Buying guide: The best power banks

It’s nice to be near an outlet when your device needs power, but that’s not always possible. The second best option is to have a power bank on hand. These portable batteries come in all shapes and sizes. There’s no right or wrong solution here, but after using dozens of these over the years, I have a few opinions about what makes a good one.

Best overall: Anker Nano Power Bank

Anker's Nano Power Bank is a 10,000mAh battery with three ports and an embedded display. One of the ports is a 2.3-foot retractable USB-C cable that can be used for power in or out. The screen will show how much battery life is remaining, as well as how much power each port is using. It supports up to 45W of total power output, which is more than enough for charging an iPad at full speed and, in a pinch, would be plenty sufficient for a MacBook Air—among other laptops.

Price: $60 (link)

The thing that makes this one the best is its combination of battery capacity, output power, and tiny size. This power bank is perfect for nearly all situations. It works around the house or on an international trip. The screen and retractable cable add to its convenience and put it over the top for me. The $60 retail price isn’t a steal, but it’s also quite reasonable.

Best for laptops: Sharge 170

Any decently powerful power banks should be able to charge a USB-C-equipped laptop; the slower ones will just take longer. The Sharge 170 is capable of 140W from a single USB-C port or 170W in total, across its three ports. When considering charging a laptop, speed is key. Just as important, the 170 can accept 140W of input power to be able to recharge its battery in a speedy manner. It has a 24,000mAh battery capacity, which should be enough to fully replenish a MacBook Pro.

Price: $129 (link)

The Sharge 170 has three ports and a display to convey all of its power information. And although it has nothing to do with its performance, I think its transparent design makes for a cool look. (Full review)

Best for phones: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 5k

The best types of power banks for phones are the ones that stick to the back. The feature makes using a portable power bank on an iPhone handy. Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 5k is Qi2 compatible, meaning it can charge up to 15W and uses a MagSafe magnet. The thing that puts it over the edge is its relatively slim profile, coupled with a built-in kickstand. The times you might need extra battery power are when you're watching shows or on a FaceTime call, and this works great for those. If you ever want to use it wired, with a non-iPhone device, the USB-C port can handle that too.

Price: $60 (link)

The trickiest part of picking a portable power bank is balancing its physical size with battery capacity. While 5,000mAh is only enough to recharge an iPhone 16 Pro from 0 to 80%, I think that's enough for an emergency. Put another way, this could get your phone from 20% to 60% twice in a day, if you needed it. (Full review)

Other options

Anker Nano Power Bank

This one is great for travel because it’s ultra thin and does nearly disappear in a bag, for better or worse.

$55 (link)

Anker Laptop Power Bank

This one is sufficiently powerful for a laptop or any other device you want to recharge. I love that it has an embedded retractable USB-C cable as one of its four total ports. The hand strap that also doubles as a USB-C cable is the one misstep because of comes undone easily. Still, I don’t think that should stop you from considering it if it fits your budget and needs.

$110 (link)

Sharge Retractable 3-in-1

I like this one for its built-in AC adapter and retractable USB-C cable. It can be your power bank and power adapter, all in one. Its retro design is nearly perfect, but it's a touch on the bulky side, and its total 30W of power out might be limiting.

$44 (link)