Compared to the more durable options we tested, the Fast Charge has an all-plastic casing that feels a bit delicate and cheap to the touch. It survived our drop test and continued to function, but it just doesn’t have the feel of excellent build quality. Still, it’s a perfectly usable power bank. These days, many devices including phones, power banks, tablets, and cables claim to support “fast charging.” In reality, there is no universal standard for what “fast charging” really means. Each individual device has specifications that determine how much wattage delivery it can handle. Every element in the charging system — phone, power bank, and cable — plays a role in the rate of power delivery. We found that the C10002Y gets warm to the touch when plugged into the wall, but this is likely just a result of the thin plastic casing — not a major concern. Speaking of the casing, this definitely isn’t the most rugged power bank on our list. It feels like one significant chest-height drop onto a hard surface would be the end of it. We held our breath during the 2-foot drop test, and though it did survive, it sustained minor visible damage. That means I could twist my phone sideways into landscape mode and use the Baseus power bank as a portable stand for Apple's new StandBy mode, which is one of my favorite features on iOS 17, and certainly the one I use the most often.

The next question is how you want to charge your device. You can find a power bank that charges your phone (or even your Apple Watch) wirelessly. These will usually charge slower, but they can be very convenient if you want to leave wires at home. These displays work similarly to an LCD screen but use LED technology to provide numerical or alphanumeric information about the charge level, usually in terms of a percentage. To compile this list of the best power banks, we combed the market for the most popular, innovative, and well-regarded models — and then conducted extensive testing at home and in the field to determine the best model for every need and budget. We charged phones, cameras, laptops, and even other power banks. We dropped and lightly abused over a dozen models to determine durability and longevity. In the end, we were left with a clear understanding of which models are worth their weight and price tag. These are the best power banks on the market today. Power banks only need a single input charging port, but it’s handy to have multiple types of output ports. On this list, the Lion Trek Power Bank has an impressive variety of outputs including USB-A, USB-C, and an AC outlet. Though it’s great to have plenty of output options, power bank users will mostly use USB-C ports. Wireless Charging and Magnetic Power Banks You don't need all those extras: The Anker Prime power bank is pricey, and if you don't care about monitoring charge Wattage or days of battery life, find another option.You need fast power: This is a very slow charger, whether wired or wireless, so it's better for casual charging while you sip your water and read a book.

When you connect a power bank to a power outlet to recharge it, one of the LED lights will usually blink, indicating that the power bank is taking up the charge. As you can see in the image above, the pattern in which the LEDs are light up signifies the level of charge in the power bank: Everybody on our gift list who got a new iPhone is going to get an Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W) this year. This cute little charger is perfectly sized to sit beneath your favorite smartphone, plugged into the USB-C port with a little plug that opens out or hides away for a sleek look. We reserved a dedicated section for a blinking red light because it’s a rather important one. Because there’s no universal power bank language, it can mean different things depending on each model. Here are the most common interpretations of the red light blinking on a portable charger: Again, each power bank is different, so for the exact interpretation of a red LED blinking on your power bank, please consult the user manual. You can also get in touch with me via the comment section below and I’ll do my best to figure it out. LED Lights Blinking But the Power Bank Won’t ChargeAll power inputs and outputs on the Pro are hidden beneath a rugged mini door. A small LED flashlight sits next to the USB-A and USB-C ports. Four battery indicator lights relay the key information that users need. In general, any charging source that can deliver around 15w or more could be considered “fast charging.”