Best Power Banks: Top 7 Portable Chargers Recommended Across Expert Reviews

We’ve all been there. You have an important meeting, you’re traveling, your phone or laptop is on low battery, and there’s no outlet to charge your mobile devices. There’s nothing worse than a dying device, especially when you depend on it for a variety of things. When you’re a busy professional constantly on the move, knowing your options for the best power banks definitely pays. 

As a tech-forward society, we tend to depend on our devices every day. In fact, a recent study shows that six in 10 people feel they couldn’t cope without their smartphone for one day. Additionally, one in eight people experience anxiety when they see their battery is low. Luckily, with a power bank, you can wash away your worries and simply plug in your phone anywhere!

Considering that Americans use their phones everywhere they go, having a power bank on hand ensures you will never be left without a charge. They take away the danger of boredom being off-the-grid if your phone dies. That way you are always reachable and entertained.

So, which power banks should you invest in? StudyFinds did some research, consulting 15 expert review websites in an effort to bring you a consensus list of the best power banks money can buy. Our list comprises the seven most frequently mentioned power banks from across these sites. Think the experts missed one of the top charging devices? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

The List: Best Power Banks, According to Tech Gurus

 

1. Anker 737 Power Bank

The top spot on the list of the best power banks belongs to the Anker 737. Anker is a leading name in the world of portable charging devices and the Anker 737 is a big reason why. “For folks who don’t mind paying for quality, the Anker 737 is a versatile and reliable beast with a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity. With Power Delivery 3.1 support, this power bank can send or receive up to 140 watts to charge phones, tablets, and even laptops. You can charge it from zero to full within an hour. It’s relatively compact for its capacity, but it weighs almost 1.4 pounds. Tap the circular power button on the side once, and the snazzy digital display shows the remaining battery percentage; tap it again, and you get stats including the temperature, total output, cycles, and more,” writes Wired. 

The Anker 737 is loaded with helpful features and power. The best part is you can charge more than one device at a time. “With two USB-C ports and one USA-A port, the Anker 737 Power Bank can support three different devices at a time. When it comes time to recharge, you can receive a 70% charge with just 30 minutes of charging. The digital display makes it easy to track progress, even estimating the time that charging will be finished. Plus, the compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go,” explains ZDNet. 

As the experts explain, this portable charging device is versatile, powerful, and worth every bit of your money. “While it’s big compared to some of the others on this list, this chunky model is the best power bank to invest in if you want a versatile and impressive battery to charge up your laptop, iPad, phone and everything in between. The 737 aims to be the only charger you need, it delivers exceptional speeds via its two USB-C ports, and includes an extra USB-A port for added flexibility. That means it can power three devices at once. It has a big capacity – enough to charge your phone almost five times – and we used it to refuel our MacBook Pro in a quick hour-and-a-half,” adds Good Housekeeping. 

2. Anker PowerCore Slim

Anker is at the top of its game, so it’s no surprise that the next item on the list of the best power banks is another Anker product. This time, it’s the Anker PowerCore Slim. “Power banks can be unnecessarily bulky and with pocket real estate at a premium, you need something that can slide in alongside your phone without weighing you down. The Anker PowerCore Slim is a great combination of slim design and powerful charging capacity. The USB-C output allows for fast charging and this particular power bank is one of the most compact 10,000mAh models on the market,” explains Pocket Tactics. 

The PowerCore Slim offers a lot of charging power for its size, and you’ll love the speed at which this small item charges your devices. “The Anker PowerCore Slim is Goldilocks’ choice of portable batteries: It’s not too small, not too big, and its size and capacity are just right. The battery has two USB ports (one USB-A, one USB-C), and it’s powerful enough to recharge an iPhone X twice. So, if you forget to recharge the battery on your charger — which happens — you’ll be OK. It’ll still have juice to recharge your smartphone when you forget to charge that, too. If you’re using a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, it’ll recharge your iPhone’s battery 50% in just a half-hour,” explains Best Products. 

The PowerCore Slim is Anker’s answer for outdoor enthusiasts. Outdoor adventurers everywhere will appreciate the charging capabilities of the PowerCore Slim. “I most often use this charger when I’m going to be out all day and will need to charge my phone once, along with another device like a GoPro. It would also be ideal for a two-to-three day camping trip where you need to charge your phone twice. The Anker PowerCore is slim and light enough that you can carry it in a pocket for everyday carry. It’s also perfect for carrying in a daypack or sling bag. Mine has been with me hunting, fishing, and traveling—it’s yet to let me down,” raves Outdoor Life. 

3. INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger

Next up on the list of the top power banks to keep you moving and your devices charged is the INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger. INIU produces a wide range of portable charging devices but this 10000mAh model is top of the line. “The INIU Charger is one of the most versatile power banks on the market, capable of charging a wide variety of devices, such as smartphones, iPads, AirPods, and Bluetooth headsets. This INIU power bank is among the 5% of portable chargers on the market that feature a USB-C input and output port. While most power banks can only be recharged via the USB-C port, the INIU Charger also lets you recharge all your USB-C-compatible devices directly,” explains Techopedia. 

Portable chargers need to have the ability to charge your devices more than once, and that’s exactly what the INIU does. It also comes with a handy built-in flashlight. “Seeking a portable charger capable of delivering multiple full charges for your smartphone? Take a look at the INIU Portable Charger 10000. This robust battery comes equipped with three output ports, allowing simultaneous recharging of various devices. It has a commendable capacity for its size. Staying fairly small and lightweight, this model offers high portability — we were able to fit it in both front and back pockets comfortably — and helps it to stand out. Just in case, this handy charger even incorporates a built-in flashlight,” writes TechGearLab. 

Some experts feel the INIU deserves to be called the very best power bank available. It offers more charging ports than some of the competitors and it’s highly affordable. “A shocking upset for the top slot, Anker (the typical standard-bearer) loses to INIU’s 10000 mAh charger. This brick is one of the best portable chargers. Not only did its charging times and speeds sit near the top of the chart but it’s got 2 USB-A output ports to the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000’s single USB-A charging port. And since that second port can be the difference between powering a secondary device while you charge your phone (or helping a friend out when they need it), we’re giving the INIU the overall nod,” raves Tom’s Guide. 

4. Anker 622/633 Mag Go

The fourth spot on the list of the top portable charging devices is the Anker 622 Mag Go. This magnetic Anker charger is routinely voted one of the best magnetic, wireless power banks, and for good reason. “If you’ve got a MagSafe-compatible phone and you’re just looking for a little extra battery power throughout your day without fiddling about with wires, the Anker 622 MagGo is the power bank for you. This handy little thing simply snaps to the back of your phone and starts charging, fitting in practically any pocket. If you’re worried about style, Anker has got your back there too. The 622 MagGo comes in five colors (we’re partial to the Lilac Purple option) which is, well, four more than Apple offers for its magnetic battery pack,” raves Pocket Tactics. 

Anker produces two magnetic models – the 622 and the 633. Both of these are excellent choices for anyone with magnetic charging capabilities. “Magnets within the phone snap into place on the charger, ensuring a reliable connection and consistent charge. There are a fair few magnetic wireless power banks on the market now, but the Anker 633 model launched is our favourite. It’s about as compact and light as you’ll get for this much juice, plus it has a kickstand, a strong magnetic hold and quick speeds if you use it with a USB-C cable. On test, we got our iPhone 13 mini back to half full in an impressive 25 minutes,” explains Good Housekeeping. 

Anker is one of the leading brands in the world of portable charging and these magnetic chargers take your portability options to the next level. “What’s cool about Anker’s 622 magnetic battery is that it’s a wireless battery that has an integrated magnetic flap that converts into a stand. You won’t get fast wireless charging from this 5,000-mAh battery (it charges at up to 7.5 watts) but it’s slim and easy to carry around. It charges via USB-C and if you use a USB-C to USB-C to charge your Android device (or iPhone), it will charge at a faster rate of 12 watts. That’s not as fast as a 20-watt USB-C power adapter, but it’s faster than the usual 7.5 watts,” furthers CNET.

5. Mophie Powerstation XXL

The fifth spot on the list of the best power banks takes us from small magnetics to the Mophie PowerStation XXL. This portable charging station is capable of charging a range of devices and it’s one of the most powerful power banks you’ll find. “The Mophie Powerstation XXL ranks among the largest and heaviest portable batteries we’ve examined. Its bulkiness can make it inconvenient to carry in a pocket, thereby reducing its portability. However, simply place it in your backpack alongside your laptop, and you’re good to go. As expected, this product carries a slightly higher price tag than some of its smaller counterparts. Despite this, we confidently recommend this battery unit to anyone needing to power up their phone multiple times or requiring a battery that can sustain the high power demands of larger devices,” writes TechGearLab. 

The Mophie Powerstation XXL might be heavy but it offers a massive amount of power and charging capability. The Powerstation is powerful enough to charge large devices several times. “The Mophie Powerstation XXL does it all—it has a considerable 20,000mAh capacity, 18W PD charging, and both USB-A and USB-C ports. If you’re looking to recharge a phone or tablet several times on the go (and quickly), this is a top choice. The only drawback is that it doesn’t support larger devices like laptops,” explains PC Mag. 

The Mophie Powerstation XXL is a luxurious portable charger that features multiple USB ports and the ability to charge more than one device at a time. “It also has an 18W delivery output, making it an optimal power bank for fast charging. The device itself can be recharged through the USB-C port, though while most devices feature multiple USB-C ports, this power bank actually features multiple USB-A ports with a USB-C port resting in between them. However, it is still possible to charge up to three devices at once. The Mophie Powerstation XXL may not have a smart display screen or a built-in flashlight, but it does have an integrated power meter that lights up with the corresponding number of lights to update its current battery life status. Lastly, this power bank’s finish is only partly metallic. Most of its surface area is coated in fabric, a great material for preventing marks and scratches,” writes Slash Gear. 

6. Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

If you’re looking for a magnetic charger for your iPhone, then this is the portable charger for you. “It’s no surprise that Apple’s own portable charger demands a premium compared to other options, but the company’s MagSafe Battery Pack will give you some features and a degree of portability you simply won’t find elsewhere. Unlike the other chargers on our list, this one is a wireless charger, and is designed to magnetically attach to the back of an iPhone —assuming it’s an iPhone 12 or newer, that is. It’s so portable that you can easily leave it on your iPhone while you’re using it, but that does, of course, mean some trade-offs,” explains Best Products. 

These Apple chargers are routinely voted the best magnetic power bank for iPhone users. With more than 1.4 billion iPhone users worldwide, the Apple MagSafe is one of the most popular power banks on the market. “iPhone users are sure to love the convenience of the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack. Magnets attach the power bank directly to your iPhone, offering easy, fuss-free charging in a compact design. It can turn charging on and off automatically for stress-free use. You also have the option to recharge using a 20W charger for even faster charging. No matter how you choose to charge, battery status is shown on the Lock Screen, so you know exactly how much battery you have,” furthers ZDNet. 

The Apple MagSafe truly is a portable charger in that it connects to the back of your iPhone comfortably and compactly. The MagSafe attaches right to the back of the phone and allows you to still use your iPhone as usual while it charges. “The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is a bit pricey, but it is the Apple-branded battery—and it has a simplicity to it not found elsewhere. This compact battery pack attaches to the back of any iPhone 12 or later smartphone. It provides additional power when you need to extend the life of your smartphone. Thanks to its MagSafe compatibility. you can use the battery pack on its own or in conjunction with any Apple MagSafe phone case. It won’t, however, work with non-MagSafe cases,” writes Forbes. 

7. Anker PowerCore III Elite

Rounding out the list of the best power banks is the Anker PowerCore III. This is Anker’s third-generation PowerCore portable charging device, and it’s one of the top products on the market. “Standard power banks made for smartphones aren’t made to charge your Nintendo Switch or your laptop, but sometimes you need access to that kind of power on the go. For example, what if you’re challenging all of the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom shrines on a long-haul flight with no plug sockets in sight? Luckily for you, the Anker PowerCore III Elite is made specifically for charging high-power pieces of tech,” explains Pocket Tactics. 

The PowerCore III Elite is capable of charging your large electronics including your Switch and laptop. This type of versatility makes the PowerCore III Elite one of the top power banks available. “If you want something with a lot of charge that transfers quickly, go for the Anker PowerCore III Elite 26K. It was for the most part the fastest bank we tried, capable of delivering the largest amount of charge in the shortest period of time for the iPad and Galaxy,” explains Engadget. 

According to Gear Junkie, “The PowerCore III Elite is a major step up — it contains more than double the capacity of most of the power banks on this list. It’s potent enough to charge laptops and tablets, and it still manages to fit into most pants pockets. Of course, the extra capacity has to come from somewhere. The PowerCore III weighs 1.3 pounds. That’s a bit heavy for backpacking. Still, compared to similar capacity power banks like the Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD, the PowerCore is relatively svelte.”

You might also be interested in: 

• Best Charging Cases for iPhone
• Best Wireless Chargers
• Best Tech Gifts 
• Best iPhone Accessories

Sources: 

• Gear Junkie
• Engadget
• Pocket Tactics
• Forbes
• ZDNet
• Best Products
• Slash Gear
• TechGearLab
• CNET
• PC Mag
• Good Housekeeping
• Tom’s Guide
• Techopedia
• Outdoor Life
• Wired

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.