Best Power Bank for Backpacking: 9 Trail-Ready Chargers

Portable power banks are essential for keeping all your gear powered up while you’re off-grid. In this informative guide, we’ll help you choose the best model for your particular needs on backpacking or camping trips.

Jolanda Lapegna Avatar
Written by: | Reviewed by: Kieran James Cunningham
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These days, it’s hard to find a hiker’s pack that isn’t filled with outdoor tech gadgets. From rechargeable headlamps to smartphones and GPS devices, tech gear brings some home-like comfort to the great outdoors and is indispensable in case of emergencies.

But keeping all that fancy tech stuff powered up in the backcountry is going to require a portable power source. To help you choose the best one for you, we’ve tried and tested many of the most popular power banks out there to come up with this list of our favorite adventure-ready portable chargers.

Editor’s Choice

Goal Zero Venture 35

Goal Zero Venture 35 Portable Charger Power Bank 9600mAH 18W USB-C Power Delivery Port 2 USB Outputs IP67 Rating 50 Lumens Flashlight

If you need portable power for all your off-grid adventures, look no further than the Goal Zero Venture 35!

The Goal Zero wins our grand prize thanks to its high output, multiple ports, and user-friendly features. With a battery capacity of 35.5-watt-hours, you’ll get an impressive 3 smartphone charges out of one full charge.

Thanks to its dual charging capabilities, you can harness the power of the sun and charge your Goal Zero with the help of a solar panel. No more lugging around multiple batteries! Other user-friendly features include a built-in flashlight, a protective sleeve, and a waterproof port.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a versatile outdoor companion to juice up all your gear and gadgets, this is it!

At a Glance: Quick Recommendations

  • Editor’s Choice:  Goal Zero Venture 35
    “Versatile, functional, and feature-packed, this durable power bank is our top pick for outdoor adventure.”
  • Best Ultralight :  NiteCore LC10
    “This lightweight and portable charger makes a good choice for ounce-counting minimalists with low energy requirements.”
  • Best Value:  Charmast Power Bank
    “A powerful and high-capacity charger with lots of ports for charging multiple gadgets.”
  • Most Durable:  MyCharge Adventure 15,000 mAh
    “Ideal for backpackers looking for a rugged and waterproof device.”
  • Best Budget:  The Anker PowerCore 5000
    “An inexpensive and ultralight power bank small enough to fit in your pocket.”
  • Best Portable Design:  Goal Zero Flip 12
    “A sleek, minimalist design and compact size make this perfect for people always on the go.”
  • Best for Multiple Devices :  Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD
    “The best fit for campers and backpackers that need plenty of juice for all their devices.”
  • Most Versatile:  Anker Astro E1 6700
    “The perfect balance between size and capacity at an affordable price.”
  • Best High Capacity:  BioLite PD
    “Durability and high power output combine in this sleek device.”

Best Power Bank for Backpacking: Our Top 9 Picks

Goal Zero Venture 35

Editor’s Choice

Capacity: 9,600 mAh Weight: 10.1 oz. ⸱ Output: 3A ⸱ Ports: 5

The Goal Zero Venture 35 is a versatile device with a good weight-to-power ratio and an impressive battery capacity.

In terms of output, the Goal Zero offers 9,600 milliamp hours – more than enough to recharge all your backpacking gadgets and devices. Add a solar panel to your kit and you can recharge your bank on the go thanks to its dual charging capabilities (USB and solar).

With a recently upgraded IP rating of IP67, the Goal Zero is now waterproof, dustproof, and always adventure-ready! Another useful perk for campers and backpackers is the Goal Zero’s built-in 50-lumen LED flashlight.

Overall, the Goal Zero Venture 35 is a well-rounded backpacking power bank for anyone looking for a simple and no-fuss solution to powering up their devices in the backcountry.

  • PROs

    • High output
    • Many ports
    • High IP rating
    • Solar panel and regular charging
  • CONs

    • Heavy
    • Pricey

Bottom-Line: The perfect option for backpackers looking for the ideal balance of capacity, portability, and rugged durability.

NiteCore LC10

Best Ultralight

Capacity: 3,400 mAh Weight: 0.98 oz. ⸱ Output: 1A ⸱ Ports: 1

The NiteCore LC10 is a three-in-one portable battery pack, flashlight, and backup light all in one teeny tiny compact case. Weighing in at an incredibly light 0.98oz, it’s our top pick for backpacking minimalists who love saving on every ounce.

On top of being impressively light weight and portable, the NiteCore adds a few other handy features into the mix. It’s got an integrated USB input and output port along with a built-in lightning adapter for Apple devices. As an added safety feature, charging protection automatically disconnects your devices upon charging completion.

While it’s true the NiteCore doesn’t offer a tremendous amount of juice, it remains an affordable and ultralight battery bank suitable for weekend warriors and day-trippers.

  • PROs

    • Price
    • Weight
    • Multiple functions
    • Dual output ports
  • CONs

    • Low output
    • Only 1 port

Bottom-Line: A highly functional and lightweight choice for minimalist backpackers. The smallest power bank on our list.

Charmast Power Bank

Best Value

Capacity: 26,800 mAh Weight: 15.2 oz. ⸱ Output: 4A ⸱ Ports: 4

Looking to squeeze some value out of every dollar you spend? If so, we think you’ll be impressed with the Charmast.

There’s a lot to love about the Charmast. It’s a high-capacity battery and high-output charger with a sleek and pocket-friendly design that resembles a smartphone. Four ports allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously while LED indicator lights let you know the exact charge remaining.

While the Chamast is up there with the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD for the highest capacity charger on our list, it’s lighter and less expensive. You’ll also enjoy high-speed charging through both a USB-C cable or micro USB input.

  • PROs

    • High capacity and output
    • Many ports
    • 12-month warranty
    • LED indicator light
  • CONs

    • Heavy

Bottom-Line: If you’re willing to carry the extra weight, the Charmast is the ultimate high-capacity solution for charging multiple devices.

MyCharge Adventure 15,000 mAh

Most Durable

Capacity: 15,000 mAh Weight: 12 oz. ⸱ Output: 2.4A ⸱ Ports: 2

Heavy-duty, drop-resistant, and weatherproof, the MyCharge Adventure is ideal for hikers, backpackers, and campers that love to push their gear to its limits.

With its small, compact design and high portability, the MyCharge is the ultimate outdoor companion. Thanks to a waterproof case and rubberized finish, you’ll never have to worry about the weather forecast or dirt and debris damaging the battery pack. A convenient, built-in carabiner lets you clip the device right to your pack for easy access.

With a 2.4A output, you can fully recharge a phone battery five times from one full charge, making it a suitable choice for multi-day backpacking or camping trips.

  • PROs

    • High IP rating
    • Built-in carabiner clip
    • Rubberized finish
  • CONs

    • Heavy

Bottom-Line: A heavy-duty, backpacking power bank capable of handling extreme weather conditions. 

The Anker PowerCore 5000

Best Budget

Capacity: 5,000 mAh Weight: 4.8 oz. ⸱ Output: 2A ⸱ Ports: 1

The Anker PowerCore 5000 offers top-notch performance at a budget-friendly price. With fast charging and recharging speed along with a sleek and portable design, this compact power bank makes a great choice for budget-conscious backpackers.

Due to its low output, the Anker PowerCore may not be the best choice for multi-day adventurers loaded up with energy-guzzling gadgets. But if you’re heading into the backcountry with just a smartphone, this device is a great, affordable, and highly portable companion.

  • PROs

    • Price
    • Weight
    • Quick charging time
    • 18-month warranty
  • CONs

    • Only 1 port

Bottom-Line: An affordable yet functional device with an impressive 18-month warranty. 

Goal Zero Flip 12

Best Portable Design

Capacity: 3,350 mAh Weight: 2.5 oz. ⸱ Output: 1A ⸱ Ports: 1

Looking for a highly portable power bank suitable for everything from your office commute to hitting the trail? If so, the Goal Zero Flip 12 will make a great addition to your backpacking must-haves list.

Thanks to a slim profile, metal outer casing, and compact size, this battery bank wins our top spot for best portable design. Another outstanding feature is the fact that this handy device can be conveniently charged through either its USB port or through a solar panel. Pair it with most modern solar panels and you’ll find it fully charged in just 3 hours.

While the Goal Zero Flip does have one of the lowest outputs on our list, you’ll still get one full charge for most smartphones. It also ties with NiteCore as the most affordable option on our list.

  • PROs

    • Affordable
    • Ultralight
    • Solar charger
  • CONs

    • Low capacity
    • Only 1 port

Bottom-Line: A good choice for backpackers looking for a portable and solar-ready bank for powering their smartphone.

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD

Best for Multiple Devices

Capacity: 26,800 mAh Weight: 25.6 oz. ⸱ Output: 2.25A ⸱ Ports: 3

If you need to charge all sorts of fancy tech while backpacking, the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 has your back.

To start with, it offers one of the highest battery capacities on our list alongside the Charmast. Unlike most portable battery packs, all that extra power will allow you to charge big devices like laptops and tablets.

All that power comes at a cost in both weight and $, as the Anker PowerCore is one of the priciest and bulkiest battery packs on our list. But if you’re desperate to keep multiple, energy-hungry devices charged up while out on your adventures, there’s no better choice for a backpacking power bank.

  • PROs

    • High capacity
    • Enough power to charge a laptop
    • 18-month warranty
    • Can charge two devices at the same time
    • USB C port
  • CONs

    • Heavy
    • Expensive

Bottom-Line: The Anker PowerCore is the ideal choice for backpackers with multiple gadgets to charge. 

Anker Astro E1 6700

Most Versatile

Capacity: 6,700 mAh Weight: 4.4 oz. ⸱ Output: 2A ⸱ Ports: 1

The Anker Astro offers all the durability and top-notch performance of the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 at a fifth of the weight and for considerably fewer bucks.

You’ll indeed be sacrificing a lot of the juice that makes the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD so powerful, but if you’ve only got 1 or 2 small gadgets to charge, the Anker Astro becomes the obvious choice.

The Anker Astro also has a few features that set it apart in its own right. Its light weight and compact size make it perfect for carrying in your pocket, while a smart USB port allows you to charge most devices at full speed (2 amps). Conveniently, you’ll find the necessary micro USB cable right in the box.

  • PROs

    • Affordable
    • Lightweight
    • 18-month warranty
    • Included micro USB cable
  • CONs

    • Not waterproof
    • Only 1 port

Bottom-Line: A no-fuss, small power bank for backpackers looking for a simple solution for charging small gadgets. 

BioLite PD

Best High Capacity

Capacity: 20,000 mAh Weight: 16.4 oz. ⸱ Output: ⸱ Ports: 3

The BioLite PD Power Banks is a feature-packed portable charger that’s always adventure-ready thanks to its durable build.

With a 20,000 mPh battery capacity, you’ll have plenty of juice for charging up all your gear (that’s roughly 4–5 full smartphone charges!). In addition to its impressive output, this backpacking power bank provides several ports, including ​​2 x USB-A quick-charge out ports.

If you’re looking for durability and portability, it’s hard to beat the sleek design and ruggedness of the BioLite.

  • PROs

    • High capacity
    • Multiple ports
    • Durable
    • Rapid charging
  • CONs

    • Heavy

Bottom-Line: A high-capacity device with a durable design. Perfect for multi-day camping or backpacking trips.

How to Choose a Backpacking Power Bank

mAh-to Weight Ratio

Capacity is shown as milliamps per hour (mAh) and it’s just a fancy way of describing how much power a portable charger has to charge your devices. The higher the capacity, the more gadgets it can fully charge before the bank itself runs out of juice. 

When backpacking, you always want to consider the mAh-to-weight ratio. As mAh capacity increases, so do size and weight. Find a middle ground between the power you need and the size and weight you’re comfortable lugging around. 

For a one-night trip, aim for at least 5000–9,000mAh like the Anker Powercore 5000 (roughly 1 to 2 smartphone charges). These models are usually small enough to conveniently fit into your pocket. 

Close up of specs on side of power bank sitting on an exped sleeping mat
Look out for how the power capacity, given in mAh, weighs up against the power banks overall weight

If your trip spans multiple days and you need more power, aim for a bank with an mAh capacity of 20,000+, like the Charmsat or the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD. Any bigger and you’ll be adding considerable bulk and weight to your pack. 

Charging Speed

For impatient backpackers, you’ll want to choose a bank with a fast charging speed. Battery output is measured in voltage and amperage (here’s an in-depth look at how both work). 

The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter how fast your bank charges devices if you don’t match the input and output charging speeds. For instance, if your smartphone has an input of 5V/2A (5 volts and 2 amps), then you need to find a bank with the same output. Otherwise, you won’t be able to charge your devices at full speed. 

Keep in mind that most power banks offer different charging speeds for different port types. 

Number of Outlets

If you’re looking to charge several devices simultaneously, you’ll need a charging device with multiple outlets. 

For many people, one port will be enough. But if you’ve loaded your pack with a number of gadgets and don’t want to take turns charging up your stuff, aim for a bank with more than one port. 

Close up of portable power pack USB port
The number of charging ports will dictate the number of devices that can charge simultaneously

Just remember, when you charge multiple devices your portable charger might not give maximum current to each port. 

Waterproofing?

If you regularly romp through the backcountry in questionable weather, you might want to double-check the IP rating of any device before purchasing. Power banks all have an IP rating (ingress protection) which describes how much water, dirt, and debris it can safely tolerate.

If you’re looking for a charging bank that can withstand rough weather, aim for a rating of at least IP67 (like our top pick, the Goal Zero Venture 35, or the MyCharge Adventure). 

Added Features

Some other useful features you might want to keep an eye out for are pass-through and wireless charging. 

Pass-through charging means that you can charge a device connected to your battery pack while charging the battery of the bank itself. While this might not be relevant for backpackers who have no means of recharging their power pack, it can be very useful for campground campers

Charging station in a campsite
If you have access to a campsite charging station then pass-through charging is a definite bonus!

Wireless charging allows you to skip the cables and charge your devices by laying them on top of the battery. This is an easy way to lighten your pack, although usually, only smartphones are compatible with this technology. 

Best Power Banks for Backpacking: The Verdict

The power struggle is real in the backcountry! If you’re worried about how to keep all your gear powered up during your next backpacking trip, we think no hiker, camper, or outdoor adventurer can go wrong with the Goal Zero Venture 35. 

What did you think of our list? There are many other power banks for backpacking out there, so do let us know if we forgot your favorite. Feel free to share this list with your friends too!

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Jolanda Lapegna Avatar

Jolanda is a full-time writer and life-long outdoor enthusiast. Growing up on a small island off the Eastern Canadian coast, she spent most of her childhood hiking, swimming and fishing in the Atlantic ocean.

After a short stint in the corporate world, Jolanda quit her day job to write full-time and check out what lies beyond the Canadian shores. Ever since, she’s been hiking, biking and kayaking her way across 11 European countries and counting.

Jolanda currently lives in the beautiful, Tuscan countryside. When she isn’t hanging out in the woods or at the beach, you’ll catch her foraging for mushrooms and truffles with her truffle-dog, Red.

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