Collage of portable chargers and power banks, including the Anker Nano Power Bank, Goapowel Zero Sherpa, Mophie Powerstation Plus 10K, and OmniCharge 20K Laptop Power Bank, against a purple gradient background.
A portable charger or power bank can be an essential accessory. Amazon; Anker; Zagg; B&H Photo; Business Insider
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The best portable chargers and power banks

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In the crowded market for chargers, the best portable chargers and power banks offer sufficient charging capacity and speeds for the devices you intend to charge and convenient features like built-in cables or multi-purpose designs.   

Here, we've compiled the top portable chargers for smartphones, and separately for laptops and tablets, with a variety of options from trusted brands like Anker, Mophie, Goal Zero, and more. 

Among the best portable chargers and power banks for iPhone and Android users, our top pick is Anker's 525 PowerCore 20K power bank, which has a 20W USB-C port capable of fast charging an iPhone and a separate 18W USB port for charging another device. Our favorite budget option is the Otterbox Fast Charge 10K power bank, with its USB-C and USB-A ports and 18W charging.

Best portable chargers and power banks for iPhone and Android

Best portable chargers and power banks for laptops and tablets

What to look for in a portable charger or power bank

There are several key factors to consider when purchasing a power bank or portable charger.

First and foremost, you'll want to ensure that a portable charger has an adequate charging capacity, measured in milliampere-hour (mAh), to correspond with the battery capacity of the devices you're looking to charge. 

The battery capacity of smartphones ranges from around 2,000 to 5,000 mAh, and a portable charger with a 10,000 mAh capacity will be sufficient to charge most phones at least twice. To properly charge a laptop or tablet, you should get a power bank with at least 20,000 mAh. 

For portability, a charger's size and weight are paramount considerations. Our recommended chargers are lightweight and compact enough to be portable, allowing you to carry the power bank to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop on the go. 

You may also want to seek a charger with additional useful features like wireless or MagSafe charging, built-in charging cables, or multiple ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

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John Lynch was a senior editor at Business Insider, where he oversaw mobile coverage for the Reviews team, including topics like smartphones, tablets, wearables, and cell carriers.A consumer tech expert, John has more than five years of experience in service journalism and nearly a decade in digital journalism. ExperienceIn 2019, John founded Business Insider's Tech Reference vertical, which published a trusted catalog of thousands of explanatory guides to consumer tech products and services.He started at BI as a media and entertainment reporter and had interviewed dozens of prominent names for the site, including Morgan Freeman, Oliver Stone, and Ken Burns. CNN, NBC, ESPN, and other publishers cited his work. Why you can trust JohnJohn's experience building Business Insider's expansive Tech Reference vertical gave him an expert-level, wide-angle view of consumer tech, with a focus on the topics he edited and oversaw for the Reviews team. His product testing methodologies are grounded in having edited hundreds of how-to and troubleshooting articles on smartphones, tablets, and wearables from myriad brands, along with explainers and news coverage on a broad range of tech products and features. He has a keen sense of the relative worth and function of tech products from half a decade of hands-on experience covering the ins and outs of the latest tech. For the Reviews team, John also has years of practice reading the fine print of cell carrier plans to assess their value for the average consumer and hunting for and recommending worthwhile tech deals. ExpertiseHis expertise includes: 
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Android phones, and accompanying accessories
  • Tablets and wearables, including the iPad, Apple Watch, and Android tablets and wearables 
  • Cell carriers, including MVNOs and major carriers
  • Deals and discounts on phones and tech accessories
Education John holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and was the managing editor of The Michigan Daily's Arts section. 
Les was the Deputy Editor for Insider Reviews, primarily overseeing the Tech Reviews sub-vertical, which included reviews and explainers of consumer electronics, streaming, gaming, and entertainment products and services. Previously, he led Insider Reviews' Style and Beauty, Tech and Electronics, Health, Fitness, and Outdoors, and Travel teams. He worked with Insider Reviews leadership on strategy for all of Insider Reviews. Previously, he was the editor of the many expert product-buying guides that Business Insider recommends. In addition, he covered photography and printing products for the Tech section.Having started his career in print magazines, Les is a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience as a writer, editor, and researcher. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends (DT), covering photography and in-depth features as well as leading DT's NYC bureau. His byline has appeared in publications including Computer Shopper, Men's Journal, and Men's Fitness.While his specialty is in consumer technology, he's a versatile writer who has covered various topics, including men's lifestyle, health and fitness, outdoors, travel, women's interests, automotive, photography, toys, and more.Originally from California, Les lives in New York City and is obsessed with everything Ikea and Lego.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.