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Nov 07, 2024

Best power banks 2024: Portable charging for astronomers | Space

The best power banks and power stations will keep you powered up awat from home. We expect to see price reductions on Black Friday later this month. When you purchase through links on our site, we may

The best power banks and power stations will keep you powered up awat from home. We expect to see price reductions on Black Friday later this month.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The best power banks or power stations are the ideal way to make sure your devices never run out of juice while you're out and about.

Simply charge them off the mains at home, and they'll store up power to give your equipment a power boost when you're on the go. Whether you're an astrophotographer, hiker, camper or just someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, you'll be able to keep your phone, camera batteries or flashlights full of charge when off-grid.

The best power banks come in a range of different designs, sizes and capacities. Some are small enough to fit in your pocket and make the perfect companion for your daily commute, while others are designed with high capacities to help you charge multiple devices at the same time.

Others have handy additional features like being able to double up as a flashlight or handwarmer for those cold, late-night shooting sessions. We've included a wide range of options on this list so you can decide on the best model for your needs and budget.

If you're looking to upgrade the rest of your kit, we have guides to the best cameras and best telescopes, along with lists of useful accessories like the best headlamps and best camera backpacks.

Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.

Best overall

This sleek-designed power bank boasts a stunning smart digital display, and comes with both USB-C and USB-A charging ports.

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Best for portability

A reliable power bank that can power laptops for the eco-conscious sky watcher who needs additional charge on-the-go.

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Best Value

This is built specifically with astronomers in mind, with a 12 VDC, 6A telescope power output port as well as a USB-A port. The red light power bank combo is great for off-grid astronomy sessions.

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Best for in the car

A professional-looking, fast-charging power bank that's also carry-on compliant, it can quickly charge three devices at once.

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Best for longer charges

A sophisticated power bank from one of America's favorite USB charging brands.

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Best for waterproofing

A pocketable power bank with a tough exterior and rubber coating, so it's suitable for all-weather adventures. It features Qi 10W wireless charging, too.

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Best for wireless charging

The Lion Energy Eclipse Mag is a convenient and powerful unit that can charge various different devices wirelessly, eliminating the need for multiple cables.

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Best 3-in-1

A multi-functional device that acts as a hand warmer, torch and a power bank so you can cut down on items to carry in your kit bag.

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Best compact device

A 2-in-1 red torch meets power bank. Best suited to a beginner or occasional astronomer as, while handy, neither of the functions are exceptional.

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Best home power station

A neatly designed power station with handy storage compartments that's ideal for home power backup thanks to its super-speedy UPS.

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Best compact power station

A refined little power station that's intuitive and does everything you'd need it to — great for skywatchers, campers and festival goers.

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Best max capacity power station

An exceptional, nicely designed power station that is incredibly fast to recharge and easy to maneuver thanks to a telescopic handle and all-terrain wheels.

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Best for Emergency Power

The huge 2048Wh capacity will easily keep you powered up off grid, but be prepared for a workout when moving it from A to B.

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Our expert review:

✅ You want a digital display: This power bank has a crisp TFT display that shows precisely how much charge you have left.

✅ You want to travel with it: This one is TSA-compliant so you can take it in your hand luggage.

❌ You want a super lightweight power bank: At 1.3 lbs (609g), it's not the lightest in this guide.❌You're on a budget: This one will set you back over $100.

🔎 UGREEN Nexode Power Bank: A sleek, high-tech power bank with a beautiful display, it has USB-C and USB-A ports and great compatibility. However, it's not super light and it does come with a high price tag.

The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank is a nicely designed piece of kit. Its sleek, smooth grey coating also features an anti-slip pad on one side to ensure better grip. What really sets it apart, though, is the high-res TFT smart display that shows you the amount of charge remaining, the voltage and the current so you can optimize your device charging. UGREEN has included a sweet little 'face' that changes depending on the device's status. This is superfluous, but some users may like its 'personality'.

We've been testing this power bank for a couple of months (the 25,000mAh model), and we've been very impressed with its performance. Like other UGREEN products we've reviewed over the years, it is a quality product that does exactly what it says on the tin. The USB-C and USB-A output ports mean it's compatible with a wide range of devices without needing an adaptor, from Apple laptops to smaller devices like smartwatches and phones.

The massive capacity means it can charge several devices multiple times on one charge, but the drawback is it's not the lightest power bank in this guide as a result. That said, we still recommend it as a good choice for those who travel frequently, as it is TSA-compliant and can be packed into your hand luggage. We took it on various trips, including festival camping, where it held its own despite hot operating temperatures and being 'thrown' in and out of the tent over long weekends.

The UGREEN Nexode takes about 2.5 hours to reach a full charge, and the PD 3.1 technology for fast charging means it can charge a MacBook Pro more than halfway in just 30 minutes, which is impressive. It also has a trickle charging to help prolong the lifespan of your electronic devices.

Overall, this is a premium power bank with a price tag to match, but we'd recommend it for those whose budget stretches that far.

Our expert review:

✅ You want something simple: This power bank is simple, portable and reliable. With no fancy screens or other functionality, it just does what it needs to.✅ You're after Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility: This is required to activate fast charging modes on compatible devices.

❌ You want to see the exact level of charge remaining: This power bank utilizes a 4-light LED indicator to show how much percent charge is remaining, so it's not as accurate as other models.❌ You need something waterproof: There's no waterproof rating so it's best to use it where there's guaranteed to be no water or heavy condensation/moisture.

🔎 BioLite Charge PD 20/40/80: A no-fuss, affordable power bank that can be relied on for multiple charges over a couple of nights. We really like BioLite's mission too.

BioLite is a manufacturer of outdoor and off-grid products, and it's on a mission to provide 20 million people with clean energy and to avoid 3 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2025. When you buy a BioLite product, you're helping them on that mission. But while we're big fans of BioLite as a company, we also love the BioLite Charge 80 because it's a very neat little power bank.

One of its standout features is the Quick Charge 3.0 Protocol which activates fast charging modes for compatible devices. This power bank has an LED indicator with four bars that let you know how full the charge is (25%, 50%, 75% or 100%). While some might prefer an LCD screen that shows exact charge numbers, we think the LED indicator is more than enough.

There are three different versions of BioLite's Charge power bank that are very similar in terms of specifications. The one we tested is the Charge 80, which has the largest capacity. It's rugged and simple to use, and in our BioLite Charge PD review, we noted that its size-to-capacity ratio is just right. It's able to charge multiple devices more than once over a couple of days — notably, it can charge the BioLite HeadLamp 425 (which features on our best headlamps for astrophotography list) approximately 16 times.

The Charge PD ships with a USB-A to USB-C cable, but you'll have to supply your own USB-C to USB-C cable or something with multiple ends for a more universal fit.

The power bank can operate in temperatures between -20C to 40C, so unless you travel to the most hostile conditions, you shouldn't run into any issues in that department. One major drawback is it's not waterproof, however, so you'll want to keep it somewhere dry and avoid venturing out with it in a downpour.

Our expert review:

✅ You'll be using it in extreme temperatures: It can operate in temperatures from -4 to 140F (-20 to 60C).✅ You want the red light functionality: Having a built-in red light is particularly useful for astrophotographers.

❌ You want something that's quick to charge: Some power banks take less than two hours to charge to 100%, but this one can take up to six hours.❌ You want something pocketable: This power bank is brick-like and pretty heavy. You can find lighter models with higher capacity.

🔎 Explore Scientific 8300mAh Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight: If you're heading out for a night of skywatching or astrophotography and require a red light and some extra power, this will serve you well.

The Explore Scientific USB Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight is a great choice for astronomers and astrophotographers. Not only does it have enough power to see you through night-long shoots, the red flashlight is also a great companion that will help you maintain your night vision.

Granted, it's not the brightest flashlight and it won't light up whole areas like one of the best headlamps for stargazing would. But as an additional feature to a power bank, it's very useful indeed, whether you're checking star charts or fiddling around with the settings on your camera.

The flashlight has a tactile toggle switch that you can use to turn it on and off. It also has a two-point attachment point so you can hang it from a convenient place, like your tripod frame. There are five LED indicators on the body that show you the amount of power it has left, so you won't get caught out unexpectedly.

This device definitely doesn't look as 'sleek' as some of the other picks in this guide, but it's covered in a thick layer of rubber armor that keeps out dirt and moisture while shielding the electronics from minor impacts. It can operate in temperatures from -4 to 140F (-20 to 60C), so there's no need to worry about protecting it from extreme temperatures.

Our expert review:

✅ You want something carry-on compliant: This is almost the maximum capacity power bank you can take in your hand luggage.✅ You need both USB-C and USB-A ports: This has both, so there is no need to carry an adapter with you.✅ You want something that charges quickly: During our tests, we charged this power bank from 0-100% in just 90 minutes.

❌ You want wireless charging: This particular Ugreen model doesn't feature wireless charging, but some of te brand's other models do.❌ You want something for carrying around in your backpack: This might not be the ideal power bank for you as it's on the heavier side.

🔎 Ugreen 2500mAh Power Bank: We really like this power bank and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a simple, elegantly-designed, high-capacity and reliable model.

The Ugreen 25000mAh power bank is a simple but sleek-looking device with some impressively fast charging times. Its capacity is more than large enough for powering multiple devices, but it's also just under the maximum limit permitted for hand luggage, making it very travel-friendly. You get USB-C and USB-A ports on this device, as well as a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

During our Ugreen 25000mAh power bank review we were able to charge the power bank itself from empty to full in just 1.5 hours, and we charged a laptop from empty to full in the same amount of time.

One of our favorite features on the Ugreen power bank is the built-in digital display. It lets you see exactly how much power is left in it, which means there's no guesstimation involved unlike with with power banks that use light indicators instead. The level of precision is very welcome as it means you're able to keep careful tabs on your power usage, knowing exactly what you can still afford to charge.

The two-way charging featured on this model means that it can both charge and give charge at the same time, so it's an ideal charging hub for multiple devices. It also allows for trickle charging and has built-in surge and short circuit protection to give you peace of mind.

One thing to bear in mind is that this power bank is heavier than some other similarly-sized models. As such, it's not the best for carrying around with you, but it is very useful for keeping in your car or tent for charging devices as you travel. It would also have been nice to see a wireless charging feature, particularly as the Ugreen 25000mAh power bank's size would allow for it, but its absence shouldn't be too much of a deal-breaker for most.

Our expert review:

✅ You want to buy from a well-known and respected brand: Anker is one of America's leading USB charging brands.

❌ You need a fast-charging device: It takes around six hours to fully charge. ❌ You primarily charge USB-C devices: This power bank has three USB-A outputs and takes Micro-USB input.

🔎 Anker PowerCore+ 26800 with Quick Charge 3.0: A product from a well-respected brand with the maximum capacity allowed in hand luggage, it intelligently delivers the optimum power to your individual devices.

Anker is a well-known USB charging brand in America, so we always feel confident recommending their products. The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 comes in a sleek aluminum design, with rounded corners and round battery indicator button surrounded by 10 small LED lights to help you keep track of how much charge it has left.

The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 features dual input ports, allowing it to halve the amount of time it takes to charge up at the wall, and it's also compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology to allow it to charge even faster — though you'll have to buy the wall charger separately to make use of this feature. With the additional wall charger, you can charge it from empty to full in around four hours, versus around six hours without it.

Measuring around 7 x 3 inches (18 x 8cm) and weighing 1.3 lbs (591g), it's a little bulkier than some of the other options on our list. That said, it could still be a worthy travel companion thanks to its high capacity, which falls just under the carry-on limit for airplane travel. It also comes with a handy carry case.

You can charge up to three devices at the same time with this power bank via the three USB-A ports. It also boasts another inbuilt piece of technology called Power IQ which allows the power bank to identify connected devices and deliver the optimum charging speeds to all devices at the same time. Overall, it's a solid and reliable power bank that comes with an 18-month guarantee for further peace of mind.

Our expert review:

✅ You want something waterproof: It has an IP54 rating, so it's not submersible but it would be fine if you left it out in the rain.✅ You want wireless charging: This power bank offers wireless charging for compatible devices.✅ You want something pocketable: This is 140 x 73 x 22 mm, so it should easily fit in your pocket.

❌ You need to charge your devices multiple times: This is a low-capacity power bank that should be seen as a spare supply of power in a pinch.❌ You like seeing real-time data: This power bank only has a basic LED indicator for charge levels.

🔎 Otterbox Fast Charge Power Pack: An extremely rugged and weatherproof power bank that offers wireless charging.

The Otterbox 15,000mAh (also available as 10,000mAh) is a reliable outdoor companion. With a protective rubber shell, it's very hard-wearing so it's a great power bank to choose if you're off on an adventure that may involve a few knocks (or if you're a little accident prone).

This power bank comes with wireless charging, which is very handy as it means you don't need to carry around extra wires and cables — providing your devices are wireless charging compatible, of course.

Its IP54 rating means it's totally protected from dust ingress and allows for some water ingress too. While it obviously isn't fully submersible, the odd splash or a bit of rain isn't anything to worry about, so it's good for use in most weather conditions.

The Otterbox comes in three colors: Twilight Black, New Blossom Pink and White Sands. The latter two make the device easier to spot among a sea of predominantly black photography gear, or if you're out on an astrophotography shoot in the dark.

Some might be disappointed that the Otterbox doesn't have a display, which means you don't get an accurate numerical depiction of how much charge remains in the device. Instead, there's a basic LED indicator which lets you know when it's charging and when it's fully charged.

Our expert review:

✅ You value wireless charging: You won't need to remember various different cables to charge your devices.

❌ You're on a budget: This is one of the more expensive units on our list for its capacity.

🔎 Lion Energy Eclipse Mag - 99.9Wh Wireless Charger: A great pick for anyone who wants to charge their devices wirelessly, especially for people who own all the Apple gear, but this makes it pricier for its capacity.

For those who want to go wireless, the Lion Energy Eclipse Mag is the ideal travel companion. Although it's relatively weighty at 2 lbs (907g), it's approved for airplane travel and has a chunky, rugged build so it should be able to withstand getting jostled around in your backpack. It has a high capacity of 27,000 mAh, too, so you won't find yourself running out of charge easily.

This power bank is rated for over 1,000 life cycles and comes with a hefty five-year warranty. Although it's fairly expensive compared to other models, it's a powerful little device that may be worth it if you enjoy being able to charge your devices wirelessly.

The main selling point of this power bank is its wireless charging capability. It comes with three wireless charging pads on the top, one for charging your phone, one for wireless earbuds and one for an Apple Watch. You also get two USB-A charging ports and one USB-C charging port that is rated for up to 85W, so it can be used to charge up your laptop, too.

We were really impressed by how fast the power bank itself charges up from the wall. You can charge it from empty to full in around 90 minutes, and it's able to keep wirelessly charging your devices at the same time.

Our expert review:

✅ You want to carry as few things as possible: Triple functionality means you have less kit to take with you.

❌ You need to charge your devices multiple times: This is a low-capacity power bank, so it's not going to keep all your gear charged for days at a time.

🔎 Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro: A handy multi-functional device for astronomers and astrophotographers. It's small and light, so it can be kept in your pocket to keep your hands warm on night-time adventures, and used as a red torch or power bank when you need it.

There's an awful lot to like about the Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro. As its name suggests, it's first and foremost a torch. Not just any torch, though: Coming from Celestron, this is designed with stargazers in mind, so it features a red light for preserving night vision. But as bonus features, you also get a 3550 mAh power bank and a hand warmer thrown in for good measure.

If you're solely after a power bank, this probably isn't the right choice for you. At 3,550 mAh, it's barely enough to charge your mobile phone to full, let alone a suite of equipment. That said, it's a handy amount of charge if you're caught off-guard. With the addition of the red flashlight and handwarmer, however? The Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro is practically an astronomer's best friend — and a very handy little tool to have in your equipment.

The internal battery charges within two hours, so it's ideal for some last-minute adventures. There is also a white LED version of this model, so make sure you choose the Astro version to get the red light capability. It has an IPX4 rating, which means it can be used on rainy nights —it's worth noting though that while it can withstand light water splashes, it obviously cannot be submerged.

We particularly like that the hand warmer can be used simultaneously with the flashlight — handy when you're holding the light out in front of you. The hand warmer will provide around four hours of continuous heat on a full charge.

Our expert review:

✅ You like multiple functions: As well as a power bank, this device is a torch, minimizing how much stuff you need to carry around on adventures.

❌ You need to charge your devices multiple times: This is a low-capacity power bank, so don't rely on it to keep several devices charged.

🔎 Celestron PowerTank Glow 5000 Red Torch Power Bank: A great choice for someone who might occasionally have a use for the red light and small capacity power bank. It's quite expensive for what it is, but it would suit someone new to astronomy who doesn't want to invest in multiple accessories.

As we discussed in our best headlamps buying guide, using a red light as opposed to a white one is essential for maintaining your night vision. While we provide a number of hand-free lighting options in that guide, the fact that this small red LED torch also functions as a 5000mAh power bank makes it a fantastic gift for someone new to astronomy or astrophotography, and a useful bit of kit to keep in your bag.

We'd recommend the Celestron PowerTank Glow 5000 power bank for a beginner astrophotographer or stargazer. It would make an excellent gift for someone just getting into the hobby who doesn't need a dedicated, high-powered power bank.

The Celestron PowerTank Glow 5000 comes with a silicone mount strap so you can attach it somewhere useful, like your tripod. There's an extra wrist strap too, so you can keep it firmly attached to your person without the risk of losing it.

However, with only 5000mAh power, it's not the best power bank if you're hoping to charge multiple devices. It's enough to charge your phone once or twice, but you won't get much more out of it than that. That said, with the torch functionality, it's a great item to keep with your astro gear so you can charge something up in a pinch.

Our expert review:

✅ You want a fast-charging power station: This power station can reach 80% in under an hour.✅ You want backup power at home: This power station has plenty of power.✅ You're planning on a long camping trip: The device can store solar power and will ensure you're fully equipped in the great outdoors.

❌ You want to a portable power station: At 50 lbs, this power station isn't the most travel-friendly.

🔎 Oukitel BP2000: This smart-looking and functional power station will keep your home up and running in a power outage while also giving you a great power source on long trips. It charges up super quickly, and you can expand its storage capacity with up to seven additional batteries.

In our Oukitel BP2000 review, we were incredibly impressed by how fast this power station charges. We were able to charge it from 0-100% in just 90 minutes, meaning it's can charge over 1% a minute. As a note, the six cooling fans do kick in when it's charging and create a low humming sound, so you may not want to keep it running overnight if you're sleeping in the same room.

The Oukitel BP2000 is a high-capacity power station with some neat design features that make it highly practical and functional. It contains a 640,000 mAh LiFePO4 battery with 3,500 Life Cycles and up to a 10-year lifespan. You can also expand that amount with up to seven extra batteries and use solar panels to charge up from the sunlight during your camping trips.

It's very heavy at 50 lbs (23kg) and we think it would have benefitted from some added wheels, but it does come with integrated handles on either side to help you move it around. We also loved the fact that it features inbuilt compartments to store all your cables in — it's a little thing, but it makes a big difference in making sure you don't forget or mislay them during your travels.

Oukitel hasn't provided an app like some of its competitors, but with the comprehensive LCD screen, we can't say that we missed it. The screen offers 23 different display icons, so you can easily keep track of things like the input, output and power status.

We think this power station would be ideal for home power backup, particularly as it has a speedy Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that kicks in only 10 milliseconds after a power outage. It also comes with a three-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Our expert review:

✅ You're planning on going off-grid: With solar-panel charging and a 0% Battery Emergency Mode, you will have power for any eventuality.

✅ You're looking for a happy medium between size, weight and capacity: We think it strikes the perfect balance.

✅ You want something that charges incredibly quickly: It charges to full capacity in less than an hour using AC, so it's ideal for last-minute getaways.

❌ You want to store or stack things on top of it: Having the handle at the top means you can't stack anything on top of it.

🔎 Ugreen Power Roam 1200: This has quickly become our go-to power station. We think it strikes the perfect balance between size and capacity, and it's incredibly fast to charge. It's quieter than other models we have tested too, and the app is slick and responsive.

We were really impressed with this power station and think it offers a great balance between size and capacity. It's about half the weight of the Zendure SuperBase Pro (see below) and is easy to carry around thanks to its secure integrated handle.

It has a minimalistic and practical look with a simple and intuitive design. In our Ugreen Power Roam 1200 review, we found it easy to get to grips with even without reading the instructions, and also found it incredibly fast to charge. On AC it went from 0% to 80% in less than the 50 minutes it claims, and it was relatively fast to charge with solar panels too — ideal for charging up at your campsite during the day when it's sunny.

There are some very nifty features on this power station. We love that it's equipped with Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), which makes it an ideal back-up power supply in your home if you experience frequent power outages. It can also be used as a flashlight to keep your camp or tent lit up at night.

Perhaps our favorite feature is the built-in 0% Battery Emergency Mode, which means even when the battery display shows 0% it has another seven hours of light and smartphone charge — a life-saving feature in certain situations.

The Ugreen Power Roam 1200 has four buttons and an LCD screen that provides details such as the remaining battery percentage, input/output levels and remaining charge and discharge times. You can also see all of this information on your phone on the Ugreen app, which lets you operate all of the power station's features remotely.

Our expert review:

✅ You'll be taking it to festivals: It features a telescopic handle and large industrial-grade wheels. Simply pack your kit on top of it and drag it along.

✅ You're spending nights off the grid: Depending on your energy consumption, the Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000 should keep you powered up for days. If you have solar panels and it's sunny, you'll benefit from unlimited power.

❌ You need something quiet: When charging or distributing a lot of power, the fans are very loud. We wouldn't recommend sleeping in the same room/van as it when it's in use.

🔎 Zendure SuperBase Pro: An excellent power station for getting from A to B. While it is big and heavy, the telescopic handles and chunky wheels make it very easy to maneuver. It is also an excellent emergency power supply for when there are power cuts.

This 47lb power station is a serious piece of equipment with a luggage-inspired design: It has a telescopic and fixed handle mounted on industrial-grade wheels. The Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000 has 2096Wh Capacity with 2,000W Output, and can be boosted to power up devices that typically need 3000W using the AmpUp feature.

While it's obvious that you can't just throw it in your backpack and hike to a dark sky area, it makes the perfect travel companion for extended off-grid skywatching and camping trips.

The Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000's body is reinforced with a shock-resistant shell and has a reinforced interior. It's not as all-weather reliable as some smaller power banks though: Its optimum operating temperature is between 59°F to 95 °F (15°C to 35°C). It will still work between -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C), but expect it to drain quicker. It won't accept a charge below freezing and, unsurprisingly, you can't get it wet.

This monster can even power an electric car enough to travel five miles, so you won't have any trouble charging your devices for several days, including laptops, video equipment, drones, mini-fridges, and heaters.

If not for astronomy and astrophotography, this can be used as an emergency backup power source in your home. Like the rucksack-friendly SuperTank Pro 100W, this product comes with a Zendure two-year limited warranty.

Our expert review:

✅ You want to expand the capacity: If you find yourself needing to store more power, you can add up to two DELTA 2 Max Smart batteries. Store up to a whopping 6144Wh.

✅ It's going to be staying put for long periods of time: This isn't a very travel-friendly power station. It's large and heavy but would make the perfect emergency power backup.

❌ You will be moving it often: It weighs 50.7lb/23kg, is pretty cumbersome, and doesn't have the luxury of wheels.

🔎 EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max: Ideal as a backup power solution. If it's going to be staying put in your home or van, it's a great buy that will keep you powered up for days; we actually struggled to drain it during our tests.

This is a huge-capacity power station with fast charging and a reassuring five-year warranty. While it generally retails for less than the Zendure SuperBase Pro, you'll have to compromise on weight and portability with this model.

In our EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max review, we found this power station pretty heavy to move around, even with its integrated handles, and it took up a lot of space in the trunk of the car. We feel it would benefit from having wheels like the Zendure does, but we did appreciate having the handles on the side since it made it easy to stack things on top of it. Although not an official use, it also provided a handy extra seat or table to put our laptop on when camping out.

The app is slick, responsive and easy to set up. It shows you exactly how much power is entering and leaving the power station in real time and you can also customize all your settings in it.

If you're planning on carrying your power station around a lot, then this 50.7 lb beast might not be the one for you. But we think it would make an excellent source of backup power for your home or to keep in a campervan or car while you're away.

During our testing, we found it didn't charge quite as fast as it claimed to, adding 50% to the battery in around 40 minutes on AC. That said, we were hard-pressed to drain this thing of power once it was full, so we find it easy to believe the claims that it will charge your camera 99 times, a drone 39 times or a laptop 26 times over. It can also be expanded with two extra batteries should you need it.

The sheer number of power banks available out there can make finding the right one for you a daunting task. Below, we've summarized all the things you should consider to find the perfect power bank for you.

First things first, consider how much you want to spend. The price of power banks varies widely, from some budget models costing a few dollars to some premium ones that will set you back over a hundred bucks. The good thing is you don't need to spend loads of money to find a reliable piece of kit, and we've included devices for every budget in our guide above.

Another important factor when choosing a power bank is its capacity. The capacity of batteries is indicated as XXXX mAh (milliampere/hour). The higher the number, the bigger the capacity, i.e., the more power you can draw from it. We've included each power bank's capacity in this guide so you can easily compare them.

Usually, power banks with a higher capacity or mAh are bigger and bulkier, so if you're often on the go and are looking to travel light, you'll want to find a good balance between power and weight. There are really compact models available to purchase, including some you can attach to your keyring, which we've included in the guide.

Some of the more premium power banks come with extra features such as a torch or a hand warmer. While these aren't essential, they may come in handy for your night time escapades and can be worth splashing out if you have the budget.

An important thing to note is if you're going to be traveling on a plane with your power bank and plan to have it in your hand luggage, it must not exceed the 100Wh (27, 000mAh) limit set by the Federal Aviation Administration. We've pointed out which power banks are under the limit in this guide.

All of the power banks listed here have been carefully selected as they are good value for money, with features that are especially helpful to astronomers and astrophotographers above anything else. We review and update this guide often, highlighting discounts and deals to help you save money.

We think the UGREEN Nexode is the best power bank overall. It easily rivals the Zendure SuperTank Pro, which we have removed from this guide as it became increasingly difficult to source and has now been discontinued. The Nexode has both USB-C and USB-A ports, so there is no need for adapters, and some users will like that the device has a 'personality' on the OLED screen, depending on what status it is (charging, almost empty, distributing power, etc.).

Following that, the BioLite Charge PD series power bank is a fantastic contender, shining through its portability and sleek design.

It's a Ugreen 1-2 here. The Ugreen Power Roam 1200 is the best compact power station we tested and reviewed. We gave it four and a half stars out of five in our review due to its compact size, five-year warranty, and quiet operation. However, if you're looking for a power station for your home, you can't go wrong with the Oukitel BP2000.

The difference between a power bank and a power station lies in their size and portability. Every bank and station on this list is portable, to a degree, but what you should choose depends on your intended use for them.

Power banks can easily slip into jacket pockets or a carry bag or be left in the glove box of a vehicle for quick charging when needed. Power stations, on the other hand, are much larger, heavier and are better suited to skywatching gatherings where users are staying put for a length of time.

This all depends on its intended charge device/s. A computerized telescope, smartphone and laptop will likely require a power station with a larger battery capacity to power it overnight or for several nights.

Using a manual telescope, camera and phone users can use a power bank which is smaller and lighter.

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best power banks to buy, here at Space.com, we make sure to put every power bank through a rigorous review to test each device thoroughly. Each power bank is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as a power bank and its performance in the field.

Each power bank is carefully tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each power bank and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.

We look at how much capacity each power bank has, how quickly it charges, whether it includes a built-in flashlight, whether there's a red light option for night vision protection, and whether they have in-built hand warming capabilities.

With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on power banks, whether you should purchase a device or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.

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Tantse Walter is a photographer and adventurer that's spent seven years facilitating global adventurous expeditions. She loves getting into the nitty-gritty of sourcing and planning trips. Whether that be for astrophotography location scouting, or just for the love of exploration. Tantse enjoys taking creative, bright and bold photos of people, places, animals and the night sky. Tantse’s photos have been purchased by notable companies such as Ford and Cross Country Trains as well as an upcoming book about the songs, rituals and musical history of Capoeira.

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