Anker PowerCore 10000 Review – Still The Best in 2020. Anker powercore 10000 black

Anker PowerCore 10000 Review – Still The Best in 2020?

In the good old days, cellphones had removable batteries that you could just pop right off whenever you wanted. That way you could always bring a juiced-up spare in case you don’t expect your battery to make it through the day. Nowadays, the vast majority of smartphones have built-in batteries, so if your device dies you have no choice but to find a way to recharge. That’s where portable chargers like the Anker PowerCore 10000 come in.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Review

Anker PowerCore Review Summary

The Anker PowerCore 10000 is an unexpectedly well-built portable charger that’s delightfully tiny and light as a feather, making it the perfect little gadget to take with you travelling. Its large power capacity ensures that you’ll have plenty of juice for all your gadgets and it’s affordable to boot. With its only downside being its singular charging port, the Anker PowerCore 10000 is easily one of the best ultra-compact portable chargers you can buy for 20.

✓ 10,000 mAh power capacity is massive for something so small

✓ Fast output charging means devices charge at full speed

✘ Contains only one charging port

Ever since portable chargers (also known as power banks) became mainstream, it’s made the lives of smartphone users a whole lot more convenient. Let’s say you have a long day on the road (or the beach) and don’t expect to be in the vicinity of an outlet the entire time.

With how long the average modern smartphone battery holds out, there’s almost no way your device will last the day. With a decent portable charger handy, you could give your phone a second or even a third wind. It doesn’t stop at smartphones either. You can use it to charge your smartwatch, phone gimbal or any of your mobile gadgets a much-needed recharge.

While all portable chargers are useful, not all of them are created equal. With an overwhelming variety of them to choose from nowadays, picking the right one can often be a daunting task. In this Anker PowerCore 10000 Review, we’re going to get into the nitty-gritty of what this power bank has to offer and help you figure out if it’s the one for you.

What is the Anker PowerCore 10000?

Anker has been in the business of battery-related electronics for the better part of 8 years now and has developed a reputation for providing consumers with high-quality yet affordable products, especially when chargers and power banks are concerned.

One of their more popular devices is the Anker PowerCore 10000, an ultra-compact power bank that features advanced fast-charging technology and boasts a remarkable degree of portability, making it perfect for people who are constantly on the go.

Not only does it fulfil its purpose of providing you with some backup power, but it does so while looking sleek and stylish. It won’t cost you a pretty penny either since the Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the most affordable high-quality portable chargers in the market.

It’s a sturdy little guy, so you can expect it to take a bit of a beating, but just don’t go overboard since it wasn’t really designed to be a heavy-duty power bank in the first place. The PowerCore 10000 also makes use of Anker’s patented MultiProtect system to ensure your safety and your device’s at all times.

Features

The most important thing to know about a portable charger is its power capacity and the PowerCore’s is right there in the name. It has a power capacity of 10,000mAh which should be enough juice to charge most smartphones at least 2 to 3 times over. That’s pretty impressive in its own right, but what really sets it apart is that it has that much power housed inside an impressively tiny body – which is actually its best feature.

The PowerCore 10000 is only 9.2 cm long, 6cm wide, and 2.2 cm thick, making it a comfortable fit in the palm of anyone’s hand. You shouldn’t have a problem jamming it into your side or back either. It also weighs a mere 181 grams, meaning you could carry it in your bag or purse and hardly feel it at all. At that size and weight, this portable charger is absolutely perfect for people who are constantly on the move and are looking for a device that wouldn’t be a hassle to carry around.

As far as charging speeds go, the PowerCore 10000, thanks to Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 sports an output charging of 5V/2.4 Amps, which should be fast enough to allow any device you connect to charge at its optimum rate Perhaps its only downside is the fact that it’s designed with only one charging port, meaning you can only charge one device at a time.

Though at that size, that’s really not something you should be complaining about. Purchasing the Anker PowerCore 10000 nets you the portable charger itself, along with a Micro USB cable, travel pouch, and welcome guide.

Specs

Design

Looks is definitely one of the PowerCore 10000’s strong points. It boasts a small, rectangular shape with rounded edges and just the right thickness to organically tie it all together.

It’s more ergonomically designed and easier on the eyes than its sibling, the PowerCore Slim 10000, which is longer, slimmer, and likely not nearly as comfortable to carry around in your hand.

The PowerCore 10000 comes in 4 different colours: black (the standard colour), white, red, and blue. The latter 3 colours could set you back an extra 10 bucks, however.

As for its button and port placement, it’s fairly straightforward. The input and output charging ports are located on the short side of the device, while the power button lies along the long side. There are 4 LED indicators on the face of the power bank that tell how much gas is left in the tank.

How does it feel?

The Anker PowerCore 10000’s lightweight and pint-sized design coupled with its smooth, round edges allow it to be comfortably carried around in your hand while walking about.

And its simplistic design makes it easy to manoeuvre without sacrificing anything in the way of aesthetics. As previously mentioned, it’s a surprisingly sturdy power bank, which is quite the feat considering how small and light it is

Its high output charging speed ensures that your device charges up at the same speed as it would while plugged into an outlet, so you won’t have to wait long to have your gadgets’ batteries at a 100%.

The PowerCore 10000 starts charging the moment you connect a device to it, a pretty nifty trick that makes things a lot more convenient. Inversely, in order to save energy, the power bank shuts off if there’s nothing connected to it.

Final Thoughts

The Anker PowerCore 10000’s best feature is its wonderfully petite and lightweight design, geared towards being the perfect partner to take with you on trips. Carrying it around in your hand is a breeze, and it’s hardly noticeable in your backpack or luggage.

Review: Anker PowerCore 10,000 Portable Charger

Most single-port portable chargers are going to have a power capacity to match with their 1 port.

That’s not always the case, though, some power banks have very limited usage, and yet they’re capable of delivering a superb charging experience. These kinds of power banks are meant to be used by a single person while still giving the amount of power that higher-end chargers would have.

This is the PowerCore 10,000 from Anker, and it shouldn’t be a mistake for their PowerCore 10050 because that one has Quick Charge. Let’s take a look at what makes this single ported charger so special in this Charger Harbor Review.

Similar Power Banks:

Power Capacity

The first thing that you should know about every portable charger is power capacity. This one has it in the name with an initial power capacity being 10,000mAh, and although there’s going to be a decreased Output capacity, it’s not going to be by much.

This is because the Anker PowerCore uses Panasonic battery cells with great conversion rates and can last longer.

As a result, you can expect a very close Output capacity to the Initial one, with it being about 8,000mAh, but of course, it could be more, and it could be less depending on the Output charging speed for the device that you’re charging.

Output capacity of 8,000mAh is a very intermediate amount of capacity that is great for smartphones because it’ll charge most smartphones about 4 times or more. As for tablets, you can expect it to do about 1 full charge or possibly 1.5 charges.

This is quite a good power bank for a tablet because it has only 1 charging port, which means that the Amperage is focused and no power is being given to other devices; since a 2-port or 3-port power, the bank will be pulling power from other ports if other devices were connected to it.

DevicesAnker PowerCore 10,000 Portable Charger (Output Capacity = 8,000mAh )Phone CapacityAnker PowerCore 10,000 Left Over Capacity after One Charge

Output Charging: 5V/2.4A

One of the most bizarre aspects of the PowerCore 10,000 is that it only uses a single charging port, and for its capacity, you’d think it would have 2 charging ports. With that said, it makes sense, and it’s a great power factor when you put things into perspective.

The Output capacity is enough to make it a 1 port power bank because having 2 charging ports would put the Output capacity into dangerously lower levels.

Then there’s the charging speed; with 5V/2.4A, the PowerCore can deliver a Max Standard charging rate. At 2.4 Amps of Output power, nearly any device that you connect to this power bank will be able to charge at its maximum speed.

This goes for most smartphones, except for Quick Charge compatible smartphones, because this charger does not feature Quick Charge. The 2.4 Amp Output is most helpful if you’re charging tablets like iPads because the max charging rate for an iPad is 2.4 Amps, and the same goes for many other tablets on the market.

The main thing about the power aspect of this charger is that it’s focused on precision. It may have a few powering capabilities, but it does very well with the few ones it does have.

Input Charging: 5V/2.0A

The recharging speed is standard, with the power bank can recharge through a Micro-USB port at 2 Amps. If you’re using a 2 Amp wall charger or higher (Which we highly recommend you use for the fastest recharge speed), then you’re going to be able to recharge the PowerCore in about 5-6 hours.

If you’re using a 1 Amp wall charger (What we DON’T recommend), then you can expect a recharge time of about 10-11 hours.

Make use of fast wall chargers by taking a look at our Wall Charger Review section.

Anker PowerCore 10,000 has a VERY Small size for its Power Capacity.

The best thing about this power bank is the form factor. The PowerCore 10000 is 3.6 inches; it has a width of 2.4 inches and a thickness of 0.9 inches. The weight of the charger is 6.4 ounces.

Overall, the size is really small, and you won’t have any problems holding it in a single hand. What’s even better is that you can fit it into a big enough. but more precisely, you can fit it into a back This is because the small size and the thin thickness make it possible for the charger to be placed into very small places.

Attach the charging capabilities and the charger’s size, and you’ve got yourself a very powerful portable charger that can go with you anywhere.

Functional Components

All the functional parts of the charger can be found in the same general area. The Output and Input charging ports are on a short side panel of the charger. There’s a power button on the long side, and there are 4 LED Power capacity indicators on top of the charger.

Charging behaves the same way as most of the other Anker’s power banks like the PowerCore 5000 and PowerCore 20100. This power bank can begin charging automatically once a device is connected.

The charger turns off if there is no device connected to it. Altogether, the power button is mostly used to check the amount of power capacity left in the power bank.

A simple and very few user interactions need to be done.

Structure and Material

The PowerCore is made of plastic and is separated into 3 pieces with a large main centerpiece and two side panels. It’s a very well-made power bank, just as Anker is known for, and there’s no need to worry about the charger warping its shape since it’s NOT using Lithium Polymer batteries.

With that said, dropping the power bank isn’t that bad either. No, you shouldn’t take dropping this power bank lightly because it might get damaged, but it does well with its shape and lightweight.

It’s not a Rugged power bank, but it is built to a certain standard that has made it very tough.

Tech

The PowerCore users Anker’s Multi-Safe Protection system takes advantage of an array of Safety tech features from Short-Circuit and Over-Current Protection.

On the charging tech side of things, as we mentioned before, this charger uses Panasonic battery cells that can provide a superior conversion rate than normal Lithium-Ion batteries aren’t capable of. Panasonic batteries are also able to have a longer lifespan.

Along with the awesome batteries comes Anker’s PowerIQ, which can provide max charging to whichever device is connected to it, and Voltage Boost can keep Voltage stable during charging.

Reliability

What we perceived to be a power bank that needed 2 charging ports to fulfill its true potential ended up being false.

The PowerCore 10000 can do just perfectly with its 1 port and power plenty of capacities.

It’s usually thought of that power banks with just a single port don’t have too much to offer because they usually have lower capacities, but in this case, this power bank is very reliable in the way it can serve just a single person and FOCUS on charging a single device.

Couple the powering with the form factor and weight, and you can very well take this powerful charger with you anywhere.

Waterproof 10,000mAh Power Bank: Dark Energy Poseidon Power Bank

Summary:

Power:

Output Power capacity is quite good, with it losing about 2,000mAh on average, but you may be left with more or less depending on the charging speed that’s being delivered to your device.

Even so, there’s still enough capacity since there’s only 1 port with this power bank, so the power capacity is more focused. The charging speed is 2.4 Amp, which is the Max standard charging speed.

Design:

It’s a portable power bank with really small dimensions and lightweight that makes it possible to put this small charger into a Of course, you can hold it in your hand as well. It takes advantage of Auto-Start charging and automatically turns off if there’s nothing connected to the power bank.

Build:

The PowerCore 10000 has a surprisingly strong physical structure for being made out of plastic, and even though it wasn’t made for falls, it can take them quite well. Just don’t test it. The charging tech is top tier with Anker’s Multi Safe Protection system, Pansonic battery cells, PowerIQ, and Voltage Boost.

Reliability:

Besides being limited to a single charging port, this 1 port power bank does very well and is so reliable because of how objective it is.

Portable Chargers within the Same Power Capacity Range

Conclusion:

Most power banks try to push more ports in because the logic is that the more ports you have, the better the power bank will be, but that’s simply not the case here.

In this case, the PowerCore 10000 strives to use a single port and take advantage of all the elements that make a power bank a great one.

• The Anker Advantage: Join the 50 million powered by our leading technology.
• Remarkably Compact: One of the smallest and lightest 10,000mAh portable chargers. Provides almost three-and-a-half iPhone 8 charges or two-and-a-half Galaxy S8 charges.
• High-Speed Charging: Anker’s exclusive PowerIQ and VoltageBoost combine to deliver the fastest possible charge for any device. Qualcomm Quick Charge not supported.
• Certified Safe: Anker’s MultiProtect safety system ensures complete protection for you and your devices.
• What You Get: Anker PowerCore 10000 portable charger, Micro USB cable, welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty and friendly customer service. USB-C and Lightning cable for iPhone / iPad sold separately

The Best Battery Packs to Keep Your Gadgets Going

When your smartphone can’t make it through the day, have a backup plan.

By Don Melanson Published: Apr 6, 2021

Chances are you’ve been stuck more than once searching for an outlet to top off a dying smartphone battery. If you’re looking to avoid that stress in the future, a portable battery pack is a great way to give yourself some added peace of mind and ensure that your mobile devices are always charged when you need them. Even if you’re not using it every day, it’s a great thing to keep on-hand (and juiced) in the event of an emergency, power outage, or if you just need something to run your lantern off of at the campsite.

Deciding to get one is simple. Choosing which one to get, however, isn’t. Some might only be able to partially recharge your smartphone or tablet (or juice it more slowly than your wall charger), while others are able to quickly recharge multiple devices but might be more than you need. Read on for buying advice and things to consider, plus reviews of stand-out models that are worth your hard-earned cash.

Size vs. Capacity

When deciding on a portable battery pack, keep in mind when and where you’re going to use it, and what you’ll be using it for. If you often find yourself looking to top off your smartphone battery during your daily routine, you’ll likely want a more portable but smaller capacity battery pack that’s easier to carry with you. If, on the other hand, you’re traveling a lot or regularly find yourself far from a power outlet for extended periods of time, you might be more inclined to trade some portability for added capacity that can let you recharge a number of devices (even a laptop) a couple of times over.

Like your smartphone or laptop’s battery, a portable battery pack’s capacity is measured in milliamp hours (or mAh). And that capacity can range from 1,000 or 1,500 in the smallest, most portable battery packs (enough to only partially recharge an average smartphone) to tens of thousands in higher capacity units—the biggest of which can weigh as much as the laptops they’re designed to power.

Connectivity

Another important consideration when it comes to portable battery packs is connectivity. While almost all of them will have at least one standard USB port to charge a range of devices, many also have Lightning connectors for Apple devices, as well as USB-C ports for newer smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets like the Nintendo Switch. Some larger battery packs can even have a regular AC outlet built into them.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the battery pack’s power output, which can indicate how fast it’s able to recharge devices. As you’d expect, the higher the output, the faster it provides juice—given your phone or other device supports that level of charging. Chargers with a low power output (under ten watts) will charge your phone more slowly that your regular power adapter, while a higher output (up to 45 watts) will be able to easily charge most USB-C laptops relatively quickly.

How We Chose

To select these portable battery packs, we relied on our own previous research on the subject and experience using similar devices. Then we consulted reviews from a range of trusted publications, including PC World, Wirecutter, and Android Central. We also took into account customer ratings from online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, using them to calculate our Consumer Score. This represents the percentage of reviewers on those sites that rated the battery packs at least four out of five stars.

The Best Portable Chargers To Keep You Going On Long And Busy Days

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

It’s happened to all of us. You go out and realize you didn’t put the phone on the charger and your phone’s battery is low. Or you’re out all day, using power-hungry features like the camera, display or GPS, and now the battery is low and there’s no outlet in sight. Perhaps you’re simply working from a cafe that lacks outlets, and you want to power your laptop for the afternoon. The best portable chargers, like our pick for the best overall, the INIU B62 Power Bank, can keep you powered up and ready to go anytime, anywhere.

Carrying a portable charger is a great way to make sure you never miss a beat and always have available power for your most important devices, like your phone, tablet or laptop. For frequent travelers, a portable charger is a must have device. And since portable chargers come in a range of capacities and sizes, each with varying abilities, you may choose to keep multiple portable chargers on hand for different situations. Here are our top picks for the best portable chargers you can buy in 2023.

• Best Portable Charger Overall:INIU B62 Power Bank
• Best Portable Charger For iPhone: Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
• Best Portable Charger With AC Outlet: Mophie PowerStation Pro AC
• Best Portable Charger With Built-In Cables: Mophie PowerStation Plus
• Best Portable Charger For Laptops: Baseus Laptop Power Bank
• Best High-Power Portable Charger For Laptops: Anker 737 Power Bank
• Best Portable Charger For Adventures: Anker 548 Power Bank
• Best Qi Wireless Portable Charger: LionEnergy Eclipse

Best Portable Charger Overall

INIU B62 Power Bank

Battery capacity: 15,000mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C | Size: 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 11.7 ounces | Display: Yes

Best for: Charging smartphones and tablets quickly.

INIU is a less recognizable name, but its lineup of power bank and charging accessories stands out from the crowd. The INIU B62 has a single USB-C port that supports up to 45-watt output with USB Power Delivery. That means you can use this versatile battery for charging a low-power laptop or a portable gaming system.

This model supports a range of fast-charging protocols, but it only handles up to Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0. If you want to charge a QC 4.0 device, look at the INIUs B5 Power Bank, which has a similar physical design, adds QC 4.0 and can charge three devices simultaneously (but it lacks enough power output to charge a laptop). The B62 has a large LCD that shows your remaining power, and it has a grippy texture that resists scuffs and grit. Bonus: It comes with a nifty pull-out stand that works well to prop up a phone while it’s charging.

What the editors say: Tech editor Melissa Perenson notes, “This battery is a workhorse, handily charging up devices with surprising speed. It recharges quickly, too. It’s a little thick, but its rectangular design pairs well with a smartphone.”

Anker PowerCore III 10K

Battery capacity: 10,000mAh | Output ports: 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C | Size: 5.9 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 8.6 ounces

Best for: Mix of wired and wireless charging, in a slim design and mid-range capacity.

The Anker PowerCore III 10K hits a good balance between features, performance and price. The svelte, candy bar design houses 10-watt Qi wireless charging, with one each of USB-A and USB-C ports on the top edge. This model is slim, but not as slim as one Anker model. Nor does it have the magnetic attachment of Anker’s newer MagGo series. Or the power to handle charging a laptop or gaming system.

Despite those caveats, the PowerCore III 10K stands out for its balance of charging features and its performance—which was faster for both wired and wireless charging than on some competing models. This battery pairs well with a standard rectangular phone design, and it’s lightweight, too. The unit itself has a textured plastic case that did a better job withstanding scuffs than some of Anker’s other models. The chassis also has a built-in stand—a simple pull-out bracket to prop up your phone. However, the recessed power button is a bit awkwardly placed.

What the editors say: “This model’s Qi wireless gives it an edge over the typical portable charger with the same capacity,” says tech editor Melissa Perenson. “I especially liked this battery’s light weight, and how easy it was to hold alongside an iPhone or Android phone.”

• Textured case keeps fingerprints and scuffs away
• Qi wireless charging at 10 watts
• Built-in stand

Best Portable Charger For iPhone

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Battery capacity: Unavailable | Ports: MagSafe (wireless) only | Size: 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.4 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces

Best for: iPhone users who want a small MagSafe battery pack.

The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is a bit pricey, but it is the Apple-branded battery—and it has a simplicity to it not found elsewhere. This compact battery pack attaches to the back of any iPhone 12 or later smartphone. It provides additional power when you need to extend the life of your smartphone. Thanks to its MagSafe compatibility. you can use the battery pack on its own or in conjunction with any Apple MagSafe phone case. It won’t, however, work with non-MagSafe cases.

This battery is a bit pricey considering it will only recharge your iPhone once—and only between 40 percent and 70 percent. However, that’s enough juice to keep your phone operational for a few hours more.

• Compact design for any iPhone (12 and later)
• Compatible with all MagSafe cases
• Genuine Apple product

Best Portable Charger With AC Outlet

Mophie PowerStation Pro AC

Battery capacity: 27,000mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x AC | Size: 10.8 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds

Best for: Capacious charging via USB and a 3-prong AC outlet.

The Mophie PowerStation Pro AC makes it easy to charge four devices simultaneously. At 27,000mAh, this model is at the maximum limit for transporting a single battery onto a plane. All that battery capacity matters, though, since it can recharge an iPhone five times. The 3-prong AC outlet is one reason this model stands out; with an outlet, you can then charge things like camera batteries, or run a laptop or other device that uses AC power.

The battery can handle 100 watts, while the USB ports handle 20 watts each and the USB Power Delivery port is at 60 watts. One drawback lies with its weight: The PowerStation Pro AC is a hefty 2.6 pounds. The battery has a loop that makes it easier to grab, which is good since its casing is smooth hard to hold.

Omnicharge Omni 20

Battery capacity: 20,000mAh | Output ports: Qi wireless, 1x USB-C, 2X USB-A, 1x AC/HVDC, 1x barrel | Size: 5.0 x 4.8 x 1.0 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds

The Omnicharge Omni 20 is highly versatile, especially considering its relatively compact size. It includes a 20,000mAh capacity battery, fast 18-watt charging over USB-A, 60-watt charging over USB-C and 10-watt Qi wireless charging. The 100-watt AC/HCDC outlet provides power to laptops, drones and cameras that don’t support USB charging.

The Omni 20 has a built-in OLED display that shows the total power left in the charger, as well as the demands of each connected device. It even supports pass-through charging, so you can continue to charge your array of devices even when recharging the Omni itself.

• Offers pass-through charging
• 20,0000mAh capacity battery
• Portable and convenient

Best Portable Charger With Built-In Cables

Mophie PowerStation Plus

Battery capacity: 10,000mAh | Output Ports: 1x USB-C | Built-in cables: 1x USB-C, 1x Lightning | Size: 5.8 x 0.7 x 2.8 inches | Weight: 8 ounces

Best for: Charging a phone or tablet with a Lightning or USB-C port.

The Mophie PowerStation Plus conveniently integrates cables into the sides of the portable charger. This otherwise nondescript rectangle has smooth front and back surfaces, and it has a rubberized layer around the edges. The Lightning and USB-C cables tuck neatly into the top of the unit with a snug fit, and little tabs to help you free them when needed. The cables are long enough for you to plug them into a phone and stack the charger neatly beneath it.

This charger’s dedicated USB-C Power Delivery port delivers 20 watts of power, and a total of 25 watts shared. The USB-C port charges faster than the integrated cables.

Best Portable Charger For Laptops

Baseus Laptop Power Bank

Battery capacity: 20,000mAh | Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A | Size: 6.4 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Display: Yes

Best for: Charging a laptop or mobile device.

The Baseus Laptop Power Bank stands out for delivering 100 watts of power in a thin and lightweight square design that’s highly portable. Most competitors’ portable chargers that output 100 watts are larger, thicker and heavier than this Baseus model. The low profile makes it easy to slide this charger alongside a laptop when traveling.

This fast, portable charger has a textured plastic front, with a large, monochromatic digital display that shows its remaining battery power and charging status. It can handle small current devices like earbuds and smartwatches as well as it can a phone or laptop. The ports are all along the top edge, with two USB-A and two USB-C ports, each labeled with their output levels. The unit comes with a carry case, and a 100-watt USB-C to USB-C cable, for use with a laptop.

What the editors say: “I like the stylish yet functional industrial design of this charger,” says tech editor Melissa Perenson. “It was easy to carry around while charging multiple devices quickly.”

• Slim, lightweight design
• Informative display
• Charges four devices simultaneously

Best High-Output Portable Charger For Laptops

Anker 737 Power Bank

Battery capacity: 24,000mAh | Output Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A | Size: 6.1 x 2.1 x 1.9 inches | Weight: 1.4 | Display: Yes

Best for: Charging a laptop and mobile devices.

The Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K packs 140 watts, one of the highest power outputs you can buy in a such a portable design. This model stands at about 2 inches square, and is 6 inches long, making it shaped like a square tower (if you stand it on its end) or a very thick battery that fits in your hand. Inside sits a high capacity 24,000mAh battery, which is just below the maximum 27,000mAh you can bring on a plane.

Along the length sits a useful, easy-to-read color digital display which shows the power use and remaining battery/recharge time. The charger has three inputs, all on one end, and includes USB Power Delivery 3.1 support. It includes a 140-watt USB-C to USB-C cable for use with a laptop.

Best Portable Charger For Adventures

Anker 548 Power Bank (PowerCore Reserve)

Battery capacity: 60,000mAh | Output ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, Solar input | Size: 4.5 × 4.5 × 7.7 inches | Weight: 5.1 pounds

The Anker 548 Power Bank (PowerCore Reserve) packs a 60,000mAh battery capacity, which makes this power bank best for use at home or on adventures that don’t require a flight. Its rugged design makes it the perfect complement to outdoor adventures, with a retractable LED lamp and SOS beacon for use in emergencies. It has two USB-C and two USB-A ports, and the USB-C ports can handle 60-watt and 27-watt output (only one of the two handles input and output both). The front panel has an additional, uncommon port—for jacking in a solar panel for recharging. The EV-grade batteries can handle up to 3,000 recharging cycles.

The unit has a useful color digital display above the array of ports that shows charging status and remaining power. In between sit the buttons for the light and the SOS beacon. At 5.1 pounds, it feels sturdy, and it comes with a pliable handle. You get a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging, but you need to buy a wall charger and solar charging cable yourself.

What the editors say: “I love the pop-up light, with its retractable silicone design,” notes tech editor Melissa Perenson. “It’s surprisingly bright (though dedicated lanterns may be better), and it automatically lights up in the dark. The light’s inclusion makes this so much more than just a power bank on steroids. I also liked how the woven handle makes it easy to carry.”

Best Qi Wireless Portable Charger

Lion Eclipse

Battery capacity: 27,000mAh | Output ports: Qi wireless, 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C | Size: 8.5 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds

Best for: Charging a phone, earbuds and watch wirelessly in a rugged device.

The Lion Eclipse stands out for its inclusion of three Qi wireless charging pads, at 10-watts, 5-watts and 2-watts. This means you can charge a phone, earbuds and a watch wirelessly, something most portable power banks with Qi can’t do. The power button and three ports—two USB-A and one USB-C with Power Delivery up to 85 watts—sit under a rubberized protective cover. These ports can handle a laptop or a portable gaming console, and they deliver simultaneous fast charging. This portable charger uses a 27,000mAh battery, the maximum size you can take on a plane.

While the Lion Eclipse Power Bank will fit easily within a backpack or briefcase, it’s too cumbersome to fit comfortably in a purse and too large for a It has a 5-year warranty and a lifecycle of over 1,000 charges.

• Simultaneously charges multiple devices
• High battery capacity
• Three Qi wireless charging pads