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.
Last updated: March 3, 2023
The Iniu 20000 PD is a good choice for powering phones with larger batteries
Quick Recommendations
Check out this quick list of our favorite power banks, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.
Best power bank overall: Iniu 20000 PD
Best budget 10,000 mAh power bank: Iniu Megapower 10000
Best ultralight power bank: Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2
Best large-capacity power bank: Charmast 26800
Budget power bank with an excellent weight to power ratio: Okzu 10000
Most compact power bank: Charmast 10000 Mini
Best single-charge power bank: Goal Zero Flip 24
The Okzu 10000 has a good balance of weight to charging power
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.
Best value power banks: Charmast 26800 & Charmast 10000 Mini
Best budget power banks: Iniu 20000 PD, Iniu Megapower 10000 & Okzu 10000
Best high-end power bank: Nitecore NB 10000
The Iniu 20000 PD is one of the most affordable 20,000 mah power banks on our list
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.
Lightest power banks: Nitecore NB 10000, Okzu 10000 & Charmast 10000 Mini
Battery banks with the best balance of weight to charging capacity: Iniu 20000 PD & Charmast 26800
The Nitecore NB 10000 is ultralight & compact, so it’s a great choice for backpacking
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
The Iniu 20000 PD is our favorite budget 20,000 mAh power bank because it’s efficient & a bit lighter than others
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.
Best quick charge power banks: Iniu 20000 PD, Iniu Megapower 10000, Nitecore NB 10000, Charmast 26800, Okzu 10000 & Charmast 10000 Mini
Most Power banks come with quick charge capabilities
Sortable Power Bank Comparison Table
| Battery Bank | Price | Weight | mAh | Hours to full |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Iniu 20000 PD | $33 | 12.2 oz. | 20000 | 6 |
| 2. Silicon Power C20QC | $25 | 11.5 oz. | 20000 | 7 |
| 3. Iniu Megapower 10000 | $25 | 7.0 oz. | 10000 | 4 |
| 4. Nitecore NB 10000 | $60 | 5.3 oz. | 10000 | 3.5 |
| 5. Charmast 26800 | $43 | 15.0 oz. | 26800 | 9 |
| 6. Okzu 10000 | $26 | 6.8 oz. | 10000 | 3 |
| 7. Charmast 10000 Mini | $29 | 6.7 oz. | 10000 | 3.5 |
| 8. Goal Zero Flip 24 | $30 | 4.6 oz. | 6700 | 6 |
Best Power Banks for Hiking OF 2023
BEST BATTERY BANK OVERALL
MSRP: $38
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
BOTTOM LINE: 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.
BEST BUDGET 10000 mAh BATTERY BANK
MSRP: $25 (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
BOTTOM LINE: 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
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
BOTTOM LINE: 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.
BEST LARGE-CAPACITY BATTERY BANK
MSRP: $50
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
BOTTOM LINE: 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.
BUDGET POWER BANK WITH AN EXCELLENT WEIGHT TO POWER RATIO
MSRP: $26
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
BOTTOM LINE: 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.
MOST COMPACT BATTERY BANK
MSRP: $29
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 some others, no pass-through charging
BOTTOM LINE: 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.
BEST SINGLE-CHARGE BATTERY BANK
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
BOTTOM LINE: 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 24 is 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.
The Iniu Megapower 10000 is an affordable power bank for those who don’t need a ton of juice on the trail
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:
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
Anker PowerCore Lite 10000 PD - medium-capacity, quick charge power bank that’s slightly more efficient than some, but it’s also more expensive and heavier than most
The Iniu 20000 PD is very affordable for the charging power & the convenience of the digital battery indicator
Critical Battery Bank Considerations
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.
The Iniu 20000 PD will charge most phones about four times
CHARGING CABLES/BLOCK - To get your power bank to full as quickly as possible, make sure you’re using a quick charge block and 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.
Quick Charge ports are typically marked with a little lightning bolt
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.
The Iniu Megapower 10000 is lightweight, so it’s a good option for backpacking
Need More Gear Advice?
If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:
The Charmast 10000 Mini is very lightweight & compact
Why Trust Us?
We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:
Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.
We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.
We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.
We constantly update our guides when new products launch.
We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.
We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.
More Information
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Thanks for reading and happy trails!
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