Update of 12/14/2021 - We have amended our guide with new references including the 10,000 mAh Catlyn which offers an excellent capacity/size ratio and two USB-C and A sockets. hikers far from civilization will wisely opt for the Litionite Titan, a massive 140,000 mAh battery (or rather generator). In addition to our selection, you will find purchasing advice, information on aircraft regulations and an FAQ.

1. Anker PowerCore Essential: the best cheap and efficient power bank

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 There are affordable batteries with large capacities. Anker's battery, for example, has 20,000 mAh. A substantial storage capacity allowing you to repeatedly charge up to 2 smartphones simultaneously thanks to the USB-A ports. The microUSB and USB-C ports are reserved for battery charging. The latter provides an output power of 3A, 2.4 A if both ports are used (max output of 15 W), but this will not be sufficient to recharge your PCs. Note that it still weighs 350 grams, which is not nothing.

2. Catlyn: the best ultra-compact power bank and USB-C

Catlyn 10000mAh One of the most compact and lightweight external batteries on the market (in 10,000 mAh), this Catelyn provides the essentials with its capacity sufficient to charge your Nintendo Switch twice or nearly three times your smartphone in USB-C . It has 2 ports: a Quick Charge 3 output in USB-A of 18W (3A) and a USB-C output also in 18W (3A). 30W USB-C PD, one 30W USB-C output and another 30W USB-A output. This battery can charge two devices simultaneously.

3. Anker PowerCore: Best compact and USB-A power bank

Anker PowerCore 13000mAh For those who have not yet adopted USB C, this very compact and light 13000 mAh battery to charge your smartphone / tablet has two "classic" USB A ports. These 2 USB ports delivering 2.4A each are compatible with PowerIQ technology to ensure fast charging. You can charge two devices simultaneously.

4. Samsung EB-U1200CS: the wireless Power Bank

Samsung Powerbank (Induction) Looking for a stylish power bank? Samsung sells a 10,000 mAh Power Bank in two very successful colors: pink and silver. Even if its 234 grams are felt, its compact dimensions (15 x 7.1 x 1.5 cm) allow it to slip easily into an internal coat pocket. There is 1 USB-A port, a USB-C port, and even induction charging. An inefficient gadget that spends more energy than wired to recharge a smartphone, certainly, but rather pleasant. In fast charge, it delivers 9 W.

5. Litionite Titan: the Power Bank / generator of survivalists

Litionite Titan The Litionite Titan is an external battery, or rather a generator given its large capacity (140,000 mAh and 500 W), its weight (6 kg) and its dimensions (290 x 155 x 190 mm). It has 2 AC outlets, 3 USB-A ports, a USB-C PD port, 3 DC outputs and a DC input. An interesting tool to bring with you on vacation to recharge your laptop, smartphone and game console or to power a TV, a mini-fridge or even a medical device.

Autonomy, a recurring problem on our high-tech devices

The modern age suffers from energetic schizophrenia. With machines promoting the cult of thinness while presenting ever greater performance, autonomy is rarely part of the celebration. With at best one to two days of use for smartphones and tablets, autonomy is often a problem for users, to the point that it becomes the number 1 concern before purchase. While waiting for terminals with solid capacity, here are some solutions to better exploit them and extend autonomy in a crisis situation.

Batteries run out of memory

Before going to the cash register and taking out your credit card to purchase an external battery, you should already optimize its use and observe a few common sense rules.

And good habits are formed from the first start-up of the device. With the li-ion (lithium-ion) type batteries that are now fitted to the majority of machines, it is strongly recommended not to completely discharge the battery.

This operation, which was the practice with old batteries sensitive to the “memory effect” (Ni-CD and Ni-MH) can, on the contrary, lead to a loss of capacity of up to 20%.

Thus, according to Batteryuniversity, it will be necessary to favor short, but repeated charging cycles, rather than significant variations from a flat battery to a fully charged battery. You will also need to get into the habit of charging the machine off, and before the gauge falls into the red, ideally between 15 and 20% of the remaining autonomy.

Optimize your battery

The theory is not always easy to follow in practice, you can easily find yourself running out of battery in the middle of the day, and often far from a power outlet or USB.

To extend the experience, we have already covered the issue, adjusting the brightness, managing updates / downloading in the background, identifying greedy apps, or cutting off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or even activating airplane mode, you can follow the various dedicated tutorials.

External batteries, start by reading the label!

The most relevant solution to support the battery of your device is the very popular external battery . A solution so widespread that it is offered by all not really specialized retailers, ranging from the corner service station to the bar / tobacconist placed next to other dispensable gadgets.

A 2600 mAh battery at 10 euros bought in a tobacconist. She has never managed to fully charge a smartphone, after 4 charging cycles, it no longer works.

CE and RoHS marking strongly recommended

Except that the external battery should not be considered a gadget. A veritable chemical factory in power, it can be dangerous, melting, igniting, or even exploding. It will be advisable to check the presence of CE and RoHS certifications on the battery to limit the risks. And just limit the risks , because these two European conformity standards obtained by simple declaration of the manufacturer are neither "a certification mark" nor a guarantee of quality. In addition, the CE marking is sometimes falsified, so be careful...

The real and fake CE logo

For a tablet, a smartphone, a camera, a PC or all four?

It is necessary to determine the use of its external battery, small and discreet emergency battery to charge its iPhone punctually or high capacity battery to simultaneously recharge the tablets, camera and smartphone or a laptop of the small family on vacation. These batteries high capacity often has several USB sockets to simultaneously charge several USB devices. The most relevant solution provided you choose sufficient capacity.

In search of the lost mAh

Keep in mind that between the not always very reliable indications of the manufacturers, the electrical subtleties between mAh (Milliampere-hour) and Wh (Watt-hour) and energy losses related to voltage conversion - especially with wireless charging, you will always need to opt for an external battery offering a capacity far greater than the capacity of the internal battery of your device .

By way of indication:

Remember that these are indicative figures for carrying out one, or even two maximum refills. If you can always aim higher in the capacity offered by the battery, you will have to keep in mind that the weight and size increase significantly. Count for example more than 400 g for a 20,000 mAh battery.

If there is no established price list, it is nevertheless necessary to show common sense on the price side. A 30,000 mAh battery for less than 15 euros is unlikely to be reliable or offer an acceptable lifespan. That being said, the market has become more democratic, and it is not uncommon to find 10,000 mAh batteries around 30 euros.

For further

We have written an FAQ that should help you choose your next external battery according to your needs.

Which Power Bank to buy for a laptop?

Here, the minimum is 20,000 mAh which represents approximately 450 g, if you opt for several possible recharges you will have to go on a 50,000 mAh model, which is easily a good kilo.

Which external battery to choose for your smartphone and more?

Backup batteries are designed for smartphones. But over time, they have gained in energy plumpness. 3300 mAh models are increasingly rare, replaced by 5000 mAh products and 10,000 mAh external batteries. If the latter are significantly more cumbersome, they have the advantage of being able to recharge smartphones and tablets, or even both at the same time. Daily companion, remember to watch the weight according to your uses.

Are there external batteries compatible with wireless charging?

Yes, there are certain references on the market such as Samsung or Anker. The top of the battery is often covered with a non-slip material to prevent your smartphone from slipping. It should therefore ideally be used flat on a flat surface. If this technology is pleasant on a home charger, it turns out to be quite a gadget on a mobile device. Indeed, charging is slow and the battery loses a lot of energy using this feature. We advise you to favor the fast charge which will allow you to part with your charging cable quickly.

The regulation of external batteries in aircraft, what about?

You shouldn't have any major issues with your power bank. At Air France and KLM for example, you can carry a battery with a power between 100 and 160 Wh in the cabin, but you must not have more than 2. You therefore have plenty to see. That being said, to avoid surprises, make sure that the information relating to the capacity of your batteries is clearly visible. Note that restrictions vary from company to company.