Other Great Laptop Power Banks
Here are a few more tried and tested power banks for laptops that might be worth considering.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Pisen TP-D108 Power Bank for $50: With a 20,000 mAh capacity and a built-in USB-C cable capable of delivering up to 67 watts, this bargain power bank could be a handy laptop companion. It has a basic display showing remaining power as a percentage, along with one USB-C (67W) and one USB-A (22.5W) port. It supports a few fast charging protocols (QC 3.0, PD 3.0, AFC, and FCP). It also has the CCC-certification mark required for domestic flights in China.
Anker Laptop Power Bank for $105: While this power bank is an excellent all-rounder and tops my best power banks guide, the 100-watt limit means it can’t charge your laptop as quickly as my other picks. If you don’t care about speed, it’s still a solid option, but sticking with Anker, some folks will prefer the Prime above, with a 300-watt maximum output, or the 737 below, because it can send or receive 140 watts from a single USB-C port.
-SOURCE-Simon-Hill.jpg)
Photograph: Simon Hill
Shargeek 170 Power Bank for $129: Perfect for lovers of translucent tech, this power bank has a 24,000-mAh capacity capable of charging most laptops once. It looks cool, with a smart display showing battery life as a percentage, time remaining, and the input or output in watts, and it supports Power Delivery 3.1, Quick Charge 4.0, and PPS, among other standards. While the total maximum output is 170 watts, you are limited to 140 watts from a single USB-C port.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Anker 737 Power Bank for $110: This is a versatile and reliable 24,000-mAh-capacity power bank that supports power delivery 3.1 and can send or receive up to 140 watts to charge laptops. You can charge it from zero within an hour. It’s relatively compact, but it weighs almost 1.4 pounds. The snazzy digital display shows the remaining battery percentage and stats, including the temperature, total output, cycles, and more. It fast-charged everything I tested it with, and you can charge three devices at once without a problem.
Ugreen 145W Power Bank for $65: Surprisingly compact for a 25,000-mAh battery, this weighs 1.1 pounds and has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Our former pick for tablets, the Ugreen, actually offers 145 watts, one USB-C port at 100W, and the other at 45W. 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 tablet or iPad charged up wherever you are.
Cuktech 15 Ultra for $79: With impressive build quality, including a nice grippy material on the underside and a handy display showing power output and input, this Cuktech (pronounced chook-tek) power bank boasts 20,000-mAh capacity, can charge two or three devices simultaneously at up to 165 watts, and supports many fast-charging protocols including PPS, QC, PD3.1, FCP, SCP, and MiPPS.
Laptop Power Bank FAQ
What Features Should I Look for in a Power Bank?
There are a few things worth thinking about when you’re shopping for a portable charger.
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’re charging, and the charging method (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get the maximum capacity. We try to provide a minimum estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for a laptop battery.
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. For best results match the charging speed across the power bank, cable, and laptop.
Your device will need pass-through support if you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously. Many portable chargers support pass-through charging. Anker discontinued support for pass-through in some of its products because it found that differences between the output of the wall charger and the input of the device being charged can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its life. We would advise caution when using pass-through, as it can also cause portable chargers to heat up.
Can I Take a Power Bank on a Flight?
It’s safe to fly with a power bank, but there are two main 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), and it must not exceed 100 watt-hours (WH). If your power bank has a capacity larger than 27,000 mAh, you should check with the airline. Below that should not be a problem.
Some airlines have introduced stricter rules, so always check with your chosen airline before you travel. For example, some airlines prefer you not to use or charge power banks during a flight, some require power banks to be in your hand luggage under the seat in front of you and not in the overheads, and some limit the number of power banks you can have onboard.
I’ve been testing power banks for close to two decades, and my home office has stacks of ’em at any given moment. I test every portable charger that comes in for at least two weeks. I always check how many times it can fully charge my test laptop (currently a MacBook Air). I’ll also try charging my Pixel 10 Pro XL, iPhone 16, and whatever else I have in. For this guide, I also tested with a Chromebook. I test how long it takes to recharge each empty power bank.
Aside from standard tests, I try to use the power banks in my everyday life, just to see how they feel, and my wife and kids often help out and share their opinions. For some of our top picks, I continue to test over months to get a sense of their reliability and durability, though it’s not possible to do this for every device that lands on my desk. Beyond function, I take form and usability into account. I keep an eye on user reviews and consider the warranties and customer service of each manufacturer.
How Does WIRED Select Power Banks to be Reviewed?
I scan the latest releases to seek out worthy prospects, whether from an unknown new brand or an established favorite like Anker. I also get pitched many power banks every week. I sometimes reach out to these companies to ask for the product but never promise any kind of editorial coverage—that would be against WIRED’s editorial policies. While WIRED usually earns affiliate revenue if you purchase a power bank using our link, this is not factored into the decision process when ranking.
There are too many power banks for me to test everything, so I tend to stick to reputable brands, but there’s always room for something new if it has a compelling new feature or price, and I cover as many as I can. (Leave a comment or send me an email if you want me to test a power bank from a certain brand!) Once testing is complete, I typically donate power banks to a local charity. I try to hang on to some of our top picks for comparison purposes and to test their longevity.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
