11 best power banks to buy in 2023

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Save your phone from exhaustion with a portable charger.

We updated this roundup in June 2023 to guarantee that our best power bank picks were in stock and reflected up-to-date prices.

Ask any frequent flyer and they’ll tell you that among their most essential gadgets is one of the best power banks – none of us ever want to be caught in a situation where our phone, headphones, iPad or Bluetooth speaker is running out of juice, and these portable batteries are the best way to keep your devices fully charged when you’re on the go. They’re not just for travellers too, they are invaluable for all your recharging needs when you’re not near a plug.

Whether you’re after a chunky brick with a high capacity to recharge your laptop, or a compact little battery to keep in your bag for emergencies, we’ve rounded up the best power banks below. You’ll find that there are loads of portable chargers available online, so we made sure to focus on some of the most trusted charging brands.

That's why you’ll see several picks from Anker below, all regarded as top options for stability and reliability. If you’re after something bigger, and more capable, for extra backup power and a proper mains plug port (or more than one), we’d recommend checking out our list of the best portable power stations.

We tried out the best power banks by charging up a range of phones (both Android handsets and iPhones) and tablets, and timing how long they took to recharge. We looked at the design, portability and convenience of the models too. The models featured in this list are a mix of those we’ve tested hands-on and expert recommendations from our rigorous research.

Haven't used wireless charging yet? You’re in for a treat. Many phones made over the last six to seven years include this clever tech, and it can almost feel like magic. You just press a button and pop your phone down on top of this power bank, and you’ll start to see it steadily charge up – no cable needed.

Samsung phones since 2015 have included wireless charging, and every Apple handset since the iPhone 8 has the feature too. We love this capable Anker power bank as it has a high capacity along with its wireless wizardry.

Want to get a faster charge than you can without the wire? It's no problem, as this offers speedy 18W charging via its USB-C port.

And, when it comes to versatility, this can fuel up three devices at once, one resting on its top surface, one connected via USB-C and another via USB-A. That's handy if everyone's phone is low on battery at the same time.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size and weight: 14.9 x 6.8 x 1.9 cm, 240.98g• Ports: USB-A, USB-C• Wireless charging: Yes• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: USB-C to USB-C cable, Pouch

If you want a large capacity without the sheer heft and high price of Anker's 737, we’d recommend looking at this model which goes for about half the cost. It gives you enough juice to deliver seven charges to an iPhone 8, and the ability to power three gadgets at once.

You miss out on super fast charging for laptops that you’ll get in the 737, but the 20W available via the USB-C port here is enough to refuel an iPhone at high speed, which is all most of us need.

In addition to that port, it includes two USB-A ports, so you could use this to charge up your phone, earbuds and Apple Watch all at the same time.

• Capacity: 20,000mAh• Size and weight: 16.64 x 8.27 x 2.35 cm, 462.66g• Ports: USB-A x2, USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: USB-A to USB-C cable

At just about the biggest capacity you can bring on a flight and boasting enough ports to recharge three devices at once, we think this big Anker has to be the pick for a family trip where everyone's phone needs some juice and you’ll be away from the plug for a long time.

It's ideal for camping or a road trip. It can output a total of 30W, which makes it a decent option for a steady charge of three phones in one go.

Another unique feature here is that it can recharge at double speed if you use both of the Micro-USB inputs at once, although it’ll still take over six hours to get this back to full this way, so it's best done overnight.

The good news is that even if recharging takes a little time, this has a massive capacity – enough to fuel up the iPhone SE almost 10 times.

• Capacity: 26,800mAh• Size and weight: 18 x 8.1 x 2.2 cm; 494.42g• Ports: USB-A x3, Micro USB x2• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: x2 USB-A to Micro USB cables

A budget-friendly option that does the basics without overcomplicating things, the Anker 321 is the best power bank if you want a convenient model that's only about the size of a small chocolate bar.

It's super pocketable, making it easy to bring with you for an evening out or just to pop in your coat pocket for the day. The capacity here isn't large, but it's enough for a top-up to keep your phone going or to recharge your headphones if you notice they’re running low before a train journey.

The maximum output is 12W and that's shared between its USB-A and USB-C ports, meaning it could end up being rather slow if used to power up two devices at once. If size matters most though, this is a top compact option.

• Capacity: 5,200mAh• Size and weight: 9.7 x 4.58 x 2.2 cm, 128.5g• Ports: USB-A, USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: USB-A to USB-C cable

If you’re looking for value, you can't go wrong with this model. It gets you a mid-range capacity and the main ports you need (USB-A, USB-C and Micro USB) in a compact package that comes in at under £20.

As far as affordable power banks go, this is one of the best, and with output via two USB-A connections and the handy USB-C output, there's enough versatility here to manage recharging for three gadgets simultaneously.

We think it's a great option to give to a teenager, as it comes in a fun range of colours and isn't too expensive.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size and weight: 9.1 x 6.2 x 2.2 cm, 193g• Ports: USB-A, Micro USB, USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: USB-A to Micro USB cable

You can't always expect kids to remember to charge their devices, and that's where this power bank comes in. Designed specifically with Amazon Fire tablets in mind, this little charger has an impressive 10,000mAh of juice housed within a rugged design that’ll survive its inevitable drop(s) down the stairs.

Its silicone exterior is grippy, comes in two fun colours (that match the Fire tablet colours) and has Micro-USB, USB-C and USB-A connectors for a lot of versatility.

The big capacity means you’d be able to use this to recharge a kid's tablet or Kindle multiple times, or at least once with some battery to spare for topping up your phone – although it won't be as fast as some other models.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size and weight: 12.9 x 9.6 x 3.4 cm; 290g• Ports: USB-A, Micro USB, USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: None

If you’re after a compact magnetic battery pack for newer iPhone models, we think this is the one we’d pick. It has half the capacity of the 10,000mAh version, but that's enough to restore 95% of the battery for most iPhones and may be all you need for a top-up.

An added bonus is that there's a clever stand that folds flat on the back. Unfold it and it snaps into position with magnets and one angle that's ideal for watching videos from your desk in either portrait or landscape mode.

The only major downsides are that you can't turn the charger off to just use it as a stand, which is something you can do with the Anker 633, and that it doesn't support fast charging via a cable – it has a solid maximum 12W output, but you can get faster from some other models.

Not bothered about the built-in stand? We’d go with the almost identical Anker 621, which has the same 5,000mAh capacity and comes in the same colours, but is a little slimmer and lacks the kickstand.

• Capacity: 5,000mAh• Size and weight: 10.49 x 6.65 x 1.27 cm, 141.7g• Ports: USB-C• Wireless charging: Yes• Magnetic charging: Yes• Included extras: USB-C to USB-C cable

What's more exciting than wireless charging alone? Apple's "MagSafe" capabilities (introduced on the iPhone 12) take some of the guesswork out of wireless by removing the need to position your phone and get the right alignment with the charger.

Instead, magnets within the phone snap into place on the charger, ensuring a reliable connection and consistent charge. There are a fair few magnetic wireless power banks on the market now, but the Anker 633 model launched is our favourite.

It's about as compact and light as you'll get for this much juice, plus it has a kickstand, a strong magnetic hold and quick speeds if you use it with a USB-C cable. On test, we got our iPhone 13 mini back to half full in an impressive 25 minutes.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size and weight: 10.7 x 6.65 x 1.81 cm, 217.7g• Ports: USB-A, USB-C• Wireless charging: Yes• Magnetic charging: Yes• Included extras: USB-C to USB-C cable

At under £20 and with an impressive 10,000mAh capacity, we think this Belkin is one of the best value options you can buy right now. It splits 15W of power between its two USB-A ports and a USB-C connector, meaning it won't be all that fast compared to certain other options.

However, if you’re just using one port and not all three to charge all your kit simultaneously, you’ll find that speed is more than quick enough. What we love about this model is that it's compact and slim – ideal for stashing in a pocket or handbag – and that it's not that heavy for the capacity (about as much as a bag of ground coffee from the supermarket).

The only thing to note is that it comes with a rather short charging cord, although it's likely you’ve got the cables you’d need at home already.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size: 13.3 x 6.9 x 1.5 cm, 220g• Ports: USB-A x2, USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: USB-A to USB-C cable

While it's big compared to some of the others on this list, this chunky model is the best power bank to invest in if you want a versatile and impressive battery to charge up your laptop, iPad, phone and everything in between.

The 737 aims to be the only charger you need, it delivers exceptional speeds via its two USB-C ports, and includes an extra USB-A port for added flexibility. That means it can power three devices at once. It has a big capacity – enough to charge your phone almost five times – and we used it to refuel our MacBook Pro in a quick hour-and-a-half.

We love the informative digital display that tells you the battery percentage, time to recharge and output per port (among other useful stats). That's something you won't find on most rivals. It also has pass-through charging, so you can recharge the power bank while charging other devices at the same time, and it fits within the requirements for taking on flights too. If you’re okay with the weight and cost, this is our top pick.

• Capacity: 24,000mAh• Size and weight: 15.58 x 5.46 x 4.96 cm, 635.03g• Ports: USB-C x2, USB-A x1• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: 140W USB-C to USB-C cable, Pouch

Not keen on wireless charging but also prone to forgetting your cords? Belkin has the power pack you need, with cables built into the device itself.

This battery packs in a respectable capacity while still being portable, and it has both an integrated Lightning cable and USB-C cable, which together should charge up all your devices.

It offers pass-through too, so that you can refuel the portable charger while also sending power over to your phone, earbuds or smartwatch. It's a little bigger than some rivals with the same capacity, but it's worth it for those space-saving built-in cables.

• Capacity: 10,000mAh• Size and weight: 15.24 x 6.35 x 2.54 cm; 300g• Ports: USB-C• Wireless charging: No• Magnetic charging: No• Included extras: Integrated USB-C and Lightning cables

If you’re trying to understand watt hours, voltage and power management, then shopping for portable chargers can become a little bit daunting.

But, you only need to worry about the basics to make sure you’re getting the right one for your needs. Most importantly, is it the right size and weight for your needs? Does it have enough ports? And is there enough juice to charge up all your devices?

One of the most crucial considerations is capacity. You want to know how long your power bank lasts and how many charges it’ll give you.

It's best to look at the main battery you’ll need to fuel up – we’re guessing it's your phone – and work out how large of a power bank you need (of course, all phones have different battery sizes). The capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh) and the more you have, the more recharges you’ll get.

Here's a rough guide:

Of course, bigger and smaller power banks also come with their benefits and drawbacks – one of the most important to note is that high-capacity ones will be bigger and weigh more.

Think about how you’ll be carrying it around and what you need it for – a power bank for your bag can be quite different than one for travelling or camping.

We tend to keep a mid-range one for everyday use and a larger one ready for our trips, while we also have a petite low-capacity variant as a backup battery that we might grab before heading out the front door.

Don't know your USB-A from your USB-C or Micro USB? It doesn't have to be too confusing. The older USB-A is the connector you’ll have seen often over the past 10 years or so (think little portable USB drives) while the newer USB-C connector is the one that has come with the newest Androids and iPhones (on one end at least, these still charge via Apple's Lightning port).

It's worth getting a power bank with both ports as USB-C becomes more commonplace, and it's the port that is faster and gaining popularity. When it comes to the power bank output, you’ll want to look for ones that can output at least 20W via USB-C, as this is the fastest speed to recharge an iPhone.

Also known as "inductive charging", this power transfer method works by placing your phone on a charging pad – once both devices come into contact, they’ll create a magnetic field which your gadgets can use to collect energy and restore their battery power.

We like wireless charging as a fuss-free way to refuel smartphones and earbuds, although it's worth noting that it's slower than the traditional wired approach.

In 2023, there are a good number of wireless power banks on the market, and the big benefit here is that you’ll not need to worry about bringing your cables quite as much.

Apple has added its clever "MagSafe" tech to every iPhone (other than the SE) since the iPhone 12. It uses magnets to ensure perfect alignment for a range of accessories including wallets, wireless chargers and, of course, power banks.

This makes it easy to quickly snap a charger right onto the back of your phone, and it eliminates any issues with alignment that you may find on other wireless chargers that lack this magnetic connection feature.

While you’ll probably have most of the cords that you’d need, we’d expect a power bank to at least come with a recharge cable and maybe some extra useful wires. It's also a nice extra when it comes with a decent carrying pouch to keep the battery and cables together.

This can get pretty complicated, to be honest, but to help we’ve made sure that none of the power banks included on our list is too large to bring on a plane.

All external batteries with a capacity lower than 27,027mAh (100 watt-hours) should be acceptable to bring on flights. Power banks and spare batteries always have to go in your carry-on, too, not in your checked luggage.

The restrictions can also depend on the countries involved in your trip and the airline you’re flying with, so always check before you travel. Also, to recharge your power bank on a trip while away from a UK socket, you’ll want to look into buying a travel adapter like this.

Simon Cocks is our Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Digital Spy and more.

Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, charging kit and smartphones.

Previously, Simon was part of Good Housekeeping's Consumer Affairs Team, conducting price comparison research, writing detailed advice guides and editing thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.

When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.

You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks and on Twitter at @simoncocks.

What do you get with Amazon Prime membership?

Best smart locks

Best set-top boxes in 2023

Best TVs under £500

Best Kindles for 2023

Best indoor security cameras in 2023

Best wifi security cameras in 2023

Best Bluetooth speakers

Best multi-room systems in 2023

Best Alexa devices

Best smart speakers of 2023

Best headphones under £50