The Best Power Banks of 2024

Now in its second generation, the Nitecore NB100000 ($60) is a lightweight, no-frills power bank that seriously impressed during testing. This minuscule unit is one of the smallest 10,000 mAh banks on the market. It fits easily in any pocket, and it weighs just over 5 ounces — excellent stats for a power bank that fully charged an iPhone 13 to 100% two and a half times — exactly as the brand claims.

The NB10000 isn’t the most heavy-duty or luxurious power bank on the market, but it simply performs well in every category without any major flaws or weaknesses. Sure, the battery power indicator light isn’t the most precise, but that’s a nit-picky criticism in a compact power bank. Ultimately, the NB10000 provides reliable portable power for charging small devices.

Our 2-foot drop test didn’t leave a scratch on the Nitecore’s carbon fiber exterior, so we especially recommend this power bank for outdoor use. It’s light and packable enough for ultralight thru-hiking, and it contains enough power to keep a phone charged for quite a long time — depending on phone use, of course.

Compared to the first generation of the NB10000, the second generation offers increased USB-C output for faster charging. It also has a “low current mode,” which is useful for sensitive devices with small batteries such as smart watches and Bluetooth earbuds.

If you need to charge two devices at once — the Nitecore NB10000 has you covered. Additionally, it has “pass-through charging,” which allows users to tap into the NB10000’s outputs while it is plugged into a wall outlet.

For $22, the pocket-sized Charmast 10400 power bank is an excellent, affordable option for recharging small devices around the house and during weekend getaways. Sure, there are less expensive power banks of this size on the internet, but this one actually works and has great quality for the price.

With two USB-A outputs plus an in/out USB-C and a micro USB output, this Charmast works with all sorts of cables. It can theoretically charge up to three devices at a time, though it will drain very quickly under that kind of strain.

During our testing, it delivered power to headphones, smartphones, and smartwatches in a timely fashion. It pumped an iPhone 13 from 0 to 100% and again from 0 to 92% in a single full charge. Compared to similarly-sized power banks, the Charmast reloads quickly when plugged into a wall outlet with its included cable.

Though the Charmast 10400 power bank is a bit bulkier and heavier than our top overall pick, it still fits easily into a pocket without fuss. The plastic casing doesn’t boast any listed waterproofing stats, but it held up perfectly well to our drop test with only minor scuffing.

During our testing for this roundup, we focused primarily on compact pocket-sized power banks in the 10-20k mAH range. Though these small devices are great for charging small devices on the go, they aren’t suitable for larger devices like laptops.

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD ($250) is larger than most power banks on this list. It weighs 1.5 pounds, and it won’t fit in a pocket. That said, it’s still relatively compact, and it’s the perfect choice for airline travel or car camping, especially when a charged-up laptop is essential.

Compared to the smaller banks we tested, the Sherpa boasts several significant upgrades. First, it offers wireless charging. Just set a compatible smartphone or another device on the charging pad and it’ll power up sans cable.

A small display screen keeps the user informed on outgoing wattage, remaining battery life, and more. It’s far more informative than the standard series of indicator lights that most small power banks have.

The Sherpa charged an iPhone 13 from dead to 100% a whopping seven times using a USB-C to USB-C cord. The brand advertised eight full charges, but this figure depends on many variable factors. In any case, the Sherpa is about four times more powerful than most 10k mAh power banks in this regard. Using the wireless charging surface, the phone fully charged in about 100 minutes.

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD fully charged a MacBook Air over two times before it ran out of steam — more than enough for a weekend of off-grid computing.

In terms of durability, the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro ($120) is miles ahead of nearly every other power bank. According to the brand, it can be fully submerged in water for up to 45 minutes, frozen for four weeks, and dropped from 75 feet in the air. Though we didn’t test these bold claims exactly, we used and abused the Poseidon Pro for several weeks, dropping it in the snow, tossing it loose into a backpack, and making no attempt to protect it from harm. It continues to look and perform like new.

This power bank’s bulletproof nature does come with a slight weight increase. It’s about 3 ounces heavier than other power banks with comparable capacity. Still, that’s a small price to pay for reliable power in extreme conditions. If you’re heading to the ends of the earth, this is the right power bank to pack.

All power inputs and outputs on the Pro are hidden beneath a rugged mini door. A small LED flashlight sits next to the USB-A and USB-C ports. Four battery indicator lights relay the key information that users need.

We managed to squeeze two full charges out of the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro with an iPhone 13 — competitive stats in the 10K mAh category.

This Goal Zero Flip 24 ($30) is one degree smaller than the common 10K mAh power bank size class. It’s about the same size as a 15-pack of gum, and it charged an iPhone 13 twice (almost, 81% on the second charge). It’s great value for $30, and it adds valuable peace of mind on long hikes and bike rides.

Unlike most power banks on this list, the Flip 24 only has USB-A input and output. It’s not surprising for such a small bank, but it might be annoying for folks without a compatible cable. Plus, USB-C charging tends to be faster than USB-A. The Flip 24 will charge your phone slower than most other options on this list.

On the plus side, the Flip 24’s built-in USB-A stick is quite convenient. It plugs directly into compatible ports and charges right up without a cord. The battery indicator lights light up when the user presses the USB stick, which doubles as a button — product design panache.

For phones, earbuds, and smartwatches, the Goal Zero Flip 24 is a nifty little backup battery. If you need to charge larger devices, go with a power bank with greater capacity.

Anker has a solid reputation for simple, long-lasting, and fast-charging power banks. The Anker PowerCore III Elite ($130) boasts an impressive 25,600 mAh of capacity — an excellent figure for a power bank that’s only about 7 inches long.

Most power bank users can get by with 10K mAH — a perfectly suitable capacity for a weekend’s worth of phone and earbud charging. The PowerCore III Elite is a major step up — it contains more than double the capacity of most of the power banks on this list. It’s potent enough to charge laptops and tablets, and it still manages to fit into most pants pockets.

Of course, the extra capacity has to come from somewhere. The PowerCore III weighs 1.3 pounds. That’s a bit heavy for backpacking. Still, compared to similar capacity power banks like the Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD, the PowerCore is relatively svelte.

The PowerCore III fully charged an iPhone 13 just over six times. Anker claims it can charge three devices simultaneously. During testing, it easily charged two smartphones at the same time.

The Anker PowerCore III Elite dented easily during our 2-foot drop test, but it went on working without issue. It’s a great compact choice for photographers or remote workers on the go.

This compact power bank magnetically adheres to the back of compatible smartphones to deliver power on the go. Instead of waiting while your phone remains plugged into a cable, the Hinovo magnetic power bank ($40) goes where you go. It’s fully mobile and highly convenient.

Our Editor-in-Chief has been living with the Hinovo for months, and he appreciates its ease of use and straightforward design. The slim 5,000 mAh version immediately doubles a smartphone’s battery life without much added bulk. The major downside of the Hinovo is that it’s only compatible with certain phones that are MagSafe compatible.

If you’re in for a long phone-intensive workday or cross-country Wi-Fi-enabled flight, the Hinovo magnetic power bank provides reliable assurance that your phone will survive the trip.

For $150, it’s tough to beat the performance and generous capacity of the UGREEN 145W power bank. Offering 25,000 mAh of storage, this battery brick has enough juice to charge three small devices at once.

While the UGREEN may be a little hefty for backpacking, it’s great for road trips and air travel. During testing, we charged two smartphones and a Kindle all at once, and the UGREEN still had over 50% power left over.

We like that this simple power bank is free of frivolous features. It serves its purpose perfectly and doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a reliable power bank. The easy-to-read LED display allowed us to keep accurate tabs on its battery life. Its rate of power delivery is right up there with the best banks on the market, but the bank itself is fairly low to charge.

Unlike many of the smaller banks on this list, the UGREEN 145W power bank is potent enough to support a laptop. It doesn’t support Samsung Super Fast Charging, but it seems to thrive when paired with Apple products.

The Otterbox Fast Charge ($35) is available in three sizes: 10k, 15k, and 20k mAh. We tested the 10k version, though all three models have the same design and two-port layout. With just one in/out USB-C and one USB-A put out, it’s a simple and effective power bank that works best with smartphones and small devices.

The “Fast Charge” moniker sets up high expectations. This power bank fully charged an iPhone 13 from dead to 100% in just over 90 minutes. While this stat is competitive for a small power bank, it’s about the same as several other top performers on this list. This Otterbox is a reasonably fast-charging product, but it’s on par with its peers on this list, not necessarily superior.

Compared to the more durable options we tested, the Fast Charge has an all-plastic casing that feels a bit delicate and cheap to the touch. It survived our drop test and continued to function, but it just doesn’t have the feel of excellent build quality. Still, it’s a perfectly usable power bank.

The 15k version of the Otterbox Fast Charge ($45) is a nice middle ground between common power bank sizes. We expect it could charge a newer iPhone three or four times, a meaningful improvement over the 10k version.

This unassuming powerhouse came to be one of our tester’s favorite power banks by accident. After getting his sleek, lightweight Anker charger stolen on a recent climbing trip, the BioLite Charge 80 PD ($80) — his backup bank — found its way into his backpack on several ultralight treks and long road trip adventures.

It takes a lot for a power bank weighing over a pound to end up in a backpacking kit, but for super remote excursions where energy efficiency was a must, this thing was a lifesaver for our tester. Despite its 16.4-ounce weight, it can charge a smartphone over 5 times (tested with an iPhone 11), a tablet twice (tested with an iPad Pro), and even a computer once (tested with a MacBook Pro).

While you don’t need all these devices on a backpacking trip, this is a welcome power source for road trips, wilderness photo/video shoots, or international travel. And, for those backpacking jaunts that have you off the grid for five days or more, it’s hard to beat the power-to-weight ratio that this delivers.

The two USB-A Quick Charge and single USB-C PD ports offer exceptionally fast charging. The bank also only takes 4.5-5 hours to soak up a full charge, which is better than some other models with similar capacity we’ve tried. Its durable plastic shell gives this an indestructible feel, and we haven’t noticed a scratch on it after many miles of rough use.

With a 20k mAh capacity, it has the inherent cons of being quite heavy and comparatively large, but is on par with other banks in its category. We do find the battery indicator to be somewhat lacking. It is a bit hard to gauge exactly how much power is left, and we don’t like that the light remains on while charging. Some energy could be saved by having it switch off after it’s been plugged in for a second, and it can get annoying at night if it’s not covered up.

These slight gripes aside, we think that the BioLite Charge 80 PD delivers reliable power in a packable, durable design. If pure ultralight minimalism is what you’re after, there are better options out there. But, for the adventurer in need of a bit more juice on their excursions for multiple devices, this would be a solid pick.  

The ultra-slim 10k OKZU C10002Y power bank ($28) is marketed as a power source for electrically heated outerwear, but it also works perfectly well for all sorts of small electronics. It charged an iPhone 13 to the brims three times before needing a recharge itself — a great showing for a bank that weighs just 6.8 ounces.

We found that the C10002Y gets warm to the touch when plugged into the wall, but this is likely just a result of the thin plastic casing — not a major concern. Speaking of the casing, this definitely isn’t the most rugged power bank on our list. It feels like one significant chest-height drop onto a hard surface would be the end of it. We held our breath during the 2-foot drop test, and though it did survive, it sustained minor visible damage.

Four indicator lights convert battery levels — including one light that turns green when “fast mode” is engaged. Interestingly, this light turned green while charging an iPhone via the USB-C port, but not when charging earbuds via a USB-A port. It seems there is some kind of sensor in the OKZU that engaged fast-charging mode when the receiving device has a compatible battery. Neat.

Generally, the OKZU C10002Y power bank is yet another sweet little unit. It’s mega thin, and hardly detectable when sitting snugly in a pocket. Plus, it’s affordably priced at just $26.

In both size and capacity, the Lion Trek Power Bank ($149) is the largest power bank on this list. At 2.1 pounds and 8.5 inches long, it takes some liberties with its self-described “portable” nature. Still, this power bank justifies its size with a massive 27,000 mAh of capacity and a handy AC power outlet.

Unlike most of the options on this list, the Lion Trek packs enough power for laptops, tablets, and small appliances like lamps, TVs, and coffee grinders. It’s the perfect size for a long-term solo road trip — especially when paired with a compatible solar panel.

We’ve been testing the Lion Trek for several months. Though it’s a bit too big and inconvenient for airline travel, it’s been our go-to power bank for car camping. On a single full charge, the Lion Trek recharged an iPhone 13 nine times. It kept a MacBook Air alive for three days of frequent use. According to its display, the Lion Trek only used 5% of its total battery life to fully charge a pair wireless earbuds.

For some folks on the go, an AC outlet is a must-have. The Lion Trek is one of the smallest banks to include one. Additionally, the unit houses two USB-A outputs and one in/out USB-C port. For mobile remote workers, the Lion Trek can function as an ultra-compact solution for the solar-powered off-grid lifestyle.