Power Banks Price Comparison
Compare 613 power banks from Anker, Belkin, Baseus and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from compact 5,000mAh models to 200W laptop chargers.
Power Banks price comparison UK
Power banks have quietly become one of the most competitive gadget categories on the market — and the price spread tells the whole story. From bare-bones 5,000mAh slabs starting at 30 £ to high-output 200W laptop chargers pushing well past 62 £, there's rarely been more choice, or more confusion, for buyers. We've tracked 613 products across this category, and a few things stand out immediately: Belkin dominates by sheer volume, yet Anker and Xtorm command noticeably higher average prices — a gap that reflects real differences in build quality and charging performance, not just branding.
The sweet spot for most people sits firmly in the 10,000–20,000mAh range. A 10,000mAh bank will top up a modern smartphone twice over; step up to 20,000mAh and you're covering a weekend away without hunting for a socket. What catches buyers out is focusing on capacity alone and ignoring output wattage. A 20,000mAh bank that only pushes 10W will take hours to charge a laptop — or simply won't charge it at all. If you're carrying a MacBook or a USB-C Windows machine, look for USB Power Delivery at 65W minimum; the Xtorm and ALOGIC options in our catalogue are built precisely for that use case.
Wireless charging is increasingly common in mid-range models — Varta's MagSafe-compatible options are a good example — but worth treating with clear eyes: Qi charging typically loses 10–15% of energy in the transfer, and most portable wireless pads top out at 10–15W. Handy for overnight top-ups, less ideal when you're in a rush. For daily commuters and travellers, a compact LiPo unit with a single USB-C PD port and a proper LED charge indicator is usually the most practical choice. If you're shopping around Black Friday or the January sales, prices in this category can drop sharply — it's one of the better categories to set a price alert on.
For heavier-duty needs — camping, astronomy, or keeping tools charged on site — the Portable Power Stations category is worth a look alongside traditional power banks. And if you need to keep multiple devices charged at a fixed location, our Mobile Device Chargers section covers wall-based multi-port solutions. For the road, though, a well-chosen power bank remains the most versatile option — and comparing prices before you buy is the easiest way to avoid overpaying for a brand name.
How to Choose a Power Bank: The Criteria That Actually Matter
Most people buy a power bank based on capacity and price — and end up disappointed when it barely charges their laptop or takes nine hours to refill. Our analysis of 613 products shows the real differentiators are output wattage and battery chemistry, not just mAh. Here's what to look at before you commit.
Capacity vs. your actual devices
The mAh figure is a starting point, not the whole story. A 10,000mAh bank won't deliver 10,000mAh to your phone — real-world efficiency sits between 80–90%, so expect roughly 7,000–8,500mAh of usable charge. As a rough guide: 5,000mAh covers one full smartphone charge; 10,000–15,000mAh handles two to three charges; 20,000mAh+ is the right territory for weekend trips or tablet users. If you're planning to charge a laptop, you need 27,000mAh or more, and even then, output wattage matters just as much as capacity.
Output wattage — the spec most buyers ignore
This is where cheap power banks quietly fail. A 5W or 10W output will charge your phone, but slowly — and it won't charge most laptops at all. For fast charging on modern smartphones (iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S series), you want at least 18–30W with USB-C PD. For laptops, the minimum is 65W; serious users should look at 100W or 200W options like the Xtorm Titan Ultra. Check the spec sheet carefully — some banks advertise high wattage but only deliver it on one port at a time, with other ports dropping to 5W when multiple devices are connected.
Battery chemistry: Li-Ion, LiPo, or LiFePO4?
Most power banks use either Li-Ion (reliable, good energy density, standard in budget-to-mid-range) or LiPo (lighter and slimmer, preferred in premium compact models). LiFePO4 — as seen in the Celestron PowerTank — is a different beast: safer at high temperatures, rated for 2,000+ charge cycles versus 300–500 for standard Li-Ion, but heavier and significantly more expensive. For everyday use, LiPo is the best balance. If you're buying for long-term, high-frequency use, the LiFePO4 premium may pay off over time.
Ports: how many, and which types
A single USB-C port is fine for minimalists, but most people benefit from at least one USB-C and one USB-A. The USB-C port should support Power Delivery (PD) — not all do, even on mid-range banks. Watch out for banks that list USB-C but only support 5V/2A (10W) — that's not PD, regardless of the connector shape. If you regularly charge two devices simultaneously, confirm the bank maintains its rated wattage across both ports; many halve the output when both are in use.
Size and weight for your use case
A 20,000mAh bank typically weighs 350–450g — fine in a rucksack, uncomfortable in a jacket pocket. If you want something genuinely pocketable, stay under 10,000mAh and prioritise LiPo construction, which shaves weight noticeably. The Xtorm Fuel Series 10,000mAh is a good benchmark for the compact-but-capable category. Conversely, if you're buying for travel or outdoor use, the extra weight of a 20,000–30,000mAh bank is usually worth it — you'll thank yourself on day three of a festival.
Wireless charging: genuine convenience or marketing?
Wireless (Qi) charging on a power bank is genuinely useful if you have a MagSafe-compatible iPhone or a Qi-enabled Android — no fumbling with cables in the dark. But be realistic about the trade-offs: Qi output on portable banks is typically capped at 10–15W, and you lose 10–15% of energy to heat. The Varta Mag Pro Wireless is a solid example of a well-implemented wireless bank. If your priority is charging speed or maximising capacity, skip wireless and put the money towards higher wattage output instead.
- Budget pick (From 30 £ to 34 £) : Mostly no-name or lesser-known brands (LogiLink, Intenso, MediaRange) with basic Li-Ion cells, 5–10W output, and limited port selection. Fine for occasional use or as a backup, but don't expect fast charging or longevity beyond 300–400 cycles. The MediaRange MR756 at 20,000mAh is a notable exception for value-seekers.
- The sweet spot (From 34 £ to 35 £) : Where most buyers should look. Xiaomi, Epico, Verbatim, and Varta all sit here, offering 10,000–20,000mAh with 18–30W USB-C PD, decent build quality, and proper LED indicators. The Xtorm Fuel Series 10,000mAh and Varta Wireless Power Bank are strong representatives of what this range can deliver.
- For the discerning traveller (From 35 £ to 62 £) : Anker, Baseus, and Belkin dominate here, with faster charging (45–65W), better port configurations, and more robust construction. The Anker PowerCore 20000 and the wireless-capable Anker A1664H11 are typical of this tier — reliable, well-supported, and available from major UK retailers like Currys and Amazon.
- High-output and specialist (Over 62 £) : Xtorm's Titan Ultra (200W, 27,000mAh) and the ALOGIC Ruck (130W) live here, alongside the Celestron PowerTank for outdoor/astronomy use. These are genuine laptop chargers in power bank form. Sandberg also offers high-capacity options in this bracket. Only worth the outlay if you regularly charge laptops or multiple high-draw devices on the move.
Top products
- Anker Powercore 20000 mAh Black (Anker) : The benchmark 20,000mAh option — Anker's reliability and after-sales support are hard to beat, and this model is widely available at Currys and Amazon. Not the fastest charger in the range, but consistently delivers what it promises.
- Anker A1664H11 power bank 10000 mAh Wireless charging Black (Anker) : The best wireless power bank in our top 15 — compact, genuinely useful Qi charging, and Anker's usual build quality. Worth the premium over budget wireless options; avoid if you need more than 10,000mAh.
- Xtorm XB403 Laptop Power Bank Titan Ultra 200W - 27.000mAh (Xtorm) : The only option here that genuinely replaces a laptop charger on the road. 200W output and 27,000mAh is serious kit — but the price reflects it. Overkill for phone users; essential for frequent business travellers carrying a MacBook or gaming laptop.
- Varta Mag Pro Wireless 5000 Lithium Polymer (LiPo) 5000 mAh White (Varta) : The most elegant compact option in the list — MagSafe-compatible, LiPo construction, and genuinely pocketable. Only 5,000mAh, so it's a top-up bank rather than a full backup. Perfect for iPhone 15 users who want a slim, cable-free solution.
- MediaRange MR756 power bank Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) 20000 mAh Black (MediaRange) : The standout budget option — 20,000mAh at a price well below the category average. Don't expect fast charging or premium build, but for occasional use or as a travel backup, the value-per-mAh ratio is genuinely hard to argue with.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can a power bank charge my phone?
A 10,000mAh power bank will charge a typical modern smartphone (3,500–4,500mAh battery) roughly 1.5 to 2 times, accounting for the 80–90% energy conversion efficiency of most banks. A 20,000mAh unit gets you 3–4 full charges. Keep in mind that wireless charging reduces this further by 10–15% due to heat loss. If you want to be precise, divide the bank's mAh by your phone's battery capacity, then multiply by 0.85 as a realistic efficiency factor.
Can a power bank charge a laptop?
Yes, but only if it supports USB Power Delivery (USB-C PD) at 65W or higher — and many power banks don't, even if they have a USB-C port. Standard 5V/2A USB-C outputs (10W) will not charge most laptops. For MacBooks and USB-C Windows laptops, look for 65W PD minimum; the Xtorm XB403 Titan Ultra at 200W is the most capable option in our catalogue. Also check your laptop's charging requirements — some ultrabooks accept 45W, while gaming laptops may need 100W+.
What's the difference between mAh and wattage on a power bank?
mAh (milliamp-hours) measures how much energy the bank stores; wattage (W) measures how fast it can deliver that energy. A large-capacity bank with low wattage is like a big fuel tank with a narrow pipe — it holds a lot but charges slowly. For fast charging, you need both: sufficient capacity for your needs and enough wattage to match your device's fast-charge protocol (USB-PD, Quick Charge, etc.).
Are cheap power banks from unknown brands safe to use?
Not always — this is the one area where cutting corners genuinely carries risk. Substandard Li-Ion cells can overheat, swell, or in rare cases catch fire. Always check for CE and RoHS certification markings, which are legally required for UK sale. Avoid banks with no brand markings, no certifications listed, or suspiciously high mAh claims for their size (a 30,000mAh bank that weighs 200g is almost certainly mislabelled). Sticking to recognised brands — even budget ones like Intenso or LogiLink — gives you a meaningful safety baseline.
Is wireless charging on a power bank worth it?
It depends entirely on how you use it. Wireless charging on a portable bank is genuinely convenient for overnight top-ups or in-bag charging with a MagSafe iPhone, but it's slower (typically 10–15W maximum) and less efficient than a cable. If speed matters — say, you have 30 minutes before heading out — plug in. The Varta Mag Pro Wireless and Anker A1664H11 are the most polished wireless options in our catalogue, but neither will replace a fast-wired charge when you're in a hurry.
What capacity power bank is allowed on flights?
Most airlines follow IATA guidelines: power banks up to 100Wh are permitted in hand luggage without restriction; banks between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval; anything above 160Wh is generally prohibited in the cabin. To convert mAh to Wh, multiply mAh by the voltage (typically 3.7V) and divide by 1,000. A 20,000mAh bank at 3.7V = 74Wh — well within limits. A 27,000mAh bank at 3.7V = roughly 100Wh, right on the boundary. Always check with your specific airline before travelling.
Should I avoid power banks that claim very high mAh at very low prices?
Yes — inflated capacity claims are one of the most common issues in this category. A genuine 20,000mAh Li-Ion bank cannot weigh less than roughly 300g; if a product claims 20,000mAh but weighs 150g, the real capacity is almost certainly far lower. The MediaRange MR756 at 20,000mAh is a legitimate budget option; the truly suspicious products are typically unbranded listings on marketplace sites. If the price is below 30 £ for anything claiming over 10,000mAh, treat it with serious scepticism.