When your laptop battery is in the red, you don’t want to have to scramble to find an outlet. A portable power bank lets you bring an extra charge with you wherever you go, whether you’re on a plane, in a cab, or simply caught in a power outage. When shopping for a laptop power bank, it’s important to find one with the right ports and power capacity for your needs. You’ll also be carrying this device with you, so factors like size and weight are an important consideration. We’ve researched and reviewed the best portable laptop battery chargers to find the best ones for different needs.
Be sure to also take a look at our constantly updated guide to the best laptop deals happening right now.
The first thing you notice about the Omni 20+ is how different it looks from an average portable charger. From the unique trapezoidal corners to the super-bright OLED screen that displays (probably) way more information than you’ll ever need to know, the visual features on this charger are truly eye-catching. The other standout aspect on the Omni is its versatility, this power bank is like the Swiss Army knife of adapters and chargers.
Best Overall
Omni 20+ Wireless Power Bank
Plenty of ports
Hyper-specific display
Wireless charging
Very expensive
Fairly heavy
No case or accessories
Along the perimeter there are two 60W USB-C ports (ideal for charging up power hogs like a laptop or a Nintendo Switch), two 45W USB-C ports for less power draw, two full-sized USB-A ports that are QC 3.0 compatible, a full-on wall socket, and a DC in/out port. This spread of functionality is pretty compelling, but there are two additional features that Omnicharge has thrown in. First, there’s the ability to use the ports as a USB 2.0 file transfer hub, doing away with the need to throw a bunch of USB-C dongles in your bag on top of your charger. And arguably the coolest feature is the ability to use the flat side of the brick as a 10W wireless charging pad. The whole unit has a 70h capacity, and that full charge can be achieved in as little as 3 hours using the 45W USB-C input. All of this functionality does come at a cost as this unit will run you around $200, more than double what you’d expect to pay for a more limited, similar-capacity charger. But if the best is what you want, the Omni USB-C+ is a definite contender.
“By plugging the Omni 20+ into power when available, I found it to be a fantastic replacement for an otherwise bulky assortment of power adapters for my laptop, phone, and other devices.” — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester
If you’re looking to charge up a MacBook, the ZMI PowerPack 20000 is a single-device solution for just about all of your portable charging needs. At 20000mAh, it doesn’t have the highest power capacity compared to some of the other models on this list, but it makes up the difference with a multi-port design and compatibility with a wide range of other devices. In terms of laptops, the ZMI PowerPack is suited for the Apple MacBook (2015 and newer), MacBook Pro (2016 and newer), and MacBook Air (2018 and newer). It also can charge your iPhone and iPad, your Samsung, Google, Motorola, or LG smartphone, and your Nintendo Switch. The handy three-port design includes two USB-A and one USB-C connection. These ports support Quick Charge 3.0 and Power Delivery 2.0 respectively, so you’re getting the quickest charge possible for your devices up to 45W.
Best for MacBooks
ZMI PowerPack 20000
Doubles as a USB hub
Compact design
Compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices
Limited laptop compatibility (mostly MacBook)
But what makes this charger unique—and a particularly good choice for MacBook users—is its USB Hub mode. The ZMI PowerPack allows you to transfer data by connecting accessories (like a mouse or external drive) to the charger and then connecting the charger to your laptop without extra dongles. This PowerPack weighs less than a pound and has the dimensions of a thick smartphone, making it the perfect backup for commuters or students who need to top up their devices once or twice during the day without weighing down their bag.
“I charged a 2019 MacBook Pro (13-inch) laptop from 0 percent to 100 percent in just 1 hour, 53 minutes using the ZMI PowerPack 20000’s USB-C PD port.” — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester
This bundle from Anker is ideal for MacBook owners. It includes the PowerCore+ 26,800mAh power bank, a wall charger, and a USB-C charging cable. The power bank includes two standard 15W USB ports and a 45W USB-C port. This faster connection, plus the included USB-C wall charger, makes this bundle a fantastic option for USB-C compatible laptops like the MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 13.
Best for USB-C
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Battery Pack
USB-C fast charging
TSA approved
Comes with wall charger
Laptop compatibility limited to MacBooks and Dell XPS
The Anker PowerCore+ power bank is TSA-approved and weighs about 1.5 pounds. Unlike many other laptop batteries on this list, it’s surprisingly compact at 7.7 x 3.5 x 2.4 inches, making it an easy addition to your carry-on or commuter bag. And it holds a lot of power for its size. The PowerCore+ can charge a smartphone up to six times or completely recharge a 13-inch MacBook Pro. That’s hours and hours of extra time on your devices without ever having to find a wall outlet.
“From zero percent battery life, the PowerCore+ 26800 charged to 100% in four hours flat, both in our initial test and our eight additional battery cycles, with only ten or fifteen-minute variances.” — Gannon Burgett, Product Tester
The Halo Bolt is a high-capacity portable laptop charger with plenty of juice to meet all your needs. It’s a big, hefty power bank with two USB-A 2.4V charging ports, a 120V AC wall outlet, and the ability to double as a portable jump starter.
Best High Capacity
Halo Bolt 58830 Portable Laptop Charger
Lots of battery capacity
Includes AC plug
Can jump start cars
Built-in protection against over voltage
Heavy
The battery has a 58,830mAh capacity, making it one of the most capacious chargers we’ve seen. It can charge a phone for up to 116 hours, a tablet for 19 hours, and a laptop for 11 hours, which is more than enough to keep most of your devices topped up for a workday. With the two USB outputs and AC plug, you can charge three devices simultaneously.
The jumper cable features over-voltage protection, auto power off, short circuit protection, reverse polarity protection, reverse current protection, timer circuit protection, and jumper cable spark protection. The charger also does double duty as a car emergency kit. It has an LED light and included jumper cables, along with a carrying pouch which should make it a nice tool to have in your glovebox.
“While certainly portable, the Halo Bolt isn’t designed to be pocket-friendly. This hefty brick of a battery pack comes in at 7.2 x 1.6 x 3.8 inches.” — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester
The MAXOAK External Battery is a versatile power beast. First, it features six charging ports. One is a 20-volt/3-amp port for laptops, one is 12-volt/2.5-amp port for digital cameras, two are 5-volt/2.1-amp USB ports and two 5 volt/1 amp USB ports. Second, it has 50,000 mAh of battery life, meaning you could recharge your laptop and phones many times before having to recharge the external battery power bank.
Best Versatility
MAXOAK 185Wh/50000mAh External Battery Power Bank
High capacity
Includes a ton of adapters
Absolutely massive
Slow and underpowered ports
Our tester also liked that it measures just 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches and weighs 2.77 pounds, so it could easily fit into your camping bag and it won’t be that much heavier. Finally, it includes 14 types of laptop connectors, so it covers most models but not Apple laptops. If you don’t have an Apple laptop or a laptop that uses USB Type C, you’ll likely be able to plug it in, but be sure to check if your laptop is supported before purchasing.
“At 50000mAh/185Wh, the MaxOak power bank offers one of the highest capacities out there for a device of its size.” — Gannon Burgett, Product Tester
How We Tested
Our expert reviewers and editors evaluate laptop batteries based on design, capacity, setup, and functionality. We test their real-life performance in actual use cases, how well they provide charge for productivity tasks like working at home or at the office, as well as they hold up under heavier loads, like gaming and rendering. Our testers also consider each battery as a value proposition—whether or not a product justifies its price tag, and how it compares to competitive products. All of the models we reviewed were purchased by Lifewire; none of the review units were furnished by the manufacturer or retailer.
About Our Trusted Experts
Gannon Burgett has been writing for Lifewire since 2018. Specializing in computers and peripherals, he’s previously been published on Gizmodo, Digital Trends, Yahoo News, and other sites. He tested several of the batteries on this list, using them with his personal MacBook, iPad, iPhone, and other devices. He liked the MaxOak for its huge capacity and the Jackery for its rugged design and ability to charge MacBooks.
Emmeline Kaser previously worked as an editor for Lifewire’s commerce content. She has been in the eCommerce space for several years and specializes in consumer tech.
What to Look for When Buying Portable Laptop Battery Chargers
Capacity
When picking a portable laptop battery charger, one of your primary considerations should be its capacity to store energy (measured in mAh) — this denotes the device’s battery life before it needs to be recharged. Be sure that the battery has equal or more capacity than the one already inside your machine so that you can expect a full charge.
- What’s the largest battery you can travel with if you’re flying?
- According to the TSA, this depends on the battery’s number of watt-hours (Wh). Laptop batteries are only allowed in carry-on luggage and cannot be inside checked bags. Passengers can carry up to two spare batteries, but they can’t exceed more than 160 watt-hours each. All laptop batteries are required to list their capacity on the actual product but typically list it in milliamp-hours (mAh). That equates to about a single 81K mAh battery or two 43K mAh batteries.
- How can you extend the life of your laptop battery?
- There are a number of ways to improve the lifespan of your laptop battery. Firstly, keep your laptop cool by shutting it down when not in use, and never storing it in a hot place. If your battery is fully charged, never leave it plugged in. And finally, you should fully discharge the battery once a month, this helps your battery life estimate stay accurate.
- How does a laptop battery explode?
- There are a number of failsafes in place to prevent “thermal runaway” which refers to a battery generating more heat than it can handle. This process usually is a result of faulty manufacturing or product tampering, but can also result from overcharging or storing the battery in excessively hot areas. However, batteries will rarely combust under these conditions, but more likely rupture. Regardless, if the battery begins to swell, it’s important to safely dispose of it and have it replaced immediately.
According to the TSA, this depends on the battery’s number of watt-hours (Wh). Laptop batteries are only allowed in carry-on luggage and cannot be inside checked bags. Passengers can carry up to two spare batteries, but they can’t exceed more than 160 watt-hours each. All laptop batteries are required to list their capacity on the actual product but typically list it in milliamp-hours (mAh). That equates to about a single 81K mAh battery or two 43K mAh batteries.
There are a number of ways to improve the lifespan of your laptop battery. Firstly, keep your laptop cool by shutting it down when not in use, and never storing it in a hot place. If your battery is fully charged, never leave it plugged in. And finally, you should fully discharge the battery once a month, this helps your battery life estimate stay accurate.
There are a number of failsafes in place to prevent “thermal runaway” which refers to a battery generating more heat than it can handle. This process usually is a result of faulty manufacturing or product tampering, but can also result from overcharging or storing the battery in excessively hot areas. However, batteries will rarely combust under these conditions, but more likely rupture. Regardless, if the battery begins to swell, it’s important to safely dispose of it and have it replaced immediately.
Output
Some portable chargers can be a bit slow when outputting a charge, so be sure that the battery you’re purchasing has an output equal to or higher than the wattage of your typical laptop charger.
Connectors
Obviously, it’s critical to make sure that you can plug your laptop into your new portable charger. Check to see the type of inputs the charger supports — whether that’s a standard wall outlet plug, a USB-C port, or other universal solutions.
