The Best Charging Phone Cases for More Battery Life on the Go
Battery cases work by passing power through the case rather than through a wall charger, explained Chad Taylor, a technology expert at Abt Electronics. “The difference is: The more premium brands have better hardware and software that does not allow the device to overcharge the phone or tablet,” Taylor said. “They also use better batteries that are tested. Make sure you have a product that does not overcharge your phone.”
Most cases charge both themselves and your phone via one input, so you can just plug the combination in overnight and you’ll have two full batteries ready to go by morning.
Related: The Best Waterproof Phone Cases for Admittedly Accident-prone Travelers
The other key piece to pay attention to when looking for a charging phone case is milliamp hours, or mAh, a measure of energy capacity. The more mAh your battery has, the more power it can hold, and the more phone charges you’ll get out of it. 2400 mAh equates to about 33 hours of extra battery life according to Taylor, depending on what you’re doing. Though in many cases, more mAh also means a larger battery and therefore a bulkier case.
If you opt for a sleeker case with less power, you can conserve your battery by keeping your phone in airplane mode when you aren’t actively using it and disabling unnecessary notifications, which consumer education and travel writer Janice S. Lintz recommends. Choose a case that won’t add too much additional weight to your phone and is easy to use. Whether you want a bright color for easy spotting in your bag or a darker one to blend in with the crowd is up to you.
If you have an iPhone, you may want to make sure your case is MFi (Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) certified, the official Apple seal of approval for accessory compatibility. It’s not mandatory, but it is helpful if you’re worried about non-compatible cases potentially damaging your phone.
Mophie
Mophie is one of the oldest (and most popular) charging case brands, regularly placing first in roundups and tests around the tech space. The brand makes options for iPhones from the 6 through 8 Plus, along with Samsung Galaxy S9, S8, and Note8 onward; HTC one M7; and LG G4.
It’s also Lintz and Taylor’s personal choice. “The case is fantastic and saves me on an almost daily basis,” Lintz said, citing its light weight, ease of use, and subtle design.
To buy: amazon.com, from $15
1 of 5
Apple
Go straight to the source with the Apple Smart Battery case and you definitely won’t have to worry about whether your accessory is Apple compatible.
To buy: apple.com, $99
2 of 5
Trianium Atomic Pro
IGN recommends Trianium Atomic Pro cases in it's battery case round-up, as do many other publications, and they’re Amazon’s top choice in the category. The cases come in a variety of colors and are available for iPhones 6 through X and Galaxy S6, S7, and S8.
To buy: amazon.com, from $24
3 of 5
ZeroLemon
ZeroLemon has a wide range of Android cases available and high marks from tech reviewers.
To buy: amazon.com, from $30
4 of 5
Unu
Unu offers a range of cases with capacities up to a whopping 5000 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
To buy: amazon.com, from $20