If you travel frequently, you probably know that a power bank is an essential piece of gear for every traveller these days. There are countless types on the market, so in this guide I’ll reveal which are the best power banks for travel and help you pick the right one.
How to Choose a Power Bank for Travel
When choosing a power bank for travel, there are several factors to consider. The first — and arguably the most important — is the power bank’s capacity. This determines how many times you can charge your devices and how quickly.
You should also consider the size and weight, as I assume you’ll appreciate a lightweight and compact portable power bank that easily fits into your backpack.
Last but not least, think about how many ports you need and what types (USB-A or USB-C) you’ll require.
And let’s not forget design, materials, durability, brand, price, and any extra features the power bank might offer.
💡You might also like: A Practical Guide to Travel Gear
Power Bank Capacity
Power bank capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh) and determines how much energy the device can store. For everyday use, a power bank with around 10,000 mAh will do the job, but for longer trips and charging multiple devices, a higher capacity of 20,000 mAh or more is recommended.
💡A higher capacity is offered by, for example, the outdoor power bank Viking VIDAR III.
Output Current and Voltage
Standard power banks typically provide 5V voltage and a current between 1A and 2.4A. Higher current means faster charging, which is particularly useful for modern smartphones and tablets.
Some models (e.g. AlzaPower Metal Fast Charge) also support higher voltages, such as 9V or 12V, which is ideal for ultra-fast charging or for devices with higher energy demands, such as laptops.
Number and Types of Ports
Today’s power banks can have various types of ports. This determines how many devices you can charge at once and what cable you’ll need. The most common ports are USB-A and USB-C, with USB-C becoming increasingly popular.
Some power banks even offer a combination of different port types. Or they’re completely wireless, like the RidgeMonkey Vault C-Smart Wireless.
Size and Weight
If you’re travelling and carrying a portable power bank in your backpack, bum bag, or handbag, you’ll definitely want to know its dimensions and weight.
- Compact power banks (up to 10,000 mAh): a great choice for short trips or as a backup power source for the day. Thanks to their small size, they easily fit in a pocket and typically weigh under 200 g.
- Medium power banks (10,000 – 20,000 mAh): offer a balanced ratio between capacity and size. They’re ideal for multi-day trips where you need to recharge your phone or tablet several times. These models typically weigh between 200 and 500 g.
- High-capacity power banks (over 20,000 mAh): suitable for longer journeys, camping, or situations where you need to charge multiple devices simultaneously. They have high capacity, but their larger dimensions and weight — often exceeding 500 g — can be less practical for everyday carrying.
💡Among compact models, I’d recommend the Xiaomi 33W Power Bank 10000mAh Pocket Edition Pro. For a larger power bank with higher capacity, check out the Ugreen Power Bank Abyss Blue.
Material and Durability
The material a power bank is made from affects its durability. Many modern power banks are made of plastic, but higher-quality models often feature aluminium or rubberised casings that increase resistance to drops and water.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are also special models available that are waterproof and dustproof, such as the Viking VIDAR II.
Additional Features
Besides charging, power banks can have other useful features, such as:
- LED display showing battery status,
- LED flashlight,
- wireless charging,
- solar charging,
- MagSafe support.
Price and Brand
The price of a power bank depends on its capacity, brand, and extra features. Basic models with lower capacity can be picked up for around €10–15 (e.g. Spello Pocket Power Bank), while high-performance and rugged models can cost over €100 (e.g. Anker PowerCore III Elite).
Among the most popular power bank brands are:
- Anker,
- Xiaomi,
- FIXED,
- Choetech,
- Swissten,
- RavPower.
💡TIP: What Can You Take on a Plane
10 Best Power Banks for Travel
To help you navigate the market, I’ve selected 10 of the best power banks for travel.
| Power Bank ⚡ | Ranking 🪜 | Typical Price 💰 |
| Anker Prime Power Bank | 🥇 1st place | €220 |
| Swissten Power Bank Power Delivery for Laptops | 🥈 2nd place | €68 |
| FIXED Zen 20 Pro | 🥉 3rd place | €80 |
| Swissten Power Bank with Built-in USB-C and Lightning Cables | 4th place | €48 |
| AlzaPower Garnet Power Delivery | 5th place | €40 |
| Vention Portable Power Bank White | 6th place | €26 |
| ChoeTech B657 Solar Power Bank | 7th place | €56 |
| Swissten Aluminum Power Bank Power Delivery | 8th place | €40 |
| FIXED MagZen 2 | 9th place | €40 |
| ChoeTech Powerbank B650 Wireless QI Charger | 10th place | €32 |
1) Anker Prime Power Bank
The Anker Prime Power Bank with a high capacity of 20,000 mAh delivers a total output of up to 200W and features a clear display showing remaining capacity, input, and output power. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Its dimensions are 127 × 54.6 × 49.6 mm, making it ideal for travel. Thanks to 100W fast charging via the USB-C port, the power bank recharges quickly and is always ready for the next use.
This is the power bank that Lukáš and Lucka (the team behind Loudavým krokem) personally use — and they can’t recommend it enough! ✌️
Anker Prime
- High capacity of 20,000 mAh
- 200W output
- Fast charging for multiple devices at once
2) Swissten Power Bank Power Delivery for Laptops
The Swissten Power Bank Delivery with a capacity of 20,000 mAh is ideal for charging tablets, smartphones, and laptops. It supports fast charging on both the USB-C input and all three outputs (2× USB-A and 1× USB-C). Thanks to its high-quality battery, it allows multiple recharges of your devices.
The elegant design is complemented by USB-C output power of up to 100W, while the USB-A ports provide 22.5W (USB-A1) and 18W (USB-A2). You can charge up to three devices simultaneously, with USB-C input power of up to 60W. The LCD display clearly shows the charging status.
Swissten Power Bank Power Delivery
- Ideal for charging laptops with 100W output
- Three outputs and fast charging
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
3) FIXED Zen 20 Pro
The FIXED Zen 20 Pro with Power Delivery 3.0 support offers three outputs — one USB-A and two USB-C. The USB-C1 port maintains 100W output even when other ports are in use, with a total output of 130W.
The LCD display clearly shows the charge level and current charging power. The power bank can charge up to three devices simultaneously. It features overload, short-circuit, and overheating protection, and has a capacity of 20,000 mAh.
FIXED Zen 20 Pro
- High output power
- 100W port even when using multiple outputs simultaneously
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
4) Swissten Power Bank with Built-in USB-C and Lightning Cables
The Swissten Power Bank has a capacity of 20,000 mAh and comes with two built-in cables — USB-C and Lightning. It offers a total charging output of 20W and supports Qi wireless charging at up to 15W. It’s compatible with MagSafe technology. Outputs include USB-C (20W), USB-A (22.5W), and Lightning (20W).
The built-in display shows the current power bank capacity. Thanks to its compact dimensions and low weight, it’s ideal for easy carrying and travel.
Swissten Power Bank
- Built-in cables
- Qi wireless charging support
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
5) AlzaPower Garnet Power Delivery
The AlzaPower Garnet Delivery with a capacity of 20,000 mAh can charge up to three devices simultaneously. Thanks to Smart IC technology, it automatically detects connected devices and optimally distributes power.
Six-fold protection ensures safety against overvoltage, overload, short circuit, overheating, overcharging, and deep discharge. The LCD display provides a clear overview of the charge status. The body is made from fire-retardant material and weighs just 415 g.
AlzaPower Garnet Power Delivery
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
- LCD display and smart power management
6) Vention Portable Power Bank White
The Vention Power Bank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh is equipped with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. It features a smart digital display and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. It supports fast charging technologies including PD 3.0, QC 3.0, FCP, AFC, SPC, and Apple 2.4A.
The maximum output of USB-A ports is 22.5W and the USB-C port delivers 20W. The power bank is built with protection against overvoltage, overload, overheating, and short circuit. It has a compact design and automatically regulates charging power.
Vention Portable Power Bank White
- Compact design and smart display
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
- Fast charging support
7) ChoeTech B657 Solar Power Bank
The ChoeTech Power Bank with a 20,000 mAh capacity features a built-in solar panel and is resistant to drops, dust, and water. It offers three USB-A connectors, one USB-C (for input and output), and a MicroUSB connector for charging the power bank itself.
It supports Qi wireless charging and allows simultaneous charging of multiple devices. An LED indicator shows the charge level.
ChoeTech B657 Solar
- Recharging via solar panel
- Water and dust resistant
- 20,000 mAh capacity with multi-device charging
8) Swissten Aluminum Power Bank Power Delivery
The Swissten Aluminium with 20W Power Delivery and Quick Charge support features a body made from aluminium alloy, ensuring durability and a stylish look. It has a small display showing the charge level and a 20,000 mAh capacity thanks to its Li-polymer battery.
It offers three outputs: USB-A, USB-C PD, and USB-A QC, so you can charge multiple devices at once. With its compact dimensions (145 × 65 × 28 mm), it’s perfect for travel.
Swissten Aluminum Power Bank Power Delivery
- Stylish design and durable aluminium body
- Capacity of 20,000 mAh
- Power Delivery support
9) FIXED MagZen 2
The FIXED MagZen 2 is a compact power bank with a 10,000 mAh capacity designed for iPhones with MagSafe support. It offers wireless charging at up to 15W and a USB-C port with Power Delivery 3.0 at 20W, allowing you to charge two devices simultaneously.
The power bank also features LED battery status indicators and protection against overload, short circuit, and overheating.
10) ChoeTech Powerbank B650 Wireless QI Charger
The ChoeTech MFi with a 10,000 mAh capacity is equipped with two ports — USB-A and USB-C — and supports wireless charging. Compatibility with Power Delivery and Quick Charge fast charging technologies ensures rapid and efficient charging of your devices. LED indicators show the current charge level, and the power bank also features multiple safety systems for secure operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What power bank capacity is ideal for multi-day trips?
For multi-day trips, we recommend a power bank with a capacity of at least 20,000 mAh or more, which will allow you to recharge your phone or other devices multiple times.
Is it safe to use a power bank while it is charging?
Yes, most modern power banks support so-called “pass-through charging”, meaning you can charge both the power bank and your device at the same time.
Can a power bank damage my phone?
Quality power banks have built-in protection mechanisms against overvoltage and overheating, making them safe for all your devices.
Which power bank should I get for travel?
For travel, we recommend a power bank with a minimum capacity of 10,000 mAh, but you’ll be happier with 20,000 mAh or more.
Can I take a power bank on a plane?
Yes, you can, but it must be placed in your carry-on luggage. You’ll likely need to take it out during security screening.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
