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The 14 Best Portable Chargers of 2024

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Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

There’s nothing worse than grabbing your phone or laptop while traveling and realizing your battery is completely drained. A portable charger is one of the most useful travel items, especially when you find yourself in a tricky situation with no access to an outlet. Whether you’re exploring in a campervan and need a hefty charger to handle your laptop, or boarding a plane and in need of something super compact to charge your smartphone, there’s a portable charger for all types of travelers’ needs so you don’t find yourself in a powerless pickle. 

With so many choices on the market, we’ve narrowed down your search by prioritizing features like weight and size for portability, functionality, power, and battery capacity. These are the 14 best portable chargers of 2024 to make sure you stay connected wherever you go.

Best Overall

Nimble champ portable charger.

It’s lightweight and pocket-sized.

If you need more capacity, consider upgrading to the Pro version which provides 20,000 mAh.

The Nimble Champ is “smaller than a deck of cards” and incredibly lightweight, making it an ideal travel companion. This tiny but mighty backup charger comes in a spectrum of colors, allowing you to match it to your personality. It’s also extremely functional, with the ability to charge two devices at once and compatibility with a wide array of phones, tablets, Apple MacBooks, and fitness trackers. The dual USB-C power delivery offers high-speed charging to almost any device and the capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times. In fact, with this charger, you can get your smartphone back up to an 80 percent charge in just half an hour. The included lanyard makes it easy to tote around, whether on your wrist or attached to your bag. We also love that it’s crafted out of 90 percent certified recycled plastics with a free e-waste recycling option for your old, unused devices.

The Details: 3.38 x 2.28 x 0.98 inches  | 6.2 ounces | 10,000 mAh | 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A

Best With Built-in Cords

Charmast portable charger.

It can charge up to six devices at the same time.

The attached cords are short.

The slim and travel-friendly Portable Charger with Built-in Cables on Amazon is our top choice for those who need a variety of included cords for multiple devices. With six outputs and three inputs, this charging device is ideal for people with an array of different types of electronics, from smartphones to tablets, and micro devices. Its lightweight and slim profile make it easy to throw in your bag without taking up too much space. Each included cable can be tucked into the back of the device, keeping things organized so you don’t have to spend time untangling a mess of wires. Check the digital display screen to keep track of how much battery is left on your backup charger so you can plan appropriately (and it will take between four and a half to six hours to fully recharge). When at full capacity, this backup charger can power up your smartphone twice, your tablet up to 1.5 times, and much more.

The Details: 5.71 x 2.68 x 0.51 inches | 0.63 ounces | 10,000 mAh | USB-C, Micro USB, built-in charging USB-A cable (input); 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C and built-in Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning cables (output)

Most Compact

Tntor portable charger for iphone.

It has a built-in lightning cable for charging iPhones.

Phones with USB-C ports (like Androids and newer iPhones) will need to supply their own C to C cable to charge.

The ultra slim Tntor Portable Charger for iPhone wins the award for “most compact” with a 6-millimeter thickness and credit card size. Specifically designed for iPhone users, the built-in cord means it’s ready to charge and you don’t have to tote around a separate cord. At 5,000 mAh, this charger is carry-on compatible and can charge not just your iPhone, but other lightning-equipped devices including an iPad, iPad mini, and AirPods. This is an ideal charger for those who don’t need to charge multiple devices and only need to top off their iPhone en route to their next destination. It offers one full charge when at 100 percent capacity and requires a three-hour charging time. The Intelligent Control Circuit feature protects your devices from overcharging, as well as other problematic issues such as over-voltage, short circuiting, temperature protection, and over-current.

The Details: 4.84 x 2.6 x .24 inches | 4 ounces | 5,000 mAh | USB-C (input); built-in Lightning cable (output)

Best Wireless

Podoru wireless portable charger.

Paired with a magnetic case, it can charge right on the back of your phone without a cord.

It will only work with a magnetic case (purchased separately) and is compatible with iPhone 12 series and higher.

Indulge in the luxury of leaving your cords behind with the Podoru Wireless Portable Charger that can power up to three devices with its magnetic charging capability. Compact with an impressive capacity to recharge your phone up to two and a half times, it’s an ideal option for travelers or those on the go for long stretches of time. The LED display shows how much battery is left in your charger — and, if you need to top off other devices in addition to your phone, two extra input and output ports allow you to do so. There are eight built-in low temperature ice cores and a protective safety system not just for temperature control, but also short circuit and overcharging protection as well. Thanks to its silicone shell, it’s easy to grip and with a soft exterior that won’t scrape your device when connected magnetically. 

The Details: 5.67 x 3.43 x 0.94 inches | 6.5 ounces | 10,000 mAh | USB-A (output); USB-C (input/output)

Best With Stand

Aoguerbe magnetic power bank.

The stand is foldable and compact.

It’s a little bulkier than other models we’ve seen.

We love the folding stand that’s built into the design of the Aoguerbe Magnetic Power Bank. It allows you to charge your iPhone without the hassle of a bunch of cords when paired with a magnetic phone case. Charge up to three devices at a time, with the capacity to bring your iPhone to 100 percent up to two times per fully charged power bank. The included stand folds down to keep the compact profile of the power bank and can be used to keep your phone upright in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. The charger also won’t block your camera lens, so you can easily continue to use your phone while it’s being charged. Built-in temperature control and other safety protection helps ensure this device won’t damage your phone or overheat. 

The Details: 4.09 x 2.68 x 0.86 inches | 6.7 ounces | 10,000 mAh | USB-C and Lighting (input); USB-C and USB-A (output)

Best for Tablets

Eggtronic laptop power bank.

It can charge your tablet up to four times.

  Due to its powerful capacity, it’s larger and heavier than comparable power bank models.

We love the powerhouse Eggtronic Laptop Power Bank for so many reasons: it has the capacity to charge multiple devices twice as fast as standard models, and boasts a relatively compact size and sleek design. This universally compatible power bank can refuel the battery on not just your smartphone or tablet, but also laptops, cameras, bluetooth devices, and more. The LCD display shows the current battery life so you can stay up to date on its capacity. This durable device is a great travel companion for anyone; from professionals that need to stay in touch on the road, to those exploring the great outdoors on a multi-day camping trip. When it’s time to recharge the power bank itself, it’ll only take about three hours which is impressive for such a powerful device. 

The Details: 6.75 x 4 x 0.63 inches | 1.34 lbs | 20,000 mAh | 2 USB-A (output); USB-C (input/output)

Best for Laptops

Anker 747 power bank.

It can fully charge an entire MacBook Air.

It’s rather heavy — and expensive — if not using it to charge laptops often.

For travelers who are working en route to their destination and need to keep their laptop consistently charged, the Anker 747 Power Bank is our top choice. Compatible with a wide range of brands including Dell and Apple, this power bank can refuel computer batteries in anywhere from two to three hours. Charge up to four devices at once, and enjoy the long-lasting capacity that can power an iPhone 13 Pro up to five times before needing to be charged itself. Paired with the included Anker 65W 515 wall charger, this power bank can reach 100 percent in two and a half hours versus more than 17 hours without. Built-in sensors offer advanced temperature control to make sure the device doesn’t overheat while the battery management system prevents overcharging. 

The Details: 7.2 x 3.23 x 0.95 in | 1.34 pounds | 25,600 mAh | 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A

Best Multi-device Charging

Anker prime 27,650mah power bank.

It charges three devices at once.

This charger is over the mAh limit for traveling on some airplanes, so it’s best to check with the airline before bringing it with you on board.

For those who need a power bank that can charge multiple devices (and fast), the Anker Prime 27,650 mAH Power Bank is a fantastic choice. While not necessary to use, the accompanying app shows you up-to-date stats, and can also help to locate your power bank with sound alerts should you misplace it. This exceptionally functional power bank can recharge a smartphone more than four times and a MacBook Air more than once before needing to be reloaded. Using the dual USB-C ports, the power bank itself can be recharged in less than 40 minutes. As a bonus, this soda-can-sized charging bank comes with its own travel pouch. The built-in active shield prevents the charger from overheating and other safety issues. 

The Details: 6.37 x 1.96 x 2.24 inches | 1.47 lbs | 27,650 mAh |  USB-C, Lightning (input); USB-C, USB-A (output)

Best Fast Charging

Ugreen 145w power bank.

It can charge a MacBook Air in 90 minutes.

While compact, it’s a bit heavier than other models.

Not only does the Ugreen 145W Power Bank charge devices quickly, but it also can be charged back to 100 percent in under two hours using the two-way fast charging. This requires an additional purchase of a 65W charger . Because it has 145 watts in output, it can recharge a laptop more than once and a smartphone more than five times all at a rapid speed. The smart digital display keeps you in the loop with how much battery is left in the power bank. It’s also compatible with so many devices, from smartphones to drones, that you won’t be limited with what you can charge as you travel. With three ports, you can charge a few devices at a time as well. 

The Details: 6.3 x 3.18 x 1.05 inches | 1.11 lbs | 25,000 mAh | 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A (output); 1 USB-C (input/output)

Best LED Display

Vnbbt magnetic wireless power bank.

The display shows both the available charge left on the device and the progress of the item it’s charging.

It’s not compatible with non-magnetic phone cases.

Take the guesswork out of charging when using the Vnbbt Magnetic Wireless Power Bank, thanks to its incredibly accurate LED display feature. It can be fully charged for your travels within two and a half to four hours. Its ultra compact, lightweight design makes it easy to bring along with you. The material is non-slip so you don’t have to worry about grip being an issue while using the magnetic charger paired with a magnetic phone case. The display is simple, quickly informing you of how much charge is left to go and how much is on the power bank itself so you can plan accordingly. Charge your iPhone in less than 45 minutes and power up two other devices at the same time. 

The Details: 7.87 x 3.94 x 0.79 inches | 8.1 ounces | 10,000 mAh | USB-C (input/output), USB-A (output), and magnetic wireless charging

Best for Android

Iwalk small usb c portable charger.

It’s lipstick-sized and very portable.

The battery life isn’t that impressive compared to other power banks.

Specifically designed for Android users, this tiny portable charger easily fits in a bag or even your pocket. The iWalk charger is cordless as well, so you don’t need to provide a cord or untangle wires when you want to use it; simply plug it directly into the USB-C port. Although there isn’t an LED display to show the percentage of battery left, there are indicator lights to track the power level. It’s designed to prevent over-charging, short circuiting, and temperature control while using as well, so you can have peace of mind if you need to step away. In general, it takes approximately two and a half hours to recharge this portable device. 

The Details: 3 x 1.8 x 1 inches | 0.071 ounces | 4,500 mAh | USB-C (input), USB-C (output)

Best With A/C Outlet

Sinkeu portable laptop phone charger.

It includes an actual plug as well as a cord for charging via a car cigarette lighter.

There are no slots for a USB-C.

For a power bank with an actual built-in plug, the SinKeu 65 Watt Portable Laptop Phone Charger is our top pick because of its portability and versatility. This power bank is fantastic for charging laptops, tablets, and other compatible devices like certain camera batteries (65 watts and under) that need a typical plug port. The 12V port is great for recharging speakers and other devices that require that output, while the 5V port is perfect for refueling your cell phone up to eight times before needing to be recharged itself. For compatible laptop models, it can provide a full charge twice, making this a great option for travelers with a wide array of devices. The included cigarette lighter plug makes it possible to recharge this power bank in your car as well. To fully recharge, it takes approximately four hours. 

The Details: 6.8 x 3.8 x 1.8 inches | 1.1 lbs | 24,000 mAh | 2 USB-A, 110V AC outlet, 15V (input), 12V (output)

Best Colors

Charmast small portable charger.

It’s small and comes in a fun spectrum of colors.

It’s difficult to plug your phone into the charger if you have a case.

We love the colors and size of the Charmast Small Portable Charger that can easily fit in your pocket or purse. This charger has the ability to be fully recharged within an hour and a half when using a 9V-2A fast charger (or three hours with a standard one). Although it doesn’t have the capacity to fully power your smartphone back to 100 percent, it can provide up to 65 percent charge which is a great option for most travelers who just need to top up a device throughout their journey. It can, however, recharge AirPods up to six times. With no additional cords needed, plug it directly into your phone’s lightning port (and it’s also offered with a USB-C instead for Google, Samsung or iPhone 15 devices). With colors like pink, green, blue, orange, black, and white, you can match this portable charger to your phone’s case (or whatever suits your mood!)

The Details: 1.38 x 3.03 x 0.97 inches | 4.7 ounces | 5,000 mAh | USB-C (input), Lightning port (output)

Best With Wall Plug

Brand q ultra slim portable charger.

It’s ultra slim and offers 5-in-1 types of charging.

The built-in cords are stiff and not easy to manipulate.

We love that the built-in wall plug on the Q Slim Portable Charger folds into the power bank to keep a slim profile for transport and that this option comes with its own case. With three included cords, this universal charger is ideal for all types of phones, and you won’t have to bring additional cords along on your adventures. Most phones can be charged between two and a half to four times before needing to recharge the power bank. The included “Intelligent Power Management IC” makes sure your devices will be protected from short circuit, overheating, and overcurrent issues while in use. Another great feature is that you can charge your phone from the power bank while also charging the power bank from the wall plug.

The Details: 6.29 x 2.95 x 0.6 inches | 12.1 ounces |  10,000 mAh | Micro USB, AC (input); Lightning, USB-C, Micro USB (output)

Tips for Buying Portable Chargers

Consider charge potential and timing.

When shopping for a portable power bank, one of the main features to look out for is the capacity for fully charging your devices, especially your smartphone. If you have long travel days with little opportunity to plug your phone in and your backup charger can only offer half a charge to top it off, that may not work for you. Another thing to consider is how long it will take to recharge each of your important devices, as well as the length of time it will take to recharge the power bank itself. Most people can recharge a power bank overnight if it takes more than a couple of hours, but you need to look at your precise needs while on the go.

Decide how much capacity you need

All of the numbers referring to capacity in mAh and watt hours can be a little tricky to understand when deciding what you’ll need. The term mAh means “milliampere-hour” and measures the units of electric charge, or how much power it can hold. This will be the difference between being able to charge just one device at a time versus multiple, and/or charging your phone multiple times or even a laptop at all. If you just need to top off your phone and keep it from getting to zero percent, something below 5,000mAh should do the trick. If you need to charge your phone constantly or have more than one device, something more than 10,000mAh might be for you.

Since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have rules for rechargeable batteries and power banks measured in the max watt hours allowed, you’ll need to know how to convert the mAh listed for the power bank or charger into watt hours to see if your device can come along with you. To do this, you’ll need to multiply milliamp hours by volts then divide by 1,000. So, if you take the Eggtronic Laptop Power Bank listed above, it’s 20,000mAh at 5V, making it equivalent to 100 watt hours. 

The FAA and TSA state that any spare battery with more than 100 watt hours or 27,000mAh needs to have approval from the airline.

Look at the types and numbers of ports

One of the most important aspects of choosing a power bank is to make sure it will be compatible with your devices. The last thing you want is to purchase a back-up charger that’s only suitable for an iPhone when you have an Android. There are numerous options that offer more than one type of port. The most common inputs and outputs are USB-A and USB-C, as well as lightning ports (for Apple devices). Some models offer a wall plug or cigarette lighter adapter as well, perfect for those who need to charge a device from the car or have to charge something with a physical plug. 

It’s important to note that regulations will have lightning ports outdated for future iPhones due to the European Union’s ruling that all smartphones need to have the USB-C charging port in common.

A portable charger or power bank is a great back-up solution to ensure you don’t run out of battery on your devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. They provide an extra lithium-ion battery-powered source that can connect to a wide array of devices, depending on their ports or magnetic charging capabilities. When connected, they transfer their stored energy to the electronic device plugged in. Typically, they are small enough to fit in your bag without taking up too much space, and some are even compact enough to fit in your pocket.

Yes, it’s possible to bring most portable chargers on an airplane, though there are restrictions to abide by: it’ll have to stay in your carry-on luggage that you’ll have with you in the cabin, as it can’t be in a checked bag. It also can’t possess more than 100Wh (watt-hours) or 27,000 mAh capacity. If your power bank has a larger capacity than this, you’ll need approval from the airline.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Lauren Breedlove used her first-hand experience as a travel writer and photographer on-the-go who often needs to keep her devices charged for all of her adventures. She tapped into her knowledge of using different power banks and backup charger brands to curate this list for every need, big and small.

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Simon Hill Scott Gilbertson

The 18 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your Devices

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Best Overall Nimble Champ (Series 2) Read more

The Upgrade Pick Anker 737 Power Bank Read more

Best for Phones Anker Nano Power Bank Read more

Best for Tablets Einova Eggtronic Ultra Fast Power Bank (63W) Read more

Portable devices have a Murphy’s law–like ability to run out of power at the least convenient moment: as you step on the bus, right in the middle of an important meeting, or just as you get comfortable on the couch and press Play. But if you keep a battery-powered portable charger handy, all those situations are a thing of the past.

There are hundreds of portable battery packs, and picking one can be confusing. To help, we've spent years working our way through all of them. This obsession started when Scott Gilbertson lived off-grid in a vintage RV , powered primarily by solar panels. But even if you're not living in an off-grid solar setup, good power banks will come in handy. These are our favorites. Be sure to check out our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for Apple-specific portable chargers, and our Best Portable Power Stations guide if you need more power.

Updated April 2024: We added power banks from Raycon, Sharge, and Fans Dreams, among others, removed several sold-out or discontinued chargers, and updated prices throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best Overall

The Nimble Champ topped this list for years, and now its successor is taking over by combining everything that made the original so good and bringing some welcome improvements. At 6.2 ounces, it's one of the lightest on the market. It's smaller than a deck of cards and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end. While Scott used the original for years, the new version has only just landed, but so far, so good. It feels durable, comes in a snazzy new range of speckled color finishes, and has a bright lanyard loop that makes for easy carrying and helps you pick it out of your backpack. The Pro version is bigger but doubles the capacity (to 20,000 mAh) and has a similar design with two USB-C ports that go up to 65 watts. There's also a smaller version with a 5,200-mAh capacity that tops out at 15 watts.

The other reason we like Nimble best is because of its environmental efforts . Batteries are not environmentally benign. They use lithium, cobalt, and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially questionable at best. But Nimble's use of bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging at least reduces the environmental impact where it can be reduced. This new version uses 90 percent recycled plastic (up 25 from the original) and comes in smaller plastic-free packaging. Nimble includes a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

Two USB-C ports (20 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

The Upgrade Pick

For folks who don’t mind paying for quality, the Anker 737 is a versatile and reliable beast with a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity. With Power Delivery 3.1 support, this power bank can send or receive up to 140 watts to charge phones, tablets, and even laptops. You can charge it from zero to full within an hour. It’s relatively compact for its capacity, but it weighs almost 1.4 pounds. Tap the circular power button on the side once, and the snazzy digital display shows the remaining battery percentage; tap it again, and you get stats including the temperature, total output, cycles, and more. The screen also displays watts in or out when you plug something in and a remaining time estimate based on the current rate. It fast-charged everything I tested it with, and you can charge three devices at once without a problem.

Two USB-C ports (140 W) and one USB-A (18 W). Can charge most phones at least four times (24,000 mAh).

Best for Phones

If you want a compact charger in a fun color that simply slots into the bottom of your phone for a top-up, Anker’s dinky charger is tough to beat. This power bank has a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi certified), so you don’t need to worry about cables. It packs 5,000 mAh of energy (enough to fully charge most phones). I tested the USB-C version with several Android phones and found it stayed in place, enabling me to use my phone more or less as normal. There’s a USB-C port for recharging the power bank, and it comes with a short cable. It might not be a good pick if you use a thick case.

One USB-C (22.5 W) or Lightning (12 W) connector and one USB-C port for charging only. Can charge most phones once (5,000 mAh).

Best for Tablets

WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been enjoying his time toting around this 20,000-mAh charger. It's slim, fits easily into the padded sleeve of most backpacks, and has enough capacity to recharge an 11-inch tablet twice from zero percent. It's capable of dishing out 45 watts of power for fast charging via the USB-C port, and 18 watts from the middle USB-A port. In a pinch, you can use it to recharge a laptop (as long as it's not a power-sucking machine like a MacBook Pro). It has a lovely fabric material on the exterior, and there's an LED that shows how much juice is left in the tank.

Two USB-A ports (18 W and 10.5 W) and one USB-C (45 W). Can charge most tablets two times (20,000 mAh).

Juliane Bergmann

Kathy Gilsinan

Julian Chokkattu

Best for Laptops

Goal Zero updated its Sherpa line of portable chargers with better wireless charging capabilities: 15 watts, up from 5 watts in the previous model. I tested the Sherpa AC, which features two USB-C ports (60-watt and 100-watt), two USB-A ports, and a 100-watt AC port for those devices that need a pronged plug. It strikes a good balance between power storage (93 watt-hours in my drain test) and weight (2 pounds). It’s enough to charge up my Dell XPS 13 almost twice.

You get a nice color LCD display that shows how much power you've got left, how many watts are coming in, how many are going out, and a rough guess as to how much longer the battery will last (if conditions remain the same). Recharge times vary depending on whether or not you have the Sherpa wall charger (sold separately), but I was able to get it to recharge in under three hours no matter what power source I used. There's also an 8-mm port on the back for attaching a solar panel if you have one. The Sherpa is not cheap, but if you don't need the AC out and can live with a single USB-C (100-watt out, 60-watt in), the Sherpa PD is otherwise the same thing for $200.

Two USB-C ports (60 W and 100 W), two USB-A (12 W), and one AC (100 W). Qi wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most laptops one to two times (25,600 mAh).

Best for Fast Charging

Ugreen's new charger is, as the name suggests, a 145-watt charger with a 25,000-mAh battery. It's surprisingly compact for the power it provides, although at 1.1 pounds, it's definitely not ultralight. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. What sets the Ugreen apart is that you can actually draw 145 watts while charging. That works out to one USB-C port at 100 W and the other at 45 W. Very few other batteries we've tested are capable of that feat, and none that I know of at this size. If you want to charge fast, this is the power bank for you (although it's worth noting that reviews around the web suggest it doesn't support Samsung's fast-charging tech). There's a small LED readout on the side of the battery with the current charge state of the battery. I'd have liked to see some charging info on that screen as well, but that's a small quibble with what's an otherwise outstanding option if you need to keep your laptop charged up wherever you are.

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 45 W) and one USB-A. Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (25,000 mAh).

Best Looking Power Bank

I am a sucker for Sharge’s transparent designs and cyberpunk aesthetic, but this prism-shaped power bank is more than just a pretty face. With a maximum output of 170 watts, a whopping 24,000-mAh capacity, and an IP66 rating for water resistance (fine in the rain, but best not to submerge), the Shargeek 170 has form and function. The smart display shows battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts. It supports many standards, including Power Delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, and it fast-charged most of the devices I tested, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MacBook Air. You can simultaneously charge three devices at fast speeds, and the box includes a braided USB-C cable and a wee velvety bag. It can also recharge completely in an hour via USB-C at up to 140 watts (with the right cable and charger). The only thing I don’t like is the relatively high price.

Two USB-C ports (165 W) and one USB-A (30 W). Can charge most phones around five times or a laptop once (24,000 mAh).

Folding Wireless Charging

With an unusual design that features a fold-up wireless charging stand for phones and a charging spot behind it for your wireless earbuds case (if it supports Qi wireless charging), plus a USB-C port to plug in a third device, the Satechi Duo is a handy power bank to have in your bag. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity with LEDs to show how much juice is left. The downside is that it is slow, offering up to 10 watts of wireless charging power for phones (7.5 watts for iPhones), 5 watts for earbuds, and 10 watts from the USB-C port. It takes three hours to refill the battery with an 18-watt charger.

One USB-C (10 W) and two Qi wireless charging spots (up to 10 W). Can charge most phones one to two times (10,000 mAh).

Best Qi2 Portable Charger

The latest entry in Anker’s MagGo range is the first Qi2 power bank we have tested. The Qi2 wireless charging standard borrows elements of Apple’s MagSafe, enabling supported phones to connect with perfect alignment using a ring of magnets. Qi2 brings faster wireless charging rates of up to 15 watts, but is also backward compatible, so older Qi devices can still charge, albeit more slowly. This compact portable charger has a handy kickstand, a two-way USB-C port on the left edge, and a power button with an LED display showing remaining power as a percentage of charge time on the right. It can accommodate Qi2 or MagSafe phones in portrait or landscape orientation (it works with Apple’s StandBy mode ). I tested with an iPhone 14 Pro and got 25 percent in around 20 minutes. Despite a large capacity, it falls short of two full charges for your iPhone when charging wirelessly. You might squeeze a little more if you plug in the short USB-C cable provided.

One USB-C port (27 W) and Qi2 wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most smartphones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

Best MagSafe

One of the biggest problems we run into with portable chargers is forgetting to charge them, so this clever gadget from Anker is one of our favorite iPhone accessories . Ostensibly, it’s a wireless charging stand with MagSafe support that includes a charging spot for your AirPods on the base. The clever part, earning it a place here, is the detachable portable charger that slides out of the stand when you need to go. It stays stuck to the back of any MagSafe iPhone (and Android phones using MagSafe cases ) and continues to charge it wirelessly. You can also recharge the power bank or charge another device with it via the USB-C port. The Anker MagGo 622 ($50) is a good alternative if you just want a MagSafe power bank, and it has a wee foldable stand built in. We recommend some alternatives in our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide .

One USB-C (12 W) and Qi wireless charging (7.5 W). Can charge most phones to between 50 and 80 percent (5,000 mAh).

Best for Apple Watch

Remembering to take a power bank with you for a night away is a real achievement, but what about your Apple Watch ? It may be one of the best smartwatches , but the battery rarely lasts beyond a full day. This compact, black power bank from Belkin has a soft-touch finish and an Apple Watch charger built in at one end. Even better, it can fast-charge your Apple Watch, and there’s enough capacity to charge your iPhone or AirPods via USB-C at the same time, making this the perfect portable charger to stow away in your bag or pocket. You get a 1-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

One USB-C port (20 W) and one Apple Watch fast charger (7.5 W). Can charge most smartphones two or three times (10,000 mAh).

Best for Outdoors

If you are hiking, camping, cycling, or running, the BioLite is a handy companion. This durable power bank is lightweight, a good size to slip into a pocket, and has a nice grippy textured finish. The yellow plastic makes it easy to spot in a bag or crowded tent, and it indicates the port end, making it easier to plug in when the light is fading. The smallest size is enough to fully charge most phones, and the USB-C handles 18 watts in or out. Two additional USB-A out ports let you simultaneously charge up multiple devices, though you will probably want to size up to the 10,000-mAh Charge 40 ($60) or the 20,000-mAh Charge 80 ($80) if you plan on doing that.

Two USB-A ports (18 W) and one USB-C (18 W). Can charge most phones at least once (6,000 mAh).

Best Wall Charger Power Bank

Hybrid devices are great when space is limited. This wall charger and power bank in one is a solid hybrid option. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft raved about it, and after testing, I have to agree. The display shows you what percentage of the 10,000-mAh capacity remains, there's a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and two built-in cables (USB-C and Lightning). But that’s not all. Turn it on its side, and you have a magnetic wireless charger. There’s even a wee slide-out phone stand and a strap for easy carrying. While you can technically charge five devices at once, it’s awkward, and the battery will die quickly. Still, this is a handy multipurpose power bank to have in your bag. You can refill it by plugging it straight into the wall or via the USB-C port, but it takes a few hours to fully charge from empty.

One USB-C port (20 W), one USB-A port (22.5 W), one USB-C cable (15 W), one Lightning cable (12 W), and Qi wireless charging (15 W). Can charge most phones one or two times (10,000 mAh).

Most Portable

The svelte Clutch, available in black, white, or pink, is about the same size as a stack of credit cards and weighs around 2 ounces. It’s designed to slide easily into pockets and bags and offers a modest top-up for your phone’s flagging battery. The third version of the super-slim portable charger packs a larger battery than its predecessors, at 3,300 mAh. You charge it via the USB-C port, and there is a built-in charging cable (there's a different Lightning model). It’s slow, it gets quite warm when plugged in, and a full Clutch added only around 40 percent to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery. You can get higher capacities and more efficient chargers for less, but portability is the point of the Clutch V3, and it’s a handy size to tuck away in your bag for emergencies.

One USB-C port and a built-in Lightning or USB-C cable. Can top up your phone (3,300 mAh).

Cyberpunk Style

If you loved the clear craze that gave us a wave of translucent electronics in the 1990s, then you will immediately see the appeal of Shargeek’s power banks. A see-through case provides a clear view of the ports, chips, and bundled rechargeable Samsung Li-ion batteries inside this portable charger. The color display gives you a detailed readout of the voltage, current, and power flowing in or out of each port. If you dig into the menu, you can find stats showing temperature, cycles, and more.

The DC barrel port is unusual, and you can specify the voltage and current you want to suit different devices; it can deliver up to 75 watts. The first USB-C supports PD PPS and can go up to 100 watts (enough to charge a laptop), the second USB-C goes to 30 watts and supports PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 4 standards, and the USB-A port is QC 3.0 and puts out 18 watts. In short, this power bank will fast-charge most devices. It comes with a yellow 100-watt USB-C to USB-C cable and a wee bag. If you don’t care about the DC port, you might prefer the Shargeek Storm 2 Slim ($200) .

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 30 W), one USB-A (18 W), and a DC barrel port. Can charge most laptops once (25,600 mAh).

Best for the Rest

Got devices that don't charge via USB? Yes, they're still around. I have an old, but still great, GPS device that runs on AA batteries, headlamps that take AAA batteries, and countless other odds and ends that need batteries. After running through several brands, I've found Eneloop rechargeable batteries to be the longest-lasting and most reliable. The fast Panasonic charger can recharge any combination of AA and AAA batteries in less than three hours, and you can sometimes get it bundled in a pack that includes four AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

The standard AA Eneloop batteries hold around 2,000 mAh each, with AAA batteries holding 800 mAh, but you can upgrade to Eneloop Pro (2,500 mAh and 930 mAh, respectively) for more demanding gadgets, or go for Eneloop Lite (950 mAh and 550 mAh) for low-power devices. They come precharged with solar energy, and Eneloop recently switched to plastic-free cardboard packaging.

Rechargeable batteries are a smart idea, and Eneloop are the best , but if you need alkaline batteries for some reason and you are in Europe, check out the Itson range . They are made in the EU from recycled materials, and they are very affordable.

Best for the Car

It’s a horrible feeling when your car refuses to start because the battery is dead, but if you have a portable battery pack like this one in your trunk, you can give yourself a jump-start. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft  called it a roadside lifesaver after it jump-started his car several times on a long trip home from out of state. The Noco Boost Plus is a 1,000-amp, 12-volt battery pack with jump leads. It also has a USB-A port to charge your phone and a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight. It’s a good thing to have in your trunk, but you must remember to charge it every six months. It’s also IP65-rated and good for temperatures from –4 degrees Fahrenheit up to 122 degrees.

One USB-A port. Can jump-start a car up to 20 times.

A Portable Power Station

Folks seeking more power for camping or a long road trip should pick up the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. This cute and compact battery has a fold-out handle, packs a 288-Wh capacity, and weighs 8.3 pounds. It has two USB-C ports (18 W and 100 W), one USB-A (15 W), a car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W, 600 W surge). There is plenty of power to keep your small gadgets going for a few days. There’s also an AC input, or you can charge it via USB-C. The fan kicks in sometimes, but the Silent Charging Mode keeps it below 45 decibels. You can manage it with Jackery’s app via Bluetooth, and it also has a handy flashlight. We have found Jackery gear reliable and durable, and you can expect to get at least a decade out of this battery. Go any bigger than this and portability gets debatable. We have a separate Best Portable Power Stations guide with recommendations for folks who need a lot of power.

If you want charging options for going off-grid, you can get the 300 Plus with a 40-W book-sized solar panel ($300) . It took me around eight hours to charge the battery with this panel in blue sky sunshine. If you want a faster charge and have the space for a larger panel, consider the 300 Plus with 100-W solar panels ($500) .

Two USB-C ports (100 W and 18 W), one USB-A (1 5W), one car port (120 W), and an AC outlet (300 W). Can charge most phones more than 10 times or a laptop three times (288 Wh).

Honorable Mentions

There are so many portable chargers out there. Here are a few more we like that just missed out on a place above for one reason or another.

• Fans Dreams MChaos for $59 : I love the idea of a wearable power bank, and this one comes in lime green with a carabiner that makes it easy to attach to a bag. It also has a built-in, retractable, 28-inch USB-C cable to charge your phone at up to 20 watts. Recharging the power bank is a little slower at 18 watts. The colored LED gives you a sense of remaining juice as it goes from green to orange to red, but the 5,000-mAh capacity means you’ll be lucky to get one full charge for your phone, and even the discounted price feels a little high.
• Sharge Flow Mini for $20 : With a similar design to Anker’s Nano Power Bank above and the same 5,000-mAh capacity, you might be tempted to go for this instead. It comes with interchangeable USB-C to USB-C or Lightning connectors (which I worry will be easy to lose) and has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a strap, though it’s tricky to pull out. There’s a power button with four LEDs to show the remaining power, and it only takes an hour and a half to refill, but the charging rate maxes out at 12 watts either way.
• Infinacore Pandora Portable Power Global Wireless Charger for $50 : This was our pick for the best wall charger power bank, but the Raycon that replaced it packs more power and charges faster. This is still a decent charger that plugs directly into the wall, and it has the advantage of optional EU and UK plug adapters for an extra $10, making it a handy travel companion. It offers 8,000 mAh via one USB-C port, two USB-A ports (18 W total), and Qi wireless charging (5 W).
• Baseus Blade 2 for $100 : With an extremely thin design, this 12,000-mAh-capacity power bank is easy to slip into a backpack and can charge most phones a couple of times or top up a laptop at up to 65 watts. It has a display showing battery life as a percentage or time remaining and the input or output for both USB-C ports. We've tried many products from up and down the Baseus product line. While they are generally reliable, we do think there are better options.
• Iniu Power Bank BI-B64 for $100 : Offering relatively low prices, Iniu is a power bank brand on the rise. This portable charger packs a 27,000-mAh capacity, can put out up to 140 W, and charges three devices at once via the two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. We also tested the very similar BI-B63 ($60) , which has a slightly lower capacity at 25,000 mAh but seems like a better value. Unfortunately, both fell slightly short of the stated capacity when tested. We also like the color options available in the company's slimmest version .
• Anker Prime Power Bank for $130 : With a total combined output of 200 W and a hefty 20,000-mAh capacity, this is a solid choice for charging any device; you could even use it to charge two laptops at once via the two USB-C ports. There is a USB-A port, too, and a digital screen like the 737 listed above. You can also buy a Power Base ($70) for this, which enables you to stick the power bank on top and charge it via pogo pins. The base makes it easy to keep the power bank topped up and is handy for desktop charging with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (combined max output 100 W). I tried the UK version (£130) , which worked great, but WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu had issues with the US base failing to charge the power bank.
• Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000 for $45 : Another solid option from Anker (also available for £50 from Amazon UK ), this power bank has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a loop for easy carrying and a further one USB-C and one USB-A port. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity, good for just shy of two full charges for most phones. It maxes out at 30 watts each way and can be fully charged in around two hours.
• Acefast Fast Charge Power Bank M1 for $45 : The see-through design and fun colors (we got purple) make this worth a look. It has a 10,000-mAh battery inside, supports Power Delivery, and can go up to 30 watts. The display shows the remaining power as a percentage, and you can recharge it in less than two hours.
• OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger for $50 : Finished in durable aluminum, this clever OtterBox power bank has a built-in Apple Watch charger. The rubberized bottom helps it stick to surfaces, and Nightstand mode makes it a handy bedside clock. But the limited 3,000-mAh battery means it runs out fast if you use the USB-C to top up your iPhone.
• Juice 3 Portable Charger for £20: An environmentally conscious alternative for folks in the UK, Juice power banks come in lots of colors, are made from 90 percent recycled plastic, and come in 100 percent recycled packaging. The series is numbered based on roughly how many charges you can expect to get out of it for the average smartphone, so the Juice 3 holds three full charges.
• Rugd Power Brick for $40 : Also available from Amazon UK (£40) , this shock- and water-resistant (IP67 certified) charger doubles as a bright 16-LED with an SOS mode, and has a hefty 10,050-mAh capacity (one USB-C at 18 W and a USB-A that supports QC). It’s also bright orange, weighs just 280 grams, and comes with a carabiner for easy attachment, all of which make it an excellent camping buddy.
• Mpowered Luci Pro Lux for $36 : This solar-powered inflatable lantern boasts 10 LEDs and emits a lovely warm glow that’s perfect for camping or walking at night. It is IP67-rated and packs down flat for easy carrying. While it’s not primarily a power bank, the 2,000-mAh battery in the Luci Pro can charge your phone in an emergency. A nearly full Luci Pro boosted my Pixel 6 Pro by around 25 percent. It takes at least 14 hours to charge back up using the solar panels, or you can plug into an outlet and recharge in three.
• Mophie Powerstation , Powerstation XL , and Powerstation Pro AC for $50+ : Mophie's 2023 update to its Powerstation line has three devices in 10,000-, 20,000-, and 27,000-mAh capacities. They're bulky, nondescript devices with USB-C and USB-A ports, but the latter has an AC port and is great for travel. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the XL during his trip to Japan and had no trouble keeping his Switch Lite and Pixel 7 Pro topped up. There are LEDs to indicate remaining battery life, but there's otherwise nothing special about 'em.
• Excitrus Magnetic Wireless Power Bank for $120 : Power banks can be dull, so I like the unusual green fabric skin here, and a display embedded in the black plastic frame shows the remaining power percentage. This 20,800-mAh-capacity power bank has two USB-C ports (100 W and 45 W), a USB-A (18 W), and a wireless charging top (10 W) that works with Apple’s MagSafe. On the downside, it’s big, and it seems to drain slowly, even when not in use.
• iWalk Portable Charger for $40 : WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the Lightning version of this power bank while covering the Apple event and it reliably topped up his iPhone. The 4,800-mAh capacity won't fully refill your device, but it's tiny enough to keep in a bag at all times. There's an LED that shows the remaining percentage of power left. The company also has a MagSafe power bank ($30) .

What to Consider

There are a few things worth thinking about when you’re shopping for a portable charger.

Capacity : The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), but this can be a little misleading because the amount of power you get out depends on the cable you use , the device you are charging, and the charging method (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get the maximum capacity. We try to provide an estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for devices.

Charging speeds and standards : The charging rate for devices like smartphones is measured in watts (W), but most power banks list the voltage (V) and the amperage (A). Thankfully, you can calculate the wattage yourself simply by multiplying the voltage and amperage. Unfortunately, getting that maximum rate also depends on your device, the standards it supports, and the charging cable you use. Many smartphones, including Apple’s iPhones , support the Power Delivery (PD) standard, meaning you can use higher-power power banks to recharge the device with no issues. A few phones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S range, support a supplementary PD protocol called PPS (Programmable Power Standard) that goes up to 45 W. Many phones also support Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge (QC) standard. There are also other proprietary fast-charging standards, but you won’t generally find power banks that support them unless they come from the smartphone manufacturer.

Pass-through : If you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously, it will need pass-through support. The Nimble, GoalZero, Biolite, Mophie, Zendure, and Shargeek portable chargers listed support pass-through charging. Anker discontinued support for pass-through because it found that differences between the output of the wall charger and the input of the device charging can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its lifespan. Monoprice does not support pass-through charging, either. We would advise caution when using pass-through, as it can also cause portable chargers to heat up.

Travel : It’s safe to travel with a power bank, but there are two restrictions to keep in mind when you board a flight: You must have the portable charger in your carry-on luggage (it cannot be checked in), and it must not exceed 100 Wh (watt-hours). If your power bank has a larger capacity than 27,000 mAh, you should check with the airline. Below that should not be a problem.

Why You Should Avoid Cheap Stuff

Many years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 gained notoriety when its batteries caught fire in a series of incidents. There's been a steady stream of similar, though isolated, incidents ever since. However, despite the high-profile coverage of batteries gone wrong, the vast majority of Li-ion batteries are safe.

The chemical reaction that occurs inside a lithium-ion cell is complex, but as in any battery, there's a negative and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the negative is a lithium-carbon compound, and the positive is cobalt oxide (though many battery makers are moving away from cobalt). These two compounds cause a reaction that is safe when controlled and delivers energy to your devices. When the reaction gets out of control though, you end up with earbuds melting in your ears. What changes a safe reaction to an uncontrolled reaction can be any number of things: excess heat, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacture, or using the wrong charger. 

The three basic rules that have kept me safe (thus far) through testing dozens and dozens of batteries are:  

• Avoid cheap cords, chargers, and outlet adapters.
• Make sure batteries aren't exposed to excessive heat (over 110 degrees).
• Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage.

Avoiding cheap wall-outlet adapters, cords, and chargers is the most important. These are your most likely source of problems. Those chargers you see on Amazon for $20 cheaper than the competition? Not worth it. They probably got the price down by skimping on insulation, leaving out power-management tools, and ignoring the basics of electrical safety. Price alone is no guarantee of safety, either. Buy from reputable companies and brands.

Then there's heat. Too much of it can cause all manner of problems, both in terms of discharge and in terms of safety. Avoid heat, and pay attention to your batteries when they're charging. If your device gets overly hot when charging, this can be a sign of problems. Similarly, beware of any swollen, bulging, or otherwise misshapen batteries.

Adrienne So

Medea Giordano

Scott Gilbertson

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The 11 Best Portable Power Bank Chargers for Travel [2024]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

779 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

34 Published Articles 3142 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Things To Look for in a Power Bank

1. pint-sized perfection for single-use charging, 2. superstar power bank offering dual charging, 3. a great little charger that packs a punch, 4. a great all-around charger for days out and long journeys, 5. a firm favorite for those who need power, 6. one of the best-loved power banks ever made, 7. a great choice for charging small laptops on the go, 8. best value power bank for outdoor adventures, 9. 2 power banks for all your charging needs, 10. great for gamers on the go, 11. great for vacations and overnight stays, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

When you’re miles from anywhere, a portable power bank can quickly become your very best friend.

Giving an extra burst of battery life to your cell phone or iPad can keep you amused for longer, or more importantly, ensure that you’re always able to get in touch with the rest of the world.

Size and Weight

Your power bank is designed to be portable, otherwise, what’s the point?! With this in mind, the physical size and weight of it will be major factors in considering which one is right for you.

The charger should be able to fit neatly in the same space as your cell phone; otherwise, you’ll have one in your pocket while carrying the other in your hand — not cool!

Bottom Line: Look for one that will fit neatly in your pocket, purse, or backpack . While power banks should have a sturdy feel about them, they shouldn’t be uncomfortably heavy, so opt for one that’s light enough not to weigh you (or your pockets) down.

Milliamp (mAh)

The power capacity that your power bank kicks out is measured in milliamp-hours or “mAh.” The amount of mAh available will define how much charge you can expect to get out of your power bank.

Common capacity ratings range from 2,000mAh to 20,000mAh and in some cases, even as high as 40,000mAh. To give you a rough idea of how the amount of mAh juice in the bank affects what you can charge and how often, consider the following:

• An iPhone 7 can be charged approximately 6 times with a 20,000mAh power bank
• A Samsung Galaxy S8 can be charged approximately 4.5 times with a 20,000mAh power bank
• An iPad mini can be charged approximately 4 times with a 20,000mAh power bank

Think about what devices you need a power bank for and how long you’ll be away from a power outlet. If you just need something to keep your phone topped up a couple of times a day, a 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh will do the job just fine and it will be physically smaller, too.

Hot Tip: Most airlines will cap power banks at 20,000mAh while some will allow larger. Always check with your airline as to what the maximum capacity requirements are.

Inputs (1A, 2A, or 2.4A)

At some point, your power bank will need charging up to ensure it can provide the backup charge power you need. What you want is a nice, quick recharge speed that means you can get back out there without having to be attached to a wall socket for hours on end.

The input charging speed is dependent on the type of wall charger used. A standard wall charger with a 2A output would recharge the power bank twice as fast as one with only a 1A output. For this to happen, your power bank would need to offer a 2A input.

While some do offer this, many still rely on a 1A input which will take longer to reach a full charge.

Hot Tip: Newer power banks can be charged even more quickly with the addition of a 2.4A input option. Look out for these if you want the fastest charge on the market. 

The 11 Best Portable Power Banks for Travel

Anker PowerCore, 5000 mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger

Capacity: 5,000mAh

Lightweight and super useful, this tiny, compact charger is enough to provide 2 full charges for your iPhone 8 or 1 charge for your iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S9.

Measuring 4.5 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches and weighing 4.8 ounces, you’ll have no problem fitting this handy charger in your pocket or purse on the go.

With a fairly impressive battery capacity of 5,000mAh, this product is well-made and is an excellent example of an established brand squeezing good-quality components into small packages.

The charger features PowerIQ technology that identifies the type of device it’s charging to optimize efficiency, as well as a VoltageBoost to overcome cable resistance for top-speed charging.

With both a USB and micro USB port and the ability to be fully recharged in as little as 3 to 4 hours, this small battery pack will be with you on every adventure.

As a one-off, emergency charger, this is one of the best in the business. When you need that little bit extra, you can retrieve this from your handbag to allow you to stay charged on the go.

There’s no real downside to this particular power bank, but if you want more power, you’ll need to invest in a model with more capacity. As with all Anker chargers, this model also comes with an 18-month warranty.

What We Like

• Comes with a travel pouch

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t include a USB-C cable

• Lanluk Portable Charger Power Bank

Capacity: 25,800mAh

This is a popular and very impressive power bank from Lanluk. With 2 incredibly fast USB ports, powerful and efficient lithium-ion batteries, and a highly portable design, this is a great option for anyone who needs to boost their power on the go.

Measuring just 5.9 x 3 x 0.6 inches and weighing 12.3 ounces, the slightly heavy feeling in your pocket is more than made up for by the superfast charging capability it offers.

This power bank has 2 USB ports that can be used to charge multiple devices at the same time — 1 2.1A outport and 1 1A outport. The unit also offers Auto IC technology that very cleverly identifies your device for maximum charge efficiency .

Different devices will vary on how many times they can be charged, but to give you an idea, your iPhone 8 could be charged a whopping 7 times when this power bank is fully charged.

• Charges 2 devices at once
• Recharge of the power bank could be quicker

• TG90 6000 mAh Portable Charger

Capacity: 6,000mAh

Compact and lightweight, this small power bank is incredibly portable. Weighing in at just 4.3 ounces and measuring only 4.1 x 0.5 x 2.6 inches, complete with cables, it’s one of the smallest 6,000mAh chargers available .

This TG90 power bank can easily fit in your pocket, purse, or day bag for easy charging on the go and its tiny size belies its powerful charging capabilities. Built-in iPhone and Android cables mean you don’t need to remember to bring your cables, and there are 2 additional 2A outputs (USB and Type-C) for charging multiple devices.

When it comes to charging your power bank back up, this can be done in as little as 3 hours without other connections, or you can charge up while charging your portable devices at the same time. If you happen to be short of light, this power bank also has a handy built-in LED flashlight.

This is a great power pack for the price, and should you run into any problems, you can relax knowing that it comes with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.

• Small and lightweight to fit in any bag
• Only holds a charge for 1 or 2 phones

• Anker 321 Power Bank

Capacity: 5,200mAh

The Anker 321 Power Bank   offers a handy amount of extra capacity for keeping your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or tablet topped up while you’re away from home.

Measuring just 3.78 x 1.78 x 0.91 inches and weighing 4.5 ounces, you’ll easily be able to take this everywhere with you.

Using Anker’s PowerIQ device-detection technology, charging times will be adjusted to help reduce charging time and increase efficiency, depending on what device you have plugged in.

With a USB-A and USB-C port, you can charge 2 devices at the same time and this compact portable charger has enough power to charge your iPhone 13 once. The bright LED indicators show the power level at a glance.

This is a great portable charger from one of the best brands on the market. Affordable and efficient, this won’t last you for weeks on end, but it will provide you with more than enough power for an extra charge or 2 when you need it the most.

• Comes with an 18-month warranty
• Doesn’t come with an iPhone charging cable

• Anker PowerCore II 10000 Ultra Slim Power Bank

Capacity: 10,000mAh

The upgraded PowerCore II is an impressive power bank that features Anker’s new charging chip.

Being able to squeeze the power into a single chip makes for a lighter and more powerful charger that’s more portable than ever before. Measuring 5.39 x 2.6 x 0.59 inches and weighing just 7.52 ounces, you can easily pop this in your handbag, backpack, or pocket.

Kicking out 10,000mAh of power, you’ll be able to charge your iPhone 8/X/XS/XS Max/XR, Android smartphones, tablets, USB-C MacBook, or your iPad anywhere you go. When it comes to recharging the device itself, it can take between 4 and 10 hours, depending on the type of input you’re using.

The super-high-speed capacity means you can quickly and efficiently charge an iPhone X over 2.4 times, a Galaxy S9 2.2 times or an iPhone 8 over 3.6 times before the power bank’s battery is empty.

The PowerCore II looks as good as it functions, too, with a soft silicone surface that cushions your smartphone and helps to prevent scuffs and scratches, as well as a slim design that can rest perfectly next to your cell phone.

• Super thin to fit easily into your carry-on or laptop bag
• Only has 1 USB port

Anker PowerCore 13000

Capacity: 13,000mAh

This ultra-portable, 2-point power bank is robust enough to go anywhere with you while offering the capacity to keep your cell phone or devices topped up on the go.

Measuring 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weighing just 8.47 ounces, this lightweight charger is small enough to fit in your pocket, purse, or wallet alongside your cell phone.

With enough oomph to charge an iPhone 8 almost 5 times, an iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8 3 times, or an iPad Air 2 1 time, this is useful for anyone on the move.

The patented PowerIQ technology ensures intelligent high-speed charging for all your devices, while the VoltageBoost prevents cable resistance from slowing your charging speeds.

With simultaneous dual-port charging, you can be off on your adventures again in no time. As some of the most popular and best-selling portable chargers in the world, the PowerCore range is fast to charge up. You can have a fully charged power bank in 4 to 10 hours, depending on the cable speed.

30% lighter than other comparable power banks and just the right size to take anywhere, this is a solid option for anyone looking for more power away from home.

• Has 2 high-speed USB ports
• No wall charger included

• Sikon AC Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank

Capacity : 31,200mAh

This is a veritable beast of a power bank that provides a whopping 31,200mAh, an AC outlet, and 3 additional USB outputs (5V/2A, and Type-C output and input 5V/3A,) all wrapped up in a thin, highly portable power bank.

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds and measuring 2.8 x 2.8 x 8.6 inches, it’s too big to fit in your pocket but should fit just fine in a large purse or laptop case. If you want to work on your laptop on the go and keep it powered up, this is a reasonably compact choice, given the amount of power it can provide you with.

While the Sikon Power Bank is compatible with numerous devices, its primary function is to keep your laptop operational no matter where you are .

It works best in association with smaller laptops such as MacBooks, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, Dell XPS, HP TPN-C116, and THINKPAD E430, as well as some others that operate at no more than 85 watts.

It provides fast and effective charging capabilities, although 1.8 full charges of your laptop will drain the power bank entirely, meaning you’ll need to plug it into a wall socket somewhere before you head out again.

It will also charge your phone, GoPro, iPad, and even gaming gadgets, so while it works well with laptops, it’s not limited to just their use.

• The display shows the percentage of charge remaining
• The cooling fan is quite loud

BLAVOR Solar Power Bank

Great for outdoor explorers, this 10,000mAh portable power bank comes complete with carabiner, compass, and a built-in flashlight to help you stay connected and on track wherever you are.

Measuring 5.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches and weighing 9.3 ounces, this is a great choice for anyone needing extra power on the go.

This power bank also doubles as a Qi wireless charging device.

This power bank has a choice of micro USB, USB-A and USB-C connections. It can efficiently charge 3 devices simultaneously and most cell phones between 2 and 2.5 times on 1 full charge.

While it does offer solar power capabilities, it’s advised that this function is used as backup and that the power bank be fully charged before you set off on your next adventure.

Designed to last, this sturdy charger is IPX5 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof and covered in flameproof material, making it a durable outdoor addition to your camping, hiking, or trekking equipment to ensure that you can reliably keep in touch with the rest of the world when you head off the grid.

The only downside to this particular model is that the solar panel seems like a bit of a gimmick, but if that doesn’t worry you, it’s still a useful little charger for using away from home.

• Great for camping or other outdoor adventures
• The solar panel isn’t something to rely on

2-Pack Miady 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger

Capacity: 10,000mAh each

This 2-pack of Miady power banks will ensure that your devices never run out of juice. While not in the same leagues as the more expensive, bigger brand power bars and banks on the market, the Miady portable charger is a nifty bank that will see you right for an extra charge when you need it most.

Keep both chargers for yourself or gift the second to your partner or friend. You can choose between a set of black and white power banks or a couple of other brightly colored combinations.

This power bank can charge cell phones and small devices quickly and offers 10,000mAh capability. There are 2 USB outputs on both devices, both rated at 2.4A, and a micro USB port rated at 2A.

4 LEDs light up to indicate the percentage of power remaining (each light represents 25%) and the power bank automatically powers off if no device has been connected for 30 seconds.

• Available in a few different color combinations
• Doesn’t always start charging automatically when plugged in

• Antank Power Bank For Nintendo Switch

With enough power to charge up your Nintendo Switch even while you play it, this is a medium-sized charger that measures 6.1 x 3.2 x 1.9 inches and weighs 8.8 ounces. It was the first power bank to neatly attach directly to the back of a Switch , so there’s no need to hold it awkwardly while you play.

This nifty power bank will give you between 8.5 and 12 hours of total charge playing some of your favorite Nintendo Switch games.

While this power bank has a built-in Type-C cable to connect to your Switch, there’s also a Type-C port and a USB (3A) to charge up your iPhone and other devices.

• Can be used and charged simultaneously
• Can feel quite weighty on the back of the Switch

• VimPower Portable Charger 22000mAh Battery Pack

Capacity: 22,000mAh

Made from 2 high-density, lithium polymer batteries, this multi-device charging power bank is an effective and affordable way to keep your cell phone, iPhone, or iPad fully charged on the go.

Weighing just 1.1 pounds and measuring 7.5 x 4 x 1.3 inches, this clever pack will easily fit in your purse, backpack, or laptop bag.

This power bank features 2 USB A ports, 1 Type-C port, and 2 micro USB ports, which can charge multiple devices at the same time, and it comes with a couple of charging cables, too. The highly efficient 22,000mAh capacity battery can charge most phones over 5 times, and most tablets over 4 times, meaning you can keep entertained and in touch wherever you go.

The 15W and 30W ports supply super-quick charge times that are 2 to 3 times faster than traditional power banks , and to give you an idea of this speed — an iPhone XS Max can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

For its size and capability, this power bank is to back to full charge in as little as 7 hours, and should you experience problems, it does come with a full 3-year warranty from the manufacturer.

• 30W ports can charge some laptops
• Different ports aren’t clearly marked with charging capabilities

There are plenty of reasons why you should invest in a portable power bank and there are just as many types and variations for you to choose from.

Before you commit, look for a model that can charge your devices quickly and efficiently and that doesn’t take days on end to charge itself.

An efficient power bank will completely transform the way you use our portable devices when you’re away from home. Choose wisely, and you will be able to extend the battery life of your cell phone, tablet, laptop, and even small gaming consoles, literally anywhere in the world.

Love streamlining your travel tech? Don’t miss out on these other product reviews:

• The Best Portable and Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots for Travel
• The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Travel
• The Best Travel Electronic Organizers for Your Cables and Cords
• Best Travel Products – Tech & Photography Focus

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i bring a power bank on a plane.

Power banks can only be transported on a plane in a carry-on and cannot be in your checked luggage.

Airlines usually allow a 100Wh power bank with a 5V output, which equates to 20,000mAh.

Some airlines will allow 160Wh power banks if you declare it beforehand. Always check with your airline before you fly.

What is the best portable power bank?

Some of the best portable power banks that we recommend are:

• Anker PowerCore 1300
• Anker PowerCore 5000 mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger
• Qi Solar Power Bank

Is 20,000mAh good for a portable charger?

20,000mAh is a fairly common capacity for many portable chargers, which equates to around 6 full charges of an iPhone 7.

How many mAh is good for a portable charger?

How do i choose a portable charger.

The important things to consider when choosing a portable charger are:

• The size and weight, so it’s not too bulky for your needs
• The power capacity that the power bank kicks out (measured in milliamp-hours or “mAh”)
• The input charging speed

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 11 Best Portable Travel Chargers

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Travelers use their phones for just about everything—from navigating and translating to snapping photos and looking up the nearest place for great sushi—and sometimes there just isn’t enough battery life to get it all done. That’s why a good portable charger is a must-pack. The best portable chargers are lightweight and effective, and many even do double duty to truly earn their spot in your suitcase.

INIU Portable Charger

If you’ve got more than one device to charge on the road, consider this offering from INIU . It features two USB ports so you can power up both your phone and something else (such as a tablet or e-reader, or your companion’s phone). It charges quickly, is compatible with most devices, and weighs less than half a pound. It’s also got a handy LED flashlight.

Smartphone Charging Wristlet

To power up your phone discreetly, tuck it into this wristlet from Uncommon Goods . Made of vegan leather, the bag has a hidden USB power cord inside that will charge most iPhones and micro USB-compatible phones up to 1.5 times. It will automatically power on once connected.

Anker PowerCore 10000

The Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the most popular portable chargers on Amazon, compatible with both Android phones and iPhones as well as most tablets and laptops. It weighs less than seven ounces and is about the size of a deck of cards, making it easy to pack even if you’re traveling with only a carry-on.

PhoneSoap Go

Calling all germaphobes: You can charge and sanitize your phone at the same time with the PhoneSoap Go . The device uses UV light to kill more than 99 percent of bacteria and is compatible with just about any phone, even larger ones. Though the PhoneSoap Go was designed for phones, it will also sanitize any smaller items that fit into it, such as glasses, keys, or watches.

Auzev Charging Cable Bracelet

Wear charging tech right on your wrist with this innovative bracelet from Auzev . It’s a charging cable for Apple devices that looks like a braided leather bracelet and weighs less than an ounce. See this page for all available sizes.

Metecsmart Power Bank

With a built-in lightning cable, the Metecsmart Power Bank is designed to charge iPhones twice as fast as your phone’s original charging cable. It also has a built-in micro USB port for powering up Android and other devices. Thanks to pass-through technology, it can charge your devices while it’s also charging itself.

BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

Campers and hikers will appreciate this charger from BigBlue , which has multiple solar panels that stretch out nearly three feet to absorb the energy of the sun but then fold up to a relatively compact size when not in use. The included micro USB cable is compatible with most Android phones, some DSLR cameras, and most iPhones and iPads. The charger weighs 1.35 pounds and is waterproof.

Courant Carry Wireless Charger

Sick of traveling with a snarl of cables? It’s not cheap, but the Qi-certified Carry charger from Courant will power up your phone wirelessly. (It does come with a USB-C cable as well, just in case.) Encased in Italian leather, this sleek portable charger comes with a carrying bag and is compatible with a wide range of phones.

Pocket Power 5K Power Bank

This ultra-portable charger from Belkin weighs less than five ounces and measures just 4.86 x 2.49 x 0.51 inches, making it easy to slip into your pocket or purse. Its universal USB port is compatible with a variety of devices, including iPhones and iPads, Galaxy and Google phones, and Apple Watches. One nice feature: a warranty worth up to $2,500 if your device is damaged while connected to the charger.

Mophie Juice Pack

Mophie’s Juice Pack will not only protect your phone but also provide up to 38 hours’ worth of extra power, thanks to a battery built into the case. You can power up the case without cables using any Qi-compatible wireless charger (not included). Cases are available for a variety of iPhones and Galaxy devices.

RapidX X5 Car Charger

The X5 Car Charger is one of the best travel chargers for road trips because it plugs into both cigarette lighters and 12v-24v outlets and can power up to five devices at once. It has an extended USB hub so everyone in the back seat can plug in as well. The charger is compatible with iOS, Android, and other devices.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 8 Genius Ways to Preserve Your Phone’s Battery Life While Traveling
• 8 Innovative Phone Cases and Accessories for Travel
• 5 Smartphone Essentials You Should Never Travel Without

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The best portable chargers and power banks in 2024

Here are the best portable chargers to keep your devices juiced up while you're on the go

• Best overall
• Best for USB-C
• Best lightweight
• Best compact
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best Anker 4. Best for USB-C 5. Best lightweight 6. Best compact 7. How to choose 8. How we test

The best portable chargers keep your electronics powered while you're out and about. These handy peripherals can charge various devices, including the best phones , the best tablets , the best Kindles and even the best laptops . Because you'll inevitably find yourself with low battery life when outdoors, you'll need a reliable portable charger to keep your electronics going. Not having one could prove to be extremely inconvenient.

We've done a battery (pun intended) of tests on some of the most highly-rated portable chargers on the market. To that end, we've pulled from both big brands and popular competitors. Our testing involves seeing how fast devices charge and how many full phone chargers each power bank stores. While these specific portable chargers regularly appear on bestseller lists, they're all different in several important ways.

We've got these best portable chargers ranked in order of what we would buy, with shoutouts for the best portable charger, our favorite compact charger, and the best portable charger for USB-C.

We're going to update this page with a batch of new chargers soon.

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iPadOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

The quick list

Here's a quick overview of the best portable chargers you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews.

The best portable charger overall

The INIU 10000mAh is one of the best portable chargers we've tested. Not only did its charging times and speeds sit near the top of the chart but it's got 2 USB-A output ports to the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000's single USB-A charging port.

Read more below

The best Anker portable charger

The Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 is heavier than the INIU 10000 but it would've taken the top slot if it had a second USB-A port. Its charging times were so close to the INIU brick and its overall time to fill an iPhone 12 was 4 minutes shorter, at 1 hour and 56 minutes.

The best portable charger for USB-C

While INIU's 20-watt brick is a bit heavy (the second heaviest on this list), its dual-function USB-C port makes it a clear favorite for one of the best portable chargers for those charging with the reversible port. This way, you can both charge it and charge other devices with the same USB-C cables.

The best lightweight portable charger

Anker's 20,000 mAh brick is lighter than comparable bricks but its charging scores are consistently behind by 3 to 4%. Its other win is in its USB-C input for faster charging, but since it only has USB-A output, you're going to be refueling at a lower rate. It also has one fewer USB-A port than competitors.

The best compact portable charger

The PowerCore 5000 hits 19% after 15 minutes, which is 7% above the Miady power banks. There's nothing wrong with this charger, but it's not stellar either. If you got it as a present, you might hold onto it and get a ton of use out of it. If it goes on sale for a deep discount, we wouldn't be against considering it. But at the end of the day, it's low on our list for a reason.

The best portable chargers you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

1. INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

A shocking upset for the top slot, Anker (the typical standard-bearer) loses to INIU's 10000 mAh charger. This brick is one of the best portable chargers. Not only did its charging times and speeds sit near the top of the chart but it's got 2 USB-A output ports to the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000's single USB-A charging port. And since that second port can be the difference between powering a secondary device while you charge your phone (or helping a friend out when they need it), we're giving the INIU the overall nod.

For a brand we're not that familiar with, this INIU charger stood up in 15-minute and 1-hour timed charging (at 22%, 78%), with times that were within 1-2 percentage points ahead of the PowerCore Slim's times. It only failed to beat the Anker to fill a complete phone once, putting up a 2-hour time, four minutes behind the Anker. Both chargers refilled about 2.2-2.25 iPhone 12s, so it's practically a tie. INIU also has a longer warranty: its 3-year plan is twice as long as Anker's 18-month window.

This charger has been reviewed by over 9,000 customers on Amazon and has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. A reviewer who gave it 5 stars said:

"I love this portable charger! I didn’t think it would be a good idea, because normally your portable chargers die within the first charge it does. I have charged my phone over 4 times and haven’t had to charge it! That is including just leaving it in my bag for weeks until I need it again. It will not disappoint! I love it!"

2. Anker PowerCore Slim 10000

Our number 2 pick (still one of the best portable chargers) is the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000, which is a bit heavier than the INIU 10000 pack (7.3 ounces to 6.9 ounces). But it would have taken the top slot had it had that second USB-A output port. That's because its charging times were so close to the INIU brick (21% in 15 minutes, 76% in an hour) and its overall time to fill an iPhone 12 was 4 minutes shorter, at 1 hour and 56 minutes.

But it's so close to the INIU that we have to keep it as the #2-ranked portable charger. These bricks are so close, practically within margins of error in testing. If you only need to charge one device at a time, and the sale pricing makes the Slim 10000 that much cheaper than the INIU, go for it.

This product has been reviewed by nearly 50,000 customers on Amazon and has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. A reviewer who rated it 5 stars said:

"I like the solid and sleek construction. Fits easily in my pocket. Most importantly it works! Fast charging, enough capacity to charge my phone multiple times over multiple days, and withstands plenty of me dropping it and yanking the cord out awkwardly and accidentally."

3. INIU 20W 20000 mAh power bank

USB-C is no longer the port of the future, it's the port of the day. And while INIU's 20-watt brick is a bit heavy (the second heaviest on this list), its dual-function USB-C port makes it a clear favorite for one of the best portable chargers for those charging with the reversible port. This way, you can both charge it and charge other devices with the same USB-C cables, and you've also got two other USB-A ports for recharging other devices.

On top of that, it turned in the best performance in the 1-hour charging window, bringing our dead iPhone 12 to 81% of its charge. And its 1-hour and 57-minute time to bring that iPhone to a full charge is the second-best of the pack, only off by a minute from the PowerCore Slim 10000. Its high capacity of 20000 mAh also meant it refueled an iPhone more than most of these chargers, with 4.78 iPhone 12 refills.

This product has been reviewed by nearly 4,500 customers on Amazon and received 4.6 out of 5 stars. A reviewer who rated it 5 stars said: "For 5 days on vacation I used this to charge my phone and GoPro, and the battery still had 44% of its life!"

4. Anker PowerCore Essential 20000mAh

Anker's 20,000 mAh brick is lighter than comparable bricks by a few ounces, but its charging scores are consistently behind by 3 to 4%. Its other win is seen in its USB-C input for faster charging of the brick, but since it only has USB-A output, you're going to be refueling at a lower rate than you might like. It also has one fewer USB-A output than competitors.

All that said, though, we could see an individual finding this to be the right charger for their needs. Anyone who is looking to primarily charge their own phone, and wants a high-capacity pack so they need to refuel less frequently will appreciate the more-portable weight. All you need is a pocket big enough to hold it, and you'll have juice for days.

This product has been reviewed by over 50,000 customers on Amazon and received 4.8 out of 5 stars. "The product Anker is amazing and I highly recommend it," said a reviewer who rated it 5 stars.

5. Anker PowerCore 5000

Compared to the higher-rated 5,000 mAh charger on our list (the Poweradd Slim 2) Anker PowerCore 5000 lags behind on speeds. It only refueled 62% of the iPhone 12 in the first hour of charging, which is the second-lowest score on the list.

The best aspect of the PowerCore 5000 is that it hit 19% after 15 minutes, which is 7% above the Miady power banks. There's nothing particularly wrong with this charger, but nothing impressive either. If you got it as a present, you might hold onto it and get a ton of use out of it. If it goes on sale for a deep discount, we wouldn't be against considering it. But at the end of the day, it's low on our list for a reason.

Anker PowerCore 5000 has been reviewed by over 29,000 customers on Amazon and received 4.6 out of 5 stars. "Because of this product’s portability, you can charge your phone anywhere without having to wait around," said a reviewer who rated it 5 stars.

How to choose the best portable charger

Finding the right charger capacity: You'll often see a four to five-digit number, with the letters mAh following it, and that's your first big indicator of how much this charger is right for you. If you're constantly refueling your phone and other gadgets, go for at least 10,000mAh. For each extra device you charge, add at least 5,000 to the mAh rating you're looking for. Just need to prevent your device from hitting 0 on late nights out? You'll be good with something in the under 5,000 mAh rating, provided you remember to charge it often.

Be a ports authority: If you hold onto your devices forever, and don't already know what a USB-C port is, you can probably just get whatever fits your price. But if you're the kind who wants faster charging, look for a brick that has PD in its name. The best portable chargers, at least for my money, charge devices the fastest and use the Power Delivery (PD) standard. Also, their USB-C ports mean you can refuel these power banks with the same cords used to charge modern laptops.

How we test the best portable chargers

You want a charger that was put through the rigors of refueling, so we did just that. With timers in hand, we kept draining an iPhone 12 and then timed how much time it took for each power bank to refuel those phones. Along the way, we checked out how much of said iPhone 12 (the same one) were refueled after 15 and 60 minutes. We kept that iPhone at 100% brightness the whole time.

Our ranking also factored in the portability and designs of each model, as especially small and pocket-friendly chargers can't physically store as many mAh of battery power as their larger brethren. Similarly, the smaller a charger is, the less likely it has more than two ports (one for gaining a charge, the other for giving power).

Those looking to keep their tech protected throughout each and every charge should check out our guide to the best surge protectors .

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Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

I tried the new Sprite Chill that tastes colder as you drink it, and it’s surprisingly awesome

The best portable charger we've reviewed is 40% off at Amazon

iOS 18 likely to offer on-device AI — here's why that matters

• Codeape Anker has 2 usb a output ports (even says so in your description)... -ve for that device says just one usb a output port... Reply
• Marcel Bro Best power banks and chargers of 2023? And most of them only output USB A?! This article is heavily outdated. Reply
• Arctic Strix This article was either done by a bad Ai, written within 5min by someone who searched for the most bought battery banks on Amazon, or reused from several years ago. The "best portable charger" is not a 10,000mAh USB-A 15W charger for $20, that's just one of the most purchased on Amazon. One of the best portable power banks is going to be the Anker 737 or the Ugreen 145w. They both feature two type C outputs and one type A output, the Anker 737 being able to output up to 140W compared to Ugreen maxing at 100W. Anker has a 24000mAh battery and PD3.1 complaint and Ugreen is 25000mAh with PD3.0; they both are compatible with all charging standards. These might be a bit overkill for the general user, but they are among the best, if not the best portable power banks. Reply
• View All 3 Comments

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What’s the Best Portable Charger for Travel? 12 Compact Picks

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Need to charge on the go? Take a look at the best portable power bank options to make sure your device stays charged as you travel and explore new places!

Best Portable Battery Charger for Travelers

Table of contents.

Whether you’re using your device to look at maps, find the best place to eat, stay in touch with your travel buddies, or snap photos of the sights around you, having it charged and ready to go at all times is a must! With these handy little gadgets, you’ll be able to keep your battery upped wherever and whenever, so you’ll never stress again about being on a flight or out in an unfamiliar place with a dying phone! 

Without further ado, here are the top picks for the best portable phone charger and/or general charger for other devices, like tablets. Take a look!

Best Portable Chargers for Your Devices

Shop Anker Portable Battery Pack: Amazon | Anker

Top Selling Portable Cell Phone Charger : Anker Portable Charger

Anker is far and away our readers’ top pick, and this Anker PowerCore Slim portable battery charger for phone was the blog’s biggest and best seller during Prime Day! Use it with any phone via a USB cord, and get anywhere from 2.25 – 1.2 charges depending on your device (iPads and tablets included)! It’s super light for how much battery it holds, weighing under half a pound, and it’s skinny enough to slip into the pocket of your bag as you head out on your travels.  

A reader gives a review, “Anker makes the best portable power bank hands down. I have several but this size is my favorite because it’s not too big but it will charge my phone several times. It’s nice because I can charge it before I leave and use it for all my devices on the plane etc. then it usually still has enough to last a few days of traveling before I need to charge it again!”

You can shop directly through the Anker website .

Power Juice Portable Charger

Power Juice Slim Portable Charger iPhone and Android Compatible

The Power Juice por table phone battery charger is slim and compact, super easy to throw in your purse without taking up much room. It has a built-in wall plug and 2 USB ports so it’s compatible with any phone. And you can charge 6 times depending on your battery capacity!

I had a similar portable power chargers that was a must for weekend camping at BlogStock and six days at Glastonbury. Aside from camping, it’s also perfect for long travel days when I’m on planes, trains, or buses and my phone is my main form of entertainment (including taking photos to amuse myself). A 14-hour flight? No problem.

A user says, “Took on 5 day cruise, it was still halfway full! Incredibly long lasting for phones. It is larger than the smaller Pocket Juice Endurance we usually get but man it’s worth it if you don’t mind a slightly heavier larger box. ”

Before you head out on your next trip, refer to this  electronics checklist !

Anker PowerCore Mini Lightweight Travel Power Bank

Anker PowerCore Mini Portable Charger for iPhone and Android

The Anker Powercore portable USB charger quickly and easily charges your electronics without adding a bunch of extra weight to your travel bags. It’s about 4” tall and just under 5oz, so you’ll barely feel it in your bag. Despite its mini size, it’s a really good portable charger that works super fast, and, depending on your phone, give it 1-2 full charges! 

One reader says, “I LOVE this portable charger mini and have used it for many trips. So small, not heavy to tote around, and easy to keep in your pocket or bag all the time. And it recharges easily overnight so you can always carry it freshly charged each morning.”

Anker PowerCore 10000 Mobile Power Bank

Anker PowerCore Android and iPhone Portable Charger

Continually, our readers have voiced Anker as their favorite portable charger power bank brand. This small portable charger is ultra compact yet powerful, holding 3 full phone charges! Having this little guy with you during your travels will definitely give you peace of mind and allow you to use your phone to your heart’s content! 

One reader shares her experience, saying, “I really like this one! It holds a few charges. I took this one and my bigger Anker one on a five-day trip since it was new and I hadn’t really tested it out, but I could’ve just taken the smaller one!” 

  Truly, Anker is voted by TFGs as the best portable bank charger.

iWALK Travel Mobile Power

iWalk Portable Charger for iPhones

If you have an iPhone, this one’s for you! The iWalk portable wireless charger is said to be one of the best portable iPhone charger options, as it’ll plug straight into your iPhone, no extra cords needed. It’s SO small and lightweight (size of a lipstick!), sleek in design, and holds about 1-1.2 full charges depending on which model you have. 

This wireless portable charger comes very highly rated, and so many readers love it, too! One review says, “This charger is easy to carry around in a small bag and easy to attach to your phone so you can continue to use it while charging. It also recharges quickly. Absolutely saved me many times on vacation when using GPS totally drained my phone. Best travel purchase I made this trip. Highly recommend!”

Another popular power bank from iWalk is this one , with 9000mAh and a size of a credit card!

A new variant of the iWalk portable charger , equipped with a USB-C port compatible with current iPhones, is now available!

Our readers share the  best portable carbon monoxide detector  to take with you so you can relax and enjoy your trip without worry!

Apple MagSafe Travel Power Bank

Magsafe Apple Portable Charger

This Apple iPhone portable charger might just be the most compact and easy-to-use charger around! If you have any version of the iPhone 12 or 13, it’ll simply snap to the back of your phone with magnets, ensuring it stays on and in place, even if loose in your bag. 

This portable battery charger for iPhone is just under 4” tall and super light, and while they are definitely pricey, many users say the convenience outweighs the cost. One user says, “Holds a charge for a considerable time. Perfect for all day travel and flights. A must-have when traveling!”  

Shop INIU Mini Portable Charger: Amazon | Walmart

INIU Portable Charger

This INIU portable charger is a powerhouse! that has 3 USB ports which can all be used at once, and users confirm that it charges incredibly fast (it can charge your phone up to 58% in only 30 minutes)! It can quickly charge iPads and tablets, too, and has universal compatibility, so you can share it with your travel buddies as well. 

A traveler reports, “Exceeded expectations. Super fast charge-up and charges devices simultaneously, so iPhone and iPad or both phones could be recharged while out and about all day and evening. Weighs 12 oz, fits right into the slot in my tech-savvy travel backpack, and connects to a built-in USB. Saved our trip to Italy !” 

We’re sharing our pick for the  best adapter for travel . Keep reading to find out!

Shop Miisso Ultra Slim Built-in Cables Power Bank: Amazon | Walmart

Miisso Power Bank Portable Charger

Miisso’s portable battery chargers are light, slim, and just about the size of a credit card, so they’re beyond easy to carry! Depending on your phone, this fast portable charger can hold 1-2 full charges, and with 2 attached cables and one USB port, you can charge up to three devices at the same time! It’s universally compatible and will have your back as you set out on your next travel adventure. 

A traveler shares, “Exactly what I needed on my recent trip to Europe . Perfect for when you’re out all day and need a top up on a phone or two. LOVE the convenience of built-in cables; connections are secure and solid, well made and well designed.”

Durecopow Solar Charger Power Bank

Durecopow Portable Solar Charger

Heading somewhere more remote? If you have a hiking or camping trip planned, or won’t have access to an outlet, this Durecopow solar portable charger will get the job done! When charged via USB, it has a super large capacity to support thousands of charge cycles (wow!) and high-speed charging. 

This solar portable phone charger is super durable, waterproof, dust-proof, and drop-proof, and as a cool added bonus, it comes with a built-in LED flashlight and compass! 

One happy user reports, “Love this lightweight charger! Perfect for traveling. Lasted me three whole days of charging my phone twice each day for a camping trip. Love the flashlight on it as well.”

UUGEE Portable Solar Power Chargers

UUGEE Portable Charger Solar Power  

This Errbbic solar powered portable charger is another great option for remote travel or travel with limited electricity. You can take it with you as you adventure around the globe without worrying about finding an outlet, and it’s universally compatible so will work with any device. Plus, it’s waterproof and easy to carry! 

Our readers weigh in on these portable solar phone chargers , with one saying, “It has some weight to it, but two phones can charge at the same time, it holds a charge forever and has a solar as backup (slow to charge that way, but it’s still cool).”

Visit this power outlet guide for travelers to see a full list of plugs and outlets by country!

Shop Mophie Battery Case Portable Charger: Amazon | Walmart

Mophie Portable iPhone Charger Case

How about protecting your phone and charging it at the same time?! Major win-win. This portable fast charger iPhone case will give your phone 160% more power and has a simple power switch to turn the battery on and off with the LED status indicator button or press to display battery levels and charge status.

Users say it’s heavy duty and will also protect your phone from scratches, drops, and daily wear and tear. Note that it’s only compatible with iPhones — find all of the sizes here !

One user says, “I love it since iPhone originally started to support it. I’ve always had a Morphie case. It makes charging on the go very very easy and convenient. ” 

We’ve asked our readers to choose the  best portable Bluetooth speaker  for travel, and their picks speak volumes!

innotech Portable Battery Charger Built-in Cable

Innotech Portable Charger for Android and iOS

Readers love that this Innotech portable charger with outlet comes with built-in cords (along with a USB input) to keep things simple. With a sleek, compact, and lightweight design, this portable power charger is convenient to carry around, and it’ll charge your devices fast. 

One reader shares, “I love the convenience of having four cables built into this power bank. No more tangled cables or searching for the right one. It’s a neat solution that simplifies my charging needs, whether I’m using an iPhone, Android, or other devices. Shipping time was also excellent!! ”

Best Portable Charger for iPhone /Android Comparison Chart

NEWVANGA International Universal All in One Travel Adapter

Universal Travel Adapter with Two Type C and One USB Ports

Hair tools such as blow dryers, wands, curling irons, and straighteners use up a large amount of electricity so it’s particularly important that they are used with the correct voltage. 

For example, in the US we use 110-120V whereas in Europe they use 220-240V. If we plug our electronics into each other’s outlets, they can blow a fuse and stop working. In some cases, they can even fry your hair. The video below can also shed light on adapters, converters, and the right voltage.

 Watch the video above or read this post to learn about the differences between travel adapters, converters, and voltage!

Is  a portable charger bank  a must for your travels? Let us know in the comments!

For more ideas on other travel electronics, please read:

• Best Travel Cord Organizers to Stop Tangled Electronic Cables
• What’s the Best Travel Power Strip? Readers Share 8 Picks
• Voltage Converter vs. Travel Adapter: How do They Work?
• What are the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel?

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Hope you found this post on the  best portable cell phone charger  useful. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the suggestion, this will be my must have power bank for camping. I should order this now for my next camping trip!

This was just the article for me! Have been in the market for a portable charger that will actually work and won’t require a Sherpa to carry it! Have ordered one as a gift and one to keep. Thanks for doing the research and should I run out of battery on my next adventure, it will be my own darn fault!

Thanks TFG! This article helped me pick a new, lighter weight charger to carry during my 3 week Italy trip this last summer. It came in handy so many days! Just the right size to fully recharge my phone once, which covered me for all the navigating and picture taking. And I didn’t have to carry around my giant, heavy brick. It was so great to have a functional, light weight battery!

The iwalk portable charger is a gamechanger for me. Since it attached directly to the phone, it eliminates the need to carry a cord – which I always seem to forget when I’m out sightseeing for the whole day. This battery pack has given me at least two full charges before needing to be recharged. Love it!

I just preordered the new iPhone 15, wondering which would be the best portable charger for me?

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The 9 Best Portable Chargers for Travelers

By Paris Wilson

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There’s nothing worse than getting through the hustle and bustle of airport security only to finally make it to your gate and realize that your phone is out of battery. Searching for an outlet can be a pain and more often than not leaves you stuck hovering over one awaiting your turn. A portable charger offers peace of mind and freedom that airport outlets, hotel lobbies, and coffee shops just can’t supply. Even when you're not traveling, they're useful to have on hand for days when you forget to charge your phone at night or notice it’s running low midday after too much time on Google Maps (or TikTok).

The best portable chargers are compact, portable, and have a battery life that can last you more than one charge (an especially helpful feature for group travel). Read on for full reviews of our editors’ longtime favorites, as well as more recently tested chargers we recommend.

How we tested:

Each new charger was tested for at least three weeks. While testing, we kept these key questions in mind: how long it took to charge devices, how many devices it could charge at one time (and which devices it’s compatible with), and how long it took to charge the charger itself. We also brought them on the road to see how they fared while traveling, and included reviews for chargers we've used long-term.

Can you travel with them?

Yes, portable chargers are safe to travel with, as long as you pack them in your carry-on. They range in size, but even the largest power banks will fit into a carry-on bag or tote.

What are the qualities to look for in a portable charger?

When looking for a portable charger, it’s important to keep in mind the mAh, size, and the devices you plan to charge with it. Some portable chargers have multiple cables that can be plugged directly into your device while others come with built-in ports for USB or USB-C cords. Consider whether you want something specifically for your phone, or a multipurpose power bank that can charge your computer, smartwatch, or earphones, too.

What does mAh stand for?

It stands for milliampere hours which is a unit of measurement that’s used to describe the capacity of a battery. The higher the number, the more battery power you have. Chargers can range from as low as 1,000 mAh to as high as 50,000. For everyday use, it’s fine to get something in the 3,000 to 4,000 range, but we recommend upping the capacity when you’d like to charge more than one device at a time or if you’re looking to use it on a device of five volts or higher.

Editor favorites

Battery capacity: 20,000 mAh Dimensions: 11" x 5" x 2"

I never leave the house without my portable charger. I’m very meticulous about my phone battery and my portable charger is super easy to carry around all day. I’ve had it for five years and have had no use for anything else. It has two ports so I can charge multiple devices at once and it’s small enough to fit in my purse or my fanny pack while traveling. It’s quite thick so you don’t feel like it will break on you. Charging it is easy. There is a small cord that you plug into its side and then plug the charger into the wall, but any type of similar cord will work. It does take a while to charge, about a day if you want it to be full. However, the battery will last you at least three or four charges to your phone. — Kayla Brock , associate social media manager

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: 6" x 3" x 0.7"

I’ve had this BioLite charger for a year, and while there are smaller versions I prefer for day-to-day use (this one’s less than a pound, but about the same dimensions as my iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is to say a bit bigger than I’d like when carrying it in a purse), it’s a reliable option for trips when you know access to outlets may be infrequent, and can toss it in a backpack or tote. It has two USB slots and one USB-C slot, so I’ve used it to power up other devices like my Kindle, FitBit, and AirPods. You can get two to three full phone charges before needing to plug in the battery park; for more charge time—up to five hours—upgrade to the Charge 80 . — Madison Flager , senior commerce editor

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: 5" x 2" x 1"

I’ve had this portable charger for about nine months now. I was intrigued to find one that didn’t need a separate charger—it has a fold-down plug that you can stick directly into the wall when it’s running low. I’ve charged my laptop, phone, and even camera with it. It has three built-in fast-charging cables that are compatible with Android and Apple devices, and three different cable ports along the bottom. It usually takes about two to three hours to fully charge and when I’m using it passively that can get me through two charges. It’s on the larger side, about the size of a long bifold wallet. I’ve been able to charge my Apple watch, phone, and camera with it. This is always tucked away in my backpack or tote , especially on longer flights. — Paris Wilson , commerce producer

Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh Dimensions: 5" x 2" x 3"

This charger is one of the first things I put in my bag when I’m on my way out the door, especially if I’m traveling. I’ve used it for about a year now and love it. It's slim which means it fits in all of my purses, even the smallest one, and is very lightweight and easy to carry around. It holds a pretty good charge so you can use it a few times before you need to recharge it. I like that the side shows four little lights which show how much battery life the power bank has left. I also appreciate the design which is pretty cute and much more stylish than any of the other phone banks I’ve used before. — Jamie Spain , travel bookings editor

Battery capacity: 4,500 mAh Dimensions: 3" x 2" x 1"

I never go anywhere—to work, to dinner, to travel—without this tiny portable charger. It’s about the size of my AirPods case or my favorite lipstick, meaning I can pack it in nearly any fanny pack, sling bag, or tote I’m carrying. And while I love it most for its compact size, it also really works—giving my phone a full charge on the go. I’ve been using mine to charge my iPhone for years and have even gifted it to several family members and friends. — Meaghan Kenny , associate commerce editor

Newly tested chargers

Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh Dimensions: ‎5" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: Two full phone charges

Until being asked to test one for this story, I never really used a portable charger. This was not for lack of need—my phone’s battery is perennially in the orange, and no lifestyle changes or memory tricks have availed in fixing who I am as a forgetful person. Keeping this INIU power bank in my messenger bag has, quite simply, made my life a whole lot easier. The charge comes lightning-fast, and its charging port is the same as required for my Macbook, plus there are two USB out ports so you can charge two devices (even three, if you want to use the charging port as well!) at once. The little paw tracks how charged up it is at any given time, with little toes blinking blue from left to right, which is just icing on the cake. — Charlie Hobbs , editorial assistant, destinations

Pros : Can charge up to three devices at once, slim, charges devices quickly Cons : A bit heavy

Battery capacity: 6,000 mAh Dimensions: 4" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

I was very impressed with this ultra-slim power bank. It’s about the size of a credit card and lightweight, easily fitting in my jacket pocket or purse. Conveniently, it features two built-in cables and a USB to charge an iPhone or other devices directly. These small built-in cables can be neatly tucked into the device when you’re not using them, so there’s no need to worry about tangled cords in your tech case. It gives my iPhone a full charge quickly, and can even charge multiple devices at one time. Another feature I love: There’s a small LED light on the device that lets you see how much charge the power bank has left. — M.K.

Pros : Small, built-in fast-charging cables  Cons : Power bank drains quickly

Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh Dimensions: 4" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

For weeks, this foldable charger kept popping up on TikTok and Instagram—when I finally got my hands on one, it didn’t disappoint. The credit card-sized portable charger is probably the most compact one I own, and is magnetic, which means you don’t have to pull out a cord or deal with a tangle of wires in your bag or lap when using it. At first, I was doubtful of how strong the magnet would be, and found myself being delicate with my phone when moving through an airport while charging, but over time I’ve gotten used to the durability. I’ve taken it with me on a few recent flights, and have been using the kickstand when watching videos or shows on my phone—though of note, the kickstand angle is better for viewing your phone vertically rather than horizontally. — M.F.

Pros : Compact, good for in-flight or daily use, charges via a USB-C cable Cons : Can only charge a single device at once; requires MagSafe case; gets warm with extended use

Battery capacity: 2,500 mAh power Dimensions: 5" x 3" x 0.5" Charging power: One full phone charge

Calpak is a Traveler team favorite, but I hadn’t had a chance to branch out to more of their travel accessories . Voila, the portable charger that not only charges your devices but is in a beautiful leather luggage tag that you can personalize. I’ve taken it on flights to Barcelona and Cleveland where I was met with different scenarios for each trip. Traveling to a different country, I was concerned that I would run into issues with trying to use an adapter, but that was not the case. It was my saving grace while in the airport, and was an everyday necessity when I was on walking tours. It’s smaller than an iPhone but just as thin, so it can fit into a jacket pocket or crossbody bag. You can only charge one device at a time and while it is helpful, it is not a charger you should rely on for more than a few hours or so. Also if you do decide to use it more as a luggage tag, you'll need to take the charger off before checking in your luggage at the airport. — P.W.

Pros : Small, thin, lightweight Cons : Only charges one device at a time

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The Best Wireless Portable Chargers and Power Banks

By Sarah Witman

Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries.

Most wireless power banks, including both Qi and MagSafe options, are finicky to use while on the go, and none of them will charge an iPhone or other fast-charging device at top speed. But the ESR HaloLock Kickstand MagSafe Battery Pack (2G505) comes closest to nailing both tasks, offering plenty of power and capacity to keep your phone charged throughout the day, while adding a strong magnet to lock it firmly in place while it’s charging and a kickstand to prop it up for easy viewing.

Everything we recommend

ESR Kickstand Wireless Power (HaloLock)

The best wireless power bank.

This power bank is MagSafe-compatible, can charge most phones up to three times, and includes a sturdy kickstand. It’s less powerful than many wired chargers but can still charge most phones at top speed.

Buying Options

Anker 633 Magnetic Battery

A wireless power bank with two usb charging ports.

This model can charge most phones up to three times, and its MagSafe wireless charging pad, USB-C PD port, and USB-A port have a combined output of 18 W. Its kickstand is a bit flimsy but still handy.

Upgrade pick

Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand

A wireless power bank with two qi charging pads.

This power bank has a combined output of 20 W and can charge most phones up to three times. It’s hefty and lacks MagSafe, but it can wirelessly charge multiple devices and its stand is super sturdy.

The ESR HaloLock Kickstand MagSafe Battery Pack (2G505) is the best choice for charging an iPhone 15 or other compatible device wirelessly when you’re in transit—whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just need a portable boost of power. It works with any Qi and/or MagSafe device, offering up to 10 W wireless charging speeds.

The sturdy metal kickstand works in landscape or portrait orientation, making it useful as a desktop dock or as a source of backup power while you’re watching movies on your handset. It weighs just 7.8 ounces and has a compact, streamlined shape that makes it easy to slip into a pocket or small purse.

Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port supports up to 20 W charging, allowing you to charge most phones (or the power bank itself) at top speed, and its pass-through charging capabilities allow you to recharge the power bank while simultaneously charging a phone or other device. Its combined maximum output of up to 20 W is as high as any model we tested, and with a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh it can fully charge most phones up to three times.

If the ESR HaloLock is unavailable, or you’d prefer a USB-A port to charge a third device, get the Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (A1641) . It’s about as compact and lightweight as our top pick, has just as much battery life, and (though not quite as sturdy as the ESR’s stand) includes a similar built-in kickstand.

Its MagSafe wireless charging pad can pass up to 7.5 W to compatible devices, its USB-C PD port supports up to 20 W charging speeds, and it adds a USB-A port, which can be handy for charging an additional device at up to 18 W charging speeds. Like our top pick, it has pass-through charging capabilities, though its combined maximum output (18 W) is slightly lower.

If you want the option to wirelessly charge multiple devices—say, an iPhone and a set of AirPods—the Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand is your best bet.

Like our top pick, it has pass-through charging, enough capacity to charge most phones up to three times, and a total maximum output of up to 20 W. Its USB-C PD port has up to 18 W of charging (output) or recharging (input) power. Its main wireless charging pad supports up to 10 W charging, and the entire top surface pops up to become a phone stand that’s more stable than the built-in kickstands of most models we tested.

Its second wireless charging pad is smaller and supports up to 5 W charging—making it well-suited for a smaller accessory, such as an Apple Watch. And while the Qi wireless charging pads lack the magnetic alignment of MagSafe, so they can’t easily be used in transit, both have a sufficiently grippy texture to keep devices in place during stationary charging.

The only notable drawback is its size—at 10.3 ounces, it’s slightly heavier than our other picks.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: esr halolock kickstand magsafe battery pack (2g505), also great: anker 633 magnetic battery (a1641), upgrade pick: satechi duo wireless charger power stand, other good wireless power banks, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been a science writer for nearly a decade, covering a wide variety of topics from particle physics to satellite remote sensing. Since joining Wirecutter in 2017, I’ve reported on electric vehicle chargers , rechargeable AA and AAA batteries , surge protectors , and more.

This guide builds upon the reporting of Nick Guy, a writer who has reviewed mobile accessories since 2011.

A portable charger allows you to carry a backup source of power with you at all times, rather than having to track down a wall outlet when you’re running out of juice. And if you have an iPhone, AirPods, an Apple Watch, or another device with Qi or MagSafe charging capabilities, a wireless power bank saves you the hassle of packing separate charging cables.

Perhaps the most practical way to use one is to keep it plugged in with your phone resting on top of it when you’re stationary (at home or in the office, say) and then take both devices with you when you’re ready to leave.

MagSafe power banks support wireless charging speeds up to 15 watts, which is the fastest wireless charging speed that iPhones and other compatible devices can achieve, while Qi and some non-certified MagSafe wireless charging accessories are limited to 7.5 W output. Our testing shows that MagSafe is faster than the fastest Qi charging, though not twice as fast. Neither is capable of attaining the 20 W needed to fast-charge most phones.

Qi2, a new standard supporting wireless charging speeds up to 15 W for both Apple and Android mobile devices, was announced in January 2023, but no Qi2-certified devices are available as of this writing.

To find the best wireless power bank, we combined the criteria we’ve previously used for Qi wireless chargers and portable power banks , including the following:

• Design: We considered how well the power bank was built, how it looked, how portable it was, and how effectively its surface or magnets held a phone in place. The thin coils inside the charger and phone transmit and receive power, respectively, when you place them next to each other, and if they’re misaligned, the connection may break and prevent your phone from charging.
• Capacity: More power is always better, and we especially looked for power banks offering the most battery life (measured in milliamp-hours, or mAh) for the weight and price.
• Charging ports: We considered each power bank’s number of ports as well as their capabilities. For models with at least one USB-A output port, we valued those with faster charging speeds (including 12 W and Quick Charge 3.0 ) more highly than those limited to 5 W or 10 W charging. We also preferred power banks with USB-C Power Delivery (PD) ports supporting at least 20 W power input and output.
• Wireless charging speed: Our tests have shown that a charger’s output level has little impact on how quickly most phones charge—that is, you don’t get a much faster charge from a higher-wattage charger. So although we tested for charging speed, the difference in results wasn’t particularly important. We just wanted to make sure none of the models performed far below average speeds.
• Safety-standard compliance: A charger certified by the Wireless Power Consortium has been tested in an authorized lab and found to be both safe and in compliance with the Qi standard. If a wireless charger isn’t certified, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe or noncompliant, but (all other things being equal) we preferred it.
• Maker reputation: We considered models only from companies that we knew from past experience had a good reputation for warranty coverage and customer support. Even if a charger is WPC-certified, there’s no guarantee it will never have a problem, and help should be available if you need it.
• MagSafe: We gave preference to MagSafe-compatible battery packs, since they offer faster charging speeds and a more stable connection between the power bank and phone. Although only Apple products currently have built-in MagSafe compatibility, some protective cases can add MagSafe capabilities to Android phones as well.

We then tested both the wireless and wired charging capabilities of each model that met our criteria.

• Wireless charging: We tested wireless charging output from each power bank by completely draining the battery of an iPhone in airplane mode, placing it on the charging pad, and then measuring the charge level after 30 minutes and one hour.
• USB-A ports: We tested the maximum power draw from each port by plugging in an ammeter and a variable power load, and gradually increasing the power draw until the device overloaded and shut off.
• USB-C ports: We used the Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer and its Data Center Software to verify the advertised charging speeds of each USB-C port.

The ESR HaloLock Kickstand MagSafe Battery Pack (2G505) is the best power bank to wirelessly charge an iPhone 15 or other compatible device while traveling between home, school, work, and more. It has as much battery capacity as any model we tested, a MagSafe wireless charging pad, a fast-charging USB-C PD port, and a handy built-in kickstand—and it’s small enough to tuck in a pocket or small purse, too.

It wirelessly charges any Qi and/or MagSafe device. This power bank is capable of passing up to 10 W wirelessly. If you have a phone or other device that supports Qi charging, you can place it atop the wireless charging pad to top off the battery. If your device supports MagSafe charging, it’ll adhere firmly to the surface of the charging pad, so you can charge it wirelessly while on the go (it’s also less likely to get disconnected if bumped or jostled during stationary charging).

It has a sturdy built-in kickstand. This model’s metal kickstand blends in seamlessly with the back of the unit, and it can be easily flipped open to prop up your phone for video chatting or streaming (at either a landscape or portrait orientation). Unlike some kickstands we’ve used, this one feels robust and firmly fastened to the body of the unit.

It’s compact and lightweight. Weighing just 7.8 ounces, or less than half a pound, it won’t add much bulk to a purse or backpack. And its sleek, slim shape makes it easy to slip into a pocket.

It has great battery life. With a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, it has the potential to fully charge a phone thrice over. That’s more than enough battery life to keep most phones going throughout the day, even with moderate to heavy use.

It has a fast-charging USB-C PD port. Not only does this power bank support pass-through charging, but its 20 W USB-C PD port is capable of fast-charging most phones (or recharging the power bank itself) at top speed. When the port and wireless charging pad are both in use, their individual charging speeds will drop slightly, offering a maximum total output of 20 W.

It’s made by a reputable brand. We’ve had generally good experiences with ESR’s products and customer support in the past, and the company backs this model with a one-year warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• With a maximum output of 10 W from its wireless charging pad, it’s not quite as powerful as some models we tested. But it’s still on the higher end of wireless charging speeds, and since MagSafe allows you to charge while in transit, you won’t have to loiter next to a wall outlet while waiting for your phone to top up.
• It isn’t WPC-certified, but none of our picks are (and we didn’t notice any safety or performance issues in our testing).

The Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (A1641) is a similarly great option if our top pick is unavailable, or if you want more USB charging ports. In addition to a MagSafe wireless charging pad and USB-C PD port, it gives you a USB-A port to charge a third device. And its power, capacity, and overall design are on par with that of our favorite model.

It works with Qi and/or MagSafe devices. Like our top pick, you can use this power bank to wirelessly charge any phone or other device with Qi and/or MagSafe capabilities. If your device supports the latter, it’ll attach firmly to the main surface of the power bank, so you can toss both in a bag to charge while you’re out and about.

Its kickstand is flimsier than our top pick’s, but still handy. Though not quite as robust as that of our top pick (it seems a bit more likely to snap off unexpectedly), the metal kickstand on this power bank will keep your phone propped up during a Netflix binge or video call.

It’s small and light. About the size of a standard deck of playing cards, this power bank fits easily in most pockets and even the mini-est of mini bags . It’s a hair lighter than our top pick (7.6 ounces) and has an equally slim, sleek shape.

It has plenty of power. This model’s MagSafe wireless charging pad can pass up to 7.5 W to compatible devices, which (though slower than our top pick, and somewhat sluggish compared with others we tested) is within our preferred range of wireless charging speeds. Plus, it offers even more power over USB (up to 20 W in or out of the USB-C PD port, and up to 18 W out of the USB-A port).

It can charge up to three devices at once. Since it supports pass-through charging, you can charge up to two devices (on the wireless charging pad and/or from the USB-A port) while recharging the power bank itself via USB-C. When charging three devices simultaneously, the available power is split between them, resulting in a combined maximum output of up to 18 W.

It’ll keep your phone charged throughout the day. Like our top pick, this model has a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, which is enough to fully charge most phones up to three times. Of course, if you use your phone a lot, or if you’re charging multiple devices simultaneously, the power bank will need to be recharged more frequently.

It’s made by a brand we trust. We’ve recommended numerous Anker products over the years and have found the customer support to be fast and reliable. Plus, the company backs this model with a two-year warranty, giving you plenty of time to use it and ensure you don’t have a dud.

If you regularly carry more than one device with wireless charging capabilities, get the Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand . It combines most of the features we prize in our other picks with the added versatility of our favorite multi-device wireless charging stands . It also has one of the most topple-proof phone stands of the power banks we tested, and it’s one of just a few with two wireless charging pads. But on the downside, it’s a few ounces heavier than most competitors and lacks MagSafe.

Its pop-up phone stand is the sturdiest we’ve tested. The entire top surface of the power bank, which contains the main wireless charging pad, can be folded upright into a phone stand, revealing a second wireless charging pad beneath it. The rest of the power bank forms a stable base for the propped-up phone, and four rubber dots on the bottom keep it from skidding across the tabletop.

It works with all Qi-compatible devices. Since it’s not MagSafe compatible, this power bank can’t be used for charging while on the go. However, once you get to your destination, it’s easy to set a device on top of the main Qi wireless charging pad. Three rubber dots help keep a phone or other device in place while it’s charging wirelessly, and when it’s propped up, a rubber ledge offers even more support.

The secondary charging pad, located in the base, has a grippy texture and shallow grooves around the edges to keep a small accessory—such as an Apple Watch or set of AirPods—from sliding out of place.

It’s on the heavier side but still highly portable. Weighing 10.3 ounces, this model is slightly bulkier than our other picks, but its rounded edges and slim shape still make it relatively easy to stow in a bag.

It’s powerful and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. The Satechi Duo has two wireless charging pads (the main one supports up to 10 W charging speeds, and the other up to 5 W) as well as a USB-C PD port that can charge a third device or the power bank itself at up to 18 W. It has pass-through charging capabilities and a total maximum output of 20 W.

It has enough juice for several commutes or a weekend trip. Like our top pick, this model has a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, which is enough to fully charge most phones up to three times. Of course, if you use your phone a lot, or if you’re charging multiple devices simultaneously, the power bank will need to be recharged more frequently.

It’s made by a brand we trust. Satechi is a reputable brand that has been around since 2005. This particular model is backed by a one-year warranty, and we’ve generally found the company’s customer support to be fast and reliable.

If our top pick is unavailable and you don’t mind a slightly pricier model with a flimsier kickstand: Get the Baseus PPCXZ10 . Like our top pick, it has a MagSafe wireless charging pad and USB-C PD in/out port with pass-through charging capabilities. Also like that model, it weighs less than half a pound (7.5 ounces) and has enough capacity (rated for 10,000 mAh) to charge most phones up to three times. Plus, its warranty is twice as long (two years).

However, the Baseus model’s combined maximum output (up to 15 W) falls short of what we saw with our top pick. It also costs more ($50 at this writing), and the kickstand (the size and shape of which are not unlike a toothpick) seems like it could easily snap off.

If you want something lighter and cheaper than our top pick that doubles as a wallet, and don’t mind that it has half the capacity and no kickstand: Get the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini Wallet . Like the ESR HaloLock, this power bank has a MagSafe wireless charging pad and USB-C PD in/out port with pass-through charging capabilities. It’s one of the lightest models we tested (4.9 ounces) and costs just $18 at this writing. It also has a fabric exterior that’s extra comfortable to hold and a small slot in the back to hold a few credit cards (its stretchy material keeps cards snugly in place, but I still wouldn’t trust it to hold cash or anything irreplaceable).

On the downside, it has half the capacity of our picks (rated for just 5,000 mAh), and it’s less powerful (it maxed out at 12 W in our testing). Plus, it lacks a kickstand.

If you prefer a power bank with a fabric exterior and tripod mount, and you don’t mind that it’s heavier and pricier than our top pick: Get the Mophie Snap+ Powerstation Stand . Much like our top pick, it has a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh, a combined max output of 20 W, a MagSafe wireless charging pad, a USB-C PD in/out port, pass-through charging capabilities, and a built-in kickstand. Plus, it adds a tripod connector and a comfy fabric exterior. However, it weighs more than the ESR model (9.3 ounces) and costs more ($60) at this writing.

If you want something lighter than our top pick with a super-sturdy kickstand, and don’t mind that it has half the capacity and costs a bit more : Get the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini Stand . Weighing just 6.5 ounces, it has a MagSafe wireless charging pad with a maximum output of 15 W, and a USB-C port with up to 12 W output and up to 20 W input. Its aluminum kickstand is as tall and wide as the unit itself so it’s especially sturdy, and it has a small rubber lip on the bottom to make it even more skidproof. However, it costs a few bucks more than our top pick ($60 at this writing) and has a lower capacity (5,000 mAh, or enough to fully charge most smartphones at least once).

If you want a MagSafe power bank with more power than our upgrade pick , and you don’t mind that it’s heavier and pricier: Get the OtterBox 77-89452 . Like the Satechi Duo, this power bank has a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh, two wireless charging pads, a USB-C PD in/out port, pass-through charging capabilities, and a built-in kickstand. It’s also twice as powerful, with a combined maximum output of 40 W, and it adds the benefit of MagSafe on its wireless charging pads. Still, it’s one of the bulkiest and most expensive models we tested, weighing 12.2 ounces and costing $150 at this writing.

A slew of new products with Qi2 charging capabilities were announced in late 2023 and at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2024. Qi2 uses rings of magnets to ensure easy alignment between phone and charger, but unlike MagSafe it’s not exclusively compatible with Apple products. It also allows any compatible device to charge at up to 15 W, which is twice as fast as the original Qi specifications.

We plan to test the following models against our current picks this spring, along with other Qi2-compatible power banks that are likely to launch later in the year:

• Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K) and Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K)
• Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic PowerBank
• Hyper HyperJuice 10,000mAh Qi2 Power Bank
• InfinaCore P3 Pro
• Mophie Snap+ Powerstation Mini Stand

This is not a comprehensive list of models we’ve tested. We have removed discontinued models and those that no longer meet our criteria.

Qi chargers

The Anker PowerCore 10K Wireless costs about the same as our top pick and performed similarly in our testing, but it doesn’t have a kickstand, MagSafe compatibility, or any other noteworthy features.

The Einova Power Bar has more wireless charging pads, safety and performance certifications, and included accessories than any of our picks. But it also offers less capacity for the size and price compared with those models, it lacks MagSafe compatibility, and it doesn’t have a kickstand.

The Lenovo GO Wireless Power Bank lacks MagSafe compatibility, and it has a flawed built-in cable design that makes it nearly unbearable to use.

The OtterBox 78-52163 offers less power for the size and/or price compared with otherwise similar models, and it’s not MagSafe compatible.

The RapidX MyPort comes with a desktop dock, but it’s not as convenient or reliable as the built-in kickstands of most models we tested, and it’s not MagSafe compatible.

The STM PowerKick performed fine in our testing, but it lacks MagSafe compatibility, and its most noteworthy feature (a suction-cup attachment system) only works reliably with bare phones or some case materials.

The following models offer ample capacity for the size and price, but they’re not MagSafe compatible, and they lack a kickstand:

• Mophie Powerstation Wireless XL with PD (fabric)
• OtterBox 78-80642
• OtterBox 78-80690

MagSafe chargers

The Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (A1610) , Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (A1611) , and Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (A1614) , are lighter and cheaper than our picks, but they have half the capacity and no additional features.

The Baseus PPCXW06 is lighter and cheaper than our picks, but it has a lower rated capacity and no additional features.

The Baseus PPCXM10T has a handy built-in cable, but it’s relatively short, and otherwise comparable models offer more power for the size and/or price.

The ESR HaloLock Power Bank with Wallet (2G513) offers less power for the size and/or price compared with similar models. Also, the kickstand seems more likely to snap off than others we tested (and if it does, you also lose the attached card holder).

The OtterBox Multi-Mount Power Bank with MagSafe (15W) 77-89445 comes with a desk stand, car vent mount, and wall charger. However, the power bank itself isn't exceptional, and we think most people would be better off buying each of these devices individually if they need them.

The Scosche GoBat MS 5K (PBQ5MS-SP) is lighter and cheaper than our picks, but it has half the capacity and no additional features.

The Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank supports wireless charging to a second device, but it has a smaller battery capacity and is more expensive than otherwise comparable models.

The following models offer less battery life for the size and/or price compared with otherwise comparable models, and they lack any other standout traits or features:

• Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
• Belkin BPD001
• Belkin BPD002
• Belkin BPD004
• Hyper HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack
• Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini
• Mophie Powerstation 10K Stand with MagSafe
• OtterBox 78-81175

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

Meet your guide

Sarah Witman

Sarah Witman is a senior staff writer who reports on powering and charging technology for Wirecutter. She previously worked as a writer, editor, and fact checker for several science magazines. Though she researches and tests chargers for a living, her phone battery is usually low.

Further reading

The Best Power Banks for Laptops With USB-C

by Sarah Witman

The Anker 747 PowerCore 26K is our favorite power bank for charging modern laptops as fast as possible while you’re on the go—no need to hunt for a power outlet.

The Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for Phones and Tablets

Our power bank picks allow you to pack hours of extra battery life in a pocket or purse to charge a phone, tablet, or other small electronic device.

The Best Portable Laptop Charger

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The Best Portable Solar Battery Charger

The Allpowers SP012 Solar Panel 100W is the best choice for charging a phone and other essential devices in the great outdoors.

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The 9 Best Portable Chargers For Travel

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The best portable chargers for 2022

Smartphones are getting larger and more powerful, and smartphone batteries have increased in size, too, with some phones now exceeding 5,000mAh in capacity. Most of us consistently get a day's use out of our smartphone before it needs recharging. Heavier use pushes that down, and if you're having a particularly active day, you may need to plug your phone into a charger or park it on a wireless charging pad for a while.

But plugging your phone into a charging outlet isn't always possible, especially if you're on the move, or simply far away from any power sources. That's when a portable charger, portable battery, or power bank is a godsend. Simply plug your phone into your portable charger and top up your device without being tethered to one location. Whether you need a big, bulky charger with power for days or a slim power bank that can slip into your bag and give your phone a quick top-up, there's a charger for you. Here are the best portable chargers we've found.

Nimble Champ Portable Charger

Best for those needing a pocketable charge.

• Can charge two devices at once
• Huge 10,000mAh battery
• Compact and light
• Ecological production materials and techniques
• Doesn't ship with a wall adapter

The Nimble Champ provides a 10,000 mAh battery for up to three days of power. An ultra-compact 6.4 ounces and 3 inches at its longest point, the Champ is one of the lightest and smallest battery chargers available. It can charge two devices at once via USB-C and USB-A to keep your iPhone or Android phone running for several days. It features 18W Power Delivery and QC 4.0, compatible with Apple and Android fast-charge protocols to charge up to 80% in 30 minutes. It includes a USB-A to USB-C cable but no wall adapter. The company emphasizes its ecological priorities by using certified recycled plastic for the product and biodegradable plastic-free packaging.

Imuto 20000mAh Portable Charger

Best for anyone who wants to track power levels.

• 20,000mAh, high capacity battery
• Pass through charging
• Built-in LED flashlight
• Heavy and bulky

This Imuto is a 20,000mAh, high capacity beast in a compact-sized package that supports pass through charging. The charger features two USB ports, wherein both detect your device intelligently to deliver a faster charge or charge two devices simultaneously. You get around six smartphone charges or 1.5 tablet charges. It is powered by high-quality lithium polymer batteries with multiple smart protection tech, to keep your devices safe from over-charging, over-voltage, over-current, and short-circuiting. The smart digital display shows the remaining power in digital format so you always know when the unit is fully charged and how much power remains. There's even a built-in LED flashlight for low-light locations. All this power gets a little heavy and bulky, but the benefits are worth it.

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Charmast 26,800mAh Slim Portable Charger

Best for business travelers who use more than one device.

• Can charge the average phone five times
• Slim and compact
• Versatile with numerous inputs and outputs
• Heavier than it looks
• Doesn't support pass through charging

If want to make sure your smartphones and tablets don't run out of juice, this power bank from Charmast is up to the task. With a capacity of 26,800mAh, it can charge the average phone five times while also charging earlier MacBooks and iPads twice or three times over. It also requires only nine hours of charging time, so you can replenish it overnight. Even though it offers a high capacity, it's also slim and manageable, weighing only 15 ounces. It's a great all-around machine, and with four outputs (USB-C and 3 USB-A) and three inputs (Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning), it provides plenty of versatility.

Iniu Portable Charger

Best for travelers with multiple devices who need a powerful charger.

• Digital display tracks battery levels
• Uses Quick Charge technology
• Three ports can be used simultaneously
• Bulky and heavy
• Stops charging if the digital display is switched off

Here's a 20,000mAh power bank that won't break your bank. It offers three USB ports (two USB-A, one USB-C), two of which use QC (Quick Charge) technology, which can recharge the latest iPhones from 0% to 60% in just over half an hour. It features 20,000mAh of juice, so it can help multiple devices before needing a refill itself. One of its most noteworthy features is the digital display, which tells you just how much of its own battery it has left. Also works with a variety of other devices beyond smartphones and tablets, including AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, and fitness trackers, while all three of its ports can be used simultaneously to recharge devices.

Yelomin Solar Charger Power Bank

Best for the sunlit outdoors.

• Extremely high capacity power bank
• Can recharge via its own solar panel
• Rugged and waterproof
• Solar power charging is slow

If you're planning a trek across the Sahara desert anytime soon, Yelomin's Solar Power Bank may be the portable solar phone charger for you. At a stunning 20,000mAh, this high-capacity power bank can be recharged using a regular outlet, or you can simply point the built-in solar panel at the sky so the sun can do all the work. It comes with two standard USB-A ports that can be used to charge two devices simultaneously, although you'll see faster performance if you charge one device at a time. While its use of the sun is convenient if needed, it takes noticeably longer than usual for the charger itself to recharge using solar power. Still, it is a highly rugged, waterproof, and reliable portable charger, made of a mix of PC, silicone, and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), with an advertised lifecycle of more than 900 recharges. It also offers an LED-based flashlight, just in case you're without a torch.

Mophie Powerstation Plus

Best as an iphone accessory.

• Compact, lightweight, and portable
• Features a built-in Lightning cable
• Can pinpoint the fastest charging speed per device
• Reports of slow charging

The Mophie Powerstation Plus is a highly compact, lightweight portable charger that packs a considerable amount of extra power for your device. At 6,000mAh, it provides a whole extra charge for most major smartphones and many tablets. The charger is particularly suited to iPhones because it comes with a built-in Lightning cable as well as a USB-A port. It charges at an output of 2.1A and maximum wattage of 18W and has an adaptive charging technology that can identify the fastest charging speed for your device. Mophie says the Powerstation Plus can recharge the average iPhone from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes. It has a slimline aluminum finish and comes in four colors.

Infinacore Pandora P3 Global Wireless Power Bank

Best for frequent travelers with multiple devices.

• Unit has four outputs
• Can charge several devices at once
• It has pass through charging
• LED screen tracks power percentage
• Less powerful than some competitors
• Indicator lights may be too bright for some

Consider the Infinacore Pandora P3 if you're looking to go truly wireless or want to accommodate a wide range of devices. There are three outputs — four if you count the wireless charger: A single USB-C port with PD, a QuickCharge USB 3.0 port, and a regular USB 2.0 port, and recharges at a maximum of 18W. The wireless charger tops out at 10W. It works with multiple devices, so you can charge several at once. It'll pass through power while recharging, so you can use it as a charging adapter while it's plugged into a wall socket. An LED screen on the device lists the charge percentage and a power button beneath. It feels solid and comes with a soft-touch coating that adds a lot of grip. While an 8,000mAh battery is a little small and 18W also is a little slow when flagships are pulling 25W or even 45W from their standard chargers these days, this small charger is the perfect accompaniment for shorter trips.

Elecjet PowerPie Power Bank

Best for those who need power in a sleek package.

• Massive 20,000mAh battery
• Supports pass-through charging
• Heavy and chunky
• Optimal performance requires a wall charger

Elecjet PowerPie Power Bank has a massive 20,000mAh battery, which should be enough to charge most phones three times over. It supports the USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 standard, so it can output up to 45W through the USB-C port. The Elecjet PowerPie can charge two devices at once and supports pass-through charging. It ships with a short USB-C to USB-C cable, but the supplied cable doesn't seem to support 45W charging, so you'll need a wall charger and USB-C to USB-C cable rated at 45W to get optimal performance. It's quite heavy and chunky and finished in a plain, soft-touch, matte black plastic that's comfortable to hold.

Omnicharge Omni 20

Best for those with multiple devices.

• Four powerful charging options
• OLED screen displays various power readouts
• Versatile unit powers all types of devices
• Larger in physical size
• Relatively expensive

When you need to charge every device you own, but still want something reasonably portable, the Omni 20 does the trick. This unassuming square with sloping corners packs a multitude of speedy charging options. There's a proper AC outlet, just like a wall outlet, capable of putting out 100W to a laptop or other large device — even a TV. A DC outlet can put out 70W and two USB ports — rated at 5V/3A or Quick Charge 3.0 — so whatever smartphone you own it should charge at top speed. An OLED screen shows the remaining power, how much power is coming in or going out, how much time before it runs out of juice, and the temperature. A rocker turns on the USB ports and the AC outlet. The DC port can act as an output, but it's also the best way to charge the Omni 20 and, if you use the adapter and cable provided, it can charge up fully in just three hours — not bad for a 20,400mAh capacity device. It's on the expensive side and quite large for the capacity offered, but as a one-stop charging solution for every device you own, it's hard to top.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answer generally depends on how often you travel. If you're a frequent traveler (or heavy commuter) and tend to go for relatively long spells between visits to a normal charger, portable chargers definitely are worth it. While some of the heftier chargers can be fairly pricey, they're still a good purchase if you really need to be on your phone while away from a wall socket. At the same time, many portable chargers with smaller capacities are available for reasonable prices, so even infrequent voyagers may find they're worthwhile.

The answer to this question depends on how many devices you intend to power while you're away from a wall charger. If you're using a phone and a tablet, then a portable charger with 10,000mAh or more may be worthwhile. Some people need portable chargers that offer at least 100% of their smartphone's battery, while others need even more or less. It's best to find out the battery size of your device and choose accordingly. For some people, even a smaller portable charger that offers 2,000mAh (around 50% of the average flagship smartphone) is enough, while some people who travel extensively will need at least 5,000mAh, 10,000mAh, or even more.

Most good portable chargers should last for at least a few hundred charges before beginning to deteriorate. Longevity varies among devices, so it's best to do your research and check with a charger's manufacturer (or seller) before making a purchase.

You can bring your portable charger onto an airplane. However, remember that any portable chargers must be taken as carry-on luggage, and should not be checked in with your larger suitcases and stored in the hold of the plane. This holds for the vast majority of airlines operating today. If in doubt, call your airline's customer service number to confirm their policies beforehand.

You can buy portable chargers from pretty much the same outlets as smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Apple and Samsung's official websites stock a number of portable chargers, while you can also find plenty from online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

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Jackie is an obsessive, insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app fanatic, her specialties include cross-platform hardware and software, art, design, photography, video, and a wide range of creative and productivity apps and systems. Formerly senior editor at Macworld and creativity editor at The Next Web, Jackie now writes for a variety of consumer tech publications.

Are you looking for Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, or S22 deals? Since Samsung introduced the Galaxy S22, this is a better time than ever to shop for cheap Samsung Galaxy S20 deals -- and Galaxy smartphone deals are exactly what we've got. From the big-box online stores to mobile network service providers, we've combed the web to bring you all the best Samsung Galaxy S20 deals, bundles, and carrier offers available right now with discounts that can save you hundreds on a new Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 models. If you love all things Samsung and want to see what else is on offer at the moment, then head on over to these Samsung Galaxy Note 20 deals once you're done here. We may see supply chain issues, shipping delays, low inventory, and even more materials shortages -- like what's happening with the computer chip market. If you're ready to see what's available, check out our top picks below. Today's best Galaxy S20 deals

Samsung Galaxy S20

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are in the books, but that doesn't mean deals have ceased to exist. You have another week of slowly diminishing Cyber Monday deals to take advantage of. There are still some truly epic Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals out there, so whether you're eyeing the Apple Watch SE or want to save money on the expensive Ultra, we've rounded up the best deals right here. Not in the market for an Apple Watch? Check out our Cyber Monday smartwatch deals for money off other brands. Don't forget, this is the last major sales event of 2022, so the only way to ensure you get your new watch in time for the holidays is to order today. Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) -- $149, was $279

The Apple Watch SE 1st Gen has a large screen, and great features for the price. WatchOS is as pleasant as ever to use thanks to Apple's incredible software engineering. It also features an all-day battery life, which is certainly welcome. It's a solid entry point if you've never owned a smartwatch or an Apple Watch before.

If you're a certified road warrior or hardcore traveler, mobile hotspots are now essential gear. Whether you’re traveling to a remote place and need to stay up to date with your emails or visiting a city and wish to avoid public Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots are for you. While your new smartphone likely has a mobile hotspot built-in, standalone Wi-Fi hotspots are more flexible, especially for multiple devices and phones with network data caps. With a hotspot, you can connect your laptop, phone, tablet, or Wi-Fi-connected camera without component battery drain. We found some excellent hotspots for you to choose from.

The proliferation of 5G networks has increased the prevalence of 5G hotspots. If 4G LTE is not cutting it for your needs, have a look at our list of the best 5G hotspots.

The best laptop power bank in 2024: stay charged wherever you work

Stay charged when working from home with our pick of the best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks around

• Best overall
• Best affordable
• Best compatibility
• Best for travel
• Best high-powered
• Best for Macs
• Best feature-rich
• Best for Mac professionals
• Best versatility
• Best solar-optimized

1. Best overall 2. Best affordable 3. Best compatibility 4. Best for travel 5. Best high-powered 6. Best for Macs 7. Best feature-rich 8. Best for Mac professionals 9. Best versatility 10. Best solar-optimized

Securing the best laptop power bank is a smart move for anyone who finds themselves frequently on the move or looking to maximize productivity during their commute. 

In today's fast-paced world, being prepared with a reliable power bank for your laptop is almost as essential as the laptop itself. Despite advancements in even the best laptop battery life, the duration your device can operate without a charge still largely depends on the intensity of its use. Furthermore, the opportunity to charge up in public spaces, such as cafes, is becoming increasingly scarce.

So choosing the right laptop power bank is important and involves several considerations. It's important to verify compatibility with your laptop, particularly for models that require proprietary chargers. Assessing the power output is crucial as well, especially for demanding laptops like the best mobile workstations or the best gaming laptops , to ensure the power bank can adequately support your laptop's energy needs. Additionally, the capacity of the power bank's internal battery will determine how many charges you can get for your device, and its size impacts its portability.

While finding the perfect laptop power bank might seem daunting, the effort is well justified by the convenience and freedom it provides. To streamline your search, we've compiled a list of the best portable laptop chargers available right now, designed to save you time and simplify your decision-making process. Explore our top recommendations to find the power bank that best suits your mobile work and lifestyle needs.

The best laptop power bank in 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

 Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best laptop power bank options in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. 

The best laptop power bank overall

1. baseus blade, specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Baseus Blade is an impressive portable charger that is merely 0.7 inches thick and around 1.08lb. It has a smart digital display that gives important readout information, including the power percentage left on the battery, voltage, and current display. This portable battery has two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. The USB-C ports can be used to either charge the portable battery or output to another device.

This portable charger is fantastic. It's slim, lightweight, and powerful enough to charge multiple devices with its 20,000mAh battery. Not only that, but it charges these devices quickly. The Baseus Blade is fantastic for work trips to the coffee shop, a plane, or anywhere you may need to charge your beloved electronics but are unsure if you'll be able to find an outlet or don't want to risk an outlet.

The best affordable laptop power bank overall

2. einova ultra fast powerbank.

The Einova Ultra Fast Powerbank keeps things simple, compact, and reliable, which is all you want from a laptop power bank you want to travel with. At 6.75 x 4 x 0.63 inches and 0.498kg, it's thin and relatively lightweight. Combine that with its 74Wh power, and you've got a device that keeps things portable for jet-setting creatives and remote working professionals and is TSA-approved. It even has an easy-to-read LCD display to show just how much juice it has left.

More importantly, unlike other so-called laptop chargers that sometimes fail to work, this one's incredibly reliable and capable of charging your laptop every time. And that's while charging your other portables with its 3-port selection. It may only have the standard 20,000mAh capacity, but that's a full laptop charge and a half, definitely more than enough to last you while you're in between outlets. Best yet, it's under $100, cheaper than most of the offerings on this list.

The best laptop power bank for compatibility

3. maxoak k2 portable charger 50,000mah.

Laptop power banks are a tricky thing. Most are only compatible with specific portables, depending on the available output port and the energy transfer rate. Luckily, you’ve got the MaxOak K2 Portable Charger. With a maximum power of 130W and two DC outputs – not to mention a variety of DC adapters included – this power bank is compatible with many laptops. That makes it useful for households with multiple types of laptops and devices. Unfortunately, this isn’t TSA-approved, due to its 185Wh, over the 100Wh TSA standard. However, it’s great for road trips, camping, and train rides.

The best laptop power bank for travel

4. omnicharge 20+ 20000mah.

With just 70wh, the OmniCharge 20+ 20000mah is TSA-approved, making it an excellent companion for work trips abroad and if you have long layovers. It’s compatible with 60W USB-C laptops like the MacBook Pro 13-inch and Dell XPS 2-in-1, but its 100W AC outlet is great for other laptops and other tech gadgets like DSLRs . Finally, it features passthrough charging, so you can charge it while simultaneously powering devices via the AC or USB-A ports. It is a bit more expensive than the MaxOak Laptop Power Bank. However, its versatility does make it worth the higher price tag.

The best overpowered laptop power bank

5. halo bolt 58830.

The HALO Bolt 58830 isn’t just a portable laptop charger, but it is effective thanks to its AC outlet. This portable charger is also designed to jumpstart a car and is great for laptops that draw up to 60W of power. 

It has its own jump start port and comes with its own jumper cables. And, unlike other portable laptop chargers, which only come in one or two colors, this one comes in seven different colors/design patterns, making it ideal for folks who don’t care for the minimalist approach. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a USB-C port, and the AC outlet should take care of most of your laptop charging needs.

The best laptop power bank for Macs

6. zmi usb pd backup battery & hub.

For MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users that only require up to 30W of power and utilize USB-C charging, the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery & Hub is a terrific option. It doesn’t have an AC outlet, but its USB-C port lets you charge your older MacBook units. ZMI also promises HP Spectre x360 13-inch and Samsung Chromebook Pro compatibility. Thanks to its two USB-A ports, you can also charge your other devices. More importantly for travelers and digital nomads, it boasts a svelte and lightweight design – at 405 g, it’s a lot lighter than the iPad Air.

The best feature-rich laptop power bank

7. poweradd pilot pro 32000mah power bank.

The POWERADD Pilot Pro might be as versatile as laptop chargers come. It comes equipped with an LCD display showing important information like battery level and voltage. It also has two USB outputs and a DC output to accommodate various devices, from smartphones and tablets to power-hungry laptops. The charger also comes with 10 different connectors making it compatible with most laptops. It also has fast charging and built-in safety features like over-charge, over-temp, and short-circuit protection.

The best laptop power bank for professional Mac users

8. maxoak k3 36000mah power bank.

For anyone who’s bought into the Apple ecosystem or has multiple Apple devices, the MAXOAK K3 36000mAh Power Bank is the perfect portable solution. Via its DC port and Magsafe 1 and 2 cables, this laptop charger can power up any Apple laptop from 2006 to 2018. And its PD 2.0 Type C port covers any of the newer USB-C-only MacBooks and can charge any laptop equipped with a USB-C port. The type-C port can also be used to charge the power bank if you happen to misplace the MAXOAK charger. If that’s not enough, it fits aesthetically with its silver aluminum shell and rounded edges.

The best 'everything' laptop power bank

9. krisdonia 50000mah laptop power bank.

This incredibly high-capacity laptop power bank might have too much power to take on a flight. However, it’s ideal for long road trips. It’s also incredibly versatile, with 28 different laptop connectors and a Magsafe 2 adapter to accommodate just about any laptop under the sun. 

The laptop charger also has a passthrough function that can be easily turned on and off and a LED display that shows the voltage and current battery level. Unfortunately, even though it is the highest capacity charger on this list at 50,000mAh, it can fully charge in 6-8 hours – charging overnight is obligatory.

The best solar-optimized laptop power bank

10. voltaic systems v88 portable laptop power bank.

The Voltaic Systems V88 Portable Laptop Power Bank has all the necessary features that any great laptop power bank should have, including four outputs, passthrough functionality, and an easy-to-read LCD display for monitoring the battery level and voltage. 

It’s fairly versatile, including 10 laptop adapters that should cover most users’ needs. At 88Wh, it’s also airplane-friendly. The Voltaic power bank is unique, though, because it’s solar-optimized. This means it works with solar chargers and solar panels when traditional power sources are unavailable. 

While those have to be purchased separately, this feature makes the Voltaic Systems V88 particularly useful for those going off-grid.

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10 Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators Of 2024

Fact Checked

Portable oxygen concentrators are life-saving medical devices that offer supplemental oxygen to people with pulmonary, cardiac and blood disorders. They’re also helpful tools for those on the go, and unlike stationary oxygen concentrators, they are battery-operated and don’t need an electrical outlet. These portable devices “give people the freedom not to be tethered to an AC-powered concentrator,” says Bob Bacheler, the Philadelphia-based managing director of Flying Angels, a company that provides non-emergency medical transport on commercial airlines.

The Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on over 30 products to determine the best portable oxygen concentrators on the market, ranking them based on affordability, battery life, product weight, range of settings and more.

Note: All product prices are accurate as of the publication date.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Health

The Forbes Health editorial team prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Our ranking is based on quantitative data and is free from conflicts of interest. We carefully fact check the information featured in our ranking and are committed to producing rankings and supplemental content about oxygen concentrators that readers can trust. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our oxygen concentrator methodology for the rankings below.

• 15+ oxygen concentrator manufacturers considered
• 40+ oxygen concentrator models evaluated
• 20 metrics analyzed
• Best Home Oxygen Concentrators
• Best Pulse Oximeters
• Best Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators
• Best Walk In Tubs
• Best Stair Lifts
• Best Tens Units

Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators of 2024: Reviews and Costs

Oxygo next portable oxygen concentrator, precision medical live active five portable oxygen concentrator, precision medical easypulse portable oxygen concentrator 3-liter, inogen one g5 oxygen concentrator.

• EasyPulse Portable Oxygen Concentrator 5-Liter

02 Concepts OxLife Liberty

Caire freestyle comfort, 3b medical aer x, arya portable oxygen concentrator, invacare platinum mobile oxygen concentrator, methodology: how we picked the best portable oxygen concentrators of 2024, what are portable oxygen concentrators, types of oxygen concentrators, how to use an oxygen concentrator, who might benefit from a portable oxygen concentrator, what to look for in a portable oxygen concentrator, health benefits of using a portable oxygen concentrator, how much do portable oxygen concentrators cost, how to save money on oxygen concentrators, what is the best affordable portable oxygen concentrator, how long does a portable oxygen concentrator last, where to buy the best portable oxygen concentrator, how to choose the right oxygen concentrator for you, summary: compare the best portable oxygen concentrators of 2024, frequently asked questions (faqs), explore our featured oxygen concentrator partner, our top 10 portable oxygen concentrators.

• Best Lightweight Device: OxyGo Next Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Best Simple Design: Precision Medical Live Active Five Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Best Value: Precision Medical EasyPulse Portable Oxygen Concentrator 3-Liter
• Best for Travel: Inogen One G5 Oxygen Concentrator
• Best 5-Liter Concentrator: Precision Medical EasyPulse Portable Oxygen Concentrator 5-Liter
• Best Pulse Flow Setting Range: 02 Concepts OxLife Liberty
• Best Single Battery Capacity: Caire Freestyle Comfort
• Best Compact Design: 3B Medical Aer X
• Best Warranty: Arya Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• Best Durability: Invacare Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator

• Starting price: $2,850
• Product weighs 4.7 pounds with a single battery
• 6.5-hour standard battery life with a single battery

Lightweight and easy to handle, the OxyGo Next portable oxygen concentrator is perfect for users with an active lifestyle. The tankless, cartless system can be charged at home or in the car, and with a charging time of three hours, a single battery can last more than six hours. It also comes with a convenient shoulder strap bag for easy transport.

• Six pulse flow settings
• Easy-to-read LCD display
• Long battery life compared to competing products
• More expensive than competing models
• Not waterproof

The OxyGo Next is also available with a double battery pack, which increases its weight to 5.7 pounds and extends its battery life to as much as 13 hours. By connecting the OxyGo Next portable oxygen concentrator via Bluetooth with the My OxyGo App, users can monitor their device’s battery life and control settings from iOS and Android phones.

Have you considered Inogen One G5 Portable Concentrator?

Designed for active lifestyles, Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator provides you with the oxygen you need, wherever and whenever you need it. Here's why we chose it:

Lightest among all units that have a flow setting of 1 to 6, weighing only 4.7 pounds with a single battery

Designed for 24-hour usage and features an easy-to-use display

With its long battery life and FAA-Approval, it can be used in flight

• Starting price: $2,310
• Product weighs 5 pounds

The Live Active Five portable oxygen concentrator offers a multitude of features, including a large, easy-to-read display, convenient battery access, five pulse dose settings and a one-touch start option. It comes with a starter kit that includes power cords and car adaptors, as well as a custom carrying bag and an accessory bag. Plus, the device uses controlled minute volume technology to help keep noise in check.

• Features specialized cleaning technology to keep air pure, according to the company
• Users can change batteries while device is in its carrying bag
• Battery charges faster than competing products
• Fewer pulse dose settings than some competing products
• Battery only comes with a six-month warranty

The Live Active Five comes with a three-year warranty, though the battery is only under warranty for six months, and the sieve beds, or filters that separate nitrogen from oxygen, are under warranty for one year. Customers can choose to purchase a “power bundle,” which features an extra lithium ion battery.

• Starting price: $2,081.52
• Product weighs 4.9 pounds
• 5.5-hour standard battery life with a single battery

This lightweight device is ideal for travel and even comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. It can be charged and used in the car, and it’s designed to switch between various setting options with ease. The EasyPulse portable oxygen concentrator also features built-in alarms to notify users of concerns, such as a low battery or an accelerated breathing rate.

• Five-year warranty longer than some competing products
• More affordable than some competing products
• Vacuum pressure swing adsorption technology results in high oxygen purity, according to the company
• Louder than some competing products (42 decibels)
• Only offers three pulse flow settings

Customers can choose to purchase an additional external battery pack, which extends the battery life to 11 hours.

• Starting price: $3,238.20
• 6.5-hour battery life with a single battery

The Inogen One G5 Oxygen Concentrator is one of the most lightweight devices featured on our list, making it ideal for travel—especially since it’s approved by the ​​Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. It comes with a convenient travel bag and can supply round-the-clock oxygen with battery, AC and DC power options. Users can conveniently connect their G5 via Bluetooth to the Inogen Connect app to monitor device performance, including remaining battery life, from their smartphone.

• Features six pulse flow settings
• Lightweight compared to competing products
• HSA/FSA eligible
• Expensive compared to competing models
• Shorter warranty compared to competing devices

The Inogen One G5 comes with a three-year warranty, and customers can purchase a lifetime warranty for an additional fee. While choosing to purchase a double battery pack increases the device’s cost and weight, it also increases its battery life to 13 hours when used on the first flow setting.

Precision Medical EasyPulse Portable Oxygen Concentrator 5-Liter

• Product weighs 6.6 pounds
• 4.7-hour standard battery life with a single battery

The larger version of the 3-liter EasyPulse, this 5-liter portable oxygen concentrator starts with the click of a single button. It comes with a five-year warranty on the device and a one-year warranty on the battery, power supplies and cords. Ideal for people on the go, it’s designed to fit under an airplane seat and can be charged in your car.

• Simple display and user interface
• Indicator lights caution users if problems arise, such as when batteries are low
• Relatively short battery life compared to competing models
• Heavier than competing models

Users who prefer a backpack to a standard carrying case can purchase a specialty backpack for an additional fee.

• Starting price: $2,895
• Product weighs 6.35 pounds
• 4.5-hour standard battery life with a single battery

With the widest range of pulse flow settings available, the OxLife Liberty can suit a variety of oxygen supplementation needs. While it’s slightly larger than similar portable oxygen concentrators, this device is designed for travel, with AC and DC adaptors and a quick battery charge time of under three hours. The device also comes with a convenient carrying case.

• Nine pulse flow settings
• Convenient color LCD display
• Supplies 24-hour oxygen when using AC or DC power sources in addition to battery
• Heavier than competing products
• Relatively short battery life compared to competing products

OxLife Liberty users can allow clinicians to view device data and monitor patients in real time via the company’s dynamic network analysis (DNA) technology powered by Verizon.

• Starting price: $2,995
• Product weighs 5.07 pounds
• 8-hour standard battery life with a single battery

While many single battery-powered oxygen concentrators last for about four to five hours, the Freestyle Comfort’s eight-hour battery life provides users with extra peace of mind. It also features various smart technologies to monitor oxygen saturation and adjust oxygen flow based on user respiration statistics.

• Long single battery life compared to competing products
• Curved, ergonomic design meant to hug the wearer’s body for enhanced comfort
• Easy-to-read LED display with glow-in-the-dark function
• Expensive compared to competing products
• Fewer pulse settings than competing products

The Freestyle Comfort comes with a carrying bag, a battery pack, AC and DC power supplies and a three-year warranty. Read more in our Caire oxygen concentrator review .

• Starting price: $2,172.83
• Product weighs 4.25 pounds
• 4-hour standard battery life with a single battery

This petite portable oxygen concentrator features a full-color LCD screen, and it’s designed with safety in mind. It delivers up to 20% more oxygen than similar units, according to the company, and it automatically provides extra oxygen when you need it. The concentrator is also easy to maintain and comes with a five-year warranty.

• FAA-approved for in-flight use
• More affordable than competing products
• Magnetic cannula detaches if cord gets caught on an object during use
• Relatively short standard battery life compared to competing products
• Fewer pulse flow settings than competing products

The Aer X features user-friendly, easy-press buttons to control settings.

• Starting price: $3,295

The Arya Portable Oxygen Concentrator has a lofty price tag, but it also comes with a lifetime warranty for enhanced peace of mind. (The sieve beds are protected by a five-year warranty). What’s more, its smart oxygen delivery system adjusts to the user’s breathing to ensure proper oxygen delivery at all times, according to the company.

• Every purchase comes with a year’s supply of nasal cannulas
• Double-cell battery lasts the longest compared to competing devices
• Most expensive device on our list
• Bulkier than some competing products

By purchasing a double 16-cell battery, users can extend the Arya’s battery life to 16 hours.

• Starting price: $2,495
• 5-hour standard battery life with a single battery

The Invacare Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator is a durable device that features a bumper in its carry bag, along with a foam-encapsulated compressor. It’s even water resistant for up to 10 minutes. Plus, its batteries can be swapped on the go without interrupting oxygen supply. Batteries are loaded in the top, which means you don’t have to switch the unit off or take the device out of its bag to swap them.

• Five-year warranty
• Design allows for easy change of HEPA filter and batteries
• Batteries charge in fewer than three hours
• More expensive than competing products
• Fewer pulse flow settings than some competing products

The Invacare Platinum comes with a convertible carrying case that can be worn as a messenger-style bag, handbag or backpack.

To determine the best portable oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 30 products, ranking them based on:

• Product weight
• Battery life
• Power source options
• Range of oxygen settings
• Wearability
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval
• Warranty details
• Provides six flow settings
• Lightweight design weighing under 5 pounds
• Capable of 24/7 oxygen delivery
• Battery life up to 6.5 hours
• Very quiet at only 39 decibels

Portable oxygen concentrators are battery-operated devices that provide supplemental oxygen to people who “require greater oxygen concentrations than the levels of ambient air,” says Sanul Corrielus, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist based in Philadelphia. “Oxygen concentrators draw oxygen from your immediate environment,” he adds, meaning they don’t require refillable oxygen canisters or tanks, which makes maintenance and upkeep easy.

How Does a Portable Oxygen Concentrator Work?

A portable oxygen concentrator, sometimes called a POC, is similar to a home oxygen concentrator (OC) but more mobile, says Corrielus. These devices are small enough to carry, which makes them ideal for travel, and some are approved for use on airlines.

According to Corrielus, here’s how an oxygen concentrator works:

• The device draws in air from your surrounding environment.
• Air is compressed inside the device.
• Nitrogen is filtered out of the air.
• Pure oxygen is inhaled through a nasal tube (cannula) or mask.

There are two types of oxygen concentrators: stationary oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators.

Stationary oxygen concentrators , or home oxygen concentrators , tend to provide continuous oxygen flow at larger volumes than portable machines. They’re also significantly larger than most portable options, typically weighing between about 30 and 55 pounds. These models often feature handles for easy rolling or moving from one location to another in a person’s home.

Portable oxygen concentrators provide individuals who need supplemental oxygen outside of their home with a much more lightweight and mobile solution. They deliver oxygen in the same way stationary oxygen concentrators do, but they tend to push lower volumes of oxygen comparatively. Most of these devices use rechargeable lithium ion batteries instead of relying on a wall adapter, so they also require frequent recharging.

Deciding which option works best for you ultimately depends on your lifestyle and supplemental oxygen needs. A stationary concentrator provides a higher oxygen output often at a lower cost while portable devices are smaller and travel-friendly. Work with your health care professional to determine which oxygen concentrator would make the most sense for you.

What Type of Portable Oxygen Concentrator Is Best?

The best portable oxygen concentrator depends on your health needs, lifestyle preferences and budget. Work with your health care provider to determine which portable oxygen concentrator best suits your needs.

Portable oxygen concentrators are powered via a rechargeable battery that connects to the bottom of the concentrator. How long the battery lasts varies depending on the speed at which the user breathes (breaths per minute) and their required oxygen flow rate.

To use a portable oxygen concentrator, begin by attaching the nasal cannula (the device that helps deliver the oxygen to the nose) and turning on the device. Adjust the oxygen flow settings based on your health care provider’s prescription. Make a habit of checking the display screen to confirm adequate battery life before use, and carry an extra battery when you’re planning on being away from home (or an electrical outlet for charging) for an extended period of time.

Clean a portable oxygen concentrator using a mild dish soap and water, taking care to keep water away from the nasal cannula tubing. The cannula tubing should be replaced every two to four weeks, or sooner if it becomes damaged.

Anyone with a condition that may cause a low blood oxygen level (hypoxia) may benefit from supplemental oxygen, says Bacheler. Such conditions can include anemia , asthma , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , lung cancer, heart failure and congenital heart disease.

There are numerous features to consider when choosing a portable oxygen concentrator, but there are a few particularly important details to think about when browsing your options.

Oxygen Delivery Modes

While stationary oxygen concentrators deliver a continuous flow of oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators can either provide a continuous flow or a pulse mode, explains Bacheler. Pulse mode portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) can only be used by those using nasal cannulas who have enough breathing power to trigger the device to deliver a pulse of oxygen. People with tracheostomies (a surgical opening in the neck into the trachea) or very poor breathing ability need a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator. Some POCs feature both pulse dose and continuous flow settings.

It’s also important to consider the amount of oxygen needed, says Bacheler. Pulse mode portable oxygen concentrators can typically deliver 1 to 6 liters of oxygen per minute, though some small ones are limited to 3 liters per minute. Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators can only provide 1 to 3 liters of oxygen per minute.

Battery Life

Batteries on pulse mode portable oxygen concentrators have a much longer life than those on continuous flow concentrators, according to Bacheler.

All portable concentrators have a car charger, he notes, but airplanes don’t “have enough power to operate a POC, so the user needs to have enough batteries to operate the POC for the duration of a flight.” Many airlines require passengers to have enough battery life for 150% of a planned flight time as a safety precaution to avoid emergencies. If you use a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, that could mean traveling with an additional 20 to 30 pounds of batteries, says Bacheler.

Size and Weight

Portable oxygen concentrators range in weight from about 5 to 20 pounds, says Bacheler. Smaller concentrators have a lower oxygen capacity, so it’s usually best to opt for a larger device if you need a lot of supplemental oxygen. Consider how often you travel and what size would best fit your lifestyle. If you frequently fly on airplanes, make sure the device you’re considering is approved for air travel before you purchase it.

If you require supplemental oxygen but want to lead a more active lifestyle, a portable oxygen concentrator provides the flexibility and mobility needed to breathe comfortably while away from home. Some models can provide individuals with as much as 12 hours of continuous oxygen, making it possible for people who use supplemental oxygen to travel or partake in more remote activities without worrying about running out of oxygen. They’re also lightweight for easy carrying, and many models are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved for airplane travel.

Experience The Inogen One G5 - A Step Forward In Oxygen Therapy Innovation

The Inogen G5 is a robust and versatile concentrator that provides six flow settings in a lightweight design weighing under 5 pounds. It's capable of 24/7 oxygen delivery, has a long battery life and features remarkably quiet operation.

Potential Risks of Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Although oxygen is a safe, non-flammable gas, it does support combustion, meaning materials will burn more quickly in an oxygen-rich environment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following safety guidelines while using a portable oxygen concentrator:

• Avoid using an oxygen concentrator while smoking or near an open flame.
• Place your oxygen concentrator in an open space to reduce the risk of overheating.
• To maintain optimal device performance, do not cover or block any vents on the oxygen concentrator.
• Check your device for alarms or indications that you’re getting adequate oxygen.

Meanwhile, keep in mind that because portable oxygen concentrators use rechargeable batteries, it’s important to carry an extra battery whenever you anticipate being away from home for long stretches of time.

Oxygen concentrators that deliver 4 liters of oxygen per minute or more may cause nasal dryness and nosebleeds. However, humidifier attachments can help to add moisture to the oxygen you inhale to alleviate symptoms.

Additionally, the American Lung Association warns individuals against using over-the-counter portable oxygen concentrators. While these devices may be more affordable than oxygen concentrators that require a prescription, they may not be able to meet oxygen needs for certain conditions, such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis.

Portable oxygen concentrators tend to cost around $2,500, but there are models that are both more affordable and more expensive. Data compiled by the Forbes Health editorial team suggests that prices tend to range from about $700 to $3,500, depending on the manufacturer and model. Many oxygen concentrators are available for rent as well, significantly reducing the cost for those who don’t want to buy a device outright.

Does Medicare Cover Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Medicare Part B often helps cover the cost of renting oxygen equipment, such as portable concentrators. However, you must meet the following conditions:

• A doctor must confirm you have severe lung disease or don’t get enough oxygen on your own.
• An oxygen concentrator might help improve your health.
• Other measures to improve your oxygen intake have already failed.

If you already own a portable oxygen concentrator, Medicare does help pay for supplies and for the delivery of oxygen.

Does Insurance Cover Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Many private insurers cover portable oxygen concentrators, too, but it depends on the details of your specific plan. For instance, the Inogen One Oxygen Concentrator is covered by “many private insurance plans” at little or no cost, though copayments and deductibles may apply. Contact your insurance provider to find out exactly how much is covered.

If Medicare or your private insurance doesn’t cover an oxygen concentrator, there are ways to reduce costs for these devices. For instance, some medical equipment providers may allow individuals to purchase oxygen concentrators on a payment plan, which will allow them to pay off the cost of the device in small, incremental payments over a predetermined amount of time.

Alternatively, consider purchasing either a used or refurbished oxygen concentrator from a reputable dealer or manufacturer. Used concentrators are typically devices that have been returned, sanitized and tested for oxygen purity levels, with mechanical parts replaced or fixed as needed. Refurbished devices generally have all new mechanical components with repurposed casing and cosmetic fixtures.

Can You Rent a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

If you only need supplemental oxygen therapy for a temporary amount of time, such as if you’re recovering from an illness, it may make more sense to rent a portable oxygen concentrator rather than purchase one. Rental costs for portable oxygen concentrators typically range anywhere from $245 to $500 per week, depending on factors like the type of device, the medical equipment supplier you rent from and your specific oxygen needs.

To rent a portable oxygen concentrator, you’ll likely need to provide your oxygen prescription and insurance information to the device supplier. For Medicare beneficiaries, Part B may cover the costs of renting oxygen equipment and accessories as durable medical equipment (DME) if your doctor prescribes it as medically necessary.

Ultimately, the best affordable portable oxygen concentrator for you is the one that can deliver the supplemental oxygen you need, works for your particular lifestyle and accommodates your personal budget. If your health care provider prescribed supplemental oxygen as part of your care plan, speak with them about affordable device options, including rental opportunities, that can meet your health needs effectively. Also reach out to your health care provider to learn whether your plan covers more costs of oxygen concentrators made and supported by certain manufacturers.

Depending on the model, a portable oxygen concentrator may provide continuous oxygen flow for up to 12 hours on a single battery charge, but some devices need to be charged more frequently and only provide individuals with two to four hours of oxygen per charge.

You typically need a prescription for supplemental oxygen from your health care provider to purchase or rent an oxygen concentrator. Once these needs are established, it’s best to ask your health care provider and health insurance provider where they recommend sourcing a device from to keep costs manageable. Based on this information, you can consider a number of online medical supply companies, as well as those with brick-and-mortar locations near you.

Inogen’s robust and versatile concentrator offers multiple flow settings. With its lightweight design, it works using Intelligent Delivery technology to detect breathing rates while adjusting the oxygen level accordingly.

On Oxygen Concentrator Store's Website

The best portable oxygen concentrator for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your prescribed liter flow, battery life and device size and weight. You may also want to consider factors such as how loud the device is and if it’s FAA-approved. Consult with your health care provider to determine which portable oxygen concentrator best suits your individual needs.

What is the cheapest portable oxygen concentrator?

Portable oxygen concentrator prices vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and model, so it’s best to consult your health care provider and health insurance company to find the most cost-effective portable oxygen concentrator that suits your specific needs.

Which is the smallest portable oxygen concentrator?

Weighing in at just 4.25 pounds, the 3B Medical Aer X portable oxygen concentrator is the smallest device included on our list.

Are portable oxygen concentrators effective?

Portable oxygen concentrators are effective when used as prescribed. Make sure you’re clear with your health care provider about your lifestyle and needs so they can appropriately guide you in determining which portable oxygen concentrator is best for you. It’s also important to pay attention to battery life and ensure routine cleaning of your portable oxygen concentrator.

What's the best home oxygen machine for COPD?

The best home oxygen device for COPD will improve an individual’s symptoms, organ function and ability to engage in physical activity. To determine specific supplemental oxygen needs, individuals will need to undergo certain tests (like oximetry or an arterial blood gas study) with their health care provider to determine the best supplemental oxygen therapy for their unique needs.

Can you use a portable concentrator at night?

Some portable oxygen concentrators aren’t advised for sleep—home concentrators are often preferred. If you require supplemental oxygen while at rest, confirm with your health care provider which device is most appropriate for you and what settings should be used at various points of the day and night.

Do I need a prescription to buy or rent a portable oxygen concentrator?

Yes. Supplemental oxygen is only sold or rented if you have a prescription, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Using a concentrator without a doctor’s prescription could lead to health problems, including oxygen toxicity, which occurs when you receive too much oxygen, states the agency. Your prescription states how much oxygen you should use and the duration for which you need it.

Can you take portable oxygen concentrators on airplanes?

Yes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows certain portable oxygen machines or concentrators—including the Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse and Airsep Lifestyle—onboard airplanes.

In order to be permitted on a flight, the devices must meet certain criteria. For example, they cannot radiate radio frequency emissions that interfere with the plane’s systems, and it’s important that they don’t generate compressed gas. Additionally, they can’t contain any hazardous materials. Check with the FAA if you’re unsure whether your portable oxygen machine or concentrator qualifies to fly.

Which is better, a 5-liter or 10-liter oxygen concentrator?

Whether a 5- or 10-liter oxygen concentrator is best depends on an individual’s supplemental oxygen needs. Your health care provider will prescribe a certain amount of oxygen, written as liter flow per minute (LPM). Speak with your health care provider to determine whether a 5- or 10-liter capacity would best suit your needs.

Can you get too much oxygen from an oxygen concentrator?

Yes, using an oxygen concentrator without a prescription may result in receiving too much or too little oxygen for your needs. Taking in too much oxygen may lead to oxygen toxicity, which may cause coughing or difficulty breathing. Only use an oxygen concentrator when prescribed by a health care provider.

• Hardavella G, Karampinis I, Frille A, et al.. Oxygen devices and delivery systems. Breathe. 2019;15(3):e108–e116.
• Oxygen Therapy: Getting Started with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator. American Lung Association. Accessed 11/30/2022.
• Your Oxygen Equipment. UCSF Health. Accessed 11/30/2022.
• Oxygen equipment & accessories. Medicare.gov. Accessed 11/30/2022.
• Using Oxygen at Home. American Lung Association. Accessed 11/30/2022.
• Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen Safely. American Lung Association. Accessed 9/13/2023.
• The Need For Supplemental Oxygen. UCSF Health. Accessed 9/13/2023.
• Treating COPD. American Lung Association. Accessed 9/13/2023.
• Understanding Oxygen Toxicity. UC San Diego Health. Accessed 9/13/2023.

Next Up In Medical Supplies

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Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.

Angela Haupt has been a health writer and editor for more than a decade. She was previously the managing editor of health at U.S. News & World Report, where she spent 11 years covering and editing wellness and conditions topics. She helped launch the popular Best Diets rankings and continued to oversee the franchise throughout her time there. Angela has also written about health and wellness for publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Everyday Health and Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about helping people make healthier decisions through accurate journalism that delivers the facts and puts them in context.

Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.

Robby has spent his career in a variety of writing, editing and storytelling roles. He now resides near Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and three kids. He enjoys woodworking, playing rec league soccer and supporting chaotic, downtrodden sports franchises like the Miami Dolphins and Tottenham Hotspur.

JBL Xtreme 4 speaker review: A powerful portable for parties

At a glance

Expert's Rating

・Plays both loud and well

・IP67 rated

・Multiple compatible devices can be linked (Partyboost/Auracast)

・Replaceable battery

・Relatively unwieldy as a travel speaker

・Not backward compatible with older JBL models (with Connect or Connect+)

Our Verdict

The JBL Xtreme 4 is an extremely competent portable Bluetooth speaker with impressive battery life, great sound, and enough muscle to play really loud without distortion. Virtually impervious to the elements, this speaker lives up to its name whether the party is at the beach, the pool, or even just in your family room.

Price When Reviewed

Best prices today: jbl xtreme 4.

Retailer Price JBL $379.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket

JBL is a major player in the portable speaker market, offering Bluetooth speakers ranging from the very small Clip and Go series to the giant Boombox . In between are the medium-sized options: the Pulse, Flip, Charge, and Xtreme.

The model names are well established in our minds, and most of the speakers are now in their third or fourth generation. At CES in January, JBL presented the mischievous Clip 5 and Go 4, as well as this, long-awaited piece, the Xtreme 4 .

JBL has replaced its Partyboost technology with the newer and more stable Auracast, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (BLE) to stream the same music to multiple speakers at once.

The Xtreme series has been something of a favorite among our editors . Optimal for those who want to take a slightly larger speaker with them, whether it’s to the pool, the beach, or a gathering in the park. With a fairly compact body weighing 4.6 pounds (2.1Kg), the Xtreme 4 isn’t the lightest travel companion, but it will reward those who lug it along.

Andreas Bergsman

The Xtreme 4 is available in three colors: black, blue, or camouflage. Since the speaker lacks an integrated handle, it comes with an adjustable carrying strap that can be hooked to the top if you prefer to hang it over your shoulder instead of transporting it in a bag or something similar. A fun detail is that the buckle on the strap itself can also be used as a bottle opener.

This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best Bluetoth speakers .

Good has become better

The Xtreme 4 is nearly 1/4-pound heavier and slightly wider around the waist compared to its predecessor, but it rests more surely on its bottom than previous generations. It remains wrapped in coarse fabric all around, and it retains the large passive bass radiators on each end cap. Like its predecessor, the Xtreme 4 is rated IP67 for protection from the elements, meaning it is entirely water- and dustproof. Need a better understanding of IP codes ? We’ll tell you all about them at the preceding link.

The keypad on the top of the speaker is designed slightly different than earlier models, but the functions are largely the same. There’s a centrally located power button, a button to put the speaker in Bluetooth pairing mode, clearly marked buttons for volume control, and one for play/pause/track change. The controls are simple and straightforward.

When you want to stream music to multiple JBL speakers, you’ll find that JBL has replaced its Partyboost technology with the newer and more stable Auracast technology, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (BLE). Don’t despair if you have older Partyboost-compatible JBL speakers, they can still be linked to Xtreme 4 via the JBL Portable app.

Convenient app with a 5-band equalizer

As before, the Xtreme 4 is equipped with two 70mm (2.76-inch) woofers driven by a 2 x 30-watt RMS amplifier (with AC power, it’s 2 x 20W with battery power). A pair of 20mm (.79-inch) tweeters are driven by a 2 x 20W RMS amp (on AC power, it’s 2 x 15W with battery power). JBL says this speaker can last up to 24 hours on a fully charged battery, compared 15 hours for the previous model.

The JBL Portable app benefits from several changes, including the ability for two Xtreme 4s to perform as a stereo pair (that’s in addition to the Partyboost and Auracast features discussed earlier), and a customizable 5-band equalizer with four presets.

As for the sound experience, the speakers in this series have always sounded good, so it would be too much to say that this fourth-generation model stands out against its predecessors. But the Xtreme 4 does sound great, with heavy bass response and more than enough power to entertain both you and your neighbors. I promise!

Specifications

・Output power: 2x30W / 2x20W (woofers/tweeters)

・Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3

・Battery life: Up to 24 hours

・Charging time: 3.5 hours

・Frequency response: 44Hz – 20kHz

・Weatherization: IP67

・Smart speaker: No

・Weight: 2.1 kg

・Dimensions (W x H x D): 297 x 149 x 141 mm

Editors’ note: This review was originally published by TechHive’s sibling site, M3.se , and has been translated from Swedish.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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