But, you only need to worry about the basics to make sure you’re getting the right one for your needs. Most importantly, is it the right size and weight for your needs? Does it have enough ports? And is there enough juice to charge up all your devices? Capacity With a power bank, though, you can always get a recharge – even when you’re far from home. In fact, with bigger power banks, you can get away for a weekend or go camping and still keep your phone juiced up. And it’s not only smartphones that can benefit. Tablets, digital cameras and Bluetooth speakers can often do with a top-up, and a decent power bank is a must-have accessory if you love playing on a Nintendo Switch. You need a lot of power: Thankfully, the battery on the Tylt Bottle 2 isn't so big it adds too much weight, but that also means it isn't powerful enough for multiple charges.

Most power banks will work with any phone. The biggest factor in whether you’ll be able to use one with your phone is the cable. If the cable you’re using doesn’t fit the power bank, you can almost certainly buy one that will. What connections should I look for on a power bank? Input ports The answer to this will depend on your needs. Small power banks can be great for an occasional top up of power on the go – they’re light enough that you’ll hardly feel the weight of them in your bag. Large models give you more juice, but are less portable.

Best 20,000mAh power banks

Large power banks are perfect for heavy-duty use. That could mean charging a single smartphone over a week in the wilderness, or keeping your whole family’s devices alive on long journeys or days out. But aside from their bulk, they also take a long time to recharge. We’ve seen models that take as long as 14 hours to fully recharge, while others take less than 10, so it pays to do your research before you buy. Wondering why some portable chargers last longer than others? Their power capacity is measured in mAh (milliamp hours). We’ll save the technical jargon, but essentially this means the bigger the number, the more power the bank contains and the more times you’ll be able to recharge your phone, before recharging the bank itself. What capacity power bank is best for running? The power bank combines ultra-compact dynamic power, maximum charging speed for every port, the advanced ActiveShield™ 2.0 safety system, unparalleled compatibility, and Power Delivery 3.0 technology, ensuring efficient and secure charging for all your devices.

Speaking of that wall plug, it's the most useful feature ever on a power bank. Some power banks come with a built in USB-C cord, but this Anker comes with a two-prong power outlet plug. That makes it a wall charger as well as a power bank, and the utility can't be understated. Apple has added its clever “MagSafe” tech to every iPhone (other than the SE) since the iPhone 12. It uses magnets to ensure perfect alignment for a range of accessories including wallets, wireless chargers and, of course, power banks. To protect the battery lifespan, the power bank will not achieve maximum output when its temperature increases or when the battery level is low (0% - 10%). Charging from 0% to 10% takes approximately 5 minutes.

Don’t get stuck without a charger for your gadgets. We’ve picked out the best power banks to help you recharge while you’re on the go

You want a more portable option: Because of its combo nature, the Anker 733 is a bit bulky and cumbersome, but if you use it both ways, it's worth the trade-off in size to have such a useful device. That app is essential because there's a Find My feature built into the battery. It doesn't work like an AirTag over UWB, it's only Bluetooth, but it's useful if you misplace your battery in your office (or you have multiple batteries, like I do). Basically, you’re trying to balance four factors: size, speed, capacity and price. The rules are simple enough: the less you spend, the lower the capacity and the slower the power bank will charge.

Power banks range from very low-capacity (anything under 5,000mAh) to medium-capacity (5,000-10,000mAh) and higher-capacity (20,000mAh+). Input ports are used to charge a power bank. These tend to be either micro USB or USB-C, and you'll usually find the charge cable comes supplied, and can be plugged into any USB-A mains adaptor, or for instance, the USB port on your laptop. Micro USB (input)

You have a watch that isn't from Apple: The Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank only attaches magnetically to the Apple Watch. Other smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch, won't work with this one, not at all. Firstly, determine what you need a power bank for , whether it’s for daily use or for travelling, to gauge whether you need something lightweight, or don’t mind a bit of bulk.