The best portable charger for iPhone is just the accessory you need to keep your smartphone juiced up when you’re on the go. Here’s a collection of the best iPhone external battery you can get right now.
Out of all the consumer technology that has evolved over the years, none has changed as dramatically as mobile phones. What started off as a movement to make communication wireless, has turned into a technological revolution of its own. It is a general belief that mobile phones of the past offered better screen on time that we experience today, but is it a fair comparison? A modern iPhone is capable of doing far more than the legendary Nokia 3310 ever could, which is why the 8 hours vs 22 hours screen on time is fairly justified.
Mobile phone batteries are getting better, but they have evolved in the past decade, except for the charging speeds. Today, you can charge the iPhone 12 at a lightning speed of 20W, while other Android OEMs are upping the ante to a whopping 120W charging speed. However, you’re going to feel the need to get your hands on the best portable charger for iPhone that essentially works as an external battery for iPhones when you’re on the move. With the onset of 5G comes the need to have a portable phone charger for iPhone handy, but how do you settle on the right one?
Best Portable Charger for iPhone for 2020
It’s going to one heck of a rollercoaster ride when you go online looking for an iPhone external battery case that keeps your device juiced up. The sheer number of brands that have popped up over the years is sure to make your head spin and wonder, which power pack for iPhone is actually worth picking up. With the curated list down below, we have meticulously tested and read through dozens of reviews before boiling it all down to the very best of the best.
HALO Bolt 58330mAh – Best High-Capacity iPhone Power Bank
If pocketability is not a concern, having a large capacity battery pack is the best option for you on a long trip. And the HALO Bolt is the swiss army knife of large capacity power banks; it even includes a car battery jump starter port in the power bank. The HALO Boult has a 58330mAh battery capacity and a three-pin AC outlet for laptop chargers. The HALO Bolt has many accessories in the box for your charging needs for the perfect camping trip with your family and a car jump starter kid for an emergency.
Build Quality: The HALO Bolt has a rugged soft-touch rubber build quality.
Features: The HALO Bolt has a 58330mAh battery capacity and an LED indicator for juice. For input ports, the power banks have a barrel pin port for charging the bank, a port for car jumpstarter, and a three-pin AC output adapter for charging laptops with an output of 120V.
Charging: For output ports, the bank has two USB-A ports with an output of 5v/2.4A. One of the HALO Bolt power banks’ best convenience is that it has individual on/off button switches for battery conservation. It also has an LED lamp, making the bank a perfect source for power in vulnerable situations and camping.
Renogy PHOENIX 100 27000mAh – Best Portable External iPhone Battery Pack
If you need a large capacity power bank to carry around in your bag without taking much space, the Renogy PHOENIX 100 is the best large power bank with a large vertical footprint. It can be stored in the netted bottle storage on the side of a backpack. The PHOENIX 100 does not have many port options as the HALO Boult, nor the inbox goodies, but it certainly can charge your laptop and your phone simultaneously.
Build Quality: The PHOENIX 100 uses soft-touch plastics; we recommend buying a sleeve for this power bank, as it is not as durable for drops. The power bank has a soda-can-like design and fits perfectly on the bottle side storage in a backpack. The bottom section houses a small fan for heat dissipation and cooling.
Features: The PHOENIX 100 power bank has a capacity of 27000mAh with LED indicators.
Charging: For charging inputs, the power bank has a Micro USB port supporting 5V /2A, USB-C supporting DC 5V / 3A. For charging devices, the power bank has a USB-C (Input/output) port supporting 5V / 3A, USB-A supporting 5V / 2.4A, and an AC wall outlet supporting 110V/ 60Hz, 85W Rated / 100W max.
Omni 20+ 20000mAh – Slim iPhone Power Brick
Omni’s vision for wall-less charging for devices for capturing adventure moments from devices and working on a laptop without the need to find a wall outlet and the fear of losing any juice has created the Omni 20+ 20000mAh High capacity power bank. The Omni 20+ high capacity power bank has a sleek blacked-out design and rugged build quality with all the safety battery features for charging devices.
Build Quality: The Omni 20+ has a blacked-out matt design with octagon rubberized sides for durability. High capacity batteries and circuit boards provide efficient charging for devices.
Features: The Omni 20+ features a 20000mAh capacity battery. The power bank has a monochrome LED display for charging information, dedicated buttons for ports, and a wireless charging pad for Qi wireless charging devices.
Charging: For charging inputs, the power bank has a barrel pin and a USB-C port, which supports 45W charging. For output ports, the power bank has two USB-A ports with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 (18W), AC Output (100W), USB-C PD (input/output 60W).
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000mAh – Recommended iPhone Portable Charger
Anker has managed to garner a lot of respect from consumers for their reliable and good quality phone accessories. And the Anker PowerCore Essential power bank is no exception for its efficient and mobile-friendly high power delivery charging with its smart IQ technology. The Anker PowerCore Essential does not sport the bells and whistles like a wall outlet, but its 20000mAh battery capacity will charge your iPhone and iPad simultaneously with multiple charges.
Build Quality: The Anker PowerCore Essential follows the same blacked-out understated design of Anker accessories, with a ridged textured pattern. The dense plastic build quality offers good sturdiness, and it is compact for carrying in a bag.
Features: The PowerCore Essential has a battery capacity of 20000mAh, and with the Smart IQ Technology, the power delivery voltage adjusts according to the device compatibility for efficient charging. The power button houses LED indicators for battery levels.
Charging: For charging inputs, the power bank has a Micro USB and a USB-C port. Unfortunately, the USB-C port is exclusively reserved for input. For power output, the power bank has two USB-A ports with Smart IQ technology, which delivers 4.8A power delivery.
RAVPower 15000mAh – Best Digital iPhone External Battery
RAVpower 15000mAh power bank is one of the most compact 15000mAh banks you can find on the market. The high capacity power bank features three output ports with high power delivery, charging three devices with fast charging simultaneously. And for people who need to check every percent of juice left, the power bank has an LED screen for battery percentage. One of the best time-saving features on the power bank is that it recharges in 4.7 hours with 18W USB-C PD fast charging, so you don’t have to wait for hours plugged into the wall outlet.
Build Quality: The RAVPower blends matt and glossy plastics in a sleek and compact design. The dense plastics give the power bank sturdiness.
Features: The power bank features overprotection and over-discharge protection with Smart IQ technology. The bank has an LED percentage screen for juice monitoring.
Charging: For charging inputs, the power bank has an 18W USB-C PD port (in/out) and a Micro USB port. For output, the power bank has one USB-C PD port (in/out) with a power delivery of 18W, One Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 USB-A port with the power delivery of 18W, and a USB-A iSmart port with 12W power delivery.
Anker PowerCore 2 10000mAh – Our Pick Compact iPhone Battery Pack
The Anker PowerCore 2 is one of the best compact portable power banks in the market with Ankers’s top-notch reliability and device charging safety input and output current protection and short circuit protection. With the compact size and a 10000mAh battery capacity, you can carry all the juice you need for your iPhone in a jean back pocket. The PowerCore 2 is the best 10000mAh power bank for iPhone supporting 18W charging.
Build Quality: The Anker PowerCore 2 has good build quality with matt black plastics and a soft-touch surface. The power bank has excellent surge protection for input and output circuits and has every device charging protection.
Features: The Anker PowerCore 2 features a 10000mAh battery capacity in the most compact form factor. A single power button with LED indicators for turning on the bank.
Charging: For input, the power bank has a Micro USB port with Quick Charge technology and charges in 4 hours. For output port, the power bank has one USB-A port with Poweriq 2.0 for automatic current matching and delivers 18W of charging power. The power bank also comes with a carrying case.
POWERADD EnergyCell 5000mAh – Best Mini iPhone External Battery
If you are looking for the best compact portable charger in a cylinder form factor for carrying in a pocket or purse for at least getting a full and half phone charged, the POWERADD EnergyCell is one of the best options for you, with its dense size and 5000mAh battery capacity. The EnergyCell has a single-cylinder battery, which helps in less complexity in charging and helps in the efficient phone and other device charging. This power bank is ideal for one-day trips, going for a long run, a bike hike, and can also be stored easily in phone armbands and slim fan packs.
Build Quality: The EnergyCell has a good build quality and uses dense plastics for the outer shell. The power bank has an intelligent MCU controller for power output for efficient charging and auto current detection.
Features: The POWERADD EnergyCell features a 5000mAh high-density battery capacity. There is a single button for power the bank and LED indicators for battery levels.
Charging: For the input port, the charger has a Micro USB port with 5V/2.0A for fast power bank charging. For output ports, the charger has a USB-A port with 18W power delivery.
myCharge All-in-One – Best All-in-One Portable Charger for iPhone
Carrying a power bank with you still means you have to carry all your cables for individual devices and also a wall brick to charge your power bank. The myCharge All-in-One 6700mAh power bank solves all the cable carrying hassles with the integrated Lightning connector and a USB-C cable. It also features an integrated two-pin wall outlet for charging the power bank and simultaneously charge devices with power delivery over a wall outlet. The myCharge All-in-One battery bank is the perfect travel companion if you need a one-stop solution for a tangle-free travel experience. The power bank also comes in with 10050mAh, 4400mAh variants with the wall outlet.
Build Quality: The myCharge All-in-One power bank has a good build quality and a metal chassis. It uses all the battery protection parameters for efficient charging input and output.
Features: The myCharge All-in-One 6700mAh power bank has built-in Lightning and USB-C cables, a USB-A port, and a wall plug. The wall outlet plug can recharge the power bank and charge devices at the same time.
Charging: For input, the power bank has a two-pin wall plug that charges the power bank in 3 hours. For output ports, the Lightning and USB-C connectors output 3/4A for devices. There is an extra USB-A port.
iWalk Mini – Smallest iPhone Lightning Power Bank
If you want to ditch cables completely for a day for your iPhone, the iWalk Mini Lighting Connector power bank is perfect for you. The power bank has a footprint of a little more than a lipstick tube and can be carried easily in a purse, bag, or pocket. The iWalk mini features a direct Lighting connector without any cables, and the plastic spacer allows you to use the power bank with an iPhone case. The bank charges over USB-C and has a pass-through power feature for charging the iPhone as well as the power bank.
Build Quality: The iWalk emergency power and is well build with matt plastics and ridged texture finish. The Lightning connector has a plastic spacer and a detachable cap for protecting the connector.
Features: The iWalk mini emergency power bank has a battery capacity of 3350mAh and can fully charge an iPhone for one and a half charging cycles. There are LED indicators for the battery.
Charging: For input, the power bank charges over USB-C, and for output, the power bank has a built-in Lighting Connector with fast charging for iPhone.
MIPOW Portable – Best Wireless iPhone External Power Pack
Having to carry a separate Apple Watch charger while traveling does not give a seamless experience for the complete fitness Apple ecosystem, you may have invested in with the iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Wach. The MIPOW two in one power bank features a dedicated Apple Watch certified magnetic charger dock and an MFI certified built-in lighting cable connector in a 6000mAh power bank. It also has a built-in metallic kickstand to prop up the Apple Watch as an alarm in a compact power bank form factor.
Build Quality: The MIPOW two in one power bank uses metal for the chassis and gives it sturdiness. It has ridges for seamlessly storing the lighting cable. You also get a premium leather carrying pouch for protecting the power bank’s metal chassis while traveling.
Features: The MIPOW two in one power bank features 6000mAh battery capacity with a built-in magnetic charger for the Apple Watch and a Lighting Cable.
Charging: For input charging, the power bank has a Micro-USB port with 5V/1.5A support. For output charging, the power bank has a built-in Apple Watch charger with 5V/1A and Lightning Cable with 5V/1A power delivery support.
What to Look for in the Best Power Bank for iPhone?
From the latest line of laptops to the portable gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch or your iPhone – each and every device you own can use a bit of a top-up on the go. Getting a portable external battery for iPhone doesn’t involve too much research, but it always helps to make an informed purchase. The best power bank for iPhone depends on certain factors, and personal preference too, so here are some of the hallmarks you should assess first:
Form factor
The entire point behind having an external battery pack for iPhone is to enjoy charging with portability. Having the slim and sleek iPhone hooked up to a monstrosity is not something that appeases the eyes, which is why the form factor and size of the power bank matters.
Albeit getting a sleek and slim portable charger for iPhone comes at the cost of battery capacity, and it all depends on your style of use. If you’re carrying a backpack around all day anyway, getting a brick-style external battery isn’t a bad idea, but if you’re hoping for just an additional cycle of charge, a slim chassis iPhone charging stick should do too.
Charging ports and speed
The ability to charge multiple devices from a single iPhone power brick isn’t a new feature, but not all products seem to offer it. Whether you’re hoping to lend some juice to someone on the bus or need to charge your MacBook and iPhone at the same time, a multi-port external battery can make all the difference.
Moreover, newer portable iPhone power banks come with USB-C charging ports, which has become a standard of the new iPhone 12. Additionally, premium quality external battery chargers also allow fast-charging on the go, which can be especially useful and reduce the amount of time you have to keep the device tethered to the power bank for charging.
Power capacity
The general standard of portable iPhone power banks is around 10,000mAh, which (in theory) should be able to charge the standard iPhone 3X times. However, external factors such as heat loss, resistance, and degrading of the battery quality over time also determine how much charge you can pull out of the external battery charger.
The ability of the power bank to recharge faster and maintain the same amount of output also directly depends on battery quality. How often you recharge the battery pack also directly impacts the quality, with optimal charging speeds and duration expected when the battery cycle is maintained over time.
Additional features
While the core features of the best portable charger for iPhone are listed above, all bells and whistles matter. Features such as a comprehensive battery indicator are essential to know how much charge the external charger has left, and how much it has charged up since being connected to a power source.
With the inclusion of wireless charging, certain manufacturers have also begun introducing Qi wireless charging coils into the power bank itself. While wired charging is the faster way to juice up your iPhone, having a wireless charger built into the external battery pack can be the saving grace for powering up the Apple Watch when you’re away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is using an iPhone external battery pack safe?
A portable charger, just like a wall adapter, is designed to deliver a specific amount of wattage to the iPhone. While some iPhone power banks are designed to function on a 5V charge, others work on 3.7V capacity, either of which is capable of powering up your device. Using an external battery pack with a genuine MFi-certified lightning cable should safely charge your iPhone without any long-lasting effect on the battery cycle.
Which is the official best portable charger for iPhone?
To combat the problem of reduced screen-on time, Apple introduced the Smart Battery Case with the iPhone 11, depicted by its Beluga Whale shape. This official accessory was the first and is the only official portable external iPhone battery accessory that Apple has created to address the battery issue on the iPhone. As of now, there is no official portable battery pack for the Apple iPhone, but the best portable iPhone battery packs we have highlighted above are designed specifically with the iPhone in mind.
Is it possible to use one iPhone as an external iPhone battery pack?
Samsung Galaxy S10 was the first mainstream flagship smartphone to introduce reverse charging, where you could essentially use the smartphone itself as a power bank to charge other devices via a wire or wirelessly. Although there were rumors that Apple iPhone 11 would bring about reverse wireless charging, it did not happen and neither does the iPhone allow wired reverse charging.
Final Words
The advent of 5G connectivity on the latest iPhone 12 opens up the doors to hyper-connectivity, but it also leads to severe strain on the battery. While Apple has devised the Smart Data Mode to regulate this issue, you’re going to need the best external battery for iPhones to be able to use the smartphone comfortably on the go with a day’s worth of screen-on time. The introduction of fast-charging on the iPhone power bank and the ability to wirelessly charge from it is just the tip of the iceberg.
Are you going to go with a sleek and easy to carry a power bank with you, or going to trade-in for a heavy-duty best portable charger for iPhone to get multiple charging cycles at a time? Do share with us what you think in the comments section right down below.
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