If you spend a lot of time away from a power source but need to keep your devices charged on the go, a power bank is a necessity. Similarly, if you need off-grid power for camping weekends away from home, keeping the kettle boiled or pumping up your airbed at festivals, having one of the best power stations will be a game changer.
Some power banks are pocketable and portable, while some power stations weigh as much as a small child and are definitely not meant to be carried around day-to-day. Smaller power banks are ideal for photographers who need to keep the camera charged when out shooting wildlife or astrophotography, or to keep your telescope going all night under the stars. Here, we will highlight the key features, pros and cons of each model, and what situations each one is best suited for.
If you're looking to upgrade other useful kit for the camping season, we've also put together guides for a plethora of products useful for your time off-grid, from the best binoculars and the best binoculars for stargazing to the best fitness trackers.
The quick list
Best overall
A reliable source of on-the-go power, and there's no need to carry an adaptor if you are using USB-A and USB-C cables.
Best for power management
The OLED screen and app compatibility make this a great choice for those who like to see real-time data. There's also a handy "find my" feature.
Best in-between
When you need more power than a typical power bank but don't need an all-singing, all-dancing power station.
Best for laptops
A slim device that you can slip into your laptop case so you can keep working on the go.
Best premium
A great choice for long, off-grid weekends away, and especially festivals where your car might not be by your tent.
Best for camping
The IP65 rating means you don't have to worry too much about dust, or a change in the weather.
Best power banks and power stations we recommend in 2025
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Best power bank overall
✅ You don't need bells and whistles: This reliable power bank does what it needs to.
✅ Having USB-A and USB-C ports is important: There are two USB-C outputs and one USB-A, so there is no need to carry an adaptor.
❌ You want something super lightweight: At 1.13 lbs (513 g) this isn't the lightest model on the market.
❌ You want MagSafe/wireless functionality: This model doesn't have it, unfortunately.
🔎 UGREEN 145W Power Bank: A reliable, well-designed and well-made power bank that will keep you fully charged on the go, with two USB-C and one USB-A output. ★★★★★
We've been using the Ugreen 25000mAh power bank for just shy of a year and we're still as happy as the first day we started using it.
The Ugreen power bank boasts excellent build quality. It looks and feels premium, and the reliable performance backs up the quality aesthetics. When you plug a device in it will immediately start to charge, and for monitoring purposes, there is a button which activates a LED display that provides a digital readout of how much charge the power bank itself has left.
This is pretty much the only "fancy" function, and let's face it — a digital display isn't that fancy! But that's not a complaint in the slightest: really all we want is a reliable means of keeping our phones charged up and topping up our laptop batteries if we need a bit of extra juice when out and about, and this power bank delivers on this perfectly.
It certainly isn't the most lightweight or smallest power bank: it is heavier and bigger than other models with a compatible capacity, but still, 1.13 lbs (513 g) isn't unreasonable or too burdensome in a bag.
Overall we think it's the perfect choice: a reliable, well-made power bank that performs well.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | It's fuss- and gimmick-free, and would suit a professional on the go |
Functionality | Does what it needs to, well |
Performance | Real-time information is accurate, quick to charge, high capacity |
Best waterproof
✅ You want wireless charging capabilities: It features up to 10 watts for Qi-enabled devices.
✅ You might use it in inclement weather: It has an IP54 rating, which means it would be fine for use in rain
❌ You want to see real-time power data: This model only has a basic LED indicator
❌ You need something with a larger capacity: This is really designed for keeping your phone/watch/earbuds topped up
🔎 Otterbox Fast Charge Power Pack: A solid, robust unit that can cope with a bit of inclement weather. It features wireless charging and has one USB-C and one USB-A port. This, though, is a powerbank to keep your phone and headphones charged rather than an off-grid solution. ★★★★
This Otterbox model comes in three capacity sizes: 10,000 mAh, 15,000 mAh and 20,000 mAh.
The rubber casing protects it against impacts and drops, and its IP54 rating ensures complete protection from dust and partial protection from water. This makes it suitable for most weather conditions: it certainly isn't fully submersible, so don't go dropping it in rivers, but it can handle splashes and rain without any issues, which gives good peace of mind too.
If you're looking for a device that will let you utilize wireless charging so you don't need to carry cables around, this could also be a good choice — there actually aren't too many models on the market with this functionality.
That said, there is only one USB-A and USB-C port, and pass-through charging (ie charging it up as it, in turn, charges up something else) isn't possible with this particular power bank. Though again, that's not uncommon.
You don't get real-time power management data like some models in this guide, either. Instead, there is just a basic LED indicator that indicates whether the device is charging, and when it's fully charged, though that might well be enough information for most users.
Overall, this is a solid unit that offers a little more peace of mind than models without a protective rubberized casing.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Rugged but sophisticated rubber coating |
Functionality | IP54 rating, wireless QI charging, no pass-through charging |
Performance | In line with expectations |
Best for power management
✅ You need several recharges over multiple days: There's capacity here charge to an iPhone over four times or a MacBook Air once and then some.
✅ You like to geek out about data: The OLED screen gives real-time data about current input and output levels
❌ You don't need all the data: If you aren't interested in power coming in or going out, you can probably get a cheaper model with a similar capacity.
❌ You need something small/pocketable: At 1.7 lbs (667 g) this isn't exactly lightweight, though it's fine for keeping in your car or with your camping gear
🔎 Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank: If you want to know exactly how much charge is going in, and how long it will take, this is the powerbank for you. There's data galore in this powerful, OLED-screened device, which even comes with its own app. ★★★★½
This is a high-capacity power bank designed to meet the demands of users who need a fast, reliable charging device for multiple devices over multiple days. It can charge most smartphones several times and keep your laptop charged up on long journeys. Do note though, that It does exceed the maximum capacity allowance of 27,000mAh on flights, so you can't take it on a plane, if that's a deal-breaker.
This Anker power bank also has a number of clever features that make battery charging efficient, and you can charge it with a 140W input via the USB-C ports. You can even use both input ports at once to recharge at a rate of 170W: this will enable you to fully recharge the device itself in less than 45 minutes, which could be very useful if you are often in a hurry, or forgot to charge overnight. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port
One of the standout features is the crystal-clear OLED screen — screens in this devices are usually LCD. This read out gives you real-time data about the power entering or leaving the power bank. There is also a compatible app that gives even more data and control, and a handy "Find My" feature if you're prone to losing things around the house or indeed elsewhere.
The Anker Prime Power Bank certainly isn't the cheapest on the market, but we still think it's good value for money considering its powerful performance and its many impressive features.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Brick-like with an OLED screen |
Functionality | OLED screen with real-time information, app compatibility |
Performance | Excellent |
Best 'in-between'
✅ You need more power than a power bank but not as much as a power station: This is a happy medium. It has enough power to charge your devices several times.
❌ You're just looking for something to carry around day-to-day: This is more suited to multiple days off-grid.
❌ You want something to take on a plane: 48,000 mAh is well above the permitted 27,000 mAh limit.
🔎 UGREEN Nexode 300W 48,000mAh: Going off the grid for several days? This small but powerful unit will keep you fully charged. It has almost double the capacity of a typical power bank, is portable with multiple outlets. ★★★★
We're big fans of Ugreen at Live Science, and we have been looking forward to getting our hands on this since getting a sneak peek at it at CES-2024. It has four output ports and one input/output port, so you can charge multiple devices at once. The fastest ports are USB-C, one at 140 W and two at 100 W. The USB-A ports charge at 22.5 W.
We call it the best 'in-between' as it has far more capacity than a typical power bank, but much less than a small power station. For example, the UGreen 150W power bank which sits at the top of this guide has a capacity of 25,000mAh, and the UGreen PowerRoam 1200 power station has 212,800mAh. This model has 48,000mAh. So, though it doesn't sit right in the middle numbers-wise, this model still has enough juice for keeping phones and laptops charged up away from home for a couple of days. We used the Nexode as the only means of powering up our heavily used Google Pixel 7, and we managed to keep it alive for five days.
At just over 4 lbs (1.86 kg), it's a fairly weighty model, but the carry handle is useful for moving it around a campsite, and the integrated lamp is helpful too! It certainly doesn't feel cumbersome: the weightiness actually makes it feel solid and robust. Compared with some power stations, it only takes up a tiny bit of room in the car, too.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Smart, sleek design with its own carry handle |
Functionality | Perfect for taking away for a long weekend off-grid |
Performance | Seems to be as per the manufacturer's specs |
Best for laptops
✅ You want a power bank that slides into your laptop case: This is exactly the functionality Baseus was going for when designing this model.
❌ You want wireless charging: Despite the large surface area, the manufacturers have opted not to include this.
🔎 The Baseus Blade HD: Designed to charge your laptop on the go, this sleek powerbank will slide into your laptop case, ready for when its needed. It's got a built-in display with helpful data, and it's even airplane-safe if you need to stay powered on short haul flights. You'll need a charger cable, though, as it's not wireless. ★★★½
Baseus might not exactly be a household name, but the company has been established since 2011 and has designed and manufactured practical, aesthetically pleasing products to keep up with changes in market trends.
The Baseus Blade HD has a 20,000mAh capacity, two USB-C and two USB-A ports, and weighs just under 1 lb (445 g). So, while it's not the lightest power bank on the market, its super-thin design means you can slide it into your laptop case in the supplied soft pouch rather than having to carry it separately.
Like a few models in this guide, a built-in display shows users the remaining battery life, real-time power output and time remaining until the battery is full.
It's stylish and functional, and because it's less than the 27,000 mAh limit, it can also be taken on airplanes, so you can continue working as you fly. This is especially handy for short-haul flights where there might not be any power sockets.
We found we could get one full laptop (Samsung Book) charge from the power bank. It charged the laptop back to 100% in about one hour and 20 minutes while the laptop was in use, but it would be quicker if the laptop was idle.
The only little niggle we have is that you can't turn the digital display off. No biggie, though — you can just turn the whole thing upside down if you don't want to see it.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Ultra-thin |
Functionality | Will give you an extra couple of hours' worth of power |
Performance | As per manufacturer's specs |
Best premium power station
✅ You'll be taking it from A to B fairly regularly: Power stations can be exceptionally heavy but the handle and all-terrain wheels really help.
✅ You like app control: The app lets you customize noises, lights, power output, remaining charge and even shows how much carbon you've saved when charging with solar.
❌ You will be sleeping in the same room: The fans are pretty noisy, even when it's not being driven particularly hard.
🔎 Zensure SuperBase Pro: When it comes to power, this beast of a machine holds no punches. It's perfect for extended periods off-grid. It's even got UPS so it can be used as backup power during outages, and its all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle that make it ideal on the move.
This is an absolute beast of a power station, perfect for extended periods off-grid. While we had our hands on it, we actually struggled to drain it of power so that we could test the recharging stats — which were accurate, impressively. There are two versions, the 1500 (with a 1,440Wh capacity) and the 2000 (with a 2,096Wh capacity).
It features an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), so it can be used as backup power for emergency devices should you have a power outage, but this thing is also designed to be moved. After all, there are plenty of power stations that can be used for backup power at home, but the beauty of the Zendure SuperBase Pro is that it comes with all-terrain wheels and a telescopic handle — making it one of the better models for taking out and about.
We think it would be excellent for festivals, when you might often have had to park a long walk away from where you actually end up staying. We certainly had no trouble, loading it up with camping gear on top and dragging it to our festival "base camp."
We did find that when it's being put to work, the fans to keep it cool are pretty noisy. Unless you're a heavy sleeper and not disturbed by noise, we wouldn't recommend using it in your sleeping area, because it does make quite a loud whirring sound.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Power station with wheels and telescopic handle |
Functionality | Masses of output ports, mains and solar recharging |
Performance | Exceptionally fast to charge up, but the fans are quite noisy |
Best power station for camping
✅ You'll use it around dust and dirt: IP65 is the highest level of dust protection, and it can withstand low-pressure water jets from all directions.
✅ You want something that operates quietly: Some power stations make a lot of noise when in use, but we were surprised at how quiet this one is.
❌ You'll have to walk a long way with it: Like most power stations, this unit is heavy, and wheels aren't supplied.
🔎 Bluetti AC240 Power Station: With its unique weather-proofing, this powerful portable power station is ideal for outdoor use. If you are camping, though, bear in mind that it is heavy and not super portable — though also surprisingly quiet. ★★★★½
The Bluetti AC240 is a highly versatile and powerful portable power station crafted to cater to a wide range of power requirements. It has a huge 1536Wh capacity, and a plethora of output options and recharging methods.
One of the unique things about it, compared with models we've seen recently, is the fact it has an IP65 rating. During other reviews, we had to keep an eye on the weather — especially as we were testing in the U.K., where conditions can change dramatically within minutes — and be ready to take the kit indoors at the first sign of rain. With the Bluetti, though, we didn't need to worry: the IP65 rating means it can tolerate low-pressure water jets from all directions, so there's no need to rush back to your tent to put it under cover. Perhaps one of the best things is the protection from dust ingress — you could use it confidently on the beach or run power tools in dusty workshops.
The only drawback is that it is heavy — really heavy — and there are no wheels. Sure, you could fashion some wheels yourself, or use a little sack cart, but given the weight, we'd have loved some clip-on wheels. It's not a power station you want to move around too often — perhaps it's best suited to people who will be camping in a recreational vehicle or on a boat (given the waterproof rating).
As we said before, though, if you are using it while sleeping under canvas, you at least don't have to worry too much about inclement weather.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Type | High-capacity power station |
Functionality | IP65-rated for dust proofing and water resistance |
Performance | Quiet, fast |
Best sustainable power bank
✅ You're an eco-conscious consumer: Made from recycled plastic bags, and upcycled e-bike batteries for the power.
✅ You want something pocketable: Weighing just 9.5 oz (270 g), it's likely smaller than your current smartphone.
❌ You need lots of capacity: If you've got lots of devices to charge up, look elsewhere.
❌ You want something cheap: The Gomi is expensive compared with other power banks of similar capacity.
🔎 Gomi power bank: Environmentally-conscious consumers look no further, this uniqely designed, portable and pocket-sized device will keep your phone charged. It is more expensive, however, than similar but less sustainable models. ★★★½
U.K.-based company Gomi has created one of the most sustainable power banks on the market — so naturally this device is a great choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
The shell of the power bank is made out of recycled plastic bags and waste aluminum, and the batteries are taken from discarded e-bike battery packs.
As with many products made from recycled materials, the nature of blending the different plastics together means that every power bank has a unique, marbled, multi-color design — a real conversation-starter, giving you the chance to boast about your power bank's green credentials!
The Gomi device is small and pocketable, so it's certainly convenient to carry around to make sure your phone doesn't run out of power, though it's not really meant for keeping all of your devices charged over multiple days off-grid. This is a power bank to slip into your day bag for an extra boost, rather than for taking on a multi-day trip.
The downside of the Gomi — as with a lot of sustainable products — is that it's pretty expensive compared with similar models or even those that have a larger capacity. Hopefully this will be addressed as the company continues to grow and sustainable materials become more readily available.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Unique design due to mix of recycled plastics |
Functionality | 10,000mAH (enough for one or two phone charges) |
Performance | Perfectly good, though not the best value for money |
Best power banks: Comparison
Model | Capacity | Ports | Weight | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UGREEN 145W | 25,000mAh | 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A | 1.13 lbs (513 g) | ★★★★★
|
Otterbox Fast Charge | 55.5Wh/ 15,000mAh | USB-C, USB-A, Qi Wireless 10W | 0.73 lbs (330 g) | ★★★★ |
Anker Prime 27,650mAh | 27,650 mAh | 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A | 1.4 lbs (662 g) | ★★★★½
|
UGREEN Nexode 300W | 48,000mAh | 3x USB-C, 2x USB-A | 4.1 lbs (1.86 kg) | ★★★★ |
Baseus Blade HD | 20,000 mAh | 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A | 15.7 oz (445 g) | ★★★½ |
Zendure SuperBase Pro | 2096Wh/ 1,440Wh | 6x AC ports, 2x USB-C ports, 1x car charger port, 3x DC output ports | 46.5 lbs (21.2 kg) | ★★★★½ |
Bluetti AC240 | 2400W/ 1536Wh | 2x USB C, 2x USB-A, 4x 230V/11A, 1x 12V lighter port, 1x 12V DC | 72 lbs (33 kg) | ★★★★½ |
Gomi Power Bank | 10,000 mAh | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A | 9.5 oz (270 g) | ★★★½ |
Best power banks: FAQ
What is the difference between a power bank and a power station?
A power bank is a small device that can keep some of your devices, like phones, earbuds, watches and laptops charged up for short periods.
Power stations are much larger (and far more expensive) units that can keep you powered up off-grid for extended periods, especially those that can be charged by solar (which all models on this list can).
What is the best power bank?
We think the best power bank is the UGREEN 145W Power Bank. It's a no-frills device that does what it needs to do well.
What is the best power station?
The Zendure SuperBase Pro is our current favorite power station due to its huge capacity and — thanks to its all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle — portability.
How much capacity do I need?
If you just need to top your phone up every now and then over the course of a day or two, a 10,000mAh power bank would probably serve you just fine.
For long weekends, or giving your phone/device a few full charges, you'd want to be looking at around 20,000mAh if you intend on taking it on a plane, or even higher if not.
For powering or charging multiple large devices, or for spending days off-grid, you'll want to invest in a power station.
What are the rules about power banks on planes?
The general rule for flying is that the total power of all power banks that you carry should not exceed 27,000 mAh. Most airlines generally allow power banks in carry-on luggage, but not in checked luggage. It is always, however, a good idea to check the rules on the airline you are flying on.
Latest updates
Recent updates
February 17, 2025: Edited FAQs and how we test. General layout tweaks.
How we tested the best power banks
We're often approached by companies who claim to have the next best power bank or power station. We choose to review models based on the functionality they offer versus the competition, unique features, what type of user it would be best suited for and whether we think it is good value for money.
We look at charging times, output and input ports (and means of charging), and the capacity of the unit to see whether this is in line with what we would expect given its size and weight. We consider whether the brand is reputable and has a history of good quality products, and then we test the models against the manufacturers' specifications and claims.
