Whether it’s during an important work call or while waiting for a late-night Uber pick-up, our devices seem to have a knack for dying at the most inconvenient times.
That’s where a portable charger can come to the rescue.
These compact gadgets can be pre-charged and later used to revive your devices when they’re running low, helping you to stay connected for longer. With so many sizes and capacities to choose from though, finding the right one for your needs can be a bit of a slog.
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That’s why we’ve scoured the market to bring you the top chargers for all needs and budgets – like the VEEKTOMX 10,000mAh Mini Power Bank that reviewers on Amazon called “perfect when on the go”.
You can also check out our FAQs section for more information on what to look for when buying a portable charger.
We update this page regularly but, please note: prices are correct and products are in stock at time of publishing.
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In this article
EDITOR’S PICK: BEST PORTABLE CHARGERS
VEEKTOMX 10,000mAh 22.5W Mini Power Bank, $38.99 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
As a South Aussie girl living in Sydney, I frequently fly back and forth between states. And between booking Ubers, updating family on arrival times and doom scrolling as I wait for yet another delayed flight (looking at you, Jetstar), a portable charger is an absolute must.
While I have trialled a few decent options over the years, this little VEEKTOMX power bank is a definite favourite. At around half the size of my iPhone 13 Pro, the charger is the most compact 10,000mAh option I’ve come across, easily slipping into my pocket or handbag without weighing me down.
Where most power banks only have LED lights as a power indicator, the VEEKTOMX charger actually displays the full battery percentage, which is super handy. It can also charge up to two devices simultaneously, and powered most smartphones around two and a half times in my testing.
Only one USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box so, if you require additional cables, you will have to provide your own. But for the size and price, the charger is an easy recommendation.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR PHONES
Cygnett ChargeUp Reserve 2nd Gen 10K Power Bank, $79.99 at Anaconda
What you need to know
Boasting a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Google Reviews, this Cygnett brick is another great travel companion.
With 20W of power and super fast charging speeds, the brand estimates that an iPhone should charge from 0-50 per cent in around thirty minutes. It can also charge up to three devices at once thanks to its various ports, and will power up most phones around two and a half times.
While it is a little bulky, the power bank is relatively lightweight for the capacity and is around the same size as the average smartphone, making it easy to slip in a handbag or backpack without weighing it down.
It features a digital display on the bottom of the device to tell you how much power remains and comes with a 40 cm USB-C to USB-C cable included.
One five star reviewer called it a “bang for buck buy”, and added: “device charging times are quick and power bank recharge is also well beyond expectation.”
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR IPADS AND TABLETS
Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000mAh Power Bank, $79.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
If you’re looking for a charger with a little extra power, but without a ton of additional weight, this 20,000mAh Anker unit is our top pick. Offering almost five full charges for a Samsung Galaxy S10 and over two and a half charges for an iPad Mini 5, the power bank makes it easy to get more from your devices.
Twin USB ports allow you to charge two devices at the same time, while trickle-charging mode can be used to optimise charging to low-power devices such as earbuds or accessories.
The lack of a USB-C output port is disappointing here, but it’s an otherwise great buy for those looking to top up their tablets and phones on the go.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGERS FOR LAPTOPS
Xiaomi Zmi No. 20 210W 25,000mah USB PD Power Bank, $169.99 (down from $229.99) at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
Capable of a maximum output of 100W, the Xiaomi ZMI No. 20 is a monster of a charger. According to the brand, it can power up a MacBook Pro 16-inch to 75 per cent in just one hour, making it a top choice for students and those working away from their desks.
It can also charge an iPhone 12 up to five times and an iPad Pro 11-inch just under two times, making it ideal for all your charging needs.
A digital display on the side relays the remaining battery percentage, while a range of in-built safety features stops the charger from overheating or short-circuiting.
One five star reviewer on Amazon Australia said it was “by far the best power bank I’ve ever owned”, while another called it “an awesome looking powerbank with a beautiful design that charges up quite fast if you have a powerful enough charger (100W)”.
Cygnett ChargeUp Pro Series 20K Laptop Power Bank, $149 at Bing Lee
What you need to know
When 10,000mAh just won’t cut it, this pro-grade Cygnett portable charger is a top choice. Delivering 20,000mAh and a maximum charging output of 65W, the power bank can fully charge powerful USB-C laptops like Apple’s MacBook Pro or Microsoft’s Surface Pro with ease. You can also opt to share the 65W across the three USB charging ports and charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Charging the power bank itself is a relatively quick process, and can be made faster still when you recharge using a 45W – 70W wall charger and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.
Of course, all of this power results in a heavy, bulky design that won’t be ideal for everyone. If you’re after a reliable laptop charger for work or study though, it’s worth its hefty price tag.
Still not enough juice for your needs? Check out the Anker 737.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR APPLE WATCH
iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger, $69.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
Apple Watches may top every best smartwatch list, but their battery life rarely lasts beyond 18 hours. That’s where this handy iWalk Portable Charger comes in.
Featuring an ultra-powerful 9000mAh battery, iWalk claims the charger can power an Apple Watch up to 20 times. It can also charge an iPhone 12 Pro around two times and comes with a built-in lightning cable so you can charge your Watch and iPhone simultaneously.
There’s even an integrated magnetic charger module to hold your Apple Watch in place, making it a truly handy buy.
One five star reviewer on Amazon Australia called it a “great little portable charger” and said: “Have taken this camping over this summer weekend and it provides the best quick charge for both my Apple watch and iPhone. Forgot it once and I was lost without it.”
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR FAST CHARGING
INIU 3A High-Speed PowerPaw 10,000mAh, $34.70 (down from $48.99) at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
It may be a lesser known brand than some others on this list, but INIU’s 10,000mAh PowerPaw charger is a great little unit. Not only does it offer super speedy short-term charging, but its Dual USB-A ports make it easy to power up a secondary device.
With a thickness of just 0.5 inches, the power bank is super slim and lightweight enough to throw in a bag without significantly adding to the weight.
There’s also a paw print light on the front that tells you how much juice your charger has left, which is a handy addition, albeit one that could be improved. As much as we love the cute design, an actual battery percentage would have been more useful here.
Still, with a 4.6 out of five star rating from more than 25,000 reviews on Amazon Australia, it’s a standout device at an even better price.
One happy reviewer, who rated the power bank five out of five, said: “Works great, charges quickly. Has enough juice to charge my iPhone twice. Took this when I went travelling and never failed.”
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR CHARGING MULTIPLE DEVICES AT ONCE
Anker 737 PowerCore 24K Power Bank, $199 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
If you’re looking for an option powerful enough to charge devices like laptops and portable gaming consoles, we recommend this Anker brick. While it doesn’t come cheap, the portable charger has a whopping 24,000mAh battery and can deliver 140W out of a single port. For context, that’s enough to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro to 50 per cent in around 40 minutes (with a cable that supports PD 3.1).
Featuring two USB-C ports and a USB-A port (18W), the power bank can charge up to three devices at once, while keeping temperatures to a reasonable level. The standout feature though is the smart display, which shows the output/input power and estimated time for the portable charger to fully recharge.
There’s no USB-C cable or AC charger included with the device, so you will need to supply your own (and you’ll want to ensure both are capable of PD 3.1 to take full advantage of the power bank), but it’s a hugely convenient option for those in need of a big power boost.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER FOR WIRELESS CHARGING
Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo), $89.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
If you have an iPhone that supports MagSafe, Anker’s 622 MagGo is a great little gadget. The versatile battery magnetically latches on to the back of your phone, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cables around with you.
It also comes with a kickstand, so you can prop your phone up to watch videos or play games as it charges.
At 5000mAh, you’re only going to get around one phone charge out of it, but it remains a convenient solution for those who don’t need a big top up.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGER WITH BUILT-IN WIRES
VEEKTOMX 30,000mAh 22.5W Power Bank with Built in Cables at $75.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
If you’re forever misplacing your cables, or just looking to reduce cable clutter, this VEEKTOMX 30K Power Bank offers an ideal solution. The power bank includes built-in Micro, Type C, Apple, and USB A cables, all of which fold neatly into the back and sides of the device. There’s also a USB-C port and a built-in USB-A input cable for charging the power bank, which means you can charge up to five devices at the same time.
While larger devices can take some time to power up, the charger makes short work of smaller devices like smartphones.
According to the brand, the brick can revive an iPhone 13 six times, an iPad Pro three and a half times and a DJI Mini drone five times. There’s also an LED screen to tell you the remaining power level and built-in safeguards to protect your device.
BEST PORTABLE CHARGERS FOR TRAVEL
Charmast PD 20W Mini Portable Charger 10,400mAh, $29.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
If you’re looking for a compact charger that still packs a punch, you can’t go past Charmast’s 20W PD Mini Power Bank. Delivering 10,400mAh and wide compatibility, the pocket-friendly power bank is great for a quick top up when you need it most.
It can charge up to three devices simultaneously via two USB-A outputs with QC 3.0 and through one bidirectional Type-C output. There’s also four LED lights on the front of the device to let you know when the power bank is fully charged and how much juice it still has left.
The capacity is small enough to be accepted by most airlines too, so you should have no issue tossing it in your carry on luggage.
One five star reviewer on Amazon Australia called it a “no-brainer” and said: “Loved it so much I bought a second one.”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A PORTABLE CHARGER
When deciding which portable power bank is right for you, you’ll want to compare the following:
Capacity: The capacity of a portable charger is measured in milliamp hour (mAh) and gives you a rough estimate of the charging capabilities. For instance, most smartphones have a battery with around 3000mAh, so a 3000mAh power bank will likely offer a single phone charge before it also runs out of juice. Higher capacity power banks can meanwhile charge your phone multiple times before needing to be recharged, and some can also charge more powerful devices such as laptops, tablets and portable gaming consoles. We recommend a 10,000mAh charger for anyone looking to charge their smartphones or smaller devices regularly. Those looking to power larger devices should meanwhile look for options with at least a 20,000mAh capacity.
Size and weight: As the name suggests, portable power banks are meant to be easy to carry around with you. However, they do come in a range of shapes, weights and sizes, making it important to compare options. While a 20,000mAh power bank is much more powerful than a 10,000mAh one, for instance, larger capacity batteries are also heavier and bulkier. When choosing a charger, you’ll want to weigh up the portability against the output to find one that works for your needs.
Ports: Most portable chargers include at least two output ports, with larger capacity models offering even more. The amount of ports you’ll need will depend on how many devices you’re likely to be charging at any one time. You’ll also want to ensure that the ports and included cables are compatible with your devices.
Charging speed: If you need to charge your devices quickly, you’ll want to look for a power bank with fast charging technology. Keep in mind that fast charging does require a compatible cable and these may need to be purchased separately.
CAN I BRING A PORTABLE CHARGER ON AN AEROPLANE?
Whether you’re travelling domestically or internationally, you are permitted to bring a power bank within carry-on luggage (batteries cannot be put inside checked luggage). Generally, airlines allow power banks up to 100W (approximately 27000mAh) on flights, though we recommend double checking individual airline’s guidelines before heading to the airport.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC SAFETY FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PORTABLE CHARGER?
Yes, when choosing a portable charger it is important to consider specific safety features, such as over-current protection, temperature control, overcharge protection, short-circuit protection and auto-shut off.
You should also read the instructions that come with your charger to make sure you’re using it correctly.
HOW TO RECYCLE A POWER BANK
If your power bank has finally bitten the dust, you might be wondering how to dispose of it. As batteries are made of non renewable materials and are capable of causing fires, they should never be placed in your recycling or waste bin. Instead, you can search for electronic recycling services near you to dispose of them responsibly.
Mobile Munster is one great option for Australians, as it has plenty of convenient drop-off points at stores like Vodafone, Optus, Telstra and Officeworks. You can also grab a mailing satchel through the site and mail in your device for free.
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Originally published as 11 best portable chargers & power banks to buy in 2023
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