The best power banks and battery packs in the UK for reliable charging on the go, tested | Technology

Belkin

BoostCharge Professional 3-port 20k

from £79.99

What we love
Nice for each telephones and laptops

What we don’t love
Not the quickest to recharge

When you want a extremely succesful energy financial institution that may recharge your laptop computer in addition to your smartphone, this mannequin is a advantageous selection. Throughout three charging ports (one USB-A and two USB-C), there’s a mixed energy output of as much as 65W – greater than ample to cost two smartphones without delay.

Why we adore it
In my assessments, the BoostCharge Professional topped up an Acer laptop computer on the form of speeds I’d usually count on from a mains-powered charger. And it was no slouch for charging smartphones, nor once I plugged in two gadgets without delay.

The facility financial institution is a stout, minimalist system, and contemplating it may well retailer as much as 20,000mAh of cost, it’s impressively light-weight. It’s an important selection for throwing into a handbag or bumbag.

The BoostCharge Professional’s digital show prompts on the press of a button to indicate its storage stage and outputs. The metrics are barely much less detailed than these displayed by some rival laptop computer energy banks, however the info is introduced clearly and features a helpful countdown timer that signifies how quickly the ability financial institution will run out of energy.

It’s a disgrace that … the onscreen metrics are barely much less detailed than on rival fashions, however the info is introduced clearly.

Weight: 378g
Connections: USB-C (x 2); USB-A
Output wattage: as much as 65W (complete)
Capability: 20,000mAh (approx 5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 45mins
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 31mins 30secs
Time to cost Acer Aspire Vero 16 laptop computer (30%): 25mins 30secs

Belkin

BoostCharge 10k with built-in cable

from £14.99

What we love
Spectacular efficiency and high quality for the value

What we don’t love
Modest charging efficiency

It’s onerous to consider this can be a low cost choice. The BoostCharge Energy Financial institution 10k has a premium-feel smooth end and speedily prices smartphones, earbuds and different lower-powered gadgets by way of its USB-C shops.

Why we adore it
Neatly proportioned and impressively gentle in contrast with a few of its rivals, that is a kind of uncommon energy banks that you would fortunately carry in a jacket pocket. Because of the built-in USB-C connector, you don’t even want to recollect a cable.

It’s a disgrace that … charging two gadgets without delay reduces the utmost complete output from 20W to 15W, so single-device charging is significantly faster.

Weight: 218g
Connections: built-in USB-C cable; USB-C port
Output wattage: as much as 20W
Capability: 10,000mAh (approx 2.5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 42mins 45secs
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 36mins 45secs

Anker

Anker Nano

from £19.99

What we love
Ingenious, ultra-compact design

What we don’t love
Energy storage is on the decrease facet

Quick, handy and sufficiently small to hold in a trouser pocket, the Nano is right for a fast top-up of a smartphone or earbuds. For me, no different energy financial institution strikes the identical steadiness between charging velocity and portability. In case your cellphone by no means fairly makes it to the tip of the day, the Nano is for you.

Why we adore it
The Nano is minimalistic, however its options are effectively realised. I’m a giant fan of its fold-out USB-C connector, which you need to use to plug the ability financial institution straight into your cellphone. Not solely is that this a neat charging resolution, but it surely additionally guidelines out the chance of charging being impaired by a defective or below-spec cable (each has a most present and voltage). That mentioned, if you happen to’re connected (pun meant) to your cable, there’s additionally an everyday USB-C port on the facet of the ability financial institution.

There are a number of limitations, the primary one being the results of its measurement. Its 5,000mAh storage capability is ample for giving most smartphones an excellent top-up, but it surely may not be sufficient to totally cost the system.

It’s a disgrace that … you’d want one thing extra highly effective to cost your laptop computer.

Weight: 102g
Connections: foldable USB-C connector; USB-C port
Output wattage: as much as 22.5W
Capability: 5,000mAh (approx 1.25 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 24mins
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 23mins 15secs

Anker

Nano A1638

from £35.99

What we love
Crams loads of storage right into a small package deal

What we don’t love
Not appropriate for charging laptops

Launched in 2025, this Nano A1638 mannequin is certainly one of Anker’s newest compact energy banks, and it takes the model’s excellent product design to new heights with a slick, sheeny end and a seamlessly built-in digital show.

Why we adore it
This little energy financial institution packs a successful mixture of handbag-friendly portability and charging functionality. When you use a smartphone professionally, this palm-sized block will make a really perfect day by day companion.

You possibly can cost as much as three gadgets without delay. The retractable USB-C output cable extends to a beneficiant 70cm. It grew to become my go-to for tabletop charging, whereas the extra USB-C and USB-A ports present additional functionality, offered you’ve the proper cables at hand.

I wouldn’t suggest this energy financial institution for charging a laptop computer, as many want a extra highly effective charger, however the Anker A1638 is ideal for topping up smartphones, tablets and smaller equipment equivalent to headphones. You’ll in all probability get about two smartphone prices per cycle.

It’s a disgrace that … the product info textual content printed on the again of the ability financial institution wears away simply by repeated use – so make a remark of the mannequin title for future reference.

Weight: 232g
Connections: USB-C (x 2); USB-A
Output wattage: as much as 45W (complete)
Capability: 10,000mAh (approx 2.5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Professional smartphone (30%): 50mins
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (30%): 17mins 45secs

What we love
Expenses gadgets quickly

What we don’t love
Onscreen characters are troublesome to learn

This energy financial institution was troublesome to check – it charged gadgets so exceptionally shortly that I struggled to get to my stopwatch in time.

Why we adore it
The Cuktech 15 Extremely is gentle years forward of the competitors when it comes to charging speeds, and with three ports (two USB-C, one USB-A) delivering as much as 210W, there’s unbelievable potential to cost a number of high-energy gadgets. Its 20,000mAh capability is sufficient to cost the typical smartphone not less than thrice – or give your laptop computer battery a major top-up.

With nice energy comes considerably decrease portability – that is undeniably a weighty energy financial institution. For customers preferring to pack gentle, that could be a deal-breaker. Nonetheless, the 15 Extremely is a well-made, smart-looking system. The TFT show offers a number of element on the ability financial institution’s battery stage and charging standing, and you need to use it with the management button to configure every port to behave as an influence enter, output or each. You get good equipment, too: a 3.2ft charging cable, plus a smooth carry case to maintain the ability financial institution protected.

It’s a disgrace that … the characters on the TFT show are small, which received’t be splendid for customers with impaired imaginative and prescient.

Weight: 595g
Connections: USB-C (x 2); USB-A
Output wattage: as much as 210W
Capability: 20,000mAh (approx 5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 10mins 30secs
Time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 15mins
Time to cost Acer Aspire Vero 16 laptop computer (30%): 26mins 15secs

Ugreen

Nexode 25,000mAh 200W

from £52.99

What we love
Charming consumer interface and highly effective charging

What we don’t love
It’s somewhat cumbersome

Speedy charging, spectacular capability and a welcome sprinkling of geek attraction come collectively within the Ugreen Nexode energy financial institution, which is designed to cost laptops, smartphones and different transportable gadgets at as much as 140W. The connections are easy however highly effective: a pair of USB-C ports (140W and 100W), and a USB-A port that’s finest reserved for charging lower-powered devices.

Why we adore it
The Nexode was labelled as a “fast-charging” energy financial institution, which added some stress throughout the testing course of, but it surely handed with flying colors – it charged my check laptop computer and smartphones at spectacular charges. It additionally has a contact of appeal, courtesy of the robotic animation that welcomes you to its digital show. For the whimsical amongst us, this stuff matter.

There’s a number of intel on the display screen, together with voltage and wattage output metrics for every of the charging ports, which offer useful proof that linked gadgets are charging successfully. Rubber strips on the bottom of the ability financial institution assist it to remain securely in place on a tabletop.

It’s a disgrace that … the form and weight of this energy financial institution make it comparatively cumbersome. It would match inside a backpack or satchel, however you’d in all probability need one thing extra compact for a purse or bumbag.

Weight: 588g
Connections: USB-C ports (x 2), USB-A port
Output wattage: as much as 145W
Capability: 25,000mAh (approx 6.25 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Professional smartphone (30%): 18mins 45secs
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (30%): 21mins 30secs
Time to cost Lenovo ThinkPad T16 laptop computer (30%): 24mins 45secs

Belkin

UltraCharge Professional laptop computer energy financial institution 27K

from £149.99

What we love
Can cost two laptops without delay

What we don’t love
Spartan show lacks detailed information

Constructed for professionals, the Belkin UltraCharge Professional laptop computer energy financial institution’s two USB-C outputs can ship cost at a mixed 240W, that means this energy financial institution can cost two laptops on the identical time. This units the UltraCharge Professional aside in skilled contexts the place a number of staff members want a top-up – or throughout household journeys when there is perhaps some competitors over energy financial institution entry.

Why we adore it
As a contract author who likes to flounce about at cafes, libraries and the like, I drastically appreciated this potent energy financial institution’s laptop computer charging prowess. It quickly topped up my energy-hungry Lenovo ThinkPad, permitting me to proceed working with out plugging into the wall and including to a small enterprise’s electrical energy invoice. The UltraCharge Professional was fairly fast at charging smartphones, too, though it’s somewhat cumbersome to hold for this function alone.

I used to be extraordinarily impressed with how shortly this mannequin recharged from the mains. It receives enter wattage at as much as 100W, that means it may well take lower than a number of hours to replenish.

It’s a disgrace that … the digital show doesn’t give suggestions on metrics equivalent to battery temperature and port utilization.

Weight: 584g
Connections: USB-C (x 2); USB-A
Output wattage: as much as 240W (complete)
Capability: 27,000mAh (approx 6.75 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25)
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Professional smartphone (30%): 21mins 20secs
Time to cost Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (30%): 33mins 20secs
Time to cost Lenovo ThinkPad T16 laptop computer (30%): 17mins 45secs

Iniu

SnapGo magnetic energy financial institution P781

£54.99

What we love
Extremely-slim and splendid for smartphone charging

What we don’t love
Recharging is sort of gradual

Finest for: magnetic iPhone charging

After I went backpacking within the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, that is the ability financial institution I selected to sling into my rucksack. It’s so slim and light-weight that it required no perceptible effort to hold, and utilizing it to shortly energy up my cellphone ensured I may hold utilizing my navigation app whereas strolling by low clouds.

The SnapGo attaches magnetically to appropriate telephones and prices them wirelessly. This labored a deal with with my pal’s iPhone 14.

The equipped USB-C cable clips on to the ability financial institution and doubles as a finger loop if you don’t want it for charging – a neat contact.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … this energy financial institution was fairly gradual to recharge from the mains, relative to its storage capability.

Weight: 210g; connections: Qi2 wi-fi charging (for appropriate gadgets solely), USB-C ports (x2, with one USB-C cable); output wattage: as much as 25W (wi-fi), as much as 45W (wired); capability: 10,000mAh (approx 2.5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25); time to cost Honor Magic8 Professional smartphone (30%): 26mins 45secs; time to cost Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (30%): 27mins

Bluetti

AC50B transportable energy station

from £239

What we love
Appropriate for charging an enormous vary of digital gadgets

What we don’t love
Its options are in all probability extreme for a lot of customers

Finest for: high-power transportable charging

This transportable energy station has extra ports than you possibly can shake a USB stick at. Two USB-C outputs and a USB-A output cater in your lower-powered gadgets, and there are DC and AC energy shops, too; the latter accepting an everyday three-pronged UK energy plug. With a complete most energy output of 700W (rising to 1,000W when utilizing the AC50B’s power-lifting mode, which is helpful, briefly, for power-intensive purposes, equivalent to boiling a kettle) and a 448Wh storage capability, it can energy backyard events, tenting journeys and even renovation work in an off-grid dwelling.

I used to be totally impressed with the AC50B throughout testing. It prices gadgets quickly; the interface is easy with simply three buttons to grasp; and the “cut-out” moulded deal with makes it simple to hold the 6.7kg energy station to its vacation spot.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … most consumers received’t want one thing so highly effective or feature-rich.

Weight: 6.7kg; connections: 700W AC outlet, USB-C port (x 2), USB-A port, 120W “cigarette lighter” port; output wattage: as much as 1,000W (lifting) or 700W (steady); capability: 448Wh (equal to 89,600mAh when charging one system at 5V; approx 22 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25); time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 24mins 45secs; time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 24mins; time to cost Acer Aspire Vero 16 laptop computer (30%): 30mins

Acer

600W transportable energy station

£499.99

What we love
Succesful and user-friendly

What we don’t love
The very excessive value

Finest for: powering gadgets within the backyard

Easy, user-friendly and outfitted with sufficient storage and connectivity to run or recharge quite a few energy-intensive gadgets, the Acer 600W is a good choose to energy your picnics and tenting journeys. Relative to different merchandise of its kind, this mannequin within reason gentle, and the fold-down carry deal with distributes its weight properly.

The built-in strip LED on the prime of the entrance panel is a pleasant contact – excellent for outside entertaining after darkish, or for visibility throughout an influence lower. Two DC5521 sockets are offered so you possibly can cost the ability station by way of photo voltaic panel.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … its value is just too excessive for lots of customers.

Weight: 7.35kg; connections: AC outlet (x2); USB-A (x 2); USB-C (x 2); “cigarette lighter” port; DC5521 DC socket (x 2); output wattage: as much as 600W
Capability: 512Wh (equal to 102,400mAh when charging one system at 5V; approx 25.6 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25); time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 45mins 45secs; time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 47mins 15secs; time to cost Acer Aspire Vero 16 laptop computer (30%): 30mins

Anker

Solix PS30 transportable photo voltaic panel

from £39

What we love
Eco-friendly charging on vibrant days

What we don’t love
Doesn’t change an influence financial institution for on a regular basis use

Finest for: on-the-go photo voltaic charging

Anker has been making transportable photo voltaic panel chargers for over a decade, and the gadgets have come a good distance. The PS30 is the most effective mannequin I’ve had the pleasure of unfurling throughout the garden on a sizzling Might afternoon, incorporating 4 photo voltaic panels and a charging hub with USB-A and USB-C ports in your gadgets (as much as 30W). In clear, vibrant situations, it may cost smartphones in round double or triple the time it took an honest energy financial institution to do the identical job. In my opinion, that makes it a sound different for customers who worth financial, low-environmental-impact charging over uncooked velocity. 

Two carabiners are included, so you possibly can clip the panel to your climbing rucksack by way of its grommets. However in my opinion, the PS30’s splendid calling is to maintain a cellphone and sensible speaker topped up throughout an out of doors get-together.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … whereas helpful and spectacular, this system is much less versatile than an influence financial institution, because it doesn’t retailer cost and received’t work with out daylight. Charging instances assorted wildly in my assessments, particularly when clouds appeared.

Weight: 1.1kg; connections: USB-C port, USB-A port; output wattage: as much as 30W (complete); capability: no storage; time to cost Honor Magic8 Professional smartphone (30%): ~8hrs; time to cost Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (30%): 1hr

EcoFlow

Speedy Magnetic 10,000mAh

from £85.99

What we love
Tremendous-stylish enclosure and show

What we don’t love
Fewer connections than the typical competitor

Finest for: eye-catching design

This stylish new energy financial institution from EcoFlow is the proper associate for a much-loved cellphone, with a USB-C output and magnetic charging by way of the speedy Qi2 protocol. It charged smartphones shortly in assessments, and likewise proved able to giving a laptop computer an emergency top-up (which quickly drained its battery).

Energy banks are typically sensible gadgets moderately than pleasing objects – however the Speedy is each. I loved its mirror-finish show, which pairs in retro-futuristic trend with pixellated read-outs on the ability financial institution’s cost standing, enter and output. There’s additionally a fold-out “kickstand” that retains your cellphone upright throughout charging, which may turn out to be useful for watching movies on the practice.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … it’s not as versatile as some similar-spec fashions.

Weight: 258g; connections: Qi2 magnetic; USB-C connector; output wattage: as much as 30W; capability: 10,000mAh (approx 2.5 prices of a Samsung Galaxy S25); time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 25mins 30secs; time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 21mins

EcoFlow

Energy Hat

from £99

What we love
Enjoyable for festivals, picnics and summer season strolls

What we don’t love
Not a sensible selection for day-to-day charging

Finest for: charging gadgets at a competition

Who wants mains electrical energy when you possibly can cost up your smartphone by way of headwear as a substitute? The delightfully eccentric Energy Hat from EcoFlow conceals an array of photo voltaic panels inside its brim, and these energy a USB-C and USB-A charger beneath. When the solar is shining, you possibly can plug in your smartphone and provides it a top-up.

I waited for a light spring day to check the hat’s charging capabilities. In contrast with a standard energy financial institution, charging was gradual – however if you’re enjoyable open air, that won’t matter a lot. Utilizing photo voltaic means you’ll lower your expenses on electrical energy, and the hat’s UPF 50+ solar and UV protecting materials will assist hold you protected whilst you’re at it.

It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … its charging efficiency is very weather-dependent – and this can be a UK publication.

Weight: 370g; connections: USB-C; USB-A; output wattage: STC12W (+/-1W); capability: no storage; time to cost Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (30%): 2hrs 51mins; time to cost Honor Magic7 Professional smartphone (30%): 1hr 47mins 45secs