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Everyone, young and old, uses smart devices these days. But seeing a low battery warning can be a real downer, especially if you need to call or text someone. So, whether it's your personal phone or one for work, it's smart to have a backup power source.
Power banks are like portable batteries. They can charge your phone fully about four to six times, or even give a tablet two full charges. They're small enough to fit in your pocket or bag and are easy to use. Plus, because they hold so much power, you won't have to charge them all the time, making them great for trips.
Thinking of getting a power bank? There are a few things to keep in mind. They come in different prices, sizes, and weights. Some can store more power, some charge up faster, and some have different plug types or more spots to plug in devices. It's important to pick one that fits what you need.
Top Pick: Anker 325 Power Bank
Large Capacity Pick: Anker 337 Power Bank
Wireless Pick: Anker PowerCore III Wireless Portable Charger
Compact Pick: EnergyQC Portable Charger Power Bank
Budget Pick: Vooe HX160Y8 Power Bank
The Anker 325 stands out as one of the best power banks available. With a 20,000 mAh capacity, it can give your smartphone four to six full charges. Plus, it charges up quickly, taking only about 10 hours with a 10W charger. One thing we really love about it is that you can charge it using either a USB-C or a Micro-USB cable.
What makes this power bank special is its trickle charge feature, PowerIQ technology, and VoltageBoost technology. So, whether you're charging one device or two at the same time, you won't overcharge them.
While the Anker 325 is pretty awesome, it does have one small drawback: it doesn't support fast charging. This is because its wattage isn't high enough. But if you're okay with standard charging speeds, this power bank is a top pick.
This model has over 80,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.6. Reviewers appreciate the product's long battery life, stating that it lasts for days without needing a recharge. They also commend its fast charging capability, which saves them time. The compact size and portability of the charger are also well loved.
Dimensions: 6.2” x 2.9” x 0.8”
Weight: 0.8 lbs
Colour: Black
Capacity: 20,000 mAh
Number of Charging Ports: 2
Warranty: 18 months
Pros:
Can choose to recharge power bank with USB-C or Micro-USB cable
Can charge power bank in as little as 10 hours with a 10W charger
PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology plus trickle charging provides optimal charging for every device
Offers 4-6 charges for smartphones
Cons:
No fast charging capability
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Anker 325 is a great power bank. Aside from the slow charging speed, we don’t have any complaints. This is a well-rounded power bank that will fit well into anyone’s charging needs.
The Anker 337 power bank is a game-changer. Boasting a massive 26,800 mAh battery, it stands tall among its competitors. You can fully charge up any smartphone between six to eight times. And, if you're someone who uses multiple devices, the three USB-A ports have got you covered. You can charge up to three gadgets all at once, and they'll all charge at the same consistent speed.
Now, for those who are always on the move, here's some good news. Despite its hefty battery size, you won't face any hassles at the airport. It's airline-approved, so you can travel stress-free without worrying about it being taken away at security checks.
One feature that really stands out is its dual input ports. These cut down the charging time of the power bank itself to a mere 6.5 hours. In the world of power banks, that's lightning fast!
Before you jump in and buy it, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly, its premium features come with a hefty price tag. So, it's worth checking if it aligns with your budget. Secondly, for iPhone users wanting to maximize the charging speed, you might need a specific lightning cable. If you don't have one already, you'll need to factor that into your costs.
This model has over 35,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.6. Reviewers are very happy with the Anker 337 power bank. The large battery capacity, three-port design, and the dual-input charging system are their favourite features. Users are raving about the overall usefulness of this power bank and are convinced that the higher price tag of this power bank is completely worth it.
Dimensions: 3.2” x 7.1” x 0.9”
Weight: 1.1 lbs
Colour: Black
Capacity: 26,800 mAh
Number of Charging Ports: 3
Warranty: 18 months
Pros:
Dual input ports fully charge the power bank in only 6.5 hours
Offers 6-10 charges for smartphones
Can charge 3 devices at the same time (USB-A only)
Airline-approved
Cons:
More expensive than most other power banks
Need to have or purchase a lightning cable to use fast-charging with iPhones
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 3.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Anker 337 is more than worth its price. It offers an outstanding battery capacity, swift charging time, and multi-device charging system. Plus, it’s highly portable and is built to last.
The Anker PowerCore III wireless portable charger, while primarily recognized for its wireless charging capability, offers much more. It is equipped with two versatile charging ports — USB-A and USB-C — catering to a range of devices and cables. A notable advantage is its ability to wirelessly charge devices even while the power bank itself is recharging, ensuring continuous usage.
Two distinct features elevate this Anker model. Firstly, it provides a genuine fast-charging experience, allowing phones to reach 50% charge in roughly 30 minutes. Secondly, it has a convenient pop-out stand, enabling users to watch videos while charging their devices.
Its 10,000 mAh battery capacity is somewhat modest compared to some other models, which might necessitate more frequent recharges with heavy use. Additionally, while it boasts an 18W fast charging capability, this is restricted to wired connections; the wireless charging peaks at 10W.
This model has over 9,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.3. Reviewers have essentially nothing but good things to say about the Anker PowerCore III. Some people would like it better if it had a higher battery capacity, but most people are having their needs met perfectly for keeping their phone charged. The wireless charging feature is a major hit, and the phone stand is a bonus.
Dimensions: 5.9” x 2.7” x 0.8”
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Colour: Black
Capacity: 10,000 mAh
Number of Charging Ports: 2 + wireless charging
Warranty: 18 months
Pros:
Can charge via USB A output or USB C
Offers true fast charging
Can wirelessly charge devices while power bank is charging
Has a pull-out phone stand to watch videos during corded charging
Cons:
Fast 18W charging is only available for ports (wireless charging is limited to 10W)
Battery capacity is fairly small
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, Anker’s PowerCore III power bank is the best of the best for wireless charging. Even if you don’t plan on using that feature all the time, the fast charging, built-in phone stand, and two styles of output ports ensure everyone can experience a hassle-free charging experience for their devices.
The EnergyQC power bank stands out for its ultra-portability, easily fitting into snug pockets or overflowing bags. Weighing a mere 0.4 pounds, it's effortless to carry around, whether you're traveling by air (it's airline-approved) or just on the go. Its compact size also means it conveniently fits on crowded bedside tables or even in your pocket.
Instead of the usual 1A charging output, this model boasts a 2.4A port, ensuring a quicker charging experience. While it doesn't match the speed of dedicated fast-charge devices, the difference is still significant. Depending on the smartphone model, this power bank's battery can provide between 1.5 to 2.5 full charges.
However, its compact nature does come with a few trade-offs. Its 10,000 mAh capacity is on the modest side compared to some competitors, and with only a single USB-A port, it can charge just one device at a time.
This model has close to 100 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.5. Reviewers are enjoying their experiences with the EnergyQC power bank. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to travel with, and many individuals love it for long flights. Some people even use it to juice up their tablets.
Dimensions: 4.3” x 2” x 1”
Weight: 0.4 lbs
Colour: Black
Capacity: 10,000 mAh
Number of Charging Ports: 1
Pros:
Compact size is great for saving space in purses, bags, or pockets
Offers 1.5-2.5 charges for smartphones
2.4A output charges faster than traditional 1A output
Airline-approved
Cons:
Fairly small battery capacity
Can only charge one device at a time
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall, the EnergyQC power bank is the best choice for portability. It doesn’t offer the best capacity, but its exceptional price tag and faster-than-average charging speed provide extra value for the price.
The Vooe power bank stands out, especially given its budget-friendly price. It's impressive how it offers a massive 26,800 mAh battery capacity, enough to charge a smartphone around six times. That's top-tier performance in its category. The four LED indicators are also handy when it comes to letting you know how much power is left.
With two charging ports, you can juice up two devices simultaneously. This is especially useful for those with multiple gadgets or for sharing with someone else. One port provides standard 1A charging, while the other offers a faster 2.1A charge. Another commendable aspect is its safety features, ensuring your devices charge without any hitches.
Side note before you buy: both charging ports are USB-A, so you're limited to using only that type of cable with this power bank.
This model has close to 2,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.5. Users appreciate its efficiency, durability, and long-lasting battery life. Those who have used other power banks emphasize the value and quality of this particular model. They are especially impressed with its charging capability and the clear labeling of USB ports' charging speeds.
Dimensions: 6” x 3” x 0.6”
Weight: 0.8 lbs
Colour: Black
Capacity: 26,800 mAh
Number of Charging Ports: 2
Pros:
Enough capacity to charge a smartphone 4-6 times
4 LED light indicators display the remaining battery life
One USB port is 5V/1A for regular charging, one is 5V/2.1A for faster charging
Has over-current, over-discharge, over-voltage, and short-circuit protections
Cons:
Only offers USB-A outputs
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, this Vooe power bank is one of the most affordable models on the market, but you wouldn’t know it from its performance specs. Its high capacity and exceptional portability more than make up for its few limitations.
Power banks can vary in price, typically ranging from $30 to over $100. While pricier models often come with added features like multiple charging ports, diverse port types, and larger battery capacities, there are budget-friendly options that offer similar benefits. One distinguishing factor of premium power banks is their extended battery lifespan.
Battery capacities in power banks can start as low as 5000 mAh and go beyond 25,000 mAh. A higher capacity means more charges for your devices before the power bank itself needs recharging. However, larger capacities often come with heftier price tags and longer recharging times.
Given that power banks are primarily used on-the-go, their size and weight matter. It's essential to choose one that's convenient to carry, whether in a pocket or a travel bag, without being cumbersome.
Depending on the model, power banks can feature anywhere from 1 to 4 charging ports. More ports allow for charging multiple devices at once, but this convenience might come at a higher cost. Determine if the added utility justifies the extra expense.
While many power banks predominantly offer USB-A ports, some models provide USB-C ports. A select few even support wireless charging. It's crucial to select a power bank that aligns with your device compatibility needs.
Consider how long it takes for the power bank itself to recharge. Some might take a few hours, while others could require an entire day. Depending on your usage patterns, opt for one that fits your schedule.
A power bank's build quality can influence its longevity. Look for models that are robust, possibly with features like water or shock resistance, especially if you're an outdoor enthusiast or prone to accidents.
Ensure the power bank has safety mechanisms in place, such as overcharge, short circuit, and overheat protection. This not only safeguards your devices but also ensures the power bank's longevity.
Some banks come equipped with extra functionalities that enhance user experience:
LED Indicators or Display: These provide a visual representation of the remaining battery percentage, helping you gauge when a recharge is needed.
Solar Charging: Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or as an emergency charging option, some power banks have solar panels for recharging.
Pass-Through Charging: This allows you to charge your devices while the power bank itself is being charged, useful for limited outlet situations.
Quick Charge Technology: Beyond standard fast charging, this technology can drastically speed up the charging process for compatible devices.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.