If you're on the go, the last thing you want to discover is that your phone, tablet, or laptop is out of juice at the worst possible moment. A great power bank, like our favorite, the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000, ensures your devices can make it through the day and then some. We've gathered our top picks below to help keep you charged.
TL;DR – These are the Best Power Banks:
- Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 - Best Overall
- Anker 523 PowerCore Slim - Best Budget Option
- Mophie PowerStation - Best Fast Charging
- Anker 737 PowerCore 24K - Best for Laptops
- Omni Ultimate+ 120v - Best AC Power
- Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K - Best Compact Option
- Anker 334 MagGo Battery - Best Magsafe
- Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank - Best for Nintendo Switch
- Anker 747 PowerCore 26K - Best for Steam Deck
Even the best phones and tablets benefit from a portable power bank, as gaming, streaming, and scrolling social media will quickly drain the battery. Many portable chargers support fast charging, while some also offer enough juice to keep up with more demanding devices, like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or even the best gaming laptops. So, if you're ready to leave battery concerns behind, check out our top picks for power banks – and click here to find them in the UK.
The Best Power Banks
1. Anker PowerCore Essential 20000
Best Power Bank
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000
The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 meets just about everyone's needs from a portable charger and then some. This power source packs a beefy 20,000mAh battery inside that can easily recharge most phones a few times over, and it can even recharge many tablets. Plus, the relatively compact design makes it easy to toss in your bag to ensure you're never without power again.
It’s not just about the number of times a device can be recharged, but also how fast it can recharge them. The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 supports 20W PD fast charging out of its USB-C port, and it can hit 18W charging speeds out of its USB-A port with PowerIQ 2.0. This means that you can also charge two devices at one time. And, even your low-power electronics like wireless headphones and speakers are safe to plug in and charge up. This not only the best of the Anker power bank line, it's the best overall portable charger we recommend.
2. Anker 523 PowerCore Slim
Best Budget Power Bank
Anker 523 PowerCore Slim
Anker has been known for making some of the best portable chargers on the market for years, and that includes their budget-friendly options too. Their 523 PowerCore Slim comes in just under $30, but it packs all the juice you need for your smartphone or tablet with a 10,000mAh battery. You should be able to get a full charge or two on your phone with it. And, if you’re worried about the portable charger running low on power, you can quickly check how much is left by pressing the LED button on the chassis.
With the Anker 523 PowerCore Slim, you get 20W charging speeds with a USB-C PD connection, so your devices can enjoy a speedy fillup. Using that same connection, you're even able to charge the power bank to full in just four and half hours. There is also a 12W USB port to charge another device at the same time. And, thanks to its compact design, you should have an easy time finding room for it in your backpack or purse.
3. Mophie PowerStation
Best Power Bank with Quickcharge
Mophie PowerStation
When you’re short on time and are looking for the quickest possible charge out of a power bank, you can’t go wrong with the Mophie PowerStation. This battery ekes out 20W of fast-charging power through a USB-C PD output, delivering about a 50 percent charge to your phone in under 30 minutes. And if you choose to use the two USB-A ports to juice up headphones and other devices simultaneously with your phone, you’ll get a 15W combined output.
The Mophie Powerstation features a 10,000mAh battery, so there’s about two full phone charges worth of juice in it. And when the battery itself needs charging, you’ll know thanks to handy integrated LEDs. The power bank also remains relatively compact and lightweight, so you can just toss it in your bag, while the $50 price tag is easy to digest.
4. Anker 737 PowerCore 24K
Best Portable Laptop Charger
Anker 737 PowerCore 24K
A laptop isn’t easy to keep topped up with any old battery bank, heck, most don’t even have enough juice or output power to handle it. However, the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K is up to the challenge. This battery bank not only has 24,000mAh of energy stored inside, but it can output at a max of 140W to keep many an Ultrabook or Macbook juiced up even while they’re running. On top of that, it has the extra capacity to feed power to two additional devices, one over its USB-A port at an 18W max, while the additional USB-C port shares 122W of powerful charging with the laptop plugged into the other USB-C.
You’d think the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K’s massive battery means it needs some serious time to recharge, but it manages to do it under an hour. And, if you're worried about all this power causing the portable charger to overheat, there is included technology that monitors the temperature, ensuring things stay safe. To round out this highly-capable battery bank is a handy digital display showing valuable info, including the total input and output power, the estimated time to recharge, and the battery health.
5. Omni Ultimate+ 120v
Best Power Bank With AC Power
Omni Ultimate+ 120v
If you need a serious portable charger to juice up your laptop or other power-hungry devices, you can’t go wrong with the Omni Ultimate+ 120v. Anything plugged into this portable battery's AC port can feed on up to 120W of power, which is more than enough to recharge the MacBook Pro or even some gaming laptops. It far outpaces any of the other AC plug-equipped batteries we've seen that usually top out at an 80W max. Beyond the AC port, there's also an adjustable DC port that outputs 100W for another laptop, a USB-C port for 60W power delivery, and even a few more charging options. Most of your devices, including cameras and drones, can be charged using this power bank.
The Omni Ultimate+ 120v comes with 38,400mAh on hand, so it will get you through a full day without ever having to touch a wall plug. It even has a removable battery, so when one is depleted, you can replace it. Plus, pass-through charging allows you to top up your devices and the power bank at the same time. And amazingly, Omni manages to keep all this power in a rugged, relatively compact design, so it's a perfect travel companion whether you're taking it on a plane or toting it along on a camping trip.
6. Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
Best Compact Power Bank
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
Power banks are relatively clunky, especially when you consider you’ll need to tote a block around with you if you want to recharge the battery itself. However, the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K includes a foldable plug to juice up your device and battery anywhere you find a wall outlet. And it does that while maintaining a tiny, lightweight form factor, so you can easily slide the power bank into your bag or pocket.
Of course, you bought the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K to charge up your devices on the go, and it offers a somewhat modest 5,000 mAh battery—enough to fill up your smartphone about one time. Charging is done via a USB-C port for ample compatibility, though you only get one port. It even utilizes Anker’s Power IQ 3.0 technology, delivering safe, high-speed charging to your devices.
7. Anker 334 MagGo Battery
Best MagSafe Power Bank
Anker 334 MagGo Battery
Wireless charging at home is great, but it’s even more convenient on the go. You won’t need to worry about jamming a cable in your bag or pocket. Instead, just attach a MagSafe power bank magnetically to one of the best iPhones, and our favorite option to keep your phone topped off is the Anker 334 MagGo Battery.
This slim power bank packs an impressive high-capacity 10,000mAh battery that snaps directly onto the back of your iPhone using 10N of magnetic force, keeping it securely in place as it juices up your device. The Anker 334 MagGo Battery won’t charge your phone super quick when attached magnetically, as it offers only 7.5W speeds, though you can also plug your phone directly into the charger to enjoy faster 20W speeds. Charging your iPhone and recharging the battery pack simultaneously is even possible.
8. Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank
Best Nintendo Switch Power Bank
Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank
A power bank is one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories, as it’s a simple and effective way to extend your Switch’s less-than-stellar battery life. The Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank is our favorite because rather than a typical battery bank, this one actually straps onto the backside of your Switch or Switch OLED. It adds some weight and bulk to your device, but you’ll still have an enjoyable playing experience while charging.
The 10,000mAh battery should extend your gaming time by up to 10 hours, and the 15W power delivery gets your Switch topped up in no time. There’s a built-in USB-C cable, while a USB-A and USB-C port makes it possible to juice up a phone or other device without unplugging your Switch. Short circuit and overvoltage protection on the Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank also ensures your devices charge safely. This is without a doubt, one of the best Switch chargers we've ever used.
You can also check out our list of Nintendo Switch battery cases for more like this.
9. Anker 747 PowerCore 26K
Best Battery Bank for Steam Deck
Anker 747 Power Bank
The battery life on the original Steam Deck is notoriously bad. Luckily, the Steam Deck OLED has made some major improvements, but there’s still nothing worse than running out of juice right before completing a platformer level. That means a power bank is the best Steam Deck accessory to ensure you never lose power at an inopportune moment, and the beefy Anker 747 is the perfect option to partner with your handheld gaming PC.
This power bank has a massive capacity of 25,600mAh while remaining lightweight and portable, meaning you’ll be good to top up your Steam Deck multiple times on the go; heck, it’s even capable of charging up a laptop. Over the USB-C port, the Anker 747 hits a max output of 87W, ensuring a speedy fill-up. However, if you want to charge four devices simultaneously, you get an additional USB-C and dual USB-A ports with a combined output of 78W.
Where to Get the Best Portable Chargers in the UK
What to Look for in a Power Bank
When shopping for a power bank the most important spec you should look out for is capacity. This figure is always followed closely by a mAh unit, which stands for milliamp-hour. Given that most ultra-thin flagship phones have a 3,000mAh battery inside of them already, you're going to want to find a portable charger with at least that much capacity, so you can double the battery life of your handset—unless of course, you're looking for an extremely portable battery.
As you may have noticed most portable chargers these days come in a 10,000mAh capacity or higher, and this is pretty much the standard. Portable batteries of this size should give you three times or more charge while you're on the go.
After considering the capacity of your charger, you're going to want to think about charging speeds and the ports that deliver those speeds. Not all chargers are created equal, with some offering much higher charging capabilities with increased voltages and amperages. Some chargers may use standards like Power Delivery (PD) to connect with your device and send the maximum energy possible. So, you'll want to compare what output capabilities the charger has with the charging speeds your phone or other electronics supports. Also, check which ports offer those speeds, as you may find some offer much higher charging than others.
Doing this, you can find chargers that support the quick charging of your phone or even find chargers that will be capable of delivering enough power to keep even your laptop running for some extra time. You'll also want to consider this same aspect but for the charger itself. After all, it has a battery that needs recharging, too. If you have a 20,000mAh battery, but it only supports 5W input, it's going to take a long time to fill it back up.
Power Bank FAQ
Should you drain your power bank before charging?
No, it isn’t necessary to drain lithium-based batteries, which are what you’ll find in almost every power bank. In fact, if you let your battery fully drain, it could potentially damage it, reducing its capacity. So, you should try to charge your power bank before it’s completely depleted or every few months when it’s not in use.
Can you bring portable power banks on a plane?
The short answer is yes, you are allowed to bring your power bank on the plane as long as they use litium ion or lithium metal batteries. According to the TSA, you are only allowed to bring them in your carry-on luggage or as a personal item. You cannot pack portable power banks into checked bags as they have higher risk of catching fire. There are also certain size limits for what you can bring, but you should be fine with a standard 10,000mah portable charger.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.