Power banks are all the rage right now. They’re portable chargers designed to charge up your electronic gadgets while you’re out and about.
Typically, they are small, ideal for traveling, but it depends on the type of battery you’re recharging, so laptop power banks could be bigger. If you are on the go, and you find yourself with a phone, a laptop, a tablet, or other devices, you certainly want to look into one of the best laptop power banks.
We will look at five different products to help you find the laptop power bank that suits you best. You’ll learn about each one in-depth, but we also included an FAQ section and buyer’s guide. That way, you can make an informed buying decision based on our extensive research.
Best Laptop Power Bank Reviews
1. RAVPower 20100mAh AC Portable Laptop Charger
RAVPower was founded in 2011 and is an American electronics brand. Sunvalleytek owns it. Primarily, it focuses on selling battery chargers, such as solar and portable power banks, for laptops.
You can visit the company website to make a purchase. However, most of its products are sold from third-party sites, so you might need to do a general internet search if you want to find a particular product, as it's not always easy to find what you want on the company's website.
Product Highlights
Though the RAVPower 20100mAh AC Portable Laptop Charger has been around for a while, it has been improved within the last year. Now, it features a two-prong AC output, which is a great improvement on the last version. The power supply also has an on-and-off switch indicator, which is also a great feature to have, lending to its ease of use.
In addition to that, this power bank can handle devices up to 50 watts. All you have to do to turn it on is hold the power button for about eight seconds.
You can also charge two devices at one time, which is excellent if you are traveling and need to charge both your laptop and your phone. The Type-C (USB-C) allows you to charge your MacBook, too, so this one is perfect for Apple product fans. There is also an iSmart USB port so that you can charge another device, too.
With 20100mah, there is enough juice to charge your iPhone 7 up to six times a day. You can also charge a Galaxy S8 up to three times. One charge will also fully charge your 12-inch MacBook once, but once the power bank does that, it will need a full charge of its own.
What's to like about the RAVPower 20100mAh AC Portable Laptop Charger
We were quite impressed that the bank can recharge itself in about 3.5 hours. This is quite fast compared to other products. Therefore, you can easily set things up to charge the power bank so that it is ready to be used again.
What's not to like about the RAVPower 20100mAh AC Portable Laptop Charger
The style isn’t very innovative, and it's a bit boring when compared to other power banks we looked at. If you aren't too worried about how it looks, though, this certainly isn't a dealbreaker.
That said, our next point might be a dealbreaker. We weren’t too happy that it was so large. It stands 10 inches high and is quite wide. Therefore, it can be hard to transport, and you might not want to be carrying this all over the place, as it can get pretty heavy after a while.
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2. RAVPower 27000mAh AC Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
RAVPower used to sell cell phone and laptop batteries, but it currently focuses on solar chargers and portable power banks. It has also patented iSmart technology, which automatically configures the right charging current.
Right now, these products can only be found online. Third-party websites primarily sell them, though you can also find these items on the company site, so you do have several options available to you should you choose this power bank.
Product Highlights
For those looking to charge a lot of things at once, the RAVPower 27000mAh AC Outlet Portable Laptop Charger is ideal. You can charge your laptop and two other devices, iSmart only. With 27000mah, you can also recharge your devices multiple times (laptops only have one charge).
The LED battery indicator helps you see how much life is left in the power bank. Thus, you’ll easily be able to tell when it needs to be recharged.
What's to like about the RAVPower 27000mAh AC Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
We were impressed with the energy-saving capabilities of this device. To turn it on or off, all you have to do is hold down the power button for about eight seconds. This ensures that the power bank stores more energy to use later.
What's not to like about the RAVPower 27000mAh AC Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
The power bank isn’t compatible with all laptops. Therefore, you need to read the description carefully to make sure it will work for your needs.
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3. EWEMOSI Universal Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank
EWEMOSI is a brand that has only been around for a couple of years. It primarily focuses on electronics, such as navigational instruments, pedometers, neon signs, and smartphone products. Currently, this brand only sells its products online through third-party websites.
Product Highlights
For those looking for something sleek and slim, the EWEMOSI Universal Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank is ideal. It is long but skinny and includes a Type-C and USB output connection.
You’ll find it is very lightweight, so you can take it wherever you go. With 31200mah, you can fully charge a MacBook almost two times, as well as an iPhone X eight times.
What's to like about the EWEMOSI Universal Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank
This is one amazing little product. Though there was a lot to like, we were surprised with the built-in flashlight. Use it to see where to plug things in or do other activities in the dark.
What's not to like about the EWEMOSI Universal Outlet Portable Laptop Power Bank
When you turn the power bank on, it is quite noisy. This may not be an issue, but if you’re using it while trying to sleep for a fully-charged computer the next day, it could be problematic.
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4. Jackery AC Outdoors Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
Jackery was established in 2012, and it develops, designs, and manufactures portable energy and power solutions. It was co-founded by Z. Sun, a former Apple CEO. Currently, you can find its products on third-party websites and the company site.
Product Highlights
The Jackery AC Outdoors Outlet Portable Laptop Charger can be used as a power station anywhere. You’ll find that the 110v/85W AC outlet is compatible with many laptops and devices, as well. As such, you can take it on outdoor excursions and still use your technology.
You’ll also find that this product was designed to be taken on airplanes. It will fit into any carry-on or backpack.
What's to like about the Jackery AC Outdoors Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
We were impressed that this power bank worked with so many devices. It works with a variety of MacBooks, Dell products, Microsoft Surface Pro, and even the Nintendo Switch.
What's not to like about the Jackery AC Outdoors Outlet Portable Laptop Charger
Though it does work, we weren't altogether impressed with its charging capabilities. Most laptops won’t get a full charge if it is under 15 percent.
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5. FlePow AC Outlet Portable Charger Battery Pack
FlePow was established in 2017. It primarily focuses on solar power and power banks for electronic devices. Currently, it is only available on third-party websites.
Product Highlights
You’ll find that the FlePow AC Outlet Portable Charger Battery Pack features SINE wave technology. This means that your electronic devices can be powered with a more stable AC output that’s as reliable as your home.
With 20000mah, you can charge laptops, smartphones, and household appliances of up to 90W. It also features 10 power indicators so that you can determine battery status immediately.
What's to like about the FlePow AC Outlet Portable Charger Battery Pack
Though it is quite wide, we were impressed by the innovative design. It will go with any décor, and you won’t forget to pack it because of the almost-hypnotic styling. It also works very well, it charges quite quickly, and it is a great value for your money.
What's not to like about the FlePow AC Outlet Portable Charger Battery Pack
The product features proprietary equipment, so if you lose the charger that comes with it, you can’t use it anymore. It might be better if it used the universal USB-C connections.
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BUYER'S GUIDE
It is always helpful to learn more about the product you want to buy. Often, you will learn about something new through a friend, coworker, or family member.
You instantly know you need it, but you need more information to choose the right one. Having a buyer's guide is a great convenience, and there are certainly some things you should take a close look at before you decide to buy a product like this. Here are some of the things that you want to keep in mind:
1. Output Charge Current
Many power banks only come with a 5V USB output, and you need a stronger voltage output of up to 20V, depending on your particular laptop. It is possible to find them, but they are rare. So, you might not get what you need by seeking out the most popular options.
Instead, most laptop power banks use USB-C, which is a universal charging standard. Laptops powered with this need to have at least 30 watts to charge quickly.
Though it doesn’t matter what charger you use, you might want one that works fast and charges more efficiently for the best results. Otherwise, you could be waiting a very long time for your laptop to charge, which can greatly reduce the time you have to be productive or to do something fun, like play games.
2. Number of Ports
Most small devices can support USB charging. However, some of them use USB-A instead of USB-C. It’s a little slower, but your laptop power bank can charge other things.
For that reason, it is ideal to purchase a power bank with two or more ports. All of the products we reviewed had at least two USB ports. That way, you can charge your laptop in addition to other devices. You won't have to wait to charge your tablet, for example, or even your cell phone. This can be a really great thing when you are traveling.
3. Size and Weight
When it comes to how heavy it is, we believe it should be no more than two pounds. The goal of the power bank is to carry it with you, such as in your laptop bag and backpack. Thus, it needs to be portable and lightweight.
You will find a variety of sizes for power banks. We reviewed ones that were no more than 10 inches high or wide.
Nonetheless, you may want to check dimensions to ensure it will fit where you’d like to store it. This is especially the case when it comes to traveling. Sometimes you might be limited by bag sizes, such as when you carry on a bag when flying. You also might have weight restrictions, which is something you want to keep in mind, as some of these can get heavy.
4. Charging Connector
These power banks will come with appropriate charging cables for a laptop and other devices that it can power. If you read the descriptions on the product page, you can find out what options it will charge, such as an iPhone or MacBook.
Universal connectors are often provided for laptops, meaning you can charge any device, regardless of its branding. The Type-C USB port will work with Dell, MacBook, and others. So, you hopefully won't be limited to the type of device you have, even when you are using an Apple product versus something else, like an HP.
5. Lithium-Ion vs. Lithium Polymer
Lithium-ion batteries produce high energy density, so more power is stored. They are also cheaper than the lithium-polymer version. Often, lithium-ion batteries don’t feature the memory effect, so you don’t have to worry that the battery will get harder to charge with time.
The downfall of these batteries is that they can explode. They can also age prematurely if they aren’t used all the time. Depending on where you take your device, you could be banned from taking a lithium-ion battery, so keep this in mind if this is what you choose.
Lithium-polymer batteries are more flexible when it comes to shape and size. Generally, they’re low-profile and lightweight. Plus, they will not suffer from leaks as much, so they are usually welcome anywhere, even when traveling.
They are more costly, so you can expect to pay more for them. Likewise, they may have a lower energy density, so they can’t store as much power. The best option, if you have the budget, is to use lithium-polymer power banks.
6. Leads
Often, the same leads that you use to charge your mobile phone or another smart device can be used to charge a laptop using a power bank. The USB-A is a larger connector and can charge your devices. USB-C leads are what will connect your laptop to the power bank.
The best thing to do is to figure out what you might want to charge with your power bank, and then choose one that can accommodate your needs.
7. How to Charge
Your power bank needs to be charged periodically to keep it ready for charging your other devices. To do this, you need a wall adapter, USB cord, and the power bank.
Plug the USB cord into the wall adapter with the small end going into the power bank. Then, plug the adapter into the outlet.
It is always best to get everything hooked up before plugging it into a power source. You can then begin charging your devices once the power bank starts to get some juice.
If your computer is plugged in and fully charged, you can also charge the power bank with it. Just connect the large USB end into the laptop or computer USB port.
F.A.Q.
1. Are There Power Banks for Laptops?
Yes, there are, but not all power banks will charge a laptop. Some will only charge other devices.
You need to make sure that there is at least 20V output, so read your laptop’s specifications on charging to determine what voltage output is necessary. Also, make sure to find out from the manufacturer of the power bank if you can charge your device on it.
2. Can You Charge a Laptop with a Power Bank?
It is possible to charge your laptop using a power bank, but you should read the product’s description thoroughly to ensure that it will work for a computer. Plus, it might only work for particular brands, such as Macbook and Dell. Also, it's a good idea to check with the manufacturer before buying a power bank, just to make sure it will work for your device.
3. Can I Use USB-C Phone Charger for Laptops?
Technically, yes. USB-C is considered a universal charging standard. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what charger is used.
A laptop can be charged by it. Please note that some laptops won’t charge, though, or realize that the charge might be slower to complete. It's best to use the recommended charger type for each device that you have.
4. How Many Charges Is 50000mah?
Though it depends on the device, 50000mah can fully charge your devices up to 15 times. This is an average for a smartphone.
For a laptop that’s nearly dead, you will likely only get up to 10 charges. Some of the power banks we reviewed do not have this much charging power, so keep that in mind.
5. How Long Does a Power Bank Last?
On average, your power bank will last about three years. It is likely to hold a full charge for up to six months with little to no loss of power.
As you charge your devices, though, the power will go down. The time you have between power bank charges is directly related to how much you charge devices and what type of devices you are charging. For instance, it will last longer if you are charging a phone versus a laptop.
FINAL VERDICT
Overall, we were impressed with all five of the products we tested. That said, the best laptop power banks are those that are compact, lightweight, and do what they claim. Since none of them were perfect in those regards, we chose the Jackery AC Outdoors Outlet Portable Laptop Charger as the overall winner.
It was one of the smallest, in a brick-style shape, and could charge a variety of devices. We also liked that it was designed for the traveler in mind, which is important to many people looking for power banks. Though it had a few flaws, they were slight nuisances compared to the benefits. We realize that it didn't charge as well when it got low, but we don't think this is a big enough reason to pass on this power bank since you do get several charges out of it before it is dead.
If you are looking for something to charge your Apple products, we also think that the RAVPower AC Outlet Portable Laptop Charger stood out. It works very well for what it was designed to do. We liked the energy-saving capabilities and were equally impressed with the quick charge of the power bank itself.