What's the best portable battery pack for iPhone?
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Summary
Most people don't need a battery pack, but they're invaluable for travel, long days away from an outlet, or an aging iPhone battery.
The Anker Nano 5K MagGo Slim is my pick for most people; the Anker MagGo 10K Slim is for heavy users; the Anker Prime 26K is for those who also need to charge a laptop.
Both the 5K and 10K attach magnetically to the back of your iPhone; no cable needed.
Spare batteries must travel in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage.
Battery packs need regular use to stay healthy; buying one and storing it for emergencies will shorten its lifespan.
iPhones have gotten better and better battery life over the years, so most people never need a portable battery pack. But if you travel frequently, spend whole days at conferences or theme parks, or have an older iPhone whose battery has seen better days, a good battery pack can keep you going.
One thing to know before you buy: batteries can wear out from underuse just as much as overuse. If you buy one and tuck it in a drawer for a rainy day, you may find it completely unchargeable when you finally need it, or in some cases a fire hazard. The ones I recommend are light enough to actually carry daily, which is really the point.
Battery pack comparison
All picks are Anker.
| Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) ★ Best for most | Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) ⬆︎ Heavy use | Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W) ⬆︎⬆︎ Extreme use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $54.99 | $79.86 | $229.99 |
| Buy | Anker Amazon Best Buy | Anker Amazon Best Buy | Anker Amazon Best Buy |
| Best for | Most people. Light enough to carry every day and forget about until you need it. | Heavy users and longer days. Twice the capacity of the 5K with a bit more weight. | Frequent travelers who also need to charge a laptop. Wired only; no wireless charging. Overkill for most iPhone-only use. |
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 10,000 mAh | 26,250 mAh |
| Max output | 15W wireless 20W wired |
15W wireless 30W wired |
140W per port 300W total |
| ~iPhone 17 charges | ~1 full charge | ~2 full charges | >4 full charges |
iPhone 17 charge estimates are based on Anker's stated 30–45% conversion efficiency and an iPhone 17 battery of approximately 3,600 mAh. Wireless charging (used by the two magnetic picks) delivers somewhat fewer charges due to additional heat and transmission losses. Pro and Max models have larger batteries and will yield fewer charges from the same pack.
Can I take a battery pack on a plane?
Yes, with some rules. The FAA sets limits on batteries in aircraft; TSA enforces those limits at security checkpoints. Here's what you need to know:
Spare batteries must go in your carry-on, never in a checked bag. If your carry-on gets gate-checked, take the battery out and keep it with you in the cabin.
The limit is 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery. This works out to roughly 27,000 mAh for a typical consumer battery pack. Nearly all standard battery packs fall within this limit.
101 to 160 Wh requires airline approval; you can carry up to two of these.
Over 160 Wh is banned entirely.
Damaged or swollen batteries are a fire risk and should never be taken on a plane. If your battery looks warped or bloated, replace it.
Individual airlines may have rules beyond the FAA baseline, and they change often. Look up your carrier's policy before you travel. Always listen for any safety announcements about batteries once you're on board. Some airlines prohibit using a battery pack during the flight. Some require that it not be stored in the overhead bin. Some require that it remain visible to you at all times, such as in the seat back pocket.
The Anker Prime 26K I recommend above is rated at approximately 97 Wh, well within the 100 Wh limit. Anker certifies it as flight-approved.
What is MagSafe, and does it matter?
MagSafe is Apple's magnetic wireless charging standard. Qi2 is the open industry version of the same technology. If you have an iPhone 12 or later, the back of your phone has a ring of magnets. A MagSafe or Qi2 battery pack snaps directly onto that ring and charges wirelessly. No cable, no fumbling around. You attach it and put your phone in your pocket.
That said, both the 5K and 10K also have a USB-C port, so they work with any iPhone via cable regardless of model: USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and later, USB-C to Lightning for older models. The iPhone 12 requirement is only for the magnetic wireless feature.
The iPhone 16e doesn't have the magnets built in, but it does support wireless charging. If you put it in a case that adds MagSafe magnets, you may get magnetic attachment, though it will charge more slowly than on a standard MagSafe-compatible model.
You still need a USB-C cable to recharge the battery pack itself when you get back home. But luckily all iPhones for several years have used USB-C, so you likely are already traveling with a compatible cable and charger. You can even connect a charger to the power bank and attach your phone to charge both overnight.
How much capacity do you actually need?
Battery packs are rated in mAh (milliamp-hours). A standard iPhone 17 has a battery of about 3,600 mAh. When charging from a battery pack, though, 30 to 45% of the stated capacity is lost to heat and electrical conversion. A 10,000 mAh pack realistically delivers about 5,500 to 6,500 mAh to your phone. Wireless charging loses an additional 20 to 30% on top of that.
In round terms for a standard iPhone 17:
5,000 mAh: roughly one full charge (somewhat less via wireless)
10,000 mAh: about two full charges
26,000 mAh: over four full charges
Pro and Max models have larger batteries, so they'll get fewer charges from the same pack.
What slows down charging from a battery pack?
Charge level. Batteries charge fastest when they're low. For the most efficient result, plug in around 20% and unplug around 80%. These are rough guidelines, not strict rules, so don't stress over it.
Background activity. Your iPhone doesn't know whether it's plugged into a wall outlet or a battery pack, so it behaves the same way: running background tasks, syncing photos, downloading updates. Enabling Low Power Mode before you plug in pauses most of that and means more of the pack's power actually goes into your battery.
Heat and wireless efficiency. Wireless charging generates more heat than wired, which slows charging, triggers your iPhone's thermal protection, and uses more of the pack's total capacity. On a hot day the difference is especially noticeable. If you're in a hurry or running low, plug in with a cable instead.
Key Takeaways
Choose the 5K for most situations; the 10K for heavier use; the 26K if you also need to charge a laptop.
Wait until your phone is low before connecting the battery pack. Batteries charge fastest at low levels, and you get the most usable charge out of the pack that way.
Enable Low Power Mode when charging from a battery pack. It pauses background activity so more power goes into your battery rather than running maintenance tasks.
Spare batteries always go in carry-on luggage; never checked bags.
Use your battery pack regularly; storing it unused will shorten its life.
Wireless charging from a battery pack is convenient but less efficient; use a cable when you need the most out of what's left.
Further reading
More recommendations from JimmyTechSF
Browse all my picks for Mac and iPhone at jimmytechsf.com/blog/recommendations.
If you have questions about which battery pack makes sense for your specific setup, or you'd like help getting the most out of your iPhone on the road, I offer one-on-one tech tutoring sessions in San Francisco, Washington DC, and via Zoom anywhere.
