Best chargers for iPhone or laptops: the top recommendations we've tested
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Best chargers for iPhone or laptops: the top recommendations we've tested
Compact USB-C chargers, powerful portable batteries and multi-device power adapters make this list
The best charger for iPhone or laptop is one that you don’t have to pay attention to after buying, and we’ve based on testing and recommendations on which products achieve that “set it and forget it” idea. There are countless power bricks to recharge the iPhone easily, yet offer enough wattage to power laptops, including MacBooks. But perks like portability, built-in cables, wireless charging and access to multiple ports make some portable chargers better than others.
No power bank should break the bank, so our rankings also factor in price. You want the best feature set from a reliable name without having to pay a premium. That’s why the portable chargers we’ve tested so far come from top brand names like Anker and Mophie, however, we’ll continue to test out additional brands in 2023, especially at CES 2023 brings us new options.
How to pick the best chargers
🔌 Figure out which devices need to be plugged in and what ports they have
✅ Compatibility: pick something that works with as many devices as possible
📱 💻 ⌚️ Consider multi-device chargers
🔋 Pack at least one power brick – plugs aren’t always easy to find
📖 Do your research; not all power bricks are created equal, or equally safe
🧲 Remember MagSafe – magnetic charging can make things very easy
1. Anker 525 PowerCore Essential
Best portable battery
✅ High-capacity battery
✅ USB-C and USB-A connectors
❌ Maxes out at 20-watt output
Capacity: 20,000mAh | Power output: up to 20 watts | Power input: 18 watts | Ports: 1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C
The Anker 525 PowerCore Essential is the best portable battery, thanks to its compact size and seemingly-endless 20,000mAh capacity. The battery itself inspires confidence with its sturdy construction. It features a USB-A port and a USB-C port, which output at 18 watts and 20 watts, respectively. That means your iPhone or Android phone will charge quickly, and it’s even enough power to drive efficient laptops like Apple’s newer MacBooks Air. It’s usually available for $59, which is a little pricier than the Anker 325 PowerCore Essntial 20K, which has more ports but doesn’t support USB-C PD charging.s
2. Mophie Powerstation wireless stand
Best MagSafe charging stand
✅ Clever design
✅ Can use as a portable or wired stand
❌ It’s too big for most pockets
Capacity: 10,000mAh | Power output: up to 20 watts (wired), up to 15 watts (wireless) | Power input: up to 20 watts | Ports: 1 x USB-C
I’ve used the $129 Mophie Powerstation wireless stand more than any other portable charger in my home for the last few weeks. When I first unboxed it, I thought the design seemed a little too awkward and chunky; however, its raised circular magnetic section actually makes it far more useful as a stand than other magnetic stands I’ve used, thanks to how easy it is to rotate the phone from portrait to landscape mode.
The Powerstation wireless stand has other clever design elements – its 20W USB-C PD input/output port sits on the side, allowing you to easily use it while it’s plugged in. On the bottom, you’ll find a 1/4-inch tripod socket, so you can mount the phone on a tripod for stable photography or use your iPhone 13 or newer as a high-quality webcam if you have an M1 Mac.
3. Mophie Speedport 120
Best laptop wall charger
✅ Lots of ports
✅ Powerful 100W charging
❌ Included cables are on the short side
Capacity: N/A | Power output: up to 120W simultaneously | Power input: N/A | Ports: 2x 100W USB-C PD, 1x 20W USB-C PD, 1 x 12W USB-A
The Mophie Speedport 120 isn’t just the best laptop charger, it’s also an ideal companion for a road trip, especially with its included cloth travel pack – a nice touch typical of Mophie’s products. The Speedport 120 is a Gallium Nitride (GaN) charger, so it’s smaller than you’d otherwise expect for a charger with this level of output.
It’s about 25% larger than the 67-watt, single-device USB-C charger that shipped with my M2 MacBook Air (one of the best laptops you can buy), with almost twice the power output, making it an easy, packable replacement for that charger. At $99 it’s a touch pricey, but it’s worthwhile given the trustworthy manufacturer and its versatility. Bring one of these with you and you won’t need to bring anything else to keep your phone, smartwatch, or laptop charged.
4. Anker PowerHouse 100
Best portable battery laptop charger
✅ Good port selection
✅ Up to 100W charging
❌ Possible durability concerns
Capacity: 24,000mAh | Power output: up to 100W | Power input: 45W | Ports: 2 x USB-A PD, 1 x USB-C PD, 1 x AC power cord
The Anker PowerHouse 100 is the best portable charging laptop I’ve used, and I take it with me every time I travel. That’s because it comes with not just three USB ports (one USB-C port and two USB-A ports), but also has a 100W AC adapter outlet, allowing me to keep my laptop powered up for longer on trips. It’s a large device, but if you’re carrying a lot of gear with you on the go, it’s worth making space for.
My only concern with it is durability: when I first started testing it, I dropped it about 4 feet onto a rug. When I picked it up, the casing had popped open along the seam on one side and the blue tab inside the USB-C port had snapped, making its replacement necessary. These aren’t devices generally designed to take that kind of beating, but it still seemed a bit easy to damage.
Why you should trust me to help you with chargers
I have too many devices in my house, and they all need power. Because so many of them are portable, I tend to have a semi-permanent charger at each of the spots I work from throughout the week, whether in my basement, office, dining room or just out in the world. As such, I usually want those chargers, whether portable or stationary, to be efficient, easy to use, versatile, and safe. I’ve done a lot of trial and error as a result, and have much more to draw from when it comes to picking the right charger than the average person.
Let me lend you a hand
This best charger list is far from complete, and I’ll be updating it as I can over the coming weeks to make sure all of the options are presented. In the meantime, if there’s something you don’t see on this list and you’re curious or you just want to know more about one that is on here, I’m happy to do my best to answer your questions. Reach out to us at The Shortcut’s Twitter account and I’ll be happy to help.