this power bank communicates with the device. It provides short-circuit, overcharging, and temperature protections.
Omni Ultimate is a sturdy and well-designed power bank that has a high battery capacity of 38, 400 mAh. It contains a USB-C, a USB-A, an AC, a DC port — all of which can be for charging different gadgets and even drones. Moreover, the 150W DC Port is power-adjustable to provide users with the right voltage and amperage according to their needs. Additionally, there’s an OLED screen that gives information on the status of the battery, temperature, and input/output power.
In terms of recharge capacity, Omni Ultimate has a pass-through charging feature that allows charging devices while the battery pack itself is being charged. You can recharge this power bank at 90W from the barrel port in under 3 hours. Alternatively, you can use the USB-C port as a 60W recharging port.
HOCO J82
HOCO J82 is a lightweight cell phone-like portable power bank that is ideal for on-the-go users. It can’t be considered a high-capacity power bank, but it’s enough as an emergency power source for your smartphone when you are out and about.
It has two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, which make it possible to charge multiple devices simultaneously. All of them have the same output capacity of 5V/2A. HOCO J82 also has a 5V/2A charging capacity and will take 7-8 hours to recharge. Additionally, it has four blue LED lights that indicate the estimated percentage of the remaining battery.
This solidly built 30,000mAh universal power bank can power up to three devices simultaneously. It comes with two USB iSmart ports for charging smartphones and other compatible devices. For more power-demanding electronics, like a Macbook, this RAVPower charging pack has an AC outlet that can supply energy as high as 100W. It has a button beside the outlet which you can activate when using AC output.
On the other hand, the USB iSmart ports automatically sense and adjust the charging current, allowing charging of smartphones and other devices twice as fast as the usual charging ports.
It will take three hours to charge this portable battery pack fully using the 45 PD input. The eight blue indicator lights display the power level. Moreover, it has built-in air vents. They keep the power bank’s temperature to the average level despite extended use. Also, it is TSA-approved and flight-safe, which means it can be carried in flights to charge devices.
If you constantly need to charge your Apple Watch when you are out and about, then the iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger is the one you should get. With this device, you are getting a portable power bank not just for your watch, but for iPhone as well.
This cylinder-type power bank comes with a magnetic charger module for Apple Watch Series 2 to 6. It also comes with a lighting cable for charging iPhones, which you can use simultaneously with the Apple Watch charger. Because this iWALK battery pack has a 9,000 mAh capacity, there will be more than enough power for charging the two devices at the same time.
The iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger uses a dual USB C & Lightning input and takes roughly four hours to fully recharge. It also supports pass-through charging, acting as a charging pad for Apple Watch.
This power bank with a “handle-friendly” design has a high power capacity of 20,000mAh. It has three USB charge ports that make charging three devices simultaneously possible at full speed. Its USB-C output also doubles as an input in addition to the micro USB.
Baseus PPBD20K is heavily advertised as the best power bank for iPhones with fast-charging capacity. With its 20W fast charging, Baseus claims that this product will get the iPhone 12 fully charged in about an hour.
The highlight of this power bank is the digital display, which shows the remaining power in the battery pack in plain numbers so you no longer have to guess when to recharge. Furthermore, it has a fast-charging input capacity on the USB-C port for quick recharging. It also has a built-in safety protection feature that prevents devices from overcharging, overcurrent, and short circuits. And if you wonder, Baseus PPBD20K is safe for planes.
JIGA’s 30, 000 mAh Portable Charger suits a wide range of charging needs with its high power capacity. To give you an idea, it can provide 9 full charges to iPhone X.
It has three output ports that can provide simultaneous high-speed charging on compatible devices. Thanks to its Exclusive Smart IC, it can provide stable performance at the optimum speed when charging multiple devices together.
When it comes to recharging, the JIGA 30, 000 mAh Portable Charger employs a tri-input design using USB C, lightning, or micro USB port. Although you can not use them altogether when recharging, you can use any cord depending on what is available.
In addition to high-power capacity and charging, the built-in LED flashlight is the real quirk of JIGA. If you love camping, or often experience blackouts, this power bank with a flashlight will help you maintain your view in the dark.
The Mi Power Bank Pro is a favorite pick among Xiaomi’s power banks because of its sleek and smart design. With a battery capacity of 10,000mAh, it intelligently detects and charges a device at maximum speed. There are two ports on the front of the power bank. One USB port is for charging the phone or tablet. The other port, the USB-C port, is for charging the power bank itself.
Additionally, this power bank has four white LED buttons. Each button represents approximately 25% of the battery level. Usually, it takes six hours for a power bank of this capacity to fully recharge. With USB-C, it just takes over three-and-a-half hours to fully recharge.
This is an ideal power bank on the go, thus the name. Veho Pebble Explorer has an ample power capacity that stores 8,400mAh when fully charged. With this number, you can fill up two smartphones at their full capacity.
It has dual USB outputs for charging two devices simultaneously. Moreover, the fast 2.1A charging output is ideal for charging tablets, smartphones, Sat Nav’s, GPS trackers, and other portable USB devices fast and efficiently.
The Veho Pebble Explorer still got a micro USB input. Although it’s not the latest technology, it’s not much of a big deal since many charging packs still use this type of port.
Additionally, it has an LED power indicator that gives the exact percentage of the battery. It has an auto shut-off mode against short circuits, over-current, over-charging, and over-discharging. When charging the power bank, the LED power indicator can be the basis of whether it’s fully charged or not.
Blavor is a sustainable power bank, well almost. Even the manufacturer admits that you can’t solely rely on its solar power capacity to get its battery completely topped up. The idea is not impossible, but to get the 10,000 mAh battery filled up you need roughly 55 hours of direct, high-intensity light.
What is enticing about Kilponen Solar Power Bank is the numerous ways that it provides you to charge your phone. Aside from the USB output, it also has a wireless charging ability for both iOS and Android ecosystems. Its wireless charger is well compatible with iPhone 13 and 13 Pro as advertised, while it is expected to work with all qi-enabled galaxy phones.
Aside from a power bank, Kilponen Solar Power Bank also has survival tools like a flashlight and compass, which you may find useful in outdoor adventures.
Why Do You Need a Power Bank?
When it comes to adding extra power to your devices and gadgets, power banks are sure to come in handy at all times. They will be useful and convenient at times of emergency, and they ensure that your device won’t get drained at the most unfit times.
Portable power banks are sure to give an exceptional performance at affordable prices. Each offers promising features such as fast charging and dual USB ports. What’s more, is they’re usually compatible with almost all types of devices and come in a variety of sizes. Power banks give peace of mind to people on the go. You need not worry about the occurrence of drained batteries on your devices.
Things to Consider When Buying Power Banks
Power Bank Compatibility
You may not know this, but there are many power banks for different devices.
- Phone/tablet power banks – As the most common type of power bank, the phone/tablet power bank is small and portable. It can fit right in your pocket and are roughly the same size as your phone.
- Laptop power banks – These are a bit heftier but have immense power. As its name suggests, these can charge your laptops on the go.
- Solar-powered chargers – These types of power banks use solar energy to power your devices. There are solar-powered chargers available for phones, laptops, and other devices as well.
- Phone case power banks – Some phone cases come with a built-in power bank. They might add a bit more weight to your phone, but you will never forget to bring them.
Capacity
You can determine a power bank’s capacity by its milliamperes per hour (mAh). There should be an indication of mAh on the power bank itself. This determines how long and how many times your power bank can charge. But you shouldn’t take the label at face value, as this measurement isn’t always accurate. It’s safer to assume that it will charge less than it says. On average, 2000 mAh can give you a 50% charge, while 10,000 mAh one should give you at least two full charges.
Size and Durability
You’re most likely going to use a power bank in emergency situations when your phone battery is out of juice. You don’t want to get lost outside with a dying phone, right? With that in mind, you should consider a durable, right-sized power bank. Find a power bank in the size that fits your daily carry-on so you won’t forget it. It’s also better to invest in a power bank that is long-lasting.
Battery Lifespan
Power banks are typically made of Lithium-ion or Lithium-polymer. Lithium-ion is the most common type of cell found in power banks. On average, these power banks can last for about three years, give or take. Make note of the voltage of the power bank as well. The voltage must not be more than the voltage of your device.
Which Power Bank Brand Is Best?
Anker, Aukey, Belkin, and Romoss are some of the best power bank brands that we consider. They have a wide selection of battery packs for every need coupled with safety features such as automatic heat and overcharge detection. However, we won’t discount the quality that other power bank brands can provide. The best power bank should holistically integrate capacity, charging speed, safety, and design within a product.
What Capacity Do You Need?
Picking the capacity for a power bank will be dependent on what types of devices you plan to use it with, for how many devices, for what activities, and more. Ideally, a 5,000 – 10,000 mAh battery pack is good as an everyday power bank that can charge one or two devices. If you have more devices to power up during the entire day, a 20,000 mAh portable power bank is ideal.
However, you might need a more high-capacity battery pack for off-road adventures and long trips. A 30,000 to as high as 50,000 mAh is a good investment. Some battery packs of this capacity even have AC output for topping up laptops and lights.
Which Power Bank Is Better: 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh?
It’s easy to pick a 20,000 mAh or higher capacity power bank over a 10,000mAh or lower. By default, a power bank with a higher mAh capacity is better because it can charge more devices.
However, your pick should still be relative to your needs. If you need a battery pack for a single device that can suffice for a day, a 10,000 mAh or even lower is a good choice. As opposed to power banks with high mAh, they are lightweight and easy to carry around during the day. You should pick a 20,000 mAh or higher portable charger bank only if you are staying somewhere with no power source for more than one day.
How Long Will 20,000mAh Last?
The easiest way to know how long a 20,000 mAh can last, or any power bank capacity for that matter, is to divide it by the mAh of the device you are charging. To give you a more concrete example, an iPhone 13 whose mAh is more than 3200 can top-up roughly six times using a 20,000mAh pack. However, this doesn’t consider other factors that can affect the charging capacity like energy losses because of overheating or overcharging. In reality, this number may be lower.
What Is the Lifespan of a Power Bank?
The average lifespan of power banks is 3-4 years, depending on how well you handle them. The life cycle of Lithium-Ion, which is the most common rechargeable cell type found in power banks, decreases every time you charge and discharge it from zero to 100% and vice versa. On paper, good Li-ion batteries have at least 1000 charge-discharge cycles. So if you charge from zero to 100% every day, your power bank’s life span will be lower than average.
To extend the lifespan of your power bank, avoid draining its capacity and charging it to full 100%. Ideally, you would like to keep it above 20% and stop recharging at 80-90% capacity.
Bottom Line
Take proper care and maintenance of your power bank for it to function well. As a rule of thumb, take care to store your power banks somewhere it won’t overheat. Note that using your phone while charging will cause the power bank and your phone to overheat. Avoid dropping your power bank as that may damage the batteries.
