I test tech for a living. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’ve usually got several phones, earbuds, tablets, laptops, and handheld consoles to hand. All those devices need a lot of power, and they’re always running out of juice.
That’s why, for the best part of a decade, I’ve tested more than a hundred different power banks. Years of experience mean I know exactly what to look out for when it comes to finding the best power bank to bring my devices to life.
What I’ve learned over the years is that things like fast-charging and output and input wattage are just as important as the capacity of the power bank itself. Built-in cables are also severely underrated, and size does matter. I never want to carry around a brick that weighs me down every time I take a step, unless it has loads of life in it and I’m taking it abroad.
Certain brands dominate the field. I’ve found the best power banks usually come from Anker, but newer brands like Cuktech and Iniu are also starting to make a name for themselves. Anker’s A1383 20,000mAh power bank is my top pick for its hefty battery capacity, fast-charging and built-in cable, but the Iniu P41-E2 10,000mAh power bank is a nice budget portable charger.
If you’re travelling abroad and won’t be near any plug outlets, the Anker A1695 laptop power bank will keep your devices juiced up on the go for days and days, but these aren’t your only options. Below are my picks for the best power banks in 2025.
How I tested
I’ve tested plenty of power banks over the years, and my standards are pretty high. Each one in this round-up was judged on how quickly and reliably it charged everything from dead phones to tablets to laptops. I timed how long they took to reach 50 per cent and full charge, and tracked how many complete recharges they could deliver before needing to be plugged in themselves.
I’ve stuffed them into my coat pockets on dog walks and while playing Pokemon Go (a game that’s a notoriously good power bank test), taken them on hikes across Europe where I’ve had zero access to plug sockets, crammed them into plane seat-back pockets, and jammed them into all kinds of rucksacks and backpacks. Don’t try this at home, but one even survived being dropped down the toilet. I’ve assessed each power bank based on the following criteria:
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IndyBest is The Independent’s reviews section, where experts examine products to see if they actually live up to their marketing claims.
Alex Lee is a senior tech critic at The Independent. He’s been reviewing gadgets since 2017, with a particular interest in battery tech, new charging formats and fast-charging innovations. Always curious about what’s next in power delivery, he’s been testing and reviewing the best power banks for IndyBest since 2021.
The best power banks for 2025 are:
Anker A1383 power bank, 20,000mAh
Best: Power bank overall
Capacity: 20,000mAh
Max output: 87W
Dimensions: 15.8cm x 2.6cm x 7.3cm
Weight: 439 g
Connections: Built-in USB-C cable, USB-C port, USB-A port
Wireless charging: No
PPS support: Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Charges devices extremely fast
- Fairly light and compact
- Comes with a built-in USB-C cable
- Can be recharged very quickly
Take note
- USB-C cable might be frustratingly short for some
Having tested hundreds of power banks, there are really only a handful I actually make sure to grab before leaving the house. The one I never forget is Anker’s 20,000mAh charger. It’s compact enough to slip into a pocket, holds more than enough power to keep me going for days, comes with an in-built USB-C cable and has the wattage to charge all my devices at full speed.
On a recent five-day trip, I never once had to recharge it or hunt for a plug socket. It kept my iPhone 15 Pro Max alive every day, kept my AirPods charged up in the evenings, and I still had enough left to give my iPad a boost on the car journey home. Despite the large capacity, it never felt like a chore to carry and was even slim enough to fit in the same shorts pocket as my phone, which is impressive for something that holds this much power.
The built-in USB-C cable is also nice to have, tucking away inside a little alcove on the side of the power bank. It charges both the power bank itself and my devices, which means I never have to rummage for a spare lead. Because it’s a flat design, it feels more durable than most cables and isn’t prone to fraying. It is on the shorter side, but that just means it never gets tangled up in itself. There’s also a simple LED display which shows the percentage left – I don’t think power banks with extra features like Bluetooth or app compatibility are all that worth it.
The 87W output is also really handy. I can fast-charge both my iPhone and Samsung at full, unthrottled speed. Best part? It goes from empty to full in around two hours, which is much faster than most high-capacity chargers I’ve tested, and especially good given it has a 20,000mAh capacity. The sheer stamina, portability and speed are exactly why this is the best overall power bank I’ve tested so far. It works for pretty much any scenario I’ve thrown at it.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
Iniu P41-E2 power bank, 10,000mAh
Best: Budget power bank
Capacity: 10,000mAh
Max output: 45W
Dimensions: 11cm x 6.9cm x 1.7cm
Weight: 182g
Connections: 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port
Wireless charging: No
PPS support: Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Super affordable
- Extremely lightweight
- Includes two USB-C ports
- Charges fairly quickly
Take note
- No exact percentage display
- Not fast enough to high-speed charge Android phones
Iniu is a fairly new name in the sphere of charging, but the brand’s quickly proven that it can play with the big brands. Its 10,000mAh power bank is one of the slimmest I’ve tested. It’s barely half an inch thick and weighs less than 200g, so it never adds any heft when I pop it into my pocket.
I always forget to charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max throughout the day, so by the time I leave for the gym in the evening, I’m usually in a desperate panic with only a few per cent left. The Iniu P41-E2 power bank comfortably brings it back to 100 per cent every time, and still has enough juice for another half charge the next day. If you’ve got a smaller (or older) phone, like an iPhone 13, you’ll get closer to two full charges. I’m not the biggest fan of 10,000mAh banks because they need to be recharged more often, but I know plenty of people prefer the trade-off for portability.
With 45W output, it’s powerful enough to not just fast-charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max at its full 20W speed, but also hit the fast-charge speeds on a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, which demand 35W to 45W to charge at their top rates. It even has enough grunt to keep my iPad and Nintendo Switch 2 charged up on long journeys, which makes it far more versatile than most power banks at this price point.
What I really love about this one, though, is the price. You can frequently find it for less than £20, which makes it one of the cheapest chargers I’ve tested, and unlike others at this price point, it’s reliable. Iniu’s also managed to fit in two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, despite its size, and there’s a durable lanyard loop. It even has a torch.
There’s no digital display to show the exact percentage left, but the light-up LED paw print just about works as a rough battery indicator. It’s lightweight, portable and ultra-affordable. A great option if you don’t mind the 10,000mAh capacity.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon.co.uk
Iniu pocket rocket P50 power bank, 10,000mAh
Best: 10,000mAh power bank
Capacity: 10,000mAh
Max output: 45W
Dimensions: 8.36cm x 2.54cm x 5.3cm
Weight: 160g
Connections: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
Wireless charging: No
PPS support: Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Tiny and light
- Useful digital display
- Comes in lots of colours
Take note
- No in-built cable
Think of Iniu’s pocket rocket as a supercharged version of the brand’s cheaper 10,000mAh power bank above. It’s smaller, lighter, smarter, and more importantly, even more powerful. There are lots of colours to choose from too, if you care about that.
It’s tiny, but you still get two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Unlike the budget 10,000mAh above, it also has a digital display, so I always know exactly how much juice it has left, which is much more useful than four vague paw prints, and means I can think ahead when I’m away from a plug.
Like the cheaper Iniu power bank above, it supports 45W fast charging, so my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can both charge at their actual fast-charging speeds, rather than crawling along like slower power banks. While it doesn’t have the larger capacity of a 20,000mAh power bank, the compact size and fast speeds make up for it.
It also recharges itself super fast thanks to USB-C PD input. I can recharge it within two hours if I’ve got a powerful enough wall charger, so it’s always ready to go again.
If you want a good 10,000mAh power bank, this is the one I’d go for. It charges reliably, is so pocket-friendly and, best of all, supports fast-charging. On top of that, I think the digital display is worth paying a little extra.
Buy now £38.99, Amazon.co.uk
Anker MagGo power bank for Apple Watch, 10,000mAh
Best: Power bank for Apple devices
Capacity: 10,000mAh
Max output: 30W (USB-C), 5W (Apple Watch magnetic charger)
Dimensions: 9.5cm x 5.1cm x 3.25 cm
Weight: 245 g
Connections: 1 USB-C port, 1 built-in USB-C cable, Apple Watch magnetic charging puck
Wireless charging: Yes (Apple Watch puck)
PPS support: No
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Super slim and light
- Come with an Apple Watch charging puck on top
- The built-in flat cable doubles up as a carry handle
- Supports iPhone fast-charging
Take note
- The Apple Watch puck charges slowly
This power bank is a must-have if you’ve got a bunch of Apple devices. It has a super-sturdy built-in USB-C cable that doesn’t just add convenience points, but it also doubles up as a carry handle. Like the Iniu Pocket Rocket, it’s so small it fits inside my palm, but it doesn’t feel flimsy.
The digital display is also super handy. It gives me the exact percentage of battery left as well as real-time input and output wattage, and even the estimated time until it’s full or empty.
But what really makes this power bank the ultimate Apple companion is the magnetic charging puck on top. It means I can charge my Apple Watch Series 9 without bringing yet another cable on holiday. If you’re anything like me, you hate packing extra wires when you travel, and with the this, I can leave the Watch charger at home. The puck flips up too, so I can see my watch face while I’m in bed, making for a surprisingly effective bedside clock.
It has a separate USB-C port as well, so you don’t always have to use the cable if you don’t want to. It also supports multi-charge, meaning I could recharge my AirPods, Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time. The 30W output was also more than enough to fast-charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the power bank itself recharged to full in just an hour and a half.
There’s really only one caveat – the Apple Watch puck charges at just 5W, so it’s slower than Apple’s own fast-charging puck (£39, Apple.com). However, that’s fine when charging the Apple Watch overnight. I’ve found that unless there’s some kind of fitness-related emergency, you don’t really need an Apple Watch to charge at blazing fast speeds; it’s almost always more important to quickly charge your phone, and this power bank nails it.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
Iniu BI-B62 power bank, 20,000mAh
Best: Power bank for phones
Capacity: 20,000mAh
Max output: 65W
Dimensions: 15cm x 7.4cm x 2.9cm
Weight: 405.4g
Connections: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
Wireless charging: No
PPS support: Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Super speedy output
- Nice exact percentage display
Take note
- Quite hefty
- No bonus features
I think most power banks can be pared back to their basics. Most people don’t need MagSafe or loads of unnecessary extras that just bump up the price. That’s why I’ve picked Iniu’s BI-B62 20,000mAh 22.5W power bank as the best option if you just want to charge your phone.
It delivers the only thing anyone should care about when it comes to a power bank – fast charging and a hefty capacity. Just those two things keeps the cost low. Iniu’s 65W power bank has a high enough output that it can fast-charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and even a laptop at top speeds. Do note that one port delivers 32W fast-charging, which won’t be fast enough for a laptop or a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, so make sure you’re using the 65W port.
The digital display also feels like a bit of a luxury feature at this price. Instead of the pawprint LEDs on Iniu’s cheaper models, this one shows me exactly how much battery I’ve got left in an actual percentage, which always helps me ration my usage a bit more precisely. While it lacks a built-in USB-C cable, it boasts two USB-C ports and one USB-A port.
With 20,000mAh capacity, there’s more than enough battery there to get me through a full week without ever having to plug my devices into the wall. I’ve had several full iPhone recharges just using this thing. It supports dual-device charging too, with both USB-C and USB-A outputs. It also has a pull-out stand, though it’s a little flimsy.
It’s not as slim or clever as some of the other power banks on this list, but that’s kind of the point. It’s straightforward, affordable and does the job. If you want a power bank that charges your iPhone fast and can hold loads of charges, this is my pick, especially when it’s frequently under £25. I wouldn’t say it’s the most portable thing in the world (I mainly chucked it into my bag), but it does what I need it to do.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon.co.uk
Anker A1695 laptop power bank, 25,000mAh
Best: Power bank for travel
Capacity: 25,000mAh
Max output: 165W
Dimensions: 15.7cm x 5.4cm x 4.9cm
Weight: 594g
Connections: 2 built-in USB-C cables, 1 USB-C port, 1 USB-A port
Wireless charging: No
PPS support: Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Boasts two built-in USB-C cables
- Can charge multiple devices at once
- Works great for laptops
- Display has loads of detailed stats
Take note
- Very heavy
- Not sure if the retractable cable will last
If I’m going abroad, I take this power bank. Anker’s 25,000mAh laptop power bank is big in every sense of the word. It’s chunky, yes, but you get two built-in USB-C cables. One retracts neatly like a measuring tape and the other doubles up as a carry handle. It also has an extra USB-C port and a USB-A. You can charge four devices at once, so there’s no need to bring extra wires in your suitcase – it’s all built in. It’s genuinely one of the most thoughtfully designed power banks I’ve tested.
Despite its heft, it’s still flight-safe, and supports pass-through charging too, meaning I can always charge my phone while the power bank itself is plugged in. It has a premium build, though it does scuff quite easily. Thankfully, it’s really heavy-duty so it can handle being dropped on the floor.
It has a huge 165W total output, with each of the three USB-C ports capable of delivering up to 100W individually, depending on how many are in use. In real-world terms, it fast-charged my MacBook, iPhone and AirPods all at once, without any dips in charging speed. It’s also quick to recharge itself if you’ve got a 100W plug. It took around an hour and a half to get it back to full in testing.
The display shows a lot of info. I’d say, generally, stats like port-level wattage and battery health cycles are overkill. Most people don’t need them. But I actually found it helpful having a live readout of the temperature, and the cycle count gives you a good sense of how long the batter will last. Best of all, I really like that the charge level is given to two decimal places; Anker’s screen doesn’t just say 62 per cent, it says 62.37 per cent. It’s a tiny feature, but it helps to give a sense of how quickly you’re getting through the juice, which is crucial when you’re planning around long travel days with no wall plug in sight.
It’s heavy by power bank standards, just under 600g, and I wonder how durable the retractable cable will be after a year or two. But as a travel companion, this has become my go-to. It charges everything I carry: that’s all you need from a power bank like this.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon.co.uk
Cuktech 15 ultra power bank, 20,000mAh
Best: Power bank for laptops
Capacity: 20,000mAh
Max output: 165W
Dimensions: 15.2cm x 5.7cm x 4.5cm
Weight: 590g
Connections: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
Wireless charging: No
PPS support : Yes
Plane compliant: Yes
Why we love it
- Recharges ridiculously fast with "beast mode"
- One USB-C port has a huge 140W output
- Settings can be customised using the in-built display
Take note
- Quite heavy
- No built-in cables
- Beast Mode requires two high-wattage chargers, which most people won't carry
The Cuktech 15 ultra is the power bank for tech nerds, and is one of the most powerful power banks I’ve tested, both in terms of speed and stats. While the Anker laptop power bank above also has a max output of 165W, you can eke out a huge 140W from a single USB-C port on this beast. That’s enough to fast-charge a full-size laptop without affecting the charging speed of other ports. It also has a second USB-C port that can charge at 65W, which is fast enough for my phones and tablets, plus a USB-A port for good measure.
It’s not just the output that’s fast. The power bank itself can recharge itself incredibly quickly. Cuktech’s “beast mode” feature lets you plug in two USB-C chargers at the same time to speed things up. If you’ve got a 100W and a 65W adapter, it can combine the power and recharge at up to 165W input.
It certainly works. When I tested this feature out, I charged it from flat to about 70 per cent in under 25 minutes. That’s technically impressive, yes, but realistically, most people aren’t going to carry two high-wattage chargers just to charge up a power bank. If you just use a single fast charger, you’ll still get a full recharge in around 90 minutes.
However, my fellow tech nerds will love it. The 1.3in colour display gives detailed, real-time stats; not just charge percentage, but also the voltage, port usage, temperature and even protocol handshakes. You can manually switch the primary USB-C port between input and output, or leave the screen on at all times. For most people, that’s way too much detail, but power users will adore that sort of information.
It’s a little blocky and just under 600g, so never one for a jeans pocket, but it’s durable and comes with its own pouch. I think for its size, it feels more like a 25,000mAh power bank, but it’s actually only 20,000mAh. I wouldn’t mind if Cuktech managed to fit a 25K battery into this in the future, but it does the job. For those who want pure power, this is the power bank. It’s just a little overpowered if the only thing you want to do is charge your phone.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions on power banks answered
What are the best power banks?
The Anker A1383 power bank is the portable charger I’d recommend to almost everyone. It’s compact, fast and reliable, with a handy built-in USB-C cable. There’s a big battery inside, fast-charging for phones and tablets and an accurate percentage read-out on the display. It’s also very well-priced.
If you want something cheaper and lighter, Iniu’s P41-E2 is a another more affordable option. It’s not quite as smart, but the price is hard to beat. The Iniu Pocket Rocket P50 adds a display if you want a bit more control, but either way, both Iniu models are great for everyday use.
Can you take a power bank on a flight?
Absolutely; I always bring a power bank with me when I travel. You can take a power bank in your hand luggage, but it has to be under 100Wh (watt hours). Most 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh power banks are well within the limit and perfectly fine to travel with. Just remember that you’re not allowed to pack them in your checked luggage. Every power bank I’ve chosen for this review is safe to fly with.
Should I buy a 20,000mAh or a 10,000mAh power bank?
Personally, I prefer 20,000mAh power banks. They last longer, charge more devices and often come with higher maximum outputs. If I’m heading out for the day or going away for the weekend, I’d rather carry one larger power bank than worry about charging up a smaller one halfway through. The trade-off is the bulk, but it’s usually not much more than the bulk of a 10,000mAh power bank.
That said, 10,000mAh power banks are good if you want something really compact. They’ll usually give you around one to two full phone charges, depending on your device, and they’re easier to slip into a pocket, so they’re great for taking on a commute or night out. However, if you’re choosing between the two, I’d go with a 20,000mAh every time.
What is the best size power bank for travel?
For most people, 20,000mAh is the sweet spot. It gives you plenty of power without being too bulky, and it’s still small enough to take on a flight. If you’re going ultralight or don’t mind having just one or two charges each time, 10,000mAh will do the job. Anything above 25,000mAh starts getting heavy and overkill unless you’re packing for seriously long-haul trips. Any 5,000mAh power banks or less are just too small – you’ll barely get anything from them, and they’ll probably charge your phone really slowly.
How many watts do I need for fast charging?
Wattage makes a big difference if you want fast charging. For iPhone users, look for a power bank that can deliver at least 20W of power over USB‑C, which is what the iPhone 8 through to the latest iPhone 16 require in order to fast charge. Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones are a bit more demanding: 25W to 30W is ideal for fast charging most models, though newer Galaxy Ultra phones can go even higher.
Samsung Galaxy users need a little more. The Galaxy S25 and S25 FE support up to 25W fast charging, while the S25+ and S25 Ultra can charge at up to 45W, but only if the power bank supports PPS (Programmable Power Supply) and you’re using a 5A USB‑C cable. Not every power bank supports PPS, but all but one on this list do. The only one here that doesn’t support Samsung’s PPS is the Anker MagGo power bank, which is designed for Apple devices anyway.
Google Pixel users should also keep an eye on PPS support. The Pixel 9 and 10 can fast-charge at 30W, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro XL can charge at up to 37W and 39W, but only when paired with a PPS-capable charger that can deliver enough power.
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