Travel-friendly power banks worth packing for your next holiday

I never travel without a power bank. Whether it’s to keep my phone alive for last-minute gate changes, Spotify playlists on long car rides, or just so I don’t panic when I’m down to 3% battery in a new city — a portable charger has saved me more times than I can count. But lately, airlines have been getting a lot stricter about power banks after a series of incidents related to potential fire risks from lithium-ion batteries.

Turns out if your power bank doesn’t meet the guidelines, you could be asked to leave it behind. And it’s definitely not ideal when you’re about to board a long-haul flight. As a guideline, most airlines allow power banks up to 100Wh (watt-hours) without special approval, however, those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline permission, while the other power banks exceeding 160Wh are prohibited on flights.

So if you’re looking for a power bank to bring on your next trip, here are some travel-friendly options that balance power, portability, and most importantly, airline compliance.

Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank, $49.99

10,000mAh, 37Wh 

Sleek, chic and convenient to carry around, this portable charger can be used with a wire or you can go wireless, and it’s powerful enough to charge up to two full charges for an iPhone 15 or 1.5 charges for an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Besides that, it also keeps the power bank below 38°C during wireless power delivery, so you won’t have to worry about it overheating.

Cygnett ChargePro Fast Charging Power Bank, $99.90

20,000mAh, 72Wh

Compact, lightweight, and impressively efficient, the ChargePro Power Bank is a solid travel essential. With 30W fast charging and a 4.1-phone charge capacity, it keeps devices powered up without weighing you down. The digital display makes it easy to check how much battery you have left, while built-in magnets offer seamless wireless charging for MagSafe-compatible devices. 

Zendure SuperMini 5K Power Bank, $19.90

5,000mAh, 18.5Wh

Small but efficient, this mini power bank is about the size of an energy bar — which means it fits easily into your smallest bag or jacket pocket. Despite its compact build, it delivers fast charging with 18W Power Delivery (think: up to 50% charge on an iPhone X in just 30 minutes) and supports adaptive fast charging for QC 3.0 devices. Bonus: it’s got pass-through charging, so you can power up both your phone and the power bank at the same time — perfect when you’re short on outlets at the airport.

Zendure SuperMini Portable Power Bank, $26.90

10,000mAh, 37Wh 

Proof that good things come in small packages, the SuperMini packs a 10,000mAh punch into a credit card-sized body — small enough to slip into your pocket, yet powerful enough to keep your phone going for up to three days. It offers 20W fast charging (up to 50% in 30 minutes for an iPhone 13) and can recharge itself in just three hours. Despite its size, it can power up two devices at once and even supports pass-through charging. Bonus: there’s a low-power mode for smaller gadgets like smartwatches and earbuds.

Energizer QE10007PQ, $59

10,000mAh, 37Wh 

This trusy and durable power bank is a must for your next adventure. Not only does it offer up to 36 extra hours of screen time for your smartphone but it also comes with three output options — USB-A, USB-C, and wireless charging — and is built for multitasking on the go. The USB-C port supports Power Delivery, fast-charging your iPhone from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes, while Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and 18W smart USB-A ensure your Android devices get powered up fast too.

Philips 20000mAh Powerbank, $69.90

20,000mAh, 72Wh

With a massive 20,000mAh capacity, this all-in-one power bank is made for long travel days (or nights out where charging ports are nowhere in sight). It supports 22.5W fast charging, wireless charging, and even comes with built-in USB-C and Lightning cables — so no rummaging around for spare cords. Advanced safety features keep your devices protected from overheating or overcharging, making it a solid, worry-free pick for frequent flyers and multitaskers alike.