The 6 best portable chargers for travel: Consumer Reports

A portable charger that's slow to charge a phone or slow to recharge itself at the wall leaves a dead device dead longer than necessary, and one with too little capacity can't make it through a full day of travel. Pocket-sized chargers work well for topping off a phone, while bulkier high-capacity models exist to keep laptops and multiple devices running for days.

Consumer Reports tested portable chargers for charging speed, recharge speed and portability, so shoppers can find one sized for how they travel.

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The Anker Nano Portable Charger costs $26 and earned Consumer Reports' top pick among portable chargers for phones. CR found this 3.6-ounce charger notably compact, and rated both its charging speed and recharge speed excellent, backed by a pair of USB-C ports, one of which folds out and plugs straight into a phone with no separate cable required. Its 5,000-mAh capacity fully charges an average smartphone from empty only about once, or tops it off a few times, making it better suited to daily use than a multiday trip. CR noted the built-in LED lights that display battery status as a helpful touch for knowing when to recharge.

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The Iniu Portable Charger 22.5W 10,000mAh costs $21, priced lower than every other charger in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as an affordable pick suited to daily use among chargers for phones. CR found it roughly deck-of-cards-sized at 6.9 ounces, with charging speed rated good instead of excellent, though its 10,000-mAh capacity can charge smaller devices like a phone, smartwatch or wireless headphones a couple of times over. Three ports, two USB-A and one USB-C, let it charge three devices at once, and CR noted the built-in screen displaying battery status as a useful feature. That compact size paired with multidevice charging makes it a practical everyday pick despite its slower charging speed.

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The Mophie Prime20 Portable Power Bank costs $45 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as an inexpensive, compact option among chargers for phones. CR found it a bit heavier than other chargers in this category at 11.9 ounces, though both charging speed and recharge speed rated good instead of excellent, and its port lineup, a single USB-C alongside two USB-A connections, lets multiple gadgets charge together. Its larger 20,000-mAh capacity can refill a phone battery roughly four to five times over, making it a solid option for someone who wants more juice without stepping up to the laptop-capable picks in this lineup. That larger capacity paired with a still-portable size makes it a reasonable middle-ground choice in this lineup.

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The Anker Prime Power Bank costs $180, pricier than every other charger in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' top pick among high-capacity chargers built for laptops and other larger devices. CR rated both charging speed and recharge speed excellent, and found the 27,650-mAh capacity strong enough to bring a dead phone back to full about five or six times, or power up a laptop once or twice, backed by a pair of USB-C ports plus a single USB-A connection for charging multiple devices together. Fast charging through USB PD can deliver as much as 250 watts total, or 140 watts through one port alone according to the manufacturer, enough to charge a laptop quickly, though CR noted the tradeoff is size and weight at 1.4 pounds. CR also pointed to smart features available through Anker's app, including locating the charger with sound alerts and checking battery status remotely.

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The Mophie Powerstation Pro AC costs $165 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among high-capacity chargers built for laptops and other larger devices. CR found it can charge up to four devices simultaneously through a varied port selection, including two USB-C ports rated for 20 and 60 watts, one USB-A port and a 100-watt AC outlet powerful enough to run small appliances alongside laptops and tablets. CR rated both charging speed and recharge speed excellent in testing, though at 2.2 pounds it weighs more than every other charger in this lineup, making it less suited to everyday carry. CR called it a strong fit for keeping multiple devices powered for days during a camping trip or power outage instead of routine daily use.

Credit: Anker

The Anker PowerCore 3 Sense costs $50 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among high-capacity chargers built for laptops and other larger devices. CR found its 20,000-mAh capacity strong enough to run compact appliances such as a small fan or mini fridge alongside everyday electronics, capable of refilling a phone battery some four to five times or handling a laptop once or twice on a single charge. A single USB-C port paired with two USB-A ports lets three gadgets charge together, with the USB-C connection supporting USB PD fast charging up to 20 watts, and CR rated both charging speed and recharge speed good in testing. At just 0.8 pounds and a compact footprint, CR noted this charger stays easier to carry day to day than the other high-capacity models in this lineup, with LED indicator lights included as well.