Charging your laptop with a power bank is game-changing. Here’s how to do it

Modern power banks have long provided enough power to reliably charge not only smartphones but also laptops. But not every model is suitable for laptop charging. To make sure you don’t spend money on the wrong power bank, we’ll show you what really matters when it comes to charging your laptop.

We also present the best power banks that will keep your laptop fully charged when you’re on the move.

Charging a laptop with a power bank: Important requirements

A simple model power bank for smartphones is usually not enough to charge a laptop. This is because while smartphones can typically manage with 5 to 15 watts of charging power, most laptops require significantly more—often at least 45 to 65 watts, and even more for powerful devices. Conventional smartphone power banks simply do not deliver this power, meaning that the charging process either doesn’t even start or is extremely slow and inefficient. Therefore, pay attention to the following points when shopping for the right power bank:

• USB Power Delivery (USB-PD): Only power banks with USB-PD provide the necessary voltage and power for notebooks.
• Sufficient capacity: For a full charge or several hours of operation, you should opt for a power bank with at least 20,000 milliampere hours (mAh). Devices with 25,000 mAh or more offer additional buffering.
• USB-C connection: Modern laptops are best charged via USB-C. Your power bank should therefore offer a corresponding USB-C output.
• Power stability: A high-quality power bank constantly delivers the required power—this protects both your laptop and the power bank itself.

Alternative option: There are also power banks with an integrated AC output (socket). This allows you to connect your regular laptop power supply. However, these devices are significantly larger and heavier.

What are the laptop requirements for charging with a power bank?

Not every laptop can simply be charged via USB-C. Check the following points:

• USB-C charging function: Only if your laptop has USB-C with charging function can you connect it directly to a power bank. Many current Ultrabooks and business laptops offer this.
• Power supply requirements: Look at the specifications of your original power supply unit. Example: 19 volts / 3 amps = 57 watts. Your power bank should deliver at least this much power.
• Devices without USB-C: If your laptop does not support USB-C, you will need a power bank with AC output or a power bank that offers specific adapters for your laptop connection. Such models are rarer and usually more expensive.

The best power banks for charging laptops

Anker Laptop Powerbank

Amazon

The Anker laptop power bank offers three USB-C ports with up to 100 watts of power each. Even power-hungry devices such as a MacBook Pro 16 can be quickly and reliably supplied with energy.

The power bank provides a total of 165 watts of maximum total power. A notebook with a charging requirement of 45 to 65 watts can thus be charged several times or supported in operation for hours. The estimated charging time is around two hours when using a 100 watt power supply unit.

Two integrated USB-C cables offer great convenience: an extendable model with a length of up to 27-inches and a 12-inch cable that also serves as a carrying strap. In addition to the three USB-C ports, there is also a USB-A port allowing up to four devices can be charged at the same time.

A smart display shows the charge status, current power and remaining runtime. The integrated ActiveShield 2.0 technology continuously monitors the temperature and protects connected devices.

With a weight of 1.3 lbs, the power bank remains portable despite its high performance and, with 90 watt hours, complies with current hand luggage regulations for air travel.

User reviews praise the high charging speed, the well thought-out features and the quality of workmanship. The relatively heavy weight is occasionally criticized though—a consequence of the high-performance technology used.

UGREEN Nexode Laptop Powerbank

Amazon

The UGREEN Nexode is currently one of the most versatile power banks for laptops and mobile devices. It delivers up to 140 watts via the USB-C port—enough to bring even a MacBook Pro 14″ up to 50 per cent in around 30 minutes.

With two USB-C and one USB-A ports, up to three devices can be powered simultaneously. Even when used in parallel, the main port retains sufficient power for fast charging. The power bank supports pass-through charging (simultaneous charging of connected devices and the power bank itself) and recharges itself during operation with up to 65 watts which are particularly useful features.

According to the manufacturer, the 25,000 mAh capacity is sufficient for around 1.3 full MacBook Pro 14″ charges, 3 charges of a Galaxy S23 Ultra or 5.5 iPhone 15 charges. This makes the battery ideal for travelling and intensive working days without access to a power socket. With 90 watt hours, it is also airplane-compatible and can be transported in hand luggage.

A digital LED display provides detailed information on the current charge status. The housing has a high-quality finish and, according to customers, is robust enough for mobile use. However, at 1.1 lbs, the power bank is noticeably heavy, which should be kept in mind when travelling frequently.

In practice, the performance, charging speed, and flexibility are impressive. The combination of high output power and fast self-charging is particularly beneficial.

INIU Laptop Power Bank

Amazon

The INIU Laptop Power Bank offers up to 100 watts of output power and is therefore suitable for charging the latest laptops, tablets, smartphones and mobile games consoles such as the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2.

The USB-C connection functions as an IN/OUT port. This means that not only can the laptop be charged quickly, but the power bank itself can also be charged efficiently. With a 65-watt charger, it is fully charged in around two hours. Alternatively, charging takes around three hours at 45 watts and around six hours at 18 watts.

Two USB-C outputs allow several devices to be charged at the same time. The power bank therefore covers a broad spectrum: from MacBook Pros and tablets to the latest smartphones and gaming devices. Particularly noteworthy is the full-speed support for the Steam Deck, which means that you can enjoy even longer gaming sessions on the go without charging interruptions.

With a capacity of 27,000 mAh, multiple device charges are possible. At the same time, the power bank fulfils the flight regulations for hand luggage (maximum 100 watt hours) and can therefore be carried on flights without any problems.

The weight of 1.05 lbs ensures a good balance between performance and mobility. Included with the power bank is a USB-C to USB-C cable, a travel case and a user manual. In tests and customer reviews, the power bank is described as reliable, high-quality, and powerful.

Charging speed, versatility, and the good price-performance ratio are particularly praised. Although weight is a common issue: Unproblematic for stationary use or in a rucksack, but considered noticeable for daily transport in smaller bags.

Baseus Laptop Powerbank

Amazon

The Baseus laptop power bank delivers up to 100 watts of output power via two USB-C ports. A MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, or Microsoft Surface can be charged just as quickly as the latest iPhones or Android models.

A 65-watt charger (not included) allows the power bank itself to be fully charged in around one to two hours. During operation, an integrated LED status light provides information about the charging status and the remaining charging time; an orange flash symbol indicates active fast charging.

In addition to the two USB-C ports, two USB-A fast charging ports are available, allowing up to four devices to be charged simultaneously. A special low-current mode can be activated for charging small devices with low power consumption (e.g. Bluetooth headphones).

The power bank supports common fast charging protocols such as PD 3.0, QC 4.0, SCP and FCP. An internal BPSⅡ chip (Baseus Power Split) intelligently controls the charging power and protects connected devices from overheating, short circuits and deep discharging.

With a capacity of 20,000 mAh, the power bank is sufficient to fully charge an iPhone 16 Pro around four times and a MacBook Pro 14-inch almost once, according to the manufacturer. It’s also suitable for air travel as the power bank fulfils the requirements for transport in hand luggage.

With a thickness of just 0.6 inches, the housing is comparatively slim and therefore weighs just under a pound. Customer reviews praise the charging speed, reliability, and workmanship.

How to calculate which power bank you need

To find out which power bank is suitable for your laptop, you need two values from your original charger:

• Voltage (volts)
• Amperage (amps)

Example: 19 volts x 3 amps = 57 watts → You therefore need at least a 60-watt power bank.

Tip: If in doubt, choose a power bank with slightly more power. This will ensure that you have enough power even during intensive use (e.g. during video conferences).

How long will the laptop last with a power bank?

That depends on two factors:

1. Capacity of the power bank (milliamp hours (mAh) / watt hours): The larger the capacity, the longer you can run or charge your laptop.
2. Power consumption of your laptop (watts): A business Ultrabook usually consumes 30 to 50 watts, a gaming laptop 70 watts and more.

Example calculation: A power bank with 25,000 mAh provides around 2 hours of additional runtime with a consumption of 45 watts—depending on how efficient the charging process is. When switched off or in standby mode, the laptop naturally charges much faster and more efficiently.

Important tips for safe and effective charging

• Use high-quality USB-C cables that support USB-PD.
• Monitor the temperature: Neither the power bank nor the laptop should get hot.
• If possible, charge your laptop with a battery level between 20-80 percent—this protects the battery.
• Use a power bank with overvoltage and overcurrent protection.