News

Aug 12, 2023

The best power banks 2023: top portable chargers for devices

Recharge your phone on the go with the best power banks Planning to be away from

Recharge your phone on the go with the best power banks

Planning to be away from a socket for an extended period? Then you'll want one of the best power banks to keep your devices charged.

Outlets aren't always available and even cafes have cracked down on making them available to patrons, so portable chargers are more essential than ever, even if you own one of the best phones, best tablets, or best laptops with a reasonably big battery.

There's a lot to consider before buying one though, as there's a huge selection of portable power banks available, all suited to different users.

With that in mind we've created this guide, highlighting many of the most promising options, and sorting them into categories, including everyday power banks, lightweight ones, high capacity ones, slim ones, wireless ones, and even solar powered ones.

If you have several gadgets to power then you'll want a high capacity one, and ideally one with multiple ports. You should also choose a high capacity power bank if you want to charge your device multiple times over, or have a beefy gadget like a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.

On the other hand, if you prefer to travel light, something slim and lightweight may be better. You might need to sacrifice capacity or spend more, but it could be worth it, depending on when you’re most likely going to need that extra power. You might also want a wireless one if you're hoping to cut down on cables.

If you expect to be off the grid for a while, then consider a solar powered one, and if your requirements are more mixed, then take a look at the selection of everyday power banks.

We've tested and used more than our share of portable chargers, so while some of the products on our list of the best power banks haven't spent time in our test labs, we know which ones to recommend. We used our experts experience and opinions, as well as taking into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability, and unique features.

If you need a laptop charger, check out our best portable laptop charger guide instead. Otherwise, there should be something for you in our guide to the best power banks below.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

The best everyday power banks are fairly straightforward. These tend to be the ones you take for your usual day to work and back again. We're talking middling capacities while being easy enough to carry but not quite as lightweight or as slim as those categories. They're solid all-rounders even though they might not excel at any one thing. They do have the advantage of being typically well priced for what they offer, however.

Power bank for most people

+ Large capacity for price+ Has a screen- Chunky design

Offering mostly everything you could need at this price, the iMuto 20,000mah power bank has a 20,000mAh capacity that means you can charge the average smartphone over four times without a problem. The price is that it's a fairly bulky power bank and it's certainly heavy but with two ports and a screen that shows you how much charge is remaining, it's certainly practical if not particularly portable.

Amazon review rating: 4.3/5

Fast charging, good price

+ Big battery size+ Fast charging for some- No Qualcomm Quick Charge

The Anker PowerCore 20,100mAh power bank is a bit more stylish for the price, and still offers a huge 20,100mAh battery so you can recharge multiple times without issue. It doesn't support Qualcomm's QuickCharge technology but we've found it still recharges pretty quickly with devices that support PowerIQ or VoltageBoost.

Amazon review rating: 4.7/5

High capacity without a heavy weight

+ Decent capacity for price+ Lighter than it looks- No Qualcomm Quick Charge support

The Anker PowerCore 13000 Power Bank looks bulky but it's surprisingly lightweight given its 13,000mAh capacity. Packing in plenty of juice for the price and size, it can charge an iPhone a couple of times without a problem as well as a tablet from 0% to 100%. There's no Qualcomm Quick Charge support but it's still pretty speedy. A matte finish makes it easy to grip too.

Amazon review rating: 4.7/5

The best lightweight power banks rarely offer the most capacity but they're easy to store. The kind of devices you hardly notice you're carrying, they're there to help you out of a jam. While you won't be using them to recharge your laptop or games console, they're good for a quick boost to your phone when you've realized you overestimated your battery's capabilities.

Best for daily use

+ Very lightweight+ Easy to grip- Limited capacity

The Mophie Powerstation Mini Universal Battery looks pretty nice for the price and is lightweight. Capacity is a mere 5,000mAh, but that's fine for daily use. You can charge multiple devices at once via the USB-C and USB-A ports. An integrated four-light LED power indicator shows you the charging status and current battery life. It feels good in your hands too.

Amazon review rating: 4.2/5

Lightweight with built-in flashlight

+ Charges up to 3 devices+ Built-in flashlight- Not the most powerful

The EAFU Power Bank does more than just charge your phone and devices. It also has a built-in flashlight which is useful for when you're camping or suffering from a power cut. Capable of charging up to three devices at once, you might run out of juice faster than you'd like but that's reasonable for a device that's small and lightweight enough to fit into your pocket.

Amazon review rating: 4.6/5

Small design, high capacity

+ LCD display+ Small build- Best suited for smartphones

Small enough to fit into your hand, the JvGoal Power Banks 12000mAh will still charge your iPhone a few times and let you know exactly what's going on via its LCD display. The display shows the remaining power so you're in control with two USB output ports to give you some flexibility. It's impressive what it packs into such a small design.

Amazon review rating: 4.4/5

The best high capacity power banks are designed for power. That means they're typically fairly bulky and sometimes unwieldy things that you're definitely going to notice in your bag, but they're built to last which is a huge help. If you need to be able to recharge all your devices multiple times and over a number of days, these are the power banks you need. Look out for how many ports they offer for maximum effectiveness.

A huge array of ports

+ Six ports+ Huge battery- It's pretty big

Need to recharge everything you own and all at the same time? The MAXOAK 50,000mAh power bank is the one for you. It can charge six devices at once with its 50,000mAh capacity meaning you won't run out of power any time soon. It's capable of dealing with laptops and the Nintendo switch as easily as it is your smartphone or tablet so it's great if you're off the grid for a while.

Amazon review rating: 4.4/5

Good capacity at a low price

+ Slim design+ USB-C or USB-A- Less well-known brand

Charmast is a less well known brand compared to other power bank supplies but it's keenly priced. It can charge your iPhone over 8 times as well as a MacBook twice with a choice of USB-C or regular USB-A. Its capacity isn't as vast as some options here but it's surprisingly slim and lightweight for what it offers meaning it's pretty convenient.

Amazon review rating: 4.5/5

Powerful with a built-in flashlight

+ Good capacity+ 5-segment LED indicator- Bulky

Jiga reckons the Jiga 30,000mAh Power Bank will also most people about a week and that sounds about right. Able to charge an iPhone 12 over 10 times, it's certainly powerful. Alongside that is a a useful flashlight feature for camping and a 5-segment LED indicator so you know how much power you have remaining at all times. Just look out for its bulkiness.

Amazon review rating: 4.3/5

Surprisingly stylish

+ Stylish design+ Good capacity- Only two USB ports

The Bextoo Power Bank 30,000mAh only has two USB ports which is a bit of a shame but it's surprisingly stylish for a power bank which should appeal to some users. An LCD display shows remaining power at all times and you should be good to go for nearly 10 phone recharges. Micro-USB and USB-C are both supported which is convenient.

Amazon review rating: 4.3/5

The best slim power banks are slim enough that you don't have to plan ahead when taking them anywhere. They'll fit into your lifestyle well even though they might not offer the best capacity or the most features. We're talking convenience over function, but that's great if you want to keep things light. Look out for enough power to keep your phone recharged a few times but don't count on recharging your laptop so easily with these, and there probably won't be too many port options either.

Small in size, big in quality

+ Compact design+ Affordable- Low capacity

The Belkin 5,000mAh power bank is pretty small in capacity but that also means it's very slim too. You'll still be able to charge your phone a couple of times and it's MFI certified so you know it'll work well with all your Apple devices, as well as anything else you throw at it. If portability is everything, this is a reliable option from a good name.

Amazon review rating: 4.2/5

Slim yet feature-rich

+ Built-in flashlight+ Charges up to three devices- Less known brand

INIU is a less well known brand than some listed here but its INIU Power Bank offers a lot of features for the price. Still reasonably slimline, it has a built-in flashlight, the ability to charge up to three devices at once, plus bundles in a USB-C cable. Its 10,000mAh capacity is rather good for the size too so you'll be able to recharge plenty of devices.

Amazon review rating: 4.6/5

Slim with plenty of juice

+ Slim design+ Quite fast recharging- Quite long

Slim if a little long, the Anker Power Bank PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh is a reputable power bank from a reputable name. It can charge your iPhone 12 at least two times with a full charge for an iPad too thanks to its 10,000mAh capacity. It's about the size of many smartphones which isn't as sleek as some but Anker is a reliable name so you know you're guaranteed of safety here.

Amazon review rating: 4.5/5

Slimline potent power bank

+ Two USB ports+ High capacity for size- No Qualcomm Quick Charge

The Anker Power Bank 20,000 is a bit of a beast for its size. It has a massive 20,000mAh capacity but is still slim enough to feature here. You can charge two devices at once with both USB-C and Micro USB an option with more than five charges for the iPhone XS easily possible. Just look out for the fact it's not quite the speediest of chargers although PowerIQ and VoltageBoost helps out here.

Amazon review rating: 4.7/5

The best wireless power banks mean you don't need to worry about carrying too many cables with you to recharge your devices. Utilizing many Apple and Android devices' abilities to charge wirelessly, you get all the convenience of a wire-free existence while on the move. Like with the everyday power banks, capacity can vary massively here depending on your budget, but don't count on it being too high given the technology used. Convenience is the priority here.

For the iPhone 12 users

+ Magnetic attachment+ Charges through cases- Limited functionality for non-iPhone 12 users

Need to charge your iPhone 12 and don't want to stop moving? The Anker Magnetic Wireless 5,000mAh power bank uses magnets to attach to the back of your phone so you can keep doing whatever you're doing. Of course, it's a bit limited for non-iPhone 12 users although there is a USB-C port included, but that's hardly the point. For a specific scenario, you can't fault the convenience here.

Amazon review rating: 4.3/5

Neat way to keep things wireless

+ Finger holder+ Simple design- Low-ish capacity

The iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank uses a mixture of a finger ring for you to grip on to s well as Mag-Suction technology to keep your phone and your wireless power bank attached together. It's a little awkward but the iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is well priced which makes up for it. Its 6,000mAh capacity should mean you won't ahem to worry about finding power too soon either, plus there's a LED that lets you know what's going on.

Amazon review rating: 4.0/5

Official solution for iPhone 12

+ Very reliable+ Convenient fit- Only for the iPhone 12

The MagSafe Battery Pack is the Apple accessory you grudgingly buy knowing it'll do the best job for your iPhone 12. It snaps onto the back of it via MagSafe with its perfectly aligned magnets meaning it'll never let you down. It's not much use for anything else but that's hardly the point. For iPhone 12 owners, it's an essential if pricey accessory.

Amazon review rating: 4.2/5

One-stop shop solution

+ Wired and wireless charging options+ Reliable brand- Not the lightest

Capable of being used as a charging pad as well as a wireless power bank, the Anker PowerCore III Wireless Power Bank is rather flexible. It has USB-A and USB-C ports as well as wireless capabilities with 10,000mAh keeping you at work or play for as long as you need. There's no device the Anker PowerCore III Wireless Power Bank can't cope with which is sure to be useful.

Amazon review rating: 4.5/5

Stylish for one-device charging

+ Portable+ MagSafe makes it convenient- Expensive

Casely's magnetic wireless power banks only come with 5,000mAh capacity, which means that your iPhone 12 or newer will only get one full charge from it at most. But, its portability and MagSafe capability are what have us relying on it for our daily mid-afternoon juice up. It also comes in multiple colorways so you can get the design that matches your current color palette.

Amazon review rating: 3.7/5

If you're looking for the best solar power banks, you're probably planning on being outdoors quite a lot. While you haven't gone off the grid entirely, it's useful to know you can recharge your phone or other devices without being near civilization. Solar power banks tend to have the same features as regular power banks, but it's important to check these match with your needs and budget.

Plenty of panels for the outdoors

+ Solar panels for better absorption+ Good capacity- Not the simplest setup

If you want to drape your backpack in solar panels while you hike, the A ADDTOP Solar Charger 25,000mAh is the charger for you. It's well-designed for the outdoor experience although its panels can take a bit of effort to set up and arrange appropriately. Elsewhere, it includes two USB Type-C ports plus a built-in flashlight so it's reasonably capable when you're in a jam.

Amazon review rating: 4.1/5

Charge plenty of devices at once

+ Can charge up to four devices+ Wireless charging- Bulky

There's no need to slum it with a solar power bank as the Hiluckey Wireless Solar Charger demonstrates. It offers wireless charging functionality as well as the ability to charge four devices simultaneously. With a hefty capability of 26,800mAh, that should be good for most camping trips with a flashlight also helping you out. It even has an SOS mode although hopefully you'll never need it.

Amazon review rating: 4.2/5

Massive capacity, feature-rich

+ Huge capacity+ Plenty of outputs- Heavy

The DJRoll 36,000mAh Power Bank is heavy but it offers a lot. That includes a whopping 36,000mAh capacity which will help you charge your phone multiple times without a problem as well as tablets. It has Qi wireless charging along with built-in dual USB outputs and one USB-C port too so in all, you can charge up to four devices at once. A built-in flashlight with emergency modes and simple hooks for attaching the solar panel complete the package.

Amazon review rating: 4.2/5

Sign up to receive daily breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis, deals and more from the world of tech.

Alex joined as TechRadar's Senior Phones Editor in June 2022, but brings over a decade's worth of experience to the role, with an expertise in smartphones, tablets and wearables. He's covered keynotes hosted by the biggest brands and attended the launches for some of the most influential mobile products of the last few years. His experience was amassed at some of the most reputable consumer technology publications out there, including GSMArena, TechAdvisor and Trusted Reviews. Alex is currently holding out hope for the Pixel Watch's success and is excited for the advancements coming to the world of foldable phones in the near future.

iPhone 15 screen sizes: What we’re expecting

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra may miss out on this useful Galaxy Flip 4 feature

Logitech's new productivity-boosting MX mouse lets you work on any surface

By Bryan M WolfeMay 23, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 23, 2023

By Barclay BallardMay 23, 2023

By Rhys WoodMay 23, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 23, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 23, 2023

By Rhys WoodMay 23, 2023

By Rhys WoodMay 22, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 22, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 22, 2023

By Aleksha McLoughlinMay 19, 2023