The Best Portable Chargers for Vacations, Business Trips, or Your Daily Commute
Thirty years ago, you may have never left home without traveler’s checks, but these days, constant connectivity to your cellphone or laptop is essential. Especially if you’re going on a work trip or landing somewhere remote where you need to have reliable cell service, a portable charger is as important as your toothbrush. Why risk hoping to find a plug for your wall charger when you can have an additional battery with you at all times?
They’re slim, stylish, and shockingly powerful for a quick charge no matter where you are. So whether you’re looking to invest in a pricier option with additional features (like a charging phone case) or pick up an affordable, no-frills charger for an upcoming trip, now’s the time to stock up on this travel essential. Just be sure to look at the mAh, or milliamp hour, when doing your research — it’s a unit for measuring the energy capacity of a battery. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery life will be.
Here are 15 of the best portable chargers for vacations, getaways, business trips, and anywhere your travels may take you.
Anker PowerCore+ mini
For when you’re set to travel across the globe for several months (or even a year) you might need more than just one extra battery. Consider this the one you always keep on hand, just in case you need to give your phone a quick charge. It’s the size of a tube of lipstick, but far more long-lasting, packing six additional hours of phone (or Face) time.
To buy: amazon.com, $20
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Mophie Juice Pack
When traveling in Europe, it’s not hard to mix up airline baggage restrictions, especially for those puddle-jumpers that may even make you weigh your carry-on. Save the added weight and space with this smartphone-charging phone case. Mophie’s “Charge Vault” technology gives the case the ability to hold battery life for extended periods of time. (Read: when you’re stranded on the tarmac without a gate.) They also use rubberized support pads inside of a hard-shell case to protect against the inevitable moment you drop your phone taking a selfie.
To buy: amazon.com, $65
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RAVPower Portable Charger
With over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that this is one of the best portable chargers on the market. The 16750 mAh battery pack works for iPhone and Android devices, providing five-and-a-half charges for an iPhone 7, three-and-a-half charges for a Galaxy S7, and an entire iPad Air charge. It even features two USB ports so you can simultaneously charge more than one device, and has a precise battery indicator to show you exactly how much juice is left in the charger.
To buy: amazon.com, from $23
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Goal Zero Flip 30
Don’t let the size of this portable charger fool you; great power comes in small packages. For slightly less space than a deck of cards would take up, this 7800 mAh charger can power your smartphone up to three times and give a small tablet a boost all at once. If you’re heading into the backcountry, Goal Zero also makes a kit equipped with solar panels that can spend eight hours hanging from your pack in the sun for a full charge.
To buy: amazon.com, $80
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Anker PowerCore 10000
Amazon’s number one best-selling portable power bank, this handy little device is one of the lightest and smallest external batteries on the market, making it ideal for tossing in your carry-on. Equipped with a whopping 10000 mAH, it provides almost three-and-a-half iPhone 8 charges and two-and-a-half Galaxy S8 charges thanks to its exclusive high-speed charging technology. Along with the battery pack, you’ll also get a micro USB cable and a travel pouch to protect and carry the compact charger.
To buy: amazon.com, $30
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MyCharge RZ12D RazorUltra Portable Charger
For a relatively inexpensive way to stay charged from San Francisco to New York City when the mood (or the business opportunity) strikes, carry this durable portable charger that delivers several extra hours of power. In a rush and need it… yesterday? Luckily for you, this 12000 mAh battery comes pre-charged, so you can grab it on the way to the subway and be ready to jet.
To buy: amazon.com, from $15
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NIFTY Mobile Charger
For some travelers, a five-hour flight means catching a movie and a snooze. But for you, digital nomad? That’s 300 minutes of (mostly) uninterrupted working time, which is why an ailing laptop battery can ruin everything between takeoff and landing. This compact-yet-powerful mobile charger offers four different charging capacities in one device. This means you can plug it directly into your smartphone (Apple or Android), your digital camera, or your laptop — two at a time. Consider that deadline met.
To buy: amazon.com, $30
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Tech Armor ActivePower USB Power Bank
This affordable yet effective power bank is a smart investment for your next adventure. It’s compact, lightweight, and with 3000 mAh, it can provide most phones with two full charges. Bonus: It also features dual USB-charging points, so you can conveniently plug in your tablet and iPhone at the same time.
To buy: walmart.com, $20
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INIU Portable Charger
When adventures take you on the go, turn to this portable charger from INIU to keep your phone and tablet at full battery. It features two charging ports to power multiple devices at the same time and even includes an LED flashlight that comes in handy when camping, hiking, or simply charging up on a dark red-eye flight. Compatible with both Apple and Samsung devices, the small power bank is perfect for long trips or even daily commutes.
To buy: amazon.com, $16 (originally $20)
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Onn Portable Battery Power Bank
If you’re looking for an affordable portable charger, look no further than this $5 battery power bank. It’s a small-but-mighty charger with a 3350 mAh battery that connects to any USB-powered device, including phones and tablets. A foot-long cable allows you to easily use your electronics as they charge, while an LED battery display lets you see exactly what percentage of charge your device has reached. It’s also incredibly sleek and small enough to drop in any purse or pocket. For the super low price, it can’t be beat.
To buy: walmart.com, $5
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Aibocn Power Bank
This stylish battery back features a cool white exterior that includes an anti-fingerprint design. Plus, two USB ports give you a chance to charge multiple devices at once, whether you have a Kindle, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus, or Android. Along with a 10000 mAh battery, the handheld portable charger includes a handy flashlight, an automatic shutdown feature for safety, and an ultra-slim design.
To buy: amazon.com, $11
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POWERADD Slim 2
For backpackers and space-savvy travelers, a tiny portable charger is a necessity. This compact external battery is just half the width and two-thirds the length of an iPhone 6 to give your devices some juice without taking up precious real estate in your carry-on. Not only does it deliver a quick and effective charge to Apple or Samsung devices, but it also comes in five stylish colorways, including blue, green, and pink.
To buy: amazon.com, $13 (originally $14)
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Belkin Pocket 5K Power Bank
Pack this sleek rose gold charger for your next trip so you never have to worry about your phone or camera giving out on you at an inopportune moment. Compatible with smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, speakers, bluetooth devices, phones, and tablets, this portable charger does it all. Lightweight and just seven-by-four-inches, the charger is ideal for travelers or those who are constantly on-the-go.
To buy: walmart.com, $22
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Smartphone Charging Wristlet
For when the party is only getting started at 11:00 p.m. in Barcelona, your nightlife outfit might not pair so well with your anti-theft backpack. Instead, carry this chic, simple wristlet to house your Euros, your travel rewards credit card, and your Airbnb key with a slim, recharging battery already tucked inside. It’ll give your phone an additional charge if you just can’t stop taking Boomerangs of the DJ.
To buy: uncommongoods.com, $60
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Cynthia Rowley Universal External Battery Pack
For a gift to give your mom, your sister, or a beloved pal, consider this stylish charger from Cynthia Rowley. While it’s not as heavy-duty as some other portable chargers on this list, it’s perfect for weekend getaways, and the silver back-up battery will match just about any beach bag.
To buy: amazon.com, $25