Updated for 2026 — This article has been reviewed and updated with the latest recommendations.
Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks in 2026
Your phone dying at 2 PM on a Tuesday used to be a minor inconvenience. Now it means losing access to your car keys, boarding pass, payment method, work messages, and half a dozen other things that run through your phone. A portable charger is one of those purchases that seems unnecessary until the first time you actually need one, and then you wonder why you waited so long.
The power bank market has matured significantly in 2026, with faster charging speeds, higher capacities in smaller packages, and USB-C becoming the universal standard.
Here are the ones worth buying this year.
How to Choose a Power Bank
Capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). A typical smartphone battery is between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh, so a 10,000 mAh power bank gives you roughly two full charges. A 20,000 mAh unit gets you four to five charges, which is enough for a long trip or a few days of heavy use without access to a wall outlet.
Charging speed matters just as much as capacity.
Look for power banks that support USB Power Delivery (PD) or Quick Charge protocols. A 20W PD output can charge a modern iPhone from zero to fifty percent in about 30 minutes. Some high-end power banks now offer 65W output, which is enough to charge laptops at a reasonable speed.
Weight and size are the practical trade-offs. A 20,000 mAh power bank is great for capacity but weighs about a pound and takes up real space in a bag.
A 5,000 mAh unit fits in a pocket but only gives you one partial charge. Match the capacity to how you actually plan to use it.
Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)
Anker dominates the portable charger market for good reason, and the 737 is their flagship model. It packs 24,000 mAh of capacity with 140W bidirectional USB-C charging, meaning it can charge a MacBook Air or similar laptop at full speed.
The built-in display shows remaining capacity, input/output wattage, and estimated time to full charge.
The 737 has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, so you can charge three devices simultaneously. It recharges itself from zero to full in about an hour and a half with a compatible wall charger, which is impressively fast for a power bank this size. The main trade-off is weight. At just over a pound, it is not a pocket-carry option, but for a backpack or travel bag, it covers everything from phones to tablets to laptops.
Anker Nano Power Bank (5,000 mAh)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Anker Nano is a tiny, built-in-connector power bank designed for quick top-ups when you are out and about. It has a foldable USB-C or Lightning connector that plugs directly into your phone, so there is no cable to carry. The 5,000 mAh capacity provides roughly one full charge for most smartphones.
This is the power bank you throw in a jacket pocket or purse for insurance.
It is not meant to replace a wall charger or power a full day of heavy use. But for those moments when your phone hits fifteen percent and you are still hours from home, the Nano handles it without any fuss. The compact size and cable-free design make it the most convenient option on this list.
Baseus Blade 100W Power Bank
The Baseus Blade prioritizes laptop charging in a slim, rectangular form factor that slides into a laptop sleeve easily.
It delivers 100W USB-C output, which is enough to charge most USB-C laptops at or near their maximum input speed. The 20,000 mAh capacity provides roughly one full laptop charge or four to five phone charges.
What sets the Blade apart is the form factor. Most high-wattage power banks are thick bricks. The Blade is flat and wide, about the dimensions of a small hardcover book, which distributes the weight more comfortably in a bag.
It also has a built-in display and supports pass-through charging, so you can charge the power bank and your devices simultaneously from a single wall outlet.
Samsung 25W Battery Pack (10,000 mAh)
Samsung's portable battery is a clean, simple option for Galaxy phone users who want something reliable without a lot of extra features.
The 10,000 mAh capacity provides about two full charges for most Samsung phones, and the 25W USB-C output supports Samsung's Super Fast Charging protocol. It also has a USB-A port for charging older devices or accessories.
The design is slim and well-built with a matte finish that does not attract fingerprints. It is not the cheapest 10,000 mAh option available, but the build quality and Samsung-optimized charging make it worth the small premium if you are already in the Samsung ecosystem. It charges itself at 25W as well, which gets it from zero to full in about two hours.
Mophie Powerstation Pro AC (27,000 mAh)
The Mophie Powerstation Pro AC is the power bank for people who need to charge everything.
It has an actual AC outlet built in, which means you can plug in devices with a standard wall plug, not just USB. This includes older laptops, camera battery chargers, CPAP machines, and anything else that uses a standard power cable.
At 27,000 mAh with USB-C PD output up to 65W and a 100W AC outlet, this unit handles anything you throw at it. The trade-off is size and weight. It is significantly larger and heavier than the other options on this list, closer to a small brick than a pocket device.
But for travel, camping, or emergency backup power, having an AC outlet on the go is a capability that no USB-only power bank can match.
What About Wireless Charging Power Banks
Wireless charging power banks are convenient in theory but slower in practice. Most wireless power bank charging tops out at 7.5 to 15W, compared to 20 to 65W over a USB-C cable.
That means significantly longer charge times. They also generate more heat, which can throttle charging speeds further and is not great for your phone's battery health over time.
If you value convenience over speed and do not mind slower charges, a wireless power bank can simplify your carry by eliminating the need for a cable. But for most people, a USB-C power bank with a short cable in their bag is faster, more efficient, and charges a wider range of devices.
The Bottom Line
For everyday pocket carry, the Anker Nano is the easiest to live with.
For a versatile all-rounder, a 10,000 to 20,000 mAh USB-C PD power bank like the Samsung or Baseus covers phones and laptops efficiently. And for maximum preparedness on long trips or off-grid situations, the Anker 737 or Mophie Powerstation Pro AC give you serious capacity and flexibility. Pick based on what you actually need to charge and how far you want to carry it.
Get the best of Tech Stuffed
Expert guides, reviews, and tips delivered to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.