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Best Backpacking Power Banks & Portable Chargers of 2023

Supercharge your backcountry adventures with our guide to the most portable, dependable, and lightweight power banks out there so your batteries will have juice for when you need them most.

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Best Power Banks
PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

Electronics are essential items in many hikers’ backpacks, so getting the best power bank to keep them going on trail is really important. Most hikers carry a smartphone, but you may also have things like wireless headphones, a rechargeable headlamp, and a fitness watch that need to be charged up on trail. Whatever your electronics setup looks like, we know it can be a real drag when something runs out of juice in the backcountry. We’ve done a lot of research and used dozens of power banks over the years. In this guide, we’ll help you find the absolute best power bank for your needs.

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

  1. Best power bank overall: Iniu 20000 PD
  2. Best budget 10,000 mAh power bank: Iniu Megapower 10000
  3. Best ultralight power bank: Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2
  4. Best large-capacity power bank:Charmast 26800

Power Bank Comparison Table

Comparison
Preview
Price
Weight
mAh
Time to full charge
Pros
Cons
Links
Iniu 20000 PD
MSRP: $40
12.2 oz.
20,000
6 hrs. (USB-C)
  • Very affordable
  • Quick charge output
  • Recharges quickly
  • Large charging capacity
  • Large digital battery display
  • Can charge multiple devices at once
  • Pass-through charging
  • A bit heavy/bulky
Iniu Megapower 10000
MSRP: $34 (often on sale for less)
7 oz.
10,000
4 hrs. (USB-C) / 7 hrs. (micro USB)
  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Can charge multiple devices at once
  • Quick charge output
  • Pass-through charging
  • Not as efficient as some
  • A little slower to charge than other 10,000 mAh batteries
Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2
MSRP: $60
5.3 oz.
10,000
3.5 hrs. (USB-C)
  • Compact
  • Ultralight
  • Durable
  • Recharges quickly
  • Quick charge output
  • Pass-through charging
  • Can charge two devices at once
  • Expensive
  • Battery life indicator isn’t very clear
Charmast 26800 Ultra Slim QC
MSRP: $43
15 oz.
26,800
9 hrs. (USB-C) /11 hrs. (micro USB)
  • Excellent value (usually on sale)
  • high charging capacity
  • quick charge output
  • charges multiple devices at once
  • durable
  • Heavier/bulkier than others
  • takes longer to charge than some
OKZU 10000
MSRP: $28
6.8 oz.
10,000
3 hrs.
  • Affordable
  • ultralight
  • recharges quickly
  • quick charge output
  • pass-through charging
  • Only charges one device at a time
Charmast 10000 Mini
MSRP: $30
6.7 oz.
10,000
3.5 hrs. (USB-C) / 10 (micro USB)
  • Ultralight
  • excellent value
  • compact
  • recharges quickly
  • quick charge output
  • can charge multiple devices
  • Not as efficient as others
  • no pass-through charging
Goal Zero Flip 24
MSRP: $30
4.6 oz.
6,700
6 hrs.
  • Affordable
  • Compact
  • Ultralight
  • Small charging capacity (charges the avg. phone once)
  • No quick charge output
  • Power input can be hard to use
An OKZO 10000 mAh power bank sitting on a pile of hiking maps
OKZU 10000 – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

What’s Most Important to You in a Power Bank?

PRICE Power bank prices vary greatly depending on their features – like charging capacity, multi-device charging, and lightweight housing. We recommend power banks in a wide range of price points to fit your budget.

Iniu 20000 sitting on a rock charging a headlamp
INIU 20000 PD – PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER ELDRIDGE (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

WEIGHT – Since weight adds up quickly in a backpack, finding the best balance between weight and charging capacity is key. If you have multiple electronics to charge (or devices with large batteries), you may want to go with a slightly heavier power bank with more milliamp hours. If you don’t have many electronics or you don’t use them much on trail, you can save some ounces by choosing a smaller battery.

A close up of the Nitecore NB10000 with a phone plugged in - there's a hiker leaning out of a tent in the background
NITECORE NB 10000 – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

NUMBER OF CHARGES Milliamp hours (mAH) tell you how much juice a power bank provides.

  • A 20,000+ mAH power bank will charge an average phone about 4 times. This size is great for powering large electronics (like a camera) or multiple devices on long trips. Best 20,000+ mAh power banks: Iniu 20000 PD & Charmast 26800
  • A 10,000 mAH power bank will charge an average phone about 2.5 times. This size is great for charging smaller devices (headlamp, headphones, smartphone) on multi-day trips under a week. Best 10,000 mAh power banks: Iniu Megapower 10000, Nitecore NB 10000, Okzu 10000 & Charmast 10000 Mini
  • A power bank with under 10,000 mAH is perfect for those who just need backup power for emergencies or a single charge for long days away from an outlet. Best power bank under 10000 mAh: Goal Zero Flip 24
A hiker holding the Iniu 20000 PD Power Bank in one hand a phone in the other
INIU 20000 PD – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

CHARGE TIME – It’s becoming more common for power banks to come standard with quick charge (or power delivery [PD]) compatibility. Not only does this charge your devices much quicker, but the power bank itself can reach full charge a lot faster. We find this especially important on longer trips and thru hikes that include stops for resupply, because quick charge allows us to get in and out of town much faster. Be sure to use a quick charge block to take advantage of this feature.

A close up of a cell phone screen showing that it is charging rapidly
PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

Best Power Banks for Hiking of 2023


Iniu 20000 PD

Best battery bank overall

Price: MSRP: $40

Weight: 12.2 oz.

mAh: 20,000

Time to full charge: 6 hrs. (USB-C)

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Quick charge output
  • Recharges quickly
  • Large charging capacity
  • Large digital battery display
  • Can charge multiple devices at once
  • Pass-through charging

Cons

  • A bit heavy/bulky

The convenience of the Iniu 20000 PD makes it one of our go-tos for times when we need to power multiple devices or when we’ll be away from wall power for an extended period. It charges pretty dang fast for how large it is (about six hours with a USB-C cable and a quick charge block), and it can charge a smartphone to 50% in just 30 minutes. The large digital display also makes it easy to see exactly how much juice you have left instead of having to guess at what indicator dots might mean. The Iniu 20000 is a bit bulkier and heavier than many other batteries, but we think it’s worth the carry if you tend to need a lot of power for things like mapping apps and photography.

Iniu Megapower 10000

Best budget 10,000 mAh battery bank

Price: MSRP: $34 (often on sale for less)

Weight: 7 oz.

mAh: 10,000

Time to full charge: 4 hrs. (USB-C) / 7 hrs. (micro USB)

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Can charge multiple devices at once
  • Quick charge output
  • Pass-through charging

Cons

  • Not as efficient as some
  • A little slower to charge than other 10,000 mAh batteries

The Iniu Megapower 10000 is an affordable power bank that will provide the average smartphone with 2-2.5 charges. This mid-capacity power bank is lightweight, compact, and it can charge multiple devices at once. It takes slightly longer to charge than other batteries with the same capacity, so it may not be the most efficient choice for thru-hikers who need a quick turnaround in town. But if you’re looking for an affordable battery with a good balance of weight to power, the Megapower 10,000 is hard to beat.

Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2

Best ultralight battery bank

Price: MSRP: $60

Weight: 5.3 oz.

mAh: 10,000

Time to full charge: 3.5 hrs. (USB-C)

Pros

  • Compact
  • Ultralight
  • Durable
  • Recharges quickly
  • Quick charge output
  • Pass-through charging
  • Can charge two devices at once

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Battery life indicator isn’t very clear

The Nitecore NB 10000 (Gen 2) is a great choice for those whose priority is keeping weight and bulk to a minimum. It’s smaller than most other 10,000 mAh batteries and it’s the lightest medium-capacity power bank on our list. The sleek carbon fiber housing makes this battery both lightweight and durable – two attributes hikers will surely appreciate. The one gripe we have with the NB 10000 is that the battery life indicator isn’t very clear, but this isn’t a huge deal once you get a feel for how this battery works with your devices. The NB 10000 is a little on the pricey side, but the short recharge time, low weight, and compact size make this an ideal battery for longer backpacking trips.

Charmast 26800 Ultra Slim QC

Best large-capacity battery bank

Price: MSRP: $43

Weight: 15 oz.

mAh: 26,800

Time to full charge: 9 hrs. (USB-C) /11 hrs. (micro USB)

Pros

  • Excellent value (usually on sale)
  • high charging capacity
  • quick charge output
  • charges multiple devices at once
  • durable

Cons

  • Heavier/bulkier than others
  • takes longer to charge than some

The Charmast 26800 is the largest capacity battery on our list, and at its typical sale price of around $40, it’s also one of the best deals. This massive power bank can charge a modern smartphone around six times, and it also has an output high enough to power larger devices such as a tablet or laptop. Oh, and did we mention it can charge an impressive four devices at once? While the Charmast 26800 is a bit heavier and bulkier than the batteries we typically like to backpack with, it’s perfect for travel or for hiking trips where photography is a focus and you’ll need a way to power camera batteries or other larger electronics.

OKZU 10000

Budget power bank with an excellent weight to power ratio

Price: MSRP: $28

Weight: 6.8 oz.

mAh: 10,000

Time to full charge: 3 hrs.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • ultralight
  • recharges quickly
  • quick charge output
  • pass-through charging

Cons

  • Only charges one device at a time

The Okzu 10000 is a killer deal – it’s the most affordable power bank on our list, yet its specs are on par with more expensive batteries. It’s lightweight, it recharges quickly, and it has quick charge output, but it can only charge one device at a time. This may not matter if your charging needs are simple, but you may want to consider paying a little more for a power bank with dual charging if you want the ability to charge multiple electronics simultaneously. That said, the OKZU 10000 is an awesome value, and you could even carry two of them for less money and weight than most 20000 mAh chargers.

Charmast 10000 Mini

Most compact battery bank

Price: MSRP: $30

Weight: 6.7 oz.

mAh: 10,000

Time to full charge: 3.5 hrs. (USB-C) / 10 (micro USB)

Pros

  • Ultralight
  • excellent value
  • compact
  • recharges quickly
  • quick charge output
  • can charge multiple devices

Cons

  • Not as efficient as others
  • no pass-through charging

If keeping your battery as compact as possible is your main priority, the Charmast 10000 Mini is your guy. This battery is smaller than a standard deck of cards – that’s nearly half the size of other batteries with the same charging capacity. Despite the tiny package, the Charmast 10000 still has the features of full-size batteries – like quick charge compatibility and multiple device charging. In our testing, we did find this bank to be slightly less efficient than some others – meaning a bit more of the 10,000 mAh capacity is lost between the bank itself and the device being charged. That said, this pocket-size battery will still give around two full charges for a modern smartphone.

Goal Zero Flip 24

Best single-charge battery bank

Price: MSRP: $30

Weight: 4.6 oz.

mAh: 6,700

Time to full charge: 6 hrs.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Compact
  • Ultralight

Cons

  • Small charging capacity (charges the avg. phone once)
  • No quick charge output
  • Power input can be hard to use

We’ve been using Goal Zero power banks for many years now, and we love them for their low weight and compact size. The Flip 24is a tiny power bank that will fit in any pocket, and it’s perfect for outings close to home when you only need a little extra power. This battery will only charge a smartphone once or twice, so we typically use it for day hikes or as an emergency charger. If you need more juice, the Flip charger also comes in a 36 (about three charges) size. But we would recommend going with a different power bank for longer trips since this one can be a little difficult to charge on the go.

Honorable Mention

The following power banks didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of them might be perfect for you:

  1. Anker PowerCore 26800 PD Bundle – very large-capacity battery bundled with a quick charge cable and charging block for powering larger electronics like laptops and tablets
A red Biolite HeadLamp 325 sitting on top of a backpacking quilt. The headlamp is plugged into a INUI 20000 power bank to charge
INIU 20000 PD – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

Critical Battery Bank Considerations

INIU 20000 PD – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

HOW MANY CHARGES WILL I GET?

A lot of factors go into how many charges you’ll get out of your power bank, like how large your phone battery is, how many devices you’re powering, and the outside temperature. On average a 20,000 mAh battery will charge a standard smartphone about four times, a 10,000 mAh battery will provide about two charges, and smaller capacity power banks typically provide one to one and half charges.

CHARGING CABLES/BLOCK

To get your power bank to full as quickly as possible, make sure you’re using a quick charge blockand charging through the quick charge port (indicated by a little lightning bolt). Some power banks have multiple quick charge ports – typically a USB-C port and a USB-A port. You probably won’t notice much of an efficiency difference between using a short cable, a long cable, or a cable with multiple dongles. But we can tell you that it’s often worth it to pay a little more for a quality cable that will be durable on the trail or for travel.

PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

INIU 20000 PD – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Most power banks are decently waterproof and dustproof – look for the IPX rating in the manufacturer specs to determine how much moisture/dust it can tolerate. Just like with your smartphone, very cold temperatures can drain the life of your power bank. When we expect temperatures to dip below freezing, we take precautions to protect our electronics. We recommend keeping battery-powered devices in your pocket or wrapped in a sock during the day and in your sleeping bag at night when the temperatures drop.

PASS-THROUGH CHARGING

Pass-through charging is an especially convenient feature for long hikes that include a resupply. It allows you to charge devices off of your power bank while the bank itself is charging. This is an efficient way to juice up all your electronics and can get you out of town a little quicker after a resupply.

INIU MEGAPOWER 10000 – PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)

More Information

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks. Thanks for reading and happy trails!

The Charmast 10000 Mini Power Bank plugged into a phone sitting on some grass
Charmast 10000 Mini– PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)