Wired has published its 2026 guide to the best power banks, drawn from the reviewer testing more than 100 portable chargers over several years. The list matters for anyone whose phone, tablet or laptop regularly runs low on charge, as it narrows a crowded market down to a handful of reliable picks across different needs, from everyday use to more niche requirements like MagSafe compatibility or maximum portability.

The overall top pick is Anker's Laptop Power Bank (£120/$120), a 25,000-mAh unit delivering up to 165 watts with built-in cables, a battery-status display and fast-charging performance across multiple devices, said to remain flight-legal. For a lighter option, the Nimble Champ (Series 2, $60) weighs just 6.2 ounces and uses more sustainable materials, with a Pro version offering double the capacity. The guide, updated in July 2026, also added new entries from Baseus, Cuktech and Pisen while removing older models and refreshing prices, alongside picks for best-looking design (Sharge Shargeek 170) and best MagSafe/Qi2 charger (Anker MagGo 10K).