You don't have a magnetic phone: You don't need an iPhone to enjoy the magnetic charging, but you'll need a case that lines up your phone with Apple's MagSafe wireless configuration, or else your phone won't charge properly.

Capacity:Think of capacity as the energy reservoir of your power bank. The higher the mAh (milliampere-hour), the more power it can store. So, choose a power bank with a capacity that suits your charging needs and can juice up multiple devices. There are plenty of other power bank makers around, and most of them have not caught up to the faster charging speeds available on the iPhone 15 family, let along even faster Android phones. Except for unique form factors or serious bargains, we stayed away from recommending power banks from reputable makers if they couldn't charge at 2023 speeds. In 2023, nearly every gadget and gizmo that we use has a battery. Our phones are the primary example, but nearly everything — from headlamps to headphones — has built-in rechargeable batteries. Some larger power banks are equipped with wireless charging capability. On this list, the Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD comes with a wireless charging pad that can deliver up to 15w of power to compatible devices. In general, wireless charging from a power bank will be slower than using a cable, but it’s highly convenient in certain situations.

The best portable batteries with wireless charging

The most important question to consider when buying a power bank is what will you be charging? If you are charging a small smartphone and that's all, a simple power bank will suffice. If you plan on charging a laptop occasionally as well, or many devices at once, you'll want something with more power and more features. We’ve been testing the Lion Trek for several months. Though it’s a bit too big and inconvenient for airline travel, it’s been our go-to power bank for car camping. On a single full charge, the Lion Trek recharged an iPhone 13 nine times. It kept a MacBook Air alive for three days of frequent use. According to its display, the Lion Trek only used 5% of its total battery life to fully charge a pair wireless earbuds. A medium-capacity power bank is the perfect choice if you're traveling to locations where you frequently use your phone, and it might take some time before you find a wall charger. A power bank with a capacity of about 7,000 mAh can be used to charge multiple small gadgets, including headphones, as well as your phone. Our durability test involved prolonged regular use indoors and out, and a standardized drop test. Every bank was dropped exactly 2 feet onto a concrete surface to simulate the classic electronics fumble that we all experience from time to time. Some power banks ceased to function after a single drop. Of course, none of those models made the list.

Many of the best power banks come with a mid-range capacity, as it's a great balance between portability and convenience. Unlike most power banks on this list, the Flip 24 only has USB-A input and output. It’s not surprising for such a small bank, but it might be annoying for folks without a compatible cable. Plus, USB-C charging tends to be faster than USB-A. The Flip 24 will charge your phone slower than most other options on this list. Now, let's talk about charging speed. The PowerIQ Charging Technology integrated into this power bank is a game-changer. It automatically detects the device connected and delivers the fastest possible charge, ensuring that I spend less time waiting and more time enjoying my adventures. Whether I'm charging my iPhone or my Samsung Galaxy, the Anker Portable Charger handles it all with lightning speed. If you care more about convenience than speed, wireless charging is very much the way to go – and a growing number of power banks support it. Just place your smartphone on the integrated wireless pad, and you can recharge without connecting any cables. There will be a hit on charging speeds, so you’ll be limited to 7.5W or 10W, but that’s not a big issue if you don’t need to recharge in a flash. As a bonus, we’re now seeing Magsafe-friendly chargers that will clamp onto an iPhone or a ring inside an iPhone case, meaning you can recharge your iPhone even while you’re using it. How we test power banks

The next question is how you want to charge your device. You can find a power bank that charges your phone (or even your Apple Watch) wirelessly. These will usually charge slower, but they can be very convenient if you want to leave wires at home. The convenience of wireless charging is no longer confined to your home or office. Qi-certified charging up to 10W lets you fully charge an iPhone 11 in less than 4 hours no matter where you are.