The best power banks for phones and other devices can really save your bacon if you find yourself working away from a socket. Theoretically, power banks are much of a muchness: you charge them up, and then use them to power your devices via USB-C (or wireless in the case of magnetic power banks for iPhone. But these bricks come in various sizes, shapes, capacities, making it difficult to choose.
In the guide below, we've compared the best power banks we've tested. We've included the best power bank for laptops (including graphic design laptops) as well as cheaper and more compact options, and the best magnetic power banks for phones. We've compared battery capacity, the number and power of ports and the physical size of the devices to help you find one that meets your needs. If you're unsure about how they work, just head to the questions section at the bottom.
For more essential peripherals for working on the move, make sure you also see our guide to the best external hard drives. For now, let's look at the best power banks available today.
We think this is the power bank for laptops and other devices overall. It provides great capacity, speed, connectivity, and we think the price is fair for what you get. It can charge two devices at once. Read more below
This impressive little device comes at a great price and packs in two USB-A outputs and a USB-C output into a slime frame. It has only half the capacity of the Anker option at number one, but it's handy for portabilty. Read more below
If value is the main thing you're after in your power bank, we heartily recommend this portable charger. It's a bit chunky and weighs 100g heavier than our top pick, but it provides great capacity for the price. Read more below
With 27,650mAh of battery capacity, this provides power and versatility for those travelling with multiple devices, charging up to three things at once with its two 140W USB-C ports and 65W USB-A port. It can recharge a MacBook to 50% in around half an hour. Read more below
A magnetic power bank can make things even quicker and easier for charging smart phones. We think this one stands out thanks to its slim, compact build, budget price and magnets strong enough to hold even the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Read more below
Single panel solar power banks like this take a long time to recharge from the sun, but it could keep your phone going that little longer if you're out in the wilderness. This one has a high capacity and a durable rugged build. Read more below
The best power banks in detail
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Best power bank overall
(Image credit: Anker)
01. Anker PowerCore 26800 power bank
The best power bank overall
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 354g
Size: 16.6 x 5.8 x 2.2cm
Battery capacity: 26,800mAh
Output ports: 1x 45W USB-C, 2x 15W USB-A
Input ports: 1 x micro-USB
Reasons to buy
+
Big battery
+
Speedy charging
+
Reasonable price for a high capacity
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the lightest
Having used the Anker PowerCore 26,800mAh power bank extensively at Creative Bloq, we still think it's the best power bank overall, providing a good balance of capacity, charging speed and price. The 26,800mAh capacity should be enough to charge a phone or tablet a couple of times. It can charge two devices simultaneously. If those devices use PowerIQ or VoltageBoost.
We liked the sleek, slimline design, which makes it relatively compact and easy to carry in a bag or pocket, although it's not the smallest or lightest we've tested. We would have liked a better quality USB cable.
Best slim power bank
(Image credit: Iniu)
02. INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger
The best slim power bank.
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 198g
Size: 13.21 x 6.86 x 1.27cm
Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
Output Ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C
Input Ports: 1x microUSB, 1x USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Cheap
+
Light and portable
+
Power 3 devices at the same time
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the biggest capacity
We received reader feedback by a user that couldn't say enough positive things about this power bank. The INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger has two USB-A output ports and a USB-C input and output port. The capacity is fairly low for today's standards. It's less than half of that provided by our first choice, and it's not going to do for mulitple charges or as a power bank for laptops, but it's compact and does the job nicely for relatively small devices like phones and e-readers. Best of all, it's very reasonably priced. That makes it a great value option for those who want a slim and light charger to top up their phone when out on the go.
Best value power bank
(Image credit: Imuto)
03. iMuto 27,000mAh power bank
The best value power bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 648g
Size: 17.2 x 2.3 x 8.2 cm
Battery capacity: 20,000mAh
Output ports: 1x 65w USB-C, 2x 18w USB-A
Input ports: 1x Micro-USB
Reasons to buy
+
Large capacity
+
Fantastic price
+
Handy digital display
Reasons to avoid
-
Chunky design
If the main thing that you're after is great value in your power bank, we can heartily recommend this iMuto high-capacity portable charger. Don't care too much about getting flexibility and features? This may be the power bank that suites your needs the best.
It's heavier and chunkier than our top picks, and charging is a little slower. But if you look at the price, and the money that you'll be saving, those aren't bad trade offs. Of course, and the USB-C port delivers 65W, making it an option as a cheap power bank for laptops.
Best powerful power bank
(Image credit: Anker)
04. Anker Prime 27,650mAh
The best power bank for high-powered devices
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 667g
Size: 6.37 x 1.96 x 2.24in / 16.2 x 4.8 x 5.7cm
Battery capacity: 27,650mAh
Output ports: 2x USB-C 140W, 1x USB-A 65W
Input ports: 2x USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Fast charging for multiple devices
+
Powerful battery
+
Recharges super fast
Reasons to avoid
-
Big and heavy, making it less practical for commuting
-
The most expensive option on our list
If you have a more power-hungry device like a laptop, or just need to charge a normal smartphone or tablet multiple times on a long journey, you might need something more powerful and heavy-duty than our previous choices. The Anker Prime 27,650mAh is our pick as the best power bank for laptops or for anyone who needs to regularly charge multiple devices.
Anker says it can charge an M2 MacBook Pro to 50% in under half an hour, and our tests backed that up. Each USB-C ports can deliver up to 140W of power and the whole device can deliver 250W, charging up to three devices at once with the two USB-C and one USB-A port. It's very fast to recharge too because you can use both USB-C ports at once to recharge, resulting in a combined recharge rate of up to 170W. We found it took around 40 minutes to fully charge, and the quality OLED digital display keeps you up to date on battery status.
There's even an app that allows you to find the charger if you misplace it, although the size of this thing might make that a little unlikely. It's easily the biggest and heaviest power bank on this list and not one that you can slip into a pocket. That said the extra weight could be worth carrying if you're going to be without a mains connection for some time. It can charge an iPhone 15 at least five times over. Unsurprisingly, this power bank is also the most expensive on our list, and if you don't need to charge a phone many times, or charge a laptop, a charger of this size and price is overkill.
Best phone power bank
(Image credit: Baseus)
05. Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank
The best magnetic power bank for phones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 220g
Size: 10.5 x 6.91 x 1.98cm / 4.13 x 2.72 x 0.78in
Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
Ouput ports: Wireless (7.5w) and USB-C (20w max)
Input ports: USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable price
+
Well-designed with fold-out stand
+
Small yet effective
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the fastest charging
If you're looking for a power bank for phone charging, a magnetic wireless charging solution can make the job quick and easy, avoiding the need for a cable. We found this magnets on this Baseus power bank to be stronger than those on Apple's own MagSafe battery pack, holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max securely both in portrait and landscape position, and you can also use it as a handy portable stand in StandBy mode.
It's not the fastest charger we've used, delivering only half the speed iPthat hones can take. That means I wouldn't recommend the wireless option if you often have to charge in a hurry, but there is also the option of a USB-C port, which charges faster at up to 20W. All in all, we think it offers great value for the price, delivering an excellent power-to-weight ratio. The 10,000mAh capacity should be enough to charge an iPhone 15 almost twice and a Galaxy S23 Ultra once and then some.
Best solar power bank
(Image credit: Riapow)
06. Riapow Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh
The best solar power bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 471g
Size: 17.4 x 8.51 x 2.87cm
Battery capacity: 26800mAh
Output ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C
Input ports: 1x USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Decent capacity
+
Slim design
+
good price for the capacity
Reasons to avoid
-
Takes a long time to fully charge from solar
-
Fairly heavy
If you're going to be outdoors a lot, but don't want to go completely off grid, a solar power bank is a great way recharge your phone when you're away from civilisation. The Riapow Solar Power Bank 26800mAh offers an impressive capacity, will fit in a pocket easily, and the LED indicator system shows how much power you have left. It's a great option, both for practical and environmental reasons, but you have to be realistic. The solar panel recharges the battery very slowly, so you'll still need to make sure you charge it via the mains before you head off into the wilderness.
How to choose the best power bank
There are four main variables to take into consideration when choosing the best power bank for you. Firstly, there's the output of a power bank, which can determine whether it's compatible with the device you want to use it with. Check the output of the power bank and the requirements of your devices. If you're looking for a power bank for a laptop rather than a phone make sure the device specifies that it can power laptops.
Portability is another factor and will depend on the size and weight of the power bank. Most people will want a power bank that's easy to carry around in a bag or even a pocket. Related to this is the issue of durability. We've checked the devices above are built to last, but some go further by using a water-resistant build. Finally, price is obviously an issue, and you'll need to decide how much your prepared to spend.
How we chose the best power banks
We chose the best power banks in our guide based on a combination of our own tests, reviews from our sister sites and verified customer reviews. We compared the stated specs of each power bank and where possible tested them by charging a variety of devices from different brands, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, iPads and, when the power bank is powerful enough, laptops.
FAQs
How do power banks work?
Power banks are portable devices that basically comprise a battery, ports for input and output. These external batteries can be used to charge cell phones, tablets and the like when you're on the move and don't have access to a plug socket. To use a power bank, you first need to plug it into an electrical outlet to charge it. Once charged, you simply connect an electronic device to it, usually via a USB cable.
When connected, the power bank transfers the electrical energy stored on it, charging the internal battery on your device. While most power banks use cables, but there are also wireless power banks.
The charging speed will vary depending on the charger, and the number of times that a power bank can charge your device will depend on its capacity and the battery capacity of your device. For example, a 10,000mAh power bank is likely to be able to charge a 2,500mAh phone battery around four times before the power bank itself needs to be recharged. Most good quality power banks will be able to charge most phones in full two to three times.
How long do power banks keep their charge?
When charged, a power bank can lose its charge even if you don't use it as all rechargeable batteries have inherent self-discharge rates, which can vary from 2% to 10% a month, depending on quality and capacity. A good quality power bank can be expected to keep its charge for up to around six months while lower-quality power banks might last as little as four weeks before it needs recharging.
How long do power banks last?
Power banks can have very different lifespans. A quality 10,000mAh power bank can last around 500 charging cycles, so it should provide a decent charge for up to around two years if you use it once a day.
How can I protect a power bank's life?
If you want to try to extend the life of a power bank as much as possible, there are some tips that you can follow. Store the power bank in a cool and dry place when not in use and charge it regularly, but use the power bank only when necessary. Use the power bank's original cable is possible.
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Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.
