Short answer — the best-quality portable chargers depend on what you need. If you want a quick shortlist by use-case:
- Best overall / everyday high-output: ZMI No.20 (≈25,000 mAh, up to 100W USB‑C). (TechRadar.com)
- Best for laptop power / very high output: Anker 737 / Anker PowerCore 24K (24,000 mAh with up to 140W PD output) or Anker high-capacity 20k–25k laptop banks. (Anker.com)
- Best premium multi‑port: Zendure SuperTank Pro (≈26,800 mAh, multiple USB‑C ports, 100W+ support, OLED status). (thetimes.com.au)
- Best compact / pocketable: Anker Nano / 10,000 mAh 30W class power banks (small, 30W PD two‑way). (Anker.com)
- Best wireless / MagSafe for iPhone: Anker MagGo 10K (Qi2 / MagSafe, ~10,000 mAh, ~15W wireless). (Anker.com)
- Best budget picks: INIU B6 and similar 10,000–20,000 mAh banks that balance price and 20–30W PD output. (TechRadar.com)
Why these stand out (brief):
- Output power matters: modern USB‑C PD 3.1 banks offering 60–140W can charge laptops, tablets and phones fast; smaller 20–30W banks give excellent phone charging in a pocketable size. (Anker.com)
- Build quality and safety: trusted brands (Anker, Zendure, ZMI, UGREEN) use temperature protection, proper battery cells and display/readouts for real‑time watts and capacity — useful for heavy use and protecting expensive gear. (Anker.com)
- Real‑world tests and regional guides: recent Australian buyer’s guides and reviews (TechRadar’s 2025 Australia round‑up) show the ZMI, Anker, UGREEN and INIU models repeatedly performing best across categories. (TechRadar.com)
Practical notes & buying tips
- Match capacity to need: 5,000 mAh = ~1 phone top‑up; 10,000–20,000 mAh = 1–3 full phone charges; 20,000–30,000+ mAh suits multi‑day use or laptop top‑ups. (mAh ≠ Wh — convert if you need to check airline rules; see below). (TechRadar.com)
- Ports & cables: prefer USB‑C PD ports (one or more) and at least 30W for fast phone charging; 65–140W if you need to charge modern laptops. (Anker.com)
- Weight/size tradeoff: higher mAh and high output make units heavier; choose pocketable 10k–15k banks if you prioritise portability. (Anker.com)
Air travel and safety (important for Australian travellers)
- Power banks are treated as spare lithium batteries and must be carried in carry‑on (not checked baggage). Most airlines and IATA limit unapproved spare batteries to 100 Wh (roughly ~27,000 mAh for a 3.7 V cell); batteries 100–160 Wh may be allowed with airline approval; >160 Wh are generally prohibited. Several carriers have recently restricted in‑flight use/charging. Always check your airline before flying. (IATA.org)
If you want, I can:
- Recommend 3–5 specific model SKUs available in Australia (with current prices/where to buy), or
- Help convert a model’s mAh to Wh to check whether it’s allowed on flights you plan to take.
Which would you prefer?