The best power banks have become an essential gadget for anyone on the go, ensuring your devices remain powered throughout the day. Whether you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply out for the day, a reliable power bank can make the difference between staying connected or going dark.
Best Overall | Bang for Your Buck | Best on a Budget | Best for Laptops | Most Rugged |
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Anker Prime Power Bank | Goal Zero Sherpa | INIU PowerNova | Omni 20+ | Dark Energy Poseidon Pro |
The Anker Prime Power Bank is a powerhouse in a compact form, offering fast charging, high capacity, and smart features that make it the best overall choice for anyone needing reliable power on the go. | The Goal Zero Sherpa is an exceptional power bank that combines rugged durability with impressive charging capabilities, making a great option for users who need power on the go. | The INIU PowerNova offers high performance at an affordable price, making it the best budget option for those who need a reliable and powerful power bank without spending too much. | The Omni 20+ is a versatile power bank with a 20,000mAh capacity and multiple outputs, including AC and USB-C. Its compact design and features like wireless charging make it ideal for laptops. | The Dark Energy Poseidon Pro is built to withstand extreme conditions, making it the most rugged power bank of on the market, perfect for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. |
What Is a Power Bank?
A power bank is a portable battery designed to charge electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets. It stores electrical energy, which can be used later to recharge your devices when a power outlet is unavailable. Power banks come in various sizes and capacities, allowing users to choose the best one for their specific needs, whether it’s a compact model for emergencies or a high-capacity option for extended use.
Why Buy Power Banks?
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, staying connected is more critical than ever. Our devices—smartphones, tablets, laptops—are indispensable tools for communication, work, entertainment, and navigation. However, as these devices become more powerful and feature-rich, their battery consumption increases, often leaving us searching for an outlet by mid-day. This is where power banks come in, offering a portable and reliable solution to keep your devices charged and functional.
A power bank is especially useful for travelers, remote workers, or anyone who spends a significant amount of time away from a power source. Imagine being on a long flight or in the middle of a hiking trip and realizing your phone or camera is about to die. A power bank provides peace of mind by ensuring you have enough juice to capture memories, navigate your route, or stay in touch with loved ones. Moreover, with the rise of more powerful, multi-device power banks, you can now charge multiple devices simultaneously, making them an even more valuable tool for those who rely heavily on their gadgets.
Power Banks: What to Look For
When choosing the best power bank for your needs, consider the following criteria:
Best Overall: Anker Prime Power Bank
Image credit: Anker
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The Anker Prime Power Bank stands out as the best overall power bank for 2024, thanks to its combination of power, portability, and advanced features. With a massive 27,650mAh capacity, it can charge a variety of devices multiple times, making it ideal for heavy users or those on extended trips. The power bank’s 250W fast charging capability, powered by the latest PD 3.1 technology, ensures that your devices charge quickly, whether it’s a MacBook Pro, an iPhone, or any other USB-C-enabled device.
One of the standout features of the Anker Prime is its compact size. Despite its high capacity, it’s about the size of a soda can, making it easy to carry around. This is particularly impressive given its ability to charge a 13-inch MacBook Air nearly 1.3 times or an iPhone 14 almost five times. Additionally, the Anker app offers a smart way to manage your charging needs, allowing you to locate the power bank, monitor real-time stats, and optimize device battery life with smart charging.
In terms of safety and convenience, the Anker Prime is also TSA-approved for carry-on baggage, making it perfect for frequent travelers. However, it’s worth noting that some ASUS laptops may experience compatibility issues, but for most users, this power bank offers an unbeatable combination of power, portability, and functionality.
Bang for Your Buck: Goal Zero Sherpa
Image credit: Goal Zero
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The Goal Zero Sherpa is the best bang for your buck power bank in 2024, offering a great balance of performance, durability, and price. With a 25,600mAh capacity, it provides ample power for most users, allowing you to charge your USB-C laptops, tablets, smartphones, and cameras multiple times. What sets the Sherpa apart is its 100W USB-C output, which ensures your devices charge quickly, minimizing downtime.
The Sherpa also includes 15W wireless charging capabilities, making it convenient for those who prefer a cable-free experience. Its rugged aluminum unibody construction means it can withstand the rigors of travel and outdoor use, while the 2-year warranty and Goal Zero’s outstanding customer service provide additional peace of mind. Whether you’re working remotely, adventuring in the wilderness, or just need a reliable power source for daily use, the Sherpa delivers exceptional value.
While the Sherpa’s capacity is slightly lower than some other high-end power banks, it more than makes up for it with its fast charging and durable build. It’s the perfect choice for those who want a powerful and reliable power bank without paying a premium price.
Best on a Budget: INIU PowerNova
Image credit: INIU
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The INIU PowerNova is the best budget power bank for 2024, offering a remarkable 27,000mAh capacity and 140W fast charging at a price that won’t break the bank. Despite its affordable price, the PowerNova is packed with features that make it a competitive option for those looking for a reliable power bank. It can charge high-power devices like laptops and gaming consoles quickly, ensuring you stay powered up wherever you are.
One of the standout features of the PowerNova is its Smart LED Power Display, which provides an intuitive interface to monitor the remaining battery life and recharge time. This feature is often found in more expensive models, making it a great value addition to this budget-friendly power bank. Additionally, the PowerNova is compact and portable, making it easy to carry in your bag or pocket, and it’s airline-approved for travel.
While it may lack some of the advanced features of higher-end models, such as wireless charging or app integration, the INIU PowerNova offers everything you need for reliable power on a budget. Its combination of capacity, fast charging, and affordability makes it the perfect choice for budget-conscious users who don’t want to compromise on performance.
Best for Laptops: Omni 20+
Image credit: Omnicharge
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The Omni 20+ is the best power bank for laptops in 2024, offering a comprehensive power solution for a wide range of devices. With a 20,000mAh capacity and multiple charging options, including AC, DC, and USB-C, it can handle everything from laptops to cameras, drones, and smartphones. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for professionals who need a reliable power source for all their devices.
One of the key features of the Omni 20+ is its 100W AC output, which allows you to charge your laptop directly from the power bank, just as you would from a wall outlet. Additionally, the 60W USB-C PD output ensures fast charging for USB-C-enabled laptops and other devices. The power bank also includes wireless charging, making it easy to charge your smartphone or other Qi-compatible devices without cables.
Despite its high capacity and extensive features, the Omni 20+ is compact and portable, making it a great travel companion. Its rugged design means it can withstand the challenges of travel, and it’s even safe to bring on planes. While it comes with a higher price tag, the Omni 20+ offers unparalleled versatility and performance, making it the best choice for laptop users who need a reliable and powerful power bank.
Most Rugged: Dark Energy Poseidon Pro
Image credit: Dark Energy
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The Dark Energy Poseidon Pro is the most rugged power bank of 2024, designed for those who need a reliable power source in the toughest environments. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or working in extreme conditions, the Poseidon Pro is built to withstand it all. With its ArmorTek coating, this power bank is resistant to drops, shocks, and scratches, while its IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating ensures it can handle water, dust, and dirt without issue.
Despite its rugged design, the Poseidon Pro doesn’t compromise on performance. It features a 100W fast charging capability, allowing you to quickly charge high-power devices such as laptops, cameras, and smartphones. With a 25,600mAh capacity, it provides ample power for multiple charges, making it perfect for extended outdoor trips.
The Poseidon Pro is heavier and bulkier than some other power banks, but this is a small trade-off for the durability and reliability it offers. If you’re an adventurer or outdoor enthusiast who needs a power bank that can keep up with your lifestyle, the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro is the best choice for 2024.