enter value/s in increments of 1 between 15 and 170
Recommended products
Member only
This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.
Join nowAlready a member? Log in now
Performance score
Each power bank is connected to an electronic load reference instrument, which is set to draw the maximum supported current from the fastest charging USB-A port. The voltage is determined by the power bank itself and recorded in the output, and data is graphed to show capacity drain over time. This gives us the total milliamp hours that the battery supports.
enter value/s in increments of i between 1 and 92
Weight (g)
The weight of the power bank in grams, without any cables or packaging.
enter value/s in increments of i between 114 and 1018
Pocketability guide
This is a broad guide based on our experience handling the devices.
Can charge a laptop via USB-C
Ease of use score
Based on port labelling (are inputs like USB-A, USB-C and fast charge clearly labelled?) and quality of instruction manual.
enter value/s in increments of i between 53 and 87
Multiple device score
This refers to the power bank's ability to charge multiple devices at once, if more than one port is available. Higher scoring models showed a limited drop in charging performance when two or more devices were plugged in. This does not contribute to the overall score. In 2022 this method was altered to be a general performance test observed over the course of 30 minutes.
enter value/s in increments of i between 0 and 90
Display score
This score takes into account the position of the display on the unit and how easy it is to view and understand at a glance.
enter value/s in increments of i between 23 and 98
Stated capacity (mAh)
Most of the latest smartphones have a battery with around 3000mAh, so a 10,000mAh power bank should be able to charge the smartphone up to three times and a 20,000mAh power bank more than six times. Stated capacity is the capacity given by the vendor in milliamp hours (mAh).
enter value/s in increments of i between 5000 and 500000
Charge indicator
This refers to the type of display present on the power bank a Digital display is best, showing remaining charge in a percentage.
Number of USB-A ports
While additional ports are handy, it doesn't guarantee that the powerbank actually can charge multiple devices at the same time at full capacity.
Number of USB-C ports
Can charge a Nintendo Switch
A Nintendo Switch requires at least 18W from the powerbank to not only power the device but also charge the battery.
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find these models on second hand websites, or in second hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- Recommended
- CHOICE Expert Rating
- Performance score
- Ease of use score
- Display score
- Multiple device score
- Pocketability guide
- Power bank charge time
- Usable capacity, measured (mAh)
- Fastest charging 5V USB port (amps)
- Slowest charging 5V USB port (amps)
- Maximum combined output (watts)
- Overload protection
- Short circuit protection
- Good points
- Bad points
- Price
- Date tested
- Stated capacity (mAh)
- Number of USB-A ports
- Number of USB-C ports
- Battery type
- Weight (g)
- Size (mm, H x D x W)
- Quick charge output
- Wireless charging
- Charge indicator
- Can charge a laptop via USB-C
- Can charge a Nintendo Switch
- Over-charge protection
- Country of origin
- Other features