Best Portable Power Bank Picks for 2025 That Are Truly Worth It

A portable mobile power bank has gone from a nice-to-have to an everyday essential. But not all are worth your money. If you’re tired of slow charging, bulky bricks, or models that barely last a year, you’re in the right place.

This guide cuts through the noise. You’ll find 2025’s best portable power banks that actually hold up—fast, reliable, and built for how you really use your devices. Whether you need something pocketable for daily use or high-capacity for laptops or weekends away, this list will help you choose smart.

alt: Anker portable power banks

Best Portable Power Banks in 2025

Keeping the latest phones, tablets and even laptops alive on the move no longer means dragging a brick around. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best portable power banks in the UK this year, each blending high-speed USB-C PD charging, sensible capacities that stay under airline limits, and little quality-of-life extras. Let’s take a closer look:

Anker Nano Power Bank (10,000mAh, 30W)

Only a bit bigger than a deck of cards, the Anker Nano Power Bank slips into a jacket pocket yet pumps out 30W via both a USB-C port and a built-in USB-C cable—handy when you realise you left your lead at home. A colour display shows live charging status, and the 10,000mAh cell is good for roughly two phone charges.

Despite the screen, this cell phone power bank portable charger weighs only 215 g, and recharges to 50% in about 45 minutes using the built-in lead. If you still carry older cables, there’s a fallback USB-A port as well.

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alt: Anker Nano Power Bank 30W

What’s good:

• Built-in 30W USB-C cable for both charging and recharging—zero cable-hunting on the move
• Bright colour screen for real-time power info
• 4 × 5.2 × 2.6 cm footprint, 215 g weight—properly pocketable
• Extra USB-C and USB-A ports and passthrough mode for overnight setups
• Multiple colours if you’d rather not stick with plain black
• Made from 80% post-consumer recycled plastic, supporting a greener tech choice

Anker Prime Power Bank (20,000mAh, 200W)

If you carry a laptop as often as a phone, the Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank is the sweet spot. Two USB-C ports share a massive 200W (up to 100W each) PD 3.0 output, enough to get your 16” MacBook Pro to 50% in ~40 minutes, while a USB-A jack keeps legacy kit happy.

Despite the grunt, the pack is still airline-friendly at 72 Wh, and the 12.7 × 5.5 × 5.0 cm, 545 g shell slides into any day-bag side pocket. A 100W input refills the 20,000 mAh cell in just over an hour, so topping up between meetings is realistic. The sharp LCD lists per-port draw, handy when you’re juggling two laptops or a Steam Deck mid-journey.

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alt: Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank 200W

What’s good:

• 200W total USB PD 3.0 output (100W on each USB-C port) for two laptops at once
• 100W fast recharge—full in ~75 min on a USB-C charger
• Flight-safe 72 Wh battery, TSA-approved
• Live battery% and power stats on a bright LCD
• Compact and lightweight for a 20k mAh battery pack

Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W)

Think of the Anker Laptop Power Bank as a grab-and-go wall plug replacement. Two integrated cables—one retractable 100W USB-C and one short tether—plus an extra USB-C port and 33W USB-A let you run four devices at once at up to 165W combined.

This sleek 25,000mAh pack stays under the 100 Wh flight cap while giving a 14” laptop roughly a full extra cycle. Plug it into a 100W charger via any USB-C, and the bank leaps from empty to 30% in about 20 minutes, handy on airport layovers.

A high-contrast screen shows real-time power, port status, and more, and ActiveShield 2.0 keeps temps in check even under full load.

alt: Anker Laptop Power Bank 25k 165W

What’s good:

• Dual built-in 100W USB-C cables: oneretractable that stretches 3 ft, one doubles as a lanyard tested for 20,000+ bends
• 165W shared output handles a laptop, two phones, and a pair of earbuds together
• 25,000mAh (airline-safe 90 Wh) keeps most 14” laptops running for a full work session
• Live smart display shows your battery level, power input/output, recharge time, and even temperature
• Any USB-C port or cable supports 100W input, so you can recharge the power bank to 30% in just 20 minutes
• Broad PD/PPS support makes it a safe bet for everything from drones to Steam Decks

Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K (Slim)

Built for MagSafe lovers who hate bulk, the Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K (Slim) slides into any jeans pocket yet packs 10,000mAh on board. At just 14.7 mm and 200 g, it delivers the full 15W Qi2/MagSafe rate when snapped onto an iPhone, while the USB-C port handles up to 30W for wired top-ups or rapid self-recharging.

You’ll squeeze roughly two iPhone 16 refills, and the ActiveShield 2.0 tech keeps temperatures in check during long sessions. With its sleek matte UV finish, solid metal frame, and advanced aerogel insulation, it feels sturdy and premium in your hand and cool to the touch.

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alt: Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K (Slim)

What’s good:

• Qi2-certified full 15W magnetic wireless charging; just snap on and go
• 30W USB-C in/out port for wired top-ups and fast recharging
• Ultra-slim 14.7 mm body and 200 g weight—easy to pocket or hold despite 10k mAh
• ActiveShield 2.0 constantly monitors temperature for safer, cooler charging
• Durable metal frame and matte UV finish for a premium feel

Factors to Consider When Choosing Portable Power Banks

You see, the best power bank portable charger depends on what you’re charging, how fast you need it, and for how long. Here’s what actually matters when picking one that fits your daily routine or travel setup:

Capacity: mAh vs Wh

Let’s start with the basics: the milliamp-hour (mAh) rating tells you how much energy the power bank can store. Higher capacity means more charging cycles, but also more weight and size.

• 5,000–10,000 mAhis ideal for day trips or light phone use, enough for one or two charges.
• 20,000–25,000 mAhsuits travel, laptops, or multiple devices, offering several full charges.

If you fly often, check the 100 Wh (about27,000 mAh) airline limit—anything below that is carry-on safe without approval. Over 100 Wh may be allowed with permission, but anything above 160 Wh is grounded.

Output Power (W) and Charging Standards

What you’re charging should guide how much output power (in watts) you need.

• 30–45Wis enough for most phones, tablets, and small accessories.
• 60–100W or moreis required for fast charging laptops or powering multiple devices simultaneously.

Look for power banks with USB-C Power Delivery (PD) or PPS (Programmable Power Supply) support for faster, more efficient charging. These protocols can adjust power dynamically to match your device’s needs.

If you have older gear that uses Quick Charge or similar protocols, double-check the power bank supports them—PD doesn’t automatically cover legacy charging standards.

Input Speed and Recharging the Power Bank

Charging speed doesn’t just apply to your devices—it matters for the power bank itself, too. A 20,000mAh+ power bank with only 10W input could take 8 hours to recharge fully.

Look for USB-C input with 30–100W support if you want faster turnaround. Some models can recharge in under 1.5 hours with a suitable plug.

Charging Ports and Cable

Check how many devices you want to charge at once, and what types of ports you actually use.

• Multiple USB-C portsare great for modern phones, tablets, and laptops.
• A single USB-A portis useful if you still carry older accessories.
• Built-in cablesmean one less thing to pack.

Size and Weight

The more capacity and ports a power bank has, the heavier it’ll be.

• 5,000–10,000 mAh:Typically around 150–250 g. Fits in most pockets.
• 15,000–20,000 mAh:About 300–500 g. Best for bags or travel pouches.
• 20,000–25,000 mAh+:Up to 500–650 g. Bulky, but ideal for laptops or longer trips.

Safety Features and Certification

Safety should never be an afterthought, especially with high-capacity lithium batteries. Always check for certifications like UL 2056, CE, or UKCA, which indicate the product has passed proper safety and durability testing.

Look for features like overcurrent protection, temperature control, and short-circuit shutoff. These help prevent overheating, battery swelling, or worse, especially under high loads.

Everyday Extras That Make a Difference

Small details can have a big impact on convenience:

• A proper displayshowing detailed battery stats and watts is far more useful than a few blinking LEDs.
• If you’ve got a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, Qi2-certified magnetic battery packsare more than just cool. You can just snap one on the back of your phone and enjoy fast 15W wireless charging, no cables needed.
• Built-in stands or holders, useful for hands-free phone use during charging

Conclusion

The best portable power bank doesn’t need to be expensive—it just needs to fit your daily routine, travel habits, or charging needs. Take a moment to consider what matters most to you and use this guide to narrow it down. Whether you’re after a fast-charging model for your laptop, something ultra-compact that slips into your pocket, a wireless magnetic pack, or a 25k powerhouse for longer trips, there’s a perfect match out there!

FAQs

What is the best portable power bank?

The best portable power bank depends on what you need it for. If you’re after something compact for everyday use, the Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000mAh is pocket-sized, charges phones quickly via a built-in 30W USB-C cable, and shows detailed battery info on a small screen. For heavier use, the Anker Prime (20,000 mAh, 200W) can fast-charge laptops and phones at the same time, yet still fits in a backpack and is airline-friendly.

Which brand of power bank is the best?

Anker is widely considered one of the most reliable and consistent brands for portable power banks. They’re known for solid build quality, accurate capacity claims, and strong safety features—all of which matter when you’re charging expensive devices on the go. Whether you need a simple phone charger or a high-wattage power bank for your laptop, Anker has well-tested options across the board, often with modern extras like USB-C PD, fast recharging, and built-in cables.

Which is better: 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh?

A 10,000 mAh power bank is lighter, smaller, and usually enough for 1–2 full phone charges—ideal for daily carry or short trips. A 20,000 mAh power bank is better if you need to charge multiple devices, power a tablet or laptop, or go longer between recharges. It’s heavier, but worth it if you’re travelling, working remotely, or want peace of mind during a long day out.