We’ve all suffered the sudden, all-encompassing horror of a dead phone. The accusing looks and hushed criticism of family and friends. That blank screen on the commute home that leaves you at the mercy of your chatty fellow traveler. The sudden loss of Google Maps as you turn into an unfamiliar neighborhood. The sinking feeling as you realize your phone alarm didn’t go off because you forgot to plug your phone in last night. Why, oh, why must our smartphones die?
Additional buying guides
We feel your pain, and that is why we’ve been checking out some of the best portable chargers on the market. While we await a real breakthrough in battery technology, a portable charger might just be the best option we have. There’s something here for you, whatever your needs may be, from heaps of power for a camping trip to a pocket-friendly solution for your daily commute. These are the best portable chargers that money can buy.
Moshi IonSlim 10K
- Capacity: 10,300mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (USB-C PD up to 30W, USB-A up to 12W)
- Weight: 236g (8.32oz)
- Price: $100
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 hours
If you’re seeking a power bank you can use long term from a company you can trust, then Moshi’s IonSlim has the thoughtful design you require. This portable charger is about the same size and weight as an iPhone 11 Pro and it can fully charge one up at least two times over. The IonSlim is curved for comfort in the hand and crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s also capable of putting out up to 30W, so it can charge your phone at top speed, or even charge a laptop in a pinch.
There’s a USB-A port capable of putting out up to 12W and a USB-C port capable of putting out up to 30W. Next to them, you’ll find a four LED array to show the remaining power and the recessed power button. Sometimes, it’s the little details that justify that premium price tag and the IonSlim ships with a short USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable. It has quality components inside and is capable of simultaneously charging two devices. It can also be charged up very quickly, gaining 50% back after just 45 minutes via the USB-C port with a good wall charger.
With an understated style and versatile charging capability, the Moshi IonSlim might be all you need to pack in your bag when you’re out and about. It can charge up phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices. You can find similar capacity for less if you shop around, but the build quality and reliability here are second to none.
Fuse Chicken Universal
- Capacity: 6,700mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (USB-C PD, USB-A QC 3.0)
- Weight: 331g (11.67oz)
- Price: $85
- Time to fully charge: Around 3 hours
For all you globetrotters out there, this device is nothing short of genius. The Fuse Chicken Universal has everything you need to charge your smartphone all wrapped into one neat, portable package that is 3 x 3 inches square and about an inch high. It’s a power bank with a 6,700mAh capacity, which is enough to charge most smartphones at least once with some power to spare. But it’s also a wireless charging pad and a travel adapter.
Tap the power button and you can see the remaining power as a precise percentage. There’s an LED that goes green when it’s ready and red while it’s charging something. There are USB-C and USB-A ports. You can charge it or charge another device with it via USB-C Power Delivery, which goes up to 18W. The USB-A port supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard. It also doubles up as a wireless charging pad, capable of putting out up to 10W to fast charge your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or any other Qi-certified device.
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a built-in plug for a U.S. outlet, with prongs that fold neatly away. The plug part also slides off, as it does on Apple’s power adapters, and you can slide on one of the supplied plug attachments, which include plugs for the U.K., Europe, and Australia. This is a versatile device. You can plug it into an outlet and charge an iPad Pro via the USB-C and a phone via the USB-A at the same time. Or you could use it unplugged and have the power bank charge your iPhone 8 wirelessly and rapidly charge your Pixel 4 via the USB-C port at the same time. This is a thoughtful design that’s perfect for travelers.
Clutch Charger
- Capacity: 2,300mAh
- Outputs: 1 built-in cable (Lightning)
- Weight: 60g (2.12oz)
- Price: $40
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 hours
If portability is your top priority then this ultra-thin power bank is for you. This portable power bank is 3 x 2 inches and just 0.15 inches thick. It hardly weighs anything and it’s slim enough to slot into a wallet or purse easily. There’s obviously going to be a trade-off here and sure enough, the Clutch Charger only has room for a 2,300mAh capacity. That’s going to give you around 40% extra battery life, maybe a little more, for an iPhone 11 Pro.
Because the Clutch Charger has a built-in Lightning cable you can only use it to charge up Apple devices, but there is a version for Android phones in the works. There’s a Micro USB port on the bottom edge of the Clutch Charger for charging it up and a small red LED on the side flashes to indicate remaining power when you plug it in and stays on to indicate when it’s fully charged. The Lightning cable slides out easily and can be plugged into an iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
Since the capacity is low, the Clutch Charger probably works best as an emergency backup, but the fact it’s so small makes it easy to stow in your bag or wallet for when you need it. If you have a really busy day and your phone battery is flagging there’s a good chance this will give it the boost it needs to make it through to bedtime. It’s expensive if you judge it by capacity, but the svelte design is what you’re paying for here, and it really is impressively slim.
Ubio Labs Shadow Series Power Bank
- Capacity: 6,000mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (Lightning, USB-A)
- Weight: 136g (4.8oz)
- Price: $40
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 hours
Svelte and lightweight, this portable power bank has a decent 6,000mAh capacity, which is enough to charge most phones twice. There’s a glossy, rounded frame and a soft-touch finish that enhances grip on either side. There’s no power button, simply pick it up or plug in your phone and it comes to life, with the standard four white LED array to show you remaining power. You’ll find a Lightning port and a USB-A port in the top and this is what sets the Ubio Labs Shadow Series apart — because it has that Lightning port and it’s fully MFi certified it’s the ideal companion for an iPhone; you’ll only need one cable to charge your iPhone from the power bank or to charge the power bank itself.
It’s slim enough to hold comfortably together with your iPhone and the profile is just a bit smaller than an iPhone 11 Pro. The Lightning port is rated at 1.8A, while the USB-A output is 2.4A and can deliver up to 12W. There are better options in terms of capacity, price, and speed, but if you’re sick of having to juggle Lightning cables with USB-C or Micro USB, then you might appreciate this option.
Ubio Labs also offers this power bank as part of a kit along with a 12W wall charger, a car charger, a Lightning to USB-A cable, and a zip-up bag to keep it all in, but it costs a pretty hefty $80.
Bezalel Prelude Power Bank
- Capacity: 5,000mAh
- Outputs: 1 port (USB-C)
- Weight: 158g (5.6oz)
- Price: $80
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 hours
With a host of stylish charging products, Bezalel is a brand for people who are prepared to pay more for something that looks good. In the case of the thoughtfully-designed Prelude, Bezalel has packed a lot of substance in as well. At first glance, the low 5,000mAh capacity and the high price tag could put you off, but there are reasons to take a closer look. This power bank also supports Qi wireless charging and so you can wirelessly charge devices at up to 10W, and you can wirelessly charge the power bank itself. It also has a USB-C port that can be used to charge devices or to charge the power bank.
You activate the Prelude by shaking it — there’s no power button — and the logo on the back lights up, along with four LEDs to show remaining power. Flip it over to the other side and there’s a cover you can slide off to reveal a sticky nano-suction pad for attaching the Prelude to the back of your iPhone or Android phone. Just make sure to line it up with the wireless charging sweet spot and you’re good to go.
The cover attaches magnetically, so you can stick it back on after you’re done charging to keep the pad clean. The Prelude also works with Bezalel’s line of cases and sucks them into the right position magnetically. It comes with a good quality USB-C to USB-A cable in the box. If you choose to charge using the cable it can deliver or receive up to 18W, which means it can charge an Apple iPhone 11 Pro or Google Pixel 4 at top speed. There’s no doubt this is a bit more expensive than it needs to be, but there’s nothing else quite like it.
Zendure SuperMini Power Bank
- Capacity: 10,00mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (USB-C PD and USB-A QC 3.0)
- Weight: 180g (6.35oz)
- Price: $30
- Time to fully charge: 3 hours
The smallest offering in the Zendure range manages to pack a lot of power into its compact body. It resembles a tiny suitcase, with its durable, crush-proof design, and it’s a good choice for adventurers. There’s a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery and can output up to 18W, making it ideal to fast charge the new iPhone 11 range. There’s also a USB-A port that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard and can put out up to 18W. The USP for this is the pass-through capability that allows you to charge the Zendure SuperMini and a connected smartphone at the same time.
On one side, you’ll find a small power button and four LEDs that light up to indicate how much power remains. It turns itself on and off automatically when you plug in a device, so the power button is only for checking the remaining juice.
You get a short USB-A to USB-C cable in the box. It’s very portable and it holds a charge well. You can get larger sizes with greater capacity and more ports, but the SuperMini is ideal if you need a small, tough charger to give you a couple of full charges for your smartphone.
RAVPower Super-C Series Portable Charger
- Capacity: 26,800mAh
- Outputs: 3 ports (USB-C 3A, 2.4A, and 2.4A)
- Weight: 462g (16.2oz)
- Price: $80
- Time to fully charge: 4 to 5 hours
This versatile charger has three output ports and supports USB PD (Power Delivery). There are two standard USB ports, both rated at 2.4A, but the maximum joint output is 3.4A. More importantly, there’s a USB-C port that can deliver up to 30W for your laptop or tablet, or charge your phone at top speed. There’s a power button up top with four blue LEDs to show the remaining power.
Not only can it charge devices with USB-C, but it can also be charged through that port, which means it’s very fast to juice up, provided you have a powerful wall charger (you don’t get one in the box). What you do get is two tangle-free USB-to-Micro USB cables at different lengths and a longer USB-C-to-USB-C cable. It also comes with a soft mesh bag sporting a drawstring closure.
It’s not the most portable device in the world, but it’s impressively compact and light for the capacity. This is a good solution for travelers with multiple gadgets. You can expect at least five full charges for an iPhone XS, four full charges for a Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, and it can even charge an iPad with change. If speed is important to you, then this is a must-have.
Anker PowerCore Speed 20,000 PD
- Capacity: 20,100mAh
- Output: 2 ports (USB-C 3A and 2A)
- Weight: 373g (13.1oz)
- Price: $100
- Time to fully charge: 4 hours
If you want something fast charging, then Anker’s PowerCore Speed 20,000 PD is tough to beat. This long, slim power bank is packing 20,100mAh, which is enough to charge your smartphone at least three or four times over, maybe more depending on the model. You can also charge an iPad with change or even charge a small laptop, though we recommend checking compatibility before you buy.
It has a sleek, understated design with the usual power button on the side and four blue LEDs to show the remaining power. There are two ports: One standard USB-A rated at 5V/2A and a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) output that can deliver up to 24W. You may be thinking it looks a little pricey, but you also get a slim 30W power delivery wall charger in the box, alongside a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to Micro USB cable, and a drawstring carry pouch. That’s everything you need for fast charging on the go.
We tried the power bank with a Pixel 3 and found it was capable of rapid charging. The included wall charger can also rapidly charge an iPhone X or an iPad Pro (Apple’s 30W wall charger costs $49 on its own). When the power bank runs out you can fully recharge it in just four hours with the charger and USB-C cable provided. If you’re after USB-C PD support, then this package is for you.
Aukey Power Bank
- Capacity: 20,000mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (3.4A total)
- Weight: 387g (13.6oz)
- Price: $20
- Time to fully charge: Around 8 to 10 hours
This chunky portable charger is quite heavy but packs a big capacity of 20,000mAh. It has two USB ports for charging up your devices. Both are capable of putting out 2.4A, but if you charge two devices simultaneously your total maximum output is 3.4A. You can expect four charges from this battery for most smartphones.
The design is an unobtrusive black in subtly textured plastic and it feels chunky in hand. There’s a button on the top to turn it on and you will find a typical four LED battery level indicator between the ports. It can be charged up via the Micro USB port or the Lightning port, which is unusual. The idea is that iPhone owners need only take one cable to charge up both the power bank and their iPhones.
It comes with a short USB-A-to-Micro USB cable in the box and a travel pouch. Aukey also offers a 24-month warranty. It’s not the best-looking portable charger around, but there are two reasons to consider it: The low price and the option to charge it up via Lightning cable.
Ted Baker Portable Wireless Charger
- Capacity: 5,000mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (USB-A at 2.1A, USB-C 2.1A)
- Weight: 280g (9.87 ounces)
- Price: $140
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 to 3 hours
If you demand some style and class in your tech, then this portable charger from Ted Baker is for you. It feels reassuringly heavy with an attractive brushed aluminum finish in coppery brown and a top of soft Italian suede leather. It has a capacity of 5,000mAh which is enough to charge any smartphone fully at least once. It comes with a 1-meter USB-A to USB-C cable.
It has two ports on the side with a power button and four white LEDs to show the remaining power. There’s also a single blue LED that lights up when it’s charging something. The first port is a USB-A output rated at 2.1A and the second is a USB-C input or output also rated at 2.1A both ways. We tested with a Pixel 3 and using the cable supplied it charged at a steady rate, but using a USB-C to USB-C cable enabled rapid charging.
The device also works as a wireless charger. Simply pop your iPhone or Android phone with Qi wireless charging support onto the soft suede and tap the power button. Testing with the Pixel 3, it charged at normal speed, not rapid wireless charging. We really like the look and feel of this charger and it’s just the right size to hold together with your phone. The only thing that would give us pause is the high price tag. You can get much higher capacity chargers for less, but this one is all about the style and quality.
Omnicharge Omni 20
- Capacity: 20,400mAh
- Outputs: 4 ports (100W, 70W, 3A, QC 3.0)
- Weight: 630g (22.2 ounces)
- Price: $250
- Time to fully charge: Around 3 hours
If you’re craving the versatility to charge any device in the room, but you still want something reasonably portable, then the Omni 20 is set to become the new object of your desire. This unassuming square with sloping corners packs a multitude of speedy charging options. While Omnicharge may have literally cut corners on the exterior, you’ll find everything you could need inside.
There’s a proper AC outlet, just like a wall outlet, capable of putting out 100W to power a laptop or other large devices — you could even plug a TV into it. There’s also a DC outlet that can put out 70W and two USB ports — the first is rated at 5V/3A and the second supports the Quick Charge 3.0 standard, so whatever smartphone you own it should be able to charge at top speed from this power bank.
Next to the power button, you’ll find a wee OLED screen that shows the remaining power as an amount and as a percentage. It also displays how much power is currently coming in, how much power is going out, how much time before it runs out of juice, and the temperature. On the other side of the screen, there’s a rocker to turn on the USB ports and the AC outlet. The DC port can act as an output, but it’s also the best way to charge the Omni 20 and if you use the adapter and cable provided it can charge up fully in just 3 hours — not bad for a 20,400mAh capacity device. You can also use a laptop adapter to charge it, which is handy for travelers who don’t want to pack any superfluous extras. Incidentally, the Omni 20 is FAA approved for air travel.
This is a seriously versatile device that will charge up just about anything. You can also dig into the settings using the OLED and fine-tune your charging preferences, turn the fan off, turn the screen off, and tweak various other bits and pieces. It does also support pass-through charging, so you can recharge it and charge up connected devices at the same time. There are a few different versions of the Omni 20, so make sure you get the right one for you. You can pick the Omni 20 that switches a USB-C for the AC outlet for $200 and there’s a Pro version at $300 that includes extra charging cables and tips. Our Omni 20 also had plug attachments for the power adapter enabling us to use it in the U.S., the EU, and the U.K. According to some descriptions it was going to support Qi wireless charging as well, but this feature was cut.
Originally backed on Indiegogo, it’s not hard to see why people would want a feature-packed portable charger like the Omni 20 in their bag. It’s on the expensive side and quite large for the capacity offered, but as a one-stop charging solution for every device you own, it’s hard to match.
Xcentz Portable Charger
- Capacity: 10,000mAh
- Outputs: 2 ports (USB-C 18W and USB-A 3A)
- Weight: 185g (6.5oz)
- Price: $22
- Time to fully charge: 3 to 4 hours
This beautifully compact portable charger has a capacity of 10,000mAh, so you can expect two full charges for most smartphones. There’s a single USB-C port for charging your smartphone at top speed and for charging the battery pack up; it supports fast charging with Power Delivery at 18W and also Quick Charge 3.0. There’s also a standard USB-A port that charges more slowly.
It’s an extremely compact design that comes in black, pink, or sandstone grey. There’s a small display window on the side with four lights to indicate the remaining power level and a square power button sits next to it. This power bank comes with a basic USB-A to USB-C cable. Just bear in mind that you’ll need a good, fast wall charger to be able to charge it up at top speed.
You’ll find LG battery tech inside this power bank and it should retain 90% of its charge over 500 charge and recharge cycles, which is a lot better than most portable chargers in this price range. If you want something small and affordable, with plenty of power, then this is a great choice.
EasyAcc MegaCharge D20
- Capacity: 20,000mAh
- Outputs: 4 ports (3A each)
- Weight: 370g (13oz)
- Price: $50
- Time to fully charge: Around 4 hours
This chunky battery pack in black plastic has a distinctive orange stripe around it. We’re not in love with the look, but it contains a whopping 20,000mAh of power and an unusual array of input and output ports. The green USB port supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0, and also Huawei’s fast-charging standard, FCP. There are two black USB ports capable of up to 3A and there’s also a USB-C port that can deliver the same. Move round to the side and you’ll find a Micro USB port and another USB-C port for charging the battery up. Interestingly these inputs can be plugged in simultaneously to enable you to charge the battery up faster — bringing charging time down to around four hours, which is pretty impressive for this capacity.
You’ll find the standard four LED array on the top to show you the remaining power in 25% chunks. There’s a power button on the side and you can double press it to fire up the LED flashlight, which is a handy extra that makes this a good choice for camping. EasyAcc includes a short, 24-inch USB-to-USB-C cable and a USB-to-Micro USB cable that’s the same length in the box. It does support pass-through charging, so you can plug it in to charge and plug your phone into it to charge at the same time.
We think you can expect at least four full charges for the majority of smartphones out there and probably more than that for phones with smaller batteries, like the iPhone 8. Weighing up the complete package we think this is a good value for money and worth considering if you need a lot of power and want to be able to recharge it in a hurry.
QDOS AirBank
- Capacity: 5,000mAh
- Outputs: 1 port and Qi wireless charging (2.4A and 5W)
- Weight: 180g (6.34oz)
- Price: $65
- Time to fully charge: Around 2 to 3 hours
We’ve been seeing more and more portable battery packs that double up as Qi wireless charging pads, but this effort from QDOS has a special addition that helps keep your phone in the sweet spot, and it’s suction pads. The capacity is only 5,000mAh, so you can expect at least one full charge for your smartphone, maybe one and a half or even two, depending on your phone’s battery capacity. It’s a slow wireless charger, offering 5W, but there is also a USB port that can put out 2.4A.
The size is pretty convenient and it has a soft-touch finish, though we did notice that it picks up lint and dust very easily, and you’ll find both on the suction cups in particular if you sling it in a bag. We have noticed with some other portable chargers like this that the phone can slide off a little too easily and the wireless charging doesn’t work as well, or sometimes at all, if the devices aren’t properly aligned. The suction cups do a solid job of keeping your phone in place. We tested it with an iPhone X and found we could even turn it upside down and the iPhone stayed securely attached.
You get a short USB to Micro USB cable in the box with it, and there’s a Micro USB port to recharge the battery. The other side is home to the power button with four white LEDs to show the remaining power and two blue ones that indicate whether it’s charging anything via cable or wirelessly. We’re a little disappointed by the lack of fast wireless charging and it’s fairly expensive, but the suction pads are a clever touch that works well.
Carved Wood Power Bank
- Capacity: 6,000mAh
- Outputs: 1 port (2.1A)
- Weight: 140g (5oz)
- Price: $49-plus
- Time to fully charge; 4 to 5 hours
This is easily one of the most attractive power banks we’ve ever seen. The frame is a soft, black plastic with an ebony layer on the bottom and an eye-catching top panel. Carved offers a wide range of different finishes, some of which consist of plain wood grain, some with fantastic designs by talented artists, and some that mix natural wood grain with splashes of colored resin.
In terms of functionality, the Carved power bank is straightforward — you get enough power to fully charge a smartphone at least once, delivered via a single USB port that’s rated at 2.1A. All the connections and components rest at one end, including the USB port used to charge your phone, the Micro USB used to charge the power bank, the recessed power button, and a standard LED array that indicates how much juice is left. The charger also comes with a handy burlap sack and a short Micro USB-to-USB cable.
Nimble 10K Portable Charger
- Capacity: 10,000mAh
- Outputs: 3 ports (2 USB-A QC 3.0, 1 USB-C PD 18W)
- Weight: 255g (9oz)
- Price: $80
- Time to fully charge: 2 to 3 hours
What makes Nimble stand out from the competition is its use of sustainable materials. The Nimble 10K is constructed from bioplastics derived from sugarcane and corn. Nimble’s packaging is also 100% biodegradable and compostable. You’ll also find a small recycling bag that ships with each product so you can mail in old electronics to be recycled.
In addition to two USB-A ports, one of which supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard, there’s also an 18W USB-C input or output port, so you can easily charge another device. One of our favorite features is the detachable magnetic cable management strap that attaches to the bottom of the battery pack for convenience. The LED lights on the side tell you how much juice is left but can also show if your device is charging fast. There’s a 12-inch USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, but you don’t get a wall charger.
If you want a higher capacity battery pack from Nimble, the company has 13,000mAh, 20,000mAh, and 26,000mAh battery packs available.
Editors' Recommendations
- How to fast charge your iPhone
- The best wireless phone chargers for your iPhone or Android
- Best mobile accessories of CES 2020: Cases, wireless chargers, and robots
- The best car chargers for 2020
- The best USB-C headphone adapters of 2020
