The Best Portable Chargers for Travel

Capacity Explained: What mAh Actually Means in Practice

Milliamp-hours (mAh) is the standard unit for battery capacity, but the number on the box never tells the full story. Due to energy lost as heat during voltage conversion, you should expect roughly 60-70% of the rated capacity to actually reach your device. Here is what each capacity tier delivers in the real world:

• • 5,000mAh: About 1 full smartphone charge. Enough for a day trip where you need emergency backup but have access to an outlet at night. Will not charge a tablet meaningfully.
• • 10,000mAh: About 2 full smartphone charges or half an iPad charge. The sweet spot for weekend trips and city breaks. Fits in most pockets and jacket compartments.
• • 20,000mAh: About 4-5 smartphone charges, one full iPad charge, or a partial laptop top-up. Ideal for week-long trips, camping, and situations where outlet access is unreliable.
• • 24,000mAh+: About 5-6 smartphone charges or one full laptop charge (for ultrabooks). The maximum practical size for travel. Heavier, but indispensable for remote workers.

Charging Protocols: USB-A vs USB-C PD vs Wireless

The type of port on your power bank determines how fast your devices charge. This matters more than most people realize, especially when you have a 45-minute layover and your phone is at 8%.

• • USB-A (5-12W): The legacy standard. Every device supports it, but charging is slow by modern standards. Expect 2-3 hours for a full phone charge. Still perfectly fine for overnight charging or non-urgent situations.
• • USB-C Power Delivery (20-140W): The modern fast-charging standard. At 20W, your iPhone goes from dead to 50% in 30 minutes. At 30W, most Android phones hit 50% in about 25 minutes. At 65W and above, you can charge ultrabooks and MacBooks. If you carry any device made in the last three years, USB-C PD is worth the extra cost.
• • MagSafe Wireless (7.5-15W): Convenient but inefficient. Wireless charging wastes roughly 40% of energy as heat compared to wired charging. Only recommended for iPhone users who value the cable-free convenience above all else. Not suitable as your primary travel charger.

Airline Regulations: What You Need to Know

Lithium-ion battery regulations are taken seriously by every airline. Getting this wrong can mean having your power bank confiscated at security or, worse, being denied boarding. Here are the rules that apply worldwide:

• • Carry-on only: Power banks are prohibited in checked luggage on every commercial airline. This is a safety regulation, not a suggestion. Checked bags go into an unmonitored cargo hold where a lithium-ion fire could be catastrophic.
• • Under 100Wh (about 27,000mAh): Allowed on all airlines without any prior approval needed. All six power banks in this guide fall within this limit.
• • 100-160Wh: Allowed on most airlines with prior approval from the airline. You typically need to contact the airline 48 hours before your flight. Limited to two per passenger.
• • Over 160Wh: Banned from all commercial flights entirely. You will not encounter consumer power banks this large, but industrial battery packs may exceed this limit.
• • How to calculate Wh: Multiply the mAh rating by the voltage (usually 3.7V) and divide by 1,000. For example: 20,000mAh x 3.7V / 1,000 = 74Wh, which is well within limits.

Features Worth Paying For

Beyond raw capacity and charging speed, several features genuinely improve the travel experience:

• • Pass-through charging: Lets you charge the power bank from a wall outlet while simultaneously charging your phone from the power bank. Turns one outlet into a multi-device charging station. Essential for hotel rooms with limited plugs.
• • Digital display: Shows exact remaining percentage instead of vague LED dots. When you are planning a 10-hour travel day, knowing you have 67% remaining versus "about half" makes a real difference in planning. The Anker 737 and Baseus 65W both include clear digital displays.
• • Built-in cables: Eliminates the need to carry a separate charging cable. The Anker Nano includes a built-in USB-C cable that folds flat against the body of the power bank. One less thing to lose in the bottom of your bag.
• • Multiple ports: Dual or triple output lets you charge several devices at once. Especially useful when traveling with a partner or when your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch all need power at the same time.
• • Compact form factor: A power bank you leave at the hotel because it is too heavy to carry is a power bank that cannot help you. Prioritize portable designs that fit in a jacket pocket or daypack side pocket.