A power bank is judged on how much it holds, how fast it charges, and whether you will actually carry it. Our pick is the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W), with an SR Score of 89, for high capacity, three USB-C ports, built-in retractable cables, and flight-ready certification. The UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh (88) is the value runner-up. For maximum output, the Anker Prime is the pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Power bank | Best for | Capacity / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anker Laptop Power Bank | Laptops + phones | 25,000mAh 165W / ~$200 | 89 |
| 2 | UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh | Value laptop charging | 25,000mAh 200W / ~$85-130 | 88 |
| 3 | Anker Prime Power Bank | No-compromise output | 26,250mAh 300W / ~$180 | 87 |
| 4 | Anker MagGo (10K) | iPhone MagSafe | 10,000mAh / ~$80 | 84 |
| 5 | Anker Nano (10K, built-in cable) | Pocket everyday | 10,000mAh / ~$30 | 83 |
| 6 | Anker 313 (PowerCore 10K) | Budget basic | 10,000mAh / ~$22 | 79 |
| 7 | Anker 548 (PowerCore 26K) | Multi-device capacity | 26,800mAh / ~$110 | 78 |
Methodology
The Charge Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Capacity & output (30) — mAh and how many devices it can charge and how fast.
- Charging speed (25) — peak wattage in and out.
- Portability (20) — size and weight relative to capacity.
- Features (15) — built-in cables, display, port count, MagSafe.
- Value for money (10) — price versus capability.
Capacity and speed lead because those are the reasons to buy a power bank. Re-weight Portability up and the 10K pocket banks climb.
Anker Laptop Power Bank
The all-round winner, around $200. 25,000mAh (under 100Wh, so flight-ready), 165W total output across three USB-C ports (100W max each), with built-in retractable cables so you carry nothing extra.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 28/30 |
| Charging speed | 23/25 |
| Portability | 15/20 |
| Features | 14/15 |
| Value for money | 8/10 |
Trade-off: it is heavy and pricey; overkill if you only charge a phone.
UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh
The value pick, often $85-130 on sale. 25,000mAh with 200W total across three ports and PD 3.1 pushing a single port up to 140W — lighter and cheaper than the Anker laptop bank.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 28/30 |
| Charging speed | 24/25 |
| Portability | 16/20 |
| Features | 12/15 |
| Value for money | 10/10 |
Trade-off: not all versions include built-in cables, so check the model.
Anker Prime Power Bank
The no-compromise pick, around $180. 26,250mAh (99.75Wh) with 300W total output across two USB-C and one USB-A, enough to run a 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed, plus a status display.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 29/30 |
| Charging speed | 25/25 |
| Portability | 13/20 |
| Features | 13/15 |
| Value for money | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the largest and heaviest here; a desk-bag bank, not a pocket one.
Anker MagGo (10K)
The iPhone pick, around $80. A 10,000mAh MagSafe-compatible bank that snaps onto the back of an iPhone for cable-free top-ups, often with a kickstand.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 20/30 |
| Charging speed | 20/25 |
| Portability | 18/20 |
| Features | 14/15 |
| Value for money | 9/10 |
Trade-off: magnetic charging is slower than wired, and 10K is one full laptop top-up at best.
Anker Nano (10K, built-in cable)
The pocket everyday pick, around $30. A compact 10,000mAh bank with an integrated USB-C cable that lives in a bag or pocket.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 19/30 |
| Charging speed | 18/25 |
| Portability | 19/20 |
| Features | 12/15 |
| Value for money | 10/10 |
Trade-off: 10K capacity and modest output; phone-focused, not for laptops.
Anker 313 (PowerCore 10K)
The budget basic, around $22. A no-frills 10,000mAh bank for emergency phone charges at the lowest price.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 18/30 |
| Charging speed | 14/25 |
| Portability | 18/20 |
| Features | 9/15 |
| Value for money | 10/10 |
Trade-off: slow output and no fast-charge or USB-C PD on older units.
Anker 548 (PowerCore 26K)
The multi-device capacity pick, around $110. 26,800mAh with multiple ports to keep several gadgets topped up on a long trip.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Capacity & output | 27/30 |
| Charging speed | 18/25 |
| Portability | 12/20 |
| Features | 11/15 |
| Value for money | 9/10 |
Trade-off: high capacity but slower output than the laptop-class banks; heavy.
How to choose
Decide what you charge. If you carry a laptop, get a 25,000mAh-class bank: the Anker Laptop Power Bank for built-in cables and flight-ready certification, the UGREEN Nexode for value, or the Anker Prime for maximum output. If you only top up a phone, a 10K bank is lighter and cheaper — the MagGo for iPhone MagSafe, the Nano for a cabled pocket option, the 313 for bare-minimum backup. Remember the 100Wh airline limit; the 25,000mAh picks here stay under it. Re-weight the rubric toward Portability and the 10K banks rise; weight Capacity and speed, as we do, and the Anker Laptop Power Bank leads.
Understand the two specs that actually matter: capacity and output. Capacity (mAh or Wh) is how much energy the bank holds — how many charges it delivers — while output (watts) is how fast it pushes that energy into your device. A huge bank with low output will charge a laptop slowly or not at all, which is why laptop users need both high capacity and 100W-plus USB-C Power Delivery. Also note that rated capacity is not all usable; conversion losses mean a 25,000mAh bank delivers meaningfully less to your device, so size up if you need a guaranteed number of full charges.
The airline rule is worth repeating because it catches travelers off guard. The FAA and most carriers cap power banks at 100Wh in carry-on baggage, and they must travel in the cabin, never checked. That works out to roughly 27,000mAh at typical cell voltage, so the 25,000mAh picks here (about 90-99.75Wh) are deliberately just under the line. Anything larger generally requires airline approval or is banned outright. If you fly often, buy a bank with the watt-hour rating printed on the case, keep it in your bag, and you will avoid an unpleasant conversation at security. For everyone else, match the bank to your devices and weight, and do not pay for capacity you will never carry.
Verification
- Anker Laptop Power Bank — 25,000mAh, 165W, three USB-C, retractable cables verified via Anker and Amazon listing.
- UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh — 200W output, PD 3.1, sale pricing verified via UGREEN, Amazon, and Kotaku.
- Anker Prime Power Bank — 26,250mAh / 99.75Wh, 300W verified via The Gadgeteer and Anker.
- Anker 737 — discontinuation noted via Anker and StorageReview (excluded as no longer available).
- MagGo / Nano / 313 / 548 — configs and pricing verified via Anker listings.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best power bank in 2026?
- The Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, 165W) for most people who charge laptops and phones, thanks to built-in retractable cables and flight-ready certification. The UGREEN Nexode is the value alternative.
- Can I take a power bank on a plane?
- Yes if it is under 100Wh, which is roughly 27,000mAh at 3.7V. The 25,000mAh models here (about 90-99.75Wh) are flight-ready. Always carry power banks in your carry-on, not checked luggage.
- How big a power bank do I need to charge a laptop?
- At least 20,000-25,000mAh with 100W or higher USB-C PD output. That gives a full phone charge several times over and a meaningful top-up for a 14-16 inch laptop.
- Is the Anker 737 still available?
- No. Anker discontinued the popular 737 (PowerCore 24K) in mid-2025. Its successor is the Anker Laptop Power Bank line, which is what we rank here.