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CNN
3 days ago
- Business
- CNN
The best portable chargers of 2025, tried and tested
The best portable chargers we tested Best budget portable charger: Iniu Pawsible P41L-E2 Power Bank Best portable charger for phones: Anker Nano Power Bank Best portable charger for laptops and tablets: UGreen 145W Power Bank Testing the best portable chargers might sound boring, but I love to figure out which power brick is worth your cash. This is partially because the world of portable chargers is increasingly confusing, filled with vaguely-named products sold by companies you may have never heard of. On top of that, this is the kind of small purchase that can add years of life to your other devices, which is crucial when even the best smartphones released every year don't always have compelling reasons to upgrade. Portable chargers have become far more interesting in recent times, going beyond their ports to add built-in cables and screens so you can forget your cords at home and stop guesstimating at how much of your charge is left. That said, I'm still happy to see that the top portable chargers offer USB-C for faster charging and USB-A ports for older cables and devices. To make sure you're never low on battery life, I put nearly a dozen of the top battery packs through a series of intensive tests, and I've got my eye on the market to see what's up next from the titans of tech recharging. All of this work has led me to the top three portable chargers, which range from affordable power banks to keep your phone in the green to a powerful brick that will keep your laptop aglow when you can't find an open wall adapter at the airport. Iniu Pawsible P41L-E2 Power Bank This power bank may have an awkward name, but it more than makes up for that with fast charging speeds and its built-in cable. Anker Nano Power Bank This is the charger I never go out without, and with good reason. It offers both fast charging and a convenient design that means I can scroll and swipe while I'm refueling my phone. Read our review UGreen 145W 25000mAh Power Bank While it's a bit larger than most, this simple and straightforward power brick is an excellent option for those looking to keep all of their tech — from laptops to watches — charged during intensive days on the go. Lesser-known tech accessory brand Iniu makes its name by offering the best affordable portable chargers. The Pawsible P41L-E2 is simply a better version of our previous budget pick, offering a built-in cord and faster charging for only a little more. Its best scores on our in-house testing came when I recharged an Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from dead, checking how much charge was refueled after 30 minutes. The Iniu Pawsible P41L-E2 was the only portable charger below $40 to refill over 50% of the iPhone 16's charge in 30 minutes, and its 70% score on the S25 Ultra even beat a portable charger that costs $100. It also beat our previous budget pick, the simply named Iniu Portable Charger (which is often on sale for less than $20) by posting charging scores between two to three times higher than its cheaper sibling. In addition to that performance, this portable charger comes with its own built-in USB-C cord, which isn't included on far-more expensive competitors. That means you won't have to remember to pack a cable (provided you're on a modern Android phone or the iPhone 15 or later) for your next night out. While this portable charger did a serviceable job bringing an iPad Pro M4 back from zero battery life, I saw a surprising hiccup when it could not bring the Samsung Galaxy S10 FE+ back from an empty charge. I will continue to investigate this issue, and plan to update this article with my findings. Oh, and those looking for precision might not like its 'paw' LEDs, which give you an estimate of remaining battery life with up to five lights illuminated. Neither of those are a concern at this price, though. Not only did the Iniu power bank thrive in phone recharging, it did so for the same price as a month of 4K Netflix. Our best overall portable charger basically takes nearly everything I like about our budget pick and puts it in a better package. The 30W Anker Nano Power Bank posted a terrific score in the iPhone charging test, tying with the Iniu Pawsible P41L-E2. Also, the Nano's built-in USB-C cord is just better than the one in the Iniu charger, or at least it's designed to be easier to work with. That's all due to the most ingenious touch, a little metal hook that turns the Nano's cord into a loop that makes it easy to hold while you use the phone. You just snake the connector side of the USB-C cable out from the top side, plug it into your phone, and then hold the power bank aloft by tucking your pinky and/or ring finger into the resultant loop. This way, the Anker Nano isn't pulling itself down from your port, and you can use your phone while you recharge it. This is crucial for anyone who loves to travel, as you can easily charge and use your phone in one hand to figure out where to go in a maps app while drinking a coffee or holding an umbrella with your spare hand. The Anker Nano also features a screen that will tell you the exact percentage of remaining battery life and how long it will take to recharge when you're refueling it. The only real downside about this portable charger is that its 30W charging speed isn't the fastest you'll get at this price point. For example, the cheaper Iniu Pawsible P41L-E2 refilled 70% of the S25 Ultra's battery in 30 minutes, blazing past the 45% score from the Anker Nano. If you're trying to decide between the Anker Nano and the Iniu Pawsible, find out if your phone supports 45W charging or not. If it does, and you really want the fastest pocket-friendly portable charger out there, get the Iniu. I'm betting that most people don't have a 45W-charging phone, and are willing to settle for 'really fast' when they can get the portable charger that's the easiest to use. And that's why I think the Anker Nano is the best for most people. Sometimes simple gets the job done best, as is the case with UGreen's big brick for charging everything you can throw at it. Not only did it recharge the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 Ultra about as fast as any other portable charger (basically tied in the margin of error), but its 145W power meant it posted phenomenal charging scores when I refueled the MacBook Air M4 and Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. And I'm not exactly shocked: you should be seeing superior charging time when you're spending more than $70. Just like the Anker Nano, this UGreen power bank gives you a trio of output options, with dual USB-C ports and one USB-A port. A quick tap of the little button on the side turns on its LCD screen to show you how much juice is left, so you can tell if you need to recharge or not. Oh, and unless you're frequently refueling laptops, this power bank's 25000mAh capacity should serve you well for typical use. The other reason I love this brick is that it often gets discounted well below its $100 retail price; as of this writing, Amazon Prime members can get it for $75. The one thing I don't love about UGreen's laptop charger brick is that it's a bit on the simple side, only offering a low-power 'trickle' mode when it's time to charge smaller devices like wearables. If you're willing to spend more for some nice extras, then I'd recommend you look at the Anker Laptop Power Bank, which costs $35 more, but throws in two built-in USB-C cords, including a retractable cable and one built into its wrist strap. Oh, and you also get a better display for telling you about its status. Also, when it comes time to refuel UGreen's brick, you're going to want to have one of the best USB-C chargers, because refueling it from a USB-A port is going to take far more time than you should spend. Still, since power outlets can be extremely hard to come by on the go, I recommend everyone check out this UGreen power bank if they frequently find themselves struggling to keep their laptop chugging. Design Size: Phones are getting big enough these days (some tell me they're too big), so there's no need for you to be carrying a portable charger that's too huge for easy storage. So, I applaud the more compact chargers for understanding that pockets and purses only have so much space. Many of these chargers manage to fit a lot of charge into a small design thanks to their lithium-ion batteries. Capacity: Then there's the other size: each portable charger has its own mAh rating for its maximum internal electrical charge. The bigger the mAh rating, the bigger the battery inside and the more it can recharge. I only tested portable chargers with 5,000 mAh or higher capacities in this round — that's pretty much the standard entry point, since most popular smartphone batteries are near that amount. Ports and cables: While many portable chargers can refuel your phone quickly, their number of ports and cables can be important differentiators. Many chargers come with a cable you can use to plug it into a wall, but a portable charger that features its own built-in cable means you never have to remember to pack one of the best USB-C cables when you're headed on a trip. Also, some permanently-attached cables are better than others, as some can retract into the case or offer an easier way to hold the charger. And since none of these devices included a wall adapter, we gave extra points to those which included a cable. If you're curious, we've got everything you need to know about how USB-C works. Build quality: Does this portable charger feel durable, and able to survive a little damage? Do I feel confident plugging it into my own phone? Without a loud and direct 'yes' for both of those questions, a portable charger stands little chance of winning our respect. Warranty period: A long manufacturer's warranty should come with every portable charger, as companies should stand behind the batteries you plug into your phone. Most portable chargers we tested come with at least a two-year warranty. Performance Phones: Since the name of the game is keeping your phone's battery icon in the green, I tested how efficient these power banks are when it comes to refueling in a short window of time. I tracked how much battery life each gave some of the best smartphones in 30 minutes, after the phones had previously been drained of their charge. This round of testing consisted of recharging the regular iPhone 16 and the fast-charging Galaxy S25 Ultra (which supports speeds of up to 45W). I used the included or built-in cords to charge other devices, as well as each device's most-powerful port or cable. I also used a Yojock USB-C power meter to confirm the power of each port. Laptops: Since the smartphone isn't the only piece of tech I rely on, I checked to see if any of these portable chargers could recharge two of the best laptops: the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air and the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. Unsurprisingly, only our two largest portable chargers proved effective at all, as the rest only resulted in errors such as 'Battery is not charging,' and 'Slow charger, use a higher-watt charger.' When trying to look for the best portable charger for bigger devices, look for chargers with higher W (watts) specs, starting at around 100W. Tablets: In our final round of testing, I checked how our top four portable chargers fared at refueling two of the best tablets from zero. This testing was done with the iPad Pro M4 and the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+. Iniu Portable Charger Basic chargers get basic names, and such is the case with this Iniu power bank that features a 10,000mAh capacity, two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Not exactly fast, it's certainly affordable. This Iniu Portable Charger used to be our budget pick, but its only-slightly more expensive sibling charged our phones more than twice as fast and has a built-in USB-C cord. I understand why many people will still want to get this portable charger due to its low price, but spending a little more here gets you much better results. Nimble Champ Portable Charger This little charger packs a decent 10,000 mAh capacity (enough for at least two large phones) and dual fast-charging USB-C ports. Oh, and it's designed for the eco-conscious among us, with a 90% post-consumer plastic housing and post-consumer scrap paper packaging. It also includes recycling materials for getting rid of your e-waste. This tiny portable charger did well in the iPhone 16 charging portion of our test, but it failed to post anything inspiring for the Samsung S25 Ultra, as its 20W charging power wasn't enough to keep up with other, faster-charging power banks. I admire this power bank for its environmentally-conscious design and packaging, but I have a hard time giving it a strong endorsement. That said, if you put the environment above all else, I say 'stay Nimble.' Anker 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank Capable of charging laptops, tablets, phones and anything else you can plug into its USB-C and USB-A ports, this 25,000mAh power bank features dual integrated charging cables and an information-rich display. This is the portable charger to buy if money's no option, and if you don't mind a larger or heavier power bank. Not only does it offer dual built-in USB-C cables, but one is a retractable cable that basically hides in its body and the other doubles as a wrist-strap. The priciest portable charger on this list provided speedy-fast charging in every round, either tying for the win in nearly every category, and four points shy of the best iPhone 16 charging score. And that's well within the margin of error. The only real downside on this item, aside from its price, is that its 1.5-year warranty is at least six months less than what the rest include. Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K Built-in USB-C and Lightning cables make this charger an easy call for anyone who needs to charge current and older Apple devices — especially at the same time. Its 10,000 mAh capacity means you'll have the juice to do it, too. Simply good-to-OK charging scores in our iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 Ultra rounds combined with a versatile two-cord design make Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K a worthy consideration. But when Lightning is on the way out and this charger is $10 more than the Anker Nano, it's hard to see this as a future-forward pick. It's also a little larger than some might want. Anker 22.5W Nano Power Bank A folding USB-C connector makes this 5,000mAh portable charger super easy to use. You just plug it into your phone, and you can charge while you scroll. The little sibling to our best pick for top charger, this Anker always feels like the junior. It's got a lower capacity, less charging power and its design isn't exactly as convenient. Sure, you can charge while you use your phone, but it'll leave you with a super-tall handset that's slightly awkward to use. Mophie Powerstation Plus 10K This portable charger packs USB-C and Lightning cables, and its 10,000 mAh capacity gives you enough juice to charge both your phone and a friend's. A bit pricey for what it offers, the Mophie Powerstation Plus' claim to fame in our testing was that it posted the best score for recharging the iPhone 16 from dead, but only by one percentage point. While it gave the Galaxy S25 Ultra 14% more juice than the similar Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K, it's hard to argue that this difference is worth an extra $30. UGreen Nexode Power Bank This portable charger's 100W charging power combines with a 12,000mAh capacity to offer speed and endurance, and it's priced to move. Includes USB-A and USB-C ports. Good performance in our testing for charging the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 Ultra made this medium-sized portable charger one to consider, especially at $50. There's nothing quite wrong with it, but there's nothing super-compelling either, as it offers no built-in cables and a simple set of USB-A and USB-C ports. OtterBox 3-in-1 Mobile Charging Kit Need to charge over USB-C, Lightning and microUSB? Then this 5,000mAh portable charger might be the right one for you, as it comes with a microUSB charging cable that includes USB-C and Lightning adapters you can snap on top. Slow charging speeds and slightly-awkward adapters meant OtterBox's portable charger didn't live up to my own expectations. Also, with microUSB on the way out, its inclusion doesn't really feel relevant, unless you're using one of our older picks for the best e-reader. Can you bring a portable charger on a plane? Can you bring a portable charger on a plane? Yes, though there are some exceptions and rules you must abide by. In addition to the TSA battery rules, the TSA's What Can I Bring? site states that portable chargers must be packed in carry-on luggage, and not checked bags. Certain airlines are also announcing new rules, as Southwest Airlines recently revised its guidelines to state 'When a portable charger/power bank is used during a flight, it must be out of any baggage and remain in plain sight. Do not charge devices in the overhead bin.' How much do portable chargers weigh? How much do portable chargers weigh? There's an increasingly wide range of weights when it comes to portable chargers. The power banks I tested were as light as 3.6 ounces and as heavy as 20.9 ounces. Are portable chargers safe for your phone's battery? Are portable chargers safe for your phone's battery? In general, portable chargers are safe to use with your phone, and I'd know since I've been using and testing them for more than a decade. I'd include one small caveat, though: don't buy or use a portable charger from a brand you're unfamiliar with. Portable chargers are like any electronics I've covered in my product reviews, and I wouldn't just plug any one of them off the virtual shelf into my phone. CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products we review and provides full transparency about our testing methodology. We're made up of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Throughout his decade-long career reviewing tech, electronics writer Henry T. Casey has examined all kinds of charging gadgets from cases with built-in batteries to MagSafe power bricks.
Android Authority
22-05-2025
- Android Authority
Flying this summer? Make sure you're aware of this new rule about portable chargers
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Southwest Airlines passengers will need to keep portable chargers visible at all times on flights when they're in use. The new policy goes into effect on May 28. This is the first US airline to update its rules, but several Asian airlines have already done so after growing concerns about lithium-ion battery fires on planes. As Memorial Day fast approaches, that means everyone's getting ready for their summer vacations. But if you're flying with Southwest soon, then you need to be aware of a big policy change on its flights in regards to a daily necessity: portable chargers. Beginning May 28, Southwest Airlines will require passengers using any kind of portable chargers with batteries in them, including power banks and phone battery cases, to keep them in plain sight while in use. This means that one cannot keep an active portable charger in overhead bins or even bags under the seat — they must be visible at all times during the flight when using them. Though Southwest is the first US airline to update its rules about portable chargers, it's possible that other airlines may follow. It's important to note that this new rule only applies when the battery is connected and actively charging another device. Southwest told Gizmodo that the battery can stay in your carry-on bag if it's not in use charging another device. Several Asian airlines already have similar policies in place regarding portable batteries and chargers. The reasoning for the new rules is growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires on planes. Joe Maring / Android Authority According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 22 verified incidents this year involving a lithium-ion batteries, and 2024 had a record high of 89, with the trend continuing to grow. Since 2006, there have been a total of 620 incidents, and the top culprit involves lithium-ion batteries or battery packs, followed by vaping devices and then cellular phones. In January, an Air Busan plane had a fire that burned through the roof of the plane as it was preparing to take off, which required all 176 people onboard to be evacuated. Though that particular fire hasn't had the origin verified, several Asian airlines and Korean regulators updated rules about portable chargers after. Some Asian airlines are much more strict with the rule, like Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, which have both prohibited using or charging power banks at all while on a flight. In 2024, smoke from a laptop was seen coming from a passenger's bag on a flight from San Francisco. Another flight in 2023 from Dallas to Orlando, Florida had to make an emergency stop in Jacksonville due to a battery in an overhead compartment catching fire. Currently, the TSA bans both rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries for phones and laptops in checked bags, but have allowed passengers to keep them in their carry-on luggage. But with the new rule from Southwest, those will now need to be out of bags and visible when using them on the flight. If you're on a flight and see something on fire, it would be wise to inform the flight crew. They are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires (or other issues) in the cabin, after all. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
CNN
22-05-2025
- CNN
Southwest Airlines places new restrictions on portable chargers in carry-on
We've all been there: you're on a flight, and your cell phone battery is dwindling. You need your phone to show your boarding card, keep yourself entertained on board, and navigate your way to your destination. For many travelers, that's when portable battery packs or portable chargers can save the day. Now passengers flying with Southwest Airlines will be required to keep these kinds of chargers visible, if they are using them mid-flight — a move aimed at reducing the risk of batteries causing onboard fires. In what it called a 'first-in-industry' policy, the airline confirmed to CNN that the new rule would be introduced from May 28. 'Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted,' a spokesperson said via email. The new Southwest rules are also online on the airline's website: 'When a portable charger/power bank is used during a flight, it must be out of any baggage and remain in plain sight. Do not charge devices in the overhead bin.' 'Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees,' the airline's spokesperson added. Portable power banks are powered by lithium-ion batteries and more than 600 in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat have been recorded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the past two decades. FAA data also says there have been 22 verified incidents so far in 2025. FAA rules currently prohibit passengers from carrying spare lithium-ion batteries, such as power banks, in their checked luggage. Southwest's change follows the tightening of rules on carrying lithium batteries on planes by several Asian airlines, including Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. A portable power bank with a lithium battery was found to be a possible source of a fire that engulfed an Air Busan plane in January while it was waiting for takeoff, South Korea's transport ministry said in a press release. The press release cited the investigation committee and forensic services. Investigators found 'multiple electrical melting marks from the remains of a power bank,' the press release said. South Korea subsequently introduced nationwide restrictions, banning passengers from storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead cabins on all of the country's airlines. Travelers can store power banks either in the seat pocket or under the airline seat. Meanwhile, travelers on Thai Airways cannot use power banks on flights. Singapore Airlines also prohibits passengers from using or charging power banks in-flight. Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in power banks, are filled with materials which are highly reactive and highly flammable, according to Sonya Brown, senior lecturer in aerospace design at the University of New South Wales in Australia. 'Lithium batteries could act as an ignition source themselves, or as a source of fuel for a fire initiated elsewhere. The potential risk as an ignition source is increased when lithium batteries are damaged, swollen, include manufacturing defects, are over-charged or over-heated,' she told CNN earlier this year. Brown also said accidental contact with other battery terminals 'can cause unintended discharge' and suggests power banks and spare batteries be taped with a non-conductive material or packed separately to avoid coming into contact with other metals. Brown also recommends passengers inspect their power banks before traveling for any signs of swelling or external damage and consider disposing of them according to local regulations if there is anything that appears unusual.
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Fox News
Southwest Airlines unveils new portable charger rule for passenger safety
Travelers will need to follow a new rule regarding juicing up their devices while flying on Southwest Airlines. The Texas-based airline will be "requiring customers to keep portable charging devices visible while in use during flight," a Southwest spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted," the spokesperson added. "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees." A passenger's battery charger recently caught fire on a JetBlue flight from Florida to the Bahamas, Business Insider reported. Smoke and flames erupted in the cabin of the flight due to the portable charger overheating in the passenger's carry-on luggage. Portable chargers, or power banks, are not allowed in checked bags but can be packed in carry-on bags as they have lithium-ion batteries, according to TSA. The FAA website notes that "all lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating and experiencing a process called thermal runaway." "Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly protected." The policy will begin on May 28. Customers with the Southwest app have shared that they are receiving notifications about the policy already. In the "r/SouthwestAirlines" forum on Reddit, a user shared a screenshot of the notification, titling the post, "I had no idea this was an issue." The post said, "Got this pop-up for the first time, and I'm baffled." The notification showed a battery graphic saying, "If you use a power bank during your flight, keep it out of your bag and in plain sight. Do not charge [the] device in the overhead bin."
Gizmodo
21-05-2025
- Gizmodo
Southwest Airlines Will Require Passengers to Keep Portable Chargers Out During Flights
Southwest Airlines announced it will require all portable device chargers to be kept in plain sight during all flights while they're in use. The new policy comes after a number of lithium-ion batteries fires on flights worldwide in recent years. The new policy will start May 28 and will require all Southwest passengers to make sure they don't have any portable chargers, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, in overhead bins or even just inside a bag in under the seat in front of them, while they're in use. 'Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted,' the airline told Gizmodo in an emailed statement. 'Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.' The airline told Gizmodo that it's okay to keep your portable charger in your carry-on bag if it's not connected to anything else. But any charger in active use, including one that may be connected to the phone in the form of a case, should be kept visible for the entire flight. The TSA already bans rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries for phones and laptops from checked baggage. Carry-on baggage is fine, but Southwest Airlines will soon require those chargers to be outside of all bags and visible while in use during the duration of the flight. It's unclear if other U.S.-based airlines will follow Southwest's lead, but other airlines around the world have also been cracking down on lithium-ion batteries in an effort to fight fire hazards. As the Associated Press notes, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways both already prohibit the use of portable chargers on all flights. And Korean Airlines also bans portable chargers from overhead bins. The average U.S. passenger brings four different rechargeable devices with them on a flight, according to the UL Standards & Engagement research group, with the most common devices being smartphones (82%), laptops (41%), wireless headphones (39%), and tablets (36%). The most common incidents were caused by vaping devices, which accounted for 35% of all incidents on flights in 2023, while power banks accounted for 16% of all incidents reported. 'Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin,' the FAA explains on its website. 'Passengers should notify flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.' Indeed. If you see something on fire on your flight, battery or otherwise, please let the flight crew know. That's just generally a good idea.
