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Mobile power bank reviews

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Last updated: 20 February 2023
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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

We test power banks designed to keep even the most power-hungry smartphones kicking day and night. Our detailed test reveals:

  • approximate charge time
  • approximate portable battery recharge time
  • size and weight (including which models can fit in your pocket).
 

Our testing also reveals the usable capacity of each power bank, which often varies considerably from the stated capacity.

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The battery life of your smartphone is under a lot of extra strain from apps, social media, music streaming and online video. Whether it's an iPhone or Android with a micro-USB or USB-C input, a power bank will help keep your phone charged throughout the day.

Our interactive comparison table shows the number of devices each power bank can charge simultaneously, whether they can power a laptop and Nintendo Switch, and other useful features and functions such as auto on/off settings, fast charge and USB-C output.

Note: We removed the 'total number of charges' element of our test as we felt it had become arbitrary with the huge range of phones on the market. You can calculate the approximate number of charges yourself by dividing the usable measured capacity of the power banks you're considering by your smartphone's claimed battery capacity.

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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    Recommended retail price at the time of testing.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 15 and 170

    Recommended products

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    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

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    Performance score

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    Each power bank is connected to an electronic load reference instrument, which is set to draw the maximum supported current from the fastest charging USB-A port. The voltage is determined by the power bank itself and recorded in the output, and data is graphed to show capacity drain over time. This gives us the total milliamp hours that the battery supports.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 1 and 92

    Weight (g)

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    The weight of the power bank in grams, without any cables or packaging.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 114 and 1018

    Pocketability guide

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    This is a broad guide based on our experience handling the devices.

      Can charge a laptop via USB-C

        Included in this review

        Members-only access
        • Recommended
        • CHOICE Expert Rating
        • Performance score
        • Ease of use score
        • Display score
        • Multiple device score
        • Pocketability guide
        • Power bank charge time
        • Usable capacity, measured (mAh)
        • Fastest charging 5V USB port (amps)
        • Slowest charging 5V USB port (amps)
        • Maximum combined output (watts)
        • Overload protection
        • Short circuit protection
        • Good points
        • Bad points
        • Price
        • Date tested
        • Stated capacity (mAh)
        • Number of USB-A ports
        • Number of USB-C ports
        • Battery type
        • Weight (g)
        • Size (mm, H x D x W)
        • Quick charge output
        • Wireless charging
        • Charge indicator
        • Can charge a laptop via USB-C
        • Can charge a Nintendo Switch
        • Over-charge protection
        • Country of origin
        • Other features

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