Portable chargers can be a lifesaver on the go and when the unexpected takes out the power.
I always think of power chargers and adapters for 3 things. Chargers for home/office, chargers for to take me and my gear through the day on the go, and chargers and adapters I pack for travel.
Like it or not, our phone battery is at its best the first day we get it new. From there it’s downhill with battery life. Your battery life for all your gear gradually shrinks over time. I never leave home without some way to get a quick recharge on the go.
For travel, I look for power adapters that suit the trip and pack easily. I start with low-density, high-performing adapters that make it easy to get where I am going.
When it comes to adventure, I load up on heavier batteries and recharge solutions to keep me powered and ready far away from the grid.
We’ve rounded up our favorite portable chargers for on-the-go situations to keep you connected.
Table of Contents:
Best Portable Chargers for Travel
Best for camping or emergency power
This entry-level portable power station is the perfect travel accessory for camping, road trips, and for having a backup power supply handy. It’s easy to carry (under 7 pounds – even a kid can hold on to it) and fits well in a car so you can stop using your car’s battery for extra power. Additionally, you can purchase a solar panel separately which is able to charge your power station using the sun, so you can keep power going through an outdoor trip without ever having to find a wall outlet.
Includes:
- 1 AC outlet (
- 2 USB ports (
- 1 DC input
- 1 car output
- Will charge your phone up to 24 times, a tablet 5 times, or a laptop twice
- Supports pass-through charging
Best for camping using solar power
Jackery’s Solar Generator is another great option for a backup power supply and can be especially handy on any outdoor trip. Powered entirely by two SolarSaga 100 solar panels, this generator is much quieter than typical gas generators. Thanks to the 1000 wattage, you can use this Jackery Solar generator to power your bigger electronics including a full-size fridge, a TV, a grill, a coffee machine, and more. You can also power up to 8 devices.
Includes:
- 3 AC outlets
- USB-A output
- Quick charge output
- USB-C output
- DC output and input
- Will charge your phone up to 100 times, a drop 17 times, a laptop 8 times
- Supports pass-through charging
Best for laptops
One of the most compact portable chargers, the Omnicharge power solution is a great option for travel to keep your laptop, drone, phone or tablet, and camera charged. It also supports wireless charging so you can carry fewer cords with you, and can be recharged in under 3 hours. It can even be recharged by solar power and has an OLED display screen to keep you up to date with how charged the Omicharger and your devices are. This will work with both Macs and PCs.
Includes:
- Wireless charging
- 2 USB ports (with buttons)
- 1 AC output
- 1 DC input/output
- 1 USB-C input/output
- Charges a laptop up to once, a phone up to 5 times, a camera up to 5-10 times, and a tablet up to twice
Best for cell phones
Anker makes a variety of portable power banks for any number of devices you’re looking to charge at once. This portable charger is convenient enough to toss into a bag and keep on hand to charge your cellphone multiple times. Thanks to its wide-compatibility USB port, you can charge a variety of electronics including Apple, Samsung, and other Android cell phones. It holds a number of charges and recharges devices quickly, so you can keep your phone at full battery no matter where you are.
Includes:
- USB port
- USB-C port
- Travel pouch
- Charges a phone up to 5 times, and an iPad mini up to 2.6 times
Best for fitting in your pocket
This portable charger may be small, but it packs a punch. With its lightweight credit card shape, you can fit this power bank into your pocket and keep your charging devices with you. The device itself recharges fully in just 2-3 hours, and it can be used to charge 2 devices simultaneously. This works with both iPhones and Androids, along with other small electronics that you may need to charge on-the-go.
Includes:
- 2 USB ports
- Micro-USB cable and input to charge itself
- Charges phones up to 1.5 times depending on the model
More:
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Best portable phone chargers of 2024
Which devices do you need to charge while traveling? Comment below.