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To help you get the most power out of your smartphone, we’ve hunted down the best portable phone chargers on the market, running them through their paces to figure out which products will keep you texting and tweeting long after your internal battery would have turned your phone into a useless brick. While choosing units to review, we ruled out dedicated battery cases, which have their place but often have lower charging capacities, not to mention they lack the ability to juice up gadgets besides your smartphone. So, if you’re ready to see more of these chargers, then check out our guide on the best portable phone chargers.
Of these seven best portable phone chargers and power banks, the one that juiced our battery the most is the Anker PowerCore 20100 mAh portable battery. This external battery pack is light, weighing in at just 12.5 oz, and can charge your phone up to seven times without the need to seek out a power outlet. Keep reading to learn more about the PowerCore and six other amazing products.
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Anker PowerCore simply has the best suite of features on this list, powering phones and gadgets quickly, featuring a large 20100mAh battery that allows for nearly eight charges on your standard iPhone or Android. The PowerCore is a two amp device, meaning it can reach a full charge in just ten hours, which is great for a battery this large.
Read Full Review: Anker PowerCore 20100mAh
Anker’s PowerCore sports a duo of ports on the side, so the larger-than-average battery can charge two gadgets at once. It’s sturdy, feeling solid in your hand, but unobtrusive enough to fit in your pocket. The unit is durable and should survive any accident you throw at it. Tired of wires? Check out our best wireless charger.
Thanks to its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost proprietary technologies, it can charge your phone 20 percent faster than some of the other products on this list. The charger boasts near universal compatibility, charging any device that can connect via USB. Now, if you want to go wireless, read 6 of the best Qi wireless chargers.
Award: Honorable Mention/Lightest Weight
WHY WE LIKE IT: This unit has a very appealing size and weight. It’s the size of a candy bar and perhaps even lighter than one. Not only will it fit in your pocket, you’ll barely notice it is there. It’s only 5.5 oz, making it the lightest charger on this list.
Read Full Review: Jackery Portable Charger
Jackery’s device is also no slouch in the power department, juicing up an iPhone, Android or any other smartphone two or three times on a single charge. The aluminum casing is sturdy and drop-resistant, even featuring a built-in flashlight, making this the perfect charger for adventuring outdoors. While not the fastest charger on this list, it’ll certainly get the job done. You may also want to check out 12 portable chargers that work both with iPhone and Android phones.
Award: Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: This unit offers a great array of features at a very appealing price point. It has a 10000mAh battery, dual-charging stations and near universal compatibility.
Read Full Review: INIU Portable Charger
INIU’s charger can also juice two devices at once, which is rare for a product at this price point. The 10000mAh battery means it can charge a standard iPhone three times before needing to park at a power outlet. It also uses a proprietary technology to power your gadgets quickly, around 1.4 times faster than equatable products.
The company says the battery will function properly for 500 cycles, which means you’ll be able to charge your phone nearly 1,500 times before seeking out a replacement device, which is slightly above industry standards. Speaking of batteries, compare this to our best smartphone list. The unit also features a longer-than-average standby time, around six months, meaning you can truly pack it and forget it.
Award: Most Juice/Largest Battery
WHY WE LIKE IT: This thing packs a punch. The 24800mAh lithium polymer battery can charge your phone six to eight times before it needs to hit a power outlet. This could last an average user an entire week on a single charge.
Read Full Review: Portable Charger Power Bank 24800mAh
The Portable Charger Power Bank is, bar none, the largest battery on this list, and one of the most powerful units on the market. The charger can also power two devices at once, which is always handy. It also features a snazzy LCD display, easily letting you know just how much juice is left. The unit also boasts a suite of technologies that protect against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging.
The power bank comes with a two year warranty and the price is certainly right for a charger with this much battery capacity. The best smartphone cameras can drain the battery, so chargers like this are important.
Award: Fastest Recharge
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a nice little all-around device, offering a 10000 mAh battery, dual-charging stations and a snazzy form factor for a fantastic price.
Read Full Review: Yoobao Portable Charger 10000mAh
Yoobao’s product can recharge itself faster than any other product on this list. Once this unit is fully depleted, it takes just five hours to completely recharge. It also can detect the optimal charging speed of your phone or gadget, matching the top speed accordingly.
This power bank comes with dual charging capabilities, which is rare for a device this light and compact. The aluminum body is fall-resistant and, like others on this list, features an external flashlight for those late night treks into the woods. It works with the best unlocked smartphone to give you more juice.
Award: Best Warranty
WHY WE LIKE IT: This charger features dual charging stations and the ability to juice your phone nearly three times before requiring a trip to the power outlet. It also boasts a bright, easy-to-read LED display, meaning you can know just how much power you have left even from across the room.
Read Full Review: GETIHU Portable Charger
Though GETIHU’s unit is light, just 6.7 oz, it is bulky, making it more appropriate for purses or backpacks than pockets. The product, however, does come with a neat little travel bag, which suited our needs nicely.
The battery life here is also stellar, with the unit requiring more than 500 charges before needing a replacement. A definite must for the best Verizon smartphones.
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Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a no-frills device that is solidly built, small enough to fit in your pocket, while still offering a cool 10000mAh of power. That is suitable for around three full charges of the latest smartphones on the market.
Read Full Review: Poweradd Pilot 2GS
Poweradd’s charger also presents quite a nice form factor, housed in a sturdy metal case that is both fingerprint and scratch resistant. There are also rounded edges, making it as easy to pick up and inspect as your phone.
As far as charge speed goes, the unit itself is zippy, gaining a complete recharge in just five hours, which is in line with the fastest devices on this list. Charging your gadgets, however, will go a bit slower than average, a detriment offset by its low price. For more of your battery needs, take a look at the best D batteries instead.
There are so many portable phone chargers on the market, it can seem like a crapshoot when you are shopping for one. During our research, we ruled out older models that used antiquated technologies and focused on long-lasting batteries that powered devices quickly and safely. We also wanted a nice mix of pocket-friendly chargers, sacrificing some battery size, and high capacity units that were a better fit for purses or backpacks. If you want a larger portable option, take a look at the best battery box instead.
We didn’t dip below 6000 mAh on this list, which should get you two full charges on a brand new iPhone or Android and more with older smartphones. We also wanted to make sure the warranty was up to snuff, ruling out products that offered up anything less than 18 months. Finally, we took a long look at how many charges these batteries could take before needing a replacement, declining to feature anything under 400. If you want to continue using disposable batteries take a look at the best C batteries too.
As you are researching which charger to buy, consider these features and whether or not the product you are eyeing is up to snuff with industry standards.
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