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Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries. Car Cell Phone Charger
We made the Anker 633 Magnetic Battery our top pick, since the ESR 2G505 is no longer widely available, and added some long-term testing notes. We also added several models to What to look forward to.
Most wireless power banks, including both Qi and MagSafe options, are finicky to use while on the go, and none of them will charge an iPhone or other fast-charging device at top speed. But the Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (A1641) come closest to nailing both tasks, offering plenty of power and capacity to keep your phone charged throughout the day, while adding a strong magnet to lock it firmly in place while it’s charging and a kickstand to prop it up for easy viewing.
This model can charge most phones up to three times, and its MagSafe wireless charging pad, USB-C PD port, and USB-A port have a combined output of 18 W. Its kickstand is a bit flimsy but still handy.
This power bank has a combined output of 20 W and can charge most phones up to three times. It’s hefty and lacks MagSafe, but it can wirelessly charge multiple devices and its stand is super sturdy.
We considered the build quality of each power bank, its looks and size, and how well it held a phone in place while charging.
We looked for power banks offering the highest-rated capacity (measured in milliamp-hours, or mAh) for the weight and price.
We required each USB-A port to support at least 5 W output and each USB-C PD port to support at least 20 W input and/or output.
We tested the output of each model’s wireless charging pad(s) to make sure that none of them performed far below average speeds.
This model can charge most phones up to three times, and its MagSafe wireless charging pad, USB-C PD port, and USB-A port have a combined output of 18 W. Its kickstand is a bit flimsy but still handy.
The Anker 633 Magnetic Battery is the best choice for charging an iPhone 15 or other compatible device wirelessly when you’re in transit—whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just need a portable boost of power. It works with any Qi and/or MagSafe device, offering up to 7.5 W wireless charging speeds, and with a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh it can fully charge most phones up to three times.
The thin metal kickstand works in landscape or portrait orientation, making it useful as a desktop dock or as a source of backup power while you’re watching movies on your handset. It weighs just 7.6 ounces and has a compact, streamlined shape that makes it easy to slip into a pocket or small purse.
Its USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port supports up to 20 W charging, allowing you to charge most phones (or the power bank itself) at top speed, and its USB-A port reaches up to 18 W charging speeds. It has pass-through charging capabilities, so you can recharge the power bank while simultaneously charging a phone or other device, and its combined maximum output of up to 18 W is as high as that of most models we tested.
This power bank has a combined output of 20 W and can charge most phones up to three times. It’s hefty and lacks MagSafe, but it can wirelessly charge multiple devices and its stand is super sturdy.
If you want the option to wirelessly charge multiple devices—say, an iPhone and a set of AirPods—the Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand is your best bet.
Like our top pick, it has pass-through charging and enough capacity to charge most phones up to three times. Its total maximum output of up to 20 W is slightly higher than that of the Anker, though it’s a bit heavier, at 10.3 ounces.
Its USB-C PD port has up to 18 W of charging (output) or recharging (input) power, and its main wireless charging pad supports up to 10 W charging. A second wireless charging pad supports up to 5 W charging, making it well suited for a smaller accessory, such as an Apple Watch.
Helpfully, the entire top surface of the Duo pops up to become a phone stand that’s more stable than the built-in kickstands of most models we tested. And while the Qi wireless charging pads lack the magnetic alignment of MagSafe, so they can’t easily be used in transit, both have a sufficiently grippy texture to keep devices in place during stationary charging.
I’ve been a science writer for nearly a decade, covering a wide variety of topics from particle physics to satellite remote sensing. Since joining Wirecutter in 2017, I’ve reported on electric vehicle chargers, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, surge protectors, and more.
This guide builds upon the reporting of Nick Guy, a writer who has reviewed mobile accessories since 2011.
A portable charger allows you to carry a backup source of power with you at all times, rather than having to track down a wall outlet when you’re running out of juice. And if you have an iPhone, AirPods, an Apple Watch, or another device with Qi or MagSafe charging capabilities, a wireless power bank saves you the hassle of packing separate charging cables.
Perhaps the most practical way to use one is to keep it plugged in with your phone resting on top of it when you’re stationary (at home or in the office, say) and then take both devices with you when you’re ready to leave.
MagSafe and Qi2 power banks support wireless charging speeds up to 15 watts, which is the fastest wireless charging speed that iPhones and other compatible devices can achieve, while Qi and some non-certified MagSafe wireless charging accessories are limited to 7.5 W output. Our testing shows that MagSafe and Qi2 are faster than the fastest Qi charging, though not twice as fast. Neither is capable of attaining the 20 W needed to fast-charge most phones.
To find the best wireless power bank, we combined the criteria we’ve previously used for Qi wireless chargers and portable power banks, including the following:
We then tested both the wireless and wired charging capabilities of each model that met our criteria.
This model can charge most phones up to three times, and its MagSafe wireless charging pad, USB-C PD port, and USB-A port have a combined output of 18 W. Its kickstand is a bit flimsy but still handy.
The Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (A1641) is the best power bank to wirelessly charge an iPhone 15 or other compatible device while you’re traveling between home, school, work, and more.
It has a MagSafe wireless charging pad, a fast-charging USB-C PD port, and a USB-A port to charge a third device, and it can fully charge most phones up to three times. It’s easy to use, sleek-looking, and small enough to tuck into a pocket or small purse. It has a handy built-in kickstand, though it’s not quite as sturdy as some others we tested.
It works with Qi and/or MagSafe devices. You can use this power bank to wirelessly charge any phone or other device with Qi and/or MagSafe capabilities. If your device supports the latter, it’ll attach firmly to the main surface of the power bank, so you can toss both in a bag to charge while you’re out and about.
It’s small and light. About the size of a standard deck of playing cards, this power bank fits easily in most pockets and even the mini-est of mini bags. It weighs just 7.6 ounces and has a slim, sleek shape.
It has plenty of power. This model’s MagSafe wireless charging pad can pass up to 7.5 W to compatible devices, which (though slower than some others we tested) is within our preferred range of wireless charging speeds. Plus, it offers even more power over USB (up to 20 W in or out of the USB-C PD port, and up to 18 W out of the USB-A port).
It can charge up to three devices at once. Since it supports pass-through charging, you can charge up to two devices (on the wireless charging pad and/or from the USB-A port) while recharging the power bank itself via USB-C. When charging three devices simultaneously, the available power is split between them, resulting in a combined maximum output of up to 18 W.
It’ll keep your phone charged throughout the day. This model has a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, which is enough to fully charge most phones up to three times. Of course, if you use your phone a lot, or if you’re charging multiple devices simultaneously, the power bank will need to be recharged more frequently.
It’s made by a brand we trust. We’ve recommended numerous Anker products over the years and have found the customer support to be fast and reliable. Plus, the company backs this model with a two-year warranty, giving you plenty of time to use it and ensure you don’t have a dud.
Its kickstand is flimsier than some. The metal kickstand on this power bank is not quite as robust as the phone stands on some other models we tested (it seems a bit more likely to snap off unexpectedly), but it’s still effective at keeping a phone propped up during a Netflix binge or video call.
This power bank has a combined output of 20 W and can charge most phones up to three times. It’s hefty and lacks MagSafe, but it can wirelessly charge multiple devices and its stand is super sturdy.
If you regularly carry more than one device with wireless charging capabilities, get the Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand. It combines most of the features we prize in our top pick with the added versatility of our favorite multi-device wireless charging stands. It also has one of the most topple-proof phone stands of the power banks we tested, and it’s one of just a few with two wireless charging pads. But on the downside, it’s a few ounces heavier than most competitors, lacks MagSafe, and (as of this writing) costs more than twice as much as our top pick.
Its pop-up phone stand is the sturdiest we’ve tested. The entire top surface of the power bank, which contains the main wireless charging pad, can be folded upright into a phone stand, revealing a second wireless charging pad beneath it. The rest of the power bank forms a stable base for the propped-up phone, and four rubber dots on the bottom keep it from skidding across the tabletop.
It works with all Qi-compatible devices. Since it’s not MagSafe compatible, this power bank can’t be used for charging while on the go. However, once you get to your destination, it’s easy to set a device on top of the main Qi wireless charging pad. Three rubber dots help keep a phone or other device in place while it’s charging wirelessly, and when it’s propped up, a rubber ledge offers even more support.
The secondary charging pad, located in the base, has a grippy texture and shallow grooves around the edges to keep a small accessory—such as an Apple Watch or set of AirPods—from sliding out of place.
It’s on the heavier side but still highly portable. Weighing 10.3 ounces, this model is slightly bulkier than our top pick, but its rounded edges and slim shape still make it relatively easy to stow in a bag.
It’s powerful and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. The Satechi Duo has two wireless charging pads (the main one supports up to 10 W charging speeds, and the other up to 5 W) as well as a USB-C PD port that can charge a third device or the power bank itself at up to 18 W. It has pass-through charging capabilities and a total maximum output of 20 W.
It has enough juice for several commutes or a weekend trip. Like our top pick, this model has a capacity rating of 10,000 mAh, which is enough to fully charge most phones up to three times. Of course, if you use your phone a lot, or if you’re charging multiple devices simultaneously, the power bank will need to be recharged more frequently.
It’s a good value. Although it costs more than twice as much as our top pick (as of this writing, the Duo is $99 and the Anker is $40), the Duo is one of the few available models with more than one wireless charging pad. If you frequently need to charge several devices while traveling, it might be worth the splurge.
It’s made by a brand we trust. Satechi is a reputable brand that has been around since 2005. This particular model is backed by a one-year warranty, and we’ve generally found the company’s customer support to be fast and reliable.
If you want something lighter than our top pick that comes in more colors, and you don’t mind that it has half the capacity: Get the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (A1611) or Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (A1614). These nearly identical models have a rated capacity of 5,000 mAh, so they won’t be able to fully recharge a phone as many times as our top pick. But they weigh less (5 ounces apiece), and they come in more colors (the A1611 comes in light green, light blue, black, and white, and the A1614 comes in those colors as well as light purple). Both have a single USB-C in/out port and a handy foldable stand. They come with a USB-C charging cable and are backed by Anker’s two-year warranty.
If you want something lighter and cheaper than our top pick that doubles as a wallet, and you don’t mind that it has half the capacity and no kickstand: Get the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini with Wallet. Like the ESR HaloLock, this power bank has a MagSafe wireless charging pad and USB-C PD in/out port with pass-through charging capabilities. It’s one of the lightest models we tested (4.9 ounces) and costs just $18 at this writing. It also has a fabric exterior that’s extra comfortable to hold and a small slot in the back to hold a few credit cards (its stretchy material keeps cards snugly in place, but I still wouldn’t trust it to hold cash or anything irreplaceable).
On the downside, it has half the capacity of our picks (rated for just 5,000 mAh), and it’s less powerful (it maxed out at 12 W in our testing). Plus, it lacks a kickstand.
If you prefer a power bank with a fabric exterior and tripod mount, and you don’t mind that it’s heavier and pricier than our top pick: Get the Mophie Snap+ Powerstation Wireless Stand. Much like our top pick, it has a rated capacity of 10,000 mAh, a combined max output of 20 W, a MagSafe wireless charging pad, a USB-C PD in/out port, pass-through charging capabilities, and a built-in kickstand. Plus, it adds a tripod connector and a comfy fabric exterior. However, it weighs more than our top pick (9.3 ounces) and costs nearly twice as much ($70) at this writing.
If you want something lighter than our top pick with a super-sturdy kickstand, and you don’t mind that it has half the capacity and costs a bit more: Get the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini with Stand. Weighing just 6.5 ounces, it has a MagSafe wireless charging pad with a maximum output of 15 W, and a USB-C port with up to 12 W output and up to 20 W input. Its aluminum kickstand is as tall and wide as the unit itself so it’s especially sturdy, and it has a small rubber lip on the bottom to make it even more skidproof. However, it costs a bit more than our top pick ($50 at this writing) and has a lower capacity (5,000 mAh, or enough to fully charge most smartphones at least once).
We’re currently in the process of testing the following models:
This is not a comprehensive list of models we’ve tested. We have removed discontinued models and those that no longer meet our criteria.
The Einova Power Bar has more wireless charging pads, safety and performance certifications, and included accessories than any of our picks. But it also offers less capacity for the size and price compared with those models, it lacks MagSafe compatibility, and it doesn’t have a kickstand.
The Lenovo GO Wireless Power Bank lacks MagSafe compatibility, and it has a flawed built-in cable design that makes it nearly unbearable to use.
The OtterBox 78-52163 offers less power for the size and/or price compared with otherwise similar models, and it’s not MagSafe compatible.
The RapidX MyPort comes with a desktop dock, but it’s not as convenient or reliable as the built-in kickstands of most models we tested, and it’s not MagSafe compatible.
The Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (A1610) is lighter and cheaper than our picks, but it has half the capacity, no kickstand, and no additional features.
The Baseus PPCXM10A is lighter than our picks, weighing just 7.2 ounces, and has just as much battery life (10,000 mAh). However, it only has a total maximum output of 12 W, lacks a kickstand, and has no other standout features.
The Baseus PPCXM10T has a handy built-in cable, but it’s relatively short, and otherwise comparable models offer more power for the size and/or price.
The Belkin BPD004 BoostCharge Wireless Power Bank costs a few bucks less than our top pick, as of this writing. It’s also lighter, weighing just 5.3 ounces, and comes in more colors (black, white, pink, and purple). However, it has half the capacity of our picks, and it has a flimsier kickstand.
The OtterBox Multi-Mount Power Bank with MagSafe (15W) 77-89445 comes with a desk stand, car vent mount, and wall charger. However, the power bank itself isn't exceptional, and we think most people would be better off buying each of these devices individually if they need them.
The Scosche GoBat MS 5K (PBQ5MS-SP) is lighter and cheaper than our picks, but it has half the capacity and no additional features.
The Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank supports wireless charging to a second device, but it has a smaller battery capacity and is more expensive than otherwise comparable models.
The following models offer less battery life for the size and/or price compared with otherwise comparable models, and they don’t have a kickstand or any other standout traits:
This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.
Sarah Witman is a senior staff writer who reports on powering and charging technology for Wirecutter. She previously worked as a writer, editor, and fact checker for several science magazines. Though she researches and tests chargers for a living, her phone battery is usually low.
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