Almost everyone I know owns at least one power bank, and the ubiquity of these portable chargers means that you can pick up cheap units in gas stations and dollar stores. But my extensive testing suggests that these are false economy, and you're very likely buying something that at best won't last long, or at worse could even be dangerous.
This is why I recommend buying power banks from reputable brands. Don't worry -- I still work to keep those brands honest by extensively testing every power bank using an array of gadgets to make sure that they do what they say they do on the box. If the power bank claims water resistance, I test that, and if there a durability claim, rest assured that is also tested to a high level, too.
What is the best portable charger right now?
I've rigorously tested hundreds -- yes, literally hundreds -- of portable chargers in recent years, putting me in the perfect position to identify which ones truly deserve your hard-earned money. It takes a long time to test a power bank, testing that involves power meters to measure capacity and power output, testing durability claims in real world tests, followed by a chunk of time using the item on a day to day basis. But at the end of this, I know just how good a particular power bank is.
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My pick for the best power bank overall goes to the Anker Nano 10,000 mAh for its portability, quality construction (this power bank has been knocked about by me in a handful of countries), the fact that it has USB-C and USB-A ports which means it caters to both old and new devices. And to top it all off, it comes with a super handy built-in USB-C cable. And you get all that for $30.
While the Anker Nano is my favorite, there are plenty of other options with different price points, features, and brands in mind. For example, if you're looking for a power bank with sheer power, the Cuktech P-series 25,000 mAh can give you several recharges of a smartphone or close to a full recharge of a MacBook Pro, or there's the nearly indestructible Dark Energy Poseidon Pro, which can take a hammering.
Also: Anker just recalled another 5 power banks - how to get a refund or free replacement
And fear not, I'm testing handfuls of power banks every month from big brands, looking for the best of the best portable chargers. Right now I'm testing a a few different power banks, and there's at least one that could be making it to this list soon. For now, these are my favorites.
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