A power bank (or portable charger) can mean the difference between stressing over your phone’s battery life. Or being able to use it all day long without worry. The best power banks for iPhones in 2019 can fast charge and provide all-day power. Whether you have the latest iPhone 11. Or an older model.

This guide will help you get the best power bank for these iPhones:

• iPhone 6/6 Plus
• iPhone 6s/6s Plus
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 7/7 Plus
• iPhone 8/8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS/XS Max
• iPhone 11/11 Pro

Skip to the recommended power banks.

Choosing the Right Portable Charger For You

Unlike wall chargers a portable charger allows you to recharge your phone anywhere. As they have their own rechargeable batteries you aren’t tethered to a wall outlet. With the right power, the bank can charge your phone as fast as any wall charger. And have enough power to get you through a busy day or weekend camping trip.

The lithium batteries used in a portable charger do add weight, bulk, and cost compared to a wall charger. And of course, a portable charger can only offer a finite number of recharges before it runs out of power itself.

With all that in mind, the three things to look at when buying a portable charger are capacity, output, and price.

Capacity – Only Carry What You Need

All things being equal more capacity means more uptime for your phone. But you can end up with too much capacity. More capacity also means a higher price tag and more weight. You don’t want to pay for and carry around a power bank that recharges your phone 4 times. When you really only need 1-2 recharges. The best power bank for your iPhone is one that meets your uptime needs. But not much more.

Milliampere hours (mAh) is a measure of a battery’s capacity.

• 5,000mAh | 1 recharge | 3-5 oz
• 10,000mAh | 2-3 recharges | 7-8 oz
• 20,000mAh | 4-7 recharges | 13-16 oz
• 26,800mAh | 5-9 recharges | 16-21 oz

I recommend a 5,000 – 10,000mAh power bank. Most likely you only need to top off your phone to get through the rest of the day. Even if supporting two phones on the go a 10,000mAh is enough to top them both up. Smaller power banks will be lighter and cheaper. And tend to be designed with smartphones in mind.

A 20,000mAh power bank allows you to recharge your phone all week long. Before having to recharge the power bank itself. Some prefer the convenience of carrying less weight. Larger power banks are also a good idea when camping or otherwise away from civilization.

Output – Enabling Fast Charging

With the right output in a power bank, you can fast-charge your phone. Newer iPhones (8/X/XR/XS) can use USB Power Delivery (USB-C PD) to charge from 0-50% in 30 minutes. Any iPhone going back to the iPhone 4 can use Apple 2.4A. Recharging up to 45 minutes faster than with the included charger.

USB-C PD is only on USB-C ports. So newer iPhones will need a USB-C to Lightning cable to take advantage.

Apple 2.4A is usually on USB-A ports. So most iPhones can use their normal Lightning cable.

For newer iPhones using Apple 2.4A will work as well as USB-C PD for most people. USB-C PD does charge ~15 minutes faster. But keep in mind all fast charging turns off once the iPhone is at 70%. If you top off more than full recharge then either tech will work well.

Learn more about fast charging.

Why You Should Get a USB-C Power Bank With an Older iPhone

You’ll notice below that all my recommended power banks offer both USB-C and USB-A ports. With an older iPhone (4 through 7) a USB-C port doesn’t offer much. Some support Apple 2.4A for fast charging older iPhones. But so do plenty of USB-A power banks, and those don’t need a brand new cable.

All the power banks below offer Apple 2.4A on a USB-A port. That means you can use the Lightning cable you already have. And still, enjoy the benefits of fast charging.

But the main reason to get a power bank with both ports is future-proofing. At some point in the future, you are going to buy a new iPhone. And that iPhone is going to support USB-C Power Delivery for fast charging. Even when Apple finally replaces the Lightning port with USB-C. In fact, Power Delivery will then be an even better fit.

Apple is a member of the USB Implementors Forum. The organization that creates USB standards. They created both USB-C and USB Power Delivery. So it makes sense for Apple to use an open standard they were involved with creating. At least until newer, better tech comes out. But until that time you can bet future iPhones will support USB Power Delivery. Which is only available over USB-C.

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Best Power Banks for iPhone in 2019

Pocket Size:

Review of the Xcentz xWingMan Dual 5000

Compact:

Review of the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD

No products found.

Review of the AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C PD

No products found.

Review of the Xcentz xWingMan Dual 10000

Large Capacity:

No products found.

Review of the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD

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Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-04-27.

Don’t see a power bank you quite like? Or is available in your region? Take what you’ve learned here and check out my larger power bank comparison listing.

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Lightning Cable

If you stick to the USB-A port on any of these portable chargers you can use a regular Lightning cable. To use the USB-C port on newer iPhones don’t forget to get a USB-C to Lightning cable.

All listed cables are MFi certified by Apple. Guaranteeing their safety and performance with your iPhone. With non-Apple cables, you have various lengths and color options. As well as a lower price.