Discover the best power bank charger for iPhone and other devices combine portability, high capacity, and fast charging capabilities. That means they provides peace of mind, ensuring you remain connected regardless of access to mains electricity.
The market for portable chargers has expanded dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from pocket-sized emergency boosters to high-capacity models capable of charging laptops multiple times. To find the right one for you, we've put our experts to work. They've drawn on their experience of reviewing, testing and using power banks to draw up this definitive list, and our number one pick overall is the Cuktech 20 Power Bank.
Beren has well over a decade of experience writing about creative tech, having previously worked for the digital art magazine ImagineFX, the fine art magazine Paint & Draw and Canon Pro Europe. As Creative Bloq's Ecom Editor, he's racked up hundreds of hours testing and reviewing monitors for a variety of creative purposes. He also oversees the curation of our buying guides, taking feedback on the products we've tested from contributing creatives.
The Cuktech 20 Power Bank delivers exceptional power capacity from its 25,000mAh battery, along with rapid charging and a brilliant TFT display, but bear in mind it is very heavy. Read more below
This impressive little device comes at a surprisingly low price and it's capable of rapidly topping up smartphones and other small devices, though larger laptops may drain it quickly. Read more below
A high-capacity power bank with superfast USB-C ports, the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank is as premium a product as you'd expect from one of the best-regarded names in electronics – though it's not a cheap option. Read more below
If value is the main thing you're after, we recommend this portable charger. It's a bit chunky and weighs 100g heavier than our top pick, but it provides great capacity for the price. Read more below
A magnetic power bank can make things even quicker and easier. This stands out thanks to its slim, compact build, budget price and magnets strong enough to hold even the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Read more below
Single panel solar power banks like this take a long time to recharge from the sun, but it could keep your phone going that little longer if you're out in the wilderness. Read more below
🔎 Cuktech 20 Power Bank delivers exceptional power capacity and rapid charging with a brilliant TFT display, though its substantial weight limits portability for everyday carry. ★★★★
Need to know: The Cuktech 20 Power Bank is a high-capacity portable charging solution with 25,000mAh capacity, providing enough power to fully charge a MacBook Pro or an iPhone XR five times over, making it ideal for creative professionals who need reliable power for laptops and multiple devices on the go.
Design: This power bank features a premium design with a vibrant TFT colour display that shows real-time charging info, remaining capacity, and estimated charge/discharge times. The build quality is exceptional, with robust materials that feel reassuring in hand, and it's airline-approved for travel. However, at 630g, it's noticeably hefty—40g heavier than the previous model—making it a bit clunky for carrying in a trouser pocket, although it's perfect for laptop bags if your priority is serious and long-lasting power.
Features: With a maximum output of 140W on its primary USB-C port, the CUKTECH 20 enables rapid charging for laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our reviewer achieved full iPhone XR charging in 1 hour 50 minutes, and charged a MacBook Pro M2 in under two hours. The TFT display can be set to 'always on' mode, providing constant visibility of charging status and remaining capacity, and the three-port configuration (two USB-C, one USB-A) supports simultaneous charging, although the limited port count may frustrate some.
Value: At £99.99, this sits in the premium bracket for power banks, similar to rivals such as the Ugreen Nexode 25000mAh. The high price reflects its substantial capacity, fast charging capabilities, and premium build quality, but it may be overkill for casual phone users.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Paul Hatton
"The CUKTECH 20 is a high-capacity, quick-charging power bank that is perfect for charging a wide range of devices. I love that it's fast and packs 25,000mAh, though it's too heavy to carry without feeling it."
🔎 Xiaomi 165W Power Bank delivers exceptional charging speeds and brilliant portability at an unbeatable price, though the modest capacity means it's best suited for quick top-ups rather than extended power. ★★★★
Need to know: The Xiaomi 165W Power Bank is a small device with 10,000mAh capacity that prioritises speed and portability over raw power storage. With support for 165W peak output and an integrated USB-C cable, it's capable of rapidly topping up phones and smaller devices, though larger laptops may drain it quickly.
Design: This power bank takes a minimalist approach with a matte-finished design that's more functional than flashy. The integrated USB-C cable neatly tucks into the side, eliminating the need to carry extra cables, whilst the compact LED digital display provides real-time information on power input/output and battery levels. At just 325g, it's very light, and slips easily into jacket pockets.
Features: With peak charging speeds of 165W and support for multiple fast-charging protocols including PD3.0, QC3.0, and PPS, this power bank excels at rapid device charging. Our reviewer found it could charge a Xiaomi phone from dead to nearly full in the time it takes to drink a coffee, with average outputs exceeding 100W through charge cycles. However, the 10,000mAh capacity means you'll get just under two full phone charges, and the single USB-C port plus integrated cable limits simultaneous charging.
Value: At under £40, this is exceptionally good value for money. For creatives who prioritise speed and portability over maximum capacity, you won't find better performance for this price. The combination of 165W charging capability, integrated cable convenience, and budget-friendly pricing makes it our go-to budget pick.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Erlingur Einarsson
"If you're a creative on the go who values speed and portability over raw capacity, the Xiaomi 165W Power Bank hits the sweet spot. It's not flashy, but it delivers where it matters with an excellent companion in your mobile toolkit."
🔎 UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh Power Bank is a premium power bank that delivers seriously impressive charging speeds and carries enough in the tank to gas up multiple devices, even a laptop – though all this of course comes at a price. ★★★★½
Need to know: As Ugreen is a world leader in electronics, you'd expect their power bank to be a high-quality product – and it does not disappoint. With 25,000 mAh of capacity it's a hefty boy in power terms, but despite this it's reasonably portable. A TFT smart display gives you a much more detailed readout than a set of blinking LEDs, and the power output is very impressive indeed, enabling super-fast charging.
Design: As mentioned, this is a good-looking power bank. If you hate the vagueness of LED indicators then you'll appreciate that display, which gives you a much more detailed overview of what's being charged, as well as remaining capacity. It's bigger than standard power banks, but is impressively portable for what you get – though there are only three ports.
Features: Charging is faster than even our top picks, with the USB-C ports capable of 140W and 110W output – our reviewer tested it out on a MacBook Pro and achieved extremely impressive speeds, and also found it was capable of gassing an iPhone XR up to 50% in less than 90 minutes. It all just works extremely well, as you'd expect from such a premium product – and that large power capacity means you can rest assured that even a few full charges aren't going to leave you empty.
Value: Here lies the rub – at an asking price of around £98.99, this is certainly not a cheap power bank. It's built to last and offers excellent quality – as long as you can justify the expense.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Paul Hatton
"With the ability to charge a phone multiple times or a whole laptop once, this is a power bank that gets you through the day and then some. The build quality is also second to none."
Best value power bank
(Image credit: Imuto)
04. iMuto 27,000mAh power bank
The best value power bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 648g
Size: 17.2 x 2.3 x 8.2 cm
Battery capacity: 20,000mAh
Output ports: 1x 65w USB-C, 2x 18w USB-A
Input ports: 1x Micro-USB
Reasons to buy
+
Large capacity
+
Fantastic price
+
Handy digital display
Reasons to avoid
-
Chunky design
The bottom line
🔎 iMuto 27,000mAh power bank is the best option if value is key, offering a solid capacity at a reasonable price point. ★★★★½
Need to know: If the main thing that you're seeking is value, we can heartily recommend the iMuto high-capacity portable charger. Don't care too much about getting flexibility and features? This may be the power bank that suits your needs the best.
Design: At 648g, it's heavier and chunkier than most (the INIU 10000mAh, for instance, is a far lighter 198g.) On the plus side, it features a handy digital display that shows you how much power remains in the bank.
Features: Charging is also a little slower than our top picks, but its USB-C port delivers 65W, making it an option as a cheap power bank for laptops. Plus, a 27,000mAh capacity at this price point and with these specs makes it a great option that will cover all tech bases.
Value: If you look at this power bank's approachable £50 price, it drawbacks aren't bad trade-offs. It's roughly the same price as our top pick, the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank,but with a few value-adding features.
Best phone power bank
(Image credit: Baseus)
05. Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank
The best magnetic power bank for phones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 220g
Size: 10.5 x 6.91 x 1.98cm / 4.13 x 2.72 x 0.78in
Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
Ouput ports: Wireless (7.5w) and USB-C (20w max)
Input ports: USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable price
+
Well-designed with fold-out stand
+
Small yet effective
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the fastest charging
The bottom line
🔎 Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is an excellent wireless power bank that affixes securely, but its charging speeds are slow when unaided by a wire. ★★★★
Need to know: If you're looking for a power bank for phone charging, a magnetic wireless charging solution can make the job quick and easy, avoiding the need for a cable.
Design: We found the magnets on this power bank to be stronger than those on Apple's own MagSafe battery pack, holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max securely both in portrait and landscape position, and you can also use it as a handy portable stand in StandBy mode.
Features: It's not the fastest charger we've used, delivering only half the speed that iPhones can take, and its capacity is only 10,000mAh. That means I wouldn't recommend the wireless option if you often have to charge in a hurry, but there is also the option of a USB-C port, which charges faster at up to 20W.
Value: All in all, we think it offers decent value for the price, delivering an excellent power-to-weight ratio for £60. The 10,000mAh capacity should be enough to charge an iPhone 15 almost twice and a Galaxy S23 Ultra once and then some. That said, bear in mind that the INIU 10000mAh offers a 10,000mAh battery at a third of the price, so it's mainly the magnetic charging you're paying for here.
Best solar power bank
(Image credit: Riapow)
06. Riapow Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh
The best solar power bank
Our expert review:
Specifications
Weight: 471g
Size: 17.4 x 8.51 x 2.87cm
Battery capacity: 26800mAh
Output ports: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C
Input ports: 1x USB-C
Reasons to buy
+
Decent capacity
+
Slim design
+
good price for the capacity
Reasons to avoid
-
Takes a long time to fully charge from solar
-
Fairly heavy
The bottom line
🔎 Riapow Solar Power Bank, 26800mAh offers an impressive capacity, great portability, and its LED indicators shows the remaining battery. ★★★½
Need to know: If you're going to be outdoors a lot, but don't want to go completely off grid, a solar power bank is a great way recharge your phone when you're away from civilisation.
Design: It's slim by design, but fairly heavy, which might be too much of a concession for backpackers looking to keep things lightweight. It's also not the most discrete or attractive-looking power bank; however it does suit the more rugged aesthetic of camping, hiking or other outdoor activities.
Features: It's a great option, both for practical and environmental reasons, but you have to be realistic. The solar panel recharges the battery very slowly, so you'll still need to make sure you charge it via the mains before you head off into the wilderness. Still, its 26800mAh capacity is admittedly pretty good for its class; almost as much as the Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank, our number one pick.
Value: At £33, this is a surprisingly affordable option, given it features solar charging and offers such a solid capacity.
How to choose the best power bank
There are four main variables to take into consideration when choosing the best power bank for you. Firstly, there's the output of a power bank, which can determine whether it's compatible with the device you want to use it with. Check the output of the power bank and the requirements of your devices. If you're looking for a power bank for a laptop rather than a phone make sure the device specifies that it can power laptops.
Portability is another factor and will depend on the size and weight of the power bank. Most people will want a power bank that's easy to carry around in a bag or even a pocket. Related to this is the issue of durability. We've checked the devices above are built to last, but some go further by using a water-resistant build. Finally, price is obviously an issue, and you'll need to decide how much your prepared to spend.
How we chose the best power banks
We chose the best power banks in our guide based on a combination of our own tests, reviews from our sister sites and verified customer reviews. We compared the stated specs of each power bank and where possible tested them by charging a variety of devices, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, iPads and, when the power bank is powerful enough, laptops.
FAQs
How do power banks work?
Power banks are portable devices that basically comprise a battery, ports for input and output. These external batteries can be used to charge cell phones, tablets and the like when you're on the move and don't have access to a plug socket. To use a power bank, you first need to plug it into an electrical outlet to charge it. Once charged, you simply connect an electronic device to it, usually via a USB cable.
When connected, the power bank transfers the electrical energy stored on it, charging the internal battery on your device. While most power banks use cables, but there are also wireless power banks.
The charging speed will vary depending on the charger, and the number of times that a power bank can charge your device will depend on its capacity and the battery capacity of your device. For example, a 10,000mAh power bank is likely to be able to charge a 2,500mAh phone battery around four times before the power bank itself needs to be recharged. Most good quality power banks will be able to charge most phones in full two to three times.
How long do power banks keep their charge?
When charged, a power bank can lose its charge even if you don't use it. That's because all rechargeable batteries have inherent self-discharge rates, which can vary from 2% to 10% a month, depending on quality and capacity. A good quality power bank can be expected to keep its charge for up to around six months while lower-quality power banks might last as little as four weeks before it needs recharging.
How can I protect a power bank's life?
If you want to try to extend the life of a power bank as much as possible, there are some tips that you can follow. Store the power bank in a cool and dry place when not in use and charge it regularly, but use the power bank only when necessary. Use the power bank's original cable is possible.
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Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.
