Traveling often means long days for you and your electronic devices. The best way to keep your devices charged throughout use is to use a power bank. But, it can be difficult to determine which type of mobile chargers meet the rules of the Transportation Security Administration or the Federal Aviation Administration so that they are not carried away during check-in or at the security checkpoint.
All batteries are subject to very strict guidelines for air travel. Lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable) and portable batteries containing lithium-ion may only be packed in hand luggage. They are limited to a rated power of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. With airline approval, you may bring two larger spare batteries (up to 160 Wh).
Here are our favorite batteries that are FAA and TSA compliant so you can keep your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or headphones charged during long plane rides. Whether you need a boost to keep watching your favorite series or keep track of your calls before boarding, these portable chargers have you covered.
$159.99 at Amazon and Anker
This top-notch battery from Anker packs the most power you’re allowed to pack in flight. It has a 45-watt USB-C port to charge your laptop to full battery and 15-watt USB ports to charge smartphones and other small devices. The extra battery itself charges quickly and will reach a full charge in less than three and a half hours. It comes with a 60-watt USB-C wall charger and USB-C cable so you’re equipped with everything you need. It’s a little more expensive, but the speed at which it can charge your devices and the included wall charger and charging cable make the battery worth it.
$21.99 at Amazon and Anker
We like this pick from Anker because of its low price and slim design. It’s super lightweight and easy to slip into a purse, backpack, or pocket. It has a trickle charge mode so you can safely charge smaller devices like your headphones. You’ll need to get your own charging cables, as the only one that comes with the battery is a micro USB to charge the battery (it’s also rechargeable via the USB-C input port, but you’ll need your own cable). It will take 5.5 hours to recharge if using a 10 watt wall charger. Overall, the slim design makes it a great choice for super convenient portability.
$35.99 at Amazon or $39.99 at Anker
After testing, it was our pick as the best overall portable charger, and it’s perfect for travel, too. It has an impressive capacity of 13,000 mAh, which is enough to charge an iPhone 11 two and a half times. In our tests, this small but mighty — and affordable — charger packed a ton of value into its three ports.
$39.99 $24.99 on Amazon
In our tests, we rated this device as the best portable charger for iPhone. That’s because it has a Lightning port included in the device as well as a USB Type-A port, which means you can use the same cord to charge your phone and recharge the battery. We were impressed with its fast charging and charging capacity, which made it one of the best options we tested in terms of delivering on its 5,000mAh promise.
$25.99 $23.99 on Amazon
The PowerCore Fusion serves as both a wall charger and a portable battery. It’s a perfect option if you’re looking to travel light, as you’ll have power on the go and an easy wall outlet when you arrive at your destination. It’s quite small, measuring 2.7 inches by 1.2 inches, making it easy to fit in your carry-on. The portable battery charges via the wall outlet, which also helps reduce cable clutter. It will charge your phone up to three times, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to boost your battery quickly.
$29.99 on Amazon
This portable charger has 4.4 out of 5 stars in reviews on Amazon. It features a 5,000mAh battery with an integrated Apple MFi-certified Lightning charging cable, so you won’t have to worry about carrying extra wires with you to charge your Apple device on the go. The design is super thin (0.31 inches, to be exact), so it’s perfect for quick and easy storage and holding while in use. It has 5V max output for safe charging and can bring your iPhone back to 50% battery in 30 minutes. We really like it for the ultra-slim profile and built-in Lightning cable for super convenient charging.
$39.99 on Amazon
This power bank lives up to its name because it makes it easy to travel in a pocket-sized device. It has two universal USB ports to charge up to two devices at once. It has a 10,000mAh battery to provide up to an additional 36 hours of video playback, so it’s a solid option if you like to stream your favorite shows on the go. It will provide up to 5 volts of charge to smartwatches and fitness bands, headphones, action cameras, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. It has fast charging using the included Micro USB cable. It also has a smaller version in the Belkin Power Pocket 5K, which we dubbed the most portable power supply in our tests.
$29.99 on Amazon
This pick from Belkin has a 10,000mAh battery to give you an additional 36 hours of extra battery life for your smartphone. It has two USB-A ports, a USB-C port and a Micro USB input port. It can deliver up to 12 watts of charge from the USB-A port when a single device is plugged in for fast battery recharging. A total of 15 watts is shared when all ports are in use. It comes in three colors – rose gold, white, and black – so you can choose a color to match your other accessories.
$20 at Amazon
This 6000 mAh battery can charge your smartphone up to two times. It has two dual charging ports so you can power more than one device at once while on the go. You can use it to charge your smartphone, headphones, speakers and tablets. The LED indicator on the side of the power bank will let you know how much power is left in the battery so you know when it’s time to plug in the power bank. The bank itself charges via an included micro USB cable.
$99.99 on Amazon
This is a wireless power bank which is great to use while traveling as it eliminates the need for extra wires if you are using Qi-enabled devices. As a bonus, there’s a designated charger for your Apple Watch. You can quickly charge your iPad or other non-Qi-enabled tablet using the USB-C PD port that maxes out at 18 watts for compatible devices. The 10,000mAh capacity can charge an iPhone 11 up to two times to keep you powered up on the go.
$59.99 on Amazon
Zendure’s portable charger has a sleek, high-tech look while packing a 10,000mAh battery to charge your smartphone up to three times. It’s made of a non-deformable composite material, so it’s safe from bumps and knocks if you throw it in your hand luggage. It has USB-A and USB-C ports, and the battery itself charges via a micro USB cable. Plus, we love the eye-catching design and color options.
$19.99 at Walmart
Available in black or white, Aukey’s power bank features a 10,000mAh battery to keep your devices charged through the dual USB-A ports and single USB-C input/output port. It’s slim in design and about the same size as your phone, so it’ll slip easily into pockets and bags. You can use the two USB-A ports to charge multiple devices at once, and the maximum output is 12 watts for compatible devices.
$39.99 on Amazon
This TSA-approved 6,000mAh power bank comes in six colors to match your other electronics, plus it packs some serious punching power. It has two USB charging ports to charge multiple devices at once. Depending on your phone model, it can provide between 18 and 47 hours of talk time. It weighs less than 6 ounces, so it’s easy to throw it in your favorite travel backpack for a long trip ahead.
$19.99 on Amazon
This device has over 10,000 5-star reviews on Amazon – and for good reason. It’s dubbed the thinnest 10,000mAh power bank on the market, making it ideal for travelers who want to stay charged on the go. It can charge an iPhone 8 more than three times. Plus, it features a USB-C input/output port for added convenience. Perhaps best of all, it comes with a three-year warranty.
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