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The 5 best portable power banks: Top up your mobile devices
Sometimes there isn't a power outlet conveniently at hand to give our devices a top-up, and that's when the best power banks come in handy.
Whether you're trekking in the wilds or strolling between coffee shops, a power bank can make the difference between staying connected or going silent.
Here is a selection of great power banks to keep your devices charged up when you're away from a power outlet.
Tech specs
- Dimensions: 4.9 x 2.9 x 1.8 inches (124mm x 74.5mm x 45.5mm)
- Weight: 20.5oz / 580g
- Capacity: 26,800mAh
- Cells: 8 Samsung high-density electric-vehicle battery cells
- Flight safe: Yes (rated at 96.48 watt-hours)
- Total DC Output: 138W
- Display: OLED Screen
- Material: Aluminum shell with ABS & polycarbonate midframe
This is my favorite power bank of all time. It's been with me in a number of off-grid situations, and to various countries, and it has never let me down. It's got enough capacity to keep my devices topped up between proper recharges, and enough power to charge up everything from my earbuds to laptop.
And it's still small enough to fit into cargo pants pocket (although you better have a belt!).
If you want a big power bank with plenty of power and the ability to charge four devices simultaneously, the Zendure SuperTank Pro is the power bank for you.
Connectivity:
Input | Output |
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Pros:
- Lots of power
- Flight safe
- Four USB-C ports
- Enough power to recharge a MacBook Pro
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No USB-A (except using an adapter)
Tech specs:
- Battery: Cell Type: 18650 Li-ion battery | Capacity: 20,000 mAh, 72Wh ±5%
- AC/HVDC Outlet: Output: 100W (120V/60Hz US model, 230V/50Hz EU model)
- Wireless charging: Output: 10W max
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Dimension: 5.0" x 4.8" x 0.91"
- Flight safe: Yes
Everything about the Omni Omni 20+ is designed around power and ruggedness.
The exterior ABS/rubberized shell is capable of taking a pounding, the ports are well-designed, and the screen offers everything from at-a-glance information, to a deep dive into what's going on.
Think of this as less a power bank and more a recharging computer.
This is a great choice when I want an AC outlet when away from civilization but don't want to take a big power station.
Connectivity:
USB-C Port | USB-A Output |
|
|
Pros:
- Lots of power
- Plenty of outputs
- OLED display packed with information
- Rugged
Cons:
- Expensive
- Big and heavy
Tech specs:
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.8 x 1 inches (114mm x 71.1mm x 25.4mm)
- Weight: 10.8oz / 306g
- Capacity: 15,000mAh
- Flight safe: Yes (rated at 54 watt-hours)
- Total DC Output: 48W
- Material: ABS & polycarbonate
A portable, everyday power bank, more than enough to keep your smartphone and tablet going for an extra day or so. Nice and slim and packed with ports, this is perfect for recharging multiple devices simultaneously.
This is the power bank I take with me when I know that my phone or tablet will need a top up, but I want to keep things lightweight and portable.
All I need are the appropriate cables and I'm good to go!
Connectivity:
Input | Output |
|
|
Pros:
- Compact
- Reasonably priced
- Robust
Cons:
- Not enough power to recharge a laptop
Tech specs:
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.23 x 1.39 inches
- Capacity: 10,000mAh
- Flight safe: Yes
- Total DC Output: 5V/3A
- Material: Polycarbonate
Is it a power bank or a wall charger? It's both!
You can keep it plugged in and use it as a charger, and pop it out when you want to use it as a power bank.
I have one of these next to my bed. It charges my smartphone at night, and is always ready in case of a power cut or I need a power bank in a hurry.
Input | Output |
|
|
Pros:
- Always charged up if you keep it plugged in
- Recharges quickly
- USB-A and USB-C outputs
- Space saver when traveling (takes over from a separate charger and power bank)
Cons:
- Bit bulky
Tech specs:
- Capacity: 25000mAh / 92.5Wh
- Magnetic Wireless Charger Output: 15W Fast Charge (10W for Android and non iPhone 12 devices)
- Apple Watch Wireless Output: 5W
- Maximum Power Output: 190W
- Batteries: 5 x 21700 Panasonic Lithium Polymer Graphene Composite Battery Cells
- Time to full charge from empty: 1 hr 10 min (with 100W input)
- Dimensions: 15.85 x 8.7 x 2.85 (6.24" x 3.4" x 1.12")
- Weight: 583.5g (1.28lb)
The Flash Pro Plus is a chunky pack of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum and batteries that weighs a reassuring 1.2 pounds. It's big, but again one of those power banks that has been with me in a lot of places where isn't easy access to a power outlet.
In the age of small, thin, and lightweight devices thing is a monster! It's also incredibly rugged, having survived a number of falls.
It's a big power bank housing five 21700 Panasonic lithium polymer graphene composite cells holding 25,000mAh of power.
And the power bank can push that power out of four ports and two wireless charger pads.
Yes, that's right, ports and wireless.
This isn't the largest capacity power bank here by far -- in fact, given its size, it's capacity is actually very low -- but the fact recharge capability of this power bank makes it a great choice for those people who are in a hurry.
Connectivity:
Interface |
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100W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 Input |
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60W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 Output |
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20W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 Output |
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50W USB-A 1 Output |
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Pros:
- Large capacity
- Lots of charging options
- Easy to read display
Cons:
- Big, bulky, and angular
- Pricy
Which is the best power bank?
The Zendure SuperTank Pro is ZDNet's top pick based on its capacity, connectivity options, and price.
Power bank | Price | Capacity |
Zendure SuperTank Pro | $195 | 26,800mAh |
Omnicharge Omni 20+ bundle | $299 | 20,000mAh |
Zendure X5 | $90 | 15,000mAh |
Anker PowerCore Fusion 10000 | $49 | 10,000mAh |
Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus | $319 | 25,000mAh |
Which is the right power bank for you?
Not one size fits all. So, if you're still unsure which power bank to get, consider the following scenarios or use cases to help you make a decision.
Choose this power bank… | If you want or are… |
Zendure SuperTank Pro | A huge power bank that can keep everything powered |
Omnicharge Omni 20+ bundle | You want a power bank that can output AC power |
Zendure X5 | A power bank |
Anker PowerCore Fusion 10000 | A power bank you can connect to a mains outlet to charge |
Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus | A big chunky power bank with wireless charging for your iPhone and Apple Watch |
How did we choose these power banks?
These are all products that I've tested and have been using for several months. I always have a power bank or two with me when I'm traveling, and this means that they get prolonged testing.
Here are some of the criteria that I look for:
- That the capacity is as stated
- That the power bank outputs the power that is stated in the specification sheet
- That the product is durable and withstands prolonged use
What size power bank do I need?
Tough question. If you want an emergency power bank to act as a backup, then a small 5000mAh power bank will do the job. If you want a lot of power, and perhaps the ability to charge up a laptop, then the bigger the better (well, going as big as you want to carry!).
What's the largest power bank I can take on an aircraft?
Power banks up to 100Wh (100,000mAh) can be carried without approval, and for power banks that fall between 100Wh and 160Wh you will need permission from the airline.
Are power banks waterproof?
While there are power banks that claim to be water resistant, I've never been comfortable with the idea of getting a pack filled with lithium batteries wet. I always keep them dry, and keep them in a waterproof bag if I'm out and about in bad weather.
What do you think of power banks that have a built-in solar panel?
I have yet to come across a good one. I'm also not comfortable baking rechargeable batteries in the sun for extended periods.
Are there alternative power banks worth considering?
Yes there are. Check out the alternatives below: