We also considered models recommended by news outlets like Forbes, Popular Science, and The Verge. When we emailed Omnicharges customer support, representatives responded within a few days, so if you do run into an issue, you can count on timely assistance. , This compact, lightweight charger supports wireless charging and has an OLED screen that displays battery life and other metrics. TechRadar is supported by its audience. The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Bank is fairly compact, enjoyable to use, and equipped with an informative OLED screen. Still, if you like to keep close tabs on how much power your laptop is getting or precisely how much battery life your device has left, you might find that level of detail advantageous. 
Its fairly versatile, as it includes 10 laptop adapters that should cover most users needs. In our testing, it pumped out 133 W of power to our test laptop, more than enough for most laptops or other household appliances that you might need to run while out of reach of a wall outlet, such as a room fan or movie projector. On a third side, youll find two USB-A output ports, an OLED display screen, and control buttons to toggle various ports on and off. But even with that extra power, its one of the smallest and lightest chargers we tested (the Omnicharge Omni 20+ is a few ounces lighter). Ideally wed have preferred 100%, since the highest-capacity chargers we testedthe RAVPower and ChargeTech unitswere able to fully charge the laptop (plus an additional 20%) under the same conditions. It shares some aspects of our picks, offering a clean, simple look and good capacity. Its backed by Ankers standard 18-month warranty, which is one of the longest weve seen in this product category. Its backed by a one-year warranty, which is shorter than Ankers coverage, but that should still give you plenty of time to make sure its not defective. The Anker Powerhouse 100 performed well in our testing, offering more than 100 W of power output and enough capacity to bring a dead MacBook Air battery up to 90% chargedeven during heavy use with the screen brightness turned up. We especially like the rubber flap over the AC port, which prevents dust and other debris from sneaking into the port when the charger is getting jostled about in a backpack or a laptop bag. Like the Anker, the ChargeTech can power even large, powerful laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Pro while theyre in use. Its slim profile and smooth exterior give it a sleek look and make it easy to slip into a backpack or briefcase. 
Its also one of the biggest, measuring 6.9 by 5.3 by 1.4 inches, and its AC/DC charger is a bit bulky. And its not just for laptops: With its built-in AC outlet, a laptop charger can power other small devices, as well, from vibrators and video projectors to breast pumps and baby monitors. The Renogy Phoenix 100 Mini Power Station has the same brick shape (and roughly the same size and weight) as the Jackery PowerBar, so its less portable than thinner, book-shape options, which fit better in laptop bags and backpacks. The Voltaic Systems V88 Portable Laptop Power Bank has all the necessary features that any great laptop power bank should have including four outputs, passthrough functionality, and an easy to read LCD display for monitoring the battery level and voltage. Rated capacity: 30,000 mAh (108 Wh)Max output: 149 WWeight: 2.2 poundsDimensions: 7.0 by 5.4 by 1.8 inches. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, When you're at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook. You will receive a verification email shortly. Overall, it has an upscale, professional look. Its cheaper and smaller but just as powerful and reliable. It has the same port options as the Anker, tooan AC outlet, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C PD portso it can charge most devices. The RAVPower 30000mAhs outer surfaces are coated in a rubbery material that, while comfortable and grippy, causes it to collect smudges and fingerprints more easily than any other model weve ever tested. We wish this unit came with a protective case, as our Anker and RAVPower picks do, though in practice this omission probably isnt a big dealmost people are likely to carry their charger around in the same bag as their laptop, phone, and other important belongings, so theyll probably handle it with care. pic.twitter.com/KQqVv4tC5x, sarah witman (@sarah_witman) April 27, 2021. Luckily, youve got the MaxOak Laptop Power Bank. But those are reasonable trade-offs for the extra power it gives you. After you handle it for a while, its surface is likely to gain some fingerprints, but they wont be nearly as noticeable as on the RAVPower 30000mAh. We tested the performance of each charger in a few key areas, including the following: streaming videos of costa rican wildlife to test portable laptop chargers for @wirecutter is this self care? And, just like regular power banks, they come with a variety of port options some even come with an AC outlet for those whose laptops do not offer USB-C charging. 
If thats not enough, it fits right in aesthetically with its silver aluminum shell and rounded edges. Take a look at our top picks below. Weve tested the best car chargers, and we have recommendations for affordable, reliable options that can fast-charge any device while youre on the road. With that much power, the Anker can handle large appliances like a room fan or a powerful laptop just as well as it can charge small devices such as a baby monitor or a rechargeable lantern. Since most laptops are powered by a USB-C or DC wall charger, you might already have one on hand thats compatible with this unit. But theyre easy enough to overlook, and you can cut off the strap if you like (we removed ours after testing). For MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users that only require up to 30W of power and utilize USB-C charging, the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery & Hub is a terrific option to consider. Michelle Rae Uy The Mophie Powerstation AC used to be our top pick, but it has been discontinued. In previous rounds of testing, we measured noise levels using an RC Professional Decibel Meter, and we used an oscilloscope from BitScope to visualize the electrical waveforms of each charger. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. In our testing, it had the highest peak-power output (160 W), and it charged our MacBook Air from 0% to 95% on a single charge. When we charged an empty MacBook Air in our testing, the Anker Powerhouse 100 brought it up to 90% with the screen at full brightness, Wi-Fi on, and an HD movie streaming. If you dont need an AC outlet, our favorite high-capacity power banks can charge laptops and other USB-powered devices, and theyre smaller and lighter than the picks in this guide. But at this writing, its also the most expensive model we tested. Sign up to theTechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! It even has its own jump start port and comes with its own set of jumper cables. All things considered, though, its a great option if the Anker is unavailable. As complicated as that sounds, you will find that the ideal laptop charger or power bank for you is worth all the effort. The Einova Ultra Fast Powerbank keeps things simple, compact and reliable, which is really all you want from a laptop power bank you want to travel with. Its slim, sleek, and easy to use, and it comes with a wall charger. In addition to the hard-shell case, it comes with a soft mesh pouch and a USB-C charging cable, and its 18-month warranty matches the coverage period on our top pick from Anker. With enough power output to keep a 15-inch laptop running, it charged our MacBook Air to nearly full even with the laptops screen brightness cranked up and video playing. At this writing, the Anker is one of the pricier models we tested, but not by much. The ChargeTech Portable Power Outlet 27K 4.0 has the same port options as the Anker, higher capacity (it was able to charge our test laptop 1.2 times), and a lower price at this writing. More importantly for travelers and digital nomads, it boasts a svelte and lightweight design at 405 g, its a lot lighter than the iPad Air. Via its DC port and included Magsafe 1 and 2 cables, this laptop charger can power up any Apple laptop from 2006 to 2018. Our picks for the best power banks let you pack hours of extra battery life in a pocket or purse to charge your phone, tablet, or other small handheld device. Rated capacity: 27,000 mAh (97.2 Wh)Max output: 141 WWeight: 1.9 poundsDimensions: 7.9 by 4.7 by 1.2 inches. Its ruggedly built yet sleek and professional looking, and its slim shape makes it easy to slip into a backpack pocket or briefcase. 
So, just like regular power banks for smartphone-dependent teenagers, laptop battery chargers have fast become an integral part of any professionals setup, specifically those who work remotely or enjoy working at a cafe. It was able to charge our MacBook Air from 0% to 100%, and then again from 0% to 20%, on a single charge. This extra capacity should offer some additional peace of mind if youre working at a coffee shop, an airport, or anyplace else where wall outlets are scarce. The Omnicharge is about the size of a bagel or kaiser roll. This incredibly high capacity laptop power bank might have too much power to take on a flight. Subscribe now for unlimited access. It has a USB-C PD port, a USB-A port, and an AC port with a protective rubber flap. Its USB-C PD port works for either input or output, as well; this means you can use the port to charge a device such as a Nintendo Switch or 13-inch MacBook Pro, or you can plug it into the wall and recharge the unit itself, at top speed (provided you pair it with the right cable and wall charger). Unfortunately, even though it is the highest capacity charger on this list at 50,000mAh capacity, it can fully charge in 6-8 hours charging overnight, therefore, is obligatory. Its also one of the few models weve seen with dual input options (you can recharge it with DC or USB-C PD), as well as a screen showing you helpful information such as input/output wattage, charge level, and operating temperature. Its two USB-A ports are handy for charging small devices, too, albeit at a slower pace. There was a problem. Finally, check how large their internal batteries are, as this will dictate how many times the charger can charge a laptop, and their overall size, as you don't want to have to lug around a large and heavy charger. We have a separate guide to larger portable power stations, which weigh as much as 50 pounds and can output hundreds of wattsthe type of thing youre likely to want for off-grid living, car camping, or fieldwork. And like our top pick from Anker, its ruggedly built, sleek, and professional looking. And if you have a long commute, travel frequently, or regularly attend off-site meetings and conferences, an alternative source of power like one of our picks can relieve charge anxiety. However, its great for road trips, campings and train rides. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Ankers polished-metal shell has a sophisticated look, and the entire unit seems sturdy and well built. With just 70wh, the OmniCharge 20+ 20000mah is TSA-approved, making it an excellent companion for work trips abroad and if you have long layovers. More importantly, unlike other so-called laptop chargers out there that fail to work at times, this one's incredibly reliable, capable of charging your laptop every single time. We independently review everything we recommend. Unlike many competitors, it also comes with a 45 W wall charger. The Naztech Volt Power Station AC Outlet 14149 has one of the best warranty periods (two years) and currently costs the least of the chargers we tested. Namely, the Omnicharge has the lowest output (98 W) and capacity (it charged our MacBook Air only to about 80%) of any of our picks, and its the most expensive at this writing. At 88Wh, its also airplane-friendly. This unit also has a Qi wireless-charging feature (though its not certified by the Wireless Power Consortium, which wed prefer for confirmation of safety and optimal performance) that you can use to charge some newer phones. And, its not like you can just find an outlet anywhere even big-name coffee shops like Starbucks are making outlets inaccessible to patrons. Laptop power banks are a tricky thing. But if youre looking to save some cash without sacrificing much utility, this charger fits the bill. If you're looking for a portable laptop charger that gives you the best value for your money, you've got a winner here. Lastly, weve had little experience with Naztech and the Volt brand, and when we contacted the companys customer support, a response took 17 days, which doesnt bode well for customers if something goes wrong. The HALO Bolt 58830 isnt just a portable laptop charger, although it is an effective one thanks to its AC outlet. 
If you have a phone or other device that can charge wirelesslysuch as a newer iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxythis is the only one of our picks that has wireless charging capabilities. However, due to its brick-shaped design, it wasnt as sleek or portable as the othersit was a lot tougher to slip into a briefcase than the book-shaped chargers, and multiple Wirecutter staffers said they would prefer a slimmer design. To find the most popular power banks that include AC outlets, we scanned the top results on Amazon, Google Shopping, and the sites of major retailers such as REI and Target. Although this unit still feels relatively sleek and compact, at 7.0 by 5.4 by 1.8 inches its the biggest charger weve tested. Its outer shell is made of a soft-textured plastic thats grippy and comfortable to hold, and it seems relatively scratch and scuff resistant. This is especially true if your laptop is near the end of its lifespan or if you run a lot of apps and programs at once. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Getting a portable laptop battery charger or power bank isnt as straightforward, however. *At the time of publishing, the price was $150. The Anker Powerhouse 100 is the portable laptop charger wed buy for ourselves. *At the time of publishing, the price was $160. It was one of the least expensive models we tested, and it seemed well built. What would have made a real difference is a rubber flap over the Omnicharges ports (which, again, the Anker and RAVPower models have) to protect its internal components against dust and minor spills, but that piece is also missing here. Plus, its one of the few models that come with a wall charger. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium. 
Rated capacity: 27,000 mAh (97.2 Wh)Max output: 133 WWeight: 2.4 poundsDimensions: 8.0 by 5.4 by 1.2 inches.
Its fairly versatile, as it includes 10 laptop adapters that should cover most users needs. In our testing, it pumped out 133 W of power to our test laptop, more than enough for most laptops or other household appliances that you might need to run while out of reach of a wall outlet, such as a room fan or movie projector. On a third side, youll find two USB-A output ports, an OLED display screen, and control buttons to toggle various ports on and off. But even with that extra power, its one of the smallest and lightest chargers we tested (the Omnicharge Omni 20+ is a few ounces lighter). Ideally wed have preferred 100%, since the highest-capacity chargers we testedthe RAVPower and ChargeTech unitswere able to fully charge the laptop (plus an additional 20%) under the same conditions. It shares some aspects of our picks, offering a clean, simple look and good capacity. Its backed by Ankers standard 18-month warranty, which is one of the longest weve seen in this product category. Its backed by a one-year warranty, which is shorter than Ankers coverage, but that should still give you plenty of time to make sure its not defective. The Anker Powerhouse 100 performed well in our testing, offering more than 100 W of power output and enough capacity to bring a dead MacBook Air battery up to 90% chargedeven during heavy use with the screen brightness turned up. We especially like the rubber flap over the AC port, which prevents dust and other debris from sneaking into the port when the charger is getting jostled about in a backpack or a laptop bag. Like the Anker, the ChargeTech can power even large, powerful laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Pro while theyre in use. Its slim profile and smooth exterior give it a sleek look and make it easy to slip into a backpack or briefcase. Its also one of the biggest, measuring 6.9 by 5.3 by 1.4 inches, and its AC/DC charger is a bit bulky. And its not just for laptops: With its built-in AC outlet, a laptop charger can power other small devices, as well, from vibrators and video projectors to breast pumps and baby monitors. The Renogy Phoenix 100 Mini Power Station has the same brick shape (and roughly the same size and weight) as the Jackery PowerBar, so its less portable than thinner, book-shape options, which fit better in laptop bags and backpacks. The Voltaic Systems V88 Portable Laptop Power Bank has all the necessary features that any great laptop power bank should have including four outputs, passthrough functionality, and an easy to read LCD display for monitoring the battery level and voltage. Rated capacity: 30,000 mAh (108 Wh)Max output: 149 WWeight: 2.2 poundsDimensions: 7.0 by 5.4 by 1.8 inches. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, When you're at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook. You will receive a verification email shortly. Overall, it has an upscale, professional look. Its cheaper and smaller but just as powerful and reliable. It has the same port options as the Anker, tooan AC outlet, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C PD portso it can charge most devices. The RAVPower 30000mAhs outer surfaces are coated in a rubbery material that, while comfortable and grippy, causes it to collect smudges and fingerprints more easily than any other model weve ever tested. We wish this unit came with a protective case, as our Anker and RAVPower picks do, though in practice this omission probably isnt a big dealmost people are likely to carry their charger around in the same bag as their laptop, phone, and other important belongings, so theyll probably handle it with care. pic.twitter.com/KQqVv4tC5x, sarah witman (@sarah_witman) April 27, 2021. Luckily, youve got the MaxOak Laptop Power Bank. But those are reasonable trade-offs for the extra power it gives you. After you handle it for a while, its surface is likely to gain some fingerprints, but they wont be nearly as noticeable as on the RAVPower 30000mAh. We tested the performance of each charger in a few key areas, including the following: streaming videos of costa rican wildlife to test portable laptop chargers for @wirecutter is this self care? And, just like regular power banks, they come with a variety of port options some even come with an AC outlet for those whose laptops do not offer USB-C charging. If thats not enough, it fits right in aesthetically with its silver aluminum shell and rounded edges. Take a look at our top picks below. Weve tested the best car chargers, and we have recommendations for affordable, reliable options that can fast-charge any device while youre on the road. With that much power, the Anker can handle large appliances like a room fan or a powerful laptop just as well as it can charge small devices such as a baby monitor or a rechargeable lantern. Since most laptops are powered by a USB-C or DC wall charger, you might already have one on hand thats compatible with this unit. But theyre easy enough to overlook, and you can cut off the strap if you like (we removed ours after testing). For MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users that only require up to 30W of power and utilize USB-C charging, the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery & Hub is a terrific option to consider. Michelle Rae Uy The Mophie Powerstation AC used to be our top pick, but it has been discontinued. In previous rounds of testing, we measured noise levels using an RC Professional Decibel Meter, and we used an oscilloscope from BitScope to visualize the electrical waveforms of each charger. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. In our testing, it had the highest peak-power output (160 W), and it charged our MacBook Air from 0% to 95% on a single charge. When we charged an empty MacBook Air in our testing, the Anker Powerhouse 100 brought it up to 90% with the screen at full brightness, Wi-Fi on, and an HD movie streaming. If you dont need an AC outlet, our favorite high-capacity power banks can charge laptops and other USB-powered devices, and theyre smaller and lighter than the picks in this guide. But at this writing, its also the most expensive model we tested. Sign up to theTechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! It even has its own jump start port and comes with its own set of jumper cables. All things considered, though, its a great option if the Anker is unavailable. As complicated as that sounds, you will find that the ideal laptop charger or power bank for you is worth all the effort. The Einova Ultra Fast Powerbank keeps things simple, compact and reliable, which is really all you want from a laptop power bank you want to travel with. Its slim, sleek, and easy to use, and it comes with a wall charger. In addition to the hard-shell case, it comes with a soft mesh pouch and a USB-C charging cable, and its 18-month warranty matches the coverage period on our top pick from Anker. With enough power output to keep a 15-inch laptop running, it charged our MacBook Air to nearly full even with the laptops screen brightness cranked up and video playing. At this writing, the Anker is one of the pricier models we tested, but not by much. The ChargeTech Portable Power Outlet 27K 4.0 has the same port options as the Anker, higher capacity (it was able to charge our test laptop 1.2 times), and a lower price at this writing. More importantly for travelers and digital nomads, it boasts a svelte and lightweight design at 405 g, its a lot lighter than the iPad Air. Via its DC port and included Magsafe 1 and 2 cables, this laptop charger can power up any Apple laptop from 2006 to 2018. Our picks for the best power banks let you pack hours of extra battery life in a pocket or purse to charge your phone, tablet, or other small handheld device. Rated capacity: 27,000 mAh (97.2 Wh)Max output: 141 WWeight: 1.9 poundsDimensions: 7.9 by 4.7 by 1.2 inches. Its ruggedly built yet sleek and professional looking, and its slim shape makes it easy to slip into a backpack pocket or briefcase. So, just like regular power banks for smartphone-dependent teenagers, laptop battery chargers have fast become an integral part of any professionals setup, specifically those who work remotely or enjoy working at a cafe. It was able to charge our MacBook Air from 0% to 100%, and then again from 0% to 20%, on a single charge. This extra capacity should offer some additional peace of mind if youre working at a coffee shop, an airport, or anyplace else where wall outlets are scarce. The Omnicharge is about the size of a bagel or kaiser roll. This incredibly high capacity laptop power bank might have too much power to take on a flight. Subscribe now for unlimited access. It has a USB-C PD port, a USB-A port, and an AC port with a protective rubber flap. Its USB-C PD port works for either input or output, as well; this means you can use the port to charge a device such as a Nintendo Switch or 13-inch MacBook Pro, or you can plug it into the wall and recharge the unit itself, at top speed (provided you pair it with the right cable and wall charger). Unfortunately, even though it is the highest capacity charger on this list at 50,000mAh capacity, it can fully charge in 6-8 hours charging overnight, therefore, is obligatory. Its also one of the few models weve seen with dual input options (you can recharge it with DC or USB-C PD), as well as a screen showing you helpful information such as input/output wattage, charge level, and operating temperature. Its two USB-A ports are handy for charging small devices, too, albeit at a slower pace. There was a problem. Finally, check how large their internal batteries are, as this will dictate how many times the charger can charge a laptop, and their overall size, as you don't want to have to lug around a large and heavy charger. We have a separate guide to larger portable power stations, which weigh as much as 50 pounds and can output hundreds of wattsthe type of thing youre likely to want for off-grid living, car camping, or fieldwork. And like our top pick from Anker, its ruggedly built, sleek, and professional looking. And if you have a long commute, travel frequently, or regularly attend off-site meetings and conferences, an alternative source of power like one of our picks can relieve charge anxiety. However, its great for road trips, campings and train rides. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Ankers polished-metal shell has a sophisticated look, and the entire unit seems sturdy and well built. With just 70wh, the OmniCharge 20+ 20000mah is TSA-approved, making it an excellent companion for work trips abroad and if you have long layovers. More importantly, unlike other so-called laptop chargers out there that fail to work at times, this one's incredibly reliable, capable of charging your laptop every single time. We independently review everything we recommend. Unlike many competitors, it also comes with a 45 W wall charger. The Naztech Volt Power Station AC Outlet 14149 has one of the best warranty periods (two years) and currently costs the least of the chargers we tested. Namely, the Omnicharge has the lowest output (98 W) and capacity (it charged our MacBook Air only to about 80%) of any of our picks, and its the most expensive at this writing. At 88Wh, its also airplane-friendly. This unit also has a Qi wireless-charging feature (though its not certified by the Wireless Power Consortium, which wed prefer for confirmation of safety and optimal performance) that you can use to charge some newer phones. And, its not like you can just find an outlet anywhere even big-name coffee shops like Starbucks are making outlets inaccessible to patrons. Laptop power banks are a tricky thing. But if youre looking to save some cash without sacrificing much utility, this charger fits the bill. If you're looking for a portable laptop charger that gives you the best value for your money, you've got a winner here. Lastly, weve had little experience with Naztech and the Volt brand, and when we contacted the companys customer support, a response took 17 days, which doesnt bode well for customers if something goes wrong. The HALO Bolt 58830 isnt just a portable laptop charger, although it is an effective one thanks to its AC outlet. If you have a phone or other device that can charge wirelesslysuch as a newer iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxythis is the only one of our picks that has wireless charging capabilities. However, due to its brick-shaped design, it wasnt as sleek or portable as the othersit was a lot tougher to slip into a briefcase than the book-shaped chargers, and multiple Wirecutter staffers said they would prefer a slimmer design. To find the most popular power banks that include AC outlets, we scanned the top results on Amazon, Google Shopping, and the sites of major retailers such as REI and Target. Although this unit still feels relatively sleek and compact, at 7.0 by 5.4 by 1.8 inches its the biggest charger weve tested. Its outer shell is made of a soft-textured plastic thats grippy and comfortable to hold, and it seems relatively scratch and scuff resistant. This is especially true if your laptop is near the end of its lifespan or if you run a lot of apps and programs at once. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Getting a portable laptop battery charger or power bank isnt as straightforward, however. *At the time of publishing, the price was $150. The Anker Powerhouse 100 is the portable laptop charger wed buy for ourselves. *At the time of publishing, the price was $160. It was one of the least expensive models we tested, and it seemed well built. What would have made a real difference is a rubber flap over the Omnicharges ports (which, again, the Anker and RAVPower models have) to protect its internal components against dust and minor spills, but that piece is also missing here. Plus, its one of the few models that come with a wall charger. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium. Rated capacity: 27,000 mAh (97.2 Wh)Max output: 133 WWeight: 2.4 poundsDimensions: 8.0 by 5.4 by 1.2 inches.