The expensive but impressive Biolite Charge 100 Max power bank gets Steph Wetherell’s recommendation.

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).

Steph Wetherell recommends

This is a significant investment, but is ideal for those looking for fast power for multiple devices
Pros
  • great for charging multiple devices
Cons
  • 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 speed of the charging in the fastest ports is noticeable even just with my phone (which can charge at up to 27W) charging from zero to full in a little over an hour. For more power hungry devices this would be a real game changer, and the total power output is a whopping 120W, which is brilliant if you are looking to charge a number of devices at the same time.

If you also have a fast charger, it is surprisingly quick to recharge too. Its capacity of 25,000mAh is enough even for the most power hungry user to last a few days, and could easily stretch to a week if you’re a moderate phone user – I got more than 6 charges out of this, and found the light capacity indicator straightforward to use.

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.

Testing conditions

Steph tested these power banks were tested 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 on the best power banks was first published in the April 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors.