'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best iPhone power banks: What size do you need for the best charging?
Got an iPhone? Finding it hard to make it through the day on a single battery charge? You're not alone!
ZDNET Recommends
You need a power bank.
It makes the perfect gift for any iPhone user, enabling you to charge your phone quickly.
It's rare for me to go anywhere without the comfort and security of having a power bank.
After weeks (and sometimes months) of testing each product, these are my top recommendations for you.
Also: The best MagSafe accessories for your iPhone
- Compatible with several iPhone 12 and 13 models
- Easy integration with Apple devices
- Slim design
- Expensive
Features: Capacity: 3,000mAh, 6,000mAh, 9,000mAh | Charging port: USB-C | Price: $99
If you have a new iPhone featuring MagSafe -- an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 -- and you like to stay inside the Apple ecosystem, then the MagSafe Battery Pack could be the power bank for you!
Small and portable, the MagSafe Battery Pack is designed to be unobtrusive by magnetically attaching to the back of your iPhone,
At 1460mAh, this is a small power bank. But it's good enough for up to 60% additional charge for an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, or 40% additional charge for an iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Also: What is a MagSafe battery pack and which is the best for your iPhone?
It's not cheap, but you're buying an Apple-branded product, after all. And in all fairness, it's a super-handy, super-portable power bank.
- Compact design
- Good capacity
- Dual ports
- Wall charger not included
- Long charging time
Features: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Charging port: USB-C | Price: $40
A "not-too-big, not-too-small" power bank, this product falls into the Goldilocks zone -- big enough for a few rounds of recharging and still small enough to carry.
I'm a fan of the Anker brand, and this is another gadget that I've taken out and about in cities (and into the wild) in several countries. Anker power banks are well-built, robust, and highly reliable. This is a power bank that's built for daily use.
- Charge two devices at once
- Slim design
- LED indicators
- Pricey
- Slow to charge devices
Features: Capacity: 10,000mAh | Charging port: Integrated Lightning (MFI) and USB-C cables plus USB-C port | Price: $70
The biggest downer is reaching into your bag and discovering that you have a power bank without a cable. The Belkin Boostcharger removes this possibility because it features built-in Lightning and USB-C cables.
This power bank also uses a passthrough, which means you can charge your iPhone with speeds up to 18W while charging the power bank. The 10,000mAh capacity makes it perfect for slipping into a pocket or bag.
You can also charge two devices at the same time with up to 23W of total output using the integrated iPhone cable and USB-C cable.
- Ample ports
- Excellent capacity
- Great power output
- Wireless charging capable
- Bulky
- LCD screen can be hard to read
Features: Capacity: 20,000mAh | Charging port: USB-A and USB-C | Price: $245
The Omni 20+ 20,000mAh is more like a charging computer than a power bank.
The 20,000mAh power bank outputs AC power and DC power, has USB-A and USB-C, and supports wireless charging. It's the perfect mobile charging station for people who travel with not only an iPhone, but an entire entourage of other devices.
You can use this to charge everything from laptops to earbuds. It's a go-anywhere, charge-pretty-much-anything power bank.
- Affordable
- Super portable
- No cables
- Six color options
- Charges slowly
- Not as much power as other options
Features: Capacity: 3350mAh | Charging port: USB-C | Price: $26
The iWalk Mini charger is a lightweight charger (2.6 ounces) that you simply plug into your phone and charge on the go. The charger can easily fit in your pocket or handbag, and comes in six different colors so you can match it to your phone case.
You can check the power status by pressing the button on the charger. Then, to power off the charger, double- press the button.
What is the best iPhone power bank?
The Apple MagSafe battery pack is our pick for the best iPhone power bank, because the compact design makes it easy to travel with. Plus, it offers easy integration with Apple devices. Here's how the best iPhone power banks compare based on pricing, capacity, and quick charge capabilities:
iPhone power bank | Price | Capacity | Quick charge? |
Apple MagSafe | $99 | 1460mAh | No |
Anker PowerCore | $40 | 10,000mAh | No |
Belkin Boostcharge Plus | $70 | 10,000mAh | Yes |
Omnicharge Omni 20+ | $245 | 20,000mAh | Yes |
iWalk Mini | $26 | 3350mAh | No |
Which iPhone power bank is right for you?
Aside from price, the best iPhone power bank for you is one that's easy to travel with and that provides enough mobile power to keep your phone running until you get back home or to the office. You should also consider a power bank with multiple USB ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once. Plus, a charging passthrough allows you to charge your iPhone while you charge the power bank.
Choose this iPhone power bank... | If you need... |
Apple MagSafe | A slim, wireless power bank. |
Anker PowerCore | An affordable power bank with dual ports. |
Belkin Boostcharge Plus | A power bank with integrated charging cables. |
Omnicharge Omni 20+ | A high-end power bank that can handle anything. |
iWalk Mini | A budget-friendly iPhone power bank that's portable. |
How did we choose these iPhone power banks?
We chose these iPhone power banks through a combination of extensive research and using the products ourselves to charge everyday devices. We paid attention to customer reviews and ratings, pricing, renowned brands, and the amount of power each battery offers.
Does charging your battery from a power bank damage the battery on the iPhone?
Some cheap power banks and chargers can harm your smartphone. But overall, power banks are safe and work using the same technology as a regular charger. We trust any of the picks above to be quality power banks that won't damage your iPhone's battery.
Are these power banks allowed on an airplane?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium-ion battery must be packed in a carry-on bag, rather than in checked baggage. Most airlines allow a power bank with a battery of up to 27,000mAh.
You can find a power bank for $5, so why should you spend more?
Those power banks work. However, in my experience, they don't offer the capacities that they claim and don't last as long as a decent power bank from a reputable manufacturer.
The phrase "you get what you pay for" applies to iPhone accessories. That's why it's better to spend more money to get something that'll enhance your phone's productivity and last.
Is a wireless power bank better?
A wireless power bank can be very helpful, since you don't have to remember to bring any cords or cables with you. Just set your iPhone on the power bank and start charging.
However, they're not ideal for use while you're actually traveling, since there isn't a way to secure your phone to the power bank. When flying or driving, your phone could slip off the charger without you noticing, leaving you with a dead or dying phone when you reach your destination.
What size power bank do you need to charge an iPhone?
It depends on how fast you want your iPhone to charge. The Apple MagSafe battery pack has a capacity of 1460mAh, which is plenty of power to charge your phone, but it will do so very slowly. This kind of power bank is best if you want a trickle charge to keep your phone at full battery all day, rather than emergency charging.
For faster charging when your iPhone battery is low, the best power bank will have at least a 3,000mAh capacity, so you won't have to wait around for hours to make a call.
Are there alternative iPhone power banks to consider?
There are tons of options out there if you're looking for the best power bank for your iPhone. Here's a short list of alternative picks that I also thought were great:
This portable charger has a 30,800mAh capacity that can charge an iPhone 12 more than eight times and an iPhone 12 Pro Max more than six times.
This portable charger is only 0.5 inches thick with a built-in bracket that folds out, so you can prop up your phone while it charges.
This power bank has a 3k mAh portable, magnetic battery that is designed for 7.5W wireless charging anywhere.