5 Best Power Banks (2026); I’ve Tested More Than 100

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I hate running out of power. Everybody does. While our gadgets have advanced in many ways, battery technology has been slow to improve. That’s why you’re looking to buy a power bank. A good portable charger is a handy backup that can keep your smartphone, tablet, and maybe even your laptop going for longer. I’ve been testing power banks for many years. I’ve tested more than 100 portable chargers. But you only really need one.

Most folks should buy one of the first four power banks I recommend, but there are a few other unique use cases, so I’ve included a few extra options. Read the Best MagSafe/Qi2 Power Banks for more magnetic wireless chargers, and Best Portable Power Stations for more power.

Updated March 2026: I revamped this guide, slimmed down my recommendations, added more testing impressions, removed some older picks, and updated prices.

Other Portable Chargers I Tested

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

Don't Bother

These portable chargers I tested aren't necessarily terrible, but you can do better.

OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank for $70: Sleek in silver-gray aluminum with a chamfered edge, this power bank looks lovely, but the 5,000-mAh capacity is just over half that after inefficiency takes a bite.

Denvix PowerX Power Bank for $180: This beefy 25,000-mAh power bank can put out up to 200 watts via two USB-C ports, one USB-A, and a Qi wireless charging pad, but the finish is a little too smooth, and it gets very warm when charging multiple devices.

Iniu Portable Charger for $22: It's very small for a 10,000-mAh capacity. You can charge at up to 45 watts from either of the USB-C ports or 18 watts from the USB-A, but recharging is slow, it fell short of the stated capacity, and the display sometimes failed to update correctly.

Sharge Flow Mini for $30: With a similar design to Anker’s Nano Power Bank and the same 5,000-mAh capacity, it comes with interchangeable USB-C to USB-C or Lightning connectors (which I worry will be easy to lose) and has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a strap, though it’s tricky to pull out. The charging rate maxes out at 12 watts.

FansDreams MChaos for $46: I love the idea of a wearable power bank, and this one comes in lime green with a carabiner that makes it easy to attach to a bag, but recharging is slow, and you’ll be lucky to get one full charge for your phone.

iWalk Portable Charger for $27: The 4,800-mAh capacity won't come close to fully refilling your device, but it's tiny enough to keep in a bag at all times.

What Features Should I Look for in Power Banks?

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

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 a minimum estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for devices.

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 watts. 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.

Your device will need pass-through support if you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously. 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 being charged can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its life. 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.

Can I Take a Power Bank on a Plane?

It’s safe to fly with a power bank, but there are two main 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 watt-hours (WH). 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.

Some airlines introduced stricter rules in 2025, so always check with your chosen airline before you travel. For example, some airlines prefer you not to use or charge power banks during a flight, some require power banks to be in your hand luggage under the seat in front of you and not in the overheads, and some limit the number of power banks you can have onboard.

Why You Should Avoid Cheap Power Banks

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 lithium-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 through testing dozens and dozens of batteries are these:

• Avoid cheap cords, chargers, and outlet adapters;
• Make sure batteries aren't exposed to excessive heat (above 110 degrees Fahrenheit);
• Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage.

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.

How We Test Power Banks

I've been testing power banks for close to two decades, and my home office has stacks of ’em at any given moment. I test every portable charger that comes in for at least two weeks. I always check how many times it can fully charge my test p