Here are travel-friendly power-bank picks for Australia (with why each is useful), plus the airline / safety rules you need to know when flying.
Quick summary of the rules first
- Spare power banks must travel in carry-on only (not checked baggage). Power banks under 100 Wh are allowed in carry-on without airline approval; 100–160 Wh require airline approval; >160 Wh are generally prohibited. Always check your airline for any extra limits. (casa.gov.au)
- Some airlines have recently tightened rules about using or charging power banks on board—so confirm your carrier’s policy before you fly. (cybershack.com.au)
- If the power bank doesn’t show Wh, convert mAh to Wh: (mAh × V) / 1000 = Wh. Most power banks use 3.7 V as the cell nominal voltage. e.g. 20,000 mAh ≈ (20,000 × 3.7) / 1000 = 74 Wh. (casa.gov.au)
Top travel picks (models available in Australia)
- ZMI PowerPack No.20 — Best all‑round travel power bank
- Key spec: 25,000 mAh ≈ 90.75 Wh, up to 100W USB‑C PD output (two USB‑C + one USB‑A). Great balance of capacity and laptop charging power while staying under 100 Wh.
- Why pick it: lots of capacity for multi‑day trips, high single‑port power (can charge many laptops), relatively compact for the capacity. Flight‑safe without special approval. (techradar.com)
- Anker 737 / PowerCore 24K — Best for high‑power laptop charging in a single brick
- Key spec: 24,000 mAh ≈ 86.4 Wh; up to 140 W total USB output (two USB‑C + USB‑A). Has a display and very fast in/out charging.
- Why pick it: excellent if you need to charge a demanding laptop (MacBook, gaming handheld) and still remain within the usual 100 Wh airline limit. Well‑reviewed for real-world performance. (anker.com)
- Zendure SuperTank Pro (or SuperTank family) — Best for heavy users who want smart features
- Key spec: 26,800 mAh ≈ 96.48 Wh; multiple high‑power USB‑C ports, 100W PD output, OLED info screen and upgradeable firmware.
- Why pick it: very high usable capacity and laptop‑grade outputs while staying under 100 Wh; good build and advanced features for road warriors. (powerbank.zendure.com)
- Omnicharge Omni 20+ — Best if you want a full AC outlet in a flight‑safe size
- Key spec: 20,000 mAh ≈ 71 Wh; built‑in 100W AC outlet plus USB‑C (60W) and other ports.
- Why pick it: gives a real AC plug (handy for camera chargers, laptop chargers that won’t accept USB‑C) while staying under 100 Wh—very useful for remote/photo/video travel. (omnicharge.co)
- INIU B6 (or similar 10,000–20,000 mAh budget/compact options) — Best budget / lightweight pick
- Example spec: INIU B6 = 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh, 20W PD. Slim, light, inexpensive and reliable for daily top‑ups. Good for carry‑on pocket use. (techradar.com)
- Small / MagSafe options (Anker Nano / MagGo) — Best for short trips or iPhone users
- If you only need one or two top‑ups and like MagSafe convenience, 5–10k mAh MagSafe‑compatible banks are ideal (but check the current safety notices/recalls for specific models). Small banks are easy to carry and always well under carry‑on limits. (anker.com)
Practical buying & travel tips
- Check the Wh rating on the pack (or calculate it from mAh). Only power banks labeled ≤100 Wh are guaranteed to be allowed as carry‑on without airline approval. (casa.gov.au)
- Buy from reputable sellers/brands (Anker, ZMI, Zendure, Omnicharge, INIU, Ugreen) and avoid very cheap “huge capacity” units that often don’t deliver the claimed capacity—CHOICE testing shows some fakes massively underperform. (choice.com.au)
- Carry power banks in your hand luggage, protect terminals/packaging, and don’t place them in checked baggage. Airlines may limit the number of spare batteries—check with your carrier. (casa.gov.au)
- If you need more than 100 Wh (e.g., 27k–40k mAh depending on voltage), you’ll need airline approval (100–160 Wh) or must ship as cargo if above 160 Wh. Plan ahead for batteries above 100 Wh. (casa.gov.au)
- Also check recent airline policy changes before departure—some carriers have begun to ban onboard charging with power banks or restricted how many / where they must be stored. (cybershack.com.au)
Where to buy in Australia
- Reputable online retailers (manufacturer AU stores, Amazon Australia), major electronics retailers (JB Hi‑Fi, Officeworks) and specialist camera/electronics stores stock the models above. Always check warranty and that the seller is official to avoid counterfeit units.
If you want, I can:
- Narrow this to “best for a two‑week overseas trip”, “best for carry‑on only flights”, or “best for photographers