A dead battery can turn your phone from state-of-the-art to overpriced paperweight in less than a minute. The best portable power banks can help you keep your tech powered up when you're not around. Power banks have become 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 The versatile PowerCore III 10K Wireless is our favorite of the many options. There are a lot of other options that rank among the best portable battery packs. Here are the top recommendations that you can buy.

Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless

(Image credit: Source: Anker)

While most portable chargers only allow you to charge your devices with wired charging, wireless portable chargers are showing up in the best portable chargers making the feature somewhat mainstream. There were several hurdles that early models had to overcome, such as the higher energy loss that comes with wireless charging, but we have finally reached the point where wireless power banks are reliable, widely compatible, and consistent.

The PowerCore III 10K Wireless will charge phones at 10W, 7.5W, and even smaller devices at 5W, even if they have a Qi-enabled phone. You can use the 18W Power Delivery charging to refill your phone more quickly if you need faster speeds.

Being able to use a power bank even when you forget the cable at home is liberating, as is being able to use an accessory that will outlive your phone. The PowerCore III Wireless is worth the added thickness and price because of its sturdy design and the wireless charging coil.

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A nicely fitting travel pouch, a high-quality USB-C-to-C cable, and a curious little clip are some of the small details that help elevate the experience with its products. The kickstand allows you to place your phone into it and keep watching it charge. We will cover one later, if you want to use the kickstand while charging your phone.

Aukey USB-C Power Bank

(Image credit: Source: Aukey)

Aukey makes some of the best phone accessories on the market, and its Omnia chargers tend to hold multiple spots on our best 100W Power Delivery chargers and best GaN chargers because its gear to last a long time and be priced more competitively. The Aukey Slimline is the best portable power source for the price of a pizza night with the family.

The 10,000mAh power bank is slim enough to fit in your pocket and can charge up to three devices at the same time. The Slimline will charge your phone with ease, even if it's a brand new phone or a few generations old.

Aukey has a C-to-C cable for quick charging, but it does not have a travel pouch, so it can also charge via microUSB. You can use a C-to-C cable to charge the bank when you get home at night. Most phones should be charged at least two times.

Best for laptops: Baseus Adaman 20,000mAh Power Bank

Baseus Adaman 20000mAh Power Bank

(Image credit: Baseus)

It is important to balance power with portableness when choosing the best portable charger. If a power bank is so bulky that you forget it at home, then it doesn't do you any good. When you need to keep multiple devices alive, a small power bank can run out before your day is over. Lower-capacity portable chargers can't power anything larger than a small device.

The 20,000mAh Adaman power bank from Baseus is almost perfectly balanced because of these factors. The power bank is just over a pound and can charge a phone 3-6 times, but it also has the ability to charge tablets and laptops. Whether you want to power one of the best Chromebooks, a MacBook, or a Windows laptop with USB-C, you can top them off with the Adaman.

There are three ports on this power bank, one of which is 65W and two of which are 30W. If you use all of the ports, you will max out at 30W total output. Baseus has a C-to-C cable that can be used to charge your laptop or phone.

If you use a wall charger that is capable of that sort of output, you will be able to charge your portable charger at up to 60W. It would have been better if Baseus included a wireless charging pad, as it would have made it easier to see how much power is left in the charger.

Best compact: Zendure SuperMini (10,000mAh)

Zendure Supermini S20 Otterbox Cable

(Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

It can be difficult to find the best portable charger that won't stick out of your pockets, especially if all the jeans they make for your body type have tiny, tiny pockets. The SuperMini is the smallest portable charger that you can find. The 10,000mAh bank has the same 18W speeds and ports as the Supermini 20W models, but it has a smaller footprint.

You would expect this to be boring colors like black and white. You have six color options with the Supermini, though you might have to look for the newer Minty Green and Misty Rose. The Sunrise Red is also very cute, and I like that it is easy to spot in the cluttered area of my desk.

The ports on the power bank are at opposite ends, which makes it difficult to charge two devices at the same time. It is worth mentioning that for a bank this small, you will likely only need to charge one device at a time.

Best 25,000+ mAh option: Anker PowerCore Elite III 25600 87W Bundle

Anker PowerCore III Elite 87w Bundle

(Image credit: Source: Anker)

When searching for power banks, the first page is usually where you will find Anker. One of the most trusted brands in the space is Anker, they offer durable, dependable, and long- lasting power banks that will stand the test of time. It refines each of its products and presents them in a premium package, even if it isn't at the forefront of every bleeding-edge feature or trend. The PowerCore Elite III gives you the ability to power a laptop and three phones at the same time, thanks to twoUSB-C ports and twoUSB-A ports.

The power bank has been claimed to be the first one to support 87W Power Delivery charging. If 87W sounds weird to you, it is the highest speed many MacBooks charge at, meaning if you are trying to keep your Mac alive while you are rendering some 4K video in a cafe, the Anker PowerCore III Elite.

When the only thing plugged in is 87W, the speed is only possible. The maximum output is 78W when a few devices are plugged in. That would give you 45W for the laptop, 18W for the phone, and 12W for the two devices to share, which is pretty impressive.

This bank has a higher capacity than the Baseus Adaman, but it is three times the price. The PowerPort III 65W wall charger and Powerline cable will charge the Elite III in just over two hours.

Best midrange power bank: RAVPower 15000mAh Compact Power Bank

RAVPower 15000mah Power Bank

(Image credit: Source: RAVPower)

RAVPower PD Pioneer 15000mAh Compact Power Bank

It's small enough to carry and big enough to power the whole family.

Some of the best power banks on the market are made by RAVPower. This 15,000mAh power bank costs less than half of the 10,000mAh banks on the list. If you need to keep several phones topped off throughout a long, long day of waiting in lines at Universal or that cross-country road trip, this is exactly what you need.

The 18W power delivery charging will fast-charge everything. 18W is the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the

The 15,000mAh power bank takes the guess work out of how much charge you have left. It's not from four measly led lights that it is from, instead it's from a 1- 100% status of battery life. It's great for making sure you leave the bank between 80% and 40% before you put it on a shelf. Leaving a bank fully charged for months on end can damage the battery's ability to hold a full charge, so it is best to discharge it down a bit first so that it is closer to half-full.

Best for gaming: Aukey Basix Pro (20,000mAh)

Aukey Basix Pro

(Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Aukey's Basix line of chargers has two wireless models, but I like the 20,000mAh version because it is slightly more sturdy and has a display where you can see how much of a charge is left. The indicator dots are fine for smaller power banks, but it is so refreshing to be able to tell if my power bank is at 50% or 75% when that means the difference between having 15,000mAh worth of charge or 10,000mAh.

The Basix Pro has a lot in common with the PowerCore III Wireless, but the Aukey has doubled the capacity in almost the same size power bank. Aukey's kickstand has a leg up because you can use both the kickstand and the wireless charger at the same time.

While there is a small symbol marking the middle of the charging coil, there is not much of a guide for phone placement as on the Anker, nor is there a non-slip ring to help keep your phone in place. It's important to keep the phone in place when the wireless charging is shut down.

Best power station: Fanttik Evo 300 Portable Power Station

Fanttik Evo 300 power station

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

At some point, power banks should be transitioned to the boxier form factor of a power station. The portable chargers are designed to power small appliances on camping trips or keep your gear alive during a hurricanes, and they have a wide array of port types and power levels to choose from. The best power stations have a balance of capacity and price that is around the 200-300 watt range.

Fanttik is making a name for itself with high-quality products made for on-the-go lifestyles. The Fanttik Evo 300 power station has a variety of ports and is a great option. It's between too expensive for the average person and too small to power anything other than laptops. Fanttik goes for the traditional style where all the ports are on the front and it's easy to grab and carry from car to campsite.

The two AC plugs can be used to charge electronics or run a camp fridge, but don't expect them to power beefier appliances due to the max output of 300W from the AC outlets. If you rely on the power to power some of your machine models, you should check the rating of your model to make sure you need a backup. If the power goes out, the large lamp built into the back of the unit will provide plenty of light for your room. If you want a power station in case of an extended power outage, Fanttik makes solar panels, but they cost a pretty penny.

Why size matters for the best portable chargers

You can find portable chargers in a variety of sizes, but for the majority of you, you want a bigger one. I am partial to the former, such as the strikingly colored Zendure SuperMini, which makes it easy to slip into a pocket when out and about.

Smaller, lighter power banks are easier to carry around and the best power bank is the one you remember to bring. If you need to keep a whole family of phones alive during a long day or a long weekend, 10,000mAh is enough power.

The high-capacity bank is just over a pound in weight so that it won't weigh down a backpack or purse too much during long days of travel or adventure. The bank can be fully charged in three hours, and you can top it up with the 87W Power Delivery output.

Why battery packs are harder to find in stock right now

The world is currently dealing with a shipping crisis and chip shortages that are making it hard for manufacturers, vendors, and retailers to keep a wide array of products in stock. Power banks have restrictions that prevent them from being shipped via air in bulk, so they are impacted by the delays at most American ports. It is likely to get worse until a solution can be found or the problem is solved.

Those looking for a new power bank can do two things. If you already have a power bank, you should not replace it until it breaks. Once it breaks, please use an electronics recycling program or e-waste reclamation program to ensure that as much material from the broken bank can be recovered and recycled into other electronics.

Be prepared to be patient if you need a new power bank. Don't wait until the last second to buy a power bank for your Thanksgiving pilgrimage over the river or business trip. Don't expect many deals this holiday season due to lower-than-normal supply and allow time for shipping delays.