Today's phones and tablets are more powerful than ever, and despite more power-efficient processors, it's not uncommon to find yourself needing to charge up at times when you aren't near a wall outlet. Battery packs that are 20,000 mAh and higher are ideal for people that need a lot of juice while on-the-go, and while they may not fit into your pocket, they're necessary for keeping your devices topped up. Our top pick is the RAVPower 90W Power Delivery Portable Charger. Here's why it's the best high capacity power bank, along with other great alternatives if you need something even bigger.
Best Overall: RAVPower 90W Power Delivery Portable Charger
RAVPower has some of the best prices for power banks on the market, especially considering the high build quality and the 30,000mAh capacity of this model — and that's before you factor in sales, which happen at least once a month not counting lightning deals. And that's while including a 5Amp-capable cable in the box so that you get top speed instead whatever rate your older, slower cable might've allowed.
The next major benefit of the RAVPower 90W is that even with that heightened capacity and faster charging speeds, it's still about the same size as many 20-25,000mAh portable chargers. It does this by sacrificing those third and fourth ports most power banks this size have — as if we always need to charge five things at the same time — and I only wish they'd gone the extra step of swapping that USB-A port for a second USB-C port. This would allow us to stick to one cable type rather than needing to haul around a USB-C to USB-A cable for when we want to charge our laptop and phone at the same time.
Speaking of charging two devices at once, you can only get that 90W charging speed when you leave USB-A empty, which is fairly standard for multi-port power banks but is always worth a mention. When both ports are engaged, you get 65W through the USB-C port and 18W through the USB-A port for a total output of 83W. 65W is still more than top speed on Chromebooks and is a perfectly fine speed for most Macs and Windows laptops so long as you're not gaming or rendering something in Premiere Pro.
This power bank also joins the very slim ranks of power banks that support the Power Delivery sub-certification called Programmable Power Supply. This protocol allows for more variable charging rates that help keep the device's temperature down and improve the safety of higher-speed charging. Samsung has used PPS on the last few generations of its phones, which is why even though the Galaxy S21 supports 25W charging, if you plug it into a 30W or 45W charging, it usually only pulled 15-18W. PPS support here is also great news for laptop owners — PPS is built into the charging tech for a number of Windows laptops — but it's even more important to Galaxy owners.
About the only flaw in this power bank is that 30,000mAh puts it above the 100Whr limit that the FAA has for flights in the United States, but that's going to apply to most of the portable chargers and power stations on this list. If you're wanting a high-capacity battery that you can take on a plane, the next entry from Anker is your best bet.
Pros:
- Low weight for high capacity
- Excellent price
- 90W output for laptops
- 60W input for 2.5hr recharge
- PPS support for Samsung
Cons:
- Above FAA limit for air travel
- Only one USB-C port
Best Overall
RAVPower 90W Power Delivery Portable Charger
Charge your laptop at top speed.
90W output is rare among portable chargers of this size, and getting these capacities and speeds in so compact a power bank would be amazing even if it weren't half the price of its competition.
Best Bundle: Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD 45W with 60W PD Charger
Anker is one of the biggest names in the power banks and chargers today, and it's built that name of exemplary build quality and long-term durability, and the PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD is a major upgrade from previous generations. It bumps up from basic 15W USB-C charging to 45W Power Delivery, meaning that this power bank can be used to charge phones, tablets, and laptops.
26,800mAh is on the lower end of the "high capacity" spectrum, but it can still recharge a smartphone 4-6 times on a single charge, or recharge most USB-C laptops from empty to full at least once. When you're using the USB-C port to charge a laptop at 45W, the max you'll get from the USB-A ports combined is 15W, as the bank has a combined total output of 60W.
This beefy bundle isn't lightweight, but nothing over 20,000mAh is. The PowerCore+ is at least svelte enough to slip in and out of a backpack easily while rushing around an airport or convention. I'm happy to see it comes with a nice 60W charger and a high-quality USB-C to USB-C cable, but for those of us who already have cables and wall chargers, it would be nice to see the PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD sold by itself for a lower price.
Pros:
- USB-C and USB-A charging
- Comes with wall charger
- 18-month warranty
- Excellent build quality
- Trickle charging for smaller devices
Cons:
- Only 45W Power Delivery
- Only one USB-C port
- Expensive bundle
Best Bundle
Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD 45W with 60W PD Charger
Get a big battery and an even faster wall charger.
Whether you need to charge a laptop and one phone or a whole family of phones, this bank has you covered!
High Speed and Capacity: Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD Qi
When it comes to charging multiple devices quickly with a power bank, you don't need tons of ports, just a few ports that all charge at decent speeds. If you need a big, beefy battery that you can still fly with, the Sherpa 100PD is just under the FAA's 100Whr limit, and it's just what you need to keep a laptop or camera topped off while working on the road.
The main port here is a 60W USB-C Power Delivery Port, which will give your laptop a quick recharge and also recharge faster once you reach your destination and plug it back in. You also get two USB-A ports for smaller peripherals and a Qi wireless charging pad on the top of the bank.
Goal Zero is a brand you might not have heard of before since it tends to deal with solar and portable power solutions. However, because it's geared towards outdoor tech, you can rest assured this is a battery pack that will not leave you hanging. The Sherpa 100 PD is about half the size (and half the price) of the Sherpa 100 AC, so make sure you grab the newer PD model!
Pros:
- 60W charging for laptops
- Two USB-A ports
- Qi pad on top
- 0-100 indicator readout
Cons:
- Extra expensive
- USB-A ports are only 2.4A each
High Speed and Capacity
Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD Qi
Great for power users and professionals.
This is a bit much for casual users, but for editors and gamers constantly burning through their laptop battery, it's perfect.
Best Power Station: RAVPower 252.7Wh/70200mAh Portable Power Station
Once you get above 50,000mAh, we transition from "portable charger" to "power station", where the ports get varied, the shapes can get a little zany, and features can vary wildly between models. Most power stations have what I lovingly refer to as a toolbox form factor — rectangular shape, a big handle on top, and all the ports on the front and/or back — but RAVPower knows that space comes at a premium, so its power station has ports on three sides, a rotating handle that stows out the way, and a soft, padded case to slide the station into when it's not in use.
The port mix here is nicely balanced: one 120W DC output (with 60W DC input), two 110V AC power outlets, one 60W USB-C Power Delivery in/out, and three USB-A ports. This gives you a wide array of options for charging all your gear or powering smaller appliances, such as CPAP machines or a small camping fridge. It's not quite powerful enough to run a coffee maker, toaster, or a microwave, but those AC outlets are also great for plugging in multi-port chargers if you need to charge a household's worth of phones at one time.
Another benefit to the RAVPower Power Station is that like its 30,000mAh cousin, this power station is much more competitively priced than most of its kin. While power stations can get into the hundreds of dollars when you have enough capacity to last a full week, the 252.Whr capacity here should last for a short camping trip or a multi-day power outage at home. If you live somewhere prone to blackouts, take some of those savings and invest in some 80W solar panels, so you can recharge the power station even when the grid is down.
Pros:
- Dual AC plugs + DC in/output
- Ultra-high capacity
- Most reasonably priced station
- Power Delivery in/output
Cons:
- Too big to fly with
- Only one USB-C port
- No car outlet
Best Power Station
RAVPower 252.7Wh/70200mAh Portable Power Station
Go big or go home.
Need more than USB ports? Power stations give you AC, DC, PD, all the abbreviations, and this one should last for days.
Best 50,000 mAh Pack: MAXOAK Power Bank 50000
Let's say that you want an overwhelmingly huge battery pack with no concern about its price or size. If that's the situation you're in, the MAXOAK Power Bank 50000 hits all the right notes.
The 50,000 mAh capacity here is enormous, and while you may not think you need that much battery, it comes in handy for long road trips, hurricane season, and other situations in which you're without access to power for a prolonged period of time. With such a big battery, you could charge an iPhone X up to 16 times.
For phones, tablets, and other mobile gadgets, you have two USB-A ports at 2.1A and two USB-A ports at 1A. MAXOAK's battery pack is also a great choice for laptops, as there are 20V and 12V DC outputs.
MAXOAK's pack won't be going in your pocket anytime soon, but you can easily toss it in a backpack and have hours upon hours of charge time to take with you anywhere.
Pros:
- Gigantic 50,000 mAh capacity
- Two dedicated laptop ports
- Four USB-A ports for smartphones
- Relatively portable considering the battery you're getting
Cons:
- Expensive
- No USB-C
- Not the most portable option
Best 50,000 mAh Pack
MAXOAK Power Bank 50000
So much battery
Need a lot of battery? This power bank from MAXOAK has a massive 50,000 mAh capacity, giving you an insane amount of juice.
Best Big Brand Station: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300
If you've played in the rugged power space for any amount of time, you're bound to be familiar with Jackery and its eponymous Explorer Series. These power stations come in sizes ranging from 160Whr all the way up to 100Whr, but I think the Explorer 300 is the sweet spot in Jackery's current lineup for three reasons:
- The Explorer 300 has a USB-C Power Delivery port, while the 500 and 240 do not.
- You get both AC wall plugs as well as a car outlet, which many camping appliances run off.
- 300Whr is a good capacity without getting super expensive or too heavy.
Unlike the RAVPower, Jackery goes for the traditional toolbox style where all the ports go on the front and all the power cells sit in the bottom and back with a box, honking handle up top that's easy to grab and easy to carry from car to campsite and back again. There are two AC plugs here that can be used to charge electronics and run smaller appliances like a camp fridge or a TV, but it's not rated for higher-wattage electronics like the Explorer 500 and 1000. It also has an automatic shutoff when used with lower-wattage devices, meaning you can't trust it to stay on all night with a CPAP machine.
Like Goal Zero, Jackery makes solar panels perfect for recharging this power station when you're out in the woods for that three-week sabbatical, but also like Goal Zero, those solar panels will come at a steep premium. If you need to recharge the Explorer 300 in a hurry, though, you can combine the 60W Power Delivery charging with the included 90W wall charger in order to recharge to 80% in two hours.
Pros:
- Has AC and car outlets
- 60W Power Delivery
- Solar ready
- Jackery is high quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Ports are clustered
Best Big Brand Station
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300
The power station made by the experts.
Jackery has been making power stations for years and years, working out all the kinks to deliver the best experience for outdoorsmen.
Best For Camping: BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank
One of the best use cases for a power bank is using it as a source of power while camping, hiking, or on other outdoor adventures. If this is the primary scenario in which you'll be using your new power bank, we recommend checking out the BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank.
For people that spend a lot of time outdoors, one of the best features of this battery pack is that it has solar panels on the top that allow it to recharge using the sun. The solar recharging isn't the fastest, but it is nice to have. If you need to recharge the BLAVOR more quickly, you do so via USB-C or Micro-USB. This bank has a single USB-C 18W Power Delivery port, two USB-A ports (one 9V/2A, one Qualcomm QuickCharge 18W), and there's even a 10W Qi wireless charging pad, so you can charge four devices at once.
An IPX5 rating offers ample protection against splashing water, there's a built-in LED flashlight to help you see at night, and the 20,000 mAh capacity should be plenty of battery for most weekend adventures.
Pros:
- Solar recharging
- Has a Qi wireless charger
- Power Delivery input/output
- Built-in LED flashlight
- IPX5 water resistance
Cons:
- No dustproof rating
- Only 18W charging
Best For Camping
BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank
The sun's all you need
Plan on using your power bank outdoors a lot? This battery pack can be recharged using solar when outlets are miles away.
Upgrade pick: Anker Powerhouse II 400
There are battery packs that are in a league of its own, there's the Anker Powerhouse II 400. Not everyone needs to spend this much money on a battery pack, but if you want one of the most powerful options out there and have the money to afford it, this is it, chief.
The Powerhouse II 400 — which recently replaced the Powerhouse 200 — is less of a battery pack and more of a lunch box-sized emergency power station. You get plenty of ports and absolutely gangbusters 388Wh (or approximately 108,000mAh) battery capacity, which should be enough to recharge all the phones in the house for a week, or power more substantial things through the AC outlet and car socket for a day or two.
Going back to the port selection, you have a lot to choose from, including:
- 12V DC car socket
- 110V AC output
- Three USB-A 3A ports
- 60W USB-C Power Delivery output
- DC input for faster recharging
While it is expensive and cumbersome, the Powerhouse II 400 is one of the best options out there for having a reliable power source during power outages, emergencies, and long camping treks.
Pros:
- Outrageous battery capacity
- Tons of output ports
- USB-C Power Delivery
- Carrying handle
- Great for emergencies
Cons:
- This is a thicc boi
- Only one USB-C port
- Quite pricey
Upgrade Pick
Anker Powerhouse II 400
Ports and power for days
With output ports of varying speed and function, the Anker Powerhouse II 400 has you covered no matter your needs.
Balancing size and sensibility: What makes the best high capacity power banks
You'll be happy no matter which of the battery packs on this list that you choose, but at the end of the day, we think the best pick is the RAVPower 90W Power Delivery Portable Charger with its 30,000mAh capacity. It's the most affordable entry on this list, and yet it also hosts one of the highest charging speeds and will still fit easily in your backpack or suitcase (so long as you aren't getting on a plane). Yes, it only has two ports, but unless you consistently need to charge 3-4 devices at once, why pay for ports you don't need?
If you do need those extra ports, Anker's PowerCore+ 26,800mAh bundle allows you to charge three devices at once, and it comes with a high quality cable and wall charger. While Anker has newer bundles with higher charging speeds, they're lower capacities with higher prices, so the 26,800mAh still takes the edge for longevity.
How to choose the best high-capacity battery pack
While battery packs are seemingly simple gadgets, there are quite a few different things you should take into consideration before buying one.
Sure, you could go out and buy the biggest one you see, but if you take the time to understand the little differences between everything, you'll end up with a battery pack that truly fits your needs and works the best for your specific workflow/lifestyle.
How much battery capacity do you actually need?
Perhaps the most important thing to consider before buying a battery pack is its capacity — in other words, how big of a battery it's packing.
Since we're dealing with high-capacity packs, we're only looking at options that are 20,000 mAh or higher. As such, any of the picks on this list will be able to charge your smartphone multiple times and still have some leftover fuel in the tank.
For comparison's sake, most smartphones in 2020 have batteries that vary in capacity from around 3,500 and 4,500 mAh. If you're planning on using your battery pack to charge your phone, tablet, or headphones, something with a capacity of around 10,000-15,000 mAh should be enough so long as you're getting home to an outlet by the end of the day. If this sounds like a better fit for you, you might want to consider a more compact power bank.
So, why do power banks with capacities of 30,000 mAh and more exist? There are a couple of good reasons:
- For people that want to charge a larger device, such as a laptop, having a big capacity will ensure you have access to enough power.
- For backpacking or other outdoor adventures where outlets are few and far between, a high-capacity bank ensures you can keep your phone charged and your lifeline alive, as well as powering small camping appliances.
- If you live somewhere prone to severe weather like hurricanes or tornadoes, a power station-style high capacity portable charger like the RAVPower 252.7Whr Power Station will ensure you can stay connected while waiting for the electrical grid to be repaired.
Why USB-C is so important
We've talked a lot about USB-C Power Delivery throughout this article, but let's take a step back for a second and explain why it's so important and why you should get a USB-C battery pack.
USB-C is essentially the better-in-every-way evolution from those Micro-USB ports that used to be prevalent on just about every Android phone for charging. Not only does USB-C benefit from the fact that it's reversible (meaning there's no "wrong" way to insert it), it's also considerably more powerful: Power Delivery can be used to charge at speeds up to 100W or beyond, such as the speeds on our overall pick, the RAVPower 90W.
Here's the thing though — not all USB-C ports are created equally. Most USB-C ports come with the Power Delivery standard (often referred to as PD), and this signifies that a USB-C port offers considerably faster charging and data speeds. If a USB-C port only offers 15W, that's a USB-C port that is not USB-C, and you should skip it.
As such, when you're looking to charge a device that has an extraordinarily big battery, not just USB-C but also Power Delivery is a must. Not only are a lot of newer devices moving to Power Delivery ports, but it'll also cut down quite a bit on recharge times.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Ara Wagoner themes phones and pokes YouTube Music with a stick. When she's not writing help and how-to's, she's running around Walt Disney World with a Chromebook. You can follow her on Twitter at @arawagco. If you see her without headphones, RUN.
Joe Maring is Android Central's Senior Editor and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012 and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop. Have a tip? Send an email to joe.maring@futurenet.com!
Source: androidcentral