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The best power banks for iPhone
Got an iPhone? Finding it hard to make it through the day on a single battery charge? You're not alone!
ZDNET Recommends
You need a power bank. It makes the perfect holiday gift for any iPhone user, enabling you to charge your phone quickly.
It's rare for me to go anywhere without the comfort and security of having a power bank. After weeks (and sometimes months) of testing each product, these are my top recommendations for you:
Also: Best iPhone accessories 2022: Cases, chargers, and more
- Compatible with several iPhone 12 and 13 models
- Easy integration with Apple devices
- Slim design
- Expensive
Features: Capacity: 3,000mAh, 6,000mAh, 9,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Price: $85
If you have a new iPhone featuring MagSafe -- an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 -- and you like to stay inside the Apple ecosystem, then the MagSafe Battery Pack could be the power bank for you!
Small and portable, the MagSafe Battery Pack is designed to be unobtrusive by magnetically attaching to the back of your iPhone,
At 1460mAh, this is a small power bank. But it's good enough for up to 60 percent additional charge for the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, or 40 percent additional charge for the iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro Max.
It's also not cheap, but you're buying an Apple-branded product, after all. And in all fairness, it's a super-handy, super-portable power bank.
Also: What is a MagSafe battery pack and which is the best for your iPhone?
- Compact design
- Good capacity
- Dual ports
- Wall charger not included
- Long charging time
Features: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Price: $40
A "not-too-big, not-too-small" power bank, this product falls into the Goldilocks zone -- big enough for a few rounds of recharging and still small enough to carry.
I'm a fan of the Anker brand, and this is another gadget that I've taken out and about in cities (and into the wild) in several countries. Anker power banks are well-built, robust, and highly reliable. This is a power bank that's built for daily use.
- Integrated USB-C and Lightning cables
- Slim design
- LED indicators
- Pricey
- Slow to charge devices
Features: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Charging Port: Integrated Lightning (MFI) and USB-C cables plus USB-C port | Price: $29
The biggest downer is reaching into your bag and discovering that you have a power bank without a cable. The Belkin Boostcharger removes this possibility because it features built-in Lightning and USB-C cables.
This power bank also uses a passthrough, which means that you can charge your iPhone while charging the power bank. The 10,000mAh capacity makes it perfect for slipping into a pocket or bag.
I initially had concerns about the robustness of the cables, but they've stood the test of time.
- Ample ports
- Excellent capacity
- Great power output
- Wireless charging capable
- Bulky
- LCD screen can be hard to read
Features: Capacity: 20,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-A and USB-C | Price: $249
The Omni 20+ 20,000mAh is more like a charging computer than a power bank.
The 20,000mAh power bank outputs AC power and DC power, has USB-A and USB-C, and supports wireless charging. It's the perfect mobile charging station for people who travel with not only an iPhone, but an entire entourage of other devices.
You can use this to charge everything from laptops to earbuds. It's a go-anywhere, charge-pretty-much-anything power bank.
What is the best iPhone power bank?
The Apple MagSafe battery pack is our favorite pick for the best iPhone power bank, because its compact design makes it easy to travel with. Plus, it offers easy integration with Apple devices. Here's how the best iPhone power banks compare based on pricing, capacity, and quick charge capabilities:
iPhone power bank | Price | Capacity | Quick charge? |
Apple MagSafe battery pack | $85 | 1460mAh | No |
Anker PowerCore 10,000 PD Redux | $40 | 10,000mAh | No |
Belkin BoostCharge | $29 | 10,000mAh | No |
OmniCharge Omni 20+ | $249 | 20,000mAh | Yes |
Which iPhone power bank is right for you?
Aside from price, the best iPhone power bank for you is one that is easy to travel with and that can provide enough mobile power to keep your phone running until you can get back home or to the office. You should also consider a power bank with multiple USB ports or a charging passthrough so you can charge multiple devices at once or charge your iPhone while you charge the power bank.
Choose this iPhone power bank... | If you need... |
Apple MagSafe battery pack | A slim, wireless power bank |
Anker PowerCore 10,000 PD Redux | An affordable power bank with dual ports |
Belkin BoostCharge | A power bank with integrated charging cables |
OmniCharge Omni 20+ | A high-end power bank that can handle anything |
How did we choose these iPhone power banks?
I test each and every power bank I recommend.
I don't just mean I test them for a couple of days. No, I test them for weeks and months, subjecting them to drops, falls, bumps, and exposure to the elements.
These are all products I use daily and trust to keep my iPhone (and other devices) charged up.
Does charging your battery from a power bank damage the battery on the iPhone?
While I have come across a small number of badly made power banks and chargers that can harm a smartphone, overall, power banks are safe and work using the same technology as a regular charger.
Are these power banks allowed on an airplane?
Yes, all of the power banks listed above are TSA compliant.
You can find a power bank for $5, so why should you spend more?
Those power banks work. In my experience, however, they don't offer the capacities that they claim and don't last as long as a decent power bank from a reputable manufacturer.
The phrase "you get what you pay for" applies to iPhone accessories. That's why it's better to spend more money to get something that'll enhance your phone's productivity and last.
Is a wireless power bank better?
A wireless power bank can be very helpful, since you don't have to remember to bring any cords or cables with you. Just set your iPhone on the power bank and start charging.
However, they're not ideal for use while you're actually traveling, since there isn't a way to secure your phone to the power bank. When flying or driving, your phone could slip off the charger without you noticing, leaving you with a dead or dying phone when you reach your destination.
What size power bank do you need to charge an iPhone?
It depends on how fast you want your iPhone to charge. The Apple MagSafe battery pack has a capacity of 1460mAh, which is plenty of power to charge your phone, but it will do so very slowly. This kind of power bank is best if you want a trickle charge to keep your phone at full battery all day, rather than emergency charging.
For faster charging when your iPhone battery is low, you'll want to get a power bank with at least a 3,000mAh capacity so you don't have to wait around for hours to make a call.
Are there alternative iPhone power banks to consider?
There are tons of options out there if you're looking for a portable power bank for your iPhone. Here's a short list of alternative picks that I also thought were great: