On the heels of Amazon recalling over 250,000 portable battery packs, it might be hard to know which ones you can trust and what you can’t. Well, we’re here to help you make that decision.
When it comes to choosing a portable battery to keep your phone, tablet, or laptop powered while on-the-go, there are many things to think of. Sometimes it can be hard to know whether the battery you’re looking at will suit your specific needs, or whether it will be reliable. Read below for our top picks of what portable battery to keep in your backpacks when your devices are running low.
Working at 9to5, we get to test out many products to know what’s good, and what’s not. So, when it comes to keeping my devices powered away from home, I have several options to choose from.
My main go-to battery when leaving home is the $60 JuiceBox 20100mAh 45-Watt USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 by ZeroLemon. I choose this battery for many reasons, but the main one is the brand. ZeroLemon has been around for years and has nearly perfected producing reliable, affordable power banks.
The JuiceBox 20100mAh battery is also one of my top picks because of the power output it provides. Since it can send up to 45-Watts down a USB-C cable, this battery can charge either my Nintendo Switch or MacBook Pro while on-the-go. Whether I want to have a long gaming session or maybe work on some photo editing and writing at the airport, I can do so without worry of my devices dying.
This battery also can charge my iPhone X or iPad Pro at insanely fast speeds, meaning that even if I let my devices get low on battery, I won’t have to wait long before they have enough juice to get me going again.
Another one of my favorite batteries to bring on trips is the $50 AUKEY 26500mAh Portable Charger. This battery has substantial capacity in a slim design and sports tons of features. With the 3 USB-A ports, you can charge just about any device without hassle.
There is also a dual-function USB-C port that features both input and output options. If you don’t have a USB-C cable handy, however, this battery can also be recharged using a Lightning cable or microUSB port. So, no matter what cable you have with you, this battery can always be recharged.
This is a must-have for me because if I’m going on a short trip, I just need a wall plug, Lightning cable, and this battery. I can keep my iPhone charged from the battery, and at night use my Lightning cable to charge the battery itself.
If you’re looking for something of the slimmer variety, however, the $30 Anker PowerCore Slim 5000 is a great choice too. Anker is a well-known brand around here and a personal favorite. I have used Anker battery products for years, going back to my Galaxy Note 3.
The PowerCore Slim 5000 has a super thin profile and still packs a good amount of extended power. With enough juice to recharge your phone up to two full times, the PowerCore Slim 5000 is a must-have when looking for a smaller battery to throw in your back pocket as you leave the house.
There are many reliable batteries out there, and you should always do research before making a decision. Just because something is the lowest price, doesn’t mean you’ll always have good luck with it. When it comes to choosing a power source for your device, sometimes it’s better to spend a little more and get a well-known manufacturer and brand.
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