Best portable chargers and power banks for your phone
Over the years, phone have scored tons of new features and gradual improvements of the essential technologies that make them click and tick, but one aspect that has seemingly and arbitrarily received less love than the rest has been battery technology.
While we witness large heaps of improvement in terms of display properties, design, and camera performance, most phones will still die on you if you use them a lot before the day is over. And while the latest energy-efficient chipsets have certainly improved things, you should admit that batteries still don’t feel as “futuristic” as other aspects of many contemporary flagship devices.
In case you’re on the market for such a useful portable gadget, we have a couple of suggestions for you.
Large high-capacity powerbanks
Okay, if we are going to get a powerbank, let’s go all-in and find ourselves a unit with a high capacity that will allow us to charge our device a couple of times at least. However, they are hefty and this brings some limitations.
Now, if you want to go really big, there are fewer choices better than Anker’s 26,800mAh PowerCore bank. This large battery capacity ensures that you will be able to fully top up your Galaxy or iPhone several times before you need to recharge the powerbank itself (which takes around 6.5 hours). Usually, fast charging would generate tons of heat that will lead to faster battery degradation of the powerbank’s built-in tank, but the Anker PowerCore 26800 arrives with smart overheat protection that will decrease electricity output if high temperatures are detected.
Aukey Sprint Ultra 30000mAh Power Bank
mophie powerstation USB-C 3XL
The mophie powerstation USB-C 3XL offers 26000mAh of power for your charging needs and can provide up to 19 hours of extra battery for the MacBook. 85 hours to your iPhone and 23 hours to your tablet. You can safely charge two devices at once—like your MacBook and your iPhone—with the 45W USB-C port and the 12W USB-A port. This powerbank also features a durable fabric wrap that has a comfortable feel and premium design.
RavPower 32000mAh 3-Port Power Bank
Middle-of-the-road powerbanks
A nice balance between size, weight and capacity.
mophie powerstation XL (Fabric)
The 15,000mAh mophie powerstation XL portable power bank offers a nice combination between compact size and useful capacity. It provides up to 55 hours of power for when you’re away from the plug. This powerbank can charge multiple devices at once by plugging one device into the USB-C port and another into the USB-A port. A bright four-light LED power indicator displays charging status and the current battery life. The mophie powerstation XL features a fabric finish that adds style and prevents scuffs and scratches.
Belkin Pocket Power 15K Power Bank
The Belkin Pocket Power 15K provides a nice 15,000 mAh capacity in a relatively compact casing. There are two universal USB-A ports that deliver a total of 5V 3.4A output and you can use them simultaneously to charge two gadgets at the same time. Belkin batteries include sensors to monitor heat, voltage and circuitry so the device won’t overheat or surge. Excess heat, voltage fluctuation or circuit abnormalities activate an override that immediately shuts the battery down and keeps devices safe.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000
Compact low-capacity powerbanks
If you’re looking for something pocketable and inconspicuous, a compact powerbank is the right choice for you.
mophie power boost
RavPower 5000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank
This rather compact powerbank offers a 2.4A output and one 2A input with ismart technology. It also features protection against short-circuiting, overheating and overcharging. The accessory has a capacity of 5,000mAh, which should be more than enough to charge your phone one and a half times, or even more. This tiny cylinder can be yours for just $13.
Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux
The Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux manages to maintain a slim waistline while boasting a 10,000 mAh capacity. Anker says that this powerbank is only slightly heavier than a baseball, and charges a phone more than two times, and most tablets once. It’s not the most compact of the lot, but it offers great size/capacity ratio.
Wireless powerbanks
mophie powerstation wireless XL
Apart from being super-cool, the mophie mophie powerstation wireless XL can charge any Qi-enabled device. There’s also a USB-C port and you can charge two devices at the same time, using the wireless surface and the USB-C cable. This powerbank offers respectable 10,000 mAh capacity and also supports fast charging with up to 18W of power on the USB-C port.