Get extra battery life for your mobile and gaming devices.
If you’re on the go, the last thing you want to discover is that your phone doesn’t have as much juice to make it through the day as you do. Phones are like another limb to most people these days. You use it to stay connected, get directions, and take photos, but if it’s dead, you’re lost—sometimes literally. Though, just as you grab a cup of coffee to give yourself enough energy to make it through a grueling day, your phone can get the top off it needs from a portable charger.
Even the best smartphones and tablets benefit from having a portable power bank handy. Very few modern phones sacrifice their svelte design in favor of packing in a larger battery, and that makes it harder for them to offer battery life that can hold up over long hours of scrolling or playing mobile games. A great portable charger makes up for the lack of internal power, sometimes even giving you multiple, full charges of your phone’s battery. Even better, many power banks support fast charging or offer enough juice to keep up with more demanding devices, like tablets, the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. There are even a few options that are beefy enough to juice up a gaming laptop.
With the insane amount of portable charger choices out there, we’ve made your search a bit easier by weeding through them to bring you the best. Our options cover every budget and need. So, if you’re ready to leave battery concerns behind, check out our top picks for power banks and find one that’ll give you the extra charge you need when you’ve got a long day ahead of you and no power outlets in sight – and click here to find them in the UK.
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000
Best Portable Charger
Capacity: 20,000mAh | Total Output: 38W | Ports: 1 x USB-A (18W), 1 x USB-C (20W) | Size: 6.22 x 2.91 0.76 | Weight: 345g
The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 meets just about everyone’s needs from a portable charger and then some. This power source packs a beefy 20,000mAh battery inside that can easily recharge most phones a few times over, and it can even recharge many tablets. Plus, the relatively compact design makes it easy to toss in your bag to ensure you’re never without power again.
It’s not just about the number of times a device can be recharged, but also how fast it can recharge them. The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 supports 20W PD fast charging out of its USB-C port, and it can hit 18W charging speeds out of its USB-A port with PowerIQ 2.0. This means that you can also charge two devices at one time. And, even your low-power electronics like wireless headphones and speakers are safe to plug in and charge up.
Anker 523 PowerCore Slim
Best Budget Portable Charger
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 20W, 12W | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A | Size: 5.87 x 2.68 x 0.55 | Weight: 208g
Anker has been known for making some of the best portable chargers on the market for years, and that includes their budget-friendly options too. Their 523 PowerCore Slim comes in just under 40, but it packs all the juice you need for your smartphone or tablet with a 10,000mAh battery. You should be able to get a full charge or two on your phone with it. And, if you’re worried about the portable charger running low on power, you can quickly check how much is left by pressing the LED button on the chassis.
With the Anker 523 PowerCore Slim, you get 20W charging speeds with a USB-C PD connection, so your devices can enjoy a speedy fillup. Using that same connection, you’re even able to charge the power bank to full in just four and half hours. There is also a 12W USB port to charge another device at the same time. And, thanks to its compact design, you should have an easy time finding room for it in your backpack or purse.
Xiaomi 10000mAh Redmi Power Bank
Best Ultra Cheap Portable Charger
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 13W | Ports: 2 x USB-A (5.1V/2.6A total), 1 x USB-C (in), 1 x micro USB (in) | Size: 7 x 4 x 1 | Weight: 254g
Now, Xioami’s 10,000mAh Redmi Power Bank may not offer brand name recognition or be the highest-powered option, but if you just need a bit of extra battery life available on the go, it can supply it at a low price. For just 15, this option offers up 10,000mAh of juice and supports a total output of 2.6A at 5.1V for about 13W of power. That’s delivered by the power bank’s two USB-A ports, which means you can charge multiple devices at one time. Just be aware that this isn’t the fastest portable charger out there.
The Xiaomi 10000mAh Redmi Power Bank offers a couple of options for how to recharge its own battery. Both a USB-C port for power input as well as a micro USB port, in case you’ve got the legacy cable are on hand, are available for a simple juice up. And, all of this comes packed into a unit that weighs just 254 grams.
Mophie PowerStation
Best Portable Charger with Quickcharge
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 20W | Ports: 1 x USB-C. 2 x USB-A | Size: 5.63 x 2.76 x 0.63 | Weight: 272.2g
When you’re short on time and are looking for the quickest possible charge out of a power bank, you can’t go wrong with the Mophie PowerStation. This battery ekes out 20W of fast-charging power through a USB-C PD output, delivering about a 50 percent charge to your phone in under 30 minutes. And if you choose to use the two USB-A ports to juice up headphones and other devices simultaneously with your phone, you’ll get a 15W combined output.
The Mophie Powerstation features a 10,000mAh battery, so there’s about two full phone charges worth of juice in it. And when the battery itself needs charging, you’ll know thanks to handy integrated LEDs. The power bank also remains relatively compact and lightweight, so you can just toss it in your bag, while the 50 price tag is easy to digest.
Anker 737 PowerCore 24K
Best Portable Laptop Charger
Capacity: 24,000mAh | Total Output: 140W | Ports: 2 x USB-C (140W, 122W), 1 x USB-A (18W) | Size: 6.13 x 2.15 x 1.95 | Weight: 630g
A laptop isn’t easy to keep topped up with any old battery bank, heck, most don’t even have enough juice or output power to handle it. However, the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K is up to the challenge. This battery bank not only has 24,000mAh of energy stored inside, but it can output at a max of 140W to keep many an Ultrabook or MacBook juiced up even while they’re running. On top of that, it has the extra capacity to feed power to two additional devices, one over its USB-A port at an 18W max, while the additional USB-C port shares 122W of powerful charging with the laptop plugged into the other USB-C.
You’d think the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K’s massive battery means it needs some serious time to recharge, but it manages to do it under an hour. And, if you’re worried about all this power causing the portable charger to overheat, there is included technology that monitors the temperature, ensuring things stay safe. To round out this highly-capable battery bank is a handy digital display showing valuable info, including the total input and output power, the estimated time to recharge, and the battery health.
Omni Ultimate 120v
Best Portable Charger With AC Power
Capacity: 38,400mAh | Total Output: 150W | Ports: 1 x 3-prong AC (120W), 1 x DC (100W out, 90W in), 2 x USB-C (100W out, 90W in), 2 x USB-A (22.5W) | Size: 6.5 x 5.7 x 2.1 | Weight: 1406.1g
If you need a serious portable charger to juice up your laptop or other power-hungry devices, you can’t go wrong with the Omni Ultimate 120v. Anything plugged into this portable battery’s AC port can feed on up to 120W of power, which is more than enough to recharge the MacBook Pro or even some gaming laptops. It far outpaces any of the other AC plug-equipped batteries we’ve seen that usually top out at an 80W max. Beyond the AC port, there’s also an adjustable DC port that outputs 100W for another laptop, a USB-C port for 60W power delivery, and even a few more charging options. Most of your devices, including cameras and drones, can be charged using this power bank.
The Omni Ultimate 120v comes with 38,400mAh on hand, so it will get you through a full day without ever having to touch a wall plug. It even has a removable battery, so when one is depleted, you can replace it. Plus, pass-through charging allows you to top up your devices and the power bank at the same time. And amazingly, Omni manages to keep all this power in a rugged, relatively compact design, so it’s a perfect travel companion whether you’re taking it on a plane or toting it along on a camping trip.
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
Best Compact Portable Charger
Capacity: 5,000mAh | Total Output: 20W | Ports: 1 x USB-C | Size: 4.45 x 1.18 x 1.18 | Weight: 199.6g
Power banks are relatively clunky, especially when you consider you’ll need to tote a block around with you if you want to recharge the battery itself. However, the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K includes a foldable plug to juice up your device and battery anywhere you find a wall outlet. And it does that while maintaining a tiny, lightweight form factor, so you can easily slide the power bank into your bag or
Of course, you bought the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K to charge up your devices on the go, and it offers a somewhat modest 5,000 mAh battery—enough to fill up your smartphone about one time. Charging is done via a USB-C port for ample compatibility, though you only get one port. It even utilizes Anker’s Power IQ 3.0 technology, delivering safe, high-speed charging to your devices.
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Best MagSafe Portable Charger
Max Charging Rate: 15W (wired), 5W (wireless) | Battery size: 1,460mAh | Connector Type: 1 x Lightning | Size: 4.46 x 3.24 x 0.93
Wireless charging is cool at home, but you know where it’s even cooler? On the go. Plugging in your phone with a cable isn’t the end of the world at home, but you don’t want to have your phone, a battery pack, and a tangle of cable jammed into your when you’re out and about. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is a solution for this on for the best iPhones.
Now this pack doesn’t have the biggest charge with only a 1,460mAh battery, but it’ll snap onto the back of your iPhone magnetically to help keep it topped up without needing any wires in the mix. And don’t worry, that magnet won’t interfere with your credit cards or key fobs. It really is a bit handy when you’re on the go, but it can continue to be useful when you get wherever you’re going. By plugging the MagSafe Battery Pack into a 20W charger over a Lightning cable, you can simultaneously recharge the pack and your iPhone at the same time, even giving the iPhone the full 15W charging speed that MagSafe enables.
Marval Power GuliKit Battery Master
Best Nintendo Switch Power Bank
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Total Output: 15W | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C (built in cable) | Size: 5.24 x 2.76 x 0.71 | Weight: 249.5G
A power bank is an essential Nintendo Switch accessory, as it’s a simple and effective way to extend your Switch’s less-than-stellar battery life. The Marval Power GuliKit Battery Master is our favorite because rather than a typical battery bank, this one actually straps to the rear of your Switch or OLED Switch. It adds some weight and bulk to your device, but you’ll still have an enjoyable playing experience while charging.
The 10,000mAh battery should extend your gaming time by about 10 hours, and the 15W power delivery means your Switch will be topped up in no time. There’s a built-in USB-C cable, while a USB-A and USB-C port makes it possible to juice up a phone or other device without unplugging your Switch. Short circuit and overvoltage protection on the Marval Power GuliKit Battery Mastern also ensure your devices charge safely.
What to Look for in a Portable Charger
When shopping for a power bank the most important spec you should look out for is capacity. This figure is always followed closely by a mAh unit, which stands for milliamp-hour. Given that most ultra-thin flagship phones have a 3,000mAh battery inside of them already, you’re going to want to find a portable charger with at least that much capacity, so you can double the battery life of your handset—unless of course, you’re looking for an extremely portable battery.
As you may have noticed most portable chargers these days come in a 10,000mAh capacity or higher, and this is pretty much the standard. Portable batteries of this size should give you three times or more charge while you’re on the go.
Doing this, you can find chargers that support the quick charging of your phone or even find chargers that will be capable of delivering enough power to keep even your laptop running for some extra time. You’ll also want to consider this same aspect but for the charger itself. After all, it has a battery that needs recharging, too. If you have a 20,000mAh battery, but it only supports 5W input, it’s going to take a long time to fill it back up.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on @baggingspam.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
Anker PowerCore 20100 Battery Pack for Nintendo Switch Review
My love for the Nintendo Switch has gotten a bit crazy and of course I have put in endless hours on it especially in its portable mode. Of course with some constant usage you can put a Switch out of commission in a few hours time especially playing something graphically intense. I did have a solution using MyCharge’s PowerGame Pack but I wanted something with more juice. This is where Anker came into play with its PowerCore 20100. A huge amount of power and optimized for the Switch. How does it fare for daily gaming use?
Style
If you have ever used an Anker battery they tend to have the same styling. Their PowerCore line is their high-capacity power banks usually hovering around 15k and up with juice. The PowerCore 20100 is like how the number states with over 20 thousand mAh. This can give you over two full charges of playing time on your Switch without having to worry. Its licensed by Nintendo and optimized so you won’t have any damage done to the Switch. This is important as while i use the Switch a lot I feel it’s also one of the most fragile devices out there too. The PowerCore allows you to charge to the Switch via Type C to Type C connection. There is also a USB-A port to attach other plugs and charge up anything that doesn’t have Type C capabilities. There is a button which reveals battery life that lights up on the four battery indicators.
PowerCore 20100 comes with a Type C to Type C cable and a cloth style protection case.
Usage
I wanted to see how well this battery pack held up so I would take it with me and use it on my Switch but also other devices such as my Galaxy Note 9. Interestingly enough it supports Quick Charging so I’m able to get my smartphone backup and running in no time. But anyway back to Switch usage. It’s been good on providing the correct amount of juice without overheating or overpowering the Switch.
Also the battery itself charges in a decent of time as sometimes these large batteries take forever to get back to full capacity. Only gripe I have about the PowerCore is that using it to charge and having the Switch in hand is fine but you can’t the utilize the Switch in kickstand mode since the Type C port is on the bottom. It’s not the worst thing in the world but to be mindful of. As I used the MyCharge PowerGame it wrapped around the Switch and it has a kickstand.
Verdict
Taking care of your Switch is more a task than you realize and making sure it doesn’t suffer any internal damage is important. The PowerCore 20100 does a superb job of making sure this doesn’t happen to the battery and gives you quite a ton of power at a respectable price of 89.99. You also get more value since you can use it to charge other devices besides just your Nintendo Switch. If you want something a bit smaller Anker has a PowerCore 13400 optimized for the Nintendo Switch and its 69.99
The best power banks and portable chargers
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A power bank, also commonly referred to as a portable charger, is an essential purchase for anyone who’s on the go with a phone, tablet, or a gaming handheld like a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck. It lets you recharge your precious gadgets one or more times via a USB connection, so you can keep talking, texting, or gaming throughout the day.
Best portable charger for your phone and tablet
Today’s phones and tablets may differ in terms of their peak wired charging speeds, yet we’ve found some battery packs that should work well no matter what device you have. It’s true that some outliers, like Samsung’s Galaxy S23 phone, can recharge at 25 W or higher depending on the model, but many other Android phones and iPhones recharge via a wired connection at under 20 W — even less when you’re charging wirelessly.
How to pick the best power bank/portable charger for you
Get one that lists the Power Delivery capability (noted as “PD” in the specs), and it should ideally match, or come close to, the peak charging speeds (in watts) of the devices that you intend to charge with it.
The batteries we recommend for phones and tablets are also a good pick for the Nintendo Switch. However, the Steam Deck needs more juice, as do some mightier laptops that can receive power via USB-C.
In terms of tablets, picking either of the two power bank options we recommend below should be a good fit for what you may have. For reference, all iPads currently ship with 20 W power adapters, and so far, tablets from other manufacturers like Samsung and Amazon haven’t deviated far from that charging speed.
Whichever you choose, it never hurts to get some extra USB-C-to-USB-C cables. You can get this two-pack at Amazon for 15.99, so you can keep one at home and then put the other in a bag you bring around during everyday travels.
Anker 523 10,000 mAh 20 W power bank
Includes two cables: a USB-C-to-C cable and a USB-C-to-A cable.
Baseus 10,000 mAh 30 W power bank
Includes a USB-C-to-A cable. This battery is an additional 25% off if you tick the coupon on the Amazon landing page.
Best power bank for your Switch
The Nintendo Switch console with detachable Joy-Cons can receive a maximum of 18 W through its USB-C charging port (the Switch Lite is slightly less demanding). So, the very same compact power banks we recommend for phones and tablets can be used to charge your Switch.
Same note as before: We suggest buying more charging cables than you’ll immediately need (stow one permanently in the bag you frequently use). You can get this two-pack of 100 W-ready, six-foot-long, USB-C-to-C cables at Amazon for 15.99.
Anker 523 10,000 mAh 20 W power bank
Includes two cables: a USB-C-to-C cable and a USB-C-to-A cable.
Baseus 10,000 mAh 30 W power bank
Includes a USB-C-to-A cable. This battery is an additional 25% off if you tick the coupon on the Amazon landing page.
Best power bank for your Steam Deck
Each Steam Deck console includes a 45 W USB-C wall adapter, so it’s a good idea to find a power bank that can meet that power level when you’re on the go. Thankfully, some options exist that can do this. One thing to note during your search is that only batteries that support the PD 3.0 spec, including the two options below, can recharge the Steam Deck at its fastest speed.
Baseus 20,000 mAh 65 W battery
This model includes a USB-C-to-C cable.
Anker 537 24,000 mAh 45 W battery
This model includes a USB-C-to-C cable. You can clip a coupon on Amazon’s page that takes 20 off.
Best portable charger for your laptop
The number of laptops that can recharge via USB-C is growing, making it possible to use the same charger to refill your laptop as you do your phone or Nintendo Switch. For instance, Apple’s entire MacBook lineup allows it, as do several popular Windows laptops, like the Dell XPS 13, Razer’s Blade gaming laptop, and more. The thing is, different laptops have different power requirements, so one power bank may not work well across multiple laptops.
If you have a 13-inch MacBook Air or Pro, or a similarly sized Windows laptop, the chances are very good that a 65 W power bank should be fast enough to recharge your laptop as you use it (check your power supply’s wattage to be sure). Keep in mind that if you’re trying to play games, or do other resource-intensive tasks, your battery may recharge slowly, or it may continue to discharge if your power bank isn’t powerful enough.
Baseus 20,000 mAh 65 W battery
This model includes a USB-C-to-C cable.
For more powerful laptops, there are bigger, more powerful batteries to match that can supply up to 140 W of recharging power. That’s currently a top-of-the-line spec, costing significantly more than our other options, and you’ll even need a compatible USB-C-to-USB-C cable to reach the 140 W top speed, as well as a laptop that supports the PD 3.1 USB-C charging spec.
One of the chargers we recommend below can match the speed delivered by Apple’s 140 W wall charger that’s included with 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops. On the Windows side of things, most laptops don’t go above 90 or 100 W at peak USB-C recharging speed, so you should be set with our picks.
It might be tough to justify spending 100 to 150 on a power bank just to charge a laptop. I get it. However, it’s easier to justify getting one if you frequently travel with multiple power-guzzling devices that you’d like to recharge simultaneously, as these are but a few available that can manage multitasking.
Anker 737 24,000 mAh 140 W power bank
Includes a 140 W-ready USB-C-to-C cable. You can save 40 by clipping the on-page coupon.
Baseus Blade 20,000 mAh 100 W power bank
Includes a 100 W-ready USB-C-to-C cable.
Update (June 2): Checked and changed for accuracy.
Top 5 Best Power Banks for Nintendo Switch OLED / Lite
The Nintendo Switch OLED is a recent upgrade that solves all the problems of the previous models. With the larger screen, explosive colors, better speakers, and larger storage, it is not hard to see why new users and veterans love the Nintendo Switch OLED.
One thing that was not upgraded is the battery capacity and that is why a good power bank will allow you to fully enjoy all the cool games for as long as you want. We have saved you the stress of searching by putting together the Top 5 best Power banks for your console. So, grab a cup of coffee and keep reading.
Reasons to Use Power Banks and Benefits
Let’s face it, it is easy to fall in love with the portability of Nintendo Switch OLED but it kind of burns through the battery fast in handheld mode, especially when you are so absorbed in gaming that you forget to charge. There are many benefits of having that extra power that will let you play for a long time.
- Power banks will prevent a full shutdown, and this lets you maintain your progress.
- They are handy during long journeys where you have no other access to power.
- A power bank is a lifesaver when you’re on a camping trip or in a remote location.
Anker PowerCore 10000
The Anker PowerCore 10000 only has a USB-A port with a 12W output, but it fits easily in the palm of your hand. It costs considerably less than other power banks so it’s great for a first Power Bank. It is a solid device, but it takes about 6-7 hours to recharge completely and can fully charge your Nintendo switch OLED 1.5 times. If you are playing and charging at the same time, it can only extend your playtime for a few hours at best. It is not a bad purchase. You can grab there Anker PowerCore 10000 here.
- Compact and easy to fit in s
- Comes in 4 different colors
- Budget-friendly
2. Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux
Our next best power bank for Nintendo Switch OLED / Lite is the Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux. The Power Delivery Redux version of the Anker PowerCore 10000 is still compact and portable while increasing the power output to 18W due to the extra USB-C port. The longer build is easy to grip while playing. Another great addition is the “trickle charge mode” that can charge low-powered devices like ear pods. The PowerCore 10000 PD will fast-charge the Nintendo Switch OLED and an iPhone at the same time, plus it can be recharged in about 3 hours using a USB type C to C cable meanwhile, it will take about 9 hours to recharge using the USB type A cable. You can grab the Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux here.
- You can charge more than one device simultaneously
- It is lightweight, slim, and compact
- It charges faster than the Anker PowerCore 10000 using the USB-C port
Anker 313 (PowerCore slim 10k)
Next up is the Anker 313 PowerCore Slim. This power bank is one of the slimmest models from Anker. It has just one output port but sports 2 input ports, USB-C (which is very fast) and micro USB for recharging. Unfortunately, the USB type C port cannot be used to charge other devices, but it reduces recharging time. The enabled trickle charging mode that is used to power up small devices is also impressive.
The PowerCore slim 10k is very similar to the PowerCore 10000, but it comes with extra features. They will both charge your Nintendo Switch OLED for the same number of times. PowerCore 10000 is lighter but if you’re a sucker for cool features then the slim 10k is your best choice. You can grab the Anker 313 PowerCore Slim here.
4. Anker PowerCore 26800
It’s hard not to love a power bank with not 1 or 2 but 3 ports that allows you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Normally, a power bank with a 26800mAh capacity will take a very long time to charge, however, Anker equipped this model with two input ports for dual charging. So, a full recharge takes just over 6 hours.
Well, it’s not surprising that the Anker PowerCore 26800 is a bit on the heavy side, but it still has a sleek compact design that’s really cool with a great feel. You can fully charge your Nintendo switch OLED 3 times with this power bank. There are only very few complaints about this power bank. You can grab the Anker PowerCore 26800 here.
- Very high capacity of 26800mAh
- You can charge 3 devices at once
- It has charged twice as fast with 2 input ports
5. Baseus 30000
The Baseus 30000 is a very affordable power bank with a high capacity and 15W output. You can charge 3 devices at the same time with 2 USB ports and one Type C port. Just like any power bank with this type of capacity, it is quite heavy, but the real downside is that it takes a whopping 12 hours to recharge. It is very compatible with Nintendo Switch because you can charge and play at the same time. Overall, it is a great piece for the price, and it charges fast. You can grab the Baseus 30000 here.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Our top 5 Best Nintendo switch OLED power banks. We focused on Anker because it is licensed by Nintendo as a suitable power bank but there are other great options on the market. The Anker PowerCore 10000 is the lightest but the recharging time, ports, and capacity of the Anker PowerCore 26800 make it great for long journeys and camping. If you don’t want to break the bank, and you can tolerate some weight, the Baseus 30000 gives the overall best value for your money. In conclusion, it all boils down to what you want regarding the capacity, size, price and speed.