Steph Wetherell found this Nebo 20K power bank to be the best value in her tests.
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.
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 |
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. The general design is good though, with the size and shape fairly compact, but it isn’t waterproof and so would need to be carried in a dry bag.
It has two ports, and can charge two devices simultaneously via the USB-C and USB-A, with a combined maximum power of 22.5W. This means it’s ideal if you’re wanting to charge your phone and one other device, but if you’re looking for high power, fast, multi-item charging, this probably isn’t the choice for you. It also comes with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, making it useful for cable compatibility.
It is heavy, but that reflects the high power capacity, and there are smaller capacity models available. It is only rated to 0C so might not be the best choice for people wanting to use it in sub-zero winter temperatures as the performance will likely be affected.
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.
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.
