The best power banks in 2023

If you’re looking for a list of the best power banks, you’re in the right place. We’ve tried out plenty of portable chargers on offer from brands like Belkin, Anker, and more, to suggest which might suit your needs for charging your smartphone, tablet, and headphones on the go. All you need to do is decide on which suits your budget and pick yourself up a pocket charging device.

We tested the best portable chargers for a range of different scenarios, budgets, and devices. Power banks start at under $25 and can reach anywhere up to $200, but our first choice is around $30 – proving you don’t need to spend a fortune. The capacity of a power bank, measured in mAh (milliampere per hour), lets you know how much juice one bank has compared to another. The higher the mAh capacity, the longer its battery will last.

Whether you want to charge a gaming phone, your Nintendo Switch console, or one of the best portable gaming consoles, the best power banks in this guide support a wide range of devices. They’ll give you an extra burst so you never run out of power again.

Here are the best power banks in 2023:

1. Belkin Power Bank 20K

The best power bank for charging multiple devices at once.

Belkin Power Bank 20K specs:

Pros: 

• Supports USB-C, USB-A, and wireless charging devices
• Large capacity
• Stylish design

Cons:

• No fast charging
• Doesn’t support laptop charging

If you’re anything like us, you’ll know the sheer distress of all of your devices running out of battery at once. That’s why a powerful charger like the Belkin Power Bank 20K can be a great resource. Whether you’re part of a family on a road trip or a group of friends tackling the city’s Pokémon Go raids, this power bank’s two USB-A ports and USB-C ports have got you covered. The Belkin 20K’s 20,000mAh capacity means you can comfortably charge up to three devices up to full at the same time.

The Belkin 20K also supports MagSafe wireless charging for a huge range of iPhones, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy products. Although there’s enough capacity to provide over 78 hours of battery life, you won’t get access to that power as quickly as some competitors as there’s no fast charging support.

There is another caveat here in that the Belkin 20K isn’t capable of charging your USB-C Macbook or other large devices with bigger batteries. Still, if you’re just looking for something to juice your phone or headphones on the go, this is a solid option.

2. Anker 622 MagGo

The best wireless charging power bank.

Anker 622 MagGo specs:

Pros:

• Handy kickstand
• Sleek design
• Not too bulky

Cons:

• Doesn’t support fast charging
• Not guaranteed to charge to full

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.

The 5,000mAh capacity should in theory be able to charge your phone 1.5 to two times over, but wireless charging isn’t an exact science and often loses some of the power along the way. To guarantee a full charge, you’re better off using the 622 MagGo’s USB-C port and reserving the wireless functionality for top-up throughout the day. It’s also worth noting that you can’t simultaneously charge the power bank and your device either, which may be a deal breaker for you.

Overall, the Anker 622 MagGo is a handy little power bank, with added flair for those who care about it and a useful kickstand that supports the battery pack and your device at the same time, making it a good option for long business meetings or catching up with the family over FaceTime.

3. Anker PowerCore Slim

The best slimline power bank.

Anker PowerCore Slim specs:

Pros: 

• High capacity in a small package
• Fast charging capability

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• Only two ports

No one wants to carry around a bulky power bank. For this reason alone, the Anker PowerCore Slim is a nifty piece of kit, but if you also take into consideration the fact that its got a 10,000 mAh capacity, plus some pretty impressive charging speeds, there’s reason to say this is one of the more attractive propositions across our entire list.

There are a couple of downsides – the PowerCore Slim isn’t equipped for MagSafe wireless charging and only has two ports, one of which is USB-A. While it might not be the best match for the best gaming iPhone, it’s a powerful and portable option for mode mid-range devices.

4. Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 PD 60W

The best power bank for a Nintendo Switch or laptop.

Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 PD 60W specs:

Pros: 

• Massive capacity
• Can charge multiple devices at once

Cons: 

• Bulky
• No wireless charging

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.

The 25,600mAh battery capacity on this power bank is pretty impressive, offering hours of charging while still falling under the safe flight limit. With this capacity and three separate outputs, you can easily charge three devices simultaneously without worrying about depleting your charger battery too severely.

Of course, a power bank this beefy is also quite bulky and takes up a lot of valuable bag space. It’s probably not the best option for a day-to-day power bank, especially without any wireless charging options, but if you need a solid brick of power for a long trip, or your favorite cafe runs out of tables with plug sockets on a busy workday, the Anker PowerCore III Elite could be a lifesaver.

5. ESR Halolock Power Bank Wallet

A power bank that’s so much more.

ESR Halolock Power Bank Wallet specs:

Pros:

• Stylish design
• Wireless charging
• Multi-functional

Cons: 

• Only one port
• Low capacity

Like the Anker 622 MagGo, the ESR Halolock Power Bank Wallet is a more affordable and stylish alternative to Apple’s MagSafe power bank. The ESR features a luxurious-looking vegan leather finish on its kickstand, which is also a card wallet big enough to fit your credit card and ID for a night out.

The ESR’s three-in-one design makes it a great companion for events, which we detailed in our ESR Halolock Power Bank Wallet review. Simultaneously store your essential cards, keep your phone topped up, and take group photos using the kickstand, all without needing to bring a bag out with you.

While the option of wireless charging is nice, this is one of the lower-capacity MagSafe power banks, so you might not manage a full charge unless you opt to plug it in. Fortunately, if you do have a USB-C cable on hand, the ESR offers pretty rapid charging speeds in that regard, but it’s more of a top-up power bank when wireless.

6. BioLite SolarPanel

The best solar-powered power bank.

BioLite SolarPanel specs:

Pros:

• Great for remote camping trips
• Super thin and portable

Cons:

• Only one port
• Dependant on good weather

Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you really need to charge your phone but your standard power bank is out of charge. That’s where the BioLite PowerBank comes in. It’s a completely solar-powered power bank which is perfect for taking on camping trips and other outdoor activities.

Its wire-loop kickstand is great for finding the perfect sunny spot to expose the 5W solar panel to as much light as possible. You can hook it over your backpack on a hike, hang it from a tree, or prop it up on the floor of your campground. As useful as this little gadget is, it does only have one USB-A port so you’ll need to choose carefully which device is the most important to you.

7. Charmast Mini Power Bank

The best mini power bank.

Android:

iPhone:

Charmast Mini Power Bank specs:

Pros:

• Compact
• Affordable
• Built-in USB output – no need for wires
• Comes in multiple colors

Cons: 

• Limitations in compatible devices (you’re tied to either USB-C or lightning charging)
• Adds bulk to your phone

The Charmast Mini Power Bank is a great little option if you’re looking for a small but powerful boost of juice. It also has the added bonus of a built-in output port, meaning you can plug the power bank directly into your phone without the need for cables.

With a respectable 5,000 mAh battery capacity, it’s equipped with fast charging protocols, both when charging your phone and when you’re charging the bank itself. In fact, you can get this power bank up to full battery within 1.5 hours if you’re using a 9V-2A quick charger. It also comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick one that best suits your style – which is always a nice touch, isn’t it?

There are two different versions of the Charmast Mini Power Bank, with either an Android-compatible USB-C or a lightning output for those with an iPhone 14 or older. We’re not sure how much longer Charmast is going to continue to produce the alternatives, with Apple famously making the leap to USB-C with the iPhone 15 series, but for now, you have to choose between the two. So, if you need a power bank for sharing in an Android and iPhone household, this might not be the one.

However, overall, it’s an affordable and neat little piece of kit, and as long as you ensure that your phone is compatible, it’s bound to meet all your needs while out and about.

8. Iniu 20,000 mAh power bank

The best fast-charging power bank

Iniu 20,000 mAh power bank specs:

Pros

• Sleek and easily pocketable design
• Massive battery capacity
• Rapid charging

Cons

• Slightly expensive
• Limited ports

While this might be one of the more expensive power banks on our list, the Iniu Portable Charger certainly packs enough punch to justify its price point. With a 20,000 mAh battery capacity, you rarely have to worry about charging your charger, making this perfectly suited for traveling and trips where you don’t know where the next available power source might be.

Still, the big selling point here is the super-fast charging. The Iniu Portable Charger claims to charge an iPhone above 60% in thirty minutes or an iPad over 30% in the same time. Iniu is so confident its charger is impressive, that the company offers a 30-day money back if you are left disappointed. Judging by the review, though, that doesn’t seem very likely.

There are few downsides to this power bank outside of the price. However, for that fee, you might expect more outputs. Considering how many chargers are UBC-C to USB-C now, a second USB-C port would be handy. Still, if you can make do, this is a fantastic option for keeping your battery in the green.

How we chose the best power banks

There are a lot of different things to consider when choosing a power bank. We looked at a range of factors that affect your everyday life, such as price, portability, bulkiness and weight, and charging efficiency. Other important elements include ports, so you can pick the right portable charger for your needs, as well as capacity, which determines how much juice it has before it also needs a charge. We also took a look at the fun things too, like colors and styles. Whoever said a power bank has to be boring?

Whether you need something full of power to keep you going for days at a time, or a lighter piece of kit to keep you from running flat on a night out, there should be something here to suit all needs and budgets. Find out more about product selection on our how we test page.

Once you’ve decided on a charger, you need something to charge. We’ve got a whole range of hardware guides to explore, covering the best Xiaomi phones, the best Sony phones, the best Google Pixel phones, and the best Motorola phones.

If you’re looking for a new phone plan, why not take a look at our best Verizon phones, best Mint Mobile plans, and best AT&T phones guides? We’ve also got an in-depth look at Samsung’s flagship smartphone with our Samsung Galaxy S23 review.