The best power banks for bushcraft, camping, hiking and emergencies

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👉 The key facts from this guide

Outside, I need power. Especially when I am on the road for several days.

I need to charge my smartphone to navigate, or my headlamp needs a new power source.

Here it is not only about needing light in the dark, but also about being able to communicate in case of emergency.

You should be confident that you can charge a phone, a headlamp, or other devices, regardless of what situation you are in.

And for that, I have acquired several power banks that have been accompanying me on my journeys for a long time.

In this buying guide, I will now introduce you to my best power banks and also tell you what to look out for when making a purchase.

Why a power bank is essential not only in the wilderness

The purpose of a power bank is to charge battery-powered electronics on the go.

Power banks are used to charge smartphones, lamps, tablets, speakers, and even laptops.

Being prepared with a power bank means staying connected with the rest of the world.

But not only in the wilderness does a power bank help you to get electricity. Power supply is also part of emergency preparedness.

In an emergency, being prepared is an important strategy at any time of the year.

From a fancy transformer to floods, from earthquakes to heat-related power outages, and from wind that destroys a telephone mast, there are many types of natural disasters and man-made disasters.

Through these disasters, the power supply is interrupted. In these situations, the better prepared you are, the easier it will be to deal with the situation.

Certain items, from water to a power bank, can make all the difference.

So, be always prepared to communicate and pack a power bank in your backpack or Bug Out Bag.

The 9 best power banks for survival, bushcraft, and emergency preparedness

I have looked at 9 of the best portable chargers from major brands and popular competitors.

So, this is what I did: I sat down with a stopwatch and repeatedly discharged the iPhone 12 and then measured how long it takes to charge. I did this with each power bank and recorded the values.

It was measured how fast they load and how many full smartphone charges each power bank stores.

The power banks in my list are all represented in the bestseller lists, but differ in some points.

I have ordered them in the order in which I would buy them.

My tests were conducted using the same iPhone 12. I set the screen brightness to 100% and tested the following things:

• How much charge is done in 15 minutes?
• How much charge is done in 60 minutes?
• How much time does it take to fully charge the iPhone 12 from 0%?
• How many times could I recharge the iPhone 12 from 0%?

If you're constantly trying to keep your phone at 100%, or worried about it running out of battery in the wilderness, I now have the details you need.

That also includes which chargers have which and how many ports, so you can even charge multiple devices at the same time.

The best power banks you can buy today

I will now introduce you to my 9 best power banks. First, you will find a quick overview in a table here.

Product	mAh	Outputs	Inputs	Weight
INIU Powerbank 10000	10000	2x USB-A, 1x USB-C	1x USB-C	200 grams
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000	10000	1x USB-A	1x USB-C	213 grams
Intenso Powerbank XS 5000	5000	1x USB-A, 1x USB-C	1x Micro-USB, 1x USB-C	103 grams
Anker PowerCore II 20000	20000	2x USB-A	1x USB-C, 1x Micro-USB	342.5 grams
INIU 20W 20000 Powerbank	20000	2x USB-A, 1x USB-C	1x USB-C	365 grams
EnergyCell 10000 Powerbank	10000	1x USB-A	1x Micro-USB	172 grams
Anker PowerCore 5000	5000	1x USB-A	1x Micro-USB	136 grams
Ekrist Powerbank 26800	26800	2x USB-A	1x Micro-USB	350 grams
Miady Powerbank Doppelpack	2x 10000	2x USB-A

And now I will address each device individually. Let's get started.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Power Bank for You

Maybe you don't even know which power bank is right for you?

Let's now look at the facts you should clarify before you shop.

Find the right capacity of the power bank

Often you see a four- to five-digit number followed by the letters mAh - for example, 5000 mAh, 10000 mAh or 20000 mAh. That is your first important indicator of how well the charger is suited for you.

If you constantly charge your smartphone and other devices, you should opt for at least 10,000 mAh. For each additional device you charge, you should add at least 5,000 mAh to the desired capacity.

I use the Anker PowerCore II Powerbank with 20000 mAh when I'm on the go for several days. With it, I manage to survive a whole week and have to charge my smartphone about 4 to 5 times.

If you're looking for even more power, then the Anker Power 347 Powerbank with a 40,000 mAh battery might be the right choice.

You just want to prevent your device from giving up late at night?

Then a power bank with less than 5,000 mAh is sufficient - provided that you remember to charge it regularly.

Find the right connections

If you only have older devices, then you probably don't need a USB-C port. In that case, buy the power bank that matches your price.

If you are the type of person who wants to charge their devices quickly, then you should look for a power bank that has "PD" in its name.

The latest power banks charge other devices the fastest and use the Power Delivery (PD) standard. Thanks to their USB-C ports, you can also charge these power banks with the same cables used for modern laptops.

But be careful, fast charging is not always useful. Read my tips below.

How I selected the power banks

My motto when it comes to selection: durability and capacity are more important than convenience.

In everyday life, most people use power banks to quickly charge a single device when they can't find a power outlet.

In an emergency, however, you do not know when you will have access to the power grid again. Or on a multi-day Bushcraft tour, you also need to rely on your power bank.

Therefore, you should use your power bank in a way that maximizes its storage capacity and long-term lifespan.

The optimal effect is currently achieved by power banks with a capacity of 10000 mAh to 20000 mAh. The interplay between energy density and weight is optimal in these devices.

The main goal is to pack as much energy as possible into a battery pack that is also suitable for longer hikes.

Tips for charging your devices with a power bank

Avoid fast charging

Earlier, I wrote about the fast charging through the "PD" technology. The technology is advantageous, but also has disadvantages.

Because you should avoid fast charging (usually via USB-C ports). Due to chemical peculiarities, the slower you discharge a power bank, the more of its nominal capacity you can get out of it.

If you are not in a hurry, you should avoid fast charging or high voltage ports that discharge the battery faster.

To extend the lifespan of your battery, you should, whenever possible, use the simple USB-A port with 5 V/2 A (or even lower).

Tip: The Anker PowerCore II Powerbank can charge smaller devices (like headphones) slowly. To achieve this, press the button on the power bank for 3 seconds to activate the maintenance charging mode. This way, connected devices will be charged slowly, and the battery will last longer.

Stay flexible with the connections

In an emergency, you want to be flexible to operate multiple types of devices with common cables (including devices/cables you may find later), such as rechargeable AA/AAA batteries, headlamps, phones, tablets, and radios.

In general, you are more flexible with a USB-A port on the power bank than with a USB-C port, as there are many A-to-B and A-to-C cables available, but USB-C cables to A and B are still rare.

Keep your power bank cool and avoid built-in solar panels

Batteries hate heat. The cooler they are, the longer they last and the more charge you can get out of them.

For example, this means that you should place the power bank in the shade when you connect the solar charger (check out my list of the best solar panels here).

Some power banks are equipped with a small solar panel, which is integrated on one side or can be unfolded. But I consider this to be pointless because practically speaking, you would have to leave a 20000mAh power bank in the sun for several days to fully charge it.

The combination of the products therefore does not really add any value. You are only risking that the battery overheats.

Leave the gimmicks behind

Avoid unnecessary extras and "survival" gimmicks. Keep things simple and focus on the main goal of saving energy.

That means you don't have a need for power bank features, such as the ability to function as a USB hub. If you need a USB hub, buy a separate one.

Similarly, it is with the "survival" features, such as adding a compass, a whistle, or a flashlight. For me, these gimmicks are worthless and a sign of an inferior product that tries to lure amateur buyers.

Waterproofing, dust protection, and a design suitable for outdoor use, however, are great.

Why should you take two batteries with you?

If you are choosing a Li-Ion power bank for emergencies or your trips, you should always take the maximum battery capacity that you can fit within your weight budget.

More energy storage capacity means:

• Longer lifespan, as you need fewer charge/discharge cycles for the same amount of energy from the device.
• More actual capacity, as a larger bank discharges (at the same power consumption) slower than a smaller one, and the slower you discharge your bank, the more charge you can get out of it.
• You can take in more charge when you have the opportunity, either from solar cells, a power outlet, or a larger battery.
• Higher chances of having power when you need it.

And now here is my recommendation: According to the current state of technology in 2021, it is best for outdoor enthusiasts to bring two 10,000mAh batteries instead of one huge 20,000mAh battery.

The reasons for this are as follows:

• "Two are one, and one is none." This motto illustrates how important it is to have a backup for essential equipment. Any kind of redundancy you can incorporate into your preparation (without compromising in other areas) will give you a significant advantage in any emergency.
• The weight does not increase significantly, as you are carrying the same number of batteries. You can carry one of them in a power bank or carry one in two separate smaller power banks, but you still have the same number with approximately the same total weight and charge.
• The power banks can have different connection formats and functions, giving you more options. You could choose a power bank with micro-USB and USB-A, and another one with USB-C and USB-A.

What does mAh mean for a power bank?

The unit milliampere-hour (mAh) is generally used to describe the capacity of a battery.

A widespread misconception is that you can simply divide the capacity of a battery by the capacity of a smartphone/tablet to determine how many cycles you can charge the smartphone/tablet with this power bank.

Conclusion about the best power bank

Which power bank should you buy now?

I can clearly recommend the brands INIU and Anker to you. These two manufacturers know how to build power banks and satisfy their customers.

If you are on the go for 2 to 3 days and need to charge your smartphone or another small device every day, a 10,000mAh power bank is sufficient. Choose the INIU Powerbank 10000 or the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000. Both differ in price by 10 €, which could be the decisive argument for you. Furthermore, check the connection options for your needs.

If you are on the go for 4 days or more, it's better to get yourself a 20,000mAh power bank. Here, I will come back to the two big players and I recommend the INIU 20W 20000 Powerbank or the Anker PowerCore II 20000. They also differ in price. I always bring the Anker PowerCore II 20000 with me on my travels.

If you just need some juice for your battery in the evening, then grab the Intenso Powerbank XS 5000, which is available for only 10 € and is smaller and lighter.

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And now, what about you? Were you able to find a power bank that suits you?

Or are there models missing from the list here?

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