Tech

The must-have gadget that every travel lover needs

Charge on the go.
By Kaitlyn McInnis  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 5 Picks

HALO Bolt 58830 mWh Portable Charger (opens in a new tab)

Top Pick

The Halo portable charger provides everything you'd need in an emergency — it has enough juice to charge your laptop for over eight hours or 217 car jumps.

The Good

  • Available in a variety of cool design options
  • Enough juice to charge your laptop for 8+ hours
  • Great for emergencies or car trouble

The Bad

  • This portable charger is quite large in size

The Bottom Line

Considering everything this portable charger can do, is its large size really an issue? You decide.
Pros & Cons

Anker Portable Charger (opens in a new tab)

Best For Multiple Devices

This is a compact portable charger combines a great charge with a great price.

The Good

  • Very small and compact in size
  • Includes at least five full charges for an iPhone
  • Great price

The Bad

  • Charging is quite slow compared to other devices

The Bottom Line

While this Anker can charge multiple devices at once and lasts at least five full charges of an iPhone, don't expect a quick charge.
Pros & Cons

Anker PowerCore Portable Charger (opens in a new tab)

Best Value

The Anker PowerCore has portability and high-speed charging, without hurting your wallet.

The Good

  • Great price for the quality
  • Available in cool colors
  • Charges devices quickly

The Bad

  • Some reviewers complained that its charging abilities decrease over time

The Bottom Line

This portable charger gives you the best bang for your buck — just know, the charging speed might get worse over time.
Pros & Cons

Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger (opens in a new tab)

Best Compact Design

If you're looking for a small, portable charger that only has enough juice for one charge, check out the Anker PowerCore 5000.

The Good

  • Ultra-compact design
  • Very quick charge
  • Available in a handful of cool colors

The Bad

  • Only provides enough juice for a single charge

The Bottom Line

Overall, this portable charger is super small and perfect for a small emergency.
Pros & Cons

mophie snap+ Juice Pack Mini (opens in a new tab)

Best Charging Case

With built-in charging, this phone case adds an additional 100% battery to your phone.

The Good

  • Built-in charging
  • Provides 100% more charge
  • Streamlined design

The Bad

  • Some reviewers complained that this charger loses juice over the years

The Bottom Line

If you're looking to save precious charging time, the mophie juice pack mini streamlines the process.
Pros & Cons

Whether you’re traveling or you just spend a lot of time on the go, a portable charger will quickly become your new best friend — especially if you rely on your phone for directions or Apple Pay. Instead of sitting around and waiting for your phone or other gear to charge, a high-quality portable charger allows you to easily charge your tech wherever you are, while still giving you the ability to use your device.

What to consider before buying a portable charger

The right portable charger will depend greatly on what your lifestyle looks like: do you want something that’ll slip into your pocket for on-the-go charging, or were you hoping to find something that’ll allow you to charge multiple devices at a single time?

Getting clear on your specific requirements will help to quickly narrow down the type of charger to look for. It’s also vital to set and stick to a budget, as portable chargers of all sizes can greatly range in price point.

Looking for the right portable charger for your particular needs? Here, some of the top options on Amazon to ensure you’re never without juice, taking into account design, charge life, and functionality.

Top Pick
Specs
  • Voltage: 120 volts
  • Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.8 x 1.6 inches
  • Weight: 26.6 ounces

This budget-friendly charger is all you’ll need to stay connected all day long. The powerful charging port allows for more than eight hours of charge for a laptop or over 217 car jumps, making it a great option to have on hand in the car during roadtrips.

Best For Multiple Devices
Credit: Anker
Specs
  • Voltage: Five volts
  • Dimensions: 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.8 inches
  • Weight: 12.1 ounces

Whether you need to charge your tablet in tandem with your phone, or you just know someone will want to mooch off your charger as soon as you pull it out of your bag, this portable charger offers enough juice to charge multiple devices at once.

Best Value
Credit: Anker
Specs
  • Voltage: Five volts
  • Dimensions: 3.82 x 3.15 x 0.87 inches
  • Weight: 8.5 ounces

This budget-friendly portable charger allows for up to five charges for a smartphone and two full charges for a tablet. It offers an unparalleled price-to-quality ratio, while the compact size fits easily into small handbags or backpack pockets.

Best Compact Design
Credit: Anker
Specs
  • Voltage: Five volts
  • Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches
  • Weight: 4.8 ounces

Made for anyone looking to carry enough back-up juice for peace of mind, this ultra-compact device is smaller than a tube of lip balm. It's great for throwing in your pocket or glove box for an emergency charge.

Best Charging Case
Credit: mophie
Specs
  • Voltage: 5000 Milliamp Hours
  • Dimensions: Fits Smartphones, iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and Qi-enabled Devices
  • Weight: About four ounces

This portable charging case was made for anyone looking for a streamlined way to keep your device fully charged. It works by way of magnets that snap right onto the back of your phone.


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