What are the Top‐Rated Travel Chargers and Power Banks for on‐the‐go use?

Portable devices have this weird habit of dying at the worst possible times — like when you’re just getting on the bus, right in the middle of an important meeting, or as you finally flop onto the couch and hit “Play.” That’s exactly why it’s smart to keep a good portable charger around, so you’re never stuck with a dead battery again.

The thing is, there are hundreds of battery packs out there, and picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Trust me, we get it. We’ve spent years testing tons of them. This whole obsession actually started when WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson lived off the grid in a vintage RV powered mainly by solar panels. Even if you’re not living the solar life, a solid power bank is still a total lifesaver. Here are our top picks. (If you’re an Apple fan, check out our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide too. And if you need serious power, like for camping or road trips, don’t miss our Best Portable Power Stations guide.)

Upgrade Pick: Anker Laptop Power Bank

This one’s a beast. It’s stylish and packed with power — 25,000 mAh of it! You can charge two devices at once (up to 165 watts total), or blast 100 watts into one device through USB-C. I love the smooth, rounded design, the built-in 2.3-foot USB-C cable that hides away neatly, and a handy 1-foot braided cable that also works as a carry loop.

The screen shows how much battery is left, the charging speed, battery temperature, and health. It charges up in about two hours and even supports pass-through charging (so you can charge the power bank and your devices at the same time). I threw everything at it, and it fast-charged like a champ — plus you can plug in up to four devices at once.

Specs:

• Ports: 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, 2 built-in USB-C cables
• Capacity: 25,000 mAh
• Charges: Most phones at least 4 times
• Wattage: 165 watts
• Warranty: 18 months

Best for Tablets: Ugreen 145W Power Bank

Need something strong and compact? Ugreen’s 145W charger is surprisingly small for the punch it packs. It’s got a 25,000-mAh battery and three ports (two USB-C, one USB-A). What’s cool is it can pull 145 watts even while charging — which means one USB-C can hit 100 W, and the other 45 W, at the same time.

Not many batteries this size can do that. There’s a tiny LED screen showing the battery level, but I wish it showed more info like charging speed. Small gripe though — if you want fast charging, especially for tablets and laptops, this one’s a winner. Just a heads-up: it doesn’t seem to support Samsung’s fast-charging.

Specs:

• Ports: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
• Capacity: 25,000 mAh
• Charges: Most tablets 2–3 times
• Wattage: 145 watts
• Warranty: 2 years

Also Read: Which Travel Tech Gadgets Should I Pack for Business Trips?

Best for Apple Watch: Anker MagGo Power Bank

If you’re like me, your Apple Watch usually survives the day — but on crazy busy days or short trips, this little gadget is clutch. Anker’s MagGo has a pop-up charger for the Watch (5 watts), supports Nightstand mode, and even has a built-in USB-C cable plus a port for charging your phone at up to 30 watts.

There’s a sleek hidden display that shows the battery level and charging speed. It’s small, powerful (10,000 mAh), and comes in cool colors like black, white, green, and pink. Anker even tosses in some stickers to keep your watch from sliding (but honestly, mine stayed put just fine).

Specs:

• Ports: 1 USB-C, Apple Watch wireless charger, built-in USB-C cable
• Capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Charges: Apple Watch 8–9 times
• Wattage: 30 watts
• Warranty: 2 years

Also Read: What Travel Tech Innovations are Trending in 2025?

Best-Looking Power Bank: Sharge Shargeek 170

OK, I admit it — I’m a sucker for Sharge’s see-through, cyberpunk style. But this power bank isn’t just cool-looking. It’s seriously powerful: 170 watts output, 24,000-mAh battery, and even IP66 water resistance (good for rain, but don’t dunk it).

The smart display shows battery percentage, time left, and charging stats. It supports fast-charging standards like Power Delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS. It charged everything I threw at it — iPhones, Pixels, MacBooks — super fast. It comes with a nice braided cable and a soft little bag. It can fully recharge in just an hour with the right charger. My only gripe? It’s kinda pricey.

Specs:

• Ports: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
• Capacity: 24,000 mAh
• Charges: Most phones about 5 times or a laptop once
• Wattage: 170 watts
• Warranty: 1 year

Also Read: How do Travel Tech Accessories Enhance the Overall Travel Experience?

Other Portable Chargers We Tried and Liked

• Sharge Flow Mini ($19): Small, cute, and quick. Has a built-in USB-C cable, but it’s a bit tricky to pull out. Charges fast but maxes out at 12 watts.
• Denvix PowerX Power Bank ($180): Heavy-duty beast with a 25,000-mAh battery, a wireless pad, and four ports. Can charge a laptop and a few phones at once, but it gets warm and is a bit slippery.
• Cuktech 10 ($40): Small but mighty. Outputs up to 100 watts and recharges fast, but don’t expect it to deliver the full 10,000 mAh.
• Cuktech 15 Ultra ($120): Bigger version of the Cuktech 10. Charges 2–3 devices at up to 165 watts. Great for heavy users.
• Rugd Power Brick ($50): Built tough for camping trips — it’s shockproof, waterproof (IP67), has a big flashlight, and a decent 10,050-mAh battery.
• FansDreams MChaos ($46): A fun, wearable power bank that clips to your bag. Great for topping off your phone once, but the 5,000 mAh battery might feel small if you need more.