To help you get the most power out of your smartphone, we’ve hunted down the best portable phone chargers on the market, running them through their paces to figure out which products will keep you texting and tweeting long after your internal battery would have turned your phone into a useless brick. While choosing units to review, we ruled out dedicated battery cases, which have their place but often have lower charging capacities, not to mention they lack the ability to juice up gadgets besides your smartphone.
Of these seven best portable phone chargers and power banks, the one that juiced our battery the most is the Anker PowerCore 20100 mAh portable battery. This external battery pack is light, weighing in at just 12.5 oz, and can charge your phone up to seven times without the need to seek out a power outlet. Keep reading to learn more about the PowerCore and six other amazing products.
Top 7 Portable Phone Chargers Compared
#1 Anker PowerCore 20100mAh Charger
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Anker PowerCore simply has the best suite of features on this list, powering phones and gadgets quickly, featuring a large 20100mAh battery that allows for nearly eight charges on your standard iPhone or Android. The PowerCore is a two amp device, meaning it can reach a full charge in just ten hours, which is great for a battery this large.
- Gives nearly 90 hours of charge to latest iPhone
- Matte finish design is drop-resistant and fingerprint proof
- Can charge two gadgets at once
- Does not include an Apple Lightning cable
- Bit pricier than other items on this list
- Fits in pocket, but at 12.5 oz, you’ll notice it
Anker’s PowerCore sports a duo of ports on the side, so the larger-than-average battery can charge two gadgets at once. It’s sturdy, feeling solid in your hand, but unobtrusive enough to fit in your pocket. The unit is durable and should survive any accident you throw at it.
Thanks to its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost proprietary technologies, it can charge your phone 20 percent faster than some of the other products on this list. The charger boasts near universal compatibility, charging any device that can connect via USB.
#2 Jackery Portable Charger Bar 6000mAh
Award: Honorable Mention/Lightest Weight
WHY WE LIKE IT: This unit has a very appealing size and weight. It’s the size of a candy bar and perhaps even lighter than one. Not only will it fit in your pocket, you’ll barely notice it is there. It’s only 5.5 oz, making it the lightest charger on this list.
- Small and light, clocking in at just 5.5 oz
- Aluminum shell is sturdy
- Two year product warranty
- Package contains no cables, aside from Micro USB for unit itself
- One of the smaller batteries on this list
- Contains only one USB port, meaning no dual-charging
Jackery’s device is also no slouch in the power department, juicing up an iPhone, Android or any other smartphone two or three times on a single charge. The aluminum casing is sturdy and drop-resistant, even featuring a built-in flashlight, making this the perfect charger for adventuring outdoors. While not the fastest charger on this list, it’ll certainly get the job done.
#3 INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh
Award: Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: This unit offers a great array of features at a very appealing price point. It has a 10000mAh battery, dual-charging stations and near universal compatibility.
- Charge two devices at once
- Three year warranty and lifetime technical support
- Power lasts six months in standby mode
- Does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge tech
- Light enough, but large, bigger than a standard iPhone
- May not be enough juice for power users
INIU’s charger can also juice two devices at once, which is rare for a product at this price point. The 10000mAh battery means it can charge a standard iPhone three times before needing to park at a power outlet. It also uses a proprietary technology to power your gadgets quickly, around 1.4 times faster than equatable products.
The company says the battery will function properly for 500 cycles, which means you’ll be able to charge your phone nearly 1,500 times before seeking out a replacement device, which is slightly above industry standards. Speaking of batteries, compare this to our best smartphone list. The unit also features a longer-than-average standby time, around six months, meaning you can truly pack it and forget it.
#4 Portable Charger Power Bank 24800mAh
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: Most Juice/Largest Battery
WHY WE LIKE IT: This thing packs a punch. The 24800mAh lithium polymer battery can charge your phone six to eight times before it needs to hit a power outlet. This could last an average user an entire week on a single charge.
- Substantial battery means more charges
- LCD display shows remaining battery life
- Can power two devices at once
- Not the fastest charging device on this list
- Takes 12-15 hours to fully juice up unit
- Bulkier and heavier than similar products
The Portable Charger Power Bank is, bar none, the largest battery on this list, and one of the most powerful units on the market. The charger can also power two devices at once, which is always handy. It also features a snazzy LCD display, easily letting you know just how much juice is left. The unit also boasts a suite of technologies that protect against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging.
The power bank comes with a two year warranty and the price is certainly right for a charger with this much battery capacity. The best smartphone cameras can drain the battery, so chargers like this are important.
#5 Yoobao Portable Charger 10000mAh Power Bank
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: Fastest Recharge
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a nice little all-around device, offering a 10000 mAh battery, dual-charging stations and a snazzy form factor for a fantastic price.
- Built-in flashlight
- Charges itself in just five hours
- Light and compact (9.5 oz)
- Warranty is only 18 months, less than average
- LED lights make sussing out available battery life difficult
- No automatic off feature, sending power after fully charged
Yoobao’s product can recharge itself faster than any other product on this list. Once this unit is fully depleted, it takes just five hours to completely recharge. It also can detect the optimal charging speed of your phone or gadget, matching the top speed accordingly.
This power bank comes with dual charging capabilities, which is rare for a device this light and compact. The aluminum body is fall-resistant and, like others on this list, features an external flashlight for those late night treks into the woods.
#6 GETIHU Portable Charger 10000mAh
Award: Best Warranty
WHY WE LIKE IT: This charger features dual charging stations and the ability to juice your phone nearly three times before requiring a trip to the power outlet. It also boasts a bright, easy-to-read LED display, meaning you can know just how much power you have left even from across the room.
- LED display shows how much juice is left
- Charges devices 1.4 faster than industry standard
- Three year warranty, with lifetime technical support
- Bulky size, though light weight
- Cannot travel in checked luggage
- Takes eight hours to fully recharge
Though GETIHU’s unit is light, just 6.7 oz, it is bulky, making it more appropriate for purses or backpacks than pockets. The product, however, does come with a neat little travel bag, which suited our needs nicely.
The battery life here is also stellar, with the unit requiring more than 500 charges before needing a replacement.
#7 Poweradd 2ND Gen Pilot 2GS 10000mAh Power Bank Charger
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a no-frills device that is solidly built, small enough to fit in your pocket, while still offering a cool 10000mAh of power. That is suitable for around three full charges of the latest smartphones on the market.
- Price is ridiculously low
- Recharge unit in just five hours
- Snazzy aluminum design fits nicely into pocket
- Not the fastest battery on this list
- Can be hard to tell how much power is left
- No frills device, lacking flashlight etc.
Poweradd’s charger also presents quite a nice form factor, housed in a sturdy metal case that is both fingerprint and scratch resistant. There are also rounded edges, making it as easy to pick up and inspect as your phone.
As far as charge speed goes, the unit itself is zippy, gaining a complete recharge in just five hours, which is in line with the fastest devices on this list. Charging your gadgets, however, will go a bit slower than average, a detriment offset by its low price. For more of your battery needs, take a look at the best D batteries instead.
How We Decided
There are so many portable phone chargers on the market, it can seem like a crapshoot when you are shopping for one. During our research, we ruled out older models that used antiquated technologies and focused on long-lasting batteries that powered devices quickly and safely. We also wanted a nice mix of pocket-friendly chargers, sacrificing some battery size, and high capacity units that were a better fit for purses or backpacks.
We didn’t dip below 6000 mAh on this list, which should get you two full charges on a brand new iPhone or Android and more with older smartphones. We also wanted to make sure the warranty was up to snuff, ruling out products that offered up anything less than 18 months. Finally, we took a long look at how many charges these batteries could take before needing a replacement, declining to feature anything under 400. If you want to continue using disposable batteries take a look at the best C batteries too.
Portable Phone Charger Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
As you are researching which charger to buy, consider these features and whether or not the product you are eyeing is up to snuff with industry standards.
- Battery Size and Capacity
This is the age-old query when it comes to batteries, finding the perfect size and capacity to suit your needs. Are you someone just looking to get through the workday, with a moderate amount of usage? Then take a look at the smaller capacity batteries, which will still power your phone up to three times on a single charge, while remaining both pocket and wallet-friendly. For everyday users, 6000 – 10000 mAh would be your best bet. These units are typically small and light enough to insert into your life seamlessly.Are you someone who runs their gadgets through their paces, several times over, without having access to a power outlet? One of the higher capacity batteries may be right for you, something above 20000 mAh, which will allow you to charge your phone up to eight times on a single charge. These units are often much larger, heavier and pricer than their smaller capacity cousins.No matter which you choose, however, gone are the days of dinky 3000mAh, or lower, batteries. You’ll still get multiple charges before needing to power up. - Ports
Portable phone chargers now come with a variety of both input and output ports, often allowing multiple devices to charge at once. Many chargers nowadays now come equipped to interact with newer USB-C cords, speeding up charge time considerably. All of the products on this list are compatible with standard USB cords, which adds to their universal appeal. - Fast Charging
One thing to consider is just how fast you want your device charged. Most companies boast all kinds of proprietary tech that reportedly speed up this process but, ultimately, it boils down to voltage, amperage and wattage. Amperage refers to the current flowing from the battery to the connected device, while voltage is the amount of potential energy that can be sent. Multiplying these two numbers gets you wattage, which is the number you are looking for. The higher the wattage, the faster it’ll charge. Industry-standard is around two hours for a full charge to an iPhone or Android, though some proprietary technologies can speed this process up.There are some laws of physics at work here, but companies can boost wattage by varying voltage or amperage. Of course, your maximum charge speed can be hindered by what cords you are using and the end device itself. Ideally, for the fastest charge, you are looking for a charger, cord and powered gadget that all support the same standard, be that Samsung’s Fast Charging or some other similar tech. With this list, we erred on the side of universal support, bringing us to the question of wireless charging.
FAQs
- What About Wireless Charging?
You may notice a distinct lack of wireless charging devices on this list. This was a conscious choice, as many gadgets simply do not support Qi wireless charging. In other words, we wanted to eliminate the question of “will this charger support my device.” As long as your gadget can be charged via standard or micro USB, it’ll be supported by the above products. If you are looking for wireless charging, here is a list of the best options out there.
