Key Points
- Our pick for the #1 Best Overall power bank for iPhones is the Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K).
- Power banks are a convenient way to charge your iPhone quickly and safely.
- While deciding which power bank to buy, most people consider the price, weight, safety features, indicator lights, and ports and cables.
If you’ve owned an iPhone for any length of time, you know the phone’s battery can drain quickly. While iPhone batteries have increased in capacity over time, battery life is still a constant concern for users. That’s why many people have turned to power banks. Power banks can extend the battery life of an iPhone for hours and even days, making it easier to do the things we want to do. However, which power banks are the best? That’s what this article will explore. After reviewing the options, these are our picks for the five best power banks for iPhones on Earth today:
- Best Overall: Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K)
- Best for Wireless Charging: Excitrus 100W Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
- Best for Portability: Belkin Wireless MagSafe Charger Pad
- Best for Fast Charging: Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K)
- Best for Busy People: Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh
Best Overall Power Bank for iPhones: Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K)
- Micro USB, USB-C connectors
- Charge two devices at the same time with dual USB ports
- Compatible with iPhone series 11-13 Mini/Pro/Pro Max/XR/XS
- Includes micro USB cable to charge the power bank
Our pick for the #1 Best Overall power bank for iPhones is the Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K). This power bank gets our pick because it features Anker’s PowerIQ and VoltageBoost. PowerIQ and VoltageBoost, optimize charging by adjusting voltage output to compensate for resistance. This results in faster charging tailored to your device. On a full power bank charge, the Anker 325 Power Bank will charge an iPhone XS around five times and an iPhone 11 around four times.
Also, the Anker 325 Power Bank has a trickle charging mode feature designed to give low-power devices, such as AirPods, using the same optimized charging as your iPhone. The power bank is also just 12 ounces, so it is easily portable. Although it is compatible with iPhone 13, 12, 11, and the XS series, unfortunately, the USB-C port cannot charge iPhone 12 and newer. You will need to purchase a USB-A to Lightning cable or USB-A to USB-C cable separately to charge an iPhone. It does not come with a wall charger either.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Anker 20000 not only powers iPhones quickly, but it also powers them multiple times before needing to be recharged. | The power bank doesn’t come with a wall charger or USB-A to Lightning charger. |
| We love the 18-month warranty. | The USB-C port is input only. |
Check out the Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K) on Amazon.
Best for Wireless Charging: Excitrus 100W Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
- Magnetic Wireless charging, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A port
- Compatible with iPhone series 11-13 Pro and Pro Max
- Can extend your smartphone battery life up to 75 hours
- 12-month warranty
If you prefer wireless charging, the Excitrus 100W Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is our top choice. Upon first look, you’ll immediately notice the soft, green fabric that wraps around the Excitrus. The handy cloth fabric helps keep the power bank and charging devices from slipping.
However, the green fabric isn’t why the Excitrus is our choice for wireless charging. This power bank gets our pick because it takes only about an hour of charging time to go from zero to 85%. Also, this magnetic wireless charging power bank features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Wireless charging plus three ports means you can charge up to four devices simultaneously.
In addition to being an excellent wireless charging option, the Excitrus features three modes, sleep, low-power, and off. The sleep mode effectively puts the battery on standby, while the low-power mode is excellent for charging iPhone accessories like AirPods. Additionally, the Excitrus package includes a USB-C cable and a one-year warranty.
Finally, the Excitrus 100W Power Bank is compatible with iPhone 13, 12, SE 2020, 11, 11 Pro and Pro Max, the XS series, the XR series, and the iPhone 8. Unfortunately, the Excitrus may run hot while charging and is on the heavy side. While it’s not a deal breaker to have a heavier power bank, most people prefer something a little lighter than 1.2 pounds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Excitrus has multiple charging ports. | The Wireless charger may get hot while charging. |
| We love the one-year warranty. | This is a heavy power bank, which makes it hard to take on the go. |
| The Excitrus is MagSafe compatible. |
Take a look at the Excitrus 100W Magnetic Wireless Power Bank on Amazon today.
Best for Portability: Belkin Wireless MagSafe Charger Pad
- Compatible with iPhone series 12-14 and certified MagSafe cases
- Power bank is also compatible with Qi-enabled devices including AirPods Pro
- Supports Apple fast charging
- Pop-up stand
For those on the go, our pick for the best portable power bank is the Belkin Wireless MagSafe Charger Pad. The Belkin Wireless is our choice for portability for a few reasons. The first reason we like this Belkin for on-the-go is that it is lightweight at only 5.3 ounces, yet it still offers high-powered charging.
Second, the Belkin has a braided cable that is stronger than traditional cables. Third, this handy power bank includes a kickstand, meaning you can comfortably watch media hands-free while your iPhone charges.
Lastly, the Belkin Wireless with MagSafe is compatible with the iPhone 14 series, the 13 series, and the iPhone 12. It also supports Apple fast charging. The charger pad can charge an iPhone 14 from 0-50% in under 80 minutes when paired with a 20W wall charger. While we love that this power bank is super-light, we don’t love that it’s not compatible with older iPhone versions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The power bank has a kickstand that doesn’t add much weight. | This power bank is only compatible with iPhones 12 and newer. |
Check out the Belkin Wireless MagSafe Charger Pad on Amazon.
Best Fast Charging Power Bank for iPhones: Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K)
- Charge multiple smartphones, tablets, and small gadgets
- Can charge an iPhone 12 to 50% within 30 minutes.
- 18W USB port to charge an extra device.
- Massive 20,000mAh capacity to charge your devices
- Includes USB-A to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, and travel pouch
Our pick for the best power bank for fast-charging iPhones is the Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K). This Anker power bank will charge an iPhone 12 up to five times. Additionally, charging is super-fast. Due to the power bank’s 20,000 mAh battery, you can charge an iPhone 12 to 50% in about half an hour and fully charge it in around two hours.
The Anker 525 Power Bank weighs around 12 ounces and comes with a carrying case if you want to take it on the go. It has two output ports, including one USB-C and one USB-A, so that you can charge more than one device at a time. It also comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable, plus a USB-C to USB-C cable. However, note that if you use both ports, you will lose the fast-charging capabilities.
Take a look at the Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K) on Amazon today.
Best for Busy People: Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh
- The 45W USB-C port plus two 15W USB ports means you can charge more than one device at a time.
- 26,800mAH battery allows you to charge a laptop, a phone, and a tablet in the same amount of time
- The included wall charger allows you to recharge your PowerCore in less than 3.5 hours
- 18-month warranty
Our pick for the best power bank for busy people is the Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh. The power bank is our pick because it boasts 26,800mAh, which is more than enough for several charges of an iPhone. Getting more charges for your device also means you have to charge your power bank less frequently.
This powerful charger has two USB-A ports and a USB-C port to simultaneously charge your iPhone, laptop, or other devices. The Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh PD 45W is compatible with iPhones 8, X, XS, XR, and 11, but a Lightning cable is required. Newer iPhones can take advantage of the 45W Power Delivery port that supports high-speed charging of USB-C notebooks, tablets, and phones. Unfortunately, this is a high-octane power bank with a weight to match it at 1.6 pounds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This powerful power bank allows you to charge your phone, your computer, and other devices without needing to recharge the power bank. | The Anker Powercore+ is very heavy and not well-suited for portability. |
| The two USB-A ports make it even faster and easier to charge more than one device at a time. |
Check out the Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh on Amazon today.
How to Pick the Best Power Bank for iPhones: Step by Step
When looking for a power bank for the iPhone, there are five primary considerations for most people.
- Price
- Weight
- Safety features
- Indicator lights
- Included ports and cables
Let’s look at each in more detail.
Price
Based on the wide range of power bank prices, knowing your budget for a power bank is helpful before you start shopping. Once you know what you want to spend, you can filter possible selections based on your price range. For example, if you only want to spend up to $50 on your iPhone power bank, you will want to avoid tempting yourself by looking at $90 power banks.
Weight
When you’re lugging around electronics, weight is another top consideration. Most power banks increase in weight as they increase in mAh. The mAh measures the charge capacity, measured in hours. Most iPhones need about a 3,000 mAh power rating to charge once fully. So, you may want to prioritize a power bank with a lightweight rating.
Safety
Most power banks offer some sort of safety feature that will turn off charging once your iPhone or other connected device is fully charged. These safety features allow for avoiding overcharging and overheating — which can cause long-term power issues or the rare exploding battery.
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights are a handy feature. These lights are notifications that appear once your iPhone, or any other connected device, is fully charged. An indicator light is your signal to remove your iPhone and enjoy it to your heart’s content. Indicator lights work hand-in-hand with safety features, allowing you to save both your phone and your power bank from failures.
Ports and Cables
While this article covers the best power banks for iPhones, you can use a power bank for other devices. However, you need to ensure the ports match what you want to charge, so be sure your power bank has at least one port for your iPhone. As an example, some chargers will come with a USB-A and a USB-C for charging, but you may also want a power bank that includes a micro port and a mini port as well.
In addition to having the correct ports, you will also need a lighting cable and a cable to charge the power bank itself.
What to Know Before Buying a Power Bank for iPhones
Before buying a power bank for an iPhone, it’s important to consider the type of power bank you want, be it wired or wireless. Consider a lightweight wireless device if you are traveling or commuting with the power bank.
Also, getting the right power bank for your iPhone is important. Because newer iPhones charge using a USB-C port, your power bank should also have USB-C power delivery ports. Older iPhones will require a USB-C to Lightning cable or USB-A to Lightning cable. If rapidly charging the power bank is a priority, also look for a power bank with a wall charger.
It’s also important to reiterate that a 3,000 mAh output rating is plenty for most iPhones. Therefore, some of the power banks on this list can charge your iPhone and multiple other devices several times, and they can do it rather quickly.
Using Power Bank for iPhones: What It’s Like
Most power banks can power your device multiple times without needing to be recharged, so they are convenient if you will be away from a power source or if your home loses power. You can purchase a wired or wireless power bank so you can use it in any location. Using a power bank with your iPhone is an excellent way to ensure you always have enough charge to get you through your work day or your next adventure.
Summary Table
| Rank | Power Bank | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Anker 325 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K) | Overall | Features Ankerâs PowerIQ and VoltageBoost for optimized charging. Lightweight and portable. | USB-C port cannot charge iPhone 12 and newer. Does not come with a wall charger. |
| #2 | Excitrus 100W Magnetic Wireless Power Bank | Wireless Charging | Fast charging, multiple ports, includes a USB-C cable and a one-year warranty. | May run hot while charging. Heavy. |
| #3 | Belkin Wireless MagSafe Charger Pad | Portability | Lightweight, high-powered charging, includes a kickstand. | Not compatible with older iPhone versions. |
| #4 | Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K) | Fast Charging | Super-fast charging, portable, two output ports. | If you use both ports, you will lose the fast-charging capabilities. |
| #5 | Anker Powercore+ 26800mAh PD 45W | Busy People | High capacity, multiple ports, supports high-speed charging. | Heavy and not well-suited for portability. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©MVelishchuk/Shutterstock.com.
