Best USB-C portable chargers & power banks 2023
When you're on the go you want fast, reliable power — these are the best.
The power delivery standard has paved the way for a new wave of USB-C battery packs that are both powerful and portable. While there are some massive power banks aimed more at charging laptops or powering devices through long camping trips, we rank the lighter and cheaper models as the most reliable option when considering the best USB-C charger.
Because of their lightweight nature, less expensive chargers tend to quickly power a phone while you're sitting down for lunch, or store easily in your pocket during long days out and about. So whether you prefer your power banks, big or small, these are the best ones around.
The best way to stay charged up on the go
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Colorful chargers
Anker's top-quality, durable, and dependable phone-sized power bank now comes in five colors, and we are thrilled. The Terracotta Rose might not be for everyone, but the Deep-Sea Indigo and Dark Olive are universal and understated. The 10,000mAh of power delivery juice will handle all of your charging needs.
Not too big, not too small
Need to charge multiple phones over your busy day? Or need a power bank that could last you through an entire weekend of backpacking? AUKEY's 15,000mAh capacity is still pocket-sized, but it'll recharge a phone up to four times.
High capacity hero
The beauty of Power Delivery means that even a compact power bank can be powerful enough to charge laptops, like this 90W RAVPower Pioneer Series power bank. The 30,000mAh capacity here is above the FAA's limit, so it can't go on a plane, but it can charge your phone 7 to 10 times before it runs out.
Super small and sturdy
The SuperMini is the size of a credit card and rugged as all get-out, but it can also charge your phone at 20W whether you use USB-C or USB-A. There are now six fun colors to choose from, and Zendure builds its portable batteries to take a beating as well.
Pocket-friendly pick
Your power bank doesn't do you any good if you left it at home, but this 10,00mAh bank is easy to slip into even the smallest of purses to ensure your phone doesn't turn back into a pumpkin at midnight. So top off quickly with this 18W PD USB-C portable charger from Mophie.
Thin and Powerful
We love this uniquely shaped portable charger because it charges almost any device at full speed — even MacBooks — thanks to 100W PD output. We especially like that it has two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. The digital readout helps you to know exactly how much charge is left in the pack and what it's pushing out.
Best for Galaxy
Because of its propriety fast charging profile, recent Samsung Galaxy phones don't actually get 18W charging with most portable charges despite supporting PD. The first-party Samsung Wireless Portable Battery addresses this problem, charging Samsung phones at 25W using "Super Fast Charge."
Charge as you watch
This stout power bank can let you binge all day and all night without your phone going dead, thanks to the built-in kickstand. The 20,000mAh AUKEY Basix Pro can recharge a phone four to five times, wired or wirelessly, before it needs to be refueled.
Small and swift
This candy bar-sized UGREEN USB-C PD power bank is powerful enough to charge most phones from dead to full twice. This 10,000mAh battery pack supports 20W charging, so that your iPhone-using spouse can top off quickly and give the battery back to you.
Overkill
The Shargeek Storm 2 goes to town on charging specs and ports. This battery pack is fully transparent by design and supports 100W USB PD. You get two USB-C as well as a DC in/out and a USB-A port.
Hybrid charger
Anker's weird and wonderful hybrid charger forays into the wild unexplored intesection of chargers and portable battery backs. You can plug the GaNPrime PowerCore into a mains outlet but it also acts as a 10,000mAh USB-C power bank on the go.
Power of the sun
BLAVOR's portable power bank is solar-powered and IPX5 water-resistant, making it a convenient accessory for emergencies. This 20,000mAh battery pack features PD 18W QC3.0 charging standards. You can top up your phone through a Type-C port or go wireless thanks to Qi charging support.
Small and sturdy makes for the best USB-C portable charger
Again, we prefer smaller portable batteries that live up to the name "portable," which is why the phone-sized Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh PD, and the credit-card-sized Zendure SuperMini, are two of our favorites. They're easy to fit in a pocket or purse, and they'll give your phone another 10 to 20 hours of life easily.
The Anker option is more affordable, and its shape makes it easier to accommodate, but some prefer the smaller, thicker size of the Zendure. We certainly prefer the bolder colors on the SuperMini. That metallic red and metallic blue just pop.
Turning to more beefy models, while Anker's bundle is of the highest quality, it's also of the highest price, so unless you already lack a USB-C wall charger, you're probably better off buying the RAVPower 90W PD Pioneer Power Bank. It's less than half the price but charges phones and laptops just as fast.
If it is more capacity that you are looking for, there are plenty of excellent high-capacity battery packs to choose from, but remember that you won't be able to fly with one of them due to the large battery cell size.
Since your phone won't charge wirelessly with these battery packs, you need a compatible USB-C cable at hand when using any one of these portable chargers and power banks. Bear in mind that anything more than 60W requires you to use an e-marked 5A cable to tap into your USB-C power bank's full charging potential.
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- Namerah Saud FatmiEditor — Accessories, speakers, and tablets