Are portable power banks worth it?

Portable power banks are very handy devices when you need a quick charge for your phone or laptop when on the move. Smaller capacity chargers offer great portability but only hold enough charge for maybe one or two full charges for a phone, at best.

How much does a power bank cost?

Iniu Power Bank BaI-B64 for $72: Offering relatively low prices, Iniu is a power bank brand on the rise. This portable charger packs a 27,000-mAh capacity, can put out up to 140 W, and charges three devices at once via two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port.

What is a good battery capacity for a power bank?

Power bank battery capacity is most often measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). Low-capacity power banks—best for small devices like smartphones and Bluetooth headphones—range from 1000mAh to 5000mAh. Medium capacity power banks—best for multiple smartphone recharges or tablets—range from 6000mAh to 15000mAh.

How much power does a power bank give a phone?

Our testing shows that a power bank can offer your phone about 70% of the power it contains. It loses the rest due to the inefficiency of the power transfer. That means a 5,000 mAh battery can fully charge a phone with a 3,500 mAh battery, like an iPhone 16.

Do you need a portable battery or power bank?

Watching your phone or tablet steadily run out of power when you're nowhere near an outlet is stressful. But there's an easy solution: a portable battery or power bank. They are available in many sizes and capacities and can include handy features like fast charging and multiple ports.

Which power bank should I buy?

The Nimble Champ is our top recommendation for most folks, but we have all sorts of alternatives here. Read our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for Apple-specific portable chargers, and our Best Portable Power Stations guide if you need more power. Updated June 2025: We've added power banks from Redmagic and Statik, and added a new FAQ.