I’ve found that having a reliable power source is even more important when I’m out and about. Portable chargers have saved my life by making sure my phone, laptop, and other devices are always charged. Even when I work from home, I often have trouble finding a place to plug in my computer. This is because my computer, monitor, Wi-Fi hub, and other gadgets, all of which are plugged into their own wall chargers, tend to take up all of the available outlets.
Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger, and with it, the need for power is growing. Thus, the size of smartphone batteries has also increased, and now some phones have a capacity exceeding 5000 mAh. While this may be isolated cases in general, most of us need to use a day in a row before we can recharge our smartphones. Heavy use certainly lowers it, and if you’re having a particularly active day, you’ll need to plug your phone into a charger or put it on a wireless chargers pad for a while.
You may be moving or are too far away from the power source. In such cases, a portable charger, portable battery or power supply is a godsend. Just plug your phone into a portable charger and you can charge your device without being tied to one place. Whether you need a large, bulky charger to power you through days or a thin power bank that you can slip into your bag and recharge your phone for a bit, there’s a charger for you. Below, we have mentioned best portable chargers.
Best Portable Chargers
INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | INIU |
| Model | 10000mAh Portable Charger |
| Battery Capacity | 10000mAh |
| Output Ports | 2 |
| Input Ports | 1 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 8 ounces (227 grams) |
| Dimensions | 5.3 x 2.7 x 0.6 inches (13.5 x 6.9 x 1.5 cm) |
A shocking upset for the top slot, Anker lost out to INIU’s 10000mAh charger. This brick is one of the best portable chargers because not only do its charging times and speeds sit near the top of the charts, but it also has 2 USB-A output ports for the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000’s single USB-A charging port. And since that second port could be the difference between powering a secondary device while charging your phone, we’re taking the INIU for granted overall.
And for a brand we’re not that familiar with, this INIU charger proved itself at the 15-minute and 1-hour charge (at 22% and 78%), with times within 1-2 percentage points ahead of the PowerCore Slim. Only when it came to charging time for a full phone could it not beat the Anker charger, finishing four minutes behind with a time of 2 hours). Both chargers filled up about 2.2-2.25 iPhone 12s, so it’s practically a dead heat.
HALO Bolt 58830mWh Portable Charger
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | HALO |
| Model | Bolt 58830mWh Portable Charger |
| Battery Capacity | 58830mWh |
| Output Ports | 2 |
| Input Ports | 1 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 2.2 pounds (1 kg) |
| Dimensions | 7.2 x 3.8 x 1.6 inches (18.3 x 9.7 x 4.1 cm) |
When you want to charge more than your phone or tablet, the HALO Bolt 58830mWh Portable Charger is worth considering. This powerful, slightly bulky charger is a standard 58,830 mWh power bank with 2 USB 2.4V outputs, and it’ll power your phone for up to 62 hours. It also has a 120V AC option to power a MacBook Pro for almost 8 hours.
Where it really stands out from other power banks is in its automobile features. It comes with a car charger adapter so you can recharge it on the go, but it also holds enough power to jumpstart a car, motorcycle, or lawnmower.
The included jumper cables are designed to prevent misuse or shocks, and it comes with a handy LED floodlight. Choose from a variety of styles, including camo and floral, to match your personal preference. While the HALO Bolt 58830mWh Portable Charger comes loaded with extras, the odds you will need to jump a car within the very short 90-day warranty is unlikely.
Anker PowerCore 20100mAh
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerCore 20100mAh |
| Battery Capacity | 20100mAh |
| Output Ports | 2 |
| Input Ports | 1 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 12.5 ounces (355 grams) |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches (16.5 x 5.8 x 2.3 cm) |
One of the most highly-rated chargers, the Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger is light at 12.56 oz while providing 7 days of phone charging with its 20100mAh capacity. Choose from red, blue, grey, or white, and enjoy the matte finish that keeps it looking clean over time.
The Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger offers an 18-month warranty and 4.8A output through 2 USB-A ports, allowing you to charge your iPad Mini 4 times with a single charge or your iPhone 8 up to 7 times. It supports PowerIQ and VoltageBoost quick charging and both surge and short-circuit protection, too.
Keep in mind that the Anker PowerCore 20100mAh Portable Charger won’t safely charge items under 50mAh, including some Bluetooth headsets, and it doesn’t support Qualcomm Quick Charge. You’ll also need to purchase your own AC adapters since it only comes with a USB cord for charging. With a handy light indicator that goes from 1 to 4 lights and lets you know how much power is left, this is a hefty product that’s backed by the responsive team at Anker customer service.
INIU 20W 20000 mAh power bank
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | INIU |
| Model | 20W 20000 mAh Power Bank |
| Battery Capacity | 20000mAh |
| Output Ports | 2 |
| Input Ports | 1 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 11.2 ounces (318 grams) |
| Dimensions | 6.7 x 3.4 x 0.9 inches (17 x 8.6 x 2.3 cm) |
USB-C is no longer the port of the future, but the port of the day. And although INIU’s 20-watt brick is a bit heavy (the second heaviest on this list), the dual USB-C port makes it a clear favorite for one of the best portable chargers for those who charge with the reversible port. This allows you to both charge the device and charge other devices with the same USB-C cables, and you also have two other USB-A ports for charging other devices.
In addition, it performed the best in the 1-hour charging window, bringing our dead iPhone 12 up to 81% of its charge. The time of 1 hour and 57 minutes to fully recharge the iPhone is the second best compared to the PowerCore Slim 10000 and is only one minute less. Its high capacity of 20000 mAh also means that it charges an iPhone more often than most of these chargers, at 4.78 iPhone 12.
Anker PowerCore 26800mAh
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerCore 26800mAh |
| Battery Capacity | 26800mAh |
| Output Ports | 3 |
| Input Ports | 2 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 16.9 ounces (479 grams) |
| Dimensions | 7.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches (18 x 7.9 x 2.3 cm) |
Another Anker favorite, the Anker PowerCore 26800mAh Portable Charger offers 26,800mAh of power and 3 USB-A outputs for charging multiple devices at once. The dual 20W USB inputs help it recharge quickly – just 6 hours. It weighs 17.28 oz and comes in a black or white matte finish for a smudge-free appearance.
The 3 ports mean that it’s a bit heavier than the 2-port models, and it’s too powerful to charge some GPS or smartwatch products that use less than 50mA. You will also need to provide your own AC adapter and cords. Additionally, the light indicators are not as precise as other power banks.
Still, with a full week’s power available for your phone with just a single recharge, this is a solid option for getting the power you need for off-the-grid use. The dual power inputs save you time on a full recharge, too, making the Anker PowerCore 26800mAh Portable Charger an attractive alternative to single-input chargers.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerCore Slim 10000 |
| Battery Capacity | 10,000mAh |
| Output Ports | 1 USB-A |
| Input Ports | 1 micro-USB |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 7.58 ounces (215 grams) |
| Dimensions | 5.87 x 2.68 x 0.55 inches (149 x 68 x 14 mm) |
Our one of the best portable chargers is the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000, which is a bit heavier than the INIU 10000 pack (7.3 ounces to 6.9 ounces). But it would have taken first place if it had the second USB-A output. That’s because the charge times are so close to the INIU Brick and the total time to charge an iPhone 12 was 4 minutes shorter at 1 hour and 56 minutes.
But it’s so close to the INIU that we have to keep it as the #2 portable charger. These bricks are so close that they are practically within the margins of error of the tests. If you only need to charge one device at a time, and the retail price makes the Slim 10000 that much cheaper than the INIU, you should grab it.
Miady 10000 mAh 2-pack
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Miady |
| Model | 10000mAh 2-pack |
| Battery Capacity | 10,000mAh (per charger) |
| Output Ports | 2 USB-A |
| Input Ports | 1 micro-USB |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 6.4 ounces (181 grams) per charger |
| Dimensions | 4.29 x 2.95 x 0.63 inches (109 x 75 x 16 mm) per charger |
The Miady two-pack of portable chargers is popular for one reason: you get two 10,000 mAh chargers for around $30 (usually). And while that looks great on paper – sharing is good, especially in a household with lots of devices to charge – the math doesn’t add up. That said, a 10,000 mAh power bank costs between $17 and $20, so there’s little savings here.
Those savings aren’t worth what you lose in charging power. Miady chargers performed the worst in every category. The 3-hour charge time for an iPhone 12 was 39 minutes longer than Ekrist’s second-worst score, and the 15-minute and 1-hour charge time scores (12% and 39%, respectively) are also quite low, with the latter being particularly poor.
Anker PowerCore 13000mAh 2-Port
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerCore 13000mAh 2-Port |
| Battery Capacity | 13,000mAh |
| Output Ports | 2 USB-A |
| Input Ports | 1 micro-USB |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | Approximately 8.5 ounces (240 grams) |
| Dimensions | 3.81 x 3.18 x 0.87 inches (97 x 81 x 22 mm) |
With a smaller battery capacity comes a smaller size, and the Anker PowerCore 13000mAh 2-Port Ultra-Portable Phone Charger Power Bank is a two-port solution for when you need to charge two phones at once with a pocket-sized solution. It’s no bigger than a typical wallet, and it can charge your smartphone 4 times.
The PowerIQ technology can identify the charging cord type of your device and deliver the right power to charge efficiently and quickly. The Anker PowerCore 13000mAh 2-Port Ultra-Portable Phone Charger Power Bank does not come with an AC adapter, but it is compatible with USB Type-C, Micro USB, Lightning, and USB Type-A devices.
It doesn’t offer pass-through charging, either, so you’ll have to recharge it before charging your devices. Those small quibbles aside, it does offer impressive surge protection, which is a must when powering up your most precious devices or anywhere with potentially shoddy wiring. If you need small-scale power in a simplified format, this charger is a keeper.
Anker PowerCore 5000
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerCore 5000 |
| Battery Capacity | 5,000mAh |
| Output Ports | 1 USB-A |
| Input Ports | 1 micro-USB |
| Fast Charging | No |
| Weight | Approximately 4.2 ounces (119 grams) |
| Dimensions | 4.2 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches (107 x 33 x 33 mm) |
Compared to the better-rated 5,000 mAh charger on our list (the Poweradd Slim 2), the Anker PowerCore 5000 lags behind in speed. It only charged the iPhone 12 to 62% in the first hour of charging, which is the second lowest on the list. The best aspect of the PowerCore 5000 is that it reached 19% after 15 minutes, which is 7% higher than the Miady Power Banks.
There’s nothing wrong with this charger, but it’s not particularly impressive either. If you got it as a gift, you might keep it and do a lot with it. If it’s sold at a very reasonable price, we wouldn’t be opposed to considering it. But at the end of the day, it’s on our list for a reason.
