The Ultimate Guide to the Best Portable Chargers for 2025
We all know that moment of panic when you realize your phone battery is at 10 per cent — and there’s no chance of finding a charger anytime soon. It could happen at the airport, moments before you need your digital boarding pass, or maybe you’re on your way home late at night. Whatever the circumstances may be, finding yourself without enough juice to get through the day is at best inconvenient — and at worst, downright panic-inducing.
When portable chargers started to become popular, it was a real game changer. Gone were the days of stressing the night before a trip, ensuring all your devices were at 100 per cent. Now, you can sleep easy knowing you’ve got backup if disaster does strike.
But not all portable chargers are created equally — and some prove to be far more reliable than others. Here, we’ve reviewed and rated some of the best, based on performance, practicality, and size. There are budget-friendly options as well as premium models for frequent flyers and business travellers, along with a range of alternatives in between.
Whatever your priority may be, we’ve got you covered and tested the best portable chargers you can buy to inform you which are worth your money — and which are best to avoid.
Best Power Banks at a Glance
- Best power bank overall: Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging
- Best portable charger on a budget: Belkin BoostCharge Pro Power Bank 20K
- Best small charger: Miady 5000mAh Mini Portable Charger
- Best on-the-go device for phones: Anker Nano Power Bank
- Best wireless option: Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)
How We Test
Like other travel products, when testing portable chargers, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey. We tested how long they took to get devices to 50 per cent and fully charged, surveyed how many times they could charge devices, and assessed how they withstood being flung about in a bag during journeys.
As well as evaluating performance, we also look for style, size, weight, and durability to get a true measure of their abilities. Together with a group of expert reviewers, we collate and compare how well each product performs. You can read more about our testing methodologies across all product categories.
Why Trust Us
Our team of travel writers and editors has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of products. With a focus on travel equipment, such as portable chargers, we provide expertise on what travelers need on their journeys.
Our reviews are honest, impartial, and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.
Best Portable Chargers 2025
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Best power bank overall: Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging
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Best portable charger on a budget: Belkin BoostCharge Pro Power Bank 20K
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Best small charger: Miady 5000mAh Mini Portable Charger
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Best on-the-go device for phones: Anker Nano Power Bank
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Best wireless option: Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)
What to Avoid
There are so many great options out there to choose from, so it’s worth doing some research before you buy. Unfortunately, some brands and products don’t quite hit the mark.
We only used the Juice 10000mAh Portable Power Bank a few times before it broke. Fairly soon into using it, one of the USB ports broke. It was also heavy to carry around and the matte design quickly got scuffed.
Be careful with super cheap products, too, as they often have short battery life and are not worth the money. The Ale-Hop Mini Power Bank 5000 mAh ‘Recharge and Smile’ was cheap, but couldn’t charge devices to full more than once.
Our Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging device for its excellent function and capacity. We like most of the Anker options, and the Miady device is great on a budget.
FAQs
Which is the best portable charger?
Picking the right portable charger depends entirely on what your priorities are. Our favorite is the Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging device — but this is on the larger side, so might not be appropriate if you just need something to top up your phone during a short commute, for instance. You might prefer one of the more lightweight options in this case.
Which power bank is better – 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh?
Generally speaking, a 10,000mAh power bank is better for daily use or short trips due to its smaller size. Meanwhile, a 20,000mAh power bank is better for long trips, heavy users, or charging multiple devices.
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