In this digital age, our smartphones and mobile devices perform multiple functions, ranging from communications, transactions, a source of information, and more. It’s not surprising that we’ve become increasingly reliant on them.
To ensure that we’re not caught off-guard with low battery notifications especially when we need them most, it’s best to invest in portable chargers or power banks.
With the best portable power bank, you can keep your devices powered whenever you need, wherever you are. There are a lot of models available on the market today and to help you choose, we’ve listed our picks of the 10 best power bank chargers today.
Top 10 Best Power Banks in 2020
- Anker PowerCore 20100
- Anker PowerCore 13000
- Belkin Pocket Power 5K Power Bank
- RAVPower 22000mAh
- Mophie Powerstation PD
- iMuto 20000mAh
- Aukey 8,000mAh Power Bank
- Moshi Porto Q 5K
- INIU Power Bank
- Xiaomi 10000mAh
1. Anker PowerCore 20100
Sporting a sleek design, the Anker PowerCore 20100 is designed to handle your device’s heavy-duty charging needs in style. With the combination of its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies, it can charge your iPhone 8 up to seven times and your Samsung Galaxy 8 five times.
Its lithium polymer batteries take 10 hours to charge using a 2A charger. Its 4.8A output also means you can simultaneously charge two devices in its ports at a high speed.
✅ PROS:
- Smudge-free matte finish
- Compatible with most Apple and Android devices
- Enough power to last for days
⛔️ CONS:
- Doesn’t support Qualcomm Quick Charge
2. Anker PowerCore 13000
The Anker PowerCore 13000 comes in a compact design that’s easy to store in your bags or the pocket of your jacket. It comes with two USB ports so you can charge more than one device at a time. Its 13,000mAh capacity means that you can charge your devices multiple times, including your iPhone 8 at around five times and Samsung Galaxy S9 three times.
As with other Anker products, this model is powered by PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies for quick charges. It comes with lithium-ion batteries that take seven hours to charge.
✅ PROS:
- Lightweight and portable
- Provides around 60 hours of additional battery life
- Surge protection
⛔️ CONS:
- Apple charging cable not included
3. Belkin Pocket Power 5K Power Bank
If you’re looking for something slim and light to fit your pocket while still giving you the battery boost you need, then the Belkin Power 5K Power Bank is for you. It’s compatible with most USB-powered devices and comes with a single USB-A port.
Its polymer battery can give your phone a full charge and a half, providing you with up to 19 hours for calls or 11 hours for web browsing. The power bank itself can be charged in around two hours.
✅ PROS:
- Durable casing
- Temperature sensor
- Comes in three elegant colors
⛔️ CONS:
- Included cable is rather short
4. RAVPower 22000mAh
With 22,000mAh, this portable charger has the highest battery capacity on our list. It also has the most number of USB ports at three and with a total output of 5.8A, you can charge three devices at high speeds. Despite its high capacity, it still manages to avoid weighing too much because of its high-density battery pack cells.
Its lithium polymer batteries take 10 to 11 hours to charge with a 2.4A charger and 12 to 14 hours with a 2A charger. It can power your iPhone 8 for a little over seven times and your Galaxy S8 for four and a half times.
✅ PROS:
- Lithium polymer batteries can last up to 1,000 recharging cycles
- iSmart 2.0 technology for optimal speeds in charging
- UV-resistant durable casing
⛔️ CONS:
- A bit bulky
5. Mophie Powerstation PD
The Mophie Power Station PD’s 10,050mAh battery capacity means that it can extend the battery life of your smartphone for up to 35 hours. It comes with an 18W USB-C PD port for faster charging, allowing you to have your phone charged by 50% in just half an hour. You can use the same port to recharge the power bank in record time.
It also has the standard 12W USB-A port that’s compatible with most mobile devices.
✅ PROS:
- Textured design
- Lightweight and compact
- Triple-tested lithium polymer batteries
⛔️ CONS:
- Charging cable not included
6. iMuto 20000mAh
Despite having a high battery capacity at 20,000mAh, this power bank is still handy thanks to its compact design. Its lithium polymer batteries have been tested for maximum performance and come with smart protection to ensure safety.
With iMuto 20,000mAh’s two USB ports, you can charge two devices simultaneously. You can also charge your smartphones at least four times and tablets and laptops for at least one full charge.
✅ PROS:
- Digital display of remaining battery
- Built-in LED torch light
- Can be brought onboard commercial flights
⛔️ CONS:
- A bit heavy
7. Aukey 8,000mAh Power Bank
The Aukey 8,000mAh Power Bank is one of the best wireless chargers around, offering versatility in charging options while delivering premium performance. With its battery capacity, it can fully charge a wide range of devices at least more than once. It can charge an iPhone X almost two and a half times, a Samsung galaxy S10 nearly two times, and extends your Nintendo Switch playtime for five hours.
It supports Qualcomm Quick Charge, which means compatible devices can be powered up to 80% in just 35 minutes. It has two USB-A ports and one USB-C port to give you more options for charging.
✅ PROS:
- Travel-friendly
- Low-current charging mode
- Slim and compact
⛔️ CONS:
- Fairly heavy
8. Moshi Porto Q 5K
Sporting a distinctive appearance, the Moshi Porto Q 5K comes covered in a fabric material for a soft cushioned finish. Its wireless charging capabilities means you can use it to charge Qi-capable phones without the need for any cable. The silicone surface ring helps keep your phone secure while charging.
As added protection, it can detect metal objects like, keys, rings, and coins, as well as automatically shut down to ensure safety. It comes with two ports: a USB-A for charging other devices and a USB-C to recharge the power bank itself.
✅ PROS:
- Long cord
- Smart LED indicator
- Heavy-duty construction
⛔️ CONS:
- Wireless charging speed may be a bit slow
9. INIU Power Bank
With 10,000mAh battery capacity, the INIU Power Bank is one of the best battery chargers in the mid-range today. Its slim design means that you can easily slip it into pockets or bags. It utilizes an exclusive UPower+ technology so your devices can be charged 1.4 times faster than standard chargers. Its two USB-A ports mean that you can charge two devices simultaneously with a 3A output.
However, this product does more than just powering up your device; it also has a built-in flashlight so you can use it during emergencies.
✅ PROS:
- Sturdy yet lightweight
- Safe to take on flights
- Advanced charging circuitry to prolong battery life
⛔️ CONS:
- Takes a while to fully recharge
10. Xiaomi 10000mAh
Slim, sleek, and stylish. These are the words that come to mind with the Xiaomi 10,000mAh power bank. It measures half an inch in thickness and sports an aluminum body with a matte finish to make it easy to carry around.
It’s not just all looks though. This power bank offers 18W fast charging that goes both ways. Your devices can be fully charged in two hours and the charger itself in three and a half hours. It also has a single USB-C port for optimal charging speed.
✅ PROS:
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable build
- Comes with a USB-C cable
⛔️ CONS:
- May need an additional casing for protection
Things to Consider When Buying a Portable Charger
When choosing the best power bank, it’s important to check if the features of the models that you’re eyeing match your needs. Some of the factors that you need to take into consideration when buying a portable battery charger are its size and capacity, port types, and charging options.
Size and Capacity
One of the important things to consider is the size and capacity of the portable phone charger. These two features are usually interrelated since the higher the capacity, the bigger the size and the heavier the model. Portable chargers typically come in 5,000mAh, 10,000mAh, and 20,000mAh.
Chargers with a 5,000mAh capacity are usually small in size and can easily fit inside their handbag or pocket but they’re only good for a complete charge or two. Those with a 20,000mAh capacity can charge multiple devices numerous times but are usually bulkier and heavier.
Many people prefer to get something in between: a mid-sized portable charger that’s capable of a handful of charges. This type usually belongs in the 10,000mAh range and is good for general use.
Ports
Charging ports are another important feature to look out for when choosing a wireless portable charger. These determine how many and what kind of devices you can charge with your power bank, as well as determine the charging speed. Most chargers today have a USB-A port connected with a Type B connection for input and output.
With more and more devices utilizing USB-C, you may also find this port type in chargers available today. USB-C typically charges faster and combines the input and output functions. While some portable chargers may have USB-C input, not all of them have a USB-C output so check out the ports carefully.
Another port type is called Lightning and it’s used by Apple products. When looking for an iPhone portable charger, you need to make sure that it has the Lightning port. It used to be difficult to find chargers with Lightning but nowadays, many models offer it on top of the other port types.
Charging Options
Many power banks today are designed to give you the quick charge you need using various technologies, like fast charging. To be able to fully utilize fast charging, you need a battery, a cable, and a device with a charging circuit that meets the right standards.
Two of these standards are USB Power Delivery and Quick Charge. USB Power Delivery negotiates between the two devices to find the fastest charging option while the Qualcomm Quick Charge works by increasing voltage or the potential energy of the battery output. Quick Charge, as its name suggests, can power up supported devices up to 50% in just half an hour.
Another aspect of charging that you may want to consider is the power bank’s ability to charge devices while being powered up itself. This is called pass-through charging and can be very helpful when both your phone and charger are running low or when you simply want to keep your power bank at full capacity even when charging.
Wireless charging is another type of charging that’s been gaining popularity, with Qi as the most commonly used standard. With this, you don’t need to worry about which cables to use with which device. You simply have to place your device on top of the wireless portable charger and you’re ready to go.
How to Choose the Best Portable Charger
Many portable chargers today offer similar specs and it may be hard to determine which one to choose just by looking at their size and capacity, port types, and charging options. Some of things that you can look into to help you choose are the charging speed, portability, and durability.
Charging Speed
The charging speed is mainly determined by the port type and the technologies supported by the charger. Power banks with USB-C ports can deliver faster charging, which can be enhanced by Qualcomm Quick Charge or any proprietary technology of the brand.
Portability
Portable chargers are meant to be an alternative power source for your devices while you’re on the go. This means that they’re generally built to be portable but depending on their size and weight, some may be easier to carry around than others.
Durability
Of course, we want our chargers to last as long as possible. When choosing a power bank, look into its durability of its casing and battery life, like how many recharging cycles it can take.
Best Portable Chargers FAQs
Which power bank is better: 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh?
If we’re talking solely in terms of capacity, then a 20,000mAh power bank is better since it allows for more charges. However, if we’re also taking into account other features then it really depends on your needs.
How many times can a 20000mAh charge a phone?
It will depend on your phone’s battery capacity. For example, if the capacity of your smartphone is 1,000mAh, then you can charge it around 20 times with a 20,000mAh. If it’s 4000mAh, then you can charge it 5 times with the power bank.
Though it’s important to note that there may be a mismatch due to energy loss during the conversion process.
What should I look for when buying a portable charger?
Some of the factors that you need to consider before buying a portable charger are the size and capacity, number and types of ports, and charging options. You should also look into its durability and versatility so you can be sure that it lasts a long time and is compatible with your devices.
What's the best power bank for the iPhone?
Most of the portable chargers on our list are compatible with and great for charging iPhones. The Anker power banks and the RAVPower 22,000mAh are our top picks for the best portable charger for the iPhone.
Which power bank is best for fast charging?
The Xiaomi 10,000mAh with its 18W fast charging and Aukey 8,000mAh with Qualcomm Quick Charge are some of the power banks that offer optimal speeds while charging.
What is the most reliable power bank?
Any power bank on our list has high marks in reliability but if we have to choose, we’d pick the RAVPower 22,000mAh as it combines durability with maximum capacity and consistent performance.
How do I know if my portable charger is charging?
If your power bank has two LED indicator lights, a flashing red light means that it’s being charged from a power source while a steady blue light indicates that it’s charging your mobile device.
If your portable charger has four indicator lights, the blinking lights means it’s charging, with the number of lights indicative of the percentage of the charge.
What does it mean when your portable charger is blinking blue?
A blinking blue light on your portable charger means that it needs to be charged.
Conclusion
Portable chargers are a convenient way to keep your devices juiced up wherever you are. This is especially helpful when you’re frequently on the go. The best portable chargers deliver premium performance in terms of charging speeds and battery capacity. When choosing a power bank, it’s important to consider their size, which is linked to their capacity, their ports, and charging options. You should also look into portability and durability.
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