Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks 2026: 17 Compared

What are the best portable chargers and power banks in 2026?

Summary

Five outlets that test power banks hands-on publish general guides we could read on 2026-10-12. Wired's Simon Hill, who has tested more than 100, names the Anker Laptop Power Bank the best power bank, the Nimble Champ the best smaller one and the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) the best MagSafe/Qi2 bank [src1]. Engadget's main guide picks by use and capacity — among others, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) for MagSafe, the Anker Nano (5K) for Android, the Anker 10K Fusion for low capacity, the Nimble Champ Pro, the BioLite Charge 100 Max for several devices, the Anker Laptop Power Bank for laptops and the Anker Prime (26K, 300W) as premium [src3] — and its laptop guide again puts the Anker Laptop Power Bank first, the Prime as premium and the UGREEN 25,000mAh 145W as honorable mention [src2]. CNN Underscored picks the INIU Pawsible P41L-E2 for budget, Anker's 30W Nano Power Bank for phones and the UGREEN 145W for laptops and tablets [src4]. TechRadar's favorite is the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim), with the INIU P50-E1 as best small and the Anker 737 for power users [src5]; Tom's Guide picks the CUKTECH 30 overall and the INIU Pocket Rocket as most pocketable [src6]. PCMag, GearJunkie, Wirecutter and AppleInsider, which this card cited before, could not be read from our vantage on 2026-10-12 and are no longer cited.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is the top pick because two of those outlets put it first. Wired's tester says "This is the only power bank you need": it fast-charged every phone, tablet and laptop he tried, ran four devices at once, and still performed perfectly after a year [src1]. Engadget calls the built-in cable its "favorite new feature for power banks", found this bank delivered the same or more charge than other 25,000mAh packs despite powering its display, and judged the trade of a little capacity "for this bank's speed, convenience and great price" worth it [src2]. Its weak point, in both of Engadget's guides, is a screen that smudges and marks over time [src3, src2].

For value, the UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W gives up the Anker's built-in cables and detailed display for a lower price: CNN Underscored found it charged phones about as fast as anything it tested and laptops very fast, and Engadget calls it "a high-performing, low-frills battery with a surprising amount of oomph for its compact size" [src4, src2]. For a budget pocket bank, TechRadar and Tom's Guide both pick the INIU P50, a 10,000mAh, 45W bank roughly the size of an earbuds case [src5, src7, src6]. For iPhones, Engadget, Wired and TechRadar all name the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) with a kickstand as their magnetic pick [src3, src1, src5].

Top 17 Models Compared

Prices are from our latest check of the Amazon listing each row links; the table at the top of the page shows today's price and stock. "—" means we have no current Amazon price for that listing; the row's section says where it was available when we checked.

Capacity convention: mAh is the cell rating; the Wh figure in brackets, where a source gives it, is what airlines regulate. Engadget notes that the 100Wh carry-on limit works out to around 27,500mAh for 3.6V lithium-ion cells; every bank here holds 26,250mAh or less except the 40,000mAh (144Wh) CUKTECH 30. [src2, src10]

Best for Each Use Case

Top pick: Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) — Check price

Wired's Simon Hill names it the best power bank: "This is the only power bank you need." It holds 25,000mAh and delivers up to 165 watts to two devices, or 100 watts to a single device over USB-C; a flat 2.3-foot USB-C cable retracts into the top and a braided 1-foot USB-C cable doubles as the carry loop, next to a USB-C and a USB-A port. The display shows remaining battery, charging rate in and out, battery temperature and health; it supports pass-through charging and takes around two hours to recharge [src1]. Engadget makes it its best laptop power bank in both of its guides: at 90Wh it can fly in a carry-on, it charged an iPhone 15 four to five times (5 to 100% in 1h 54m) and gave a 16-inch MacBook Pro 68% of a charge in 53 minutes [src2, src3]. CNN Underscored, which also tested it, puts it at $35 more than its laptop pick, the UGREEN below, for two built-in USB-C cords and a better display [src4].

Best value: UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W — Check price

CNN Underscored's best portable charger for laptops and tablets: it recharged an iPhone 16 and a Galaxy S25 Ultra about as fast as any portable charger CNN tested, and with 145W it "posted phenomenal charging scores" on a MacBook Air M4 and a Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. It has two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, an LCD that shows the remaining charge, and a low-power trickle mode for small devices; CNN's reservations are that it is simple, and that refilling it from a USB-A port takes far longer than from a USB-C charger [src4]. Engadget, which gives it an honorable mention in its laptop guide, refilled an iPhone 15 from 4% to full in about an hour and a half, among the faster times it has recorded, and found the display accurate [src2]. Both outlets say it often sells well below its $100 list price, and Engadget noticed some stock problems [src4, src2]. Choose the Anker above if you want built-in cables. [src4]

Best budget: INIU Pocket Rocket P50 (P50-E1) — Check price

TechRadar's best small power bank and Tom's Guide's most pocketable. TechRadar's reviewer found the P50-E1 genuinely pocketable at 160g, with 10,000mAh, two USB-C ports and a USB-A port; it gave almost two full phone charges and a 55% boost to a Steam Deck, and delivered 32Wh of its 36Wh at phone-charging rates, a better-than-average result [src5, src7]. Its 45W output fast-charged a Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it tops out at 15V, so some devices will not charge at full speed, and on a laptop it slows from 45W to 30W after 10 minutes to stay cool [src5, src7]. The short USB-C cable doubles as a lanyard and handles the full 45W, and the bank has a display and a three-year warranty [src7, src5]. Tom's Guide's tester calls it barely bigger than an AirPods Pro 2 case [src6].

Best MagSafe power bank for iPhone: Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) — Check price

Three outlets pick this Qi2 bank with a kickstand and display as their magnetic power bank: Engadget calls it the most well-rounded MagSafe battery it has tested, Wired says "This entry in Anker's MagGo range was the first Qi2 power bank I tested, and it's still the best", and TechRadar makes it its best magnetic power bank [src3, src1, src5]. It charges at 15W wirelessly and up to 27W from its USB-C port [src1, src5]. Engadget took an iPhone 15 from near-dead to half full in about 45 minutes and from 4 to 100% in 2h 26m; Wired got 25% into an iPhone 14 Pro in around 20 minutes but notes it falls short of two full wireless iPhone charges [src3, src1]. The kickstand holds a phone in portrait or landscape, where Apple's StandBy mode works, and the display shows the remaining percentage [src3, src1]. The trade-offs: it is bulky, at 8.82 oz, and costs more than other MagSafe packs [src3, src1, src5].

Alternative — 140W for power-hungry laptops: Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) — Check price

This card's previous top pick. TechRadar still recommends it as its power bank for power users: the main USB-C port supplies up to 140W (28V, 5A), and TechRadar's tests confirmed it can sustain that output with "rock-steady voltages", kept 89% of its rated capacity at 100W, and refilled the bank at 140W in under an hour [src8, src5]. The second USB-C port gives up to 100W and the USB-A port 18W; the 24,000mAh (86.4Wh) pack is flight-safe, weighs 630g, and its color screen shows output per port and battery health [src8]. TechRadar tested the first-generation model and says the current Gen 2 adds 12V/3A output from its USB-C ports [src8]. It is an alternative now because the other guides we read no longer recommend it, not because of stock. Availability: the Amazon listing we link had no purchasable offer in our daily checks through 2026-10-11; Anker's own US store listed it at $109.99, available to buy, on 2026-10-12 [src9].

Alternative — premium: Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W) — Check price

Engadget's best premium power bank in both of its guides: 26,250mAh and up to 300W combined, with two USB-C ports at up to 140W each and a 22.5W USB-A port [src3, src2]. It delivered more charge to Engadget's MacBook Pro than any other battery tested, taking it from 10 to 75% in about 45 minutes, the fastest Engadget has recorded, and got a near-dead iPhone 15 to 60% in half an hour [src2, src3]. Its display shows remaining charge and battery temperature, a Bluetooth app shows the same data on a phone — "more of a fun novelty than actually practical", in Engadget's words — and an optional $110 charging base brings the set to more than $300 [src2, src3]. Wired lists it among the big power banks it tested and calls it "a beast" [src1].

Alternative — most capacity, needs airline approval: CUKTECH 30 — Check price

Tom's Guide's best portable charger overall: 40,000mAh, two USB-C and two USB-A ports plus a wireless charging pad, with the main USB-C port giving up to 140W in and out, so the bank itself refills from empty in about two and a half hours [src6]. Tom's Guide calls it "that perfect middle ground between a portable power bank and a mini power station"; its drawback is size, at 2.5 pounds [src6]. CUKTECH rates it at 144Wh and 300W total across five devices [src10]. Tom's Guide and CUKTECH both call it airline-approved, but CUKTECH also tells buyers to declare it to the airline in advance [src6, src10]: at 144Wh it is above the 100Wh limit, a power bank of 100-160Wh needs the airline's approval under the 2026 rules, and IATA says that allowance will not carry into its regulations from 1 January 2027 [src19].

Alternative — flat laptop bank: Baseus Blade HD 20000mAh 100W — Check price

Macworld's review calls it "Flat-out impressive": 20,000mAh, two USB-C Power Delivery ports at up to 100W out and 65W in, and two USB-A ports at up to 30W, in a flat 5.27 x 5.27 x 0.7-inch slab that stows easily in a bag beside a laptop, with very good charging times [src11]. Its display shows the capacity percentage, voltage, current and estimated charging time, but Macworld found it too dark, readable only with no light falling on it, and would rather it showed watts [src11].

Alternative — 200W across two USB-C ports: UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh 200W — Check price

Android Central's 2024 review: 140W from one USB-C port and 200W when both USB-C ports are in use (100W each), enough to charge a phone and a notebook at once, and a TFT panel that shows real-time charging per port, which the reviewer checked against a USB power meter and found accurate [src12]. The downsides: the bank itself recharges at only 65W, taking well over three hours, and the USB-A port is limited to 22.5W [src12].

Alternative — recycled materials: Nimble Champ Pro — Check price

Engadget's best medium-high capacity power bank: 20,000mAh and 65W from two USB-C ports; it took a Galaxy S23 Ultra from 5% to full in under an hour, gave nearly three full charges to both an iPhone and a Galaxy, and refills from the wall noticeably faster than other models [src3]. Nimble is a certified B-Corp and the Champ Pro uses 90% post-consumer plastic, in paper packaging with a bag for sending old tech back for recycling; its four indicator lights underestimated the remaining charge in Engadget's second test round [src3]. Wired, whose best smaller power bank is the 10,000mAh Nimble Champ, describes the Pro as doubling the capacity, with two USB-C ports up to 65 watts [src1].

Alternative — five devices at once: BioLite Charge 100 Max — Check price

Engadget's best multi-device power bank: 25,000mAh with a 15W MagSafe-compatible wireless pad, two 100W USB-C ports, a 15W USB-C and a 15W USB-A port, 120W in total [src3]. It charged an iPhone 15 about five times and gave a MacBook Pro 75% of a charge in 57 minutes; Engadget likes its compact, rounded design but notes it costs more than similar-capacity batteries [src3]. BioLite rates it at 91.3Wh, under the carry-on limit [src17]. Availability: this card links BioLite's own product page, which listed it at $179.95, available to buy, on 2026-10-12 [src17].

Alternative — bank and wall charger in one: Anker Power Bank (10K, Fusion) — Check price

Engadget's best low-capacity power bank: 10,000mAh and 30W, with an attached USB-C cable, a second USB-C port and fold-out prongs that plug into the wall to refill it, in a body "just a smidge wider than a stick of butter" [src3]. It took a Galaxy S23 Ultra from 5% to full in just over an hour and a near-dead iPhone 15 to 45% in 20 minutes, though the iPhone's charge slowed toward the end; its percentage display was one of the more accurate Engadget has tested [src3]. Availability: the Amazon listing we link had no purchasable offer when we checked on 2026-10-11.

Alternative — smallest: Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, 22.5W) — Check price

Engadget's best portable charger for Android: a 5,000mAh, 22.5W bank the size and shape of a lipstick case, with a USB-C connector that folds out to plug straight into a phone and a USB-C port to refill it [src3]. On a large phone it is a top-up rather than a full charge: Engadget got a depleted Galaxy S23 Ultra to 65% in about an hour [src3]. Wired lists it among the small power banks it tested, for its rotating connector, colors and four charge LEDs [src1].

Alternative — slimmer MagSafe: Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) — Check price

TechRadar's favorite power bank overall: a 10,000mAh Qi2 bank it calls "satisfyingly slim", the fastest MagSafe power bank it has tested, able to charge an iPhone in under two hours, with a strong magnetic grip, a metal frame and 75% recycled materials; it is heavier than expected, at 7 oz, and on the pricey side [src5]. Macworld notes it is slimmer than the Baseus PicoGo AM52, at just under 15mm, but rated at 15W rather than 25W [src13]. Earlier versions of this card mixed its specifications with those of the kickstand MagGo (10K) above, which is a different product.

Alternative — 25W wireless for iPhone 16 and later: Baseus PicoGo AM52 — Check price

Macworld's review: the slimmest 25W 10,000mAh magnetic power bank it has tested, at 16mm, with 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging for iPhone 16 and later — iPhones 12 to 15 charge at 15W — and up to 45W wired [src13]. It took an iPhone 16 Pro from 0 to 50% in 36 minutes [src13]. We link the version with a built-in USB-C cable (211g), the one Macworld recommends for travel; it keeps a spare USB-C port, so it can charge three devices at once, though with all of them in use the output is limited to 15W shared [src13].

Alternative — thinnest, semi-solid-state cells: BMX SolidSafe Air 5K — Check price

Macworld's review: at 6.8mm the SolidSafe Air is the slimmest magnetic wireless power bank it has tested, weighing 116g, with 15W Qi2 wireless or 20W wired charging from a 5,000mAh (18.5Wh) semi-solid-state battery; it took an iPhone 16 Pro from 0 to 89%, among the highest results of the magnetic banks Macworld has tested [src14]. Semi-solid-state cells reduce the flammable liquid inside, which Macworld says improves thermal stability and lowers fire risk compared with conventional lithium-ion, and the case is reinforced with titanium; the bank itself recharges slowly, at 15W, in around two hours [src14]. Wired lists it among the small power banks it tested, for its enhanced safety and reduced fire risk [src1].

Alternative — backpacking: Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 — Check price

CleverHiker's best power bank overall in its backpacking guide: in its testing it "consistently stood out as the most efficient power bank per gram", and at just over 5 ounces it was one of the lightest and most compact 10,000mAh banks it tested [src16, src15]. The Gen4 adds a knock-to-wake charge indicator and glowing ports, is rated IPX7 against submersion, passed CleverHiker's eight-foot drop test and recharged in just over three hours; it has USB-C ports only, no dust rating, and lost 13% efficiency in CleverHiker's cold test, the largest drop among the banks tested [src15, src16].

Key Market Trends (2026)

• Built-in cables are now the norm on the top picks: Engadget calls the built-in cable its "favorite new feature for power banks", and the Anker Laptop Power Bank, Anker 10K Fusion, INIU P50 and Baseus PicoGo AM52 on this card all carry one. [src2, src3, src7, src13]
• Qi2.2 brings 25W wireless charging to iPhone 16 and later: Macworld measured the Baseus PicoGo AM52 at 0 to 50% in 36 minutes on an iPhone 16 Pro, and TechRadar's picks include the 25W UGREEN MagFlow and INIU SnapGo Air; older iPhones still charge at 15W. [src13, src5]
• Airline rules tightened in 2026: the ICAO addendum in force since 27 March 2026 limits passengers to two power banks, bans recharging them on board and recommends not using them to charge devices in flight, and IATA says the allowance for 100-160Wh power banks with airline approval will not carry into its regulations from 1 January 2027. US carriers add their own rules on visibility and spare-battery counts. [src19, src20]
• Safety is a selling point: the CPSC's 18 September 2025 recall of about 481,000 Anker power banks followed 33 reports of fire and explosion, and semi-solid-state banks such as the BMX SolidSafe Air reduce the flammable liquid inside the battery. [src18, src14]
• Displays and apps: the Anker Laptop Power Bank, the Anker 737 and the UGREEN Nexode 200W show output per port on a display, and the Anker Prime adds a Bluetooth app that Engadget calls "more of a fun novelty than actually practical". [src2, src8, src12]

Important Caveats

• Prices change daily. The table at the top of the page shows today's price and stock for every pick; the comparison table carries our latest observed Amazon price.
• Recall check before you buy or keep using an Anker bank: on 18 September 2025 the CPSC recalled about 481,000 Anker power banks — models A1647, A1652, A1257, A1681 and A1689, sold from August 2023 through June 2025 for $30 to $50 — after 33 reports of fire and explosion, four minor burn injuries and one report of substantial property damage. The model number is printed on the unit; the remedy is a full refund or an Anker gift card. [src18]
• Airline rules go beyond the 100Wh number. Power banks travel in carry-on baggage, never checked. Up to 100Wh needs no approval and 100-160Wh needs the airline's approval; under the 2026 ICAO addendum passengers may carry no more than two power banks and must not recharge them on board, and IATA advises they should not be used to charge devices in flight. US carriers add their own rules: Southwest and Avelo require a power bank in use to stay visible, American allows up to four spare batteries under 100Wh and Delta 20. Check your carrier before you fly. [src19, src20]
• Rated capacity is not delivered capacity: TechRadar's testing shows a power bank gives a phone 70-80% of the energy it holds, and Engadget averaged about 60% between a bank's listed capacity and the charge a laptop received. [src5, src2]
• Your device sets the speed: a high-wattage bank charges only as fast as the phone or laptop accepts, and the port, the device and the cable all need to be rated for the wattage you want. [src2]
• Wireless is slower and less efficient than wired — use a cable when speed matters. [src2]
• Qi2.2 25W works only on iPhone 16 and later; iPhones 12 to 15 charge at 15W on a Qi2.2 bank. [src13]
• The INIU P50's output stops at 15V, so devices that need 20V will not charge at full speed from it. [src7, src5]
• Semi-solid-state cells lower the fire risk of a battery; they do not remove it. [src14]