The best power banks or power stations are the ideal way to make sure your devices never run out of juice while you're out and about.
Simply charge them off the mains at home, and they'll store up power to give your equipment a power boost when you're on the go. Whether you're an astrophotographer, hiker, camper or just someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, you'll be able to keep your phone, camera batteries or flashlights full of charge when off-grid.
The best power banks come in a range of different designs, sizes and capacities. Some are small enough to fit in your pocket and make the perfect companion for your daily commute, while others are designed with high capacities to help you charge multiple devices at the same time.
Others have handy additional features like being able to double up as a flashlight or handwarmer for those cold, late-night shooting sessions. We've included a wide range of options on this list so you can decide on the best model for your needs and budget.
If you're looking to upgrade the rest of your kit, we have guides to the best cameras and best telescopes, along with lists of useful accessories like the best headlamps and best camera backpacks.
The quick list
Best power banks and power stations we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.
This sleek-designed power bank boasts a stunning smart digital display, and comes with both USB-C and USB-A charging ports.
A reliable power bank that can power laptops for the eco-conscious sky watcher who needs additional charge on-the-go.
This is built specifically with astronomers in mind, with a 12 VDC, 6A telescope power output port as well as a USB-A port. The red light power bank combo is great for off-grid astronomy sessions.
A professional-looking, fast-charging power bank that's also carry-on compliant, it can quickly charge three devices at once.
A sophisticated power bank from one of America's favorite USB charging brands.
A pocketable power bank with a tough exterior and rubber coating, so it's suitable for all-weather adventures. It features Qi 10W wireless charging, too.
The Lion Energy Eclipse Mag is a convenient and powerful unit that can charge various different devices wirelessly, eliminating the need for multiple cables.
Load next products ↴
A multi-functional device that acts as a hand warmer, torch and a power bank so you can cut down on items to carry in your kit bag.
A 2-in-1 red torch meets power bank. Best suited to a beginner or occasional astronomer as, while handy, neither of the functions are exceptional.
A neatly designed power station with handy storage compartments that's ideal for home power backup thanks to its super-speedy UPS.
A refined little power station that's intuitive and does everything you'd need it to — great for skywatchers, campers and festival goers.
An exceptional, nicely designed power station that is incredibly fast to recharge and easy to maneuver thanks to a telescopic handle and all-terrain wheels.
The huge 2048Wh capacity will easily keep you powered up off grid, but be prepared for a workout when moving it from A to B.
Best power banks we recommend 2024
Best overall
✅ You want a digital display: This power bank has a crisp TFT display that shows precisely how much charge you have left.
✅ You want to travel with it: This one is TSA-compliant so you can take it in your hand luggage.
❌ You want a super lightweight power bank: At 1.3 lbs (609g), it's not the lightest in this guide.
❌You're on a budget: This one will set you back over $100.
🔎 UGREEN Nexode Power Bank: A sleek, high-tech power bank with a beautiful display, it has USB-C and USB-A ports and great compatibility. However, it's not super light and it does come with a high price tag.
The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank is a nicely designed piece of kit. Its sleek, smooth grey coating also features an anti-slip pad on one side to ensure better grip. What really sets it apart, though, is the high-res TFT smart display that shows you the amount of charge remaining, the voltage and the current so you can optimize your device charging. UGREEN has included a sweet little 'face' that changes depending on the device's status. This is superfluous, but some users may like its 'personality'.
We've been testing this power bank for a couple of months (the 25,000mAh model), and we've been very impressed with its performance. Like other UGREEN products we've reviewed over the years, it is a quality product that does exactly what it says on the tin. The USB-C and USB-A output ports mean it's compatible with a wide range of devices without needing an adaptor, from Apple laptops to smaller devices like smartwatches and phones.
The massive capacity means it can charge several devices multiple times on one charge, but the drawback is it's not the lightest power bank in this guide as a result. That said, we still recommend it as a good choice for those who travel frequently, as it is TSA-compliant and can be packed into your hand luggage. We took it on various trips, including festival camping, where it held its own despite hot operating temperatures and being 'thrown' in and out of the tent over long weekends.
The UGREEN Nexode takes about 2.5 hours to reach a full charge, and the PD 3.1 technology for fast charging means it can charge a MacBook Pro more than halfway in just 30 minutes, which is impressive. It also has a trickle charging to help prolong the lifespan of your electronic devices.
Overall, this is a premium power bank with a price tag to match, but we'd recommend it for those whose budget stretches that far.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sleek, high res smart display |
| Functionality | Multiple ports, fast charging, trickle charging |
| Performance | Impressive, can't fault it |
Best for portability
✅ You want something simple: This power bank is simple, portable and reliable. With no fancy screens or other functionality, it just does what it needs to.
✅ You're after Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility: This is required to activate fast charging modes on compatible devices.
❌ You want to see the exact level of charge remaining: This power bank utilizes a 4-light LED indicator to show how much percent charge is remaining, so it's not as accurate as other models.
❌ You need something waterproof: There's no waterproof rating so it's best to use it where there's guaranteed to be no water or heavy condensation/moisture.
🔎 BioLite Charge PD 20/40/80: A no-fuss, affordable power bank that can be relied on for multiple charges over a couple of nights. We really like BioLite's mission too.
BioLite is a manufacturer of outdoor and off-grid products, and it's on a mission to provide 20 million people with clean energy and to avoid 3 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2025. When you buy a BioLite product, you're helping them on that mission. But while we're big fans of BioLite as a company, we also love the BioLite Charge 80 because it's a very neat little power bank.
One of its standout features is the Quick Charge 3.0 Protocol which activates fast charging modes for compatible devices. This power bank has an LED indicator with four bars that let you know how full the charge is (25%, 50%, 75% or 100%). While some might prefer an LCD screen that shows exact charge numbers, we think the LED indicator is more than enough.
There are three different versions of BioLite's Charge power bank that are very similar in terms of specifications. The one we tested is the Charge 80, which has the largest capacity. It's rugged and simple to use, and in our BioLite Charge PD review, we noted that its size-to-capacity ratio is just right. It's able to charge multiple devices more than once over a couple of days — notably, it can charge the BioLite HeadLamp 425 (which features on our best headlamps for astrophotography list) approximately 16 times.
The Charge PD ships with a USB-A to USB-C cable, but you'll have to supply your own USB-C to USB-C cable or something with multiple ends for a more universal fit.
The power bank can operate in temperatures between -20C to 40C, so unless you travel to the most hostile conditions, you shouldn't run into any issues in that department. One major drawback is it's not waterproof, however, so you'll want to keep it somewhere dry and avoid venturing out with it in a downpour.
- Read our full BioLite Charge PD Series review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Simple, grey and yellow, rounded edges |
| Functionality | Not waterproof but robust, small and light |
| Performance | Great, does what you'd need it to inc PD which charges devices three times faster than a 5W charger. |
Best value
✅ You'll be using it in extreme temperatures: It can operate in temperatures from -4 to 140F (-20 to 60C).
✅ You want the red light functionality: Having a built-in red light is particularly useful for astrophotographers.
❌ You want something that's quick to charge: Some power banks take less than two hours to charge to 100%, but this one can take up to six hours.
❌ You want something pocketable: This power bank is brick-like and pretty heavy. You can find lighter models with higher capacity.
🔎 Explore Scientific 8300mAh Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight: If you're heading out for a night of skywatching or astrophotography and require a red light and some extra power, this will serve you well.
The Explore Scientific USB Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight is a great choice for astronomers and astrophotographers. Not only does it have enough power to see you through night-long shoots, the red flashlight is also a great companion that will help you maintain your night vision.
Granted, it's not the brightest flashlight and it won't light up whole areas like one of the best headlamps for stargazing would. But as an additional feature to a power bank, it's very useful indeed, whether you're checking star charts or fiddling around with the settings on your camera.
The flashlight has a tactile toggle switch that you can use to turn it on and off. It also has a two-point attachment point so you can hang it from a convenient place, like your tripod frame. There are five LED indicators on the body that show you the amount of power it has left, so you won't get caught out unexpectedly.
This device definitely doesn't look as 'sleek' as some of the other picks in this guide, but it's covered in a thick layer of rubber armor that keeps out dirt and moisture while shielding the electronics from minor impacts. It can operate in temperatures from -4 to 140F (-20 to 60C), so there's no need to worry about protecting it from extreme temperatures.
- View our Best headlamps guide for other astro friendly light sources
Best for keeping in your car
✅ You want something carry-on compliant: This is almost the maximum capacity power bank you can take in your hand luggage.
✅ You need both USB-C and USB-A ports: This has both, so there is no need to carry an adapter with you.
✅ You want something that charges quickly: During our tests, we charged this power bank from 0-100% in just 90 minutes.
❌ You want wireless charging: This particular Ugreen model doesn't feature wireless charging, but some of te brand's other models do.
❌ You want something for carrying around in your backpack: This might not be the ideal power bank for you as it's on the heavier side.
🔎 Ugreen 2500mAh Power Bank: We really like this power bank and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a simple, elegantly-designed, high-capacity and reliable model.
The Ugreen 25000mAh power bank is a simple but sleek-looking device with some impressively fast charging times. Its capacity is more than large enough for powering multiple devices, but it's also just under the maximum limit permitted for hand luggage, making it very travel-friendly. You get USB-C and USB-A ports on this device, as well as a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
During our Ugreen 25000mAh power bank review we were able to charge the power bank itself from empty to full in just 1.5 hours, and we charged a laptop from empty to full in the same amount of time.
One of our favorite features on the Ugreen power bank is the built-in digital display. It lets you see exactly how much power is left in it, which means there's no guesstimation involved unlike with with power banks that use light indicators instead. The level of precision is very welcome as it means you're able to keep careful tabs on your power usage, knowing exactly what you can still afford to charge.
The two-way charging featured on this model means that it can both charge and give charge at the same time, so it's an ideal charging hub for multiple devices. It also allows for trickle charging and has built-in surge and short circuit protection to give you peace of mind.
One thing to bear in mind is that this power bank is heavier than some other similarly-sized models. As such, it's not the best for carrying around with you, but it is very useful for keeping in your car or tent for charging devices as you travel. It would also have been nice to see a wireless charging feature, particularly as the Ugreen 25000mAh power bank's size would allow for it, but its absence shouldn't be too much of a deal-breaker for most.
- Check out our Ugreen 25000mAh power bank review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Professional looking — stylish and fuss free with a digital power indicator |
| Functionality | USB-C and USB-A ports are useful, two way charging so you can use it as a charging hub |
| Performance | Incredibly fast to charge, real time information is accurate |
Best for longer charges
✅ You want to buy from a well-known and respected brand: Anker is one of America's leading USB charging brands.
❌ You need a fast-charging device: It takes around six hours to fully charge.
❌ You primarily charge USB-C devices: This power bank has three USB-A outputs and takes Micro-USB input.
🔎 Anker PowerCore+ 26800 with Quick Charge 3.0: A product from a well-respected brand with the maximum capacity allowed in hand luggage, it intelligently delivers the optimum power to your individual devices.
Anker is a well-known USB charging brand in America, so we always feel confident recommending their products. The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 comes in a sleek aluminum design, with rounded corners and round battery indicator button surrounded by 10 small LED lights to help you keep track of how much charge it has left.
The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 features dual input ports, allowing it to halve the amount of time it takes to charge up at the wall, and it's also compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology to allow it to charge even faster — though you'll have to buy the wall charger separately to make use of this feature. With the additional wall charger, you can charge it from empty to full in around four hours, versus around six hours without it.
Measuring around 7 x 3 inches (18 x 8cm) and weighing 1.3 lbs (591g), it's a little bulkier than some of the other options on our list. That said, it could still be a worthy travel companion thanks to its high capacity, which falls just under the carry-on limit for airplane travel. It also comes with a handy carry case.
You can charge up to three devices at the same time with this power bank via the three USB-A ports. It also boasts another inbuilt piece of technology called Power IQ which allows the power bank to identify connected devices and deliver the optimum charging speeds to all devices at the same time. Overall, it's a solid and reliable power bank that comes with an 18-month guarantee for further peace of mind.
- Need a camera backpack to carry your kit? Look no further than our handy guide.
Best for waterproofing
✅ You want something waterproof: It has an IP54 rating, so it's not submersible but it would be fine if you left it out in the rain.
✅ You want wireless charging: This power bank offers wireless charging for compatible devices.
✅ You want something pocketable: This is 140 x 73 x 22 mm, so it should easily fit in your pocket.
❌ You need to charge your devices multiple times: This is a low-capacity power bank that should be seen as a spare supply of power in a pinch.
❌ You like seeing real-time data: This power bank only has a basic LED indicator for charge levels.
🔎 Otterbox Fast Charge Power Pack: An extremely rugged and weatherproof power bank that offers wireless charging.
The Otterbox 15,000mAh (also available as 10,000mAh) is a reliable outdoor companion. With a protective rubber shell, it's very hard-wearing so it's a great power bank to choose if you're off on an adventure that may involve a few knocks (or if you're a little accident prone).
This power bank comes with wireless charging, which is very handy as it means you don't need to carry around extra wires and cables — providing your devices are wireless charging compatible, of course.
Its IP54 rating means it's totally protected from dust ingress and allows for some water ingress too. While it obviously isn't fully submersible, the odd splash or a bit of rain isn't anything to worry about, so it's good for use in most weather conditions.
The Otterbox comes in three colors: Twilight Black, New Blossom Pink and White Sands. The latter two make the device easier to spot among a sea of predominantly black photography gear, or if you're out on an astrophotography shoot in the dark.
Some might be disappointed that the Otterbox doesn't have a display, which means you don't get an accurate numerical depiction of how much charge remains in the device. Instead, there's a basic LED indicator which lets you know when it's charging and when it's fully charged.
- Often out in the rain? Check out the Knog Bilby 400 waterproof headlamp
Best for wireless charging
✅ You value wireless charging: You won't need to remember various different cables to charge your devices.
❌ You're on a budget: This is one of the more expensive units on our list for its capacity.
🔎 Lion Energy Eclipse Mag - 99.9Wh Wireless Charger: A great pick for anyone who wants to charge their devices wirelessly, especially for people who own all the Apple gear, but this makes it pricier for its capacity.
For those who want to go wireless, the Lion Energy Eclipse Mag is the ideal travel companion. Although it's relatively weighty at 2 lbs (907g), it's approved for airplane travel and has a chunky, rugged build so it should be able to withstand getting jostled around in your backpack. It has a high capacity of 27,000 mAh, too, so you won't find yourself running out of charge easily.
This power bank is rated for over 1,000 life cycles and comes with a hefty five-year warranty. Although it's fairly expensive compared to other models, it's a powerful little device that may be worth it if you enjoy being able to charge your devices wirelessly.
The main selling point of this power bank is its wireless charging capability. It comes with three wireless charging pads on the top, one for charging your phone, one for wireless earbuds and one for an Apple Watch. You also get two USB-A charging ports and one USB-C charging port that is rated for up to 85W, so it can be used to charge up your laptop, too.
We were really impressed by how fast the power bank itself charges up from the wall. You can charge it from empty to full in around 90 minutes, and it's able to keep wirelessly charging your devices at the same time.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Chunky and rugged |
| Functionality | Three wireless charging options |
| Performance | Charges from the wall in around 90 minutes |
Best 3-in-1 device
✅ You want to carry as few things as possible: Triple functionality means you have less kit to take with you.
❌ You need to charge your devices multiple times: This is a low-capacity power bank, so it's not going to keep all your gear charged for days at a time.
🔎 Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro: A handy multi-functional device for astronomers and astrophotographers. It's small and light, so it can be kept in your pocket to keep your hands warm on night-time adventures, and used as a red torch or power bank when you need it.
There's an awful lot to like about the Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro. As its name suggests, it's first and foremost a torch. Not just any torch, though: Coming from Celestron, this is designed with stargazers in mind, so it features a red light for preserving night vision. But as bonus features, you also get a 3550 mAh power bank and a hand warmer thrown in for good measure.
If you're solely after a power bank, this probably isn't the right choice for you. At 3,550 mAh, it's barely enough to charge your mobile phone to full, let alone a suite of equipment. That said, it's a handy amount of charge if you're caught off-guard. With the addition of the red flashlight and handwarmer, however? The Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro is practically an astronomer's best friend — and a very handy little tool to have in your equipment.
The internal battery charges within two hours, so it's ideal for some last-minute adventures. There is also a white LED version of this model, so make sure you choose the Astro version to get the red light capability. It has an IPX4 rating, which means it can be used on rainy nights —it's worth noting though that while it can withstand light water splashes, it obviously cannot be submerged.
We particularly like that the hand warmer can be used simultaneously with the flashlight — handy when you're holding the light out in front of you. The hand warmer will provide around four hours of continuous heat on a full charge.