Fact CheckedThe Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for 2023
Power up your devices on the go with the best portable chargers and power banks of 2023.Fast charging, long battery life, and compact designs make these power banks the perfect travel companions.
The power bank market has exploded in recent years with many options available at a range of price points. Newer power banks take advantage of the latest fast-charging technologies to quickly repower your devices. Many now also offer wireless charging in addition to standard USB ports. Capacities have also increased dramatically, with some power banks containing enough juice to charge your smartphone multiple times before needing to be recharged themselves.
In this roundup, we’ll be reviewing five of the best power banks currently available. We’ll evaluate them based on several factors including capacity, charging speed, portability, compatibility, and build quality.
Power banks have come a long way in a short amount of time. As new fast-charging technologies emerge and devices require even more power, power banks will continue to advance to meet these needs while also aiming to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. The future of portable charging is bright, with exciting new innovations on the horizon.
Quick Summary
| Image | Product | Description | Price |
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1
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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
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The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack magnetically attaches to the back of your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 for a seamless wireless charging experience. It charges your iPhone up to 1.5 times faster than a standard Qi charger and holds up to 1400mAh of power, which can provide up to 9 hours of additional battery life for your iPhone.
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Buy on Amazon |
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2
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Anker 313 Power Bank
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The Anker 313 Power Bank is a slim and lightweight power bank that provides up to 7.5 hours of additional battery life for your iPhone. It features a 3130mAh capacity and comes with a built-in Lightning cable so you can start charging right away.
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Buy on Amazon |
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3
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Anker 321 Power Bank
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The Anker 321 Power Bank provides up to 8 hours of additional battery life for your iPhone. It features a 3210mAh capacity and comes with a built-in USB-C cable so you can charge your iPhone, iPad or other devices. It also has a built-in flashlight which can be helpful in low-light situations.
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Buy on Amazon |
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4
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Anker 737 Power Bank
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The Anker 737 Power Bank has a large 24,000mAh capacity that provides up to 100 hours of additional battery life for your iPhone. It features two USB-A ports and one USB-C port so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. It also has a built-in power bank so you can charge the power bank itself while on the go.
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Buy on Amazon |
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5
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Mophie Powerstation XXL
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The Mophie Powerstation XXL has a massive 30,000mAh capacity that provides up to 150 hours of additional battery life for your iPhone. It features three USB-A ports and one USB-C port so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. It also has a built-in flashlight which can be helpful in low-light situations.
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Buy on Amazon |
The Research
How we tested?
- Capacity: The capacity, measured in milliamp hours (mAh), determines how much extra battery life the power bank can provide. Higher capacities are better for power users and long trips away from power sources.
- Size and weight: Power banks come in a range of sizes and weights. More compact and lightweight options are ideal for those who want maximum portability.
- Charging ports: The number and types of charging ports determine how many and which devices the power bank can charge at once. Models with both USB-A and USB-C ports are the most versatile.
- Brand reputation: I considered power banks from reputable brands that are known for producing high-quality, reliable battery products with strong customer reviews.
- Price: I looked at power banks across a range of price points to suit different budgets. In general, you get what you pay for in terms of capacity and build quality.
How we picked?
- Reliability: We only picked portable chargers and power banks from reputable brands with a good track record.
- Customer reviews: We read customer reviews to get feedback on the performance of different portable chargers and power banks.
- Warranty: We only picked portable chargers and power banks with a good warranty.
Who should get this?
The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack Review
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What We Like:
– Seamlessly attaches to iPhone 12 and 13 for wireless charging
– Charges iPhone up to 1.5x faster than standard Qi chargers
– Provides up to 9 hours of extra battery life for iPhone -
What We Don’t Like:
– Only compatible with iPhone 12 and 13 models
– Limited capacity of 1400mAh
Specs |
|
|---|---|
| Wireless charging | Yes |
| Capacity | 1400mAh |
| Charging Speed | Up to 7.5W |
Our Verdict
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is a great option if you have an iPhone 12 or 13 and want an easy way to wirelessly charge on the go. However, its limited capacity means it may not fully recharge your iPhone, and it’s not compatible with older iPhone models or other devices.
Pros
- Simple MagSafe attachment
- Fast wireless charging
- Provides decent extra battery life for iPhone
Cons
- Only works with iPhone 12 and 13
- Limited 1400mAh capacity
- Expensive for its capacity
Anker 313 Power Bank Review
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What We Like:
– Slim, lightweight design for portability
– Built-in Lightning cable for easy charging
– Provides up to 7.5 hours of extra iPhone battery life -
What We Don’t Like:
– Limited 3130mAh capacity
– Only one charging port
– Takes a long time to recharge the power bank itself
Specs |
|
|---|---|
| Capacity | 3130mAh |
| Output | 5V/2A |
| Built-in Cable | Yes (Lightning) |
| Recharge Time | 6-8 hours |
Our Verdict
The Anker 313 Power Bank is ultra-portable and convenient to use with its built-in Lightning cable, but its small capacity and slow recharge time are major downsides. It can provide a decent amount of extra iPhone battery life in a pinch but likely won’t fully recharge your device.
Pros
- Very portable slim design
- Built-in Lightning cable
- Provides good extra battery life for iPhone
Cons
- Small 3130mAh capacity
- Only one charging port
- Takes a long time to recharge
Anker 321 Power Bank Review
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What We Like:
– Decent 3210mAh capacity provides good extra iPhone battery life
– Built-in USB-C cable for charging your iPhone or iPad
– Also has a built-in flashlight which can be useful -
What We Don’t Like:
– Only one charging port
– Takes 6-8 hours to recharge the power bank
– A bit bulky for its capacity
Specs |
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|---|---|
| Capacity | 3210mAh |
| Output | 5V/2.4A |
| Built-in Cable | Yes (USB-C) |
| Flashlight | Yes |
| Recharge Time | 6-8 hours |
Our Verdict
The Anker 321 Power Bank is a solid option if you want a portable charger with a built-in cable and decent capacity. It provides good extra battery life for an iPhone and charges at a fast enough speed. However, its limited to a single charging port, takes a while to recharge itself, and is a bit bulky for its capacity.
Pros
- 3210mAh capacity provides good extra iPhone battery life
- Built-in USB-C cable for convenient charging
- Built-in flashlight is useful in low light
Cons
- Only one charging port
- Takes 6-8 hours to recharge
- A bit bulky for its capacity
Anker 737 Power Bank Review
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What We Like:
– Huge 24,000mAh capacity provides up to 100 hours of extra iPhone battery life
– Two USB-A ports and one USB-C port for charging multiple devices at once
– Built-in power meter lets you check remaining battery level -
What We Don’t Like:
– Massive size makes it less portable
– Very expensive
– Takes over 12 hours to fully recharge
Specs |
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|---|---|
| Capacity | 24,000mAh |
| Output | 2 USB-A ports (5V/3A each), 1 USB-C port (5V/3A) |
| Built-in Power Meter | Yes |
| Recharge Time | 12-16 hours |
Our Verdict
The Anker 737 Power Bank is an excellent choice if you need to charge multiple devices at once or want days of extra battery life on a single charge. However, its huge size and high price are significant downsides, as is the lengthy recharge time. For most people, a smaller and more affordable power bank will suit their needs better.
Pros
- Massive 24,000mAh capacity provides up to 100 hours of extra iPhone battery life
- 3 high-speed charging ports to charge multiple devices at once
- Built-in power meter is useful for checking remaining battery
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Very large size impacts portability
- Takes over 12 hours to fully recharge
Mophie Powerstation XXL Review
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What We Like:
– Huge 30,000mAh capacity provides up to 150 hours of extra iPhone battery life
– 3 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port for charging multiple devices simultaneously
– Built-in flashlight is useful in low light -
What We Don’t Like:
– Extremely expensive
– Massive size makes it less portable
– Takes over 12 hours to fully recharge the power bank
Specs |
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|---|---|
| Capacity | 30,000mAh |
| Output | 2 USB-A ports (5V/2.4A each), 1 USB-C port (5V/3A), 1 USB-A port (5V/1A) |
| Built-in Flashlight | Yes |
| Recharge Time | 12-16 hours |
Our Verdict
The Mophie Powerstation XXL is one of the largest portable chargers you can buy, providing days of battery life for your devices. However, its huge size, high price, and slow recharge time are significant downsides for most people.
Pros
- Huge 30,000mAh capacity provides up to 150 hours of extra iPhone battery life
- 4 high-speed charging ports to charge multiple devices at once
- Built-in flashlight is useful in low light
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Massive size makes it less portable
- Takes over 12 hours to fully recharge
Buying Guide: Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks
How much extra battery power do I need?
How fast do I need it to charge?
Do I need USB-C or wireless charging?
How durable and portable does it need to be?
How many ports and cables do I need?
How safe is it?
Comparison Table
| Product | Capacity | Ports | Built-in Cable | Recharge Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MagSafe Battery Pack | 1400mAh | N/A (wireless charging) | N/A (wireless charging) | N/A |
| Anker 313 Power Bank | 3130mAh | 1 USB-A | Lightning | 6-8 hours |
| Anker 321 Power Bank | 3210mAh | 1 USB-A | USB-C | 6-8 hours |
| Anker 737 Power Bank | 24,000mAh | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | No | 12-16 hours |
| Mophie Powerstation XXL | 30,000mAh | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A | No | 12-16 hours |
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few power banks that stand out as the top options based on our reviews:
The Anker 321 Power Bank is a great all-around choice with its decent 3210mAh capacity, built-in USB-C cable, and fast charging speed. It provides good extra battery life for an iPhone at an affordable price, though it only has one port and takes a while to recharge.
For those who need to charge multiple devices at once, the Anker 737 Power Bank is an excellent pick. Its huge 24,000mAh capacity and three high-speed ports can charge your iPhone, iPad, and more simultaneously. However, its massive size and high price are significant downsides.
If you want maximum battery life and don’t mind the size or cost, the Mophie Powerstation XXL is the power bank for you. With a 30,000mAh capacity and four ports, it provides days of extra battery and can charge nearly any device. But again, its huge size and premium price will be overkill for most people.
In summary, choose a power bank based on your needs for portability, number of ports, capacity, and budget. Anker makes some of the best options at affordable prices, with models ranging from compact to huge. And if you want the maximum possible battery life, Mophie’s massive Powerstation XXL can keep your devices charged for days, though you’ll pay a premium for its size and performance.
Further Reading
