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It's no secret: Smartphone batteries wear out — usually before we're ready to upgrade — and start dying. Whether you're waiting on an important call, sightseeing miles from the hotel, or just relaxing in the park, a dead phone can be inconvenient at best and ruin your day at worst. That's why we always carry one of the best small power banks.
At a Glance: The Best Small Power Banks
The best portable chargers have become more streamlined and powerful than ever. Almost all of them contain enough juice to fully charge your phone or headphones, and most are about the same size or smaller than the phone in question.
However, even though they all do the same thing, there is a surprising range of quality when it comes to portable chargers. The best portable chargers are fast, reliable, well made and really last. But cheap examples (which are sometimes hard to track down) can just add to the hassle of a dead phone by breaking or even becoming dangerous.
The Best Small Power Banks
To keep your devices charged on the go, we've rounded up some of the best small power banks to buy right now. Below are the best portable chargers our team of product experts swear by, extensively tested in the wild on commutes, weekend runs and trips. All options are available, as of writing, from at least one reputable retailer (almost all on Amazon) with an average customer rating of at least 4/5 stars.
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Anker Nano
One of the most popular portable chargers on the market is Anker's Nano. Like many of its 4,800+ reviewers, our testers love the small size. “5,000mAh isn't enough for a full charge for most phones, but it's good for charging on the go,” says Commerce Writer Jonathan Zavaleta. We're also big fans of the integrated USB-C connector, which eliminates the need to carry a cable, and the folding port.
Runner up
Charmast Portable Charger
Most portable chargers have enough juice to keep your devices going all day, but all that power is moot if you forget to bring the right charging cables. That's why Commerce Editor Sage Anderson swears by this 10,000mAh portable charger from Charmast. “I love that this comes with its own slim cords for multiple outputs (three) so I can power my iPhone, my Jabra headphones, and my portable electric fan without having to run a lot of cables,” they say. Plus, the large digital display also means I never have to guess how much battery is left.
Sustainable Choice
Agile Champion
Another one of our favorite portable chargers is this one Champion by Nimble, a phone accessory brand dedicated to sustainability. Champ comes in plastic-free packaging and is made with 90% certified recycled materials. It has a 10,000mAh battery to fully charge your phone, and our tester says it does so very quickly. We also love the size and shape, which looks roughly like a mini deck of cards.
Hybrid Power Bank-Charger
Anker PowerCore Fusion 10000
If you want something compact to quickly power your phone while you're out and about — or double as a wall charger — we like Anker's PowerCore Fusion. The 10,000 mAh battery can fully charge any iPhone once (with some juice), and the USB-C connection makes this charge very fast. Our tester liked the Anker PowerCore Fusion because it has a built-in power plug so you don't have to carry a separate power supply. It may not have the highest battery capacity, but the convenience of the PowerCore Fusion more than makes up for it.
Magnetic
Belkin BoostCharge 5K
Magnetic chargers like this one from Belkin make your charging process much more streamlined because you can use your phone as usual without also holding the power bank. This is tiny at less than four inches tall and has a small 2,500mAh battery, but it's perfect for carrying your phone through the night or recharging for quick use. Plus, we like the kickstand feature on the back.
Extremely thin
INIU portable charger
A great budget option that doesn't compromise on power or features is this INIU portable charger. Our tester loved its slim, lightweight construction, which weighs just seven ounces — perfect for commuting, weekend runs, or travel. It also has a power capacity of 10000 mAh, putting it on par with some of the more expensive power banks on this list. You also have USB-C input and output, allowing you to easily charge any devices that may require it. There are also two other built-in USB ports, allowing you to charge up to three devices simultaneously.
The best of the rest of the small Power Banks
Below are some more of the best small power banks we recommend right now. We haven't tried them ourselves, but we've researched several hands-on expert reviews and studied customer feedback to ensure they're worth your money.
Big Battery
Anchor 737
If you need something with more juice, check out this much-loved Anker 737 power bank. It can charge up to three devices at the same time and fill them all thanks to its large 24,000 mAh battery. It's expensive, but according to almost all the expert and customer reviews we've read, you really do get what you pay for in terms of reliability, power and features like the digital display.
Extremely durable
Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC
Another high-quality option with fantastic reviews on the web is this Sherpa from Goal Zero. It has an array of ports, including two USB-C ports (60 watt and 100 watt), two USB-A ports and a 100 watt AC port, all connected to a large 25,600 mAh battery. The construction – a unibody aluminum construction – is also more durable than most portable chargers, making the Sherpa a good choice for camping or backpacking.
Also great
Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K
As mentioned above, Belkin's BoostCharge 5K is one of the most popular portable chargers in our group. If you want more power and the reliability that Belkin is known for, this Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K is a great choice. The battery size quadruples (compared to the magnetic Belkin above) to 10,000 mAh for a full phone charge plus extra to charge or charge headphones. It also has built-in USB-C and lightning cables, eliminating the need to carry them around.
Small Power Bank Buying Guide
Here's what to look for when buying the best small power bank for you.
Capacity: First and foremost, make sure the portable charger you are using can fully charge your device in one go. Think about what devices you'll need the charger for and how long you'll be away from an outlet. Check the power bank's mAh (milliamp hours) and compare it to what your device requires, whether it's a small 3,000 mAh battery (perfect for phones) or a powerful 20,000 mAh model (powerful enough for laptops).
Size: The idea behind the portable charger is that it should be, you know, portable. So don't forget to think about the size and weight of the power bank when shopping. Do you carry a bag or want something to slip into your back pocket?
Compatibility: Keep in mind what kind of device you need to charge and how many devices you'll want to charge at once, which will make a difference when shopping. All of our chargers work with both iPhones and Androids, although make sure you note the type of cable you'll need to connect to your device.
Please note that the power bank itself will need to be charged after vaping your devices. The best power banks can deliver enough charge to power a phone 2-3 times or fully charge a laptop once. After that, they'll need to be plugged in to recharge, a cycle that can take a few hours.
How We Chose the Best Small Power Banks
When reviewing small power banks for this collection, we looked at all of the above features and tested portable chargers in a variety of situations, including travel, commuting, and just running around town. We looked for fast charging and a charge amount that matches the brand's claims, and gave extra points for convenient features like smaller sizes and built-in cables. After choosing our favorites, we cross-referenced our experiences with those of other experts and customer reviews to create the list you see above.
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