Raise your hand if you panic when your phone's low battery notification turns on? (Just me??) There's nothing worse when I'm out on a fun holiday outing taking video memories of my family, and I see that red light. Or I'm traveling and stuck in the airport on a layover...it gives me anxiety! I've tried to find outlets to charge my phone, and the only outlet not taken by someone else is like 20 gates away. It always. happens. So a power bank phone charger is the way to go, and I wanted to see if there is one out there that is better than the rest.
When it comes to what I'm looking for in a portable phone charger, it can't be too bulky, it has to charge fast, and it has to stay connected—a simple request, you would think. The MagSafe technology for iPhones is really handy, but I need it to feel secure on the magnetic power banks—I've had ones where my phone slides off (at least it did during our last trip to Disney).
I'm usually the only one who needs to charge my phone during any sort of time away, so this product test is for all of you who are like me and tend to be the air traffic controller/photo taker/videographer of the family!
The Test
A quick note about capacity before we dive in. On average, a 100000 milliamp hours charger will juice up your phone from 20% to 100% in about 2 hours and 40 minutes and the power bank will still be left with 65% battery life. That's pretty much what I saw across all the tests. Some of these power banks are triple, which adds weight and bulk. If more power is better for your needs, then try one of those out for yourself!
I'm looking for something that isn't too heavy, can fit easily in my bag for travel, and lets me know what percentage power it has left. Also, while I love my Walli phone case, I did have to remove it for the MagSafe technology to work, just a heads up!
Which Portable Charger Is the Best?
Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger
Price: $35.99
Size: 4.25"L x 1.22"W x 1.97"Th
Weight: 257 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: I don't love the way this one is designed. While it comes with 3 ports and is the only one with a foldable wall plug, the included cord is held in place and threaded pointing up, which makes no sense. It does have a nice clear display of the battery life. But let me tell you, it is bulky and heavy. And looks extremely dated. Plus it's one of the more expensive ones! This one takes a failing grade.
Rating: F
AOGUERBE Magnetic Power Bank
Price: $26.99
Size: 4.09"L x 2.68"W x 0.86"Th
Weight: 190 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: I like the sleek look of this wireless magnetic power bank, and it charged my iPhone right away. The soft-fold stand function is nice so you can have your phone in a viewable area while charging if you're using the magnet (I like it better than the ring option that I tried later). You can actually charge up to 3 devices at the same time using either the lighting and TYPE-C inputs. It comes with a cord, which is helpful. You can see the power level display at the bottom. Really helpful! It's not too heavy—it weighs about as much as a cup of sugar, it's pretty small, and the price is great. This is my top pick overall and the best magnetic charger for iPhones!
Rating: A+
OHOVIV Portable Charger
Price: $25.99 (has 20% off coupon)
Size: 5.9"L x 2.9"W x 0.67"Th
Weight: 345 grams (the heaviest!)
Capacity: 33800 milliamp hours (the most mAh)
Review: Well, this not-so-little guy is AMPED. With nearly 3x the power of other chargers, this could be a good option to keep in your car if you're going to a remote cabin or a long drive off the grid. You probably won't want to carry it around for day trips as it's about the weight of a can of Coke—much heavier than any other option. The power bank has a built-in Type-C port and two USB ports, and it comes with one USB to USB-C cord. The display is large and clear, but I don't love the feel of the outside...it feels like a remote, if that makes sense? It's a powerful option for the price, if you really need the extra boost. But the bottom line? It's too heavy for me.
Rating: C
WeeFancy Mini Portable Charger
Price: $28.88 (has 30% off coupon)
Size: 4.2"L x 2.7"W x 0.6"Th
Weight: 165 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: This device has a great clear display and comes with two USB-C power cables attached plus two more cables (you'll be flush with cables!) and 3 more ports on the end—one USB, one USB-C input/output, and one lightning input. It's also really compact, and one of the lightest ones I tested—really easy to hold in your hand. I don't love the giant "WeeFancy" logo on the front. But the price and the 2 built-in power cables are just what I would want from a portable charger—I don't want to have to go find a cord. This one has almost everything I was looking for!
Rating: A
Charmast Portable Charger
Price: $19.99
Size: 5.68"L x 2.63"W x 0.7"Th
Weight: 240 Grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: Ok, this is like air traffic control meets phone charger! There are 4 different style ports with cables attached in a sleek way on the back PLUS 3 more inputs on the end. You need options? You got options. The power level display is large and super clear. This one would be great for an Uber or Lyft driver...when you want to be able to charge a phone without knowing what port a rider will need. It's not too heavy, and the price is great. I can see the appeal, but I personally wouldn't buy it because I want one specific to my phone—otherwise I'm carrying around extra weight.
Rating: B
INIU Portable Charger
Price: $17.99
Size: 5.2"L x 2.7"W x 0.5"Th
Weight: 198.5 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: While I love the whimsy of the paw print as the measure of charge, it would be nice to have a % listed somewhere too! It does have ports for 3 devices, and has USB-C input/output port, which only 5% of power banks have. The price is great, it's the thinnest one I tested, and it's just a solid charger and a low-cost option. It's a middle of the road option.
Rating: B-
Charmast Power Bank
Price: $38.69
Size: 6.3"L x 3.6"W x 0.6"Th
Weight: 338 grams
Capacity: 26800 milliamp hours
Review: This just feels expensive—it's heavier than two Kindles and is about the same size, so let's just say you definitely won't lose it in your bag. You can charge a whopping 4 devices at once (including a tablet). It's much bigger in size than the other chargers, but it makes up for that with a soft cloth carrying case! If you have a lot of electronics to charge at once and you're not towing it around in your purse or backpack, this might be right for you. The main downside is that it doesn't show the battery level other than three dots that are lit up. Not super helpful. It's larger and heavier than my phone. To me it's overkill to carry this around as a phone charger, but my sister liked this one the most!
Rating: A-
iWalk Magnetic Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger
Price: $39.99 (has 20% off coupon)
Size: 4.33"L x 2.44"W x 0.98"Th
Weight: 340 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours
Review: A wireless charger that can charge my phone and watch at the same time? It sounds great in theory, but then your phone has to be upside down the whole time (or your watch), and neither is ideal. It has a little bump-up to "hold" your watch and comes with a longer-than-usual USB-C to USB-C cable for those like me who need that. The power bank is slightly more bulky, but it fits well in the palm of my hand. The magnet didn't feel quite as strong—my phone slipped around a little bit more. It's ok, but has some design flaws, and for the price? Not worth it.
Rating: C
Mini Portable Charger
Price: $9.99
Weight: 94 grams (the lightest!)
Capacity: 5500 milliamp hours (the least mAh)
Review: Quick note: This only fits iPhone 15 styles and a slew of Android devices, so double-check compatibility before you order. This nifty little device is the size of a lipstick case, it's that small! It has two USB-C ports + a cord, and one built-in port is input/output. You also get about half the power of most other devices, so it won't fully charge your phone. I think I'd feel better if I had more power when I'm out and about. But it's a nice thing to have in your purse for those kind of last-minute need-a-quick-charge moments. And for the price? It's a great mini option if it works with your phone.
Rating: B+
Torras Magnetic Charger with Ring Stand
Price: $55.99 (has 5% coupon)
Size: 4"L x 2.7"W x 0.7"Th
Weight: 132 grams
Capacity: 10000 milliamp hours (there is a 5000mAh option)
Review: This magnetic charger for iPhones comes with a 120-degree adjustable ring that you can use as a stand for watching videos. They say you can also use it as a ring or grip if you're on the go (I tried this and it was not comfortable...so there's that). This one looks sleek. It has a USB-C port if you want to use it as a wired charger, and it comes with a cord (that's even color-coordinated). You can use the low-power mode to charge Bluetooth earphones or smartwatches magnetically. It's a nice size and weight. The drawbacks are the price and lack of extra ports. I like it, but I can't see the percentage of charge I have left on the battery pack except for 4 tiny lights. Pass!
Rating: B
The Final Results of the Power Bank Product Test
My number 1 pick is the AOGUERBE Magnetic Power Bank.
If you have an iPhone and a case that lets the MagSafe technology attach to a magnetic charger, then this is the one for you. The stand on the back makes it easy to stay connected while you're charging. It's just a near-perfect power bank.
My number 2 pick is the WeeFancy Mini Portable Charger.
It has the attached cables that I love, plus 3 more ports on the end for nearly every output option you need. It's a great handheld size, not too heavy—perfect for carrying around in your bag or car. Bonus: The price is really competitive!
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