Yacikos 26800mAh Ultra Compact Portable Charger

There’s no shortage of portable chargers available. In fact, once you start shopping, you’ll likely immediately be aware of the vast array of products out there. But although portable chargers may look alike, some even promising very similar specifications, there are notable differences from one product to the next.

One of the biggest features to look at when shopping for a portable charger is how long it will take to charge your devices. This is especially important if you have a device with fast-charging capabilities since not all portable chargers support that. A device that can fully charge multiple items at once in a limited amount of time may be well worth paying extra or sacrificing other features, such as portability.

Another feature that sets some newer chargers apart from others is the ability to charge more than just a smartphone or tablet. Some of these devices can charge a laptop or gaming console, making them useful if you’re regularly out and about with these items. You’ll also find some chargers can plug into your computer and act as a hub, charging multiple devices at once while you’re working.

While all portable chargers are designed to tuck into backpacks and laptop bags, some are even more powerful. If it’s important to be able to slip your charger into a pocket or handbag, look for much smaller devices. Some are only slightly larger than a tube of lipstick, making them especially portable, but you may sacrifice power and charging capabilities for that convenience.

While you’re waiting for your devices to charge, you may occasionally want to check in on status. Some chargers have indicator lights that show you exactly where you are in the process, giving you a general idea of the time you have left. However, if you’re only charging smartphones and laptops, you’ll likely be able to get this same information by looking at the device itself.

• A good portable charger starts with its power. The Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger and Jackery Supercharge Portable Charger pack the biggest punches, with 26800mAh of power each. You’ll still get impressive power in the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery, which has 20000mAh capacity. The much smaller Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger lags behind, with only 3350mAh.
• The time it takes to charge is a top consideration. Although this can vary depending on the capacity of each device you’re charging,  the Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger generally excels at this, with the ability to charge three devices at once at a lightning-fast speed.
• Before you can charge other items, you’ll need to charge the portable charging device. The Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger can charge faster than other power banks, reaching full capacity in about 6.5 hours. The Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger also falls behind in this area, taking approximately three hours to fully recharge after depletion.
• One factor determining how quickly your portable charger can get results is whether or not it supports the new fast-charging capabilities built into many modern devices. The ZMI USB PD Backup Battery stands out from the pack here, supporting all the current protocols, including USB PD 2.0, QC 3.0 and BC 1.2. The Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger can’t compete in this area, lacking the ability to charge devices like the iPhone X or iPhone 8 at the fastest available speed.
• New charging technologies built into devices like laptops and gaming consoles make it easier to build portable chargers for them. The ZMI USB PD Backup Battery can not only charge your smartphone but it also capably charges the newer MacBooks that have Thunderbolt ports, as well as being able to charge the Nintendo Switch at the fastest possible rate in handheld mode. The Jackery Supercharge Portable Charger can also charge both MacBooks and Nintendo Switch consoles. The Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger is very limited in what it can charge, lacking the power necessary to handle most tablets. You’ll also find it can’t charge the latest Android phones, which have higher-capacity batteries.
• One of the best things about the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery is its ability to serve as a hub. Simply plug it into a computer’s USB-C port, then plug your items into the two USB-A ports to charge while you work.
• If you’re concerned about portability, look closely at the weight and size of the devices you’re considering. The Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger is among the lightest portable chargers you’ll find, weighing only 2.8 ounces. Compare this to the 15.16 ounces you’ll get with the Jackery Supercharge Portable Charger, and you can see the difference. Both the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery and Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger are on the higher end of weight, at 14.25 and 13.5 ounces respectively.
• The Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger is also far easier to slip into a pocket, measuring only 3.5 inches long and 0.9 inches thick. The ZMI USB PD Backup Battery, Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger and Jackery Supercharge Portable Charger all have longer, slimmer profiles, similar in shape to a smartphone. They each measure around 6 inches by 3 inches, meaning they’ll still easily slip into a laptop bag or purse, but they may not be quite as easy to carry around all day with you.
• Portability comes at a cost, however. With the Anker PowerCore+ Mini Portable Charger, you can charge only one device at a time. The Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger, on the other hand, has three powerful output ports. With the ZMI USB PD Backup Battery, you also get three charging ports. That includes a USB-C input and output port, which means you can either use it to charge a device or accept a charge. The Jackery Supercharge Portable Charger has only two ports, a USB-C and a USB-A.