Laptops are designed to be used away from a power source. While there are several things that can impact how long a battery lasts, you don’t want to be caught with a dead battery and nowhere to charge it. Fortunately, there are power banks on the market that are designed specifically for laptops. We’ve rounded up some of the best-performing power banks to resurrect your dying laptop while you’re on the go.
Tip: if you have access to an outlet, a GaN charger may be a great way to charge your laptop along with other devices simultaneously.
1. Anker Powercore III Elite 26K (aka 737)
Price: $159.99
Anker has positioned itself as one of the most reputable power bank manufacturers, and for good reason. They have consistently released quality products, and the Powercore III Elite 26K is no exception. This power bank boasts a massive 25,600 mAh battery along with the ability to charge three devices simultaneously. The USB-C port can deliver enough power to charge most laptops on the market, and the two USB-A ports can deliver 18 watts of power for fast charging in devices like phones and tablets.
Pros
- One of the biggest airline-friendly batteries
- 25600 mAh
- Charge three devices simultaneously
- Power IQ 3.0 offers fast charging time
- 3 Ports: 1 60W USB-C port and 2 18W USB-A ports
Cons
- Simultaneous charging will result in slower charging speeds
- On the expensive side, given the specs
2. ZMI PowerPack No. 20 QB826G
Price: $159.99
The ZMI PowerPack No. 20 is one of the most potent power banks on the market. It is capable of charging high-demand laptops like the 16-inch Macbook Pro. However, what’s really impressive is the secondary USB-C and USB-A ports can output their max wattage even when all of the ports are in use. Typically, power output suffers when you use a power bank to charge multiple devices. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with the ZMI PowerPack No. 20, making it an excellent option for those who need to charge multiple devices while on the go.
Pros
- 210 watts of power across three charging ports
- 25,000 mAh battery
- 3 total ports: 100W USB-C, 45W USB-C, and 65W USB-A
- Meets FFA requirements to go into a carry-on bag
Cons
- Expensive
Good to know: a power bank isn’t the only tech product you’ll want for a vacation or work trip.
3. Baseus 100W Blade
Price: $99
This 20,000 mAh power bank from Basesus adopts a unique design, making it one of the thinnest available. Measuring only 0.7 inches thick, the Blade is an excellent choice for those who travel frequently, as it can slide into a bag without producing significant bulk. The Baseus 100W Blade houses two USB-C ports, including one that outputs 100 watts for charging laptops, plus two fast-charging USB-A ports for mobile phones and tablets.
Pros
- 20,000 mAh capacity
- Thin and light: only 0.7 inches thick and 1.2 pounds
- 100-watt output and 65-watt input
- 4 charging ports
- LED status display shows charging speed and time
Cons
- Larger surface area takes up more space
- Fast charging won’t work on multiple devices simultaneously
4. INIU Laptop Portable Charger
Price: $79.99
With many power banks on the market that utilize sub-par components, INIU stands apart by offering an industry-leading three-year warranty. In addition to the peace of mind a stellar warranty provides, INIU’s 25,000 mAh laptop charger can output up to 65 watts of power via USB-C. Furthermore, a secondary USB-C cranks out 30 watts, and a single USB-A port can deliver a maximum of 22.5 watts.
Pros
- Affordable
- Large numerical LED power indicator
- 25000 mAh capacity
- Fully recharges in three hours
Cons
- Bulky design
- Only one 65W output at a time
Tip: if you’re traveling and can’t charge both your phone and your laptop, these tips can help you save your phone battery.
5. Baseus 20000 mAh Laptop Power Bank
Price: $59.99
Power banks that are capable of charging laptops tend to be rather pricey. Thankfully, if you’re on a tight budget, the Baseus Laptop Power Bank can keep you going without breaking the bank. Even though it’s cheap, you can rest easy knowing you don’t have to sacrifice performance. This power bank is capable of outputting 65 watts of power via USB-C. This makes it suitable for virtually every laptop on the market today. In addition, two USB-A ports deliver 30 watts for quick charging of your mobile devices.
Pros
- Cheap
- Numerical LED charge indicator
- 20000 mAh gives plenty of capacity to charge a laptop
- 1 USB-C port and 2 USB-A
- Fully recharges itself in two hours
Cons
- Simultaneous charging will impact the charging speed
- Heavier than some other options
6. RAVPower PD Pioneer
Price: $109.99
This power bank from RAVPower features a modest 20,000 mAh battery, but it has an ace up it’s sleeve. The RAVPower PD Pioneer opts for a full-sized AC outlet, so you can use it to power anything plugged into a normal wall outlet, including laptops. You don’t have to worry about compatible connector tips, and you can charge laptops that don’t use USB-C charging. Moreover, you can use it to power other devices, like a hairdryer.
Pros
- 80W AC output to power non-USB devices
- USB-C and USB-A charging available as well
Cons
- Only 30 watt output via USB-C limits laptop compatibility
- Laptop must charge via USB-C
- Not available through Amazon
Good to know: there are several great apps for international travelers available for both iOS and Android.
7. Anker PowerCore 24K (aka 737)
Price: $149.99
The Anker PowerCore 24K is a power bank aimed at high-end users. With a 24,000 mAh battery and 140 watts of output power, this power bank can satisfy the power needs of the most demanding tech. In addition, it boasts some extra features not found on other units, such as an OLED screen that provides information like remaining juice and how long to recharge.
Pros
- Capable of outputting 140 watts
- 2-way fast charge capability
- Can charge 3 devices simultaneously
- Below the 100Wh limit enforced by TSA
- 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port
Cons
- Bulky
- Overkill for most users
- Expensive
8. Anker 733 (aka GaNPrime PowerCore 65W)
The Anker 733 is a 2-in-1 hybrid charger. This means that it can be used as a standard wall charger, or a portable charger, thanks to its built-in 10,000 mAh battery. When used as a wall charger, the two USB-C ports can deliver up to 65 watts of power, and the USB-A port can supply 22.5 watts. As a portable charger, this unit can supply 30 watts over USB-C and 22.5 watts over USB-A. This makes the Anker 733 a bit of a niche product with limited laptop charging capabilities when not being used as a wall charger.
Pros
- Combination wall and portable charger
- GaN technology
Cons
- Only 30 watts of power when used as a power bank
- Only 10,000 mAh battery
Tip: if your laptop battery just doesn’t last long anymore, it may be time to purchase a new laptop.
9. Maxoak 50000
Price: $129
With a whopping 50,000 mAh battery, the MaxOak 50000 is one of the largest capacity power banks available. The tradeoff is that it exceeds the maximum capacity allowed on airplanes. The device can charge six devices simultaneously, but it doesn’t offer any USB-C ports. Instead, you can use any number of adapters with the DC outputs built into the device.
Pros
- Compatible with a wide variety of laptop models with 14 different connectors
- Massive 50,000 mAh battery
- Rated for 1000+ recharge cycles
- 20V/3A DC output
- Quick charge USB-A ports
- Can charge 6 devices at once
Cons
- At 185Wh, it is not welcome on airplanes
- Cumbersome
- No USB-C
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly with a laptop power bank?
Different countries and airlines may have different restrictions regarding power banks, but the TSA in the United States technically doesn’t “approve” of any power bank, regardless of what it’s designed to charge. Instead, they impose a limit on the capacity of the battery itself. The output power of a power bank doesn’t matter, only the capacity of the battery cells inside. At this time, any power bank under 100 Wh can be brought onto a plane. This translates to approximately 27,000 mAh, so you don’t see many power banks larger than this.
How do I convert Watt hours (Wh) to Milliamp hours (mAh)?
To determine mAh from Wh, you need to know the Wh and voltage of your device. With those in hand, divide the Watt hours by the volts and multiply by 1,000 to get the Milliamp hours. The formula looks like this: Wh/V x 1,000 = mAh. Alternatively, several calculators freely available on the Web will give you an accurate answer.
My laptop has a USB-C port. Can I use it to charge my laptop?
Maybe. In addition to transferring data, USB-C can also be used to charge various devices, including laptops. That said, just because your laptop has a USB-C port doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to use it to charge it. In general, laptops that have a USB-C port with Power Delivery (PD) can be charged via USB-C. PD allows for higher power delivery over USB-C, which can be used to charge devices that require more power, like laptops. That said, some laptops may require a proprietary charger even if they use a USB-C charging port. The surefire way to determine whether you can or cannot charge your laptop via USB-C is to check the manufacturer’s website or user manual.
Image credit: Pexels
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