If you're searching for the best budget power bank, you're in the right place.
Power banks are designed to keep your devices charged when you don't have a power outlet nearby. This makes them particularly useful when you're travelling or camping, for example, and don't have access to mains electricity.
Therefore, it's perhaps unsurprising to learn that there's no shortage of great power banks to choose from. However, some of them can be pretty expensive, and, let's face it, you probably don't want to break the bank when purchasing one.
Fortunately, we've put together a list of relatively inexpensive picks to kick off your search in the best way possible.
At the budget end of the scale, you can still get some great devices with pretty high battery capacities and multiple outputs to plug more than one device in at the same time. Some even double up as some of the best wireless chargers around as well.
However, when choosing which power bank to buy, you'll need to figure out which one will best suit your needs. Do you need something small and portable? Something that can charge your phone multiple times over? Whatever you're after, we've got you covered.
It's worth noting, though, that battery capacity (measured in mAh) is one of the most important features to look out for if you're going to be without power for an extended period of time.
With this in mind, we’ve picked out these chargers based mainly on their battery life, but have also taken general reviews and features into consideration as well.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at our top picks for budget power banks...
Best budget power bank
- HHETP Wireless Portable Charger
- Yiisonger Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger
- Mregb Solar Power Bank
- Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
- imuto Compact Power Bank
Best budget power bank - HHETP Wireless Portable Charger
click to enlargeThe HHETP Wireless Portable Charger comes with an array of stand-out features which we feel make it one of the best power banks on a budget.
Firstly, it has a mega 33,800 mAh battery capacity that should be able to charge your devices multiple times over. In fact, HHETP boasts its power bank is capable of charging an iPhone 12 eight to ten times before its battery runs out.
You can also charge an impressive five devices at the same time via its 25W USB Power Delivery (PD) and QC 4.0 outputs (for faster charging times), as well as wirelessly charging any Qi-enabled device.
Read more: Best portable charger for camping
With the fast-charging outputs, HHETP state it should only take around half an hour for your device to be fully charged. It can also auto-adjust the power delivery depending on what device it's charging to ensure your devices are ready to use again as quickly as possible.
Safety-wise, the power bank features various different measures. These include: overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, over-discharge protection, and short-circuit protection, all of which can potential damage your device, break its battery, or even cause an electrical fire.
Best budget wireless power bank - Yiisonger Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger
click to enlargeIf it's a wireless power bank you're after, we'd recommend checking out this Yiisonger Portable Charger.
Not only does it offer wireless charging, but it#s also foldable, allowing you to sit your phone upright whilst connected so you can continue to use it. Also, because it's magnetic, you should find your phone stays put while attached.
Its 10,000 mAH battery capacity should give you enough power to recharge your devices once over, making it an ideal option to consider for day trips.
Read more: Best phone tripod
In terms of compatibility, it's been made specifically for the latest iPhone models - the iPhone 12/13/14 series.
Depending on your device, Yiisonger boasts you can charge your phone around two to four times using its power bank.
Additional USB-C and USB-A ports also mean you can charge other devices, like an iPad or even a gaming laptop, whilst you're on the move.
Best budget power bank for outdoor use - Mregb Solar Power Bank
click to enlargeIf you're heading on a camping trip, for example, and need something to keep all your devices charged, then this Mregb Power Bank could be your answer.
It features an impressive IP67 waterproof protection rating and is made from what Mregb describes as a strong ABS material that makes it drop-proof. Furthermore, it even doubles up as a flashlight if you fancy a nighttime hike, and it comes with a built-in compass to ensure you stay on course.
Capacity-wise, this power bank can deliver 36,800 mAh of power. We feel this is more than enough to keep all your devices for a weekend away.
Read more: Best MagSafe case
Not only that, but it's also solar rechargeable. This should come in particularly useful as a backup to the power bank's lithium polymer battery because it means the power bank will also charge when exposed to the sun.
Mregb also boasts its power bank is compatible with the majority of devices on the market, including iPhones, Androids, and tablets. Even if you own both an iPhone and iPad, you can charge both devices at the same time via its 5V USB outputs.
So, when it comes to keeping your devices topped up, we feel this is one power bank worth checking out.
Best budget compact power bank - Anker PowerCore Fusion 5K
click to enlargeAnker's PowerCore Fusion 5K should come in handy whilst you're at home as it can plug into your power outlet to act as a backup phone or tablet charger, or whilst travelling thanks to its small, compact design.
Despite its small stature, it still boasts an impressive 5,000 mAh of power. While this may not be enough to recharge your devices multiple times, it should still come in handy to ensure you have enough battery life during the day.
Read more: Best rugged phone case
This device also comes with a standard USB-C connection and is compatible with a number of different devices, including iPhones and Androids.
Anker states it can charge most devices within 2.5 hours; however, it seems it was specifically designed with the iPhone 13 in mind as it should only take 1.3 hours to charge this particular model.
Ultimately, if you're after something to keep your devices charged but is also small enough to fit inside almost any bag, then we'd recommend checking out this Anker power bank.
Best budget power bank with a digital display - imuto Compact Power Bank
click to enlargeThe imuto Compact Power Bank has a digital display that lets you know how much battery it has left before it runs out of juice. This means you can at least prepare yourself if you know you won't be able to recharge it any time soon.
But, don't worry too much because the power bank features an impressive 20,000 mAh battery capacity, so it should be able to recharge your devices on multiple occasions before needing to recharge itself.
In fact, imuto boasts it can fully charge most phones five to six times and iPads and laptops once via its two USB ports that can allow you to charge more than one device at the same time.
Moreover, it features several safety features to prevent electrical fires and breaking your device. For example, it has smart protection technology to prevent it from over-charging, over-voltage, over-current, and short-circuiting.
Interestingly, while some power banks are not allowed on flights, this power bank is airline-approved so can be taken aboard to ensure you can continue to watch your favourite shows on your iPad, for example, whilst you're in the air.
The power bank also comes with an LED flashlight, making it useful at night when you can't quite see your surroundings. Overall, a pretty impressive bit of kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
You probably have some queries about the best budget power banks, so we've answered some of your most frequently asked questions below to help you out.
Are power banks worth it?
Yes, we'd say power banks are definitely worth it, especially if you're someone who travels a lot. This is because power banks come in useful when you don't have access to a power outlet and need to charge your device on the go.
Many come with large battery capacities, even at the budget end of the scale, so you can charge your device multiple times over before the power bank runs out of charge itself.
Also, some power banks can even charge multiple devices at once, which can come in handy if you're travelling for work, for instance, and need to charge both your phone and laptop whilst waiting for your transport.
How do I choose a power bank?
Choosing the right power bank for you largely comes down to personal preference and what you want to use it for.
For example, if you want to take it on a camping trip where you'll be without a power outlet for a few days, then battery capacity and a rugged, waterproof design are probably the most important factors to consider.
But if you need it for a short train or coach journey, then the battery capacity may not matter as much, and you might prefer something more compact to easily fit into your bag.
Overall, though, we'd say the main features to look out for when you're picking a power bank are its battery capacity, connectivity options, how many devices it can charge at once, and wireless charging.
How many mAh is a good power bank?
This really depends on what you need the power bank for.
As mentioned previously, battery capacity is vital when you're going to be away from a power outlet for a good few days. In this instance, you're going to want a power bank with 20,000 mAh or over.
However, if you need it for general travel purposes or your daily commute to work and back, you should be fine with a 3,000 to 5,000 mAh power bank.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Tech page.