As the batteries in smartphones become larger, fewer people are seeing the need for power banks. That's not to say that nobody uses them anymore. However, the ones that only charge may not be worth buying. So, what else should a power bank have to be worthwhile? Below are some options we would recommend.
Anker Laptop Power Bank
Need a power bank with a high battery capacity and charging speed? Then Anker's Laptop Power Bank (A1695) could be an ideal choice. This power bank looks pretty unassuming. However, it has a massive 25000mAh battery, a small display indicator, and four ports. It even has one integrated retractable cable, so you'll have one available to charge a device.
As the name suggests, the Anker Laptop Power Bank was made for laptops. It has three USB ports, each delivering fast charging of up to 100W for you to quickly recharge your laptops or mobile devices. The max output is capped at 165W when charging two devices and 130W for four devices, so charging speeds will slow down accordingly. But if you need to charge multiple devices quickly, you can't go wrong with this power bank.
Lowest price available: RM355 (Shopee)
Aohi Starship
What about people who carry two laptops or need to recharge their laptops twice without a charger? If that's you, consider the Aohi Starship (AOC-P011). This power bank's high battery capacity of 27600mAh lets you fully charge a laptop at least once, depending on the laptop's battery capacity. While not pocket-friendly, it's still compact enough for frequent travellers.
More importantly, it has incredible charging output, delivering a combined output of 240W with its two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Each USB-C port outputs a maximum of 140W, which is enough to keep even a gaming laptop running when it's not under maximum GPU load. Furthermore, the Aohi Start ship has advanced protection measures to prevent overcharging or overheating. For people who want to fast charge power-heavy laptops, it's a great option to pick up.
Lowest price available: RM345 (Shopee)
Ugreen 10000mAh
Alternatively, you can go for something more affordable. For instance, something like the Ugreen 10000mAh power bank (PB504). It has wide compatibility, covering both Apple and Android mobile devices. It's also compact enough to fit in a pocket and has an attached USB-C cable, so you won't have to worry about forgetting to pack one.
While it doesn't offer any high-end features, this power bank has 20W charging and a combined output of 15W when simultaneously charging 3 devices. The charging speed isn't fast by today's standards, but it should be enough for most mobile devices. If you're just looking for a simple and affordable power bank, this could be the option for you.
Lowest price available: RM101 (Shopee)
Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank
Looking for something without wires, something for a MagSafe-compatible iPhone? In that case, you may want to check out the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank. Don't let the lengthy name fool you, as it's functionally quite basic. With capacities ranging from 5000 to 10000 mAh, this power bank is a relatively thick slab with a kickstand and supports 15W Qi2 wireless charging.
Additionally, it attaches to the back of compatible phones (or phones with the right casing), so you don't need any wires when charging your iPhone. However, it doesn't have any other fancy features, and the design is quite plain. The good news is that we can expect this type of power bank to gain more traction. In fact, the recently launched Google Pixel 10 series also supports Qi2 wireless charging.
Lowest price available: RM289 (Shopee)
Anker MagGo
If you need a MagSafe-compatible power bank with more features, an option we can suggest is the Anker MagGo (A1654). Not only is it slimmer, but the Anker MagGo also has more functions. For instance, it has a small display showing the battery level and how long a device has left to charge.
Like the Belkin power bank, the Anker MagGo also supports 15W wireless charging. That's pretty slow by 2025's standards, but that's par for the course for wireless chargers and power banks. As mentioned, more devices supporting the Qi2 wireless charging standard will launch in the future, so the Anker MagGo power bank is a good choice.
Lowest price available: RM264 (Shopee)
What else can you get?
Anker, Belkin, and Ugreen are major brands available in Malaysia, so you can't go wrong with them. But if you wanted to know what options are good, the five above are all solid options we recommend. Prices fluctuate and may be lower during sales periods, so keep an eye out for bigger discounts.
By the way, we also previously posted an article on power bank safety and how to choose a power bank. The latter has some info on interpreting the labels and tech specs for a power bank, so definitely check that article out to learn more.
With that said, what power bank are you using for when commuting or working on the go? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook page! And as always, stay tuned to TechNave for updates on the latest mobile devices and accessories.
COMMENTS