Imagine being in your dream location, all set up to capture that perfect shot when you realize that your phone is almost dead. You’re too far away to be able to plug in your charger to recharge your camera or phone, so what do you do? For times like these, it’s important that you have a good portable battery along with you. Investing in the best power bank for international travel will ensure you never find yourself losing out on an important phone call or that perfect shot when you’re in a foreign land.
Adding a power bank to your essential travel accessories for long flights is vital. However, with the market flooded with power banks of every size and shape, knowing what to pick can sometimes be quite confusing. Nevertheless, if you know what to look out for, choosing the best power bank for air travel or international travel becomes fairly simple.
Pointers For Choosing the Best Power Bank
Compatibility
One of the most important factors that you need to keep in mind is the compatibility of the power bank. If you plan to charge a number of devices at the same time, make sure that the charger is compatible. Besides being compatible, it should also have multiple charging points.
Size and Weight
When you’re traveling you want to be sure that any extras that you take along are not bulky. Likewise with your power bank. Your portable charger should be light and slim enough to fit into your purse or pocket. However, if you’re looking for a high capacity charger you should know that more capacity translates into more weight.
Inputs 1A, 2A or 2.4A
Your power bank is not a magic pot with an infinite amount of energy so at some point you will need to charge it. You’ll want to be sure that your power bank can be charged quickly so that you can be on the road again. How quickly your power bank gets charged depends on the input. A power bank with a 2A input will charge faster than 1A. These days, however, the recent power banks come with a 2.4A input which is the fastest option.
Milliamp (mAh)
The milliamp-hours is the power capacity of your power bank which basically tells you how much charge you can expect. 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh is more than sufficient for topping up the charge on your phone. However, if you want to charge other devices, you may need a higher power. With a 20,000mAh power bank, you can charge an iPhone about six times and an android phone about four times. When using a power bank for air travel you’ll need to make sure that the airline will allow a larger capacity power bank. Most airlines cap the power at 20,000mAh or slightly higher.
Mophie Powerstation Plus External Battery with Built-in Cables (6,000mAh)
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If you’re looking for the best power bank for international travel that is affordable, Mophie Powerstation Plus is your best bet. This slim and compact battery comes with a built-in-switch tip charging cable with micro USB and lightning connectors to charge Apple or other devices. It also has two USB charging ports for added convenience.
With a battery capacity of 6,000mAh, you can expect more than two additional charges on your smartphone. It will also keep your tab running for a longer duration. You can be sure of the safety of this power bank for air travel as it has been triple-tested.
Pros
- Two charging ports
- Integrated lightning cable and micro USB
- Affordable
- Integrated power indicator button displays charging status
Cons
- The lightning cable works well but is a little too short
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Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger
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If all you’re interested in is a compact power bank specifically for charging your phone, the Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger, is just what you need. The 5000mAh capacity ensures that you can charge an iPhone8 almost 2 times or replenish the entire charge on your iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S9. You can be assured of high-speed charging as the exclusive PowerIQ technology that the charger uses is pretty fast. It works with any phone or tablet up to 2A but does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge.
What makes this a great power bank for air travel is the compact, tubular design that will easily slide into any pocket. Another plus point about this portable charger is that it is backed up by a worry-free 18-month warranty.
Pros
- Light and compact
- Gives one complete charge for any phone
- High-speed charging PowerIQ technology
- 18-month warranty
Cons
- The charger does what its meant to do so we couldn’t really find anything to fault
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iMuto Taurus X4 20000mAh
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You’ll have the whole deal with the iMuto Taurus X4 20,000mAh Charger, which is compatible with almost all smart devices. At a size that is smaller than an iPhone 6 Plus, this is possibly the best power bank for international travel as it is compatible with a number of devices. However, devices with small currents under 1A may not be compatible.
What makes the iMuto X4 special is the huge charge capacity of 20000mAh plus the two-device output that is compatible with almost all smart devices. With this powerful battery you can charge an iPhone X almost 4.7 times, Galaxy S8 almost 4.3 times, and an iPad Mini 4 almost 2.5 times. Apart from all this, the power bank also has a unique smart digital display that shows how much the battery has been drained by displaying the percentage. Built-in safeguards ensure that your devices remain safe.
Pros
- Compatible with almost all smart devices
- 2 device output
- Built-in LED flashlight
- Multiple Smart Protection System
- Unique smart digital display technology to show remaining
Cons
- Given the 20000mAh capacity, the charger is quite heavy
- Does not have a long shelf life
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Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger
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Anyone who’s familiar with Anker’s portable chargers knows that they’re one of the best in the business. So the great functionality of the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger comes as no surprise. At a size smaller than a deck of cards, the charger punches far above its weight to make the cut as the best power bank for air travel. When a device has a rating of over 24,000 on Amazon with 82% of them being five stars, you better sit up and take note!
A combination of 11 safety features works together to provide the ultimate protection for your device. Added to this is Anker’s exclusive combination of PowerIQ and VoltageBoost that provides the fastest possible charge. The 10,000mAH capacity allows three and a half iPhone 8 charges or two-and-a-half Samsung Galaxy S8 charges. Like most Anker products this one also comes with an 18-month warranty.
Pros
- Small and Lightweight
- Combination of PowerIQ and VoltageBoost for quick charging
- 11 safety features combine to provide ultimate protection
- 18-month warranty
Cons
- Anker’s products are difficult to fault as the quality of the products and customer service are quite spot on
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RAVPower Portable Charger 2000mAh (404)
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Another renowned name in the realm of power banks is RAVPower with its one-stop power charging solutions. The RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAH falls into the category of best power bank for international travel due to its compliance with the international aviation limit for flying and fantastic charging capacity.
You can charge your phone or tablet several times over with the 20,000mAH capacity which includes Power Delivery and QuickCharge output ports for incredible charging speeds. It’s also compatible with almost all USB powered devices, which include laptops, smartphones, and tablets. There is also a dedicated iPhone input port. Built-in multiple charging protection keeps your devices safe from overheating.
Pros
- 18W Output
- Multiple Device Charging
- Power Delivery Input & Output Port
- Dedicated iPhone input port
- Quick Charge 3.0 output port
- Scratch-resistant shell
Cons
- Quite big and heavy
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AUKEY PB-N36 Power Bank (404)
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The AUKEY PB-N36 Power Bank has dual ports that allow you to charge two devices up to 3.4A at the same time. With 20,000mAh of power, this is your ideal travel companion as it is compatible with almost any device.
Powered by AiPower adaptive charging technology, the 2.4A of dedicated output ensures your devices will receive the safest maximum recharge rate. In addition to this, built-in safeguards and advanced circuitry keep your devices secure. Another benefit of the AUKEY PB-N36 is that you can use the same cable to charge your phone or the external battery. Both a lightning cable or micro USB cable can be used to charge the external battery. The icing on the cake with this power bank is that it is backed with a 24-month promise and customer support.
Pros
- Powerful and safe
- AiPower Adaptive Charging Technology provides the safest maximum recharge rate
- Can be recharged with a lightning cable or micro USB cable
- 24-Month Promise and Customer Support
- Compatible with most USB devices
Cons
- Quite bulky and brick-like
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Omni 20 USB-C
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The Omni 20 USB-C Portable Power Bank does not come cheap, but if you have the cash to spare, it’s definitely one of the best there is. What makes this power bank special is that it is a one-stop hub for all your portable devices with a high powered USB-C, high powered USB-A, and a wireless charging option.
The power bank also has the pass-through charging option that allows you to recharge your devices while simultaneously charging the power bank. It also has a massive 25,600mAh which is at the upper limit of what airplanes generally allow so you will probably be allowed this power bank for air travel. This massive capacity will allow you to charge your phone for 6-9 charges and your laptop up to two charges.
Pros
- One-stop hub for all devices
- Has two USB ports as well as a wireless charging option
- Quick charge capacity
- Pass-through charging option
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- The wireless charging is a little difficult to get right. If the placement isn’t perfect, charging will not happen
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AddAcc 25,000 Qi Solar Power Bank (404)
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If your international travels are going to involve a few days in the outdoors, then the AddAcc 25,000mAh Qi Solar Power Bank is the best device to have with you. One of the most economically smart and reliable solar chargers, the solar power bank delivers when you most require it. It automatically detects your device and delivers the optimal current for faster charging. This power bank is also compatible with mobile phones that support Qi wireless charging and most other USB charging devices. It’s also extremely secure with built-in security protection.
Five foldable solar panels ensure 4-6 times faster charging. Four of these panels can be detached while one is a built-in solar panel. You can also use a micro USB or USB C Cable to charge the power bank. If you’re out hiking or camping, you can hang it onto your leather travel bag. The cover over the USB ports keeps it safe from dust or water when you’re out. Another great feature of this phone is that it can charge up to three devices simultaneously with a maximum output of up to 5V/2.1A.
Pros
- Built-in security protection
- 5 foldable solar panels for faster charging
- Qi Wireless and 2×2.1A Output
- Dual 5V/2.1A USB output ports
- Can charge 3 devices simultaneously
- Covered charging ports
Cons
- The solar portion of the charger may not be very effective in certain areas
- Quite heavy for its size
- Although the phone is said to be waterproof IPX5, it cannot be submerged
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Jackery Portable Charger Bar 6000 mAh (CU)
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With over 10,000 ratings on Amazon, of which 73% are five stars, the Jackery Portable Charger Bar 6000mAh is definitely a popular buy. This ultra-compact bar is the perfect companion for your travels as it will comfortably fit into your pocket. The 6000mAh capacity ensures that you can charge your Samsung Galaxy S8 up to 1.6 times and an iPhone 8 up to 3 times.
It features a UL certified battery cell with a professional management system to keep your devices secure. An emergency LED flashlight for hiking is also perfect for those dark nights.
Pros
- Compact and handy for travel
- UL Certified battery cells
- Emergency LED flashlight
- 5V/2.1 charging output
Cons
- Does not have the pass-through charging option
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Aibocn Power Bank 10,000mAh
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A power bank that is extremely affordable yet big on functionality is the Aibocn Power Bank 10,000mAh. It’s probably the best power bank for international travel if you’re looking for something affordable to keep your phones running.
The power bank comes with a double USB port which is great for simultaneously charging your devices. 10,000mAh means that you’ll have more capacity and higher charging speed. Most portable chargers these days come with intelligent safety protection to keep your devices safe, and this one is no different. There’s also a backup flashlight for those extra dark nights.
Pros
- Portable hand-held size
- Double USB port
- Intelligent safety protection
Cons
- You get what you pay for, so don’t expect any special bells and whistles on this one
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Jackery Bolt (CU)
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The Jackery Bolt 6000maH Portable Charger is extremely lightweight and small, making it one of the best power banks for international travel. This small device packs quite a punch when it comes to charging an iPhone or iPad as it is designed to charge an iPhone with unmatched speed. The 6000maH capacity is good enough for two full charges on an iPhone X.
With a maximum output of 2.4A, the built-in lightning cable on this power bank charges an iPhone twice as fast as an original cable. Another good feature of this charger is that it facilitates pass-through charging. This means that you can charge your device while the battery pack itself is plugged in and charging.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Built-in cables
- Pass-through charging
- USB port
- Charges an iPhone twice as fast
- Gives two full charges on iPhone X
Cons
- The built-in cables are a bit too short
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INIU POwer Bank Ultr-Slim Dual 3A High-Speed Portable Charger
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There are plenty of good power banks under $20 that will more than serve your purpose of charging your phone on the go. However, if you are looking for something affordable and versatile to take on your next trip, the INIU Ultra-Slim Dual 3A High-Speed Portable Charger is a great choice.
Dual 3A (max) outputs allow you to simultaneously charge two devices with INIU’s exclusive UPower+ technology. Charging this device is pretty quick with an input of 5V/2A (max). You can conveniently charge the power bank with either a USB C or Micro USB. A cool feature of this device is the paw print indicator that alerts you about how much power is remaining.
Despite the 10,000mAh capacity, the INUI power bank is probably one of the slimmest chargers in that range. All these special features aside, what really stands out about this device is the 3-year hassle-free replacement promise.
Pros
- Dual charging
- Affordable with great functionality
- Ultra-slim
- Pawprint indicator
- Hassle-free-3-year replacement promise
- Great customer service
Cons
- It isn’t as efficient as a charger with 10,000mAh should be.
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Anker PowerCore 20100
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Anker is one of the most trusted brands in portable chargers and the Anker PowerCore 20100 is a testament to why the company is so highly rated. All the great features and efficiency of this power bank make it the best power bank for air and international travel. Its ultra-high-capacity notwithstanding, the charger is as light as a can of soup, which isn’t all that light but given its high-level capacity, the weight is expected.
You can charge two devices simultaneously via two 2.4A USB ports. The 20100mAh capacity ensures that you can charge several devices a few times during one trip. It charges a Galaxy S8 five times, iPhone 8 almost seven times, and an iPad Mini 4, two times. The combination of PowerIQ and Voltage Boost delivers the fastest possible charges. However, this model does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge. Like all Anker chargers, the 20100mAh is also backed by an 18-month warranty.
Pros
- Amazing battery capacity
- Quick charging
- Can simultaneously charge two devices
- 18-month warranty
Cons
- Quite heavy which is expected given the high capacity
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