Traveling often involves taking along multiple devices—smartphone, tablet, laptop, and the like. But you won’t always have access to a wall outlet to charge all, or even any, of them. That’s why it’s important to add a power bank to your pack. But with so many options available, how do you know which power bank best suits your needs? Everything from various charging specs, to different ports, to the included cables need to be considered before making a purchase.
That’s where we come in. We’ve tested a ton of power banks from different manufacturers spanning the range of available price points and specs. We’ve curated a list of our favorites to help you find the best value. You can rest assured that our recommendations are all great picks as the PCWorld staff puts each power bank through a battery—pun intended—of tests. You can learn more about our evaluation process below our picks.
While our recommendations reflect a range of needs, if you need something more substantial to power your appliances while off-grid or during an emergency, check out our roundup of best power stations.
Updated 11/22/2023: Looking for a hybrid power bank capable of recharging a laptop? We loved the Anker 521 PowerCore Fusion 45W, a 5,000mAh power bank that can also charge MacBooks and other thin-and-light laptops as well as USB devices like phones, tablets, and earbuds. You can read more about it in our review.
Anker 511 PowerCore Fusion 5K – Best budget USB-C power bank
Pros
- Efficient
- Slim, compact size
- Both a battery and a wall charger
Cons
- Charging a device at the wall takes up the whole outlet
The Anker 511 FusionCore 5K is a great travel companion, particularly when out and about in a city. Its hybrid design makes it ideal if you don’t like to carry much but always want an adequate charge for your phone—though it does take up an entire wall outlet when used as a charger.
PowerCore Fusion 5000 2-in-1 Portable Charger and Wall Charger – Best budget USB-A power bank
Pros
- Built-in wall adapter
- Two USB ports
Cons
- Not the most efficient battery pack we’ve tested
This older Anker model may not be as svelte as the newer 511 variation, but the PowerCore Fusion 5000 is still an extremely convenient combo wall charger and portable power bank—especially if you have devices that still use USB Type-A cables. The bank itself can be recharged via either method—power outlet or MicroUSB port. It’s limited to two USB-A ports for device charging, but that doesn’t diminish its great handiness-to-cost ratio.
Einova Laptop Power Bank – Most stylish power bank
Pros
- The display is actually useful
- Fabric covering is a nice touch
- Above-average efficiency
Cons
- Both USB ports should have the same charging speeds
With its stylish fabric-clad body, its discreet yet useful battery-status display, and its three USB ports (one of which is USB-C), Einova’s power bank adds flair and above-average battery efficiency to your everyday carry.
RAVPower Portable Power Station 252.7Wh Power House – Best small power station
Pros
- Small form factor
- Plenty of ports
- Comes with a case and built-in flashlight
Cons
- Built for quick trips, not for extended use
