Wireless Charging On The Go: The Best Portable Power Banks In 2022

Watching your phone edge towards the 3% battery mark with no power outlet in sight is never pleasant. It’s especially worrying if you need immediate help because of an injury miles from home. Thankfully, handheld power banks come in a range of sizes and capacities.

From pocket-sized models that are ideal for short trips to bulkier, more powerful models that can charge multiple devices simultaneously on long journeys, we’ve chosen the best portable power banks available.

The best portable power banks

Most bang for your buck: Anker Portable Charger PowerCore 20100

Up to eight phone charges
Two 4.8A output ports
PowerIQ and VoltageBoost
Anti-smudge and anti-fingerprint coat
Compact, weighs only 12.5oz

Pros

Slim, lightweight, and compact design
High capacity of 20,100mAh in a small device
Great value for money

Cons

Not as durable as pricier models

Small and lightweight but with enough power to charge a smartphone five to eight times (depending on the model), the Anker PowerCore 20100 is arguably the best portable power bank for the money.

It comes with Anker’s two proprietary technologies, PowerIQ and VoltageBoost, which allow it to identify your device and then charge it at its fastest possible charge speed. The power bank itself recharges pretty quickly, in around 10 hours with the 2 amp charger. The MultiProtect Safety System protects against short circuits. While not IP-rated against moisture or impact, it’s still a great lightweight, fast-charging model.

See Anker Portable Charger PowerCore 20100 on Amazon

See Anker Portable Charger PowerCore 20100 on Anker

See Anker Portable Charger PowerCore 20100 on Walmart

Most compact power bank: Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Bank

Three phone charges
Best power bank considering size and cost
PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies
MultiProtect safety system
Comes with a micro USB cable and travel pouch

Pros

Medium-capacity power bank in a small, light package
Excellent safety features built-in
Battery life lasts a long time

Cons

Only one USB port, so you can’t charge multiple devices at the same time

The Anker PowerCore 10000 has a 10,000mAh capacity and is incredibly small and light considering the capacity. You’d be hard-pressed to find another 10,000mAh power bank this compact. It’s perfect for backpacking.

Like most Anker power banks, it has PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies built-in to deliver the fastest possible charging speed. Anker’s proprietary safety system, MultiProtect, includes advanced surge protection and temperature control.

This model weighs a super light 180g/6.35oz, and its dimensions are 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches. It comes with a micro USB cable, a travel pouch, and an 18-month warranty. There is only one USB port though, so it can’t charge multiple devices simultaneously.

See Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Bank on Amazon

See Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Bank on Walmart

High-capacity budget power bank: Ekrist 25,800mAh Power Bank

Two USB ports (2.1A+1A)
25,800mAh capacity
Recharges in up to 12 hours with 2.1A input charger
Smart built-in protection
Four LED lights

Pros

Super-high capacity in a slim device
Can charge two devices simultaneously
Competitively priced

Cons

On the bulkier side
Takes a while to recharge

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly portable charger with high capacity, the Ekrist 25,800mAh Power Bank is a good choice. The brand is not as well-known as Anker, but with over 1,300 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s one of the most popular USB A port power banks out there.

With 25,800mAh power and two USB ports (2.1A+1A), the Ekrist portable charger can charge two devices simultaneously six to eight times. It has four LED lights that show the remaining power, as well as a built-in smart protection system. It’s compatible with most Android phones, iPhones, tablets, and more. The biggest downside is that it doesn’t use USB-C ports and takes a while to charge devices.

See Ekrist 25,800mAh Power Bank on Amazon

Best power bank with flashlight: Aibocn 10,000mAh Power Bank

Double USB port (2.1A and 1A)
10,000mAh capacity
Comprehensive safety protection
Includes a flashlight

Pros

Can charge two devices at the same time
Great safety features built-in
Backup flashlight

Cons

Of the two USB ports, only one of them is the fast 2.1A
A small number of customers report issues with battery longevity

Cheap and portable, the Aibocn 10,000mAh power bank is a good choice for folks on a tight budget. The device has two USB ports (2.1A and 1A output) and a flashlight that is great for emergencies.

Equipped with “Intelligent Safety Protection”, the Aibcon battery pack provides over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, over-current, and short-circuit protection. It does take a while to recharge, about seven hours with a 5V 2.1A power source, and doesn’t come with a power adapter but that’s expected from a device in this price range.

There’s nothing fancy about this power bank but it’s affordable and does the job, with over 4,000 positive reviews on Amazon.

See Aibocn 10,000mAh Power Bank on Amazon

Best medium capacity: Anker PowerCore 13000

Two USB A ports
1,3000mAh cell capacity
MultiProtect Safety System
Recharges in about seven hours

Pros

Smaller and lighter than competing 13,000mAh power banks
Good security and safety features via Anker’s Multi Protect Safety System
Matte finish enhances grip and prevents both fingerprints and smudges

Cons

We would love a USB C port

The Anker PowerCore 13000 is a compact power bank of medium capacity that can charge a phone between three to five times, depending on the model. It also comes with two high-speed USB A ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously. Much like the PowerCore 20100 reviewed above, the Powercore 13000 has a combination of Anker’s proprietary technologies, PowerIQ and VoltageBoost built-in.

The MultiProtect Safety System provides surge protection, short circuit protection, and a whole host of other safety features. The power bank fully recharges in around seven to eight hours with a 2A wall charger, which is pretty impressive. As usual, you get a Micro USB cable but no power adapter.

See Anker PowerCore 13000 on Amazon

See Anker PowerCore 13000 on Anker

See Anker PowerCore 13000 on Walmart

High-capacity with led screen: iMuto 20000mAh Portable Charger

Two USB ports for fast dual-device charging
20,000mAh high capacity
LED display screen and built-in flashlight
Multiple Smart Protection technology
Works with Micro USB, USB C, and lightning cable

Pros

Super high-capacity portable power bank
Small enough to fit in a pocket
Holds plenty of power for multiple charges
The digital display clearly shows the remaining power

Cons

Heavy
The charging cable is short

This iMuto compact portable power bank is small but mighty. It offers enough juice to charge your phone up to eight times. With two USB ports, this tool is compatible with almost all devices.

The LED screen is an excellent addition, showing how much battery you have left in an easy-to-read digital format. There’s even a built-in LED flashlight, great for camping and useful in a blackout. The charger comes with a Micro USB cable, a waterproof travel pouch, a user guide, and an 18-month warranty.

Unlike many other power banks on the market, this one works with Micro USB, USB C, and lightning cables. The item itself is tiny and you can comfortably carry it in your pocket. But it is on the heavy side, so we still recommend packing it in a backpack or bag.

See iMuto 20000mAh Portable Charger on Amazon

See iMuto 20000mAh Portable Charger on Walmart

Great value two-pack: 2-Pack Miady 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger

Pack of two, each with two USB A ports
10,000mAh high capacity
Comprehensive safety protection
Widely compatible

Pros

Slim and lightweight, easy to pack
Great value two-pack power bank
Ideal as backup power banks or for the whole household

Cons

Slow charging
While these have two USB C ports, they’re not for charging phones

This duo-pack Miady 10000mAh portable charger is a great option if you’re looking for cheap power banks for your whole household. No, it’s not fast charging, nor does it have USB-C charging connection, but the set is compact, affordable, and does the job.

Each power bank comes with two USB output ports, so you can charge four devices simultaneously if the need arises. This said, wireless charging is pretty slow, but with almost 3,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, customers don’t seem to mind.

The chargers have reliable Li-polymer battery packs and are slim and compact. Equally important, each battery pack is equipped with over-heat, over-surge, over-charge, and short-circuit protection.

See 2-Pack Miady 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger on Amazon

Best with USB-C port: INIU USB C Slimmest 10,000mAh Power Bank

10,000mAh capacity
3A high-speed charging
One USB A port and one USB-C port
Built-in flashlight
USB C cable and travel pouch included

Pros

Ultra-fast charging
Thin and compact
Wide compatibility with devices

Cons

Battery life could be longer

Slim, compact, with plenty of power for fast charging, and widely compatible with phones, tablets, and other devices, the INIU USB C Slimmest 10,000mAh Power Bank is one of the best on the market. Over 6,600 five-star Amazon reviewers agree.

Unlike many power banks in this price range, the INIU power bank comes with a USB-C in and out port for USB-C devices. Fast 3A charging enables you to charge your iPhone up to 78% in one hour, which is significantly faster than traditional 2.1A charging. It is also equipped with a flashlight and is airline-approved, making it perfect for travel and outdoor adventures.

See INIU USB C Slimmest 10,000mAh Power Bank on Amazon

Best MagSafe charger: Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Charging rate 15W wired, 5W wireless
Automatic charging
Animation and integration with IOS

Pros

Elegant, thin battery booster
Intuitive design, incredibly easy to use
Handy on the go

Cons

Not particularly powerful nor fast
Expensive

The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is arguably the best portable power bank for iPhone 12 and 13 series users. Yes, it’s expensive for what it does, but there is no denying this is a great-looking portable charger. Incredibly thin, lightweight, and easy to use, the MagSafe is worth its price tag for Apple enthusiasts. Think of it as a battery booster rather than a battery power bank and you won’t be disappointed.

There are magnets to keep your iPhone attached to the pack, providing safe wireless charging. It also automatically charges, so you don’t need to waste your time turning it off or on, and you get a nice animation showing how much battery the phone and battery pack have left. You can use a Lightning connector for up to 15W of wireless charging, or charge both the pack and your iPhone simultaneously with a 20W USB-C power adapter.

See Apple MagSafe Battery Pack on Amazon

Why trust us

To make our selections, we relied on extensive market research and good product recommendations. We took time to compare highly rated portable chargers and analyze their features and technologies, including outlet options, charging speeds, and portability. We also read hundreds of customer reviews and impressions on Amazon and other forums.

Who this is for

Anyone looking for quality portable power banks and portable batteries. Whether you want to reach your family while in the backcountry, use your tablet, camera, and GPS while camping, or simply have a functioning phone in case of an emergency, these power banks won’t let you down.

How we picked

We checked out highly rated models, scoured user reviews, and asked our team members for product recommendations. Then we focused on lightweight and compact power banks that are easy to pack for outdoor adventures and models that provide the best value for money. Finally, we included a couple of flashier battery packs for folks looking for both function and form.

Features to look for in portable power banks

Capacity

Milliamp hour (mAH) is a unit that measures electric power and tells you how much capacity a power bank has. Naturally, the higher the mAH, the more capacity the bank has. However, a more powerful rating means a heavier battery, which can be problematic if you plan on taking your power bank everywhere with you. So the first question to ask yourself before purchasing a portable power bank is how much power (and how many devices) you’re likely to need when away from a mains hookup.

Remember that most phones have a 3,000 to 4,000mAh battery, so at the very least, you want a power bank with that much capacity so you can double your phone’s battery life. Most portable chargers come with at least 10,000mAh, which should give you around two to four times the battery life. If you plan on being off the grid for an extended period and are using multiple devices (GPS, camera, phone, etc.), you may want to go for a charger with at least 20,000mAh.

Number of ports

If you’re only looking to charge your phone, a simple, affordable one-charging-port power bank is all you need. However, if you plan on charging multiple devices simultaneously, it’s best to look for packs with two charging ports or more. Some models can charge over six devices simultaneously but these tend to be heavy.

Most power banks have a standard USB-A output port for charging your device and a USB-A input port for charging the battery itself. Many newer models also sport a USB-C charging port. There are also models with a Micro USB port, but they’re not as popular.

Charging speed

Some power banks can charge devices faster than others. A 1A USB port is the slowest, a 2.1A USB port is a bit faster. The fastest battery charging technology is called Quick Charge. On most power banks some ports offer higher speeds than others.

How fast your power bank can charge a phone (or any other device) depends on the available output of the power bank as well as the available input of the device. Phones are usually the quickest to charge, while bigger devices like tablets and laptops take much longer, even with Quick Charge technology.

Dimensions

Generally speaking, the more powerful a power bank, the bigger it is. So, you want to strike a balance here by getting a model that is easy to pack but provides enough juice for your devices.

A 5,000mAH power bank is very lightweight and small, while a 10,000mAH one is about the size of a smartphone. The bigger the capacity, the bigger the power bank.

Portable power bank FAQ

Q: What is the best brand of power bank?

Usually, we are reluctant to get behind one specific brand as all brands have their unique strengths and weaknesses. However, in the case of power banks, there is a clear winning brand, which is Anker.

Anker has been producing high-quality power bank and solar power bank models for a long time. They have been largely responsible for turning power banks from niche, geeky devices to a staple for the general population. Anker has continually improved its technology, design, safety, manufacturing process, and customer service, and it shows.

If you don’t mind spending a bit more, we highly recommend The Ultimate Power Bank USB-C Graphene Panasonic. It has a large battery capacity, charges fast, and lasts longer than most models.

Q: What power bank lasts the longest?

The power bank that lasts the longest is the one that uses the highest quality battery and has superior technology to make the most out of the charge cycles. Based on this, we would predict that the Anker PowerCore 20100 would theoretically last the longest for several reasons.

Like most Anker products, the PowerCore 20100 uses high-quality battery cells.
It has a very high capacity.
It has a high 4.8A output which will go a long way to reducing the number of charging cycles used when charging devices.

In general, as long as you keep your power bank in decent shape and charge it often, it should last you for years.

Q: Which power bank is the easiest to use?

Power banks are very simple devices and most work broadly the same way. For this reason, there isn’t a power bank that is much easier to use than others.

Q: What is the best small power bank?

When it comes to the best small power banks, the Anker PowerCore + Mini probably takes the crown. It’s a tiny tube that weighs a mere three ounces and has petite dimensions of 3.7 inches x 0.9 inches. Another excellent small power bank is the Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Bank.

Q: How do you charge a power bank?

You charge most power banks using the supplied USB cable, which you can hook up into a plug and then into a socket, or stick in another larger power bank. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on when to charge your bank and the time required to charge it fully. It’s wise to avoid leaving it on a prolonged charge to avoid overheating.