The best power banks: reviewed and tested for all budgets
Discover the best power bank charger for iPhone and other devices.

Discover the best power bank charger for iPhone and other devices combine portability, high capacity, and fast charging capabilities. That means they provides peace of mind, ensuring you remain connected regardless of access to mains electricity.
✅ We are solely focused on what creatives need
✅ Benchmark tests based on real workflows
✅ We consult actual designers and creative pros
✅ We use these devices in our own workflows too
The market for portable chargers has expanded dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from pocket-sized emergency boosters to high-capacity models capable of charging laptops multiple times. To find the right one for you, we've put our experts to work. They've drawn on their experience of reviewing, testing and using power banks to draw up this definitive list, and our number one pick overall is the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank.
For more portable tech that can make you more productive, see our guides to the best external hard drives, and our the best dock for MacBook.
Beren has well over a decade of experience writing about creative tech, having previously worked for the digital art magazine ImagineFX, the fine art magazine Paint & Draw and Canon Pro Europe. As Creative Bloq's Ecom Editor, he's racked up hundreds of hours testing and reviewing monitors for a variety of creative purposes. He also oversees the curation of our buying guides, taking feedback on the products we've tested from contributing creatives.
The quick list
The Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank is an impressive portable charging solution with 20,000mAh capacity, making it ideal for creative professionals needing reliable power on the go.
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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 our no.1 pick, but it's handy for portabilty.
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If value is the main thing you're after, we 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.
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A magnetic power bank can make things even quicker and easier. This stands out thanks to its slim, compact build, budget price and magnets strong enough to hold even the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
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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.
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The best power banks in detail
Why you can trust Creative Bloq
Best power bank overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need high capacity: 20,000mAh is enough to charge laptops and multiple devices
✅ Fast charging is essential for your workflow: this will get the job done quickly
✅ You value real-time monitoring: This power bank lets you keep track of your charging status
❌ Portability is your primary concern: this is not a light device.
❌ You need to maximum capacity: 20,000Mah is a lot, but there are more powerful power banks.
❌ You're short of cash: This is not a budget-friendly option
🔎 Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank delivers impressive power capacity and fast charging in an attractive package with helpful real-time information display, though at the cost of portability and versatility. ★★★★½
Need to know: The Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank is an impressive portable charging solution with 20,000mAh capacity, providing enough power to charge a MacBook Pro approximately 1.2 times or an iPhone 14 up to four times, making it ideal for creative professionals and travellers needing reliable power on the go.
Design: This power bank's modern look features rounded edges and a semi-transparent frosted body with a pulsating blue LED strip. Most notably, it includes a 1.3-inch TFT colour screen displaying essential information such as battery level, power, voltage and current. Built with V0-grade fire-retardant materials to ensure safety and durability, it's airline-approved. However, at 0.59kg, it's noticeably weighty in a laptop bag, which may be inconvenient for extended carrying.
Features: With a maximum output of 165W on its primary USB-C port, our reviewer found the Cuktech 15 Ultra enables fast charging for laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles—capable of charging a MacBook Pro 16" to 59% in just 30 minutes. The pass-through charging capability allows users to charge the power bank while simultaneously powering other devices. For safety, it includes an efficient heat dissipation system with integral heat sink fins and five NTC temperature detection chips. On the downside, the port selection (two USB-C and one USB-A) may be restrictive for users with multiple devices.
Value: At £89.95, this sits in the higher price bracket for power banks: almost four times the price of the INIU 10000mAh. But the premium is justified by its high capacity, fast charging capabilities, and informative display, making it worthwhile for professionals who rely heavily on their devices.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Value | Premium price but justified. | ★★★★ |
Features | High capacity, fast charging, informative display. | ★★★★½ |
Design | Attractive but weighty. | ★★★★ |
"With 20,000mAh capacity, it can store full charges for even the biggest laptops, or give you several days of heavy off-grid use on your camera phone."
Best cheap power bank
02. INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're on a budget: At under $20 / £20, this is a steal.
✅ You want something ultra-portable: It's very slim and very lightweight.
❌ You want multiple charges, or to charge larger devices: Its 10000mAh won't be enough.
🔎 INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger is a great value option for those who want a slim and light charger to top up their phone when out on the go. ★★★★½
Need to know: This is our value pick for its balance of a low, low price with decent charging chops. That said, it won't be able to handle anything larger than a phone.
Design: The INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger has two USB-A output ports and a USB-C input and output port. It's compact, simple and features a fun paw print motif.
Features: The capacity is fairly low for today's standards. It's exactly half of our first choice, the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank, and it's not going to do for mulitple charges or as a power bank for laptops, but it'll do fine for smaller devices like phones and e-readers. Indeed, techincally it can charge three devices at the same time; though we're not sure that will ensure a full charge for all devices.
Value: This power bank is very reasonably priced at under $20 / £20, making it an excellent value choice if you just need a boost throughout the day.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Value | At under £20, it's one of the most affordable options. | ★★★★★ |
Features | 10000mAh won't go far, but if all you need is a boost it'll suffice. | ★★★★ |
Design | Simple, erring on plain, but with ample ports. | ★★★★ |
Best value power bank
03. iMuto 27,000mAh power bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a large capacity: Its capacity is great, and its 65W delivery allows for laptop charging.
✅ You hate LED indicators: If you prefer exact measure of the charge remaining, you'll like its digital display.
❌ You want a lightweight, sleek design: This isn't the most attractive or slimline option.
🔎 iMuto 27,000mAh power bank is the best option if value is key, offering a solid capacity at a reasonable price point. ★★★★½
Need to know: If the main thing that you're seeking is value, we can heartily recommend the iMuto high-capacity portable charger. Don't care too much about getting flexibility and features? This may be the power bank that suits your needs the best.
Design: At 648g, it's heavier and chunkier than most (the INIU 10000mAh, for instance, is a far lighter 198g.) On the plus side, it features a handy digital display that shows you how much power remains in the bank.
Features: Charging is also a little slower than our top picks, but its USB-C port delivers 65W, making it an option as a cheap power bank for laptops. Plus, a 27,000mAh capacity at this price point and with these specs makes it a great option that will cover all tech bases.
Value: If you look at this power bank's approachable £50 price, it drawbacks aren't bad trade-offs. It's roughly the same price as our top pick, the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank, but with a few value-adding features.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Value | Excellent value for money. | ★★★★½ |
Features | 27000mAh capacity, 65W USB-C delivery. | ★★★★½ |
Design | Clunky, chunky, but its display is funky. | ★★★★ |
Best phone power bank
05. Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a wireless solution: Its magnets are strong and robust, and it can double as a stand.
✅ You're on a budget: Its 10,000mAh capacity might be on the small side, but for its features, it's a solid value option.
❌ You want fast charging: No dice, this is a slower charger.
🔎 Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is an excellent wireless power bank that affixes securely, but its charging speeds are slow when unaided by a wire. ★★★★
Need to know: 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.
Design: We found the magnets on this 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.
Features: It's not the fastest charger we've used, delivering only half the speed that iPhones can take, and its capacity is only 10,000mAh. 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.
Value: All in all, we think it offers decent value for the price, delivering an excellent power-to-weight ratio for £60. The 10,000mAh capacity should be enough to charge an iPhone 15 almost twice and a Galaxy S23 Ultra once and then some. That said, bear in mind that the INIU 10000mAh offers a 10,000mAh battery at a third of the price, so it's mainly the magnetic charging you're paying for here.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Value | Decent value for money. | ★★★★ |
Features | Smaller capacity, slower charging, but optional USB-C port helps. | ★★★★ |
Design | MagSafe chops are excellent, simple and effective. | ★★★★½ |
Best solar power bank
06. Riapow Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want an eco option: Its solar charging is great for the eco-conscious.
✅ You're on a budget: Considering its capacity and solar charging, it's pretty reasonable.
❌ You want to charge exclusively from solar power: It's very slow, so either prepare to be patient or still use mains power to give it an initial charge.
🔎 Riapow Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh offers an impressive capacity, great portability, and its LED indicators shows the remaining battery. ★★★½
Need to know: 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.
Design: It's slim by design, but fairly heavy, which might be too much of a concession for backpackers looking to keep things lightweight. It's also not the most discrete or attractive-looking power bank; however it does suit the more rugged aesthetic of camping, hiking or other outdoor activities.
Features: 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. Still, its 26800mAh capacity is admittedly pretty good for its class; almost as much as the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank, our number one pick.
Value: At £33, this is a surprisingly affordable option, given it features solar charging and offers such a solid capacity.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Value | Great value for money. | ★★★½ |
Features | Solar charging and 26800mAh capacity. | ★★★★ |
Design | Slim, but heavy. | ★★★½ |
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, 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. That's because 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 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.
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