Read the Instructions: Take a few minutes to read the user manual that comes with your power bank. Familiarize yourself with its features, usage instructions, and safety precautions. This will help you make the most of your new gadget while keeping yourself and your devices safe.

The use of USB-C for the single input/output port is a little weird given the target market, and you’ll need a fast USB-C charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable to make the most of the device. What’s more, the wired charging isn’t super-speedy; our Android test smartphone only recovered by 11% from a 15-minute charge. But if you’re an iPhone user looking for a light and convenient portable charger, the Anker 622 is almost perfect for the role. The Anker Prime series of Power Banks, including the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) and the Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank (200W), are for people who truly love to geek out on power banks. If you came looking for the absolute best power bank you can buy, this is the best we've tried. Congratulations on your new power bank! To ensure you get the most out of it, here's what you should do when you first buy one:EnergyCell’s portable charger is as basic as power banks get, with just a micro-USB input, a USB-A output and no support for any fast-charging standards. What’s more, it’s slow. The USB-A output is specified as 10W, but in our tests we measured the output at between 7W and 9W depending on the phone. A 15-minute charge only raised the level on our test smartphone by 7%. In 2023, there are a good number of wireless power banks on the market, and the big benefit here is that you’ll not need to worry about bringing your cables quite as much. Magnetic charging You can also charge the Anker Prime using both USB-C ports at the same time, for a combined recharging rate up to 170W. That means you can completely refill this whopping 27K mAh battery in under 40 minutes. I thankfully had an Anker 737 GaN Prime charger that was up to the task, and it's fun to see the percentage climb. You want a more portable option: Because of its combo nature, the Anker 733 is a bit bulky and cumbersome, but if you use it both ways, it's worth the trade-off in size to have such a useful device.

The bottle is actually a nice, insulated affair, and it kept ice in cold water for 12 hours, which is all that we need. It has a good, strong strap to carry the bottle, though we would have liked a lid that was easier for sipping. All of our tests were conducted using the same wall adapter and, when possible, USB-C or Micro-USB cable. This was done to eliminate any discrepancies with wall adapters and cable throughput. What to look for in a portable power bank

Don’t get stuck without a charger for your gadgets. We’ve picked out the best power banks to help you recharge while you’re on the go

Compatible with most USB-charged devices, including iPhone 8 / X / XS / XS Max / XR (Lightning cable required), Android smartphones and tablets (including the Nexus 7), USB-C MacBooks / iPad (USB A to C cable required). If you have a newer Android phone, or the latest iPhone 15 models, you'll want a power bank with faster charging speeds to get your battery full faster. Charging speed is measured in wattage, and the iPhone 15 can charge just a bit faster than 15W, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra can charge up to 45W.

Does it have the correct ports for your needs? Budget chargers often have less than great port options. There might be USB type-A instead of USB-C, or there might not be fast charging, as mentioned above. Figure out which ports you have on your devices and whether or not the charger that catches your eye fully supports your device. Some even have wireless charging pads built-in. And some have actual AC outlets, which is pretty convenient. Don’t know your USB-A from your USB-C or Micro USB? It doesn’t have to be too confusing. The older USB-A is the connector you’ll have seen often over the past 10 years or so (think little portable USB drives) while the newer USB-C connector is the one that has come with the newest Androids and iPhones (on one end at least, these still charge via Apple’s Lightning port). Apple doesn't publish its battery capacity, but teardowns have shown that the iPhone 15 has a battery with around 3,350mAh of battery life. That means a 10KmAh battery can charge that phone twice ... almost. You may not get to 100% the second charge, but you'll be in the 90% range.The next question is how you want to charge your device. You can find a power bank that charges your phone (or even your Apple Watch) wirelessly. These will usually charge slower, but they can be very convenient if you want to leave wires at home.