Portable Charger For iPhone

Anker PowerCore II 20,000

• Capacity — 20,000mAh
• Outputs — 2 ports (18W and 12W)
• Weight — 369g (13oz)
• Price – $50
• Time to fully charge — around 5 hours

We’re big fans of Anker’s understated and practical designs. The PowerCore II packs in a huge 20,000mAh capacity without being ridiculously big, though, it is something you’ll want to sling in a bag rather than your pocket. It features two USB outputs; one is PowerIQ 2.0 which can put out up to 18W, which breaks down to 3A at 5V, 2A at 9V, and 1.5A at 12V. The other is PowerIQ 1.0, which can put out 12W up to 2.4A at 5V. Regardless of your device, you should be able to get decent charging speeds from this portable battery. The only thing it lacks is a USB-C port.

BlitzWolf Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Power Bank

• Capacity — 5,200mAh
• Outputs — 1 port (18W QC 3.0)
• Weight — 156.3g (5.51oz)
• Price — $20
• Time to fully charge — 3 to 4 hours

This power bank is of great quality and offers a range of features at an attractive price point. It’s a chunky device that measures just under an inch thick, 4-inches long, and just under 2-inches across, so it will fit neatly in your pocket or bag.

It’s extremely simple to use, too. There’s a power button that brings the four LEDs to life, giving you a rough indication of the remaining power. There’s a single USB output and a Micro USB input for charging, and the output supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, which is fast and rare in a charger of this size.

Nifty External Battery

• Capacity — 6,800mAh
• Outputs — 2 ports (USB-C 3A and USB-A QC3.0 3A)
• Weight — 157g (5.5oz)
• Price — $80
• Time to fully charge — 2 to 3 hours

We’re impressed by a couple of the features on this portable charger, so it definitely earns its name. The battery capacity isn’t huge, but it’s a compact device finished with a textured plastic that comes in red, gray, or black, with a glossy Nifty logo. It offers a USB-C and a USB-A port, which supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0. Each port is also capable of outputting 3A, but total output is capped at 4.8A. You can charge two devices simultaneously.

What we really like about the Nifty is the lack of buttons. You simply tap it and both the five-LED array and the USB port lights up to show you how much power remains, which is ideal if you’re fumbling in the dark. Charging speeds are fast, too, regardless of your device. It comes packaged with a 3-foot, flat, USB-A to USB-C cable and a shorter, flat, USB to Micro USB cable. Both are orange, tangle-resistant, and sport Velcro ties. If you want to charge your iPhone, however, you’ll need to provide your own USB to Lightning cable, or buy a spare.