Phones do a lot of work on a trip: maps, photos, the weather, the campsite booking. A power bank keeps them going when the car is switched off or you’re away from it.
We’ve reviewed six power banks, three with 10,000 mAh and three with 20,000 mAh. Here’s how they compare and which one suits you.
Quick picks: the best camping power banks compared
| Product | Score | Capacity | Weight | Fastest output | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overallINIU Power Bank 20,000mAh | 9.4 | 20,000 mAh | 320 g | 22.5 W | Check price at Amazon |
Lightest 20,000VRURC Power Bank 20,000mAh | 9.3 | 20,000 mAh | 255 g | 22.5 W | Check price at Amazon |
Best built-in cablesCharmast 10,000mAh Power Bank | 9.0 | 10,000 mAh | 241 g | 15 W | Check price at Amazon |
Best magneticAnker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank | 8.8 | 10,000 mAh | 223 g | 30 W | Check price at Amazon |
Best screenKings 20,000mAh Power Bank | 8.5 | 20,000 mAh | 377 g | 45 W | Check price at Big W |
Best budgetKings 10,000mAh Power Bank | 8.3 | 10,000 mAh | 201 g | 18 W | Check price at Big W |
Best overall: INIU Power Bank 20,000mAh
The INIU scored 9.4, the highest of the six. It’s really small for a 20,000 mAh power bank: 10.5 × 7.1 × 2.9 cm and 320 g. It feels very solid, the carry cord doubles as a USB-C charging cable, and the simple display shows the remaining battery percentage. We got 4 solid charges of an iPhone 16 out of it, and it took the phone from 2% to 60% in 27 minutes.
It has two USB-C ports and a USB-A port with up to 22.5 W each, but the total drops to 15 W with more than one device plugged in. At $50 it’s also good value. Read the full INIU Power Bank 20,000mAh review.
The good
- Really small for a 20,000 mAh power bank
- Carry cord doubles as a USB-C charging cable
- Feels very solid
- Simple display: just the battery percentage
- Two USB-C ports plus one USB-A
- 4 solid charges of an iPhone 16
The not-so-good
- Only 15 W in total when charging more than one device
Bottom line: A really small, solid 20,000 mAh (74 Wh) power bank with a simple percentage display, a carry cord that doubles as a USB-C cable and 4 solid phone charges. Output drops to 15 W in total with more than one device plugged in. It’s the one to pick if you want a lot of capacity in a small package.
Lightest 20,000: VRURC Power Bank 20,000mAh
The VRURC scored 9.3, just behind the INIU. It packs 20,000 mAh into 255 g, which is light for that capacity, and it measures 11.25 × 6.96 × 2.74 cm. It has six ports, 22.5 W fast charging and a digital display that shows the battery percentage.
The cable storage is a bit awkward, and it has no official water rating. For campers and multi-day hikers who want a lot of capacity without the weight, it’s a great choice. Read the full VRURC Power Bank review.
The good
- Large 20000mAh capacity
- 22.5W fast charging works great
- Weighs only 255 grams
- LED display shows current %
- USB-C is in/out at 20W
The not-so-good
- Cable storage is a bit awkward
- No official IP rating for water
- Bulkier than smaller banks
Bottom line: A 20,000 mAh power bank with 22.5W fast charging, six ports and a percentage display, at only 255 g. The cable storage is a bit awkward and it has no official water rating.
Best built-in cables: Charmast 10,000mAh Power Bank
The Charmast scored 9.0 and has four cables built into the body: USB-C, Lightning and micro-USB for your devices, and a USB-A cable for recharging it. That gives you every charging option at all times, and the cables tuck away nicely and securely when you’re not using them. It also has a percentage display, extra USB ports on the body and a drawstring pouch.
We tested the 10,000 mAh version, which weighs 241 g, gives just under 2 phone charges and recharged fully in 3 hours. The 20,000 mAh version is basically the same body with more capacity, and that’s the one our button links to. Read the full Charmast 10,000mAh Power Bank review.
The good
- Four built-in cables: every charging option with you at all times
- Cables tuck away nicely and securely
- No issues charging with the built-in cables
- Extra USB ports on the body as well
- Just under 2 phone charges
- Display shows the battery percentage
The not-so-good
- Relatively long recharge time
- Reduced output when charging several devices
- Built-in cables can wear
Bottom line: A power bank with four built-in cables that tuck away securely, so you never need to bring a cable. Recharging takes relatively long, and the output drops with several devices plugged in. We tested the 10,000 mAh; the 20,000 mAh version is basically the same body with more capacity.
Best magnetic: Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank
The Anker Zolo is a 10,000 mAh power bank that charges two ways: it snaps onto a magnetic-compatible phone for 7.5 W wireless charging, and it gives up to 30 W by USB-C cable. It weighs 223 g and has a soft silicone surface.
Wireless charging is limited to 7.5 W, and you need a magnetic-compatible phone to use it. If you’d rather not deal with a cable every time, this is the one. Read the full Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank review.
The good
- Powerful 30W wired charging
- Soft, skin-friendly silicone surface
- Reliable 10,000mAh capacity
- Safe low-temperature charging (38°C)
- Excellent magnetic strength
The not-so-good
- Wireless charging limited to 7.5W
- 223 grams is heavy for ultralight
- Requires magnetic-compatible device
Bottom line: A versatile 10,000 mAh power bank with fast 30W wired charging and a strong magnetic hold for wireless top-ups. Wireless charging is limited to 7.5W, and 223 g is heavy for ultralight trips.
Best screen: Kings 20,000mAh Lithium Portable Power Bank
The Kings 20,000 has an LCD screen that shows the battery status, volts and amps, which is really handy for keeping track of your power use. It gives almost 4 full charges of an iPhone 16, puts out up to 45 W from USB-C, and has a built-in torch and a Low Power Mode for small devices.
At 377 g it’s on the heavier and larger side, the material scratches easily, and at about $100 it’s slightly expensive. For anyone travelling with a vehicle, it has the most features of the six. Read the full Kings 20,000mAh power bank review.
The good
- LCD screen shows battery status, volts and amps
- Almost 4 full charges of an iPhone 16
- Built-in torch
- Low Power Mode for small devices
- Comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable that works well
- 45 W USB-C output and three USB ports
The not-so-good
- Scratches easily
- On the heavier and larger side at 377 g
- Slightly expensive at about $100
Bottom line: A 20,000 mAh (72 Wh) power bank with a handy LCD screen, a built-in torch and almost 4 charges of an iPhone 16. Heavier and larger than some, it scratches easily and it’s slightly expensive at about $100. It’s a good power bank for anyone travelling with a vehicle.
Best budget: Kings 10,000mAh Lithium Portable Power Bank
The Kings 10,000 is the simple one: about 2 phone charges, 18 W fast charging from both the USB-C and the USB-A port, and four LED lights for the power level. It weighs 201 g, the lightest of the six, and cost about $30.
The capacity is not massive, and it’s still quite bulky for a 10,000 mAh power bank. For a solo hiker or a short trip, it does the job for little money. Read the full Kings 10,000mAh power bank review.
The good
- Compact: 135 × 67.5 × 15 mm and 201 g
- 18 W fast charging from both USB-C and USB-A
- Charges two devices at the same time
- Four LED lights show the power level
- About 2 phone charges
The not-so-good
- Capacity is not massive
- Still quite bulky for a 10,000 mAh power bank
Bottom line: A simple, compact 10,000 mAh power bank: 201 g, about 2 phone charges and 18 W fast charging from two ports. The capacity is not massive and it’s still quite bulky for 10,000 mAh. Good for solo hikers and short trips.
How to choose a camping power bank
- Capacity: 10,000 mAh gives about 2 phone charges; 20,000 mAh gives almost 4. Pick by how many nights you’re away from the car and how many devices you charge.
- Weight: from 201 g to 377 g. The three 20,000 mAh models differ a lot: the VRURC weighs 255 g, the INIU 320 g and the Kings 377 g.
- Charging speed: from 18 W (Kings 10,000) to 45 W (Kings 20,000). Faster output matters most for tablets and newer phones.
- Ports: the VRURC has six. The INIU and the Kings 20,000 have three outputs, the Kings 10,000 two.
- Display: the Kings 20,000 shows percentage, volts and amps; the VRURC and the INIU show the percentage; the Kings 10,000 has four LED lights.
- Extras: magnetic wireless charging (Anker Zolo), four built-in cables (Charmast), a carry cord with a built-in cable and an LED light (INIU), a torch and Low Power Mode (Kings 20,000).
For bigger power needs at camp, like a fridge, see our off-grid power reviews.
