The best power banks to buy in 2025 to keep all your devices charged and ready

Your phone is down to 4%, you’re miles from an outlet and you’re trying to scan a boarding pass. Or load driving directions. Maybe even order a burrito. This isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a full-blown battery emergency. And unless you’ve made peace with a 4% lifestyle (both emotionally and electronically), it’s time to add a power bank to your inventory. Whether you want something pocket-friendly, laptop-ready or just cheap-but-reliable, we’ve rounded up the best power banks to keep your devices charged (and, hopefully, panic attacks at bay).

Given that these things come in all shapes and sizes with a huge variety of capacities and capabilities, what constitutes a “best”? It’s a combination of things: price, features, user ratings and, of course, our knowledge and hands-on experience. (I’ve been testing tech products for over 30 years; I’m pretty good at separating the e-wheat from the e-chaff.)

Of course, it’s also important to think about safety. Power banks have been in the news lately, and not in a good way. Although there are millions of these things out there and relatively few reported incidents, when it comes to batteries, it’s probably better to choose established brands that will adequately test, certify or even recall (as Anker did recently) their products — even if it means spending a bit more. Alternately, look to newer, safer technologies, like the one employed by the Kuxiu S2, below. It’s also a little pricier, but still affordable.

For other factors to consider and answers to frequently asked power-bank questions, scroll past the top picks.

Table of contents:

The best power banks for 2025

Rick Broida/Yahoo

Pros

• Often priced below $20
• Compact design
• Charging cable doubles as a finger strap
• Integrated flashlight
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• Flashlight not very bright

$19 at Amazon

Rick Broida/Yahoo

Pros

• One of the smallest 10,000-mAh power banks you can get
• Can output 45 watts
• Charging cable doubles as finger strap
• 3-year warranty
• 6 color choices

Cons

• Display shows only charge percentage

$25 at Amazon

Rick Broida/Yahoo

Pros

• Newer, safer solid-state technology
• Supports Qi2 MagSafe
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Costs more than competing power banks
• Only one USB port
• No kickstand

$47 at Amazon

Rick Broida/Yahoo

Pros

• Available in five pleasant colors
• Qi2-certified 15-watt fast-charging
• Integrated kickstand
• Status window shows remaining charge time or battery life
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Kickstand feels a little flimsy
• On the pricey side

$90 at Amazon

Rick Broida/Yahoo

25,000-mAh version of the Nexode that can output a whopping 200 watts; it’s priced at $130, often discounted to $100.

Pros

• Surprisingly affordable
• Integrated retractable USB-C cable
• Informative status screen
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• AC adapter not included
• Can charge only those laptops that use USB-C power ports
• Poor printed instructions

$100 at Amazon

Rick Broida/Yahoo

Pros

• Dazzling see-through design
• Informative status display
• Up to 170 watts total output

Cons

• Heavy
• Pricey
• 1-year warranty
• AC adapter not included

$169 at Amazon

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Other power banks we’re testing

As we wrapped up this round of power-bank evaluations, a few just-announced products caught our eye. Among them: The nifty-looking Sharge 3-in-1 Power Bank, the Statik State Power Bank (another MagSafe battery based on solid-state technology) and the Baseus EnerGeek GX11 — the first power bank that’s also a 4G mobile hotspot. We intend to review these once they’re available, along with the ultra-rugged, outdoor-friendly Elecom Nestout.

We’ll also be taking a closer look at Google’s new Pixelsnap technology, which brings MagSafe-style charging to the company’s new Pixel 10 phones. While there are “designed for Pixelsnap” products coming soon, you can actually use any existing Qi2-compatible MagSafe power banks — including those listed above.

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How we tested power banks

This is a tricky area, because there are so many variables when it comes to battery performance. Outside of a lab environment, it’s challenging to say that this battery lasted longer or charged faster than that one. And it’s similarly difficult to know if a power bank is producing the maximum wattage claimed by the manufacturer.

However, we did perform various usability tests, including making sure all ports worked properly and fit our cables securely. We read the instructions to make sure they were clear and easy to follow (not that power banks are particularly complicated to use), with appropriate warnings regarding safe operation.

Finally, of course, we connected various devices, including an iPhone 13, an iPad Pro and Sonos Ace headphones, and checked for excessive heat. (All batteries get warm, but in the past we’ve encountered some that veered unsettlingly close to hot. Thankfully, newer power banks — including all those recommended above — don’t seem to have that issue.)

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Factors to consider when choosing a power bank

Capacity: Battery capacity is reflected in milliampere-hours (mAh). Higher is better, of course, but it also typically means a larger, heavier battery. A power bank with a 5,000-mAh battery should give your phone one full charge; 10,000 mAh is typically good for around two. If you want something that can also charge a laptop, look for 20,000 mAh, minimum, and a wattage output of 65W or more.

Digital Status Display: When you’re wondering how much charge is left in your power bank, it’s nice to see an actual percentage on a screen. Some power banks offer this; others might have just a series of LEDs to give you a ballpark idea. A status display isn’t essential, but it’s nice to have — especially if it also displays things like power consumption, remaining time to charge, etc.

Qi2, MagSafe and Pixelsnap: There is, thankfully, a wireless charging standard for phones, albeit with a confusing array of names. Qi (pronounced “chee”) was the original version, and that’s been elevated twice: first to Qi2 (15-watt charging maximum), and more recently to the current Qi2 25W standard, allowing up to 25-watt charging for compatible phones — albeit with the caveat that you use a wall charger that’s capable of 30-watt power or more. Qi2 is effective synonymous with MagSafe (on iPhones) and Pixelsnap (on newer Google Pixel phones). That all boils down to this: If you’re an iPhone user, it might make sense to choose a MagSafe-compatible power bank, one that can magnetically piggyback onto your device. We’ve listed our favorite above, but you can find lots more options in our roundup of the best MagSafe battery packs for 2025.

Ports: While USB-C is rapidly becoming the standard for device charging, you may still own some legacy devices that require a USB Type-A port (the larger, more rectangular port that requires proper plug orientation, ugh). Needless to say, you should choose a power bank that has the ports you need. And if you’re looking to fast-charge certain devices (namely your phone or laptop), be sure those ports supply sufficient wattage (see Power Delivery, below).

Recharging: How do you actually recharge the power bank? In most cases you’ll have to plug it into an AC adapter, but unfortunately this isn’t something that’s usually included — you’ll have to BYO. Check the item description to learn what wattage the AC adapter should output. For example, the INUI P50 supports a maximum input of 20 watts, so you might choose something like this dual-port 20W USB wall charger (2 for $10). Something like the UGreen Nexode, which can recharge at 100 watts, would benefit from this Anker 100W wall charger ($30). Ultimately, you want to make sure you’re supplying the power bank with the maximum wattage so it recharges as quickly as possible.

PD (Power Delivery): Included with most (but not all) modern power banks, PD is a fast-charging technology that allows USB-C ports to deliver significantly more power (up to 100 watts) to devices than their non-PD counterparts (15 watts). If you want to use your power bank to charge items like laptops and game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, definitely choose one that’s PD-compatible.

Safety: Remember when hoverboards were all over the news for catching fire? Battery problems. Same with ebikes. And perhaps you’ve seen more recent news about power banks catching fire? Scary stuff, but whenever you combine chemicals, electronics and heat, there’s a risk. Unfortunately, we can’t say with any certainty that Power Bank X is safer than Power Bank Y; even those marked as “TSA-approved” merely meet specific guidelines. Our advice: Pay close attention to power banks that get unusually hot, and if they’re bulging, consider that an immediate fire hazard. Opt for hard-wired power from your seat when flying whenever possible, and read the FAA’s guide to portable chargers to learn more.

Warranty: All rechargeable batteries degrade over time, but sometimes power banks straight-up fail, meaning they’ll no longer hold a charge. I’ve seen this happen on occasion; one time it was after just six months, another at about three years. Needless to say, the longer the warranty, the better the chance you’ll have at getting a defective unit replaced. I also think an above-average warranty (meaning longer than just one year) points to the overall quality of the product.

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FAQs

Why do I see a different price than what’s listed here?

Power-bank prices fluctuate regularly, especially those sold by Amazon. Although our system is designed to show you the current price, there may be instances where there’s a coupon or discount code not reflected in that listing. We’ll usually note the list price if it’s significant, but also mention if there are regular sales/discounts so you can make the most informed decision.

Are there magnetic power banks for Android phones?

Yes, but it’s a little complicated, as we noted above. If a phone is certified for MagSafe (newer iPhones), Pixelsnap (Pixel 10 phones) or Qi2, you can simply snap on any power bank that’s also marked as such, and it should work across brands. But the only Android phones that are currently Qi2-compatible are those Pixel phones and the more obscure HMD Skyline. What many Android phones offer instead is generic wireless charging, meaning Qi and Qi2 chargers will charge the phones, but not adhere magnetically. In some cases, a Qi2-friendly case will bridge that gap. That’s why you’ll see phones like the recent Samsung Z Fold 7, which tout themselves as “Qi2-ready.”

How long does a power bank last?

Most lithium-ion power banks last anywhere from 300 to 1,000 charge cycles, or about 2–4 years with regular use. Solid-state models, like the Kuxui S2 reviewed above, can last even longer.

Can a power bank charge a laptop?

Yes, but only if it supports USB-C PD (Power Delivery) and produces enough wattage — generally 60 watts or higher. Check your laptop’s power requirements and try to find a power bank that meets or at least gets close to them. (If the laptop requires, say, 100 watts and a power bank can produce only 80W, that’s okay — it’ll still charge, just more slowly.)

Can I use a power bank on an airplane?

Yes, but most national regulators and airlines impose limits on capacity: 100 watt-hours, which is equivalent to about 27,000 mAh. And you should always pack your power bank in your carry-on, not your checked bag.

What is fast-charging, and do I need it?

Fast charging means delivering more watts to your device (example: 18W+ for phones, 60W+ for laptops). It’s a huge time-saver, especially when you’re on the go, but make sure your device supports the technology as well. If it’s older, it might not. For phones, look for Qi2 25W on both the charger and handset side.

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