The Greatest Energy Banks of 2023

In 2023, nearly every gadget and gizmo that we use has a battery than needs to be recharged. Our phones are the primary example, but nearly everything — from headlamps to headphones — has built-in rechargeable batteries.

As a result of our rechargeable world, portable power banks have become a standard part of everyday life. When traveling, power banks offer convenient on-the-go charging that eliminates the need to hunt down an outlet. For outdoor enthusiasts, compact power banks go along on every camping trip, thru-hike, and bike-packing journey.

In recent years, power banks have improved exponentially. As we all grow increasingly reliant on our electronic devices, power banks have become smaller, lighter, and more capable than ever before.

To compile this list of the best power banks, we combed the market for the most popular, innovative, and well-regarded models — and then conducted extensive testing at home and in the field to determine the best model for every need and budget. We charged phones, cameras, laptops, and even other power banks. We dropped and lightly abused over a dozen models to determine durability and longevity. In the end, we were left with a clear understanding of which models are worth their weight and price tag. These are the best power banks on the market today.

To learn more about what to look for when purchasing a power bank and our rigorous testing process, check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ below.

The Best Power Banks of 2023

Power Bank Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

Every power bank on this list has earned its place through rigorous hands-on testing in the same real-world scenarios you’re likely to face. In the winter of 2023, author Austin Beck-Doss didn’t plug his phone or laptop into a single wall outlet for several months. Instead, he charged his devices exclusively via power bank. Through daily use and a series of standardized tests at home and in the field, Austin assessed the durability, performance, and capacity of innumerable brands and models. The recommended products on this list are the very best money can buy.

Power bank brands make lots of lofty claims about capacity, durability, and performance. Instead of simply trusting the statistics written on the side of the packaging, Austin put manufacturer claims to the test. Every power bank was fully charged to determine exactly how many times it could fully charge an iPhone 13 before depleting. Austin also measured the total time that each depleted power bank took to fully recharge once plugged into a wall outlet.

Our durability test involved prolonged regular use indoors and out, and a standardized drop test. Every bank was dropped exactly 2 feet onto a hard concrete surface to simulate the classic electronics fumble that we all experience from time to time. Some power banks ceased to function after a single drop. Of course, none of those models made the list.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Power Bank

For better or worse, most folks today feel a wave of concern when their smartphone battery drops below 20%. Phones, tablets, laptops, and other portable electronics pack a lot of utility — and we’ve grown reliant on them to conduct our everyday affairs.

Power banks are physical stop gaps that prevent dreaded cases of DPS (dead phone syndrome). Whether you forgot to plug in overnight, or you’ve been traveling all day without access to an outlet, power banks are a lifeline for you and your portable electronics.

These days, power banks come in all shapes and sizes — from mini units that can dangle from a keychain to 25-pound behemoths. On this list, we focused on the most popular category: personal-use portable power banks. Portable is a subjective term. For this list, we only considered products that weigh about 2 pounds or less and fit easily into any backpack.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we break down everything you need to know about power banks; capacity, charge times, inputs, outputs, solar capability, you name it. Our hope is that by using this guide, you’ll be able to hone in on the perfect portable power bank to suit your everyday needs.

What is a Power Bank?

A power bank is a rechargeable battery that can transfer power to other electronic devices. Power banks are like wall outlets that you can take with you. Simply plug in your phone or laptop via a standard USB-A or USB-C cable, and boom, you have instant portable power. People carry power banks for the same reason remote freight drivers carry extra cans of gasoline: If the main supply runs out, there’s extra fuel on board.

Size and Capacity

Powerbanks are available in many sizes. The smallest power banks are small enough to fit on a key chain and typically will only deliver a quick hit of power per charge. The largest power banks in existence can charge EVs — but those aren’t exactly portable.

Generally, power bank capacity is measured in milliamps per hour — mAh. This unit indicates how many milliamps of electric current a given power bank can deliver per hour.

All smartphone manufacturers utilize different batteries and charging systems. The working capacity of any power bank entirely depends on the device it is charging. Most fully charged smartphones contain 3,000 to 4,000 mAh, That means, on paper, a 10,000 mAh power bank can recharge a smartphone about three times.

Most of the power banks on this list hold around 10,000 mAh — a standard size for recharging small devices like smartphones, Bluetooth headphones, and smartwatches. Though brands often claim their 10,000 mAh power banks can recharge smartphones five, six, or seven times — they rarely live up to those claims.

Smartphone batteries are becoming larger and more efficient. In our experience, 10,000 mAh power banks will charge a modern smartphone between two and three times. On this list, the Nitecore NB10000 is the most impressive 10k mAh power bank that we tested. It fully charged an iPhone 13 two and a half times.

If you are looking for a power bank for something like a long backpacking trip, it’s important to find an appropriate weight-to-capacity ratio for your adventure. You’ll also want one that fits comfortably in your backpacking backpack, and doesn’t add too much bulk to your kit.

Compact 10k power banks are rightfully popular. They fit easily into most pockets, and they have plenty of capacity to keep a small device or two alive for a few days.

The next standard portable power bank size is 20,000 mAh. Not all power banks in the 20k range will have a capacity of exactly 20,000 mAH — that’s just a handy benchmark figure. Naturally, 20k power banks are bigger and heavier than their 10k little siblings. Most 20k banks weigh at least one pound and are roughly the size of a small tablet or jumbo candy bar.

Though 20k power banks are a bit cumbersome for everyday carry, they offer much more utility. Most banks of this size can fully recharge a smartphone six or more times. Plus, many 20k power banks can charge multiple devices at the same time. If you’re looking for a power bank to charge multiple personal devices over the course of a multi-day backpacking trip, 20k is your best bet.

Power banks above 20k mAh start to get fairly heavy and less portable, but they’re great for folks looking to charge a larger device such as a laptop on the go. If you’re searching for a bank that can handle the demands of laptop charging, around 20k mAh is the bare minimum capacity you should consider. On this list, the Goal Zero Sherpa has an impressive capacity of 25,600 mAh. The Lion Trek is another excellent high-capacity power bank — and it even sports a standard three-prong AC outlet.

Charge Times and “Fast Charging”

The best power banks are quick to store power and equally quick to dispense it. Combined with the appropriate modern charging cable, all of the power banks on this list perform well in this aspect.

These days, many devices including phones, power banks, tablets, and cables claim to support “fast charging.” In reality, there is no universal standard for what “fast charging” really means. Each individual device has specifications that determine how much wattage delivery it can handle. Every element in the charging system — phone, power bank, and cable — plays a role in the rate of power delivery.

All batteries operate with a specific amount of voltage and can input and output a maximum amount of current. Fast-charging power banks have the ability to quickly pump more power into the receiving device. For example, early iPhones came with a 5w power adaptor in the box. Those 5w adaptors took over two hours to charge standard smartphones. On this list, the speedy OtterBox Fast Charge delivers 18w power — it can fully charge an iPhone 13 in just over 90 minutes.

In general, any charging source that can deliver around 15w or more could be considered “fast charging.”

While fast charging is highly sought after, it can also be a detriment to your long-term battery health. Certain small devices such as headphones and fitness watches have relatively low maximum tolerable power delivery. If you charge a pair of earbuds with a superpowered fast-charging wall port or power bank, it can cause irreversible damage to the battery life of those headphones. Many modern power banks — such as the OKZU C10002Y and the OtterBox Fast Charge — can decrease their output to meet the needs of a small device or fragile battery.

To choose the perfect power bank for your personal devices, check the device’s USB PD (power delivery) Power Range. For example, if a device’s USB PD Power range is 15-27W, pick a bank that delivers power within that range.

Types of In/Out Ports

Nearly all small electronic devices including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, headphones, and laptops charge via one of three standard input ports: Micro USB, USB-A, and USB-C.

Micro-USB ports are growing obsolete, but they’re still relatively common on power banks today. USB-A ports are typically used as outputs, though some small power banks such as the Goal Zero Flip 24 do have USB-A inputs, which eliminate the need for a charging cable.

The most common kind of input port is USB-C — the same port found on all modern iPhones. USB-C ports are easy-to-use, efficient, and durable.

Power banks only need a single input charging port, but it’s handy to have multiple types of output ports. On this list, the Lion Trek Power Bank has an impressive variety of outputs including USB-A, USB-C, and an AC outlet. Though it’s great to have plenty of output options, power bank users will mostly use USB-C ports.

Wireless Charging and Magnetic Power Banks

Some larger power banks are equipped with wireless charging capability. On this list, the Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD comes with a wireless charging pad that can deliver up to 15w of power to compatible devices. In general, wireless charging from a power bank will be slower than using a cable, but it’s highly convenient in certain situations.

Some power banks attach directly to smartphones via magnetic connection. These power banks are compact units that typically pack just enough power to recharge a compatible smartphone a single time. On this list, the Hinovo Magnetic Charger is a highly functional and convenient option. It essentially doubles your phone’s battery — no cable required. Of course, only some smartphones are magnetic charging enabled.

Pass-Through Charging

If a power bank has “pass-through charging,” it is able to take in and distribute power at the same time. Pass-through equipped power banks can charge devices while plugged into a wall charger — a handy feature when you’re in a hurry. Many power banks on this list have pass-through charging, including our top pick the Nitecore NB10000.

Durability and Waterproofing

Depending on your needs, durability and waterproofing may be top priorities. If you plan to use your power bank for outdoor applications such as hunting, backpacking, and off-roading, we recommend that you pick one that’s built to withstand more rugged use. On this list, the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro 10200 is a rugged standout. It is waterproof, drop resistant, and immune to extreme temperatures.

Unlike the Poseidon Pro, most power banks aren’t built to withstand harsh treatment or exposure to the elements. For longevity’s sake, we recommend keeping your power bank relatively warm and fully dry. To preserve the integrity of the battery, power banks should be plugged in and charged once every few months.

FAQ

If treated properly, the power banks on this list should perform reliably for several years. All batteries degrade with time and regular use. Most modern power banks can be fully charged and discharged about 1,000 times before they no longer function. For most users, this equates to 3-5 years worth of use.

All of the power banks on this list are relatively small and portable. The majority of power bank users pick 10,000 mAh power banks, a good choice for recharging a personal smartphone. Compact 10,000 mAh power banks like the Nitecore NB 10000 offer a nice balance between utility and portability. They fit in a pant pocket, and they pack enough power to keep a smartphone alive for several days without a wall outlet.

If you plan to charge larger devices like a tablet or laptop, we recommend sizing up to the 20,000+ mAh range. These power banks typically weigh 1-2 pounds, and they’re still compact enough for hiking, traveling, etc. On this list, the Anker PowerCore III Elite has a strong battery that easily recharges a laptop — or multiple small devices at once.

Most small portable power banks can be carried onto an airplane. According to TSA, power banks cannot be kept in checked luggage. Certain airports don’t allow passengers to travel with more than 27,000 mAh in total battery storage.