Keep your devices powered up and ready to go by investing in one of the best power banks is the best way to avoid dead-battery situations, and let's face it, there's nothing quite worse now that we all use tech so much in our day-to-day lives.
Most power banks work by supplying power to another device once charged, but with so many varying features, price points and brands, it can get confusing when choosing what power bank will be best for you. We've looked at the capacity, power ports and physical size, as well as some pros and cons, to create this guide for you.
If you're looking for some extra storage for your devices, we also have a list of our top picks for the best external hard drives.
The best power banks available today
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This impressive, little device comes at a great price. The INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger has not one, but two USB-A output ports, a USB-C input and output port too. While it has half the capacity of the Anker PowerCore (below), it's a handy slim device when out and about, that we highly recommend.
The Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank is quite simply one of the best power banks you can buy, especially if you want a large capacity. In terms of charge speed, connectivity and price, it's superb. With a hefty battery capacity of 20,100mAh, you'll get a good few charges out of it and you can charge two devices simultaneously.
The iMuto Ultra High Capacity portable charger offers fantastic value. While it's a bit chunky; it's 100g heavier than the above top pick, and there's less capacity than the above two (only by 100mAh), this is a fantastic option when you look at the money that you'll be saving.
This device comes with 25,600mAh of battery capacity making it ideal for those who work on the go. Able to charge up to three devices at once, the Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 has a 60W USB-C port and a pair of USB-A ports capable of delivering a total output of 18W between them. There's also a neat trickle-charging function.
The Casely Power Pods are designed for charging smart phones, however, with the included USB-C to USB cable, this is a versatile device. It is compatible with Qi Wireless charging phones, as well as Samsung and Google phones, and AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, and AirPods 3. Plus it comes in cool colour options.
The Mophie Powerstation Plus is the perfect choice for anyone with an iPhone or older iPad. It has a built-in Lightning cable and models range from a 6,000mAh capacity to 12,000mAh, which is enough for more than four additional charges on your iPhone. A second USB port enables you to charge two devices at the same time.
Want a premium power bank that can charge loads of things at once? This device offers two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports and wireless charging, and is fast. If you need to charge multiple devices, and want a lot of flexibility, the Omni 20 is a winner. But it's heavy and gives you a lot less power than you'd expect for the price.
The Kilponen 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. There are only two ports – both USB-A – but otherwise, it's a great option, both for practical and environmental reasons.
The Anker’s PowerCore+ 26800 offers excellent value: Its huge 26,800mAh battery should be enough to recharge the iPhone 8 around 10 times, a Samsung Galaxy S8 more than six times, and most tablets at least twice. Plus you can charge up to three devices at once.
The Maxoak Power Bank offers a huge 50,000mAh battery capacity, and is versatile, with six ports letting you charge almost everything at once. Sadly, though, it won't charge a MacBook, which could rule out this power bank for many creatives and be warned, it's heavy and comes with a hefty price tag.
How to choose a power bank
What is a power bank?
A power bank is a portable electronic device that can transfer power from its built-in battery to other devices. This is typically done through a USB-A or USB-C port, although wireless charging is also increasingly available. Power banks are mainly used for charging small devices with USB ports such as smartphones, tablets and Chromebooks. But they can also be used to top up a variety of USB-powered accessories, including headphones, Bluetooth speakers, lights, fans and camera batteries.
Power banks usually recharge with a USB power supply. Some offer passthrough charging, which means you can charge your devices while the power bank itself is recharging.
What should I look for when buying a power bank?
When choosing the best power bank for your needs, the first consideration should be battery capacity. Consider how long you’ll be on the move and how many devices you'll be using. You'll also need to bear in mind how much energy those devices consume as a laptop or camera will need more power to recharge than a phone or tablet.
Once you've decided what battery capacity you need, the next factor is weight. Usually weight increases in line with capacity, so you might want to strike a balance and sacrifice some battery capacity for the extra portability that comes with a lighter power bank.
Another important factor is compatibility. You need to make sure the power bank will actually work with the devices you want to charge. Also think about connectivity. If you're likely to need to charge several devices at the same time, you'll want to check how many charging points the power bank has.
Many power banks come with two or three ports, but some power banks offer up to six. And it's worth checking what sort of ports are on offer; USB-A ports will do the job but not every quickly, while if you can find a power bank with a USB-C PD port then you'll find your devices charge nice and quickly. If you're looking for the best phone power bank, you won't need to worry too much about multiple ports.
What's the best power bank brand?
We feel that Anker is often the best power bank brand, which is why the Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank tops our list above. With its big capacity, fast charging and excellent value, it's a no-brainer, unless you're looking for really high capacity or specific compatibility. There are a few devices the PowerCore 20100 won’t work with.
Maxoak, Mophie and Belkin are also great power bank brands. Be wary, though, of brands that you've never heard of, particularly if the brand name reads like someone grabbed a handful of tiles out of a Scrabble bag and chucked them on a table. You'll find thousands of them on Amazon offering loads of power at a knockdown price. But while some of them might be genuine bargains, you're running a real risk of buying something that'll seriously under-deliver then fail on you in short order.
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