The Club tests… portable chargers

You’re about to shoot the perfect picture or send the critical text and – suddenly – the screen goes black. There’s nothing worse than losing power on the go, especially when you’re capturing memories, staying connected and keeping your bearings abroad. Luckily, those days are over, thanks to these best-in-show portable chargers

Anker

Best for: The sharing-is-caring crowd
“Can I borrow your charger?” We’ve all heard it. And a few of us have no doubt resented it (what about my battery?). This need be a worry no more, thanks to this three-port charger with 26800mAh of power from the battery buffs at Anker. Three ports mean you, your pal and the stranger you’re helping can all get in on the action – and Anker's PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology mean that all three will fast-charge to boot. Plus, it takes just six hours to fully charge the bank for it to be ready for a whole week of saving your devices.
Style notes: Matte-black all over – wouldn’t look out of place in a super-spy’s kit bag.
How much: £56.90

Belkin

Best for: Genius Bar regulars
AirPods, Apple Watches, iPhones great and small – this minimalist charger from the power pros at Belkin is an Apple devotee’s dream; after all, it will wirelessly fast-charge your Apple Watch or second generation AirPods and charge (via USB-C) your iPhone in one whole go. Its battery capacity of 10,000mAh is enough to charge an iPhone 14 twice over; the 20 watts of charging power delivered via the USB-C keeps things speedy. Thanks to fast-charge capabilities, you can take your Apple Watch from 0 to almost 100 in just under an hour.
Style notes: A soft, sleek finish you can’t help but paw at.
How much: £99.99 (keep scrolling for an exclusive discount)

Juice

Best for: A charger you can’t miss
We all have that drawer of miscellaneous gizmos, gadgets and wires, don’t we? And we’re willing to bet for most folks, that drawer is full of nondescript blacks and greys, making fishing out what you need that bit harder. That’s why we like the Juice ECO 3 Charge Power Bank, available in a painter’s palette of bright and light colours (although you can still stick to black, should you choose). It’s perfect for weekend breakers who need a quick, lightweight top-up: the charger’s 10,000mAh accounts for three full charges, taking your phone from 0-50% battery in just 50 minutes.
Style notes: It’s called ‘ECO’ for a reason, since it’s made from entirely recycled plastics.
How much: £19.99

OtterBox

Best for: A quick return to life
The Flash would approve: this number from phone case supplier OtterBox’s power bank range has 20,000mAh of charging juice – enough to charge the average smartphone thrice over, or an iPhone Pro 14 around four times. Up to 18W faster charging means you can be back online quick-sharp, and from two available ports: USB-C and USB-A. You can power up from both at the same time, making it a multi-device charger.
Style notes: Extra-durable, thanks to the OtterBox certified Drop+ protection.
How much: £44.99

Jackery

Best for: Festival goers and camper pros
The most expensive of the lot, but for good reason – Jackery’s Explorer 500 Portable Power Station can run full-blown appliances, including mini-fridges, air pumps, and even TVs, making it a camper’s dream. There’s an AC outlet, two DC ports, one car port, and three USB-A ports, so you can still charge your phone (29 times over). The flexibility continues with four handy re-charge options: the station can be revved up by wall outlet, car outlet, electric generator and even solar panel.
Style notes: It’s the size of a basketball and 13lb, so easy to carry with you to set up camp.
How much: £359