Stay charged up and ready for action with our picks for the best power banks. The BioLite PD power bank in action on a camping trip in Tennessee; (photo/Honey McNaughton).
What is the best power bank for camping?
Offline maps. Getting down to less than 10 percent on a camping trip can be a little stressful. The Charge 40 PD was one of the best power banks for camping in the 10,000mAh range during testing, and it has a budget friendly price. The BioLite Charge 20 PD is exactly what you need at the right price.
What is a power bank?
A power bank is basically a portable battery to allow you to easily charge devices on the move. For me, I like to carry a small power bank on most of my walks as while I often use paper maps while walking, I use my phone to navigate to and from the start of a walk.
Do you need a power bank for camping?
It only takes one dead phone battery to make you realize the importance of a power bank for camping. Whether it's snapping a picture of the local flora and fauna, setting an alarm for your sunrise hike, or pulling up directions for the drive home, it's essential that you have enough juice to last to the end of your trip.
Which power banks have pass-through charging?
Pass-through equipped power banks can charge devices while plugged into a wall charger — a handy feature when you're in a hurry. Many power banks on this list have pass-through charging, including our top pick the Nestout 15,000mAh Outdoor Battery. Durability is a major factor in how brands design products for our use and abuse.
How much does a power bank cost?
For this range of power banks, you can pay anywhere from $20 to $160. Power banks with a capacity rating of 20,000 mAh or larger are the most versatile of the group. They offer the greatest array of inputs and outputs as they are designed to charge multiple devices at once or charge a single device multiple times.
Which power bank has a USB plug?
The only power bank with a built-in USB plug that we tested, the Goal Zero Flip 24 is great for hikers who just need one full charge. Because of its smaller capacity, the Flip is exceptionally lightweight, portable, and quick to recharge.