It's no exaggeration to say that portable chargers and power banks are one of life's essentials in the 21st Century. OK, it’s not quite the end of the world if your phone runs out of juice, but we pretty much live our lives through smart devices, so it will impact your working day and social life — until you can find a power point.
Carrying a portable charger removes the need for power points, allowing you to top up your smart device battery as and when required. It just makes sense to have one tucked away in your bag or pocket.
When it comes to buying a portable charger, you have a lot of choice, with plenty of different brands, configurations, and price points available. It also depends on what device you'll be charging, where you'll be doing the charging, and how much charge you'll need. Fortunately, we can help steer you in the right, fully-powered direction.
Here's some useful information and a roundup of the best power banks and chargers.
How do portable chargers work?
It's not complicated. Pop the charger in your bag and connect to your device when you’re low on juice. For added convenience, try a portable wireless charger. You don’t even need to bother connecting your device to the charger with a cable — just pop your device on top of the wireless charger and it charges automatically.
How much power does a portable charger provide?
We’ve noted the milliampere hour (mAh) of each charger. This refers to the capacity of the charger’s battery — the amount of electric charge it can deliver. Ultimately, the higher the mAh, the more charge you’ll get. More powerful chargers may give your phone around three full charges before you need to top up the charger itself (or more if they’re super powerful). Budget chargers will give you just one top-up. Think about your lifestyle and power needs before you purchase a portable charger.
What devices do portable chargers work with?
That’s the beauty of a standard portable charger: They’re pretty much universal. As long as your device has a USB connection, or another kind of widely-used port, you can connect it and start charging. There are exceptions, such as brand specific technology (see the MagSafe charger below) but most of the chargers on this list are universal.
Which USB connections to portable chargers use?
It’s worth noting what connections a portable charger uses before parting with your cash. It seems like USB trends are constantly changing and upgrading, with your classic USB-A no longer the standard. Still, the most common connection ports you’ll find on chargers are USB-A, USB-C, and Lightning. You can always buy a cable that converts from one to another if needs be.
What is MagSafe charging?
This is Apple-designed technology that uses magnets to hold your device in an optimum charging position, ensuring safe and fast charging. You'll recognise it as a big circle that keeps your iPhone in place. But make sure your phone has a compatible MagSafe case, otherwise the charging won't work. MagSafe is a good option for anyone who has an up-to-date Apple phone, AirPods, or Apple Watch.
What is the best portable charger?
We have searched high and low for the best devices on the market, and carefully looked into all these vital questions to help you make an informed, well-charged decision.
These are the best portable chargers and power banks in 2025.
