Blog

Power banks and portable chargers are essential to our daily lives. Here’s a rundown of some of the best, the most affordable, the most powerful, and the most bang for our buck power chargers in the market for 2023.

Our electronic gadgets power our lives, enabling us to work and play, both on the go. The last thing you want is to run out of juice when you’re about to finish that project report, snap an awesome travel photo, or make that roadside emergency call. That’s where portable chargers or power banks come in. But with so many options out there, it’s hard to make the best choice for your budget and lifestyle. 

We’ve got tech experts to the rescue. Here are the best portable chargers for various needs and situations, based on reviews from trusted editorial sources such as PCMag, PCWorld, and Wired.

Ready to power on? Let’s get started!

How to choose a portable charger

Before we give you a rundown of the best power banks for you this 2023, here are some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a portable charger. 

Capacity

A power bank’s capacity to charge devices is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). The higher the number, the more energy it has inside to charge your device several times before running out of power. Most company websites indicate how many times their power bank can recharge certain devices. Knowing the mAh capacity of the gadget you’re buying a portable charger for will help you narrow your options.

Size and weight

A higher mAh capacity means a heavier and bigger portable charger, so weigh your choices. Once you know how much power you need to charge your devices on the go, you can decide just how much heavy lifting you’re willing to do.

Input and output

A portable charger’s input refers to the amount of power it needs to recharge itself, while the output refers to the amount of power the portable charger can give to other electronic devices.

Ports

You want to make sure that the power bank has ports that are compatible with the devices you want to charge. Older devices have USB-A or micro/mini-USB ports, while newer smartphones, tablets, and laptops are switching to the USB-C standard.  If you’re hoping to charge several gadgets simultaneously, you should consider products with at least two charging ports. 

Charging speeds and standards

How quickly a power bank can charge your device is another factor to consider. The charging speed of a portable charger is measured in voltage and amperage. Voltage refers to the strength of the electric current, while amperage is the amount of electricity transferred from the power bank to your electronic gadget. To get the wattage, or measure of total power, multiply volts by amps. Most manufacturers make a device charge more quickly by increasing the total wattage by boosting the amperage or varying the voltage. 

If your electronic device supports fast charging, you should look at portable chargers with this feature. The most popular types of fast charging standards are USB Power Delivery, Qualcomm Quick Charge, and Power Delivery (PD).

The best portable chargers for your needs and lifestyle

Whether you want a portable charger for everyday use or a power bank for that camping trip, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top picks to give you a boost.

 

Nimble Champ (Wired)

Scott Gilbertson and Simon Hill of Wired declared the Nimble Champ the best portable charger overall, as it’s the best balance between power, portability, and price. Weighing less than half a pound, this 10,000mAh power bank is smaller than a deck of cards and can charge two devices simultaneously. It supports Apple and Samsung fast charging, Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0, and USB-C Power Delivery. It’s also eco-friendly, housed in 72.5% post-consumer plastic to reduce its total carbon footprint.

According to Gilbertson, he’s been using it for several months and rarely leaves home without it. “The 10,000-mAh capacity has enough juice to charge an iPad, and it can keep my phone running for almost a week,” he shares.

Mophie Powerstation XXL (PC World)

Over at PC World, the Mophie Powerstation XXL took the top spot. The reviewer lauded its stylish fabric finish (which also prevents dings and scratches), small footprint, and incredible efficiency. It has a 20,000mAh capacity, 18W PD charging, and weighs less than one pound. The Mophie Powerstation XXL can charge three devices simultaneously with one USB-C port and two USB-A ports.

 

Anker PowerCore Slim 1000 PD (Wired)

A mere 0.57 inches thick, the Anker PowerCore Slim lives up to its name: sleek yet powerful. It has an 18W Power Delivery USB-C port, a PowerIQ-enabled USB-A port, and a trickle-charging mode for low-power devices. With one USB-A port and one USB-C port, you can charge two devices at the same time. 

“[It] charges most phones very quickly,” writes Scott Gilbertson, which is why Wired deemed it the best portable charger for phones. According to the company, this portable charger can charge an iPhone 12 to 50% in just 30 minutes.

“It can power up an iPhone three times, and the 10,000-mAh battery has no trouble topping off my Fire HD 8 tablet twice,” Gilbertson shares.

PCMag also picked this as the best affordable PD power bank. It’s priced reasonably, but still gives you premium features like fast charging, plus two types of ports.

 

Anker 737 Power Bank (PCMag)

If you take your laptop with you everywhere you go, and many of those places don’t have wall outlets, this is the portable charger for you. PCMag deemed the Anker 737 Power Bank the best for charging laptops, mainly because of its ultra-powerful, two-way 140W charging and 24,000mAh battery capacity. According to the company, this portable charger can charge a Macbook Air 2020 (M1) 1.3 times and a 16-inch Macbook Pro to 50% in 40 minutes.

 

Otterbox Fast Charger Power Bank (PCWorld and PCMag)

Like being in the great outdoors but don’t want to be 100% out of touch? Consider the Otterbox Fast Charger Power Bank. Famous for its durable protective cases for smartphones and tablets, the company is branching out into portable chargers. The company is backing its build quality with a lifetime warranty, making this power bank a perfect option if you like roughing it. 

You can choose from 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 mAh models, all of which are capable of basic and fast-charging speeds. With one USB-A port and one USB-C port, you can charge two devices at the same time—all while enjoying the wonders of nature.

In this digital age, low-battery anxiety is real. Keep powering on with a portable charger that's best for your lifestyle. Happy shopping!

 

As one of the Top 19 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

We are ready to support your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner. 

Let's work together to build our future today.