Travel Products Tech Essentials The 13 Best Portable Chargers of 2023 We don’t leave home without the compact and speedy Anker PowerCore. By Jill Schildhouse Jill Schildhouse Instagram Twitter Website As a travel writer with 22 years of experience in print and digital publishing, Jill Schildhouse has traveled to 36 countries and is always busy planning her next adventure. She's a self-proclaimed "medium-maintenance" packer, so she's always busy testing travel products and loves finding solutions that can serve a dual purpose. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 3, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / David Hattan If it seems as though the travel and hospitality industries are finding new ways to make your life more convenient while away from home, you’re right — integrated outlets in airport terminals, in-flight Wi-Fi, and USB ports built into hotel nightstands are everywhere you look. Yet somehow, even with all these modern amenities, it’s still too easy to find yourself in a situation where there’s no access to power. From older aircrafts without outlets to nonstop sightseeing, most devices don’t have the stamina to keep up with a full day on the go without some help. Luckily, there are many compact power solutions for travelers to stay connected to their favorite laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our favorite is the Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger, because of its small size, affordable price tag, and ability to work with Android and Apple devices. But to help you find the right option for your next getaway, we rounded up the best portable chargers for travel below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Battery at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Anker Slim 10000 Portable Charger at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wireless: Belkin Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 5K + Stand at Belkin.com Jump to Review Best 2-in-1: Anker Magnetic Wireless Charger at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Wall Plug: Brand Q Ultra Slim Portable Charger at Amazon Jump to Review Best With A/C Outlet: SinKeu Portable Laptop Charger at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Fast Charging: Baseus Power Bank 65W at Amazon Jump to Review Most Compact : ChargeCard Ultra-Thin Credit Card Sized Portable Charger & Battery Bank at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Phones: Zendure SuperMini Portable Charger 20W at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Tablets: Mophie Powerstation XXL at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Battery Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It This affordable, upgraded model is still compact in size, but offers plenty of power for your Android and Apple devices. What to Consider It will only charge your iPad mini 4 one-and-a-half times, so it may not be ideal for overseas flights. There’s a time and a place for lugging a large portable charger around. But then there are also times where you just need a little extra juice to get you through a long work day or short flight — and the Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger offers the latter. It’s a compact option that’s smaller than a wallet, and easily slips into your purse or carry-on (heck, it can even slip into your hoodie pocket while running through an airport). You’ll find two high-speed USB ports and a 13,000 mAH capacity, which can charge your iPhone, Galaxy, or iPad mini multiple times (but you’ll need to use your original Apple charging cable for those devices, as that’s not included). It’s also flight-approved and sold with an 18-month warranty. Price at time of publish: $40 The Details: 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches | 9 ounces | 13,000 mAh | 1 Input Port | 2 USB Output Ports Best Budget Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Portable Charger Amazon View On Amazon View On Anker Why We Love It It’s tested to withstand a one-meter fall, will charge a phone 1-2 times, and costs less than $25. What to Consider The USB-C cable, Lightning cable, and AC adapter are not included, and the two input ports cannot be used at the same time. Hard on your portable chargers? That’s OK, the Anker 313 can handle whatever comes your way when traveling, including a 1-meter drop. This product has universal capability for a wide range of phones and tablets (though it doesn’t support Qualcomm Quick Charge), alongside a fireproof casing with advanced temperature control so you aren’t at risk of handling hot equipment. There’s also an overcharge protection feature to keep your devices safe, as well as an 18-month warranty to count on. Price at time of publish: $22 The Details: 5.87 x 2.68 x 0.55 inches | 7.5 ounces | 10,000 mAh | 1 USB Input Port | 1 USB-C, 1 Micro USB Output Ports Best Wireless Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 5K + Stand Belkin View On Belkin.com Why We Love It The BoostCharge uses MagSafe technology and has a pop-up stand so you can keep using your device while it’s charging. What to Consider This can only charge one device at a time. How many times have you brought your portable charger with you on the road only to discover that you left the cables behind and can’t even use it? That will never happen with the Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 5K + Stand because it charges even your iPhone 14 without any pesky cables or the need to connect to an outlet (once it's powered up). Now that you’re breathing a sigh of relief, you can also marvel at the fold-out stand at the bottom, which holds your phone upright so you can stream or do a video call while you power up. Just how much juice can you expect? It’ll give you 19 hours of video playback on an iPhone 13. Another bonus feature is the pass-through charging, so you can connect and charge simultaneously. Price at time of publish: $60 The Details: 3.68 x 0.65 x 2.5 inches | 0.37 pounds | 5,000 mAh | 1 USB-C Input Port| 1 USB-C Output Port Best 2-in-1 Anker 633 Magnetic Wireless Charger Amazon View On Amazon View On Anker Why We Love It Charge your iPhone and AirPods at the same time with one portable device, and get 17 extra hours of video playtime. What to Consider It won’t work on iPhone 11 or older models — plus, you’ll need an iPhone-compatible magnetic case. These days, it’s hard to imagine traveling anywhere without a handful of devices — you have your phone, tablet, laptop, headphones, and maybe even a smartwatch. Make keeping up with your thirsty devices simple with the Anker 633 Magnetic Wireless Charger, which can simultaneously charge your iPhone and wireless earbuds. Rotate the angle vertically or horizontally, so you can still use your device as needed while it’s charging. The coolest part? If you just hold your iPhone near it, it’ll snap into place automatically (so no more fidgeting to find that magical “sweet spot”). Price at time of publish: $120 The Details: 4.24 x 4.25 x 6.22 inches | 12.3 ounces | 5,000 mAh | 1 USB-C Input Port | 1 Output Port for iPhone, 1 for Airpods (both wireless) The 7 Best Laptops for Travel of 2023 Best With Wall Plug Brand Q 10000mAh Ultra Slim Portable Charger Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It This built-in wall plug charger comes with a carrying case and three built-in cables, so it’s compatible with every phone. What to Consider If one of the built-in cords breaks, there’s no way to replace it. Sometimes it’s nice to have an old-fashioned wall plug to count on, like Q’s 10,000mAh Ultra Slim Portable Charger. This external battery pack comes with three built-in cords to accommodate any model phone you’re carrying — and this variety can also come in handy if someone asks to borrow your charger or if you have an iPhone for personal use and an Android for work. Always losing track of your charger? This model comes with a customized bag to house it for safe storage that’s easy to locate. Depending on your phone, you’ll get up to four charges out of the Brand Q Ultra Slim. Price at time of publish: $40 The Details: 6.29 x 2.95 x 0.6 inches | 13.1 ounces | 10,000 mAh | AC wall plug Input Port, micro USB | 1 USB Output Port, 3 cables Best With A/C Outlet SinKeu Portable Laptop Charger with AC Outlet Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It It recharges itself in four hours and can charge multiple devices at once — including a laptop. What to Consider It’s on the pricier end of the spectrum, and it’s quite large. The SinKeu Portable Laptop Charger has some serious power packed into its one-pound design, which means it’s enough to power a smartphone, tablet, digital camera, and laptop, too. It’s easy to know how much juice you have left, thanks to the OLED display — but you don’t have to watch too closely, as it can recharge your iPhone or Galaxy up to eight times. It’s compatible with AC plug devices less than 65W, and the USB supports pass-through charging. The SinKeu is also ideal for camping or long road trips, as it comes with a DC plug-in 12V automobile auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter adapter) for your car. Price at time of publish: $120 The Details: 6.8 x 3.8 x 1.8 inches | 1.1 pounds | 24,000 mAh | 1 AC Input Port | 2 USB Output Ports Best for Fast Charging Baseus Power Bank 65W Amazon View On Amazon View On Baseus.com Why We Love It When there’s no time to waste, the Baseus can charge a Mac laptop in 2 hours or a Samsung S22 Ultra to 50 percent in 30 minutes. What to Consider It weighs in at over a pound and does not support Surface Go laptop charging. There’s nothing worse than standing around waiting for your devices to charge, which is why time-conscious travelers need a fast-charging power bank like this one. In just 30 minutes, it’ll charge your MacBook Pro 16 inch to 30 percent, which should be more than enough time to finish your emails or that PowerPoint presentation. It’s cleared for air travel and offers universal compatibility thanks to its USB-C port (for laptops and tablets) and USB-A port (for phones and AirPods). Oh, and the power bank recharges in just two hours. Now what will you do with all that extra time on your hands? Watch more videos and play more games online, presumably. Enjoy! Price at time of publish: $80 The Details: 5.71 x 2.56 x 1.5 inches | 1.21 pounds | 20,000 mAh | 1 USB Input Port | 1 USB-C and 4 USB-A Output Ports Most Compact ChargeCard Ultra-Thin Credit Card Sized Portable Charger & Battery Bank Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It ChargeCard is literally the size of a credit card, works for both iPhone and Android, and comes with interchangeable cables. What to Consider It’s more for an emergency boost than fully charging devices, and it works best on phones. It’s hard to imagine that a charger the size of a credit card even exists, but it does — and the ChargeCard will have you rethinking how far technology has come. As long as you understand this device’s limitations, you’ll be impressed with this little charger (read: it won’t have enough juice to power up your devices for an international flight, so expect a boost of 30-90 percent of your phone’s charging power). You’ll also never be without it because you can literally store it in your wallet — plus, you don’t have to carry any separate cables, because it comes with built-ins for Android and Apple devices. And finally, you’ll never have to guess where you stand, because the indicator lights let you know how much power remains. Price at time of publish: $60 The Details: 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.18 inches | 2.1 ounces | 2,300 mAh | 1 Input Port | 1 lighting, 1 USB-C, 1 Micro-USB Output Ports The 10 Best Travel Tech Organizers of 2023 Best for Phones Zendure SuperMini Portable Charger 20W Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It looks a bit like a mini suitcase thanks to its sleek metallic texture, and it performs like a champ when charging two devices at once. What to Consider If you’re using this with an iPhone, you’ll need to supply your own cable. The Zendure SuperMini Portable Charger may be small, but it’s awfully mighty. We’re talking roughly the size of a credit card (though thicker), which means it’s the perfect size to slip into your purse or pocket. It’s fast charging, and will give your iPhone a 50 percent boost in just 30 minutes, plus it will charge your phone a couple of times through. Looking to charge wearables, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds? Double press the power button to use a “low power” charging mode. It comes with a two-year warranty and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Price at time of publish: $60 The Details: 3.11 x 2.2 x 1.02 inches | 6.3 ounces | 10,000 mAh | 1 USB-C Input Port| 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Output Ports Best for Tablets Mophie Powerstation XXL Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Why We Love It This high-capacity power bank is strong enough to power your tablet, and can handle three devices at the same time. What to Consider It weighs almost a pound, so it’s on the bulkier side for travel. Most portable power banks can handle charging a phone a few times, but charging tablets takes a bit more oomph. The Mophie Powerstation XXL delivers thanks to its 20,000 mAh battery and 18W USB-C power delivery output (read: fast charging!) Sick of scuff marks and scratches on your devices? This Mophie is made of a premium fabric to help prevent unsightly wear and tear — it also enhances the grip, so you won’t risk dropping it. The LED power indicator lets you know how much battery life is left, but know that in a pinch it can also charge your laptop. Price at time of publish: $60 The Details: 3.05 x 6.26 x 0.98 inches | 15.4 ounces | 20,000 mAh | 1 USB-C Input Port | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C Output Ports Best for Laptops Einova Ultra Fast 63W Power Bank Einova View On Einova.com Why We Love It This laptop power bank is surprisingly affordable, can charge three devices at once, and can boost your MacBook Air or Pro with no problems. What to Consider It’s pretty large and weighs a full pound, and may not be compatible with older laptop models. With the Einova Ultra Fast Power Bank, the ability to power up your life is at your fingertips. Three charging ports (a USB-C, USB-A, and USB-A quick charge) mean you can boost your laptop, tablet, and phone simultaneously without having to pick and choose which is the most important. It’s compatible with MacBook, Dell, Lenovo, and HP, not to mention a variety of tablets, smartphones, and cameras. The linen canvas material is soft to the touch and also water-repellent for added durability. While some chargers make it difficult to tell exactly how much power you have remaining, the Einova displays it with clear numbers (from 0-100) that eliminate any guesswork. Price at time of publish: $70 The Details: 6.7 x 4 x 0.6 inches | 1 pound | 20,000 mAh | 1 USB-C Input Port | 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A Output Ports Best for Apple Watches Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Quzo.net Why We Love It Designed to power your Apple Watch wirelessly, the Satechi Quatro is also compatible with iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPhones 11-14, and AirPods. What to Consider It’s on the pricier side and only comes with a USB-C to USB-C cord (no lightning charger). What happens when you need to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch at the same time? You buy a Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank and let it do all that hard work for you. The 10,000 mAh capacity recharges your iPhone 11 up to two times while your Apple Watch charges wirelessly through the built-in module, and your AirPods get a boost through the Qi wireless charger. Featuring a mirrored-edge finish that oozes quality and acts as a nod to Apple aesthetics, the design is sleek (as is the material, so be sure you have a good grip or you might risk dropping it). Price at time of publish: $100 The Details: 6.4 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches | 10.9 ounces | 10,000 mAh | USB-C Input Port | USB-A, USB-C Output Ports 14 Travel Adapters and Converters That’ll Save Your Next International Trip Best Solar Riapow Solar Power Bank Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It The Riapow not only offers wireless solar power, but it has a handy built-in LED flashlight too — and it’s airplane-safe. What to Consider Solar charging is much slower than using its USB port (think: several days). Consider the Riapow Solar Power Bank a camper’s and roadtripper’s best friend — you know, the one you can count on in an emergency. This product is waterproof and drop-resistant, which comes in handy for hikes and other outdoor activities. If you need some extra illumination but forgot to pack a flashlight, you’ll be relieved to discover this offers three modes (steady, flashing and SOS) to light up your path. You’ll get three charges for an iPad mini and six for a Galaxy S21, and it can charge four devices simultaneously. And, while the solar charging is slow, it’s a priceless feature when circumstances warrant it. Price at time of publish: $40 The Details: 6.9 x 3.3 x 1.1 inches | 1.01 pound | 26,800 mAh | solar panel, 1 USB-C Input Port | 1 wireless, 2 USB, 1 USB-C Output Ports Tips for Buying Power Banks for Travel Consider charge time and battery life The two biggest factors when choosing which portable power bank to bring on your travels are charge time and battery life. Charge speed tells you how long it takes to charge specific devices, and this will vary by device type (laptops will take longer to charge than smartphones, for instance). Battery life refers to the number of times a power bank can charge your device(s) before it needs to be recharged. The higher the battery life, the better — but this will often also increase the product’s size and cost, so factor that in. Look at the types and number of ports There are several types of ports on power banks, and you’ll want to choose what’s compatible with your devices (or be prepared to purchase a separate adapter). USB-A ports are common for charging many smartphones and tablets, though USB-C ports are becoming even more common because they can support fast charging and be used to charge the power bank itself. A Lightning port is used exclusively to charge Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads. The more ports, the more devices you can charge at once. Know the capacity you have and need Most portable chargers have a capacity measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), which determines how much energy they can store and how many times they can charge a device before needing to be recharged themselves — the higher the number, the more charges you’ll get. While most batteries are sold in mAh, FAA rules focus on “watt hours” (Wh): Lithium ion rechargeable batteries, like in a power bank, are limited to a rating of 100-watt hours per battery. To calculate watt hours, multiply the volts (V) by the ampere hours (Ah). For example, a 12-volt battery rated to 8 amp hours is rated at 96 watt hours. For milliamp hours (mAh), divide by 1,000 and then multiply by the volts. To learn more about batteries and flying, visit FAA.gov. Frequently Asked Questions How do portable chargers work? Portable chargers, also known as power banks, work by storing electrical energy in a rechargeable battery and then using that stored energy to charge other devices. When you plug your portable charger into a power source, such as a wall outlet, it recharges its internal battery. Then, when you need to charge a device — such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop — you can connect it to the portable charger using the appropriate cable. The portable charger will then transfer its stored energy to the device, effectively “charging” it. Can you bring a portable charger on a plane? According to the TSA, portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium-ion battery must be packed in your carry-on bag. The reason you can’t check them is because lithium batteries can overheat, posing a risk of fire on the aircraft. Similarly, damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices may not be carried onboard an aircraft (either in checked baggage or your carry on) because they could cause a spark. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Jill Schildhouse researched dozens of chargers and used her 20-plus years experience as a travel writer to choose the best portable power banks. The 10 Best Compact Cameras of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit