Which Portable Charger Should You Buy?

Which Portable Charger Should You Buy?

A portable charger lets you recharge your phone and other mobile devices without relying on power outlets.portable charger They come in all sizes, from small packs for an emergency smartphone boost you can keep in your pocket to larger ones that will fully charge a tablet. Battery capacities are rated in milliamp hours, with higher numbers meaning more power. Some power banks have more than one USB output port, which can be helpful for charging multiple devices at once or sharing a boost with a friend.

Some models have a flashlight and other useful features for camping or other outdoor activities.portable charger A few even support fast-charging technologies, so you can top up your phone with less time. Some of them are even waterproof, so you can use them for swimming or hiking. Some also work as a power bank while you're on the go, with a built-in micro USB port that allows you to recharge from three-prong AC outlets or DC power sources.

Most of the power banks we tested can fully recharge most modern smartphones at least a couple times.portable charger They're a great option for travel, where airport outlets can be scarce or you might have to sit in a dirty airplane seat for a long flight with no outlet nearby. You can also take them to festivals where there are no outlets in your tent, and they're a lifesaver if you get lost in the woods with a dead cellphone.

In our testing, we found that Anker's PowerCore Slim 10000 lags behind the competition in both charging speed and capacity.portable charger That's why we're giving our overall winner to the INIU Power Bank Pro, which has enough power to charge most phones multiple times and boasts two USB-A output ports to charge a device while another is being charged. It's also more compact than the PowerCore Slim while offering more output power, and its sleek design is comfortable to hold in your hand.

We also looked at how easy it is to charge the power bank itself, considering that many of us will be using the same one for a long time. We wanted to make sure it's quick and easy to plug in, and that the ports are easily accessible. We liked that the INIU Power Bank Pro has an LED indicator to show when it's done charging and a built-in flashlight. The Anker PowerCore Slim's indicator only shows a percentage of its remaining charge, which can be hard to read in low lighting.

We also wanted a power bank that is durable and built to last. The INIU is a durable, water-resistant pack with four-corner drop security and aramid fiber for protection. Its design is simple, and it has a textured grip that feels comfortable in your hand all day. The Anker PowerCore Slim is similar in size and construction, but it's not as water-resistant or has a tactile finish. The ridges on the Anker's surface can make it uncomfortable to grip in a sweaty hand, though, and its performance lags behind others.

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