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Nov 06, 2024

Best Portable Charger of 2024: iPhones, iPads, Laptops & More | WIRED

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Portable devices have a Murphy’s law–like ability to run out of power at the least convenient moment: as you step

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Portable devices have a Murphy’s law–like ability to run out of power at the least convenient moment: as you step on the bus, right in the middle of an important meeting, or just as you get comfortable on the couch and press Play. Which is why you need the best portable charger handy, to make all those situations a thing of the past.

There are hundreds of portable battery packs, and picking one can be confusing. To help, we've spent years working our way through all of them. This obsession started when Scott Gilbertson lived off-grid in a vintage RV, powered primarily by solar panels. But even if you're not living in an off-grid solar setup, good power banks will come in handy. These are our favorites. Be sure to check out our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for Apple-specific portable chargers, and our Best Portable Power Stations guide if you need more power.

Updated August 2024: We added portable chargers from Biolite, Ayaneo, Anker, and UGreen, an honorable mention, removed some older power banks, and updated prices.

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The Nimble Champ topped this list for years, and now its successor is taking over by combining everything that made the original so good and bringing some welcome improvements. At 6.2 ounces, it's one of the lightest on the market. It's smaller than a deck of cards and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end. While Scott used the original for years, the new version has only been out for a few months, but so far, so good. It feels durable, comes in a snazzy new range of speckled color finishes, and has a bright lanyard loop that makes for easy carrying and helps you pick it out of your backpack. The Pro version is bigger but doubles the capacity (to 20,000 mAh) and has a similar design with two USB-C ports that go up to 65 watts. There's also a smaller version with a 5,200-mAh capacity that tops out at 15 watts.

The other reason we like Nimble best is because of its environmental efforts. Batteries are not environmentally benign. They use lithium, cobalt, and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially questionable at best. But Nimble's use of bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging at least reduces the environmental impact where it can be reduced. This new version uses 90 percent recycled plastic (up 25 percent from the original) and comes in smaller plastic-free packaging. Nimble includes a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

Two USB-C ports (20 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

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. The screen also displays watts in or out when you plug something in and a remaining time estimate based on the current rate. It fast-charged everything I tested it with, and you can charge three devices at once without a problem.

Two USB-C ports (140 W) and one USB-A (18 W). Can charge most phones at least four times (24,000 mAh).

If you want a compact charger that comes in fun colors and simply slots into the bottom of your phone for a top-up, Anker’s dinky charger is tough to beat. This power bank has a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi certified), so you don’t need to worry about cables. It packs 5,000 mAh of energy (enough to fully charge most phones). I tested the USB-C version with several Android phones and found it stayed in place, enabling me to use my phone more or less as normal. There’s a USB-C port for recharging the power bank, and it comes with a short cable. It might not be a good pick if you use a thick case.

One USB-C (22.5 W) or Lightning (12 W) connector and one USB-C port for charging only. Can charge most phones once (5,000 mAh).

WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been enjoying his time toting around this 20,000-mAh charger. It's slim, fits easily into the padded sleeve of most backpacks, and has enough capacity to recharge an 11-inch tablet twice from zero percent. It's capable of dishing out 45 watts of power for fast charging via the USB-C port, and 18 watts from the middle USB-A port. In a pinch, you can use it to recharge a laptop (as long as it's not a power-sucking machine like a MacBook Pro). It has a lovely fabric material on the exterior, and there's an LED that shows how much juice is left in the tank.

Two USB-A ports (18 W and 10.5 W) and one USB-C (45 W). Can charge most tablets two times (20,000 mAh).

Goal Zero updated its Sherpa line of portable chargers with better wireless charging capabilities: 15 watts, up from 5 watts in the previous model. I tested the Sherpa AC, which features two USB-C ports (60-watt and 100-watt), two USB-A ports, and a 100-watt AC port for those devices that need a pronged plug. It strikes a good balance between power storage (93 watt-hours in my drain test) and weight (2 pounds). It’s enough to charge up my Dell XPS 13 almost twice.

You get a nice color LCD display that shows how much power you've got left, how many watts are coming in and how many are going out, and a rough guess as to how much longer the battery will last (if conditions remain the same). Recharge times vary depending on whether or not you have the Sherpa wall charger (sold separately), but I was able to get it to recharge in under three hours no matter what power source I used. There's also an 8-mm port on the back for attaching a solar panel if you have one. The Sherpa is not cheap, but if you don't need the AC out and can live with a single USB-C (100-watt out, 60-watt in), the Sherpa PD is otherwise the same thing for $200.

Two USB-C ports (60 W and 100 W), two USB-A (12 W), and one AC (100 W). Qi wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most laptops one to two times (25,600 mAh).

Ugreen's charger is, as the name suggests, a 145-watt charger with a 25,000-mAh battery. It's surprisingly compact for the power it provides, although at 1.1 pounds, it's definitely not ultralight. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. What sets the Ugreen apart is that you can actually draw 145 watts while charging. That works out to one USB-C port at 100 W and the other at 45 W. Very few other batteries we've tested are capable of that feat, and none that I know of at this size. If you want to charge fast, this is the power bank for you (although it's worth noting that reviews around the web suggest it doesn't support Samsung's fast-charging tech). There's a small LED readout on the side of the battery with the current charge state of the battery. I'd have liked to see some charging info on that screen as well, but that's a small quibble with what's an otherwise outstanding option if you need to keep your laptop charged up wherever you are.

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 45 W) and one USB-A. Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (25,000 mAh).

I am a sucker for Sharge’s transparent designs and cyberpunk aesthetic, but this prism-shaped power bank is more than just a pretty face. With a maximum output of 170 watts, a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity, and an IP66 rating for water resistance (fine in the rain, but best not to submerge), the Sharge 170 has form and function. The smart display shows battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts. It supports many standards, including power delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, and it fast-charged most of the devices I tested, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MacBook Air. You can simultaneously charge three devices at fast speeds, and the box includes a braided USB-C cable and a wee velvety bag. It can also recharge completely in an hour via USB-C at up to 140 watts (with the right cable and charger). The only thing I don’t like is the relatively high price. I also tested and loved an earlier release from this company, the Shargeek Storm 2 ($199), which has a larger capacity but tops out at 100 W.

Two USB-C ports (165 W) and one USB-A (30 W). Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (24,000 mAh).

While I love the swirly designs, solid metal bottom, and compact size, it is Gomi’s ethos that really sells these power banks. Handmade by a small indie business in Brighton, UK, from recycled plastic, with power generated by repurposed ebike batteries, Gomi claims at least 50 percent less CO2 emissions than comparable power banks. It looks and feels good, with curved sides, and Gomi promises up to 6-foot drop protection. There’s a power button on the side to light up the four LEDs and show how much of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains.

Both ports can deliver up to 18 watts, and you can charge two devices at once. It takes around four hours to fully charge from dead. There is a two-year warranty with this power bank offering free repairs. Gomi has designed it to be easily repairable, so even out of warranty you can get it fixed for a maximum cost of £20 ($25) plus shipping. If it should get damaged beyond repair somehow, Gomi will recycle it properly. You also get a braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

One USB-C port (18 W) and one USB-A (18 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

With an unusual design that features a fold-up wireless charging stand for phones and a charging spot behind it for your wireless earbuds case (if it supports Qi wireless charging), plus a USB-C port to plug in a third device, the Satechi Duo is a handy power bank to have in your bag. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity with LEDs to show how much juice is left. The downside is that it is slow, offering up to 10 watts of wireless charging power for phones (7.5 watts for iPhones), 5 watts for earbuds, and 10 watts from the USB-C port. It takes three hours to refill the battery with an 18-watt charger.

One USB-C (10 W) and two Qi wireless charging spots (up to 10 W). Can charge most phones one to two times (10,000 mAh).

The latest entry in Anker’s MagGo range is the first Qi2 power bank we've tested. The Qi2 wireless charging standard borrows elements of Apple’s MagSafe, enabling supported phones to connect with perfect alignment using a ring of magnets. Qi2 brings faster wireless charging rates of up to 15 watts, but it is also backward compatible, so older Qi devices can still charge, albeit more slowly. This compact portable charger has a handy kickstand, a two-way USB-C port on the left edge, and a power button with an LED display showing remaining power as a percentage of charge time on the right. It can accommodate Qi2 or MagSafe phones in portrait or landscape orientation (it works with Apple’s StandBy mode). I tested with an iPhone 14 Pro and got 25 percent in around 20 minutes. Despite a large capacity, it falls short of two full charges for your iPhone when charging wirelessly. You might squeeze out a little more if you plug in the short USB-C cable provided.

One USB-C port (27 W) and Qi2 wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most smartphones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

Anker's slim MagSafe power bank comes in a few fun colors and stays stuck to the back of any MagSafe iPhone (and Android phones using MagSafe cases) to charge it wirelessly. You can also recharge the power bank or charge another device with it via the USB-C port, and it has a wee foldable stand built in. Just know that Anker has an older version of this that has the USB-C port on the bottom edge of the power bank. The new model (A1614) has it on the side, and you can turn off the power bank so it doesn’t charge the device (when you only want to use the kickstand). We recommend some alternatives in our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide.

One USB-C (12 W) and Qi wireless charging (7.5 W). Can charge most phones to between 50 and 80 percent (5,000 mAh).

Remembering to take a power bank with you for a night away is a real achievement, but what about your Apple Watch? It may be one of the best smartwatches, but the battery rarely lasts beyond a full day. This compact, black power bank from Belkin has a soft-touch finish and an Apple Watch charger built in at one end. Even better, it can fast-charge your Apple Watch, and there’s enough capacity to charge your iPhone or AirPods via USB-C at the same time, making this the perfect portable charger to stow away in your bag or pocket. You get a 1-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

One USB-C port (20 W) and one Apple Watch fast charger (7.5 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

Displays in power banks are growing more common. All offer a precise readout of the remaining battery percentage, some show charging rates and other stats for power bank nerds, but this is the first one I’ve tried that has a cute wee robot face. This makes it easy to anthropomorphize (mine is named Charlie), but thankfully, it is also a super speedy power bank offering up to 100 watts, which is unusual in a charger this size. Light and easy to sling in a bag or even a pocket, Charlie can be fully charged in just 90 minutes and supports several fast charging protocols (PD, PPS, QC, AFC, FCP, and SCP). I also tried the 20,000 mAh model ($100), which ditches the face for a detailed stat readout on its color screen, but I prefer the smaller version.

One USB-A (15 W) and one USB-C (100 W) port. Can charge most phones at least twice (12,000 mAh).

If you are hiking, camping, or adventuring, the BioLite is a handy companion. This durable power bank is versatile, a good size to slip into a bag, and has a nice grippy textured finish. The yellow plastic makes it easy to spot in a bag or crowded tent, and the segmented LED shows the remaining power in blocks of 10 percent. The Charge 100 Max can simultaneously charge up to five devices, and the wireless charging pad on top is handy in the dark when you don’t want to fumble with cables. If you don’t need such a large capacity, we also tested and liked Biolite’s smaller and simpler 6,000-mAh Charge 20 PD ($30), 10,000-mAh Charge 40 ($60), and 20,000-mAh Charge 80 ($80).

One USB-A (15 W), three USB-C (2x 100 W and 1x 15 W) ports, and a Qi wireless charging pad (15 W). Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (25,000 mAh).

Hybrid devices are great when space is limited. This wall charger and power bank in one is a solid hybrid option. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft raved about it, and I have to agree. The display shows you what percentage of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains, there's a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and two built-in cables (USB-C and Lightning). But that’s not all. Turn it on its side, and you have a magnetic wireless charger. There’s even a wee slide-out phone stand and a strap for easy carrying. While you can technically charge five devices at once, it’s awkward, and the battery will die quickly. Still, this is a handy multipurpose power bank to have in your bag. You can refill it by plugging it straight into the wall or via the USB-C port, but it takes a few hours to fully charge from empty.

One USB-C port (20 W), one USB-A port (22.5 W), one USB-C cable (15 W), one Lightning cable (12 W), and Qi wireless charging (up to 15 W, only 7.5 W for MagSafe iPhones). Can charge most phones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

The svelte Clutch, available in black, white, or pink, is about the same size as a stack of credit cards and weighs around 2 ounces. It’s designed to slide easily into pockets and bags and offers a modest top-up for your phone’s flagging battery. The third version of the super-slim portable charger packs a larger battery than its predecessors, at 3,300 mAh. You charge it via the USB-C port, and there's a built-in charging cable (there's a different Lightning model). It’s slow, it gets quite warm when plugged in, and a full Clutch added only around 40 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery. It also scuffs quite easily in a bag. You can get higher capacities and more efficient chargers for less, but portability is the point of the Clutch V3, and it’s a handy size to tuck away in your bag for emergencies.

One USB-C port and a built-in Lightning or USB-C cable. Can top up your phone (3,300 mAh).

Most portable chargers are featureless plastic bricks, but Ayaneo proves power banks don’t have to be dull with this adorable retro replica of Nintendo’s Super Famicom, better known as the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) in the US. Super cute and lightweight at 238 grams, Ayaneo’s Retro Power Bank has a tiny OLED showing the remaining battery, charging speed, protocol, and temperature. The function button brings it to life, and the slide switch cycles through the display options. It can send or receive up to 45 watts, but that’s a total for the output, so if you charge two devices simultaneously, you’ll get 15 W and 30 W. It supports PD 3.0, QC 3.0, and SCP. It’s a handy size, works reliably, and always catches the eye of older gamers.

Two USB-C (45 W) ports. Can charge most phones at least twice (12,000 mAh).

Got devices that don't charge via USB? Yes, they're still around. I have an old, but still great, GPS device that runs on AA batteries, headlamps that take AAA batteries, and countless other odds and ends that need batteries. After running through several brands, I've found Eneloop rechargeable batteries to be the longest-lasting and most reliable. The fast Panasonic charger can recharge any combination of AA and AAA batteries in less than four hours, and you can sometimes get it bundled in a pack that includes four AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

The standard AA Eneloop batteries hold around 2,000 mAh each, with AAA batteries holding 800 mAh, but you can upgrade to Eneloop Pro (2,500 mAh and 930 mAh, respectively) for more demanding gadgets, or go for Eneloop Lite (950 mAh and 550 mAh) for low-power devices. They come precharged with solar energy, and Eneloop recently switched to plastic-free cardboard packaging.

Rechargeable batteries are a smart idea, and Eneloop are the best, but if you need alkaline batteries for some reason and you are in Europe, check out the Itson range. They are made in the EU from recycled materials, and they are very affordable.

It’s a horrible feeling when your car refuses to start because the battery is dead, but if you have a portable battery pack like this one in your trunk, you can give yourself a jump-start. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft called it a roadside lifesaver after it jump-started his car several times on a long trip home from out of state. The Noco Boost Plus is a 1,000-amp, 12-volt battery pack with jump leads. It also has a USB-A port to charge your phone and a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight. It’s a good thing to have in your trunk, but you must remember to charge it every six months. It’s also IP65-rated and good for temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit up to 122 degrees.

One USB-A port. Can jump-start a car up to 20 times.

There is plenty to like about Anker’s Solix C300 DC. This portable charger has a whopping 90,000 mAh capacity, so it can easily keep your gadgets topped off for a weekend in the wilderness. It has a lovely pop-up lantern with three brightness settings and a versatile array of ports. You can charge it to 80 percent in an hour using the two fast USB-C ports, but it also has an XT60 input for a 100 W solar panel (it took me several hours to fully charge this way) and a socket for charging from your car. It is heavy at 6.17 pounds, but the tall form and carry handle make it easy to take with you, and Anker sells an optional shoulder strap for $30. You can connect the Anker app on your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but you don’t need to, as the display shows the percentage remaining, watts in or out, and a remaining time estimate. If you are hiking with a pack to go camping, this is the highest capacity portable charger you can realistically carry easily.

Four USB-C ports (2x 140 W, 1x 100 W, and 1x 15 W), two USB-A (12 W), and one car port (120 W). Can charge most phones more than 10 times or a laptop three times (288 Wh).

Folks seeking more power for camping or a long road trip should pick up the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. This cute and compact battery has a fold-out handle, packs a 288-Wh capacity, and weighs 8.3 pounds. It has two USB-C ports (18 W and 100 W), one USB-A (15 W), a car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W, 600 W surge). There is plenty of power to keep your small gadgets going for a few days. There’s also an AC input, or you can charge it via USB-C. The fan kicks in sometimes, but the Silent Charging Mode keeps it below 45 decibels. You can manage it with Jackery’s app via Bluetooth, and it also has a handy flashlight. We have found Jackery gear reliable and durable, and you can expect to get at least a decade out of this battery. Go any bigger than this and portability gets debatable. We have a separate Best Portable Power Stations guide with recommendations for folks who need a lot of power.

If you want charging options for going off-grid, you can get the 300 Plus with a 40-W book-sized solar panel ($400). It took me around eight hours to charge the battery with this panel in blue sky sunshine. If you want a faster charge and have the space for a larger panel, consider the 300 Plus with 100-W solar panels ($500).

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 18 W), one USB-A (1 5W), one car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W). Can charge most phones more than 10 times or a laptop three times (288 Wh).

There are so many portable chargers out there. Here are a few more we like that just missed out on a place above for one reason or another.

There are a few things worth thinking about when you’re shopping for a portable charger.

Capacity: The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), but this can be a little misleading because the amount of power you get out depends on the cable you use, the device you're charging, and the charging method (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get the maximum capacity. We try to provide an estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for devices.

Charging speeds and standards: The charging rate for devices like smartphones is measured in watts (W), but most power banks list the voltage (V) and the amperage (A). Thankfully, you can calculate the wattage yourself simply by multiplying the voltage and amperage. Unfortunately, getting that maximum rate also depends on your device, the standards it supports, and the charging cable you use. Many smartphones, including Apple’s iPhones, support the power delivery standard, meaning you can use higher-power power banks to recharge the device with no issues. A few phones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S range, support a supplementary PD protocol called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) that goes up to 45 W. Many phones also support Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge (QC) standard. There are also other proprietary fast-charging standards, but you won’t generally find power banks that support them unless they come from the smartphone manufacturer.

Pass-through: If you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously, it will need pass-through support. The Nimble, GoalZero, Biolite, Mophie, Zendure, and Sharge portable chargers listed support pass-through charging. Anker discontinued support for pass-through in some of its products because it found that differences between the output of the wall charger and the input of the device charging can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its lifespan. Monoprice does not support pass-through charging, either. We would advise caution when using pass-through, as it can also cause portable chargers to heat up.

Travel: It’s safe to travel with a power bank, but there are two restrictions to keep in mind when you board a flight: You must have the portable charger in your carry-on luggage (it cannot be checked), and it must not exceed 100 Wh (watt-hours). If your power bank has a larger capacity than 27,000 mAh, you should check with the airline. Below that should not be a problem.

Many years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 gained notoriety when its batteries caught fire in a series of incidents. There's been a steady stream of similar, though isolated, incidents ever since. However, despite the high-profile coverage of batteries gone wrong, the vast majority of Li-ion batteries are safe.

The chemical reaction that occurs inside a lithium-ion cell is complex, but as in any battery, there's a negative and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the negative is a lithium-carbon compound, and the positive is cobalt oxide (though many battery makers are moving away from cobalt). These two compounds cause a reaction that is safe when controlled and delivers energy to your devices. When the reaction gets out of control though, you end up with earbuds melting in your ears. What changes a safe reaction to an uncontrolled reaction can be any number of things: excess heat, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacture, or using the wrong charger.

The three basic rules that have kept me safe (thus far) through testing dozens and dozens of batteries are:

Avoiding cheap wall-outlet adapters, cords, and chargers is the most important. These are your most likely source of problems. Those chargers you see on Amazon for $20 cheaper than the competition? Not worth it. They probably got the price down by skimping on insulation, leaving out power-management tools, and ignoring the basics of electrical safety. Price alone is no guarantee of safety, either. Buy from reputable companies and brands.

Then there's heat. Too much of it can cause all manner of problems, both in terms of discharge and in terms of safety. Avoid heat, and pay attention to your batteries when they're charging. If your device gets overly hot when charging, this can be a sign of problems. Similarly, beware of any swollen, bulging, or otherwise misshapen batteries.

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