The amount of tech we walk around with these days is sizeable.
When you consider your phone, a smartwatch, and possibly a tablet or camera, it can be sobering to realise we’re each strolling around with thousands of pounds worth of gadgets in our pockets.
Aside from possibly getting personal insurance as a matter of urgency, the other immediate thought is, how do we keep all these now essential pieces of tech juiced up?
It feels like a given that you’ll need to charge most phones at some point in the day, thanks to hours of checking email, scrolling newsfeeds and playing video and music content for entertainment throughout the day. Unless you’re a 007-type who is happy to drop to - quite frankly, nerve-jangling - single-digit battery power, slipping a power bank into your bag or coat pocket is crucial.
These chargers are modern-day tech heroes; life-support so your handset can keep going until you reach a proper charger for proper re-juicing. They span sizes, from slim ones only marginally chunkier than a fountain pen, to chunky rectangles of metal that can store enough power to keep you going for a week.
Pick the right portable charger for your needs
While this very much depends on what you’ll need to charge most often (let’s say a smartphone), it’s true what they say: you get what you pay for.
Novelty chargers may raise a smile, but if they haven’t got enough storage capacity, measured in mAh, then they’ll soon turn into another burdensome piece of tech that isn’t fit for purpose. In the long run, you’re much better off investing in a great battery pack that will revive your phone at least two or three times over than a funny one that you’ll have to replace as soon as its capacity dwindles down.
What is mAh?
It stands for milliamp hours, and you should measure your phone’s mAh against the charger’s rating to make sure it’s at least double to get the most use from it. For example, an iPhone 14 has 3279mAh while a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has 4400mAh; a decent battery pack for both of these handsets should be significantly higher than 4000mAhs - ideally 8000mAH but better at 12000mAh.
The trouble is that the higher mAh you go, the chunkier the charger will get. Now, that’s fine if you’re after a backup for the commute, but not exactly fun to lug up and down hills on a walking holiday. What you need for daily use is a lightweight charger with enough mAh to see you through until you can resume regular charging. Think of it as the Goldilocks standard.
Do such chargers exist? Well of course they do. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.
We’ve found the best portable chargers with as much mAh as they can offer that are still lightweight enough to carry about in your bag or pocket for emergency power. Some come with charging cables, but if you need a certain type (FAO: iPhone users), make sure you carry that too - without one, that charger is useless.
Shop the best lightweight portable chargers below
Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 26800mAh
Weight: 495g
Anker is one of the best-known names for bringing power to the people, and when you reach for this charger, you’ll soon see why.
The 337 offers mammoth levels of capacity with 26,800mAh power to keep your devices in excellent working order. There are three USB ports including one with PowerIQ for high-speed charging.
Available in black and white (which might be easier to spot in a dark bag), it offers a week’s worth of mobile phone charging.
Not only is it powerful but it’s light too at just shy of 500g, so easy to slip into a bag ready to use when you need it most.
Find more Anker charging products here.
Buy now £49.98, Amazon
Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 5000mAh
Weight: 134g
It’s a liberating feeling leaving the house without being weighed down with a bag; something men are likely more used to than women. But whether you’re off on a long walk or run, or just want to be luggage free when you’re out, you won’t have to sacrifice power for it.
Anker’s pocket-sized battery pack slips into any pocket and is barely noticeable thanks to a featherweight 134g. It uses PowerIQ to quickly charge small devices and stretch out their battery life for a little longer. The compact charger takes up to four hours to fully recharge making it a great option to take to work and allow to recharge before the journey home.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
VEGER Portable Charger
Weight: 92g
Mini but mighty, this dinky style of charger is becoming more common. No wonder; it’s tiny and slots compactly into the bottom of your device with no wires to get tangled in. It means you can continue to use your device with it easily held in your hand.
Battery capacity is on the lower end of the scale at 5000mAh, which means you’re unlikely to get a full charge. But it will stop your phone from dying completely, with a 60 per cent charge from full for an iPhone 14. Available in a choice of fun colours.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
JONKUU Portable Power Bank Chargers 10000mAh
Weight: 203g
The phrase ‘good things come in small packages’ rings true with this palm-sized charger. It holds 10000mAh but weighs just 203g; you’ll barely remember you’re carrying it around. Two ports mean you can charge two devices at the same time and it supports fast charging, so you won’t need it plugged in for as long. Micro USB cables are included too so you should be able to start using it as soon as it’s delivered.
Buy now £11.89, Amazon
HAMA Fabric 10 10000 mAh power pack
Weight: 240g
Offering a decent level of power with 10000mAh to utilise, you can charge two devices at once with this stylish power pack which also comes in apple green. The slim and compact dimensions mean you’ll practically forget you’ve got it on you - well, until you need it, that is. The fabric covering offers a nice comfortable hold and makes it easily distinguishable when grappling around in your bag.
Buy now £29.99, Selfridges
BioLite Charge 20 PD
Weight: 165g
This rechargeable battery pack is perfect for outdoor adventures as well as running around exploring the city. It offers 6000mAh which should be enough for 1.5x smartphone charges and it can get back up to juice quickly, fully recharged in two hours. It’s only 1.4cm deep, meaning it will easily slide into slim pockets without adding bulk. There are three sizes in an orange and grey colourway.
Buy now £42.00, Blacks
Belkin 20000mAh Portable Power Bank - Black
Weight: 426g
One of the leading names in personal electronics, this charger is capable of bringing up to three devices back up to speed at once thanks to three ports - two USB-A and one USB-C.
If you’ve got an iPhone 13, the 20000mAh device will give your phone up to 78 hours of extra time, making it perfect for a week of long commutes or a short weekend break.
The purchase also comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable so you can start using your Belkin lifesaver right from the box. An excellent capacity for this price.
Buy now £26.99, Argos
Juice Powerstation XL Power Bank Portable Charger
Weight: 280g
For a backup battery that’s packing serious power, look no further than the Juice Power Station XL. Its big capacity - 16,800mAh – is enough for four full charges, so you can upload, download and share with power-poor mates with abandon.
With two USB ports, there’s no need for a power struggle with a friend or a second device. Be warned; it does take a while to fully charge (around 9.5 hours), so it’s one to keep plugged in overnight before it’s needed. Luckily it offers pass-through charge, so you can charge your phone through the Station and both devices will charge at the same time.
It comes with a micro USB cable and a pouch to keep everything safe and is available in a choice of colours.
Buy now £40.27, Amazon
Belkin 20000 mAh Portable Power Bank - Blue
Weight: 420g
You needn’t fret over battery power with Belkin’s power bank in your pocket - it offers up to 140 hours of extra battery life for a smartphone and up to 38 hours more for tablets. The device comes with a USB to USB-C cable included in the box and it’s pre-charged so no need to worry if it’s a last-minute purchase for a trip; you can use this right out of the box. Plus, the blue makes a nice change from all the black and grey models around.
It comes with a two-year warranty.
Buy now £29.99, Currys
BELKIN 10,000 mAh Magnetic Wireless Charger & Portable Power Bank - Black
Weight: 308g
Though Belkin’s 10,000mAh battery offers less battery capacity than some of the other options in our list, it’s much lighter to carry so a better option if you’re out and about all day.
What’s more, there’s no need to worry about bringing the right wires as this gadget supports wireless charging with compatible products. It can provide up to two full charges which should be more than enough to see you through - especially if you leave home with your phone on 100 per cent power.
Buy now £39.99, Currys
