Everyday Carry

The 12 Best Portable Chargers for EDC in 2022

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The 12 Best Portable Chargers for EDC in 2022

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Technology makes up a large part of our EDC, which means keeping everything charged is a priority. After all, the last thing you need is for the gear you rely on to die on you when you need them the most. Whether it’s for your cell phone, your flashlight, or your truly-wireless headphones, EDCing an external battery pack is a great idea. Though sometimes you may need a big external battery, especially if you need enough juice and power delivery to keep charge-hungry devices like a modern laptop going, there’s plenty of medium and even slim compact portable battery chargers out there that might suit your needs and your limited pocket space the best. To help you find the best chargers for your needs, we’ve put together this guide with a list of some of our favorite portable battery packs for you to carry.

Content
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 Portable Charger

Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
2.83 x 2.76 x 1.22 inches
Integrated charging plug
PowerIQ and VoltageBoost tech to regulate multiple device charging
Specifications
Capacity
5000mAh
Ports
2 x USB-A, 1 x micro-USB input
Weight
0.42 pounds
EDC Rating


Price
$
The beauty of the Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 is that its integrated two-prong plug makes it easy to recharge when its own batteries run dry, eliminating the need for you to carry a separate wall charger for the battery itself. And with 5000mAh of capacity, it’s able to keep most smartphones going for one or two charges when you’re on the go and traveling light.
Attom Tech 3000mAh Mini Portable Charger

Attom Tech 3000mAh Mini Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
3.3 x 2.1 x 0.35 inches
Intelligent control circuit protects against over charging and short circuit
Battery capacity indicator on exterior
Specifications
Capacity
3000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x micro-USB
Weight
2.2 oz
EDC Rating


Price
$
With a size that’s only slightly thicker than a standard credit card and with a similar footprint, the Attom Tech is a great option when your pocket space is limited. It features a USB-C port and a standard USB-A output port as well as micro-USB input for flexibility, and even if you prefer to have a bigger device with more capacity this is a good choice to pick up anyways as a backup charger if you forget to pack the others in a rush.
XTAR PB2S Portable Charger

XTAR PB2S Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
Works with standard 18650, unprotected 20700, and 21700 cells
QC 3.0 + PD 3.0 fast charging
Secure magnetic cover
Specifications
Capacity
Depends on batteries used
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Weight
N/A
EDC Rating


Price
$
The XTAR PB2S is designed to let you put in your own 18650 and unprotected 20700 or 21700 lithium-ion batteries to use in the power pack. These cells are often used in high power LED flashlights, and this features allows the charger for those batteries to also operate as a quick charge and power delivery charger when they’re placed inside the PB2S.
AUKEY Mini 5000mAh Portable Charger

AUKEY Mini 5000mAh Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
4.02 x 1.18 x 1.18 inches
Special low-current charging mode
Aluminum case
Specifications
Capacity
5000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-A, 1 x micro-USB
Weight
95.3 grams
EDC Rating


Price
$
The small cylindrical shape of the AUKEY Mini helps keep its bulk down inside your pockets, allowing the rest of your gear to fit in the limited space. Despite its small size (being only slightly longer than a standard credit card), the AUKEY Mini fits a full 5000mAh of charge capacity, which is enough to charge most phones 1-2 times before you need to plug it in. Another special feature of the AUKEY Mini is its low-current performance, allowing it to charge low-power devices like fitness trackers and wireless headphones without causing damage over time, and built-in safeguards against overheating exist to help eliminate the risk of a battery fire or explosion when you least need it.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Portable Charger

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
5.89 x 2.7 x 0.57 inches
18W powder delivery over USB-C
Trickle-charging mode for low-power devices
Specifications
Capacity
10000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Weight
9.6 oz
EDC Rating


Price
$
With its medium-sized footprint, this Anker PowerCore external battery is able to deliver up to 18W PD via USB-C to recharge your compatible cell phone quicker than a standard charger. A lot of phones use this to surge up and get about half power in less than an hour. And the included USB-C power delivery charger also means you can charge the battery itself far more quickly at 4.5 hours overnight, letting you get back into action without too much hassle.
mophie powerstation plus 6000mAh Portable Charger

mophie powerstation plus 6000mAh Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
5.65 x 2.76 x 0.54 inches
Built-in backup USB-C cable
18W power delivery
Specifications
Capacity
6000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Weight
5.9 oz
EDC Rating


Price
$
The only thing worse than being caught without an external battery when your devices are running dry is finding out you forgot their respective charging cable at home. That’s why a device like the mophie powerstation plus that integrates built-in cables to the design is a compelling choice when you’re looking for your next EDC power bank. Its built-in USB-C cable lets you avail of 18W PD and its 6000mAh of total capacity. You can also plug in your own cables on the opposite side, and unlike a lot of other batteries that recommend you don’t charge your devices while the battery itself is charging the mophie supports safe pass-through charging that won’t wreck the device and its cells in the process.
Anker PowerCore III 10K Qi Wireless Portable Charger

Anker PowerCore III 10K Qi Wireless Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
5.89 x 2.7 x 0.77 inches
10W Qi wireless charger built in
Built-in phone stand
Specifications
Capacity
10000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Weight
8.5 oz
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$
The updated Anker PowerCore III 10K adds an even more convenient 10W Qi wireless charging option that lets you power your cell phone or truly-wireless earbuds directly in your pockets or on top of a table while you travel. If you use all the outputs and the wireless charger you can power up to three devices simultaneously, and with 10000mAh of power the battery lasts for quite a while before you need to top it off.

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Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Portable Charger

Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
4 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches
Operates within 0-40 degrees C
Built-in LED flashlight for emergency use
Specifications
Capacity
2300mAh with included 4 x rechargeable NiMH AA
Ports
1 x USB-A, 1 x mini-USB input, 1 x barrel input for solar panel
Weight
6.4 oz
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$
The Goal Zero 10 Plus lets you leverage easily-found rechargeable AA batteries as an on-the-go power pack when you aren’t using the cells independently in other devices. If you don’t have any to start with, Goal Zero includes four of their own rechargeable AA batteries with the kit, giving you a total of 2300mAh to play with, and if you pair this charger with Goal Zero’s line of solar panels, you can keep your devices going even if you’re far afield away from a plug.
NOCO GB40 1000A Portable Charger

NOCO GB40 1000A Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
Built-in 100 lumen LED flashlight
Jump starter
2.1 amp USB charger
Specifications
Capacity
1000 amps
Ports
Banana clips, 1 x USB-A, 1 x micro-USB input
Weight
2.4 pounds
EDC Rating


Price
$$
The NOCO Boost Plus is a big external battery for a reason: with a max of 1000 amps and banana clips it’s designed to be able to jump start and trickle charge a car battery, making this a great device to have in a pinch when your car dies. With its IP68 water resistance you can even rely upon it when the weather turns south and the rain starts pouring, too. And aside from that very specialized task, its large capacity is able to charge a standard cell phone up to four times.
RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 60W Portable Charger

RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 60W Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
5.98 x 2.64 x 0.98 inches
60W USB-C power delivery
Premium LG battery cells
Specifications
Capacity
20000mAh
Ports
1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Weight
13.2 oz
EDC Rating


Price
$
The popularity of USB-C power delivery ports on most laptops these days lets you ditch the bulky traditional barrel-style charger and power brick to consolidate your devices around a single standard. But you’ll need a more powerful external battery that can keep up with the PD demands of a laptop, and regular 18W and 45W externals might not cut it. When lots of juice is needed, you’ll want something like RAVPower’s PD Pioneer, which can leverage a full 20000mAh of capacity and delivery of up to 60W of USB-C power delivery on demand. That huge capacity also lets you charge less power-hungry devices multiple times over, ensuring you have a reliable source of power even if you’re away from home for extended periods of time.
Omnicharge Omni 20c+ Portable Charger

Omnicharge Omni 20c+ Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
100W power delivery over USB-C
Wireless charger built in
File sharing hub
Specifications
Capacity
20000mAh
Ports
2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A
Weight
0.83 pounds
EDC Rating


Price
$$$$
When having a large amount of battery power available is your most important factor in your EDC, you can opt for the futureproof output of the Omni 20c+, which can deliver up to 100W of power delivery over USB-C while also integrating convenient Qi wireless charging for your phone directly on top of the device itself. The Omni 20c+ is also meant to be the center of your data needs, as it operates as a file sharing hub for the devices you plug in. The external OLED display lets you keep track of how much power the battery has inside, as well as the temperature of the device itself as you tax it to its limits.
RAVPower 20000mAh Solar Portable Charger

RAVPower 20000mAh Solar Portable Charger

Purchase
Key Features
Built-in solar panel
IPX4 waterproof rated
Built-in LED flashlight
Specifications
Capacity
20000mAh
Ports
2 x USB-A, 1 x micro-USB input
Weight
1.32 pounds
EDC Rating


Price
$
This battery lacks the power delivery options of the rest of the chargers in this category, but it makes up for it by integrating a solar panel into the body of the battery pack itself, and by having an IPX4 rated water-resistant shell that makes this a great choice if you need to keep your USB devices going in an emergency or through extended trips in the outdoors.

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (17 total)

Omega ·
although interesting, i just personally do not want to be bothered to have to not only take care of this, but to take care of the cords i need in order to charge my phone, personally i turn my phone off to keep it's battery in check. then use accordingly when i turn it on
3 Reply
Chris ·
I like the 1byone 10,000 mAh charger with the little display that tells you how much battery % it has left. Has worked great for me so far.
1 Reply
Dustin Richeson ·
How well does it fit in your pocket? Or do you not keep it on your person?
1 Reply
Chris ·
I just keep it in my backpack. It's about the same dimensions as my Galaxy S7 (with case) just about a third thicker. So it would fit in your pocket if you really wanted.
0 Reply
Drew ·
You can use it to charge your phone while it"s in your pocket, if thats what you're asking. All you'd need to find is a short cable to connect it to your phone. Just have it ride on the back of your phone instead of facing the screen.
1 Reply
David C. Menges ·
Link to Attom device broken today.
0 Reply
Huggy ·
Great article, however I would have definitely mentioned the Nitecore NB10000 which I have been using all this week. Carbon fibre, 150g! Fast & slow charging capabilities, water resistant, USB C, Very minimalist design, I highly recommend this model to anyone who is after 10000MAH.
0 Reply
Drew ·
The Mophie powerstation plus mini is one of my favorite battery banks right now. So slim you can connect it to your phone and charge it while its in your pocket. I love being able to move around and have my phone on me and charging at the same time. This does cause some warmth in my pocket when I do this, but I love that I can do it if I want to.
0 Reply
Max ·
The zendure A2 is a great power bank ive had a load of use out of it its really small, would fit in ur front pocket and a 6700mah battery is impressive for its size and it only takes 3 hours to charge from empty! Or theres a load of other sizes too (A3,A4,A5, etc) 😉
0 Reply
Johan Bertilsson ·
I carry an Anker Powecore mini in my EDC pouch it have daved my day a few times. I also carry a larger powerbank wich can be charged by sun in an emergency in my backpack.
0 Reply
Stefan Loble ·
The USB jack on all of the portable chargers (and USB hard drives) I've owned have eventually all come loose. I realize this says something about the wear I put on the devices, but there are some rough and tumble EDC guys out there. I can't be the only one. It would be nice to have something stronger that can keep up with our lives on the road.
0 Reply
Ron Vickery ·
I carry a RAVpower 16750mAh and I love it. Two USB ports, 4 LED indicators and built in quick use flashlight. I can charge my phone and my bluetooth at the same time.
0 Reply
Jeff williams ·
I have Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger amongst other Anker products, it has worked fantastically. I can charge wife and my phones multiple times without any worries. Tablet take more of a drain of the battery so can only get about three or four charges on the power brick.
0 Reply
Vincent Wong ·
There's a 10,000 mAh version of Flux. I never leave home without it
0 Reply
Efrain Suarez II ·
I swear by any offering by Anker. Morphia, ehhh. I've got a few and I use them all. Nice lineup by the way Mr. Molina.
0 Reply
2 more comments