Best Portable Chargers Under $30 in 2026: Power Banks That Actually Deliver

Why a Good Power Bank Costs Less Than You Think

The portable charger market has gotten incredibly competitive. In 2026, you can get a 10,000 mAh power bank with 20W fast charging for under $20. The days of paying $40+ for a decent power bank are over — unless you want extra features like wireless charging or 30,000+ mAh capacity.

We tested 15 power banks under $30 on real-world charging speed, actual capacity delivery, build quality, and portability. Here are the 6 that made the cut.

Quick Comparison

1. Anker 325 Power Bank — Best Overall ($22)

Anker has been the king of portable chargers for a decade, and the 325 shows why. It's a 10,000 mAh pack with 20W USB-C PD output — enough to fast-charge an iPhone 16 from 0-50% in about 30 minutes.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 10,000 mAh (charges iPhone 16 ~2.2 times)
• Output: 20W USB-C Power Delivery + 12W USB-A
• Input: 20W USB-C (recharges in ~3 hours)
• Weight: 7.1 oz (201g)
• Extras: LED indicator, trickle-charging mode for earbuds

Why it wins: The Anker 325 hits the perfect balance of capacity, speed, size, and brand reliability. Anker's 18-month warranty and responsive customer service seal the deal. At $22, it's the safest buy on this list.

2. INIU B41 — Best Value ($16)

INIU somehow makes a 10,000 mAh power bank with 22.5W output for just $16. It's the best-selling power bank on Amazon for a reason — over 200,000 ratings with a 4.6-star average.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Output: 22.5W USB-C + 2× USB-A (total 3 ports)
• Input: USB-C + Micro-USB
• Weight: 6.6 oz (187g)
• Extras: Built-in flashlight, percentage display

Why it wins: At $16, this is borderline unfair to the competition. Three output ports, a flashlight, and 22.5W charging speed — you'd expect to pay $25+ for these features. The only trade-off? INIU's brand isn't as established as Anker, and the build feels slightly more plastic-y.

3. Baseus Bipow 20W — Best Display ($18)

Baseus makes the most visually appealing power banks in the budget category. The Bipow features a bright LED display showing exact battery percentage — no guessing with 4 dots.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Output: 20W USB-C PD + 18W USB-A QC 3.0
• Input: 20W USB-C + Micro-USB
• Weight: 7.4 oz (210g)
• Extras: Digital percentage display, dual fast-charge protocols

Why it wins: The digital display is genuinely useful — you know exactly how much juice you have left. The build quality is excellent for $18, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. Dual fast-charge (PD + QC) means it fast-charges both iPhones and Samsung devices.

4. Anker Nano Power Bank — Most Portable ($18)

If you want the smallest power bank that still fast-charges your phone, the Anker Nano is it. It's about the size of a lipstick tube with a built-in foldable USB-C connector — no cable needed.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 5,000 mAh (one full iPhone charge)
• Output: 22.5W via built-in USB-C connector
• Input: USB-C port on the bottom
• Weight: 3.6 oz (102g)
• Extras: Built-in connector (no cable!), LED indicator

Why it wins: The built-in connector is a game-changer. You literally plug it directly into your phone — no cable, no fumbling. At 3.6 oz, you forget it's in your pocket. Perfect for concerts, theme parks, or quick top-ups when you don't want to carry a cable.

5. INIU B63 — Most Capacity ($25)

Need to charge multiple devices on a trip? The INIU B63 packs 20,000 mAh — enough for 4-5 full iPhone charges — and still comes in under $30.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh (4-5 iPhone charges)
• Output: 22.5W USB-C + 2× USB-A (charge 3 devices simultaneously)
• Input: USB-C + Micro-USB
• Weight: 12.5 oz (354g)
• Extras: Percentage display, flashlight

Why it wins: If you're going on a weekend trip, camping, or flying long-haul, the B63 is the right choice. At $25, you get double the capacity of the 10,000 mAh options for only $9 more. The trade-off is weight — 12.5 oz is noticeable in your pocket but fine in a bag.

6. Baseus MagSafe 5000 — Best for MagSafe ($28)

If you're all-in on the MagSafe ecosystem, the Baseus MagSafe 5000 snaps to the back of your iPhone and charges wirelessly at 15W — no cable needed.

Key specs:

• Capacity: 5,000 mAh (one full iPhone charge)
• Output: 15W MagSafe wireless + 20W USB-C wired
• Input: USB-C
• Weight: 4.2 oz (119g)
• Extras: MagSafe magnetic attachment, pass-through charging

Why it wins: The convenience of snapping a power bank to the back of your phone and not dealing with any cables is addictive. At $28, it's the cheapest MagSafe-compatible power bank that actually works well. The 5,000 mAh capacity is limiting, but it's designed for quick top-ups, not multi-day trips.

How to Choose the Right Power Bank

Capacity: How Much Do You Need?

Charging Speed: What Do the Numbers Mean?

• 5W: Standard slow charging (included Apple charger speed)
• 18-20W PD: Fast charging — 0-50% in ~30 minutes on iPhone
• 22.5W: Slightly faster, supports more protocols
• 15W wireless: MagSafe speed — slower than wired but cable-free

FAQ

Can I take a power bank on a plane?

Yes, but only in carry-on luggage (never checked bags). Airlines allow power banks up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh). Everything on our list is well under this limit.

How long do power banks last?

A quality power bank lasts 300-500 charge cycles before capacity drops noticeably — that's 2-4 years of daily use. Avoid leaving it fully charged in hot cars, which accelerates degradation.

USB-C PD vs USB-A: does it matter?

Yes. USB-C PD (Power Delivery) is 2-4x faster for modern iPhones and Android phones. Always use the USB-C port if your phone supports it. The USB-A ports are fine for older devices or accessories like earbuds.