I am a sucker for Sharge’s transparent designs and cyberpunk aesthetic, but this prism-shaped power bank is more than just a pretty face. With a maximum output of 170 watts, a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity, and an IP66 rating for water resistance (fine in the rain, but best not to submerge), the Sharge 170 has form and function. The smart display shows battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts. It supports many standards, including Power Delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, and it fast-charged most of the devices I tested, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MacBook Air. You can simultaneously charge three devices at fast speeds, and the box includes a braided USB-C cable and a wee velvety bag. It can also recharge completely in an hour via USB-C at up to 140 watts (with the right cable and charger). The only thing I don’t like is the relatively high price.

Sometimes, you simply want a cheap portable charger, and this sleek option from Belkin fits the bill. It is relatively slim for the 10,000 mAh capacity, with curved edges, and four LEDs to show remaining power. There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, and it comes with a short USB-A to USB-C cable. It can only deliver up to 15 watts in total, so it’s not the fastest power bank around, but that’s reflected in the low price, and it will get your gadgets charged eventually.

If you want a compact charger that comes in fun colors and simply slots into the bottom of your phone for a top-up, Anker’s dinky charger is tough to beat. This power bank has a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi certified), so you don’t need to worry about cables. It packs 5,000 mAh of energy (enough to fully charge most phones). I tested the USB-C version with several Android phones and found it stayed in place, enabling me to use my phone more or less as normal. There’s a USB-C port for recharging the power bank, and it comes with a short cable. It might not be a good pick if you use a thick case.

Power bank manufacturers have made serious strides in pushing up potential charging rates in their high-capacity portable chargers, and EcoFlow’s Rapid Pro is a prime example (edging out Anker’s Prime series here). Capable of delivering 300 watts, this power bank is close to the maximum capacity allowed on flights, and it can charge a couple of laptops and phones at the same time via the three USB-C ports (140W, 65W, 65W) and retractable 2-foot USB-C cable (140W). It has a small display showing remaining power as a percentage and the charging rate for each connected device. You can also check temperature and battery health, tweak the brightness and screen timeout, and even connect to your phone via the EcoFlow app (though most folks won’t need to).

The Rapid Pro offers a laundry list of charging capabilities (PD3.1, PPS, QC3.0, AFC, Apple2.4A, BC1.2, SCP, FCP, UFCS), but its greatest feature could be its super speedy recharge rate. Charge from a single USB-C input at 140 watts, and it takes an hour or so to fill, but you can plug in both at once to hit 80 percent from dead in under half an hour. If you spring for Ecoflow’s dock ($200) and charge via the pogo pins on the bottom, it can charge at 320 watts, enabling you to go from zero to 80 percent in just 20 minutes. Ecoflow also offers a 20,000-mAh, 230W Rapid Pro model ($130).

My Apple Watch usually makes it to bedtime, but for super busy days and overnight trips, it’s nice to have a power bank capable of charging it up. This Anker power bank has a handy pop-up Apple Watch charger that can deliver 5 watts and supports Nightstand mode. It also has a built-in USB-C cable and a USB-C port, so you can deliver up to 30 watts to your phone or another small device. A display lights up beneath the surface to show you the remaining power as a percentage and the current charging rate. It’s nice and compact, with a generous 10,000 mAh battery capacity, and comes in black, white, green, or pink. Anker supplies stickers to stop your Apple Watch from sliding, but I didn’t find that to be a problem.

This entry in Anker’s MagGo range was the first Qi2 power bank I tested, and it’s still the best. The Qi2 wireless charging standard borrows elements of Apple’s MagSafe, enabling supported phones to connect with perfect alignment using a ring of magnets. Qi2 brings faster wireless charging rates of up to 15 watts, but is also backward compatible, so older Qi devices can still charge, albeit more slowly. This compact portable charger has a handy kickstand, a two-way USB-C port on the left edge, and a power button with an LED display showing remaining power as a percentage of charge time on the right. It can accommodate Qi2 or MagSafe phones in portrait or landscape orientation (it works with Apple’s StandBy mode). I tested with an iPhone 14 Pro and got 25 percent in around 20 minutes. Despite a large capacity, it falls short of two full charges for your iPhone when charging wirelessly. You might squeeze out a little more if you plug in the short USB-C cable provided.

If you have an iPhone or another Qi2 phone, we recommend some alternatives in our Best Qi2 and MagSafe Power Banks guide.

Whether you’re sick of forgetting cables or having to untangle them, a power bank with a built-in retractable cable is a great solution, and this Baseus charger can cover all your small gadgets, and maybe even boost your laptop, as it delivers up to 67 watts. There’s 2.3 feet of USB-C cable when fully extended, but you can pull and stop at shorter lengths, and there’s also a USB-C port. Tap the power button once, and the circular display shows the remaining percentage. Tap it twice to activate low current mode for charging earbuds or smartwatches safely. It fully charged my iPhone 16 three times with change, and added close to 50 percent to a MacBook Air. On the downside, it can get very warm when charging at higher rates. There’s also a 10,000-mAh model that maxes out at 45W.

If you’re looking for a compact power bank with decent capacity, Anker’s Nano Power Bank is my pick, but watch out because the company has several power banks with the same name. This model has a 10,000 mAh capacity, a 2.3-foot retractable cable, and the ability to charge devices at up to 45 watts. There’s a subtle display under the surface, and you can cycle through remaining percentage, battery health (cycles), and temperature by tapping the power button on the side. It also has a small carry loop, a USB-C port (45 W), and a USB-A port (22.5 W). It can fast charge most phones and comes close to delivering two full charges for my iPhone 16. While you can charge from the cable and ports at the same time, it reduces the maximum output dramatically (15 W for two, 7.5 W for three).

Power banks often look boring, so anything different always catches my eye. Redmagic’s Go Power Bank combines a cool, modular look with a thoughtful and practical design. As a power bank, it’s spendy, especially since you’ll be lucky to get one full charge for your phone from the limited 5,000-mAh capacity. But consider it a replacement for your laptop charging brick or phone charger, and you start to see the charm. This GaN charger with foldable prongs plugs directly into an outlet to deliver up to 65 watts via the USB-C port, but it also has a tough 7.5-inch USB-C cable that doubles as a handle. Stick it in your bag or pocket, and you have a charger, cable, and power bank backup for emergencies all in one. It also fast-charges most devices I tested and supports PD3.0, QC3.0, PPS, and more.

While I love the swirly designs, solid metal bottom, and compact size, it’s Gomi’s ethos that sells these power banks. Handmade by a small indie business in Brighton, UK, from recycled plastic, with power generated by repurposed ebike batteries, Gomi claims at least 50 percent less CO₂ emissions than comparable power banks. It looks and feels good, with curved sides, and Gomi promises up to 6-foot drop protection. A power button on the side lights up the four LEDs and shows how much of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains.

Both ports can deliver up to 18 watts, and you can charge two devices at once. It takes around four hours to fully charge from dead. There is a two-year warranty with this power bank, offering free repairs. Gomi has designed it to be easily repairable, so even out of warranty, you can get it fixed for a maximum cost of £20 ($25) plus shipping. If it should get damaged beyond repair somehow, Gomi will recycle it properly. You also get a braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

Displays in power banks are growing common. All offer a precise readout of the remaining battery percentage, some show charging rates and other stats for power bank nerds, but this is the first one I’ve tried that has a cute wee robot face. This makes it easy to anthropomorphize (mine is named Charlie), but thankfully, it is also a super speedy power bank offering up to 100 watts, which is unusual in a charger this size. Light and easy to sling in a bag or even a pocket, Charlie can be fully charged in just 90 minutes and supports several fast charging protocols (PD, PPS, QC, AFC, FCP, and SCP). I also tried the 20,000 mAh model ($60), which ditches the face for a detailed stat readout on its color screen, but I prefer the smaller version.

As a power bank, the P3 Pro is relatively big and expensive for its meager capacity, but it has a smart design that plugs directly into an outlet. Infinacore includes slide-on Type C, I, and G travel plug adapters, covering you for trips to the UK, Europe, and Australia, among other places. It has three ports, but you can turn it on its side to use the magnetic Qi2 wireless charging pad (up to 15 watts). It has a rubbery carry loop, and the soft touch finish ensures your gadgets won’t get scraped, though mine is already attracting dust and debris.

There’s a wee display showing remaining power, charging time, wattage in and out, and temperature, and it even changes orientation when you put the P3 Pro on its side on its rubber feet to use the wireless charging pad. Infinacore currently offers a gimmicky 99-year warranty, but you must register your device within 48 hours of buying.

Adventurers seeking a power bank that can survive camping in the rain or paddling down a river should check out the Nestout rugged power bank range from Elecom. These thoughtfully designed power banks boast an IP67 rating, have built-in shock absorbers, and are completely dustproof thanks to screw-on caps for the ports. Each power bank has a power button and five LEDs that show the remaining power in 20-percent increments.

The standard tripod threading on the bottom is super handy if you snag the dimmable lamp ($43) or light panel ($45) attachments. Both plug into the top of the power banks and are IP44-rated. There’s even a waterproof folding solar panel ($90) to keep the portable chargers topped up when you can’t get to an outlet.

The svelte Clutch Pro, available in black, white, or pink, is about the same size as a stack of credit cards and weighs around 4 ounces. It’s designed to slide easily into pockets and bags and offers a modest top-up for your phone’s flagging battery. The latest version of the super-slim portable charger is a little bigger but packs a larger battery than its predecessors, at 5,000 mAh. It can also stick to MagSafe iPhones magnetically.

You charge it via the USB-C port, and there’s a built-in charging cable (there’s a different Lightning model). It’s slow, gets quite warm when plugged in, and a full Clutch added only around 40 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery. It also scuffs quite easily in a bag. You can get higher capacities and more efficient chargers for less, but portability is the point of the Clutch Pro, and it’s a handy size to tuck away in your bag for emergencies.

Most portable chargers are featureless plastic bricks, but Ayaneo proves power banks don’t have to be dull with this adorable retro replica of Nintendo’s Super Famicom, better known as the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) in the US. Super cute and lightweight at 238 grams, Ayaneo’s Retro Power Bank has a tiny OLED showing the remaining battery, charging speed, protocol, and temperature. The function button brings it to life, and the slide switch cycles through the display options. It can send or receive up to 45 watts, but that’s a total for the output, so if you charge two devices simultaneously, you’ll get 15 W and 30 W. It supports PD 3.0, QC 3.0, and SCP. It’s a handy size, works reliably, and always catches the eye of older gamers.

There is plenty to like about Anker’s Solix C300 DC. This portable charger has a whopping 90,000 mAh capacity, so it can easily keep your gadgets topped off for a weekend in the wilderness. It has a lovely pop-up lantern with three brightness settings and a versatile array of ports. You can charge it to 80 percent in an hour using the two fast USB-C ports, but it also has an XT60 input for a 100 W solar panel (it took me several hours to fully charge this way) and a socket for charging from your car. It is heavy at 6.17 pounds, but the tall form and carry handle make it easy to take with you, and Anker sells an optional shoulder strap for $30. You can connect the Anker app on your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but you don’t need to, as the display shows the percentage remaining, watts in or out, and a remaining time estimate. If you are hiking with a pack to go camping, this is the highest-capacity portable charger you can realistically carry easily. We have a separate Best Portable Power Stations guide with recommendations for anyone who needs a lot of power.

It’s a horrible feeling when your car refuses to start because the battery is dead, but if you have a portable battery pack like this one in your trunk, you can give yourself a jump-start. A former WIRED reviewer called it a roadside lifesaver after it jump-started his car several times on a long trip home from out of state. The Noco Boost Plus is a 1,000-amp, 12-volt battery pack with jump leads. It also has a USB-A port to charge your phone and a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight. It’s a good thing to have in your trunk, but you must remember to charge it every six months. It’s also IP65-rated and good for temperatures from –4 degrees Fahrenheit up to 122 degrees.

Got devices that don’t charge via USB? Yes, they’re still around. I have an old, but still great, GPS device that runs on AA batteries, headlamps that take AAA batteries, and countless other odds and ends that need batteries. After running through several brands, I’ve found Eneloop rechargeable batteries to be the longest-lasting and most reliable. The fast Panasonic battery charger can recharge any combination of AA and AAA batteries in less than four hours, and you can sometimes get it bundled in a pack that includes four AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

The standard AA Eneloop batteries hold around 2,000 mAh each, with AAA batteries holding 800 mAh, but you can upgrade to Eneloop Pro (2,500 mAh and 930 mAh, respectively) for more demanding gadgets, or go for Eneloop Lite (950 mAh and 550 mAh) for low-power devices. They come precharged with solar energy, and Eneloop recently switched to plastic-free cardboard packaging.

Rechargeable batteries are a smart idea, and Eneloop are the best, but if you need alkaline batteries for some reason and you are in Europe, check out the Itson range. They are made in the EU from recycled materials and are very affordable.