The best portable chargers and power banks Android Central 2021
A dead battery can make your Android phone go from top-of-the-line to a paperweight much faster than any other thing. When your power outlets are down, the best portable chargers or power banks will recharge your phone. Portable chargers were once bulky and slow. But USB-C power banks, Power Delivery charging standards, and USB-C power banks have made it possible to charge laptops much faster and allowed power banks to become slimmer and more efficient. There are many options, but we love the Anker PowerCore III 10K wireless. There are many other options that can be considered among the top portable battery packs. These are our top picks for portable battery packs that you can purchase today.
Source: Anker
Wireless portable chargers have become mainstream. Previously, most chargers could only charge your device with wired charging. Wireless power banks have become reliable, compatible and consistent. There were some issues with the early models, such as inconsistent speeds and finicky placement. The majority of wireless power banks charge at 5W. However, the Anker PowerCore III10K Wireless can charge Samsung smartphones at 10W and iPhones at 7.75W. All other Qi-enabled devices at 5W. Even smaller devices such as AirPods Pro or Galaxy Buds Live will be charged at 5W. You can also use the USB-C port to charge your phone at 18W Power Delivery. This will allow you to recharge your phone faster. It is important to be flexible when purchasing an accessory that will last a lifetime. Being able to use the power bank even if you have forgotten your cable at home is a great advantage. Although this power bank isn't the smallest, it is still very useful and durable. Anker likes to add little touches to enhance the user experience. This includes a well-fitting travel pouch, a high quality USB-C-toC cable and a curious clip that can extend from one side. You can use the kickstand to hold your phone and charge it via USB-C/USB-A. You can use the kickstand to wirelessly charge your phone using USB-C or USB-A. Pros: 10W wireless charging
18W Power Delivery charging
Solid quality build and design cons: Only two ports
For a 10K, it's expensive
The Anker PowerCore III 10K wireless is the best overall. This adaptable bank lets you top up your phone anywhere you go, even if your cables are lost at home. Amazon: $50
Walmart: $50
Aukey Slimline PD Power Bank (10000mAh) is the best budget-friendly option.
Source: Aukey
Aukey produces some of the most high-quality phone accessories available. Its Omnia chargers are among our top 100W Power Delivery chargers. The Aukey Slimline is the most portable charger, offering power and portability at a fraction of the cost of pizza with your family. This power bank, which is roughly the same size as a Note 20 Ultra, can charge up three devices simultaneously while being small enough to fit in your pocket right next to your phone. The Slimline can charge your phone with ease using either USB-C power delivery or Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0. Aukey does not include a pouch for travel, unlike the Anker. However, it does come with a C to-C cable that can quickly recharge your portable charger. It can also be charged via microUSB, if you have any other devices. You'll likely use the C-to-C cables to charge your phone. The same cable can also be used to charge the bank at night. Most phones can be charged with 10,000mAh about twice a day. The pros: It is a great flat device with three ports
Anker is more affordable than Anker
18W PD & QC3.0 charging Cons: Does not come with a travel bag
Only available with the C-to-A cable
The Aukey Slimline PD Power Bank (10000mAh) is a great budget option. It's a small, but powerful battery that offers a good price. This small, portable charger is compact enough to fit in your pocket. Walmart: $19
$20 at Aukey
Best compact: Zendure SuperMini (10,000mAh)
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
Zendure's SuperMini portable charger is the perfect choice if you need a power bank that doesn't stick out from your pockets, especially if your jeans have small pockets. The bank's 10,000mAh capacity offers the same 18W speeds as the Aukey Basix Slim and the Anker PowerCore III, but it is smaller than a credit-card and lighter than a credit card. You would expect it to be in dull colors such as black or white for such a rugged, small power bank. The Supermini comes in six colors, although you may have to look a bit more for the Misty Rose and Minty Green. The Blue Horizon is my favorite, as it is bright and beautiful, and is easy to find amongst all the clutter at my desk. However, the Sunrise Red is equally cute. The only problem with this tiny power bank is that the ports are located at opposite ends. This makes it awkward for people who need to charge two devices simultaneously while they're walking, such as those in airports trying to catch flights. It's unlikely that you will need to charge more than one device with a bank this small. However, it's important to mention. The pros: Less expensive than a credit card
18W PD charging
Amazing color options
Mode for accessory charging at low power Cons: The ports are located on opposite sides
Both ports share the 18W total production
For a 10K, it's expensive
Best compact Zendure SuperMini (10,000mAh) I'm not tiny! For your convenience, I'm small enough to be taken on the road. The Zendure SuperMini has a bold profile and a slim profile that makes it a great power bank for those who want to go out. Walmart: $60
$60 at Newegg
Zendure: $46
Anker PowerCore III 25600 87W Bundle: Best option for 25,000+ mAh
Source: Anker
Anker is the most popular power bank brand when you search for them. Anker is a trusted brand in this space. It offers durable, reliable, and long-lasting power bank that will last the test of time. Although it may not be the most innovative brand in the space, Anker refines its products and presents them in a premium package. The PowerCore Elite III is a great example of this. It can power three smartphones and a laptop simultaneously thanks to its two USB-C and two USB–A ports. This power bank's claim to fame is its 87W Power Delivery charging. If you find 87W to be a strange number, it is because it supports Power Delivery charging. This means that if you want to charge your Mac while you are rendering 4K video in a cafe, the Anker PowerCore III Elite will charge it instead of trying to keep it alive. Although both USB-C ports can output 87W, this speed is only possible when the USB-C port is the only one plugged in. Maximum output of 78W is possible when there are two or more devices plugged in. This would still provide 45W for your laptop, 18W for your USB-C-connected smartphone, and 12W each for the two USB A devices you share. That is quite impressive. Although this bank is slightly larger than the RAVPower PD Pioneer series, it costs almost three times as much. Anker compensates for some of the price difference by including a PowerPort III 65W charger and Powerline cable, which will recharge your Elite III in less than two hours. Pros: Includes a wall charger
For MacBooks, this is enough power
Long-lasting durability
Recharges within two hours Cons
Only one port can be used to get 87W.
Anker PowerCore Elite III 25600-87W Bundle - Best option for 25,000+ mAh Keep power-hungry computers alive with Anker. This bundle is powerful enough to power Macs and jumpstart your Power Delivery ecosystem. Amazon: $160
Best for iPhone: The RAVPower 10000mAh Compact Power Bank, 20W
Source: RAVPower
The new iPhone 12 series features a 20W wired charging speed that allows you to charge your phone faster. Although accessory manufacturers have been quick to produce wall chargers that meet the new specs, power banks take longer. RAVPower makes it easy to get high speed and low cost power banks. The portable charger, which has a 10,000mAh capacity, is small enough to be carried in your bag or backpack. It's lightweight enough to fit into your purse or backpack and still be able to charge your phone fully. There are two options: 20W Power Delivery charging for iPhone users, standard 18W Power delivery USB-C and 18W iSmart U-A charging. This ensures that everyone in your family is covered regardless of whether they have an iPhone or not. It is lighter than the RAVPower PD Pioneer Series and offers a 10,000mAh capacity. It offers excellent power and portability, while maintaining high build quality and durability. Pros: It supports 20W charging iPhones
Lightweight, compact profile
Includes pouch and cable. Cons: Two ports only
20W is shared among ports
Ideal for iPhone RAVPower 10000mAh Compact Power Bank With 20W Get the fastest speeds for the latest iPhones. This small, portable charger with 20W Power Delivery charging ensures you don't need to keep your phone plugged in too much. Walmart: $28
Sustainable focus: Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD (100Whr)
Source: Michael Fisher/MrMobile
Imagine that you have to charge your phone, headphones and laptop as many times as possible during international flights or for 20 hours. The goal is zero. The FAA limits for bringing on a plane are just below the Sherpa 100 PD Qi. It has a 60W PD input/output, so it can charge a MacBook at a reasonable speed. You also get a Qi pad to protect your phone. Although Goal Zero might be a new brand, it specializes in solar and portable power solutions. However, it is specifically designed for outdoor tech so you won't be left behind. In the past two years, Goal Zero has focused on sustainability by recycling more batteries from older products and sourcing a wider range of recycled materials. Goal Zero has used a few generations of the Sherpa Power Bank, so be cautious. The Sherpa 100 PD costs half as much and is two-thirds more expensive than the Sherpa 100 AC. While the AC model can charge two 60W laptops simultaneously, it is not worth the extra cost when the PD is smaller and just as portable. Goal Zero also sells high-quality solar panels that can be used to recharge your Sherpa. Pros: Laptop charging with 60W
2 USB-A ports and Qi pad on the top
0-100 indicator readout
Can be used with solar panel Cons: More expensive
Only 3.4A is available for USB-A ports
Sustainable focus Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD (100%) Made for the outdoors, better to the world. This high-capacity powerbank is ready for adventure and made by a company that tries to be green. Amazon: $200
Best Buy: $200
Aukey Basix Pro (22,000mAh) is the best gaming device.
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
Aukey's Basix range of chargers features not one, but two wireless models. I love the 20,000mAh model because it is slightly stronger and has an LED display that shows how much charge is left. I don't think those indicator dots are necessary for small power banks. But it's refreshing to be able tell whether my power bank has 75% or 52%. That means that there is a difference between 15,000mAh of charge and 10,000mAh from 20,000mAh. The Basix Pro shares many similarities with the Anker EnergyCore III Wireless. It has the same wired and wireless charging speeds, the same number of ports, but the Aukey has twice the power in a nearly identical size power bank. Aukey's kickstand is also a benefit, as you can use both the wireless charger AND kickstand simultaneously. Aukey's only problem is that the small symbol at the center of the charging coil is not as helpful as the Anker. Neither is the non-slip rings to keep your phone in its place. Any device that helps to hold the phone in place, even if it slips by half an inch, will shut off wireless charging. Pros: 10W wireless charging
Built-in kickstand
Bank of 20,000mAh for phones
Cons: There are only two ports for the 0-100 power indicator
The kickstand could be stronger 0
Ideal for gaming Aukey Basix Pro (20,000.mAh). Keep your phone charged while you play. This power bank will keep you phone charged while it supports your phone with its kickstand. Walmart: $34
$50 at Aukey
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer Explorer 240 is the best power station
Source: Jackery
Although power banks can come in a variety of sizes, it is better to move to the smaller, more compact form factor of a station. These portable chargers with high-capacity are great for powering appliances while on camping trips, or keeping your gear safe during hurricanes. They also have many ports and different power levels. Power stations can cost hundreds to thousands, depending on the capacity. However, I prefer the 200-300Whr range for the price and capacity. Jackery and the Explorer Series are a familiar name if you have ever worked in rugged power space. The 300 is my favorite of all the power stations. It has Power Delivery input/output, and it's small enough to power other devices than laptops. Jackery opts for the classic toolbox design with all ports on the front. A large honking handle at the top makes it easy to carry from car to campsite. The AC plugs can be used to charge non-Power Delivery electronics and run camp fridges, but not to power larger appliances. You can use it to power certain CPAP/BIPAP machines, but not all. Check your model's rating if you rely on this feature and need a backup in case the power goes out again. Jackery sells solar panels but they are quite expensive if you need a backup power source in the event of prolonged power outages due to ice storms or hurricanes. The pros: It has AC and car outlets
60W Power Delivery
Solar ready
Jackery is of high quality. Cons: Expensive
Ports are clustered
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 Best power station Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer300 Go big or go home Jackery power stations offer the best outdoor experience for severe weather kitters and outdoorspeople. Amazon: $300
Walmart: $250
Lowe's: $250
