The Essential Guide to Portable Chargers: Top Picks for Every Traveler

Portable chargers have become a necessity in today’s world, where our devices are constantly connected to our lives. From cameras to boarding passes, maps to hotel confirmations, and currency converters to translation apps, our phones are now an extension of ourselves. However, shopping for a power bank can be a daunting task, with numerous options available, each claiming to be the best. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve tested a dozen portable chargers from eight different brands to find the top picks for every type of traveler and trip.

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Our testing process involved carrying 12 portable chargers through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Southern Oregon, South Africa, Madagascar, and along an 11-day Danube river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest. We packed them in purses and carry-ons, relying on them in airports and rental cars, on safari, and while roaming around cities on foot. We also tested them at home on long daycare commutes and motorcycle rides, where GPS, music, and action-camera filming drain batteries especially fast.

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We compared the comfort of each charger to carry and hold, how quickly it powered up our devices, how long it held a charge before the battery itself needed a recharge, how fast it recharged, and whether its ports, cables, size, and weight made sense for busy travel days.

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The Best Overall Portable Charger

The Belkin 10K 23W portable charger power bank has been my go-to choice for years, and after testing many newer chargers, I still believe it’s the best all-around pick. Its built-in cables are tucked neatly into the sides, eliminating the need to dig around for the right cord when your phone is running low. It charges quickly, has enough capacity for a long day out, and is slim enough to fit in a small purse or deeper jacket pocket.

However, it can be a bit awkward to hold your phone while it’s plugged in, and the four-dot battery indicator feels dated next to newer models with percentage displays. Nevertheless, its reliable and unfussy design make it a top choice for everyday travel.

The Best Fast-Charging Power Bank

The Iniu portable charger earned its spot by delivering on its promise: charging quickly. When my phone was at 17%, it reached 42% in just 12 minutes, 77% in about 40 minutes, and 97% in a little over an hour. I also appreciated the display, which shows the exact percentage remaining instead of leaving you to decode a few blinking dots.

However, it requires a separate cable, which can be a hassle when traveling. Additionally, it’s a bit chunky compared to slimmer everyday chargers. Nevertheless, its strong performance and clear percentage display make it a top pick for fast charging.

The Best Magnetic Charger

The Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K Slim is the most effective magnetic charger I tested. It snapped securely onto my phone, was still comfortable enough to hold, and brought my phone from 80 to 97% in about 20 minutes. Its real appeal is convenience: you can keep using your phone while it juices up.

However, it’s not compatible with all devices, and you may need a magnetic Qi2-compatible case for Samsung and Google Pixel users. Nevertheless, its ease of use and convenience make it a top pick for iPhone users.

The Best Pocket-Size Charger

The iWalk 5th Gen portable charger is better suited as a pocket-size emergency backup than a full-day power source. It’s petite enough to slip into a pocket or purse and has a built-in USB-C connector, eliminating the need to remember a separate cord.

In testing, it charged my son’s iPad from 66% to full, though the charger itself dropped to 45% in the process. That’s exactly the use case: a quick hit of power on the go, not something that will have your back all day.

The Best Eco-Friendly Charger

The Nimble Champ 10K is the straightforward eco-minded pick: compact, easy to pack, and made by a Certified B Corp that emphasizes lower-impact materials, plastic-free packaging, and free e-waste recycling. It has dual USB-C ports, so you can charge more than one device at once, and handled smaller devices well in testing.

I also appreciated the nylon lanyard, which made it easier to handle on the go. However, I would still prefer an integrated cable for travel, and it’s pricier than some comparable 10,000mAh chargers.

The Best for Multiple Devices

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is the power player of the bunch. It’s not what I’d bring to dinner or stuff into a tiny purse, but it’s exactly what I want when on a long-haul routing turns into a battery-triage situation. The retractable USB-C cable is genuinely useful, and the display shows the remaining battery percentage, plus how much power is flowing in or out.

In testing, it charged my MacBook Air from 40% to 98% in about 80 minutes. When my son ran his iPad down to 2% on a transatlantic flight, the Anker brought it back to 75% in about an hour and still had plenty left to give.