Have you ever unexpectedly run low on phone battery while in the mountains? Perhaps you’ve been out for longer than expected, tried a new app that has used up more battery than anticipated, or been over enthusiastic with how many photos you’ve taken. Selecting the best power bank for you can not only minimise technological faff on the hills, but can also be the difference between safety and an escalating emergency situation.
Main image: Steph testing the Anker power bank | Credit: Steph Wetherell
The reality is that we are increasingly reliant on tech in the outdoors, with our phones often being used for photography, navigation and safety as we venture into the mountains. Added to this, people are frequently carrying other kit that needs power – for cameras, lighting or entertainment – with them on adventures. This means that carrying a backup source of power has become a priority for many of us.
A power bank is basically a portable battery to allow you to easily charge devices on the move. For me, I like to carry a small power bank on most of my walks as while I often use paper maps while walking, I use my phone to navigate to and from the start of a walk. In addition, as someone who regularly walks alone, it is my primary route for calling for help if I get into trouble.
However, as a lover of long distance walking, I am also a fan of a larger capacity power bank that can keep me in touch with the world for days at a time if I’m out in the wilderness. If you carry equipment like cameras or drones with you, it can also be useful to be able to charge these devices on the move to avoid having to carry too many spare batteries.
Whether you’re looking for an emergency piece of kit or a planned recharge, there’s a range of different models and capacities available. However, considering what you want it for and the features you need will help identify the right option for you.
Nitecore NPB1
Steph Wetherell’s Best in Test
This is small and light enough to not notice the extra weight, but make sure you carry the right cables.- waterproof
- small
- light
- no USB-C port
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £39.95 |
| Weight: 110g |
| Dimensions: 26.9 x 102.4mm |
| Features: Output: 1 x USB-A, Input: Micro-USB |
| Sizes: 5,000mAh (20,000mAh option also available) |
| www.nitecore.co.uk |
The Nitecore NPB1 is a lightweight and portable power bank, its shape and size making it small enough to carry in a coat or rucksack pocket for easy access. It is also waterproof (to an impressive 30 minutes of up to 2m submersion), meaning you don’t have to worry about having it out in the rain or keeping it in a dry bag. The 5,000mAh capacity was enough to fully charge my phone once.
The main downside is that it doesn’t have a USB-C port (only a USB-A and microUSB) and the maximum output power is 18W. This means it wasn’t particularly quick to charge my phone and feels like it might suffer with cable compatibility issues in the long term as there is a growing shift to USB-C cables. This is a power bank that is perfect to carry on day or overnight walks as it’s small and light enough to not notice the extra weight, but make sure you carry the right cables.
Read more: Steph Wetherell’s full Nitecore NPB1 review
Nebo 20K
Steph Wetherell’s Best Value Buy
It doesn’t have all the features of a high end power bank, but is perfect for keeping your devices charged for days- large capacity
- limited output ports
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £49.99 |
| Weight: 110g |
| Dimensions: 145 x 71 x 25mm |
| Features: Output: 1 x USB-C PD (also input), 1 x USB-A ports |
| Sizes: 20,000 mAh (5,000mAh and 10,000mAh options available) |
| nebotools.co.uk |
The Nebo 20K is an affordable, high capacity power bank that is ideal for a multi-day walking or camping trip. It took a long time to charge up via the USB-C port – not surprising given its 20,000 mAh capacity – but when at capacity, it fully charged my phone around 5 times. It has a digital display giving you an accurate percentage of its charge, which is useful both when charging it up, and also knowing exactly how much power is left, which is really useful if you’re trying to ration your power usage on a long trip. The downside is that the display for this is surprisingly bright, to the point I found it a bit distracting at night.
This is a really affordable option with a high capacity. It doesn’t have all the features of a high end power bank, but is perfect for keeping your phone and watch and other devices charged for days at a time.
Read more: Steph Wetherell’s full Nebo 20K review
Biolite Charge 100 Max
Steph Wetherell recommends
This is a significant investment, but is ideal for those looking for fast power for multiple devices- great for charging multiple devices
- price
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £179.99 |
| Weight: 587g |
| Dimensions: 140 x 112 x 35mm |
| Features: 2 x USB-C PD (also input), 1 x USB-C, 1x USB-A ports, Wireless Pad |
| Sizes: 25,000mAh. (6,000mAh, 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh options also available) |
| www.bioliteenergy.com |
The Biolite Charge 100 Max is a large, multi-port power bank that is perfect for those looking to charge multiple devices quickly. The standout aspect of this bank is the five charging ports. Two of these are USB-C PD ports, meaning they can charge compatible devices (such as a laptop) at up to 100W. There is a further regular USB-C, a USB-A and a wireless pad that charges at up to 15W (which is faster than some pads).
The high capacity does come at a cost though, and it’s fairly heavy, coming in at almost 600g. It is robust in design and feels like it would hold up to heavy use, but isn’t waterproof so would need to be protected inside a dry bag. It is however rated to -20C, making it an excellent choice for winter use. At the price point it is a significant investment, so perhaps not for the average user, but is ideal for those looking for fast power for multiple devices.
Read more: Steph Wetherell’s full Biolite Charge 100 Max review
Alpkit Juice Holder
Peter Macfarlane recommends
A lighter model may suit you but the Juice Holder’s performance and reliability has been a source of confidence- long battery life
- simple operation
- heavy
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £29.99 |
| Weight: 438g |
| Materials: aluminium case |
| Features: IP65 water resistant rating, various plug in ports, LED indicator lights |
| Sizes: smaller capacity and lighter sizes are available |
| alpkit.com |
This shift in approach to powering adventures with devices makes power a high safety priority for me and I’ve been carrying the Alpkit Juice Holder, a large capacity power bank with 20,000mAh of stored power across its two internal batteries. Despite the additional weight I’d be carrying I chose the larger Alpkit Juice Holder size to cover all the potential needs I’d face over a number of days in the hills or with a group. With it, I’ve found myself charging two things simultaneously many times.
A lighter model might have been better but the Juice Holders performance and reliability has been a source of confidence.
Read more: Peter Macfarlane’s full Alpkit Juice Holder Power Bank review
Anker 633 Magnetic Battery
Steph Wetherell’s verdict
This is a portable power bank with useful functionality that comes at a high price and some features not for everyone- multiple charging of devices
- magnetic wireless charging
- need compatible phone/case for wireless charging
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £69.99 |
| Weight: 216g |
| Dimensions: 107 x 66.5 x 18.15mm |
| Features: 1 x USB-C PD (also input), 1 x USB-A port, Wireless Pad |
| Sizes: 10,000mAh. (5,000mAh option also available) |
| www.anker.com |
Many newer phones are equipped with the ability to charge wirelessly, and the Anker 633 Magnetic Battery power bank harnesses this ability and adds in portability with a magnetic attachment. This means you can have it stuck to the back of your phone while charging (provided you have a compatible case), and still use your phone for navigation and photography without being restricted by cables – not to mention the convenience of not needing to carry a cable with you in order to be able to charge your phone.
The need to have a compatible phone and case means the wireless functionality might not be for everyone. It is still a good and portable power bank with useful functionality even without this, but at this price point might not be the first choice.
Read more: Steph Wetherell’s full Anker 633 Magnetic Battery review
Features to look for in the best power banks
Power capacity
Power bank capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), and gives you an idea of how much charge the battery holds. This is an important factor to consider when buying a power bank as will vary depending on if you’re looking for something as an emergency backup, or to provide you with reliable power for days at a time. For reference, many modern phones require a power bank of around 5,000mAh to fully charge them once.
Weight
You can expect the weight of a power bank to increase as the power capacity increases, as the primary weight of the device is the batteries it contains. Therefore this is a key factor to consider, especially if you’re looking to reduce or limit the weight you’re carrying on a trip.
Ports
A key factor in picking a power bank is deciding which charging ports you want, and how many devices you want to be able to simultaneously charge. While all banks will have a more traditional USB-A output port, many devices are now coming with a USB-C port that allows faster charging, so it can be worth looking for a power bank with this output if speedy charging is important. Many banks now also use the USB-C port as the input point for charging the bank. Another key question is how many devices you want to charge at the same time, with some power banks equipped with multiple output ports and wireless pads. Do check the maximum total output power though, as charging more devices simultaneously may reduce the power to each.
Durability
The outdoors environment is not always friendly to electronic devices, but how durable the power bank needs to be will depend on how your transport it. A waterproof device can be useful if you want access to it on the move, but if you’re charging in your camp and it’ll be packed in a drybag deep in your bag, this may be less of a priority.
How we test
Steph tested these power banks out and about on the hills and mountains in the Brecon Beacons and the Peak District. Steph used them with her iPhone 14 Pro, which is a few years old, and a USB-C cable where possible. This comparative review was first published in the April 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors.
Peter carried and used items from his review of emergency kit, first published in the December 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors, on all of his hill trips throughout 2023 from one winter into the next. This ranged from Munro days to low level trails and he also used the gear multiple times on ranger duties in the Kilpatrick Hills. All weights are from the reviewer’s digital scales.
