Best Power Banks (2026): My Picks After Testing Over 100

LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Power BankAnker Laptop Power BankRead more$120 Anker Best Smaller Power BankNimble Champ (Series 2)Read more$60 Amazon Best-Looking Power BankSharge Shargeek 170 Power BankRead more$169 $119 (30% off) Amazon Best Magsafe/Qi2 Portable ChargerAnker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (Qi2)Read more$90 Anker I hate running out of power. Everybody does. While our gadgets have advanced in many ways, battery technology has been slow to improve. That’s why you’re looking to buy a power bank. A good portable charger is a handy backup that can keep your smartphone, tablet, and maybe even your laptop going for longer. I’ve been testing power banks for many years. I’ve tested more than 100 portable chargers. But you only really need one or two. Most folks should buy one of the first four power banks I recommend, but there are a few other unique use cases, so I’ve included a few extra options. Read the Best MagSafe/Qi2 Power Banks for more magnetic wireless chargers, and Best Laptop Power Banks or Best Portable Power Stations for more power. Updated May 2026: I added a power bank from BMX, more details about capacity, a new FAQ section on charging slowly, removed some older devices, and updated prices. Photograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistAnker This is the only power bank you need. Anker combines style and substance with this versatile power bank that packs a whopping 25,000-mAh capacity and is capable of delivering up to 165 watts to two devices (100 watts for a single device connected via USB-C). I love the rounded edges, the retractable, flat 2.3-foot USB-C cable up top, and the clever braided 1-foot USB-C cable that doubles as a carry loop. It has a display to show the remaining battery, charging rate in and out, battery temperature, and health. It supports pass-through charging and takes around two hours to recharge. OK, you don’t really need this many stats, but a precise idea of how much power remains is useful and reassuring. I love the built-in cables, because they ensure you’re never caught without one. This is also below the limit for power banks on flights, so you can travel with it. Anker’s Laptop Power Bank fast-charged everything I tested it with, including multiple smartphones, an iPad, a Poco tablet, a MacBook Air, and a Chromebook. You can charge four devices simultaneously without any issues. After a year of use, mine still performs perfectly. Photograph: Simon HillSave to wishlistSave to wishlistNimble You don’t always need a big capacity, and you don’t always have room for a big power bank. If you want something more portable, go for the Nimble Champ Pro. At 6.2 ounces, it's one of the lightest on the market. It's smaller than a deck of cards and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end. It feels durable, comes in a snazzy new range of speckled color finishes, and has a bright lanyard loop that makes for easy carrying and helps you pick it out of your backpack. The Pro version is bigger but doubles the capacity (to 20,000 mAh) and has a similar design with two USB-C ports that go up to 65 watts. There's also a smaller version with a 5,200-mAh capacity that tops out at 15 watts. Another reason I like Nimble is its environmental efforts. Batteries are not environmentally benign. They use lithium, cobalt, and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially questionable at best. But Nimble's use of bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging at least reduces the environmental impact where it can be reduced. This version uses 90 percent recycled plastic (up 25 percent from the original) and comes in smaller plastic-free packaging. Nimble includes a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box. Photograph: Simon HillSave to wishlistSave to wishlistSharge Maybe you want a large-capacity power bank that can handle all your portable gadgets, but you’re tired of gray bricks. I am a sucker for Sharge’s transparent designs and cyberpunk aesthetic, but this prism-shaped power bank is more than just a pretty face. With a maximum output of 170 watts, a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity, and an IP66 rating for water resistance (fine in the rain, but best not to submerge), the Sharge 170 has form and function. The smart display shows battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts. It supports many standards, including Power Delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, and it fast-charged most of the devices I tested, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MacBook Air. You can simultaneously charge three devices at fast speeds. The box includes a braided USB-C cable and a somewhat pointless wee velvety bag (does anyone use these?). It can recharge completely in an hour via USB-C at up to 140 watts (with the right cable and charger). I’ve tested some of Sharge’s

Best Power Banks (2026): My Picks After Testing Over 100

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Best Power Banks (2026): My Picks After Testing Over 100

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