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Because nothing spikes anxiety quite like a dead phone.

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you've had your phone die on you at a super inopportune time. But look, it's happened to the best of us! And now that you know better, you can pick up a portable charger — one of those must-have travel essentials that'll help you stay prepared. When picking the best model for your needs, consider capacity (10,000–20,000 mAh is typical, with the former being good for phones and the latter for computers), charging speed (AKA wattage), port compatibility (do you need lightning, micro-USB, USB-C?), size and weight, and price. Ahead, we've rounded up the best of the best, broken down by category, so you can find your perfect fit.

An Anker Nano Power Bank with a 10,000-mAh battery, a built-in USB-C cable, and 30W fast charging that can boost your iPhone from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes. Reviewers love the digital display that provides real-time info on remaining battery percentage and charging time. Plus, the cable also doubles as a wrist strap, so you can charge on the go without juggling a bunch of devices in your one free hand (I'm assuming your other hand has an iced coffee). 

Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say:

"I've owned this charger for more than a year and love the built-in cord. It just simplifies everything! I often throw it into my bag on regular days because sometimes I end up spending the whole day out and about (New York City is just like that) and need a charge without monopolizing an outlet in a coffee shop. It's a little heavier than other portable chargers I've used in the past, but I still adore it over all other chargers I've used. Oh, and the percentage indicator for how much juice it has is incredibly convenient and has probably ruined all other portable chargers for me."

Promising review: "An absolute must-have for anyone looking to eliminate cable clutter while keeping their devices charged at high speeds. The standout feature is the integrated USB-C cable, which is incredibly sturdy and doubles as a convenient carrying handle. With 30W bi-directional fast charging, it can power an iPhone 16 or 15 to 50% in just 30 minutes, and it recharges itself just as quickly. The vibrant smart display provides real-time information on remaining battery percentage and charging time, taking all the guesswork out of your power levels. Compact enough to fit in a small bag or even a pocket, it’s the perfect balance of 10,000-mAh capacity and portability for travel or daily commutes." —Chris

Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in five colors).

A sub-$25 Iniu Portable Charger with an adorable little paw print that shows when it's actively charging. With two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, the 10,000-mAh power bank can charge three devices at once — and it has enough power to juice up your phone twice or your AirPods 12 times! 

Promising review: "I've been through so many portable chargers. They are either huge, get super hot, or charge so slowly! This product shocks me every time I use it. My phone can be at 15%; I plug it in, and within 10 minutes, give or take, it's at 100%. This is one of the best devices I've bought. It's small, but strong. I love the paw print that shows it's charging with a blue light. It's compatible with anything, and you can charge more than one thing. It has two type C ports and one type A port. You have to get this compatible, small, quick-charging, mighty battery that fits in the palm of your hand. Wonderful gift for the hard-to-shop family member or friend." —Brian Wilkerson/Krystal Hinson

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).

An Anker Prime Power Bank and Charging Base with more than 2x the battery capacity (26,250 mAh) and 3x the power output (300W) of your average charger — that's enough to keep two MacBook Pros running full speed ahead. Not only does it offer a fast and efficient charge, but it also recharges super fast thanks to a max input power of 250W. 

Promising review: "This Anker Prime Power Bank gets rave reviews, and I understand why. I've been needing a TRUE 'no-wall-plug-available' option for keeping my MacBook Pro M5 Max running beyond its battery life, and this is incredibly powerful and basically ensures no interruptions to productivity. Amazing sustained power. Also — when there is a wall plug — I can plug in two separate power supplies and rapidly recharge the Anker Prime within minutes. I didn't invest in the charging base because this is for portable use, but the build quality, high-speed 24-inch charging cord, and compact size (for the power) make this a super-convenient option for on-the-go power. Also, it is really well-insulated, so there's no issue with heat. I appreciate the LED display and its continual feedback (both charging and/or powering), so it's clear how much power remains or how charging progress is going. Great value for the quality." —Wingman Aloha

Get it from Amazon for $171.48+ (available with or without a charging base).

A Charmast Portable Charger if you simply can't be trusted to keep various cables AND a portable battery on your person, so you need a combo job. This baby has four built-in options: type-C, lightning, micro-USB, and USB — that way you can boost several devices or share the love with travel buddies who didn't plan ahead as well as you. 

Promising review: "I can’t say enough good things about this cordless phone charger. It works great, has four cords to use for different phones, and the price is great! I get approximately four charges from it before I have to charge again! I carry it in my purse. I love this! When the electricity went out in my house for 22 hours, I was able to charge my phone three times to play games and watch movies while I sat in the dark. This is the second one I bought! I highly recommend it!" —Kimberly K. Muniz

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in six colors).

A pocket-sized Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Connector if you're looking for a super compact, travel-friendly option that weighs just 3.5 ounces! This should not come as a shock, but the 5,000-mAh charger offers less power than larger options; that said, it'll still keep your phone powered throughout the day. Before you buy, just keep in mind your phone model, as this comes with a built-in USB-C port.  

Promising review: "I’ve been using this portable charger for a little while now, and it has become something I always keep with me. It’s lightweight, compact, and fits easily in my bag without taking up much space. The charging speed is impressive — it boosts my phone quickly, even when I’m on the go. The battery capacity is also solid. I can get several charges out of it before needing to plug it back in, which is great for long days or travel. The display/indicator makes it easy to see how much power is left. Overall, it’s a reliable and convenient charger that does exactly what you need it to. Definitely worth the purchase if you want something dependable for everyday use or trips." —Darin P. Clavet

Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in five colors).

An all-in-one 10,000-mAh Veger Portable Charger with integrated USB-C, micro USB, and lightning cables, as well as an AC wall plug, so you can leave your mix-and-match cords and cables at home without any battery anxiety. 

Promising review: "I am a content creator, and this charger has been a lifesaver for me!!! I use my phone constantly during the day, and having this charger on hand has allowed me to maintain productivity during the day without being stuck to a wall. I love how fast it charges my phone, and that you don’t need any additional cords because they are already attached. And the fact that you can charge it simply by plugging it straight into a wall. GENIUS!! So glad I got this charger! It’s the perfect size to throw in my purse and go!" —Emily Clark

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in six colors).

An Anker 633 Magnetic Battery that wirelessly secures to your phone so you can get a quick boost on the go. The 10,000-mAh battery pack can charge an iPhone 13 up to 1.8 times (keep in mind it's compatible with various models — this is just an example to give you an idea of its power!), and it features a convenient kickstand so you can prop it up while in use.

Promising review: "It’s reliable, convenient, and a good-quality charger. The MagSafe feature is especially nice because it makes charging simple and hassle-free, and the magnet strength is strong enough to hold securely. I also really like the kickstand. It feels sturdy, adjusts well, and makes it easy to prop up my phone while it charges. That turned out to be a feature I use more than expected. It’s not too heavy, which makes it easy to carry. I like that it also has a cable option if I want faster charging, although I mostly use it magnetically because that’s more convenient for me. I bought a second one for my husband. Definitely recommend." —maggie

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in three colors).

A 25,000-mAh UGreen Power Bank with 145W fast charging that can take a MacBook Pro battery from 0% to 56% in just 30 minutes. If you frequently work from coffee shops, the airport, or anywhere else where outlets are hard to come by, this is your girl. 

Promising review: "This is an excellent power bank that comfortably exceeds my daily requirements. It strikes a perfect balance between capacity and size; despite its portability, it provides enough power delivery to support both my Surface tablet and my Dell Precision laptop without issue. The onboard display is simple and useful, providing real-time data that makes monitoring charge and discharge levels. Its compact footprint makes it easy to transport in a tech bag or backpack, making it an essential tool for my mobile setup." —L. Lee

A Cuktech 15 Ultra Power Bank with 165W max input/output that can rapidly and efficiently charge up to three devices at once. The dual port also lets it self-charge in 'Beast Mode' (yes, that's really what it's called), so you can get the 20,000-mAh battery back to 100% in 45 minutes. 

Promising review: "An amazing power bank with incredibly fast input, extremely powerful output, great features, good net capacity, and high compatibility. This is the best 20k-mAh power bank in its price range. Can charge the power bank at 165W via two input ports (100W + 65W) and has so-called 'Beast Mode' charging. Beginning with the battery fully depleted (0% battery), at 165W input, the battery reaches 50% after 10 minutes, 68% after 20 minutes, 80% after 30 minutes, and 100% after 40 minutes. Fast! Even charging at 'only' 100W input, it will fully charge in under an hour. Conversely, when the power bank is fully charged (100% battery), it can sustain 140W output from a single port until fully depleted without throttling. Or, it can sustain 165W output (100W + 65W) without throttling until 15% remaining battery, at which point it throttles down to 100W. Impressive!

I own many power banks, and this is easily one of the best — all the more so considering the price point." —Danny

A Nimble Champ Portable Charger for anyone who values aesthetics just as much as performance. (It's me — I'm that person.) This 10,000-mAH Apple- and Android-compatible charger comes in a beautiful glacial blue/lavender ombre or in-your-face cyber lime, so there's no chance your friend accidentally pockets it instead of their boring black battery pack. 

Promising review: "Great product. If my phone runs out of battery, I connect this to my phone using a lightning cable and carry the battery on my wrist with the strap. It’s easier to carry than a heavy magnetic phone battery. It’s also more versatile as I can change two devices at once." —Rebecca K.

Get it from Nimble for $59.95 (available in two colors).

A waterproof and dustproof Blavor Solar Power Bank for campers and outdoor aficionados who are light on electricity but rich in sunlight. While solar charging is, of course, slower than typical charging, it's quite handy when it's your only option lol. This offers one USB-A and one USB-C port, magnetic wireless charging, and a built-in dual flashlight for emergencies. 

Promising reviews: "I bought this for my boat and, sure enough, needed my phone during a serious storm. The marina had no power, but I was still able to contact relatives — if for no other reason than to let them know I was okay. Thanks, guys!" —Dee Glazier

"This works well, added bonus — it comes with a small compass accompaniment. So now I will be able to navigate and have battery power if I get lost. We use this when we listen to music in the outdoors, by the lake, by the river, campsite. Leave it in the sun, and you will have pretty much continuous tunes all day with a speaker." —Jbog1883

Get it from Amazon for $25.48 (available in five colors).

A Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 Ultralight Power Bank that offers the same power as many of its competitors, but also a design that weighs in at just 4.94 ounces, because every ounce counts when you're out on the trail! It also features a durable IPX7 water-resistant construction, so it's safe to use whether you're hiking through a downpour or waiting out a storm in a damp tent. 

Promising review: "Use this power band for backpacking to help keep my electronics charged. Amazingly light but packs a punch with power!!" —Brian M.

A Huoto Portable Watch Charger if you're 🤏 THIS 🤏 close to closing your fitness rings for the day, but your watch is about to croak. With a 1,200-mAh capacity battery, this keychain charger can revive your watch up to 1.5 times — just pop it on the magnetic port, and you're good to go. 

Promising review: "This little charger is very useful for my Apple Watch. I travel a lot, and sometimes I forget the long charging cable at home. With this, I don’t have to worry. It is small, like a keychain, so I can keep it in my bag or pocket at all times. It charges my watch fast, and the magnetic part is strong, so the watch stays in place while charging. The 1200-mAh battery is enough to give my watch one full charge, sometimes even more. I tried it with my Series 9 and my older watch, and both work perfectly. The build is solid and feels good quality. The wireless function means I don’t need extra cables, just plug the charger into a USB port or power bank, and it works. Very good for airplane, hotel, or even at work. I recommend this for anyone who uses an Apple Watch and wants an easy backup charger. It makes my life simple, especially during travel." —Ike Fydone

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in 12 colors/designs).

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BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Chelsea Stuart is a seasoned Shopping Editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel (her favorite), home decor, fashion, and pet products under her belt. 

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.