7 Best Portable Chargers | The Strategist

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For something that does exactly one task — charging your device while you’re on-the-go — a portable charger has a lot of specs. There’s how much power your power bank can hold, how fast it charges your device, and the number of ports. Usually a high-capacity power bank will let you charge your device several times, but they’re often bigger and cost more (though that’s not always the case). An ultra-compact charger, on the other hand, may fit into a pocket, but in exchange you may get fewer ports. And wireless charging is convenient, but it’s also less efficient than using the ports.

A lot of this comes down to preference, but one thing that’s certain about choosing a portable charger is that you want to know where it comes from, so you don’t fry your phone. You can find tons of battery packs from unknown brands on Amazon, but I’d recommend going for a brand with a years-long reputation for building reliable products that last. (This is a category in which it matters.) Anker’s one of the best known brands in the space, but companies like Belkin, Jackery, Goal Zero, BioLite, EcoFlow, and Nitecore also make good chargers, and others like Moft that specialize in accessories like cases make portable chargers as well.

To find the best portable chargers, I tested nearly a dozen power banks while going about my days, and also considered other models I’ve used.

Update on March 14, 2025: Added the EcoFlow RAPID as the best Qi 2 charger and the Anker Nano 3-in-1 as the best charger with a built-in cable; made the Anker 622 the best less-expensive Qi 2 option; updated prices and checked stock for all other products.

Many power banks have a capacity of at least 5,000 milliamp hours (mAh). That’s more than enough to charge an iPhone 16 Pro Max (which has a capacity of 4,685 mAh) one time. If you want one that’ll charge your phone more than once, a portable charger with 10,000 mAh is a better choice. Some power banks can even recharge a laptop, though you’ll have to double check your laptop’s battery capacity (an M1 MacBook Pro has roughly 5,152 mAh) as well as its wattage requirements (see below) to make sure it can give you a full recharge.

Charging speed is determined not only by the charger output, but also by the charging rate the device (and charging cable) can accept. For a phone, a power bank that delivers 18W or more is considered fast-charging, meaning you can get your smart phone from 0 to 50 percent in about half an hour (though this may not be true in very hot or very cold environments). Some faster-charging power banks may cost more, so consider how urgent your charging needs typically are, and if the speed is worth the extra cash. Laptops require 60 to 80W for charging, so be sure to look out for chargers with faster speeds if your laptop frequently needs recharging.

I also considered the method by which you actually charge the power bank; almost every one I recommend can be charged using a USB-C cable, but most will require you to carry a power brick with you to recharge it. Some chargers, however, have built-in A/C plugs so you can plug it directly into the wall like a regular charging brick and refuel while your phone is charging — and usually at a higher speed to boot.

Portable chargers typically furnish at least one USB-C port to connect to whatever they’re charging. Some models may also include a USB-A port in case you’re using an older cable. There are also power banks with Qi charging, a wireless technology that lets you place your phone, earbuds case, or anything else that’s Qi-compatible on the charger for recharging. Apple’s MagSafe technology is a version of Qi 2 charging with additional magnets to improve the connection between the device and accessory. All iPhones from the 12 series forward are MagSafe- and Qi-compatible, and most flagship Android smartphones from companies like Samsung and Google work with Qi 2, too. That said, MagSafe can’t charge Qi 2-compatible devices as quickly as it can charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones.

Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 30W (unplugged), 65W (plugged into wall) | Charging output: USB-C (2), USB-A (1)

Anker’s 733 power bank is the best overall because not only does it have an A/C plug built-in, but it also has enough capacity to recharge a phone twice and the ability to charge a laptop when plugged into the wall. It has the highest charging speed and greatest number of ports of the models on this list other than the BioLite Charge 100 Max, which is significantly larger and heavier.

This charger, like the Anker 3-in-1, has a built-in A/C plug, so you won’t need to carry a power brick with you (but you will need at least one charging cable). It replaced my yearslong go-to charger, the Anker 533, because it help me cut down on the space my gear takes up in my bag. With the two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, you can charge up to three devices at once, all from one outlet (or without an outlet).

With a capacity of 10,000 mAh, this battery holds enough power to charge most smartphones multiple times. Even if you run your entire life from your phone, this will give you plenty of juice to get through the day. It can charge devices at a speed of up to 30W when used as a power bank, and 65W when it’s plugged into the wall (which is how you would need to use it to charge a laptop).

Compared to the Anker 533, this power bank is quite a bit heavier, weighing 11.29 ounces (the 533 weighs 8.5 ounces), which may matter if you’re trying to minimize how much you’re carrying.

Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 18W | Charging output: USB-C (1), USB-A (1), Qi

If you want an affordable charger with wireless capabilities rather than one with a built-in plug, get Anker’s 533 Power Bank. It has a slim profile (its 2.7-inch thickness makes it easy to slip into smaller pockets), high capacity, and wireless charging capabilities that all give it an edge over similarly-priced chargers. It has the same capacity as the 733, slower charging speed (though the difference won’t be noticeable if you’re charging your phone), and one fewer USB-C port, but it still has a USB-A port. The 533’s charging speed maxes out at 18W, which isn’t enough to charge a laptop.

In addition to its USB ports, this charger has Qi wireless charging, which the 733 does not offer. It won’t charge as quickly as if you plugged the device into one of the ports, but it does mean that you can still give your device some power when you forget your cable at home. Unlike the Moft and EcoFlow Rapid, though, this wireless charger can’t latch onto your device while in use, making it harder to use your phone while it’s charging. On the other hand, if you need to charge the 533 overnight, you can plug the power bank into the wall outlet in and plop your phone on top to charge both at the same time. It has a stand to hold your phone up for media viewing, though it props the phone up at nearly a right angle, which makes it hard to view from above, and you can’t wirelessly charge your phone while it’s in the stand (for that, get the EcoFlow or Anker 622).

Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 30W | Charging output: USB-C (2)

If you want the convenience of the Anker 733 charger but don’t want the bulk, or you need something with a built-in cable, get the brand’s Nano 3-in-1. It’s almost the same size as the 733, but just a tad thinner. Like the 733, it has a fold-out A/C plug so it can go directly into an outlet. The on-device USB-C cable is longer than the Ecoflow’s, so it’s easier to use your device while it’s plugged in. There’s also one USB-C port that you can use to plug in another cable and charge two devices at once.

At the top of the charger is a small metal loop that holds the cable in place when you’re not using it, and while it’s clever, I do wish that the cable didn’t just dangle when it’s not plugged into something.

Most portable chargers have some sort of charge indicator, but I like the Nano’s because instead of using four dots to indicate approximate percentages, it shows the battery’s actual percentage on a small display. This is especially handy when the device is charging, as you’ll know when it’s ready to be unplugged.

Capacity: 10,000 mAh | Charging speed: 30W | Charging output: USB-C (1), MagSafe and Qi 2

While the Anker 733 offers the most convenience for travel, I’d rather carry EcoFlow’s power bank for day-to-day use, thanks to its high-speed charging, built-in USB-C cable, and ability to attach directly to your phone. It has a kickstand that’s great for watching videos too. I’m also a fan of its design: Unlike most portable chargers that come in black, this one has a sleek silver finish that makes it stand out.

Like some of the portable chargers on this list, the Rapid has an indicator to tell you how much charge the battery has. In addition to four squares to measure the charge in quarters, there’s a display that can show you the actual percentage, the charger’s current output, and how long it has until it’s fully charged. That last bit is especially handy if you’re trying to top your charger off last-minute before leaving the house.

The Rapid is about as thick as a pocket notebook, or half the thickness of the Anker 733, but it has a much higher capacity and faster charging speed than both the slimmer Moft and Anker 622.

Capacity: 5,000 mAh | Charging speed: 12W | Charging output: USB-C (1), MagSafe and Qi 2

If you want the convenience of wireless charging with fewer bells and whistles, I recommend Anker’s 622 MagGo charger. I tested an older model and liked it due to its support for MagSafe, as well as its adjustable kickstand, which is a nice touch for those who like to watch a movie or two while traveling or commuting.

It’s about the same size of the Rapid, though it’s not quite as thick (which makes it even more portable). Given its size and ability to charge your phone without any cables, this charger works great for carrying day-to-day, but for traveling and for convenience, the Rapid has the advantage of the built-in cable.

Just as with the 533 and the Rapid, you can charge the MagGo while wirelessly charging your iPhone.

For a much lower price than the Rapid’s, you get half the capacity. At 5,000mAh, it has enough power to fully charge an iPhone 16 from empty, but anything with a larger battery won’t get totally recharged.

Capacity: 3,400 mAh | Charging speed: 20W | Charging output: USB-C (1), MagSafe (iPhone only)

Although its capacity is significantly smaller than those of other chargers on this list, the Moft is the only one I’d be willing to drop into my pocket rather than a bag: It has roughly the same dimensions as a stack of eight credit cards, and its surface is a faux leather that feels nice to the touch — every other portable charger I’ve tested has had a plastic casing. The EcoFlow Rapid is about the same length and width, though about double the thickness, and has more than twice the battery capacity.

The Moft power bank is especially useful for iPhones, as it uses MagSafe as its primary method of charging. Since it’s lighter than the Rapid, it’s easier to use a phone while the Moft is attached. With a capacity of 3,400 mAh, it barely holds enough battery to charge an iPhone 16 Pro (which has a capacity of 3,582 mAh) from 0 to 100 percent, but as long as you’re only using this to top off your phone, that’s plenty. Do note, though, that because batteries deteriorate over time, this power bank’s smaller capacity may be a hindrance down the line.

If you need to charge another device, you can do so via the Moft’s single USB-C port, though that’s mostly there to charge the actual power bank. The Rapid is a better option if your phone frequently needs a charge, but if you like to travel light, I recommend the Moft.

Capacity: 25,000 mAH | Charging speed: 100W | Charging input: USB-C | Charging output: USB-C (3), USB-A (1), Qi 2

If you need to keep your laptop charged on the go without being next to a power outlet, the BioLite Charge 100 Max’s extra-high capacity and abundance of ports make it the perfect power station for all your mobile gear. I’m a fan of its outdoorsy look, which has a gray-and-orange color scheme that’s more fun to look at than the black design of most portable chargers.

The Charge 100 Max is 1.5 inches thick and about two inches wider and an inch longer than the Anker 533. Even with the added bulk, I managed to fit it into the front pocket of my carry-on backpack without any hassle (and it’s FAA carry-on compliant). It weighs a not-insubstantial 1.28 pounds, so I’d recommend another portable charger like the Anker 733 if you prefer to travel light.

With a capacity of 25,000 mAH, the Charge 100 Max can recharge a MacBook Pro twice or an iPhone 15 Pro Max six times. With its three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and Qi 2 charging pad, you can charge many devices at the same time. Not all the ports charge at the same speed, though; two of the USB-C ports have an output of 100W, while the third maxes out at 15W. The Charge 100 Max’s charging speeds are impressive, too: In exactly an hour, it brought my MacBook Pro from 44 percent up to 88 percent.

The side of the Charge 100 Max has a stack of LED lights that indicate the power bank’s battery level. You can tap a button to check its charge, but whenever you’ve got something plugged in to charge, the light will automatically illuminate so you can keep an eye on its power levels.

While the Charge 100 Max’s high capacity is enticing for working on the go, it’s also the largest portable battery we recommend, and it’s quite heavy compared to the rest. If you only need to charge your laptop near an outlet, you should get the Anker 733 instead.

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