The EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank is our best portable power bank which has a battery smart feature. On its design, it comes with built-in micro USB cable for most smartphones and it is capable of charging up to 6000 mAh. It can greatly improve charging power for Samsung Galaxy S6 for 1.5 times and iPhone 6 by 2.3 times. It also has a fast charge feature due to its Smart Technology which provides up to 2.4 A of power for time saving charge.
Top Pick: EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank
Our step-up pick is the Anker PowerCore+ 13400 Premium Portable Charger and it is capable of recharging your device up to 2 times faster. It is also covered in a tough and weather-resistant aluminum shell and it includes high quality Panasonic battery cells. The power bank has an output of 4.8 amps. Being built with a flashlight, it is available in black or silver.
The budget pick is the Power Brik Portable Power Bank Charger and it is highly compatible with most Android phones, Samsung phones, Apple products and tablets. It has a capacity of 2,600 mAh and it is a waterproof power bank. It is super portable and light weight with its design.
A Little Background
Cell phones and mobile devices are a necessity nowadays. Without a mobile phone, you would not be able to connect and communicate with anyone. Hardly any person nowadays does not have a cell phone or smartphone at least. Cell phones are important for emergency purposes and just about anything. Having a mobile device allows you to instantly ask for help even when you are stuck in the middle of the jungle or stuck in the middle of urban traffic and will be late for your appointment.
Oftentimes, we travel a lot but we forgot to charge our phones and tablets. While we are busy taking selfies or videos of our tourist destinations, oftentimes, we forget to charge our devices. While it is okay if your rest house or the place you will go to have some sockets, it is not when you are camping out in the middle of the jungle and you do not have a power source to charge your phone with.
Sometimes, our phones do not have a high battery capacity, especially if it is not a very expensive phone with a low capacity battery. Even if you have full charged your devices at home before a trip, some batteries will just not last long enough for your trip, especially if you take it for 3 days of nonstop selfies and beach or travel videos or vlogging.
This is where a portable power bank comes in. Power banks are a very awesome solution to a traveler’s problem when it comes to charging phones, devices and tablets on the go, without having to go to a store to charge their phones. A portable power bank acts like a portable socket that you can take anywhere you want. With this, you can charge even while traveling without the need for an electrical source, which most travelers find hassling.
Emergency situations will definitely require a power bank. Imagine if you are stuck in the middle of the jungle or deserted island and your phone or device batter ran out. It doesn’t matter if you have a pocket WiFi or some mobile internet service – if your phone is dead, it’s dead and time to charge. This is why you definitely need to have a portable power bank to take with you on the beach and in remote areas where you might not find a place to charge your phone with.
How We Picked
A portable power bank should have a high capacity to give faster charging to devices. This is measured in mAh and should be at a high capacity so that your phones and gadgets will be charged better and more efficiently as compared to regular chargers. While power banks charge slower than a standard outlet, this is not always true. The bigger the capacity of the power bank – the faster it can charge.
The portable power bank should be able to accompany a wide range of devices other than tablets, smartphones and such. It should also charge anything that has a USB port in it, such as cameras, gaming devices, smartwatches and many more.
The portable power bank should be considerably priced, depending on its specifications. A higher battery capacity would mean a higher price.
When it comes to portability, the portable power bank should be easy to fit in most bags and purses. Portable power banks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are slim and flat while some are cylindrical in shape, but will most likely be easy to carry around, since they ARE portable, after all.
A portable power bank should also have multiple ports so you can charge two or more devices at the same time at a high speed. Standard power banks allow you to charge so, and simultaneously at the very least to save you time.
The portable power bank should be super safe against overloading and short circuit. This is a very important feature you should look for any portable power bank, since they are just like outlets that might run into trouble if you accidentally overcharge your phone overnight. Most have an auto shut down feature to prevent overloading.
Our Pick
Top Pick: EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank
Our best portable power bank is the EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank which can improve charging power for Samsung Galaxy S6 for 1.5 times and iPhone 6 by 2.3 times. It has a battery smart feature and it has a fast charge feature due to its Smart Technology which provides up to 2.4 A of power for time saving charge. It also comes with built-in micro USB cable for most smartphones.
The EasyAcc 6000mAh Bank has two micro USB 2.0 ports and it has a very slim and portable design. In addition, it allows you to even put the cable in the power bank when it is not currently used. The power bank works on almost any major smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, tablets and anything with USB charging ports.
In addition to that, it comes with a handy flashlight function during the night and emergencies. The battery capacity is 6000 mAh or 22.2 Wh and it has an input of 5 volts (2 amps max) and an output of 5 volts (2.4 amps max). It works with most Andrdoid and WIN8 devices that have a micro USB input and it has an automatic shutdown to prevent short circuit as well as overload input while you charge.
Furthermore, it can accommodate up to 2 phones at the same time for emergency purposes and it gives you highly efficient battery life up to 85 percent. The EasyAcc External Power Bank is a good buy and it has a warranty of 18 months.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The only flaw for the EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank is that it is not listed as Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 certified but nonetheless, works effectively to charge your phone or devices, and is not a major flaw at all.
Step-up Pick
Anker PowerCore+ 13400 Premium Portable Charger
The Anker PowerCore+ 13400 Premium Portable Charger is our step-up pick and it has an output of 4.8 amps. It also includes high quality Panasonic battery cells and is built with a flashlight for emergency purposes.
Also, it is highly capable of recharging your device up to 2 times faster and it is covered in a tough and weather-resistant aluminum shell. The Anker PowerCore+ 13400 also has a Rapid Recharge that can charge with a Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 USB charger within 5 hours for the PowerCore+ itself.
It is a very high capacity portable power bank that can charge an iPad air more than once, Galaxy S6 up to 3 times and the iPhone 6 up to 5 times. It can even charge with a 2 amp charger as compared to most phone chargers that only have 1 amp output and it uses VoltageBoost technology to give you a super fast charge.
As for its cable, the charging cable spans at 1.5 feet and it also has a MultiProtect Safety System that protects against short circuit. Its PowerIQ discovers and replicates the original charger’s charging protocol for the device and it is highly compatible with a lot of devices from MacBooks, tablets, Apple and Android smartphones and any device with USB charging.
Other than that, the premium design has a deluxe matte finish, an LED power wheel and laser-cut edges and the inside the aluminum shell is a reinforcement layer. Currently available in black or silver, the microchips are proudly American-made and it has the ability to charge 2 tablets at a high speed at 2.4A per port (totallying 4.8A). it comes with a user’s manual, a travel pouch and a micro USB cable and it is backed by 18 months of warranty.
Budget Pick
Power Brik Portable Power Bank Charger
The Power Brik Portable Power Bank Charger is our budget pick which is super portable and light weight with its design and it is highly compatible with most Android phones, Samsung phones, Apple products and tablets. This is a waterproof power bank which has a capacity of 2,600 mAh.
The Power Brik Charger can withstand everyday use and handling and it has a smooth exterior that has no-slip and very easy to grip. Its surface keeps your power bank free from dust and the USB port stays in shape and steady during charging hours. In addition, it can be used outside or for sports because it is completely waterproof.
It has been made with metal carbiner that is super sleek in design. It also has smart LED indicators to indicate if the power bank is off, ready or charging and you can never run out of power again with this super portable designed power bank as this portable power bank can charge as much as only 3 hours.
With a waterproof rating is at IPX5, the Power Brik Portable Charger is a great outdoor companion which is available in black, blue, gray and red (orange) colors.
Best Solar Portable Power Bank
Minco Charger 12000mAh Solar Panels Power Bank
If you are out of options and you also want something that has solar capabilities, you can depend on the Minco Charger 12000mAh Solar Panels Power Bank which comes with an included hook to hang it on your backpack. It is a dual USB phone charger which comes with carabiner. It has a hands-free design and it is great to use for camping.
The power bank has an LED flashlight for emergency purpose and it is an ideal portable power bank. It comes with 6 LED lights that will guide you in the darkness and it charges under the sun during emergency purposes. It can recharge via any outlet at about 10 hours.
It has a 2 amp port for tablets and iPads and 1 amp port for Bluetooth and cell phones and it has a super fast charging due to its automatic identification. The Minco Charger Solar Power Bank comes with an emergency light and an LED flashlight for emergency purposes.
It also has a capacity of 12,000 mAh and its output 1 has 1 amps and output 2 has 2.1 amps max. it also has a DC voltage of 5V and it has 4 LED indicators to indicate the power balance at different percentages. It also has a very long life span with up to 500 recharge times and it is dust proof, shock-resistant and rainproof.
Furthermore, the built-in Lithium Polymer battery cells that is super efficient and light weight. Its compatibility is universal with most devices and it has dual USB charger ports. It also includes 1 carabiner, a USB cable and the solar charger and it is backed by a 1 year warranty.
Portable Power Bank with Included Pouch
AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank 5,600 mAh
The AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank 5,600 mAh is a great portable power bank and it is powered with a lithium ion polymer battery that provides safety and light weight feel. It can charge tablets, smartphones and any device and it has a capacity of 5,600 mAh.
With this power bank, you can charge the iPhone 6s up to 2 times. It is also available with cable package and it also has a protection feature for power overload. With this power bank, you can use the included cable or a qualified and certified cable for your device. In addition, the device input should not be above 5 volts or 2.4 amps.
In addition, the AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank comes with 4 LED lights to indicate the charging status, connecting a device and many others and the power bank can be charged by any USB port. Being backed by a 1 year warranty, it also comes with a carrying pouch in black.
This power bank has a total output of 2.4 amps and the 4 LEDs represent the charge in 25 percent intervals. It is also available in 16,100 mAh and 10,000 mAh capacities.
Slim Cylinder Designed Portable Power Bank
Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger Ultra-Compact
The Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger Ultra-Compact uses fast charging that is equipped with PowerIQ patented technology that gives fast charge up to 2 amps to any tablet or phone and it has a capacity of 5,000 mAh that is enough to charge an iPhone 6s at about 2 times. It can fully charge a Samsung Galaxy S7 in the shortest time possible and it is super compact and light weight at only 10 centimeters tall.
This power bank also comes with a travel pouch, user’s manual and micro USB cable. Being coated with a protective matte casing for extra protection, it has been layered with performance cells and LED functions. It also has a unique and compact cylindrical shape and it gives fast charge up to 2 amps to any devices whatsoever.
It also increases the output using VoltageBoost technology to give a top speed charge without cable resistance and it has a MultiProtect safety system to ensure prevention from surge and short circuit. Also, it has safety circuits, the PowerIQ chip and the charging control center inside and it easily fits onto any pocket. For a power bank that is portable, the Anker PowerCore 5000 has a warranty of 18 months.
Portable Power Bank with Ultra Slim Design
Keluoer Portable Charger 20000mah Ultra-Slim Power
With the Keluoer Portable Charger 20000mah Ultra-Slim Power, this is a dual USB port power bank that allows you to charge many devices and it also has a high compatibility with a lot of devices such as iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy phones, tablets and many more.
Being a super effective portable power bank with a slim design, it has a protection against short circuit, over-current, over voltage, overheating and many more. It also has an ultra thin design with an aluminum case to cover it with aircraft grade so you can be sure it stands sturdy against the test of time and harsh elements.
It is easy to put in your bag, pocket, briefcase or purse and you can charge with up to 500 charge cycles on the battery’s life. The Keluoer Portable Charger can charge the iPhone 6 or 6s up to 7 times and charge the iPhone 5s up to 10 times. It can also charge the Galaxy S6 up to 7 times and charge others more times than they usually could. The battery capacity is at 20,000 mAh which is super powerful compared to its competitors and just right for its high price. It is currently available in many colors such as silver, black, aqua green, champagne gold and rose gold.
The output ports are 5 volts and 3.1 amps and the fast charge can be up to 2.1 amps. A full recharge of the power bank is only at a standard 10 hours and it includes a USB charging cable. The Keluoer 20000mah Ultra-Slim Power is backed by a 1 year warranty.
LCD Screened Portable Power Bank
MobilePal 20000mAh Portable Power Bank
Being highly compatible with most devices such as iPhones, iPads, Android devices and many more, the MobilePal 20000mAh Portable Power Bank has a capacity of 20,000 mAh which is highly powerful and it also has a 2 amp input. Conveniently, it comes with an LCD display and a handy LED flashlight for emergencies. This is a power bankthat will surely be useful for your phones and devices for emergency purposes.
It can be used with any device that has a 5 volt USB charging port and it also comes with a 2 in 1 lightning micro USB cable for fast charging. Most smartphones can be charged with the 1 amp port or the 2.1 amp port for those with optimal charging devices. It uses a high quality lithium ion battery for fast charging and high capacity charging.
In addition, it also has an LCD screen to show the current battery capacity and it charges a wide variety of devices such as Android phones, tablets and Apple products. It may also charge Windows 8 phones, Blackberry phones, Amazon Kindle and eReaders as well as smartwatches that have USB charging ports.
As for its specifications, the battery is a 3.7 volt lithium ion battery with 74Wh. In fact, even GoPros with USB connectors can also charge their batteries with this power bank. The MobilePal Power Bank backed by a 1 year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee.
Portable Power Bank with Flashlight
External Battery RAVPower 16750mAh Portable Charger
The External Battery RAVPower 16750mAh Portable Charger has a handy flashlight for emergency purposes and it is capable of dual USB outputs. This power bank runs at 4.5 amps and it has a capacity of 16,750 mAh. It uses iSmart technology in charging and it is an ideal external power bank for convenient outdoor charging.
It can simultaneously charge up to 2 tablets at the same time. On safety, the iSmart technology detects the optimal charging current for any device without harming or losing charge efficiency to that said device. The External Battery RAVPower Charger can effectively charge an iPhone 6 up to 6 times.
Furthermore, it can charge an iPad air 1 time and can charge a Samsung Galaxy S6 up to 4 times as it recharges using a 2 amp or higher output which is a big step ahead from most 1 amp chargers in the market. It is currently available in black or white colors and it uses a lithium ion battery that is graded A+ in which you can use for over 500 battery charge cycles until the battery runs out and it’s time to recharge your power bank.
The battery also has a security protection against over-current and short circuit which makes the system automatically shut down in case of an overload or short circuit while charging to prevent accidents and blowouts from happening. Also, the 2 USB ports can charge up to 2.1 amps and 2.4 amps on maximum, allowing you to rapid charge up to 2 tablets at the same time.
Durability-wise, it is scratch proof matte finish covers the external power bank surface that also resists fingerprint marks. The package includes a user’s guide, a travel pouch and 2 USB to micro USB cables. It uses only premium LG / Panasonic battery cells and has been equipped with a wake-up and charging circuit which uses an intelligent MCU control to stabilize the current output of the device. It also uses a high performance charging IC to prevent high temperature, over-charging and over-current and it is very compact at only 5 inches.
Pink Colored Portable Power Bank
Fritesla 16000mah Power Bank Portable Charger
Being a power bank that will surely be handy for emergencies, the Fritesla 16000mah Power Bank Portable Charger can charge an iPhone 6 up to 8 times and give a full charge to an iPad mini. It uses a 3.1 amp output aside from the dual USB ports for simultaneous charging and has a very compact design that will fit into any bag or purse.
It has been tested for impact and vibration and durability and also tested in extreme temperature from -40 degrees to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The outside shell is made from aluminum alloy which is a fresh anodized finish and the battery cells are made from polymer which keeps it safe. It uses an I8 intelligent circuit board and it also comes with a small mini USB flashlight for free.
The lithium battery has safety protection that protects against short circuit and over-charging and it also has a digital display to indicate the battery life and charge level. Being certified to conform to the standards of CE, FCC and RoHS, it has a battery capacity of 16,000 mAh. You can choose from pink, gold, silver and black colors for the exterior. It works for any device that has a USB connection.
The Fritesla Portable Charger is currently backed by an 18 month warranty and it includes a user’s manual, a USB charging sync cable and a mini USB flash light.
The Competition
Other power banks are not so portable and have design flaws. They are also not very competitive and high capacity compared to the ones we have reviewed here so far.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of using a power bank?
A: According to Sinoele, you can charge on the go without the need for an electric socket, especially during emergency situations. It is very portable and easy to carry for travel purposes, is very attractive and sleek in its design and allows for multiple sockets so you can charge various devices simultaneously without having to wait for a longer time, which is ideal for emergency situations.
It is universally working for almost any device or brand and it may also charge other devices such as cameras, gaming consoles and anything that has a USB port. The energy consumption is greatly reduced due to is fast charging capabilities and most power banks have an anti-scratch surface that makes it resistant against travel damage. In fact, most power banks nowadays are not very pricey at all.
Q: What should you look for in an effective portable power bank?
A: According to Inventories AAI , the battery capacity should be looked at. A higher capacity means faster charging time for your devices but it could be of a higher price. Multiple sockets also eliminate the time you have to waste in waiting for one device to charge before another, especially if you own multiple devices and make sure that the power bank is highly compatible with a wide variety of devices.
Wrapping It Up
As a whole, the EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra-Slim External Power Bank is our best portable power bank to be used on any emergency vacation trips for extra phone or tablet life.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.