The best power bank in September 2022
Getting one of the best power banks is a no-brainer if you own a tablet, laptop, smartphone (or any other portable device) that you take out of the office, and don't want to be hindered by a dead battery. There are many options, and to be honest, there's a lot of crossover and duplications in price points and features. That's why we've looked at a vast number of the best power banks out there, and ranked them in order. We take into mind value, use case and design, and clearly outline why we think each one is a decent choice for the creative on the go.
For each entry, we list the pros and cons of each option, including speed, connectivity and price (see our how we test guide for more), and our live deals widget also pulls in the best prices too. The best power banks below are sectioned into the best power banks available in the US and the UK (but many are on sale in both, so be sure to check out the whole page). And for each entry, we pull in the current best prices that are available. Job done!
If you need storage as well as power, also check out our guide to the best external hard drives and SSDs. But for now, here are the best power banks available right now.
The best power banks available today
The best power banks in the US
01. Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank
The best power bank overall.
Weight: 354g | Size: 16.6 x 5.8 x 2.2cm | Battery capacity: 20,100mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A | Input ports: 1 x micro-USB
Huge battery
Speedy charging
Reasonable price
Not the lightest
Reaching a decision on our number one choice was easy. Having tried out the Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank extensively at Creative Bloq, we're certain it's the best power bank you can buy right now.
In terms of charge speed, connectivity and price, it's absolutely top-notch. With a hefty battery capacity of 20,100mAh, you'll get a good few charges out of it before needing to top it up.
Slimline and sleek, the Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank can charge two devices simultaneously via its pair of 2.4 Amp USB ports, and if those devices use PowerIQ or VoltageBoost, it'll charge them all the faster. And here's the best compliment we can pay this power bank: after trying it out for a little while, our writer went out and bought one of their own.
02. iMuto 20,000mAh power bank
The best cheap power bank.
Weight: 459g | Size: 17.2 x 2.3 x 8.2 cm | Battery capacity: 20,000mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A | Input ports: 1x Micro-USB
Large capacity
Fantastic price
Chunky design
If the main thing that you're after is great value in your power bank, we can heartily recommend the iMuto Ultra High Capacity portable charger. Don't care too much about getting flexibility and features? This may be the power bank that suites your needs the best.
Sure, it's a little on the heavier side, clocking in at around 100g heavier than the above top pick. And, yes, there's less capacity than the above too (only by 100mAh). But if you look at the price, and the money that you'll be saving, we think these are good trade offs. Of course, you may not like the chunky design (we do), and the charging options are limited. But for the majority of users who want a decent power bank for a decent price, the iMuto 20,000mAh power bank is brilliant option.
03. Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 PD 60W
The best power bank for high-powered devices.
Weight: 570g | Size: 74 x 158 x 19mm | Battery capacity: 25,600mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C | Input ports: 1x USB-C
Fast charging
Powerful battery
Heavy
If you have a power-hungry device, or just need to charge a normal smartphone or tablet multiple times on a long journey, you might need something more heavy-duty than our number one choice. In which case, let us introduce the Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600.
This power bank is named for its 25,600mAh of battery capacity. That's even enough power to fully gas up a MacBook, if you're so inclined, making this an ideal power bank for those who prefer to work on the go.
Able to charge up to three devices at once, the Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 has a 60W USB-C port and a pair of USB-A ports capable of delivering a total output of 18W between them. There's also a trickle-charging function that's useful for low-power devices.
As you might expect, this is a pretty hefty power bank, weighing in at more than half a kilo. Its price tag is quite hefty too. But if you need the kind of power it's offering, we reckon it does represent good value.
04. INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger
The best cheap power bank.
Weight: 198g | Size: 13.21 x 6.86 x 1.27cm | Battery capacity: 10,000mAh | Output Ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C | Input Ports: 1x microUSB, 1x USB-C
Cheap
Light and portable
Power 3 devices at the same time
Not the biggest capacity
Short on funds? Then you'll like the low price tag of the INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger. Admittedly, with half the capacity of the Anker PowerCore, it won't give your phone a huge number of charges. But it's a handy slim device when out and about, and perfect for low-power devices such as Bluetooth headphones, Fitbits and smartwatches.
It's got both USB-A and USB-C outputs, and is capable of charging up to three devices simultaneously. Ideal for a quick end-of-the-day power boost, this power bank is great if you're using an older phone that's starting to hold its charge a little less.
05. Casely Power Pods
The best best power bank with loads of colour options.
Weight: 90.7kg | Size: 3-inches x 2-inchs x 1/4-inch | Battery capacity: 5000mAh | Ouput ports: Wireless (15w Max) | Input ports: USB-C to USB cable (included)
Affordable
Range of great designs
Small yet effective
May not be powerful enough
We love the look of these Casely 'power pods'. With a great range of cool designs, that all pack a decent punch, this is a fresh entry into this list of the best power banks.
Just to be clear (and as the small size may suggest), the Casely Power Pods are designed for charging smart phones, not laptops or bigger tablets. However, with a USB-C to USB cable (which is included), this is a versatile device. The Casely Power Pod is compatible with Qi Wireless charging phones, and that includes all iPhone from the 8 onwards, as well as Samsung and Google phones, and AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, and AirPods 3.
You can also match a cool phone case with you Power Pod, which is a really nice touch. If you're bored of the matt black look of many of the power banks on this page, this is a welcome chance to get some colour in your charging device.
06. Anker PowerCore II 10,000mAh power bank
The best power bank for portability.
Weight: 181g | Size: 9.2 x 6 x 2.2cm | Battery capacity: 10,000Ah | Ouput ports: 1x USB-A | Input ports: 1x Micro USB
Super-portable
Beautiful slim design
Only 10,000mAh
Only one port
Choosing the best power bank often means having to decide between battery capacity and portability. For our money the best compromise between the two is the Anker PowerCore II. It's slightly smaller than a pack of cards, so should fit into any pocket. But with 10,000mAh of capacity on offer it should still charge most phones two or three times.
Let's be clear: you wouldn't want to depend on this power bank over a few days. But if you need something to quickly charge your smartphone a couple of times while on the move, this offers a great balance between size and capacity.
07. Mophie Powerstation Plus with built-in cables
The best portable charger for iPhones.
Weight: From 158g | Size: 6.83 x 1.4 x 13.4 cm | Battery capacity: From 6,000mAh | Output ports: 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A | Input ports: 1x Micro USB
Integrated Lightning cable
Two ports
Pointless without iPhone or iPad
The Mophie Powerstation Plus is the perfect choice for anyone with an iPhone or older iPad that needs the occasional boost, as it has a built-in Lightning cable so you don't need to remember to bring one with you.
Models range from a 6,000mAh capacity at the most economic end up to a more generous 12,000mAh, which is enough for more than four additional charges on your iPhone or one extra charge for a tablet. A second USB port means you can charge two devices at the same time. All this makes it our clear choice as the best portable charger for iPhones.
The best power banks in the UK
01. MAXOAK 50,000mAh Power Bank
The best power bank overall (unless you're a MacBook user).
Weight: 1.26kg | Size: 20.6 x 13.5 x 3.3cm | Battery capacity: 50,000Ah | Output ports: 1x 20v port for laptops, 1x 12v port, 3x USB-A ports 1A USB ports | Input ports: 1x AC
Six ports
Huge capacity
Big and heavy
Not MacBook-compatible
The thing most people are looking for in a power bank is, well, power. And with a huge 50,000mAh on offer, the Maxoak Power Bank is certainly packed with that. It's also versatile, with six ports letting you charge almost everything at once.
Sadly, though, it won't charge a MacBook, which could rule out this power bank for many creatives. However if you have a laptop from Fujitsu, Sony, Acer, Asus, IBM, Dell, HP, NEC, Samsung or Lenovo then you're good to go.
The massive capacity and multiple ports make this an ideal power bank for a trip with colleagues who'll need to charge their devices at the same time, or if you simply have a lot of devices yourself. Be aware, though, that this is the heaviest model on our list, and one of the most expensive.
02. Omni 20 USB-C Portable Power Bank
The best power bank for charging multiple devices.
Weight: 499g | Size: 13 x 3 x 13cm | Battery capacity: 20,100mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C | Input ports: 1x USB-C
Charge multiple devices
Dual charging option
Wireless charging
Weighty
Not worried about price, and just want a premium power bank that can charge loads of things at the same time? Then this could well be the option for you. It has two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports as well as offering wireless charging. It's compatible with the MacBook Pro. And it features an OLED display to let you know how much power's available and how fully charged your devices are.
It charges fast – in under three hours when plugged in by itself. You can also charge the power bank itself while your devices are charging. And while it's a lot more expensive than most of the other power banks on our list, if you need to use your devices a lot the investment could pay off, by allowing you to keep going for longer.
We'll be clear, the Omni 20 is going to overkill for most people. It's heavy and gives you a lot less power than you'd expect for the price. But if you need to charge multiple devices, and want a lot of flexibility, it's a winner.
03. iMuto 20,000mAh power bank
The best cheap power bank.
Weight: 459g | Size: 17.2 x 2.3 x 8.2 cm | Battery capacity: 20,000mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A | Input ports: 1x Micro-USB
Large capacity
Affordable price
Chunky design
Fairly heavy
Not bothered about flexibility and features, and just want the best value power bank? Then we recommend the iMuto Ultra High Capacity portable charger. It weighs about the same as the Omni 20 above, and has the same amount of capacity, but comes in at a fraction of the price.
On the downside, it's not as slick as the Omni 20 and doesn't offer as many charging options. But it'll charge most phones about four times, and so if that's the main thing you're looking for, there's a lot to like here.
04. Kilponen Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh
The best solar power bank.
Weight: 350g | Size: 14.9 x 1.5 x 7.3 cm | Battery capacity: 26800mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A | Input ports: 1x Micro-USB
Decent capacity
Slim design
Affordable
Takes a long time to fully charge from solar
If you're going to be outdoors a lot, but don't want to go completely off grid, a solar power bank is a great way recharge your phone when you're away from civilisation. The Kilponen Solar Power Bank 26800mAh offers an impressive capacity, will fit in a pocket easily, and the LED indicator system shows how much power you have left. There are only two ports – both USB-A – but otherwise, it's a great option, both for practical and environmental reasons.
5. Anker PowerCore+ 26800 portable battery
The best power bank for a mid-range price.
Weight: 440g | Size: 18 x 8 x 2.4cm | Battery capacity: 26800mAh | Output ports: 3 x USB | Input ports: 2 x USB
Large capacity
Reasonable price
Charge three devices
No passthrough charging
Hunting for a mid-range power bank, that offers the perfect balance between price and capacity? Then you'll find Anker’s PowerCore+ 26800 offers excellent value. Its huge 26,800mAh battery should be enough to recharge the iPhone 8 around 10 times, a Samsung Galaxy S8 more than six times, and most tablets at least twice.
You can charge up to three devices at one time. And a full recharge of the power bank itself takes around six hours with a wall charger (not included). Note, though, that it does not support passthrough charging, ie it can't charge your devices while it’s being charged itself.
How to choose a power bank
What is a power bank?
A power bank is a portable electronic device that can transfer power from its built-in battery to other devices. This is typically done through a USB-A or USB-C port, although wireless charging is also increasingly available. Power banks are mainly used for charging small devices with USB ports such as smartphones, tablets and Chromebooks. But they can also be used to top up a variety of USB-powered accessories, including headphones, Bluetooth speakers, lights, fans and camera batteries.
Power banks usually recharge with a USB power supply. Some offer passthrough charging, which means you can charge your devices while the power bank itself is recharging.
What should I look for when buying a power bank?
When choosing the best power bank for your needs, the first consideration should be battery capacity. Consider how long you’ll be on the move and how many devices you'll be using. You'll also need to bear in mind how much energy those devices consume as a laptop or camera will need more power to recharge than a phone or tablet.
Once you've decided what battery capacity you need, the next factor is weight. Usually weight increases in line with capacity, so you might want to strike a balance and sacrifice some battery capacity for the extra portability that comes with a lighter power bank.
Another important factor is compatibility. You need to make sure the power bank will actually work with the devices you want to charge. Also think about connectivity. If you're likely to need to charge several devices at the same time, you'll want to check how many charging points the power bank has.
Many power banks come with two or three ports, but some power banks offer up to six. And it's worth checking what sort of ports are on offer; USB-A ports will do the job but not every quickly, while if you can find a power bank with a USB-C PD port then you'll find your devices charge nice and quickly.
What's the best power bank brand?
We feel that Anker is often the best power bank brand, which is why the Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank tops our list above. With its big capacity, fast charging and excellent value, it's a no-brainer, unless you're looking for really high capacity or specific compatibility. There are a few devices the PowerCore 20100 won’t work with.
Maxoak, Mophie and Belkin are also great power bank brands. Be wary, though, of brands that you've never heard of, particularly if the brand name reads like someone grabbed a handful of tiles out of a Scrabble bag and chucked them on a table. You'll find thousands of them on Amazon offering loads of power at a knockdown price. But while some of them might be genuine bargains, you're running a real risk of buying something that'll seriously under-deliver then fail on you in short order.
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