The Best Portable Phone Chargers
Our world is filled with portable devices, but keeping them fully charged while you're out and about can be a challenge. Modern smartphones can quickly devour a fully charged battery, so many of us need a portable battery for backup. But not all portable chargers will do the trick, so you'll want to be certain that the battery you invest in will reliably deliver. With that in mind, we've put together this list of our favorites so you can call, text, and stream with your mind at ease.
What to Look For
When searching for the best portable chargers on the market today, we had four guiding questions: Do the input and output connections provide flexible options for charging? Is the design compact and comfortable for travel? How durable is the battery and does it have a good lifespan? Is the price fair? For example, if you want the most bang for your buck, we recommend the two-pack option from Miady. These portable batteries bring a solid performance at a fraction of the price, and we love the color options to suit any aesthetic. If you’re after a flexible connectivity solution for any situation, take a look at the smart, all-in-one design from Brand Q, which does away with external cables. Read on to see our other top picks.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10K
Resilient meets reliable
Anker has established a reputation for providing premium tech at bargain prices, and their PowerCore Slim didn’t fail to deliver on our expectations. This solid tablet design weighs in at a delicate 208 grams, making it one of the lightest options of this capacity on the market. A heavy-duty, scratch-resistant casing makes this battery strong on the outside, and Anker’s MultiProtect safety system has you covered on the inside. Temperature control, short circuit protection, and overcharge protection combine to make this one of the most rugged options money can buy.
Pros:
- We found that the trickle-charging mode worked great when charging low-power devices, making this battery an efficient option for Bluetooth headphones and smartwatches.
- Compact dimensions combined with a light weight make this battery very comfortable to carry. We could fit it in our pockets with room to spare for a phone or wallet.
- We love how it comes with a protective pouch, which provides a great storage solution for cables.
Cons:
- Not everyone will be a fan of button-operated charging, so the more absent-minded of us may forget to start a charging cycle.
Miady Dual USB Portable Charger 2-Pack
Double the juice
For optimum performance at a bargain, look no further than this two-pack from Miady. Each battery boasts dual USB ports, making this bundle perfect for keeping up to four devices powered on the go. With a speedy recharge time of five hours to fill the 10,000mAh capacity, these chargers provide you with the option of alternating batteries for a constant charging solution. This is also a great option for families or significant others since you can keep one for yourself and gift the other to a loved one.
Pros:
- With both micro USB and USB-C charging inputs, we weren’t left foraging for cables if we forgot the original.
- We love the sleek color options. Plus, the different colors help to easily keep track of which battery needed charging.
- The automatic power-off feature worked well to save capacity. We found it helped us get the most out of these batteries when charging unattended.
Cons:
- The blinking LED charging indicator might be unwelcome if recharging these batteries overnight in the dark.
iWalk Ultra-Compact Power Bank
Small in size, great in power
If you’re traveling light, it might not always be practical to carry a bulky high-capacity power bank along the way. This nifty design from iWalk packs an impressive 4500mAh of charge into its ultra-compact form, giving enough charge to replenish most phones without the weight of most power banks. The all-in-one design also does away with cables, so you won’t be left rummaging for cables if you need to get back online in a hurry.
Pros:
- The dimensions of this power bank match the width of current iPhones, so you can comfortably continue to use your phone as you charge.
- We appreciate the color pairing options available, allowing you to pick a power bank to match your iPhone.
Cons:
- This particular power bank only works with specific iPhone models, though iWalk does have other options that do the trick for USB-C ports and the like.
Brand Q Ultra Slim 4 Output Power Bank
Ready for a revamp
There’s nothing worse than realizing that you’ve left your cables at home when pulling out your power bank to recharge on the go. If you have several devices that draw power from a range of connection options, this all-in-one solution from Brand Q could be the portable charger for you. The battery comes with three hardwired outputs, with options for USB-C, micro USB, and Lightning connection ensuring you have all bases covered. An additional USB output port offers ultimate compatibility across the board. And with a built-in AC wall plug for recharging, this power bank ensures you’ll never be searching for cables again.
Pros:
- We appreciate how the cables neatly tuck into the body of the power bank for cleaner storage.
- This was a great option for traveling. The maximum connectivity means you can easily offer some charge to a friend in need.
- The built-in AC charging port allows pass-through charging while the battery is refilling. We found this was great for ensuring all your devices are ready to go after an overnight charge even if you’re short of wall sockets.
Cons:
- If the built-in cables get damaged, they can’t be replaced.
GETIHU LED Display Power Bank
Know the numbers
If you’re relying on a power bank to keep multiple devices powered in a remote situation, you might demand a more precise capacity indicator than the standard 4-bar meters on most batteries. This option from GETIHU leaves no room for doubt, with a bold LED display ensuring you can keep a close eye on battery status. With two USB output ports and a dual input and output USB-C port, connectivity options are versatile and numerous. With a travel pouch and USB-C cable included, this option is sure to impress anyone looking for a dependable design.
Pros:
- We found the temperature control on this battery was very effective in keeping it cool during use, meaning we could comfortably carry it in our pockets during a recharge.
- The built-in flashlight is surprisingly bright and useful during nighttime walks.
- This battery is great at retaining a full charge when not in use, we found that even 10 days after charging it held its 100% capacity.
Cons:
- This option may take slightly longer to recharge than other 10,000mAh batteries, with a refill from 0% taking about six hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I recharge my phone with a 10,000mAh battery?
Smartphones vary wildly in their battery capacities, but we found that 10,000mAh was enough to fully recharge any smartphone we came across at least once. We found that a battery with this capacity could recharge an iPhone X about 2.4 times, and a Samsung Galaxy S9 about 2.2 times. Details for the battery capacity of your smartphone model will be readily available on the manufacturer’s website.
Is my portable battery safe to bring on a plane?
Several classes of batteries are prohibited from air travel. Pressure and temperature changes in the hold during flight can damage batteries, leading to chemical leaks and a potential fire risk. Many portable chargers are equipped with durable casings and safety features making them safe to transport in carry-on luggage. If in doubt, check the instructions provided alongside your charger. Most will detail whether the battery is safe to fly.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.