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I’ve traveled with a power bank on every trip since 2017 — from weekend city breaks to 3-week backpacking routes through Southeast Asia. A dead phone in an unfamiliar city isn’t just inconvenient; it can be genuinely stressful. The right travel power bank keeps your devices alive through a full day of navigation, photography, and communication without adding meaningful weight to your bag.
In 2025, the best travel power banks balance capacity, weight, charging speed, and airline carry-on compliance. Here are the three I recommend after testing across dozens of trips.
⚡ VERDICT FIRST
⭐ Our Top Pick
Anker 737 Power Bank — best travel power bank 2025. 24,000mAh, 140W USB-C, charges MacBooks and phones. The one power bank for everything.
Best Power Banks for Travel 2025 — Specs Comparison
| Product | Price | Capacity | Max Output | Weight | Airline Safe | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker 737 (24K) | ~$100 | 24,000mAh | 140W | 652g | Yes ✓ | Amazon → |
| Anker 522 (20K) | ~$35 | 20,000mAh | 22.5W | 350g | Yes ✓ | Amazon → |
| Anker 321 (10K) | ~$20 | 10,000mAh | 12W | 188g | Yes ✓ | Amazon → |
Anker 737 Power Bank Review — Best Overall for Travelers
I’ve carried the Anker 737 on six international trips and it’s become indispensable. The 140W USB-C output charges my MacBook Air from 20% to full in under an hour, while simultaneously charging my iPhone at 20W. At 24,000mAh, it provides roughly 4 full charges for a modern iPhone or 1.5 full charges for a MacBook Air. This is the power bank that eliminated my need to carry a laptop charger on shorter trips.
The digital display showing exact remaining capacity (not just 4 LEDs) is genuinely useful for travel planning — I know exactly how much charge remains before a long day. At 652g, it’s not ultralight, but for travelers carrying a laptop it eliminates a separate charger brick, making the net weight impact neutral or positive. All airline carry-on compliant at under 100Wh.
Pros
- 140W output charges laptops — genuine MacBook, iPad, and laptop charging capability; eliminates need for separate laptop charger
- 24,000mAh / ~88.8Wh — maximum airline-allowed capacity, under the 100Wh limit
- Digital display — exact percentage remaining, not just 4 LED dots
Cons
- 652g weight — heavy; not suitable for ultralight backpacking
- ~$100 price — premium price tier; justified if you need laptop charging, overkill if not
Who should buy this: Business travelers, anyone with a laptop they need to keep charged on long travel days, and travelers who want to consolidate down to a single charging device.
Anker 522 Power Bank Review — Best for Phone-Focused Travelers
The Anker 522 at ~$35 is the power bank I recommend for travelers who need substantial phone charging capacity without laptop requirements. At 350g and 20,000mAh, it provides roughly 4-5 full iPhone charges while fitting in a jacket pocket. The slim form factor slides into a bag side pocket without creating a visible bulge.
The 22.5W fast charging output keeps modern smartphones topped up quickly during transit. USB-C input means charging the power bank itself is fast and uses the same cable as your phone. I’ve used this on two-week trips where power outlets were scarce and it consistently got me through full-day excursions.
Pros
- 20,000mAh / 4-5 phone charges — substantial capacity for multi-day trips without a socket
- Slim, lightweight at 350g — fits in jacket pockets and bag side pockets without bulk
- 22.5W fast charge output — charges modern iPhones and Androids at fast-charging speeds
Cons
- No laptop charging — max 22.5W is not enough for MacBook or most laptops
- Standard LED indicators — 4 LEDs, not precise percentage display like the 737
Who should buy this: Leisure travelers, backpackers, and anyone who leaves their laptop at home and needs reliable phone-charging capacity for extended trips.
⭐ Mid-Article Pick
Anker 737 for laptop travelers ($100, 140W). Anker 522 for phone-focused travel ($35, 20,000mAh).
Anker 321 Power Bank Review — Best for Ultralight Backpackers
The Anker 321 at ~$20 and 188g is the power bank I keep in my jacket pocket on day trips and city walks. It provides exactly 2-3 full phone charges — enough for a full travel day without a socket. The credit-card-like size fits in any pocket, even tight jean pockets. I’ve carried this on over 30 trips as a backup even when I have the larger 737 in my bag.
The 12W output charges at standard speeds, not fast-charging. For a $20 power bank this is expected — fast charging circuitry costs more. For casual travel and emergency top-ups, standard charging is completely adequate.
Pros
- Ultra-compact and lightweight at 188g — smallest footprint in this roundup; fits any pocket
- ~$20 price — excellent value for a quality Anker product
- USB-C input + output — single cable compatibility with all modern devices
Cons
- 12W standard charging only — no fast charging; slower top-ups
- 10,000mAh / ~2 phone charges — not enough for multi-day travel without recharging
Who should buy this: Day-trip travelers, hikers who need minimal weight, and anyone who wants a reliable emergency backup that vanishes in a pocket.
Comparison Table
| Category | Anker 737 | Anker 522 | Anker 321 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$100 | ~$35 | ~$20 |
| Capacity | 24,000mAh | 20,000mAh | 10,000mAh |
| Max Output | 140W | 22.5W | 12W |
| Laptop Charging | Yes ✓ | No | No |
| Weight | 652g | 350g | 188g |
| Best For | Business travel | Multi-day trips | Day trips |
What to Look for in a Travel Power Bank
- Airline compliance (under 100Wh): Power banks over 100Wh are banned from aircraft. All three picks are under this limit. Always check before buying.
- Capacity vs weight trade-off: More mAh = more weight. The Anker 737 at 652g is worth it if you need laptop charging; the 321 at 188g is right for day-trip pockets.
- Output wattage for laptop charging: Laptops need 60W+ to charge effectively. Only the 737 (140W) in this roundup can handle this. Check your laptop’s power requirement before buying.
- USB-C is now essential: All modern smartphones and most laptops charge via USB-C. All three picks use USB-C input and output.
- Fast charging (18W+): Standard 5W or 12W charging is noticeably slower for modern phones. The 522 and 737 both offer 20W+ fast charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best power bank for travel in 2025?
The Anker 737 (24,000mAh, 140W) is our top pick for travelers who carry a laptop — it charges phones and laptops simultaneously and is airline-compliant. For phone-only travelers, the Anker 522 at ~$35 offers 20,000mAh in a slim, lightweight package.
Q: Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes, in carry-on luggage only — never in checked bags. The limit is 100Wh (watt-hours). Most power banks state their capacity in mAh; divide by 1000 and multiply by voltage (usually 3.7V) to get Wh. A 27,000mAh bank at 3.7V = ~100Wh, right at the limit. All three picks in this article are airline-compliant.
Q: Can a power bank charge a laptop?
Only if the power bank outputs enough wattage via USB-C. Most laptops need 45W-100W to charge effectively. The Anker 737 outputs 140W — enough for any MacBook or most Windows ultrabooks. Standard phone power banks with 18-22W output are not sufficient for laptop charging.
Q: How many times can a 20,000mAh power bank charge an iPhone?
An iPhone 15 has roughly a 3,300mAh battery. A 20,000mAh power bank has about 60-65% real-world efficiency (due to heat and conversion losses), so you get approximately 12,000-13,000mAh of usable charge — around 3.5 to 4 full iPhone charges. In practice, expect 4 charges under normal conditions.
Q: Is Anker the best brand for power banks?
Anker consistently ranks among the top power bank brands for reliability, safety features, and value. Their proprietary PowerIQ and ActiveShield 2.0 technologies provide overcharge and temperature protection. For travel specifically, Anker’s build quality and warranty support make them the safest choice at every price point.
Final Verdict
For 2025 travel, match the power bank to your needs: the Anker 737 if you carry a laptop and want to consolidate charging gear; the Anker 522 for multi-day trips with phones and tablets only; the Anker 321 for ultralight day trips where pocket space matters. All three are airline-compliant, all use USB-C, and all carry Anker’s reliable quality backing.
⭐ Buy the Winner
Anker 737 — best power bank for travel 2025. 24,000mAh, 140W, charges laptops, airline-safe. Check current price below.