Best Power Banks of 2024

Looking down at your phone and seeing 5% battery left isn’t the most pleasant experience, especially when you’re not at home and near a charger. It’s not just smartphones. Laptops, Bluetooth headphones, and even smartwatches can die on you at the most inopportune time. Fortunately, if you don’t mind carrying around an extra device, there’s a way to prevent this from happening.

These devices are power banks. They come in all shapes and sizes with various functions, features and uses. If you search for battery packs on Amazon, you’ll see hundreds of options from different manufacturers, which can be overwhelming. We’ve done the hard work for you and found the best power banks you can get right now, no matter your budget.

related

The best Qi2 wireless charger

New and improved wireless charging standards mean a new set of chargers, stands and external batteries to choose from.

Best Power Banks: Our Most Powerful Pick

Power banks: Which one is right for you?

It all depends on what you need and where you need it. If you travel a lot and have enough space in your bag, you’ll want something like the Anker 737 or Ugreen 145W power bank. Both can provide enough power for your device without being too bad. If you need something smaller, the Inui and Nitecore options are great, as is the Anker PowerCore 20K.

Final options like the Ugreen Magnetic Battery, Anker 548, and Anker Nano solve some of the less common problems. The Nano is portable enough for day trips, while the 548 is bulky enough for long weekends at the campground. The Ugreen Magnetic Battery is perfect for iPhone users who need MagSafe charging. So, choose the one that suits you best.

FAQ

Q: Do airlines have restrictions on power banks?

Absolutely yes, they do. For a detailed answer, we recommend visiting the FAA’s website where you can better understand what is and is not allowed on flights. In short, power banks are only for carry-on use. The size of each battery is limited to 100 watt hours (Wh), which is approximately 27,000mAh. therefore, With the exception of the Anker 548, all power banks in the above list can be used on airplanes.

Q: Is mobile power supply safe?

Yes. They are nothing more than a battery inside a container and some connections. The internal battery is as safe as any battery-powered device you own, including smartphones. Like any other mass-produced item, they can malfunction, resulting in a fire. However, this is extremely rare unless the power bank is dropped or otherwise mishandled.

Generally speaking, as long as the power bank and laptop support USB Power Delivery, you should be fine. A 10,000mAh battery pack may not be able to charge the laptop the entire time, but in most cases, a 20,000mAh battery pack should. Just make sure to check the power bank and laptop to ensure compatibility. This also applies to Steam Deck and similar handheld gaming computers.

Q: Can a mobile power bank charge a laptop?

Yes, but there are some restrictions. Laptops must be able to charge via USB-C, but not every laptop does, even those with USB-C ports. You’ll want to check your laptop’s specs sheet to see if your laptop has a USB-C charging port. However, we do know that MacBooks can charge via USB-C, as that’s their primary charging method.

Q: Which power bank has the longest battery life?

It’s a simple question with a simple answer. The one with the largest number lasts the longest. So if you use a 10,000mAh battery, its lifespan is about half that of a 20,000mAh battery. While it would be logical to assume that a 20,000mAh battery pack will provide the same amount of power as another 20,000mAh battery pack, this is not the case. The efficiency of each battery pack plays an important role in overall performance. The batteries we listed above are highly efficient and provide optimal performance.