The best portable chargers and power banks

If you’re an up-to-date Apple user, you’ll know about MagSafe — Apple-designed tech that magnetically holds your device in place to deliver optimum power and fast charging.

This MagSafe Battery Pack is a clever little device that attaches to the back of an iPhone, but it’s small enough that you can continue to use your phone as usual while it charges. And when you’re fully charged it slips into your pocket. You know it’s reliable because the reviews are glowing.

It's worth noting that it's only compatible with the iPhone 12, 13, or 14, so it won’t suit all Apple users. It charges itself via a lightning cable, though you’ll have to provide the cable.

The Anker Powecore+ Mini is super compact, with a lipstick-shaped design that comfortably slips into small bags or tight pockets.

It has two USB connections — both micro and lightning — and uses PowerIQ technology, which detects what device you are using to deliver its fastest possible charge speed. And with 5,000 mAh, it's at the top end of the lower capacity models, providing around one full charge for the latest high-power phones and around two for previous-gen models. That should be more than enough to keep you charged in an emergency situation.

The BigBlue Solar Charger is an essential item for lovers of the great outdoors. Rank it alongside the tent, rucksack, gas stove, and sleeping bag. In fact, it has little eyeholes that fasten to your tent or rucksack, keeping it safe and facing the sun. It’s not cheap, but this kind of high-quality camping gear never is.

When folded, it’s about the size and thickness of a magazine, then folds out with its four high-conversion solar panels. It has two USB outputs, which are both USB-A, though it includes a USB-A to USB-C cable. Smart IC technology identifies your devices and adapts to charge as fast as possible.

The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 is a contender for the best portable charger around. It costs just fractionally more than the other Anker device in this list, but brings more power and variety.

Overall, there are three USB ports for charging — two USB-A and a Micro USB. It had a USB-C port too, but that’s for plugging into the wall and recharging the device itself. The downside is that USB-A is not as universal as it used to be.

It's built with PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology for fast charging. Trickle-Charging mode works with the low-power devices, such as earbuds.

The Mophie PowerStation XL allows you to talk, play, and browse for longer by providing days of extra battery life.

This stylish portable charger is equipped with three USB ports — USB-C and USB-A — allowing you to charge multiple devices at once, so you are always ready to go. It only weighs 100 grams, and packs 20,000 mAh of battery power into a sleek, aluminium housing, with a nice textured finish.

The integrated LED power indicator displays the current battery life or charging status of the device so you always know how much power you have — a handy feature that sets this model apart from rival power banks.

The Juice Max Powerbank is exclusive to Amazon and has racked up some impressive reviews. And it’s easy to see why.

For the price, it’s impressive, delivering up to seven charges of the average smartphone. It takes just under two hours to get a full charge, so it’s not the fastest, but not the slowest option out there either.

It’s well connected too, with four USB ports — two USB-A, one USB-C, and one Micro USB. That’s more than some high-ticket power banks offer. There’s also an LED indicator to keep tabs on the power, plus a USB-A to Micro USB cable for added charging options. That makes it serious value for money.

The Dell Power Companion is an essential for anyone who travels with a Dell laptop and can't afford to run out of power when it matters. You'll get a whole extra charge, doubling the usage time of your device.

It charges your device using the laptop’s own power brick, through a barrel connector. This means you can’t charge the Power Companion using your phone or tablet’s USB charger. But it charges up to two smartphones as well as your laptop, so it's versatile in other ways.

It's also designed to charge your laptop while it's in your bag — taking just a couple of hours — making it highly efficient for time-strapped users.

The Samsung Wireless Battery lets you power up quickly when you’re on the go, without having to worry about cables. Just pop your device on the charger. It does also come with a mini cable however, giving you the option for both types of charging — wired or wireless.

You can safely recharge to full capacity in just 220 minutes in fast-charging mode, and you can power two devices simultaneously.

The Samsung Battery Pack features a slim, light, and ergonomic design, and uses Qi charging technology. That means that some devices — any that don't use Qi — won't be compatible. But they should be few and far between.