Updated Jan. 17, 2024 2:59 p.m. PT
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Best magnetic power bank with integrated stand
Anker 622 MagGo magnetic battery
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Best value MagSafe-compatible power bank
Baseus Magnetic Mini Wireless Portable Charger
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Best compact power bank with foldable USB-C connector
Anker Nano Power Bank (USB-C)
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Best power bank with integrated Lightning cable
Infinity Lab InstantGo 10000
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What’s the best power bank for iPhone overall?
Power banks for iPhones are in a bit of a transition phase right now. While you’ll still find some power banks with an integrated Lighting cable, with the iPhone 15 series moving to USB-C, we expect to see more external batteries with integrated USB-C cables, which can also charge other USB-C equipped devices such as Android smartphones. Additionally, on the wireless charging front, companies like Anker and others are starting to release Qi2 power banks. They cost more but Qi2-certified wireless chargers offer 15-watt fast charging capabilities and are fully MagSafe compatible, offering twice the speed of standard 7.5-watt wireless chargers for MagSafe-enabled iPhone 13, 14 and 15 models and Android smartphones that support 15-watt wireless charging.
If we had to pick a single best iPhone power bank right now, it would probably be the Anker MagGo 622 or the new Qi2-certified Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K, which has an adjustable and foldable stand. Anker also released the higher capacity Qi2-certified MagGo Power Bank 10K with an integrated kickstand.
To be clear, nearly all of the models below will work with any recent iPhone — you’ll just need to make sure you have a charging cable that matches the ports on both sides (power bank and phone). On the wireless side, all Qi chargers will work with iPhones since the iPhone 8 and iPhone X lines, but chargers officially certified as MagSafe compliant will charge the phones faster and offer better feedback on the screen. Apple has yet to clarify if the forthcoming Qi2 chargers offer any additional benefits on the iPhone 15 line.
While we wait for newer models, here are our current picks. While this list is geared toward iPhones, any portable battery pack on the list with a USB-C or USB-A out ports will work perfectly well for charging an Android smartphone (or any other portable gadget), so long as you provide a compatible smartphone cable. Wireless (or inductive) charging should also work for Android phones that are so configured.
Read more: Best iPhone Chargers
Best power banks for iPhone for 2024
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What’s cool about Anker’s 622 magnetic battery is that it’s a wireless battery that has an integrated magnetic flap that converts into a stand. You won’t get fast wireless charging from this 5,000-mAh battery (it charges at up to 7.5 watts), but it’s slim and easy to carry around.
It charges via USB-C, and if you use a USB-C to Lightning to charge your iPhone, it will charge at a faster rate of 12 watts. That’s not as fast as what a 20-watt USB-C power adapter can deliver, but it’s faster than 7.5 watts.
Note that Anker has updated this model to move the charging port to the side (from the bottom), so you can charge it while using it as a stand. That’s a worthy upgrade worth the $5 premium versus the old version (which confusingly retains the same 622 model number).
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Thanks to gallium nitride technology, chargers have been getting more powerful while shrinking at the same time. The latest example of that trend is Anker’s new line of GaNPrime chargers with next-generation GaN 3 technology, which the company says is even more energy-efficient. The Anker Power Bank 733 combines a 65-watt charger with a 10,000-mAh portable battery and is part of the new GaNPrime line. It’s pretty compact for what it is and offers two fast-charging USB-C ports and one fast-charging USB-A port. You can charge up to three devices at once, but note that to get a full 65-watt charge for a laptop, you can only plug in the laptop.
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Lightning vs. USB-C
Every new iPhone since the iPhone 5 in 2012 through the iPhone 14 series in 2022 used Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector for charging. But with the iPhone 15 series, Apple has made the jump to USB-C. The differences between these two connectors only matter if you’re seeking out a power bank with an integrated cord. Otherwise, you’ll want a model with USB-C or USB-A output — that can be used to power your iPhone (or nearly any small electronic device) with the cable that came in the box.
Wireless charging: MagSafe vs. Qi
Most iPhones since the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models introduced in 2017 offer inductive wireless charging. Apple’s standard for these phones is called MagSafe, and power banks that are fully MagSafe compatible — like Apple’s own MagSafe Battery Pack — will charge iPhones at a fast 15-watt level when the power bank is magnetically adhered to the rear of the iPhone. That said, many other more affordable models will still attach to iPhones magnetically, but charge them at half speed (7.5 watts). In all cases, you’ll need to make sure the iPhone has a MagSafe-compatible case, however. (Apple has indicated that the iPhone 15 series is compatible with the emerging Qi2 standard, but the company has yet to specify if that includes any benefits versus the original Qi standard, such as higher capacity charging.)
Power capacity vs. weight
Most baseline power banks now start at a 5,000-mAh capacity, which should give you at least one full charge for an iPhone. Chargers with 10,000-mAh or more are available, but they weigh more. That’s of particular note if you plan on traveling with the charger in a purse, backpack or pocket.
At the current time, we do anecdotal testing on these models. Each is fully charged and used on a recent iPhone model for at least a week in real-world conditions. We verify that charging speeds and recharge times are within expected parameters, and — for models with integrated stands or cables — confirm that the connections and build quality are sturdy and free of any notable annoyances or caveats.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an external battery pack or power bank:
- A higher power output rating (mAh, short for milliamp hours) means more charges — but also a heavier portable charger weight.
- For the latest iPhones (everything after the iPhone 7) you should buy a battery with at least a 5,000-mAh capacity, which should give you at least one full charge for a device. All of the models featured above hit that mark.
- These best portable chargers for iPhone all use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and should thus always be stored in carry-on luggage when flying. Airlines and regulatory agencies are increasingly banning li-ion batteries in checked baggage.
- If you want maximum power output, opt for chargers with USB-C PD (power delivery) models, which should charge nearly every device smaller than a laptop, such as a tablet or Nintendo Switch.
- Multiple integrated charge cables or USB-out ports will allow you to charge more than one device at a time, such as an iPad or another iPhone. Just don’t expect to charge a laptop unless you get a power bank with 65 watts of output power or more, which is comparatively rare.
