According to WIRED's Simon Hill, after testing more than 100 portable chargers, six stand out as the best for most users. The guide emphasizes that battery technology has been slow to improve, making a quality power bank essential for keeping smartphones, tablets, and even laptops powered throughout the day.
Testing Methodology and Recommendations
Hill reports testing over 100 power banks over several years. The top six recommendations are intended for different use cases, with the first four being suitable for most people. Updated in July 2026, the guide added power banks from Nimble, Baseus, Cuktech, and Pisen while removing older models and updating prices.
Key Features to Consider
When selecting a power bank, capacity measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) is important, but real-world output is typically 60-80% due to energy loss. Charging rate in watts (W) depends on device compatibility and cable. Many smartphones support Power Delivery (PD), with some Samsung Galaxy S models supporting PPS (Programmable Power Supply) up to 45W and Qualcomm's Quick Charge (QC). Pass-through charging allows simultaneous charging of the power bank and a device.
Models Tested: Avoid These
Hill's "Don't Bother" section highlights several power banks that fall short. The following table summarizes their key specifications and drawbacks:
| Model | Price | Capacity | Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank | $70 | 5,000 mAh | Capacity is over half after inefficiency; silver-gray aluminum design |
| Iniu Portable Charger | $27 | 10,000 mAh | Slow recharging, fell short of stated capacity, display sometimes failed |
| FansDreams MChaos | $46 | Unknown (wearable) | Slow recharge, only one full phone charge, lime green with carabiner |
| iWalk Portable Charger | $23 | 4,800 mAh | Won't come close to fully refilling a device, tiny size |
Other Options and Guides
Hill mentions that many more portable chargers were tested, and separate guides exist for Best Laptop Power Banks, Best MagSafe Power Banks, and Best Portable Power Stations. The top-six recommendations (not fully detailed in this excerpt) are intended to cover most users, with the first four as the primary choices.
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