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We all know that moment of panic when you realise your phone battery is at 10 per cent – and there’s no chance of finding a charger anytime soon.
Perhaps it’s happened to you at the airport, moments before you need your digital boarding pass, or maybe you’ve been on your way home late at night.
Whatever the circumstances may be, finding yourself without enough juice to get through the day is at best inconvenient – and at worst, downright panic-inducing.
When portable chargers started to become popular, it was a real game changer. Gone were the days of stressing the night before a trip, ensuring all your devices were at 100 per cent.
Now, you can sleep easy knowing you’ve got backup if disaster does strike.
But not all portable chargers are created equally – and some prove to be far more reliable than others.
Here, we’ve reviewed and rated some of the best, based on performance, practicality and size. There are budget-friendly options as well as premium models for frequent flyers and business travellers, along with a range of alternatives in between.
Whatever your priority may be, we’ve got you covered and tested the best portable chargers you can buy to inform you which are worth your money – and which are best to avoid.
Best power banks at a glanceHow we test
Here, we’ve reviewed and rated some of the best, based on performance, practicality and size. There are budget-friendly options as well as premium models for frequent flyers and business travellers, along with a range of alternatives in between
Like other travel products, when testing portable chargers, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey. We tested how long they took to get devices to 50 per cent and fully charged, surveyed how many times they could charge devices and assessed how they withstood being flung about in a bag during journeys.
As well as evaluating performance, we also look for style, size, weight and durability to get a true measure of their abilities.
Together with a group of expert reviewers at the Daily Mail, we collate and compare how well each product performs. We then collate and compare how well each product performs so you can choose the best portable charger for your travels.
You can read more about our testing methodologies across all product categories.
Why trust us
Our team of travel writers and editors has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of products. With a focus on travel equipment, such as portable chargers, we provide expertise on what travellers need on their journeys.
Our reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.
Best portable chargers 2025
When testing portable chargers, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey
Anker High-Power Multi-Device ChargingProduct SpecsBattery capacity25,000mAhDimensions15.7cm x 5.4cm x 4.9cmWeight594.21 gReview
Reviewed by Genie Harrison
While slightly bulky and heavy, this is probably the best portable charger I’ve ever used.
You can charge multiple devices at a time with the two in-device cables (one of which is extendable), and the power source permits multiple charges over the course of several days, meaning that for short haul trips, you wouldn’t even need to take an adaptor.
The device is also powerful enough to recharge a laptop to full power in under 90 minutes.
This Belkin charger fully charged a phone from dead in approximately two hours
BoostCharge Pro Power Bank 20KProduct SpecsBattery capacity20,000mAhDimensions15.34cm x 2.16cm x 8.62cmWeight440gReview
Reviewed by Genie Harrison
This charger fully charged my phone from dead in approximately two hours.
It can provide four full reboots when the device itself is fully charged.
It comes with its own cable, which is useful, and has a sleek black design. With two charging ports, it is useful as you can plug in two devices at one time. It has two 12W USB-A ports and one 15W USB-C port.
The only drawback I found was that the device is reasonably weighty.
Miady 5000mAh Mini Portable ChargerProduct SpecsBattery capacity5000mAhDimensions9.3cm x 6.1cm x 1.4cmWeight120gWhat we love
SizeThis is one of the smallest chargers we tested
WeightAt 120g, you can even carry it in your pocket
Review
Reviewed by Erin Deborah Waks
This small, thin charger is a lifesaver on a train journey, short trip or even just to take in my handbag to work.
What it lacks in power – it only charges my device to full once or twice and isn’t super speedy – it makes up for in convenience.
Plus, it’s super cheap, making it an easy item to throw into my handbag before heading out for the day.
It’s not powerful or good for long tips or multiple devices, but it’s a handy gadget for day-to-day.
Anker Nano Power BankProduct SpecsBattery capacity10,000mAhDimensions8.1cm × 5cm × 3.6cmWeight232gWhat we love
PowerFast-charging, high power
SizeOne of the smallest products we tested
Review
Reviewed by Erin Deborah Waks
If I were going on an overnight trip or weekend away, I’d take this charger.
It doesn’t quite have the power and capacity of the Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging device, but if you don’t need to top up multiple items and work from all your gadgets, it’s a winner.
It charges phones super fast and is small and nifty enough to tuck into a backpack or handbag.
Its smooth USB-C retractable cable means you’ll never lose your wires – but it’s worth checking your device is compatible.
Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)Product SpecsBattery capacity5,000mAhDimensions10.2cm × 7cm × 0.86 cmWeight122gWhat we love
WeightSuper light model
No wiresWireless device
Review
Reviewed by Hayley Minn
This portable charger is really slim and light and just pops into my bag.
There are no wires to bring with, and it charges through my Skinnydip phone case so you don’t need to take the case off.
The website does add the device is not compatible with non-magnetic phone cases, including thick or heavily protected cases, though. Cases exceeding 2.5 mm in thickness may affect charging.
However, after an hour it was absolutely boiling and only charged my phone up by 20 per cent.
What to avoid
There are so many great options out there to choose from, so it’s worth doing some research before you buy.
Unfortunately, some brands and products don’t quite hit the mark.
We only used the Juice 10000mAh Portable Power Bank a few times before it broke. Fairly soon into using it, one of the USB ports broke. It was also heavy to carry around and the matte design quickly got scuffed.
Be careful with super cheap products, too, as they often have short battery life and are not worth the money.
The Ale-Hop Mini Power Bank 5000 mAh ‘Recharge and Smile’ was cheap, but couldn’t charge devices to full more than once.
Our verdict
Overall, we recommend the Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging device for its excellent function and capacity. We like most of the Anker options, and the Miady device is great on a budget.
We like most of the Anker options, and the Miady device is great on a budget
FAQsWhich is the best portable charger?
Picking the right portable charger depends entirely on what your priorities are.
Our favourite is the Anker High-Power Multi-Device Charging device – but this is on the larger side, so might not be appropriate if you just need something to top up your phone during a short commute, for instance.
You might prefer one of the more lightweight options in this case.
Which power bank is better – 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh?
Generally speaking, a 10,000mAh power bank is better for daily use or short trips due to its smaller size. Meanwhile, a 20,000mAh power bank is better for long trips, heavy users, or charging multiple devices.
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