Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2024

Electronics are essential items in many hikers’ backpacks, so getting the best power bank to keep them going on trail is really important. 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 researched more than 40 power banks over the last four years, and tested 25 of the most promising battery packs on trail to bring you this guide. Whether your charging needs are extensive or you just need a simple battery to top up your phone every once in a while, our expertise will help you find the best power bank for your adventures.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

Quick Picks for Power Banks

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.

Best Power Bank Overall: Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 3 ($65)

Best Budget Power Bank: OKZU 10000 ($24)

Best Power Bank with Bonus Features: INIU Megapower 10000 ($30)

Best 20000 mAh Power Bank: INIU 20000 PD ($30)

Best Large-Capacity Power Bank: Charmast 26800 ($30)

Best Compact Power Bank: Zendure Super Mini ($30)

Best Single-Charge Power Bank: Goal Zero Flip 24 ($30)

Best Value Power Bank: Miady AS-TPB21 ($22)

Best Durable Power Bank: BioLite Charger 80 PD ($80)

Incredibly Reliable Power Bank: Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 ($16)

Best Power Bank for Charging Large Devices: UGREEN 145W ($120)

How We Test & Methodology

We rigorously tested each power bank using a variety of metrics to determine which is the best. Our process looked at efficiency, weight & portability, durability, charging speed, cold capabilities, and features. We spent several weeks charging and discharging each bank using a multimeter and dummy resistor load and toting each bank along on various overnight backpacking trips in the Southwest.

Why Trust CleverHiker

Gear Analyst, Bailey Bremner, has spent over 600 nights and nearly 8500 miles on trails across the U.S. with various power banks. She has relied on electronics extensively for navigation while hiking original routes such as the Western Wanderer Route, Columbine Route, and San Luis Loop along with more mainstream trails such as the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails. While bushwhacking through the wilderness, she has learned firsthand the importance of reliable gear and has made it her mission to become an expert on backpacking equipment.

Analysis & Results

We rank power banks based on six metrics: efficiency, weight/packability, durability, charging speed, cold capabilities, and features Our comparative results below outline the top performers in each metric.

VALUE

Power bank value is about how much performance you get for your money. This means both high-quality options that go above and beyond are a good value, as are less expensive options that outperform their price point. Fortunately, there are tons of solid options at reasonable prices.

The Nitecore NB 1000 Gen 3 is among our favorites overall, and its reliable efficiency and packability make it a high-value pick as well. The INIU Megapower 10000 has the portability and the charge speed to make it a truly worthy contender at a fair price, and the OKZU 1000 is also lightweight and even faster still – at an even lower price.

EFFICIENCY

This was one of our most complex tests, involving extra equipment and mathematical calculations to ensure the highest level of accuracy. After draining all of our power banks to empty, we calculated each bank’s total Watt hours (Wh). To make the test fairer and more useful for backpackers, we compared the Watt hours to the weight of each bank to better evaluate how much power is available per gram you are carrying. 

After weeks of testing, the Nitecore once again rose among the ranks, demonstrating that it is feather-light and packs a lot of power into its small frame. The INIU 20000 and Charmast were not far behind, demonstrating that those banks are worth the extra weight for those who need more charges in the backcountry. The INIU 10000 and OKZU also performed well for those looking for a more affordable but still efficient 10,000 mAh option.

WEIGHT & PACKABILITY

A top consideration for many backpackers, power bank weights can vary greatly. We were interested to see what each power bank weighed when placed on the scale and found quite an array of results. The Goal Zero Flip led the charge at a measly 0.30 pounds, with Nitecore in hot pursuit at 0.33 pounds. This comes as little surprise, given Goal Zero’s small capacity and Nitecore’s reputation as an incredibly light power bank. The rest of the 10,000 mAh power banks, including the Zendure, OKZU, and INIU 10000, all fell within 0.1 pounds of each other, making the weight difference reasonably negligible. As expected, the larger capacity power banks scored much lower due to their larger battery cells. 

The size difference between the smallest and largest power banks in our lineup is pretty apparent to the naked eye, but for the sake of thoroughness, we measured each power bank’s length, width, and height. The Goal Zero Flip was the smallest bank, with the Nitecore NB10000 in hot pursuit. These banks and the Zendure were our go-to choices when using power banks in the field, as they were always the most convenient to use while hanging out in the tent at the end of the day or topping off our phones first thing in the morning.

DURABILITY

Over the several weeks in which we performed in-depth testing, we lugged all of the power banks around together in the same bag. This resulted in the banks banging together and sustaining a variety of temperatures. Almost all the banks showed signs of wear and tear in the form of scratches, though the Goal Zero, Zendure, and Nitecore models had less visible wear than most. More importantly, when we dropped all of the power banks from a height of eight feet, all but the UGREEN could charge a phone immediately. The UGREEN did still work, but it had to be plugged in and recharged before it would turn on again.

CHARGING SPEED

With a surprising upset, the OKZU 10000 smashed our charging speed test, moving from dead to fully charged in just two hours and 36 minutes. The INIU 10000 and Goal Zero were 40 and 50 minutes behind that time, respectively. It was a bit disappointing to see the Goal Zero perform that slowly, given its smaller capacity size. The rest of our 10,000 mAh power banks took anywhere from three hours and 44 minutes to five hours and 35 minutes to recharge, with the Zendure, Nitecore, and Miady performing above average.

The Anker Powercore Slim was well below average for its capacity category, and the larger power banks took over five and a half hours to charge. It should be noted that these charging times could be sped up with a different charging cable or wall adapter, but for our tests, we wanted to keep things equal across the board.

FEATURES

Almost every power bank we tested had at least a few features, though some were simpler. Most power banks had at least two charging ports and could charge multiple electronics at the same time. The UGREEN and INIU 20000 were the only options with digital displays, and both INIU models also had built-in flashlights. One of the main takeaways was that the Anker Powercore Slim was the only model not supporting pass-through charging.

COLD CHARGING

For hiking in shoulder season or places that get cold at night, the Goal Zero Flip not only meets but exceeds its warm-weather performance with increased efficiency. The UGREEN 145W and Miady banks also performed better in cold weather, which makes them a great choice for charging electronics early in the morning when the grass outside is still a bit frosty.

How to Choose a Power Bank

CAPACITY

We like to divide power banks into subcategories based on the power capacity they provide. Most banks can be split into single charge power banks, those that fall into the 10,000 mAh range, the 20,000 mAh range, and large capacity banks that approach the 27000 mAh size. When purchasing a power bank, it is important to consider how much juice is likely to be required before the next opportunity to recharge. 10,000 mAh power banks tend to provide approximately two full phone charges before running out.

However, factors such as phone size, whether the phone is being charged over 80%, the outside temperature, and the efficiency of the power bank all impact how much usage is available before running out. There is also some debate on whether choosing to pack out one 20,000 mAh bank or two 10,000 mAh banks is the better choice; it will just depend on each use case. 

WEIGHT

Like any other backpacking item, weight is always a top consideration. Due to the size of the internal battery, smaller-capacity power banks will almost always weigh less than their higher-capacity counterparts. Choosing a power bank with just enough capacity to keep everything charged on a standard trip is helpful so that extra battery weight isn’t being lugged around.

PRICE

You can buy a decent power bank at a surprisingly wide range of prices. Unlike many other pieces of gear, a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily correlate with improved performance or weight. For beginner backpackers or those on a budget, many solid options are available that won’t break the bank.

FEATURES

Whether looking for a simple interface or searching for a bank with multiple ports, many features are available across the different models. Some power banks sport just two simple ports, one for intake and another for outflow of charge. Others have up to five different ports, including both USB-A and USB-C. Most power banks allow for pass-through charging, enabling a phone and the bank to charge simultaneously. Finally, various charge indicators exist, including blinking bars and digital percentages. It should be noted that most charge indicators, even the digital kind, are not 100% accurate.

Conclusion

It can be easy to get lost in the weeds when trying to understand power bank technical specs and features. Our hope is that this guide has cleared the air and helped you find the perfect power bank to keep you safe and connected in the backcountry.