My power banks have to work hard, which is why I recommend buying these charging devices from reputable brands. I work to keep those brands honest by extensively testing dozens of products every year using an array of gadgets to make sure they do what they say they do on the box. I test capacity and power output, water resistance if applicable, and durability.
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I've rigorously tested hundreds of portable chargers in recent years, putting me in the perfect position to identify which ones truly deserve your money. Testing a power bank involves power meters to measure capacity and power output, testing durability claims in real-world tests, followed by a chunk of time using the item on a day-to-day basis. At the end of this, I know just how good a particular power bank is.
Also: We tested 10 power banks in our lab - and this one provided the fastest charge
My pick for the best power bank overall goes to the Anker Nano 10,000 mAh for its portability, quality construction (this power bank has been knocked about by me in a handful of countries), the fact that it has USB-C and USB-A ports which means it caters to both old and new devices. And to top it all off, it comes with a super handy built-in USB-C cable. And you get all that for $30.
In our June update, we added the Cuktech 15 Air and the BMX SolidSafe 10K as top picks.
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Why we like it: It's just everything that most power bank owners want from their power bank, and it really just continues to be the one I recommend to people who say they "just want a good power bank.". It offers decent to top up a smartphone during the day, it has both USB-A and USB-C ports so you're covered for all eventualities, and there's even a built-in USB-C cable, so you can't forget it!
And to top things off, it's made by Anker, a company with track record of making quality hardware for a decent price.
Review: Anker Nano 10,000 mAh
Who's it for: Someone who want's a no-fuss, no-brainer power bank. And if you're the sort of person who forgets their cable (or you know someone who does this) then this is the power bank for them!
Who should look elsewhere: This is a bit small for powering a tablet or laptop, and it doesn't make any claims regarding durability, so those looking for something bigger, more powerful, or more rugged should look elsewhere.
Anker Nano 10,000 mAh tech specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 1 x USB-C cable, 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Max output: 30W
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Why we like it: This power bank is thinner and lighter than most 10,000mAh power banks, weighing in at just .6 pounds. The 15 Air has three outputs: two USB-C ports with maximum outputs of 65W and 27W, and a USB-A port with a maximum of 18W output. This means this one power bank can charge your laptop -- albeit not at full speed -- a smartphone, and a legacy or low-power bit of kit.
Review: Cuktech 15 Air
Who's it for: If you want a power bank that is fast, the Cuktech 15 Air outperformed the 10 other power banks we tested in our lab. It only took 54 minutes to reach a 100% charge. (For context, the second-fastest charger took about 95 minutes to reach 100%.)
The 15 Air also has a brilliant color TFT display that shows you everything from the battery charge level, current, and voltage port outputs, and it can also let you set the main USB-C port from the normal in/out to either in only or out only. This is a handy feature to have on power banks because it allows you to have finer control over charging.
Who should look elsewhere: The only downside to this charger is it's $80 price tag, but it often goes on sale on Amazon if you're looking to get a better deal.
Cuktech 15 Air tech specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 2 x USB-C 1 x USB-A | Max output: 65W
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Why we like it: No need to have a cord on hand when using this power bank, since it has one built in. The retractable cord on this power bank is one of the smoothest I've tested, and it locks out at several different lengths (as opposed to many, where you only get three or four). I like this because I can make the 2.3-foot cable the right length for my needs.
Review: Baseus EnerCore CR11
Who's it for: The 20,000 mAh capacity is ideal for content creators who need to keep multiple devices charged throughout the day, such as a camera, smartphone, and laptop. You can also turn on a low-current mode, which allows you to recharge low-draw gadgets like earbuds--basically, you're covered for pretty much any gadget you might want to take with you.
Who should look elsewhere: In our lab tests, the Baseus EnerCore CR11 took a little over two hours to charge to 100%, so if you're looking for something faster, this model isn't it.
Baseus EnerCore CR11 tech specs: Capacity: 20,000mAh | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-C cable | Max output: 67W
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Why we like it: Solid-state power banks do away with older lithium-ion batteries that include the flammable liquid electrolyte and instead use a solid-state battery that's a lot safer, greatly reducing the risk of a fire. These power banks, like the BMX one, also tend to last longer.
Review: BMX SolidSafe 10K
Who's it for: The device features a Qi2 wireless charging pad that can deliver up to 15W of power to a compatible handset. The magnets are strong and can hold the power bank in place, no matter how rough and tumble your life gets, even if your phone is in a thick case like mine.
On top of that, the BMX SolidSafe 10K be recharged at a lower temperature, which is an advantage when you're off-grid and there's no heat. If you had traditional power banks, you'd have to put them inside your clothes to warm them up for charging.
Who should look elsewhere: The BMX SolidSafe 10K is definitely on the heftier side for its size, and it's quite bulky.
BMX Solidsafe 10K tech specs: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Ports: 2 USB-C ports | Max output: 38W
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Why we like it: The Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh power bank is a powerhouse of functionality. It offers a massive 20,000mAh capacity, capable of charging modern smartphones multiple times and even providing more than one full charge for a laptop. Despite its size and weight (1 pound), it remains airline travel-friendly.
The TFT display is a standout feature, providing detailed information such as battery capacity, inputs/outputs, real-time voltage, current, and power curve.
Additionally, the 130W combined output across its three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) ensures fast and versatile charging.
Review: Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh 130W
Who's it for: This power bank is ideal for frequent travelers, tech enthusiasts, and professionals who need to charge multiple devices on the go, including laptops and smartphones. Its high capacity and fast charging capabilities make it perfect for those who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
Who should look elsewhere: If you prioritize portability and lightweight design, this power bank might not be the best choice due to its chunky size and 1-pound weight. Those who only need a power bank for occasional smartphone charging may find this device overkill for their needs, while those on a tight budget might want to explore more affordable options, as this power bank's advanced features and high output come at a premium price.
Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh, 130W tech specs: Capacity: 20,000mAh | Ports: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Max output: 130W
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As always, it depends on your needs and what you're looking for. Some people want giant power banks for multi-day adventures, others want something small to get them out of an emergency. Some want something stylish and sleek, while others want total geekery and get something that's more like a charging computer than a simple power bank.
Choose this power bank… | If you want… |
Anker Nano 10,000mAh | The best power bank overall. It's portable, well built, and offers both USB-C and USB-A ports, and that built-in USB-C cable is perfect for those who always forget to pack a cable. |
Cuktech 15 Air | A fast-charging power bank that can charge to 100% in under an hour. |
Baseus EnerCore CR11 20,000mAh | A big, powerful power bank that's perfect for content creators who need to charge a bunch of gadgets. It's also kitted out with a USB-C cable on a retractor and has a really sleek look. |
BMX SolidSafe 10K | A safer way to charge your devices with this power bank that uses solid-state technology. |
Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh | The best power bank for its large battery capacity and power, and a display that is clear and readable. One of my all-time favorites and is available for $70. |
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A variety of factors impact the quality and usability of power banks. Here are some things to take into consideration before buying one:
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I test and review a lot of power banks, and this allows me to filter through hundreds of units to find the best of the best. On top of that, I use power banks a lot when traveling or going off-grid for hiking and camping. This allows me to get real-world, hands-on experience of the product for extended periods of time. Finally, every product that I use, test, or review is thoroughly safety tested to make sure that you'll be buying a reliable, safe product.
Here are the key factors I consider when testing power banks:
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This is a huge question.
On the whole, yes. I've tested hundreds of power banks and portable chargers from a myriad of companies, and as long as you steer clear of the cheap no-name junk that you might find in dollar stores and gas stations you should be safe.
You no doubt noticed I said "should" there. Let me explain what I mean.
First, even the best power bank makers can and do suffer from manufacturing issues, and these can result in recalls. There were a few last year, and a good reason to buy your power banks from Amazon is that this company sends out emails to customers when this happens.
Another issue is that power banks can get damaged, and damaged power banks can be unpredictable. While modern lithium batteries have a number of built in safety features to prevent anything catastrophic from happening, sometimes things can still go wrong. One of the worst things that you can expose a power bank to is moisture, as this can cause short circuits, which in turn can cause fires.
But remember, there are hundreds of millions of power banks out there, and incidences are very rare. On the grand scheme of things, lithium batteries are incredibly safe.
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There is, but fear not, because it's actually quite a generous limit.
FAA rules (and this rule is mirrored by most aviation authorities) allow you to take a power bank with a capacity up to 100Wh or 27,000mAh without declaring it. Beyond this, you must check with the airline and declare the power bank.
Note that all power banks and anything with a lithium battery must be taken as carry and NOT put in the hold.
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Most modern power banks have a feature called pass-through charging that allows you to charge it and use it to charge other devices simultaneously. This is a handy feature if you have limited number of power outlets and what to charge multiple devices -- for example, when traveling.
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Lithium-ion batteries -- the batteries found in most power banks -- are good for about 800 recharge cycles. This means if you used a power bank daily, and each day you ran it empty before recharging it for the next day, you'd get more than two years of life.
In reality, people easily get 5 years from a power bank, and normally, it's technology moving forward and making the power bank obsolete that kills it, not usage.
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The bigger the power bank's capacity, the longer it will normally take to charge. However, this depends on a lot of factors -- from whether it charges using USB-A or USB-C, to the power output of the charger doing the charging.
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Nitecore has turned to smooth, sleek, durable space-age carbon fiber, creating a minimalist candy bar-shaped power bank that packs 10,000mAh into as small a space as possible. The unit is built to IPX8 standards (it's completely dustproof and water-resistant to 6 feet) and built to survive a five-foot drop.
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This Anker Prime powerbank may look small, but it's powerful enough to charge your laptop on the go, with up to 300W of total output. It features three ports along the top, allowing you to charge two laptops using the USB-C ports, which support up to 140W each, and an iPhone simultaneously using the 20W USB-A port.
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This power bank also doubles as a 4G hotspot that works in over 150 countries. Up to 10 devices can connect simultaneously, and the power bank when fully charged can run the hotspot feature for around 114 hours.
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