The Best Power Banks of 2025

Other Power Banks That Get Us Charged Up

Power Bank Comparison Chart

How We Tested Power Banks

Our Expert Testers

We tested all the power banks on this list thoroughly in daily life, outdoors adventuring, and even some travel. Our three testers, Nick LeFort, Katie Davis, and Austin Beck-Doss, admit they didn’t use a wall outlet for any of their electronics for the duration of these tests.

Lead tester Nick LeFort has been writing for over 30 years but has spent 10 years writing professionally about gear, knives and tools, off-roading, overlanding, and outdoor living. He took the assignment one step further and let his two daughters use the power banks he was testing.

Not only are kids tough on darn near everything they get their hands on, but they are also perpetually charging their smartphones and tablets. In his mind, they were going to use and abuse these products well beyond anything he had planned.

Our Testing Process

Power bank manufacturers make some exaggerated claims about the capacity, performance, and durability of their products. After noting the specifications of each power bank, our testers took them to task. As a baseline, we fully charged every power bank right out of the box. Then, we set them up to see how many times they could charge an iPhone before depleting their internal battery.

We split our durability test between prolonged regular use indoors and outdoors and a standardized drop test. Each power bank was dropped exactly 2 feet onto concrete to simulate the classic fumble when our hands stopped doing what our brains told them. It happens. Don’t deny it. The power banks that didn’t pass this test didn’t make it on this list.

Regarding waterproofing — or at least water resistance — if the manufacturer claimed its power bank was designed to meet a specific rating, we tested it. However, it wasn’t a universal test because most power banks aren’t rated to get wet and definitely not to be submerged.

Between Nick, Katie, and Austin, we vetted 40 different power banks. It was a massive undertaking as no two power banks are built the same. During testing, patterns emerged that told us which power bank should be more durable. In some cases, based on the inputs and outputs alone, we determined which power banks would make it past the first round of testing because they indicated a higher efficiency level.

That being said, you can rest assured that this list’s power banks are the best and the most current. With technology always evolving in the world of electronics, it’s important for us to revisit and refresh this list from time to time to make sure we’re showing you the cream of the crop right from the start.

Our Power Bank Rating System

Each power bank in this guide was tested and scored in four main categories: Value, Durability, Portability & Weight, and Charging Performance.

Value considers how well a model performs for its price, factoring in capacity, features, and brand reliability. A budget-friendly option can score high here if it delivers strong performance for the cost.

Durability looks at build quality and reliability over time, including materials, ruggedness, resistance to drops, and whether safety systems (like overload or short-circuit protection) hold up in real-world use.

Portability & Weight measures how easy the power bank is to carry on daily or extended trips. Slim, lightweight chargers get top marks, while bulkier, high-capacity models score lower, even though they’re great for camping or emergencies.

Charging Performance evaluates output speed (fast charging protocols like PD or wireless), input speed (how quickly the power bank itself recharges), and the ability to charge multiple devices efficiently.

The overall score is not a simple average of these categories. Instead, it reflects our editorial judgment based on the complete user experience. That means a heavy-duty bank with lower portability can still score high overall if it excels in capacity and reliability, while a super-compact model might rank higher for everyday use even if it sacrifices raw power.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Power Bank

Modern life runs on portable electronics, and dead batteries aren’t an option. Power banks provide a reliable power reserve: compact, rechargeable units that keep phones, laptops, and tablets running when outlets are out of reach. Power banks range from tiny keychain models to 25-pound monsters.

For this guide, we focused on the most useful category: personal-use portable banks. These weigh under 2 pounds and slip easily into a backpack. We cover everything that matters: capacity, charge times, inputs and outputs, solar options, and more. The goal is simple — help you pick the right power bank for everyday use.

What Is a Power Bank?

At its core, a power bank is a rechargeable battery you can carry anywhere. Think of it as a portable wall outlet: plug in your phone, tablet, or laptop with a USB-A or USB-C cable and recharge on the go.

Just like truckers keep spare fuel cans, a power bank is your backup supply — extra energy when your main source runs out of fuel on board.

Size and Capacity

Power banks come in all shapes and sizes—from tiny keychain backups good for a quick boost, to massive bricks that can recharge laptops, and even power an EV in a pinch. For most people, the sweet spot is somewhere in between.

Capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh), which indicates how many milliamps of current a power bank can deliver per hour. Anything below 5,000 mAh is best left for emergencies, as it won’t fully charge most modern smartphones. Today, the most common size is 10,000 mAh, which typically recharges a smartphone two to three times. Models like the Nestout 5000mAh Carabiner Battery can still handle a full charge and a half. Larger units such as the Nestout 15,000 mAh or Dark Energy Poseidon Pro 10,200 mAh stretch that endurance even further, delivering three to four charges in rugged, weather-resistant builds.

For longer trips, stepping up to 20,000–25,000 mAh offers serious utility. These power banks are heavier (around a pound) and closer to the size of a small tablet, but they can fully recharge a phone six or more times and often power multiple devices simultaneously. They’re ideal for multi-day backpacking or base camps. Models like the BioLite Charge 100 Max (25,000 mAh) can even handle laptops, while the Nimble CHAMP Pro Portable Charger (20,000 mAh) is better suited to tablets and larger devices.

‘Fast Charging’ Basics

The best power banks store and release energy quickly. Paired with the right cable, every model on this list delivers strong performance.

“Fast charging” isn’t universal. Every phone, power bank, and cable has its own wattage limits. A system only charges as fast as its weakest link. For example, early iPhones shipped with 5W adapters that took over 2 hours to charge. In contrast, the Nestout 15,000mAh Outdoor Battery pushes 32W, topping off an iPhone 14 Pro in about an hour.

In general, anything above 15W can be considered fast charging. But be careful: too much power can damage small devices like earbuds or watches. Some power banks, like the OtterBox Fast Charge, automatically reduce output to protect fragile batteries. The best products 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.

Power Delivery (PD)

“PD” is the new standard for power output. Most power banks deliver 15–25W, a sweet spot for speed and efficiency. Larger models like the BioLite Charge 100 Max reach up to 100W — enough for laptops and multiple devices at once.

We tested the BioLite across road trips, mountain stays, and daily use, and it consistently powered multiple devices without issue.

Power Cables

The cable matters as much as the battery. A cheap $5 gas station cord won’t unlock a power bank’s potential. For instance, Apple’s standard USB-A to Lightning cable caps at 9W — slow by modern standards. High-capacity USB-C PD cables (often rated up to 100W) are now widely available and affordable. To maximize performance, pair your power bank with a proper USB-C PD cable. Some banks like the GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger 36,000mAh come with multiple cables already attached, so you’re never caught out without a cable.

Ports & Compatibility

Most devices today use Micro-USB, USB-A, or USB-C. Micro-USB is fading, but still appears on budget banks. USB-A remains common, while USB-C is now the global standard for fast charging. USB-A ports are typically used as outputs, though some small products, such as the Goal Zero Flip 24, do have USB-A inputs, which eliminate the need for a charging cable.
Some models, like the Anker PowerCore and the Skullcandy Fat Stash 2, offer multiple options: two USB-A outputs, one USB-C, plus a combo cable. A few banks even include full AC outlets — handy for laptops, air mattresses, or even blenders. Though these are less common on power banks (and really common on Power Stations)

Wireless & Magnetic Charging

Some larger banks, like the BioLite Charge 100 Max and Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD, offer 15W wireless charging. It’s slower than wired charging but adds convenience. Magnetic chargers, such as the Hinovo Magnetic Charger, attach directly to your phone. They’re compact and usually provide just one full recharge, which is perfect for travel or daily use.

Pass-Through Charging

Pass-through charging lets a power bank charge itself and your devices at the same time. It’s a lifesaver when you’re short on outlets. Many of our top picks, including the Nestout 15,000mAh Outdoor Battery, support this feature.

Durability

Durability is a major factor in how brands design products for our use and abuse. Every power bank on this list passed our standardized drop-testing onto concrete from 2 feet. Most of them carry ratings that will protect the power bank from taller heights.

This type of rating is important because accidents happen. Even if you’re carrying something in a sling pack, if you drop that pack, it could impact the power bank inside. Our top pick for kids, the Nimble CHAMP Pro Portable Charger, even stood up to some extreme abuse from our two young daughters; this should speak to its durability.

Waterproofing

Depending on your needs, waterproofing may be a necessity. But, believe it or not, most power bank manufacturers aren’t overly concerned with water resistance and waterproofing. They assume that you won’t be using products in the middle of the rainforest, in a rainstorm, or rafting through the rapids.

If you plan to use your power bank for outdoor applications such as hunting, backpacking, and off-roading, we recommend one built to withstand rugged use. On this list, the Nestout 15,000mAh Outdoor Battery, Dark Energy Poseidon Pro 10200, and Wuben Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight are all rated to withstand getting wet.

Overall, none of the power banks on this list will stop working if they get a couple of drops of water on them so we see no problems with you using them in the outdoors. That said, unless they’re rated for water resistance, do your due diligence to protect them from the elements.

Pro Tip: Power banks should be plugged in and charged once every few months to preserve the integrity of the battery.

Price & Value

There’s an old adage that you “get what you pay for.” While that may have been true with electronics a few years ago, many brands now aim to provide their customers with the most innovative solutions possible. Because of this, pricing structures aren’t as easy to understand.

Take, for instance, the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro. At $120, that’s actually a really good price when you consider that you’re getting a 10,000 mAh power bank rated for extreme outdoor conditions. However, Elcom, a lesser-known brand, offers its Nestout 15,000mAh Outdoor Battery for half that price. It boasts the same weather protection features and durability but has one more outlet and contains a 15,000 mAh battery.

Where there’s no clear way to define which of these is premium, budget, or even mid-tier in terms of classifications, we can tell you what to expect to pay for a power bank based on its capacity and features.

Sub-10,000 mAh

As we’ve said throughout this guide, power banks that are less than 10,000 mAh are usually purpose-built for smaller devices. These are great for things like earbuds and fitness trackers. They can also give a smartphone a single full charge, making them great in emergencies. Additionally, based on their size and purpose, they generally only have one output.

The Hinovo Magnetic Charger has 15W wireless charging, but it can only charge an iPhone. This power bank has no additional outputs and is, therefore, purpose-built.

The Goal Zero Flip 24 fits this mold because, at 6,700 mAh, it brings a smartphone back from near death to a full charge one time before it needs to be recharged. It has one USB-A input for recharging and a single USB-A output for charging your devices. The Nestout 5000mAh Carabiner Battery ($45) is super portable and convenient and has a USB-C output for charging. You can expect to pay less than $50 for power banks like this.

10,000 mAh-15,000 mAh

Power banks in this range are the most common and the most diverse. These are designed to charge a wider variety of devices from earbuds to tablets. They can even come in handy in a pinch if you need to get a little juice to your laptop.

These power banks could have a wide array of inputs or outputs like the Skullcandy Fat Stash 2). This makes them more versatile, either in being recharged or in charging more than one device.

These power banks, which are also aimed at portability, may have some extra features like durability and water resistance. The Nestout 15000mAh Outdoor Battery has a wider array of inputs and outputs but are also rated for use and abuse in the outdoors. These power banks have been rated for higher drops and being submerged in water. For this range of power banks, you can pay anywhere from $20 to $160.

20,000 mAh and Larger

Power banks with a capacity rating of 20,000 mAh or larger are the most versatile of the group. They offer the greatest array of inputs and outputs as they are designed to charge multiple devices at once or charge a single device multiple times.

These power banks are less portable and designed to go in your backpack instead of your pocket. They’re great for remote work, as they can keep your laptop up and running when there’s no wall outlet around. They’re also great for base camp or vacation, as they can service all the electronics in your party.

The BioLite Charge 100 Max fits this mold perfectly. At over 1 pound, you won’t want to carry it around in your pocket (unless you have a really good belt), but it can sufficiently charge up to five devices. We’re seeing a larger assortment of this size power bank hit the market as more people are working remotely and more of our devices require more power.

You can expect to pay between $80 and $250 for power banks in this range.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 products 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 users pick 10,000 mAh to 15,000 mAh power banks, a good choice for recharging a personal smartphone.

Compact 10,000 mAh options like the Skullcandy Fat Stash 2 and 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 or satellite messenger 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 products typically weigh 1-2 pounds and are still compact enough for hiking, traveling, etc. On this list, the BioLite Charge 100 Max is our top choice for these situations.

Most small portable option 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.

It’s been a long-standing, widely accepted fact that electricity on water do not mix. However, with electronics becoming more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, power bank manufacturers are realizing that their products will be used outside.

Power banks like the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro 10200 are designed to deliver power to your devices in the worst weather conditions. It carries an IP68 rating, and all of its ports can be covered when the device is not in use.