Best External Laptop Chargers

Finding a portable charger for laptops is more challenging than finding one for a mobile phone. Most phones come with a compatible charger, although they’re not always as efficient as they could be. Laptops can be more specific.

The first main question to ask yourself is: can my laptop be charged via USB-C or does it need an AC or DC outlet? The newest laptops, such as Dell XPS or MacBook Pro, use USB-C for recharging. This is cutting-edge technology that allows one port to do everything. It naturally leads to one charger for your mobile phone and laptop. However, older laptops from 4+ years ago usually have a specialized port for recharging.

Apart from this question, there are many factors to consider, such as the number of USB ports, price, battery capacity, size, weight, and many more.

Charging Kick has prepared for you the best 5 external laptop chargers that cover all the different bases, so you can choose the power bank that best meets your needs.

Top Pick

RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W PD 3.0 USB C Power Bank 2-Port.

The smallest, lightest, cheapest, and highly efficient power bank for laptops with USB-C PD charging compatibility.

Read the full review of RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W

Buy on RAVPower

Here Are The Best External Laptop Chargers

And there is the list of the best power banks for laptops:

RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W PD 3.0 USB C Power Bank 2-Port

This compact, powerful, reliable, and inexpensive power bank provides what many other batteries provide for double the price, size, and weight. Its high-quality batteries and ports will charge your devices quickly and safely.

Read the full review RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W

Buy on RAVPower

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Laptop charging compatibility (but not all laptops – check first!)

• Solid output charging speed

• Simultaneous charging with a total output of 60W when powering two devices

• Solid construction and attractive design

• USB-C port for input and output charging

Cons:

• It doesn’t recharge within 3 hours as promised; needs 9 hours on average

• Only 2 USB ports

• No LED digital battery indicator

• Less versatile than other chargers

Rating

Power & Performance (1 to 5 stars)

Design & Build (1 to 5 stars)

Technology (1 to 5 stars)

Overall Rating (average of above)

Key Info:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh / 72.6 Wh

• Weight: 13.11 oz / 371.7 g

• Dimension: 5.96 x 2.62 x 0.98 in / 15.1 x 6.6 x 2.5 cm

• Average Phone Charging Time (3000mAh Battery): 1 hour and 30 minutes

• Average Laptop Charging Time: slightly more than the laptop’s default charger

• Average Recharging Time: 9 hours and 35 minutes

• Ports: USB-C (60W Max Output, 30W Max Input), USB-A (18W Max)

• Charging Technology: PD technology, Total Charging Protection

• Flight Status: Under 100 Wh. Safe to take on board.

RAVPower, with its 20000 mAh 60W power bank, shows both its strong position in the charging industry and its forte: versatility, cutting-edge technology, and reasonable price.

This 14-ounce battery delivers 20,000 mAh of energy, of which, according to tests, 13,000 mAh can be used after the conversion to charge your electronic devices. This amount of energy should be enough to charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro about 1.4 times. For a battery this size, it’s an excellent result.

The Pioneer 20000 is made of smooth and solid plastic. It’s pleasant to the touch and sits firmly in your hand. Every part stays firmly together. It’s durable enough for daily usage. It will work well for someone who needs a big battery to charge a phone multiple times or/and charge a laptop.

There are four LED lights on its edge, each indicating 25% of battery life. The power button is below the lights. The power bank has two USB ports: USB-A for output charging and USB-C PD for input and output charging. Compared to similar power banks, this one could use at least one more port. However, the quality of these is as high as you can get. The USB-A has iSmart technology and can deliver fast charging for compatible phones. Add to that USB-C PD, which can deliver up to 60W of power, this unit provides enough power to charge compatible laptops , not to mention phones.

In real life, the RAVPower Pioneer 20000 works almost as well as it’s described on paper. We used a MacBook Pro 13-inch for testing. It took 4 hours and 30 minutes to charge it from 1% to 100%. Not as fast as a standard wall charger, but still a good time. What’s more, there was still 3,000 mAh left to use! Laptops similar to the 13-inch MacBook Pro should get full charge within the same time or shorter.

The manufacturer promises a 3-hour recharging time that seems to be unreachable. To achieve this time, a wall charger with at least 30W output is needed. As advised, we charged the power bank with a RAVPower USB C Charger 65W PD. It took over 9 hours to charge the power bank , far from the promised time, but still within the standard charging time for a battery of this capacity.

Overall, the RAVPower Pioneer 20000 is truly powerful for its size and price. It’s not as versatile as some competing power banks, as it lacks DC or/and AC outlets and multiple ports. However, if you’re looking for a power bank primarily to charge a laptop and mobile phone and don’t want to carry a heavy and big brick-like many power banks with laptop-charging capability – this one is the best device to choose.

Read the full review RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W

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Omni 20+ 20000mah Laptop Power Bank | AC/DC/USB-C/Wireless

The most versatile power bank on this list, it can charge nearly any device you can imagine. It’s loaded with the best charging technology, has a sleek design, and is built with excellent materials.

Buy on Amazon

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• High wattage over USB, DC, and AC outlets

• LCD display provides loads of information

• Compact size

• Wireless charging

• Pass-through charging - great for power outlet/ports station

• Beautiful design

Cons:

• Expensive

• Not enough energy

Rating

Power & Performance (1 to 5 stars)

Design & Build (1 to 5 stars)

Technology (1 to 5 stars)

Overall Rating (average of above)

Key Info:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh / 72.6 Wh

• Weight: 1.4 lb / 635 g

• Dimension: 5 x 4.8 x 0.9 in / 12.7 x 12.2 x 2.3 cm

• Average Phone Charging Time (3000mAh Battery): 1 hour and 25 minutes

• Average Laptop Charging Time: the same time as a default laptop charger

• Average Recharging Time: 2 hours

• Ports: AC (100W Max Output), DC in/out (100W Max, 1V – 25V), USB-C (60W Out 45W In), 2 x QC 3.0 USB-A

• Charging Technology: Wireless charging, AC/DC Output charging, Pass-Through Charging, Smart Power Readings

• Flight Status: Under 100 Wh. Safe to take on board.

The Omni 20+ 20000mah Laptop Power Bank is the most versatile power bank on this list. Its number of ports, connections, and technologies used is impressive.

The Omni 20+ managed to provide all of these ports and connections in a small device measuring 5.0 x 4.8 x 1.1-inches (12.7 x 12.2 x 2.3 cm). The weight is also astonishing: only 1.4 pounds (635 g). For its capabilities, it’s a small device that will be easy to carry around in a backpack or big purse.

The Omni 20+ has a sleek design, with an all-black case and cut edges. It presents phenomenally alongside various devices. It’s built with robust plastic and rubber, which helps this device absorb shock and potential minor damage while in use. However, it might attract lint and dust.

The ports and connections layout is well-designed and thought out. On the front edge, you'll find an LCD screen showing detailed charging information such as input, output, battery level, and temperature. Despite the small screen, the information is easy to read. Nearby you can find power buttons for the power bank, AC and DC outlets, and two USB-A ports. On one side is a 120V AC outlet and on another side is a DC port with up to 100W output and USB-C port with PD with maximum 60W output. The power bank also has wireless charging on the top. It's a highly versatile mixture of ports and connections that allows you to charge nearly any device you want.

You can charge your laptop in various ways. Depending on the laptop, you can use a USB-C or DC or AC outlet. With its ports’ diversity, Omni 20+ it’s a safe option for portable laptop chargers. As long as you use high-quality cables and use the device correctly, your laptop should be charged within the same time that your default charger delivers.

The battery capacity, 20000 mAh, might be an issue, though. Big laptops frequently need more energy than this, so this charger might not have enough juice to charge them fully. For smaller laptops such as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it should be enough – and you’ll also get a full charge for a phone with a 3000-4000 mAh battery.

However, there is one incredibly important feature to mention: pass-through charging. This technology allows you to charge the power bank and all other devices plugged into it simultaneously. Omni 20+ could work well as a power outlet/ports station for your work desk. You can use it daily at your desk to charge various devices and whenever you go somewhere, take it with you and use it as a portable charger!

In terms of recharging the power bank, the tests showed an incredibly fast recharging speed. Using a USB-C wall adapter with an output of at least 60W, the device should recharge within 2 hours. It’s an excellent result.

Overall, it’s the most versatile power bank on this list. For its capabilities, it’s small, lightweight, and has powerful charging abilities. However, it might not appeal to everyone, mainly due to its price, usually around $200. We recommend this device only if you’ll use all of its features. Otherwise, there are cheaper, more suitable power banks.

Buy on Amazon

MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank 185Wh/50000mAh(Max.130W)

The big gun on our list! A huge and highly efficient battery that charges laptops up to 4 times and has 4 USB ports and two DC outlets at your service.

Buy on Amazon

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Pass-through charging

• 6 outputs, including two DC outlets

• Compatible with 95% of laptops - includes 14 connectors for various laptops

• Enormous battery

• Highly efficient and robust

Cons:

• Cannot charge laptops with USB-C input port

• The capacity is too big for airplanes

• Doesn’t provide fast charging for phones

Rating

Power & Performance (1 to 5 stars)

Design & Build (1 to 5 stars)

Technology (1 to 5 stars)

Overall Rating (average of above)

Key Info:

• Capacity: 50000 mAh / 185 Wh

• Weight: 2.77 lb / 1.26 kg

• Dimension: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3 in / 20.6 x 13.5 x 3.3 cm

• Average Charging (3000mAh Battery): 1 hour and 30 minutes

• Average Recharging Time: 6-8 hours

• Ports: 4 x USB-A, 2 x DC (20V/5A for Laptops 18.5V~20.5V and 12V/2.5A for Cameras, Routers, LED lights)

• Charging Technology: Total 14 kinds of connectors for laptops, pass-through charging

• Flight Status: Above 100 WH. Not allowed to take on board.

MAXOAK Power Bank wins for the biggest and best power bank on this list. Its 185Wh/50000mAh can charge multiple devices numerous times.

The battery size is the biggest downside of this power bank. Naturally, it provides great battery capacity, but the power bank weighs 2.77 pounds (1.26kg). You’ll need a spacious pocket in your backpack for this device. Luckily, it’s only one of the few cons of this power bank.

Its weight makes this device very sturdy. The material is high-quality, built well, without loose parts. The design is simple and gray in color. It doesn’t attract fingerprints and lint. It comes with a carry case for extra protection and pockets to store connectors and cables.

Time for the main course: the battery. A capacity of 185Wh/50000mAh is enough for multiple charges of laptops, phones, drones, cameras, routers, and anything else. Numerous users praised its durability. It’s been tested in rough conditions – from blistering hot to cold, discharged and unused for weeks, then used intensively for weeks – and still charged well. An incredible battery for hard tasks. On average, you’ll get 4 full charges for a medium-sized laptop.

The power bank is equipped with 4 USB ports: 2 USB-A (5V/2.1A) and 2 USB-A (5V/1A), used primarily to charge USB-charged devices such as smartphones. Sadly, the MAXOAK doesn’t provide fast charging. The more important ports are DC outlets used to charge laptops, cameras, routers, drones, etc. One is rated at 18.5V~20.5V and the other at 12V/2.5A. The first one is capable of delivering up to 130W, so it can charge the biggest laptops. However, many users warn that it automatically switches off the laptop while it’s being charged and heavily used. It’s safest to charge when the laptop isn’t in use.

In terms of charging speed, the power bank takes slightly longer to charge than a laptop’s default charger. The power bank comes with a charger with DC input of 16.8V/2.5A. With this speed, the power bank should go from 0% to 100% in a maximum of 8 hours.

This power bank is a great choice for those who regularly need a lot of energy, primarily to charge their laptop. If you frequently use your laptop, lack access to an outlet, and need a high-quality battery, the MAXOAK Power Bank will work well for you.

Buy on Amazon

RAVPower Power Bank with AC Outlet 80W 20000mAh 30W PD

RAVPower offers a small and powerful portable charger with an AC outlet capable of charging most laptops either via USB-C or AC outlet. Great for daily usage with your laptop.

Buy RAVPower

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• AC outlet with a maximum output of 100W

• Compatible with most laptops

• Charges compatible laptops via USB-C

• Fast recharging, even within 3 hours via the fast wall charger

Cons:

• Noisy fan

• Leave smudges and lint

• A bit expensive

Rating

Power & Performance (1 to 5 stars)

Design & Build (1 to 5 stars)

Technology (1 to 5 stars)

Overall Rating (average of above)

Key Info:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh / 72.6 Wh

• Weight: 1.43 lb / 652 g

• Dimension: 2.7 x 2.7 x 5.8 in / 6.9 x 6.9 x 14.6 cm

• Average Charging (3000mAh Battery): 1 hour and 25 minutes

• Average Recharging Time: 3 hours

• Ports: USB-C (30W Input, 30W Output), USB-A (18W Output), AC Output (80/100W)

• Charging Technology: PD Charging 30W USB-C, AC Outlet

• Flight Status: Under 100 Wh. Safe to take on board.

Looking for a small power bank with an AC outlet? RAVPower’s 20000 mAh model with 80W AC output should do the trick.

At nearly 1.5 pounds (650g) and 2.7 x 2.7 x 5.8 inches (6.9 x 6.9 x 14.6 cm), it’s similar to an elongated tube. It’s quite small in comparison to its bigger brother, the AC Portable Charger RAVPower 27000mAh AC Power Bank 85W, which is also on this list.

It’s fairly rugged, enough for daily usage, but doesn’t have water- or drop-resistance rating, so it’s probably wise not to use it in extreme weather conditions. The surface attracts lint, smudges, and fingerprints. It comes with a hard case and a soft pouch for extra protection to store cables in one safe place. The battery level is indicated by 5 LED lights.

The battery has 20,000 mAh / 74 Wh of power, and after conversion to 5V, you’ll have around 13,500-14,000 mAh at your disposal. This energy should be enough for one full charge of a medium laptop (e.g., 13-inch MacBook Pro) and a medium-sized mobile phone. For its size, it’s a solid result. It’s a good tradeoff for those who need a power source for a laptop and mobile phone for a day or two. The integrated AC outlet should work well for most laptops. The power bank is compatible with USB-C PD charging, so the newest laptops can be charged via USB-C.

The bottom of the portable charger has a cooling fan. The fan tends to be noisy while in use. The power bank also has an 18W USB-A port. The device is capable of charging 3 devices simultaneously at high speed, as long as the total output doesn’t exceed 80W. It offers limited pass-through charging.

The device can be recharged from completely flat to full within 3 hours using a charger with high output such as the RAVPower 65W. This is a great result.

It’s the smallest and the best power bank with an AC outlet on the market. Its highly efficient battery and relatively small size and capabilities should work well for those who need a versatile power bank and an AC outlet for daily use.

Buy RAVPower

AC Portable Charger RAVPower 27000mAh AC Power Bank 85W

A robust, long-standing, versatile power bank with 3 USB ports, including USB-C and an AC outlet, at a reasonable price.

Read the full review of RAVPower 27000mAh AC Power Bank

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Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Versatility and reliability

• Rugged construction

• AC outlet to charge various devices

• Solid recharging speed

• 3 USB ports

• Simultaneous charging of up to 4 devices

• High-quality battery

• Can charge a MacBook almost twice

Cons:

• Heavy and large

• Slow charging speed via USB ports

• Requires a separate charger to recharge itself

• Lacks a DC outlet

Rating

Power & Performance (1 to 5 stars)

Design & Build (1 to 5 stars)

Technology (1 to 5 stars)

Overall Rating (average of above)

Key Info:

• Capacity: 27,000 mAh / 99.9 Wh

• Weight: 1.87 lb / 847.2 g

• Dimension: 5.4 x 6.7 x 1.4 in / 13.8 x 17 x 3.5 cm

• Average Charging (3000mAh Battery): 1 hour and 45 minutes

• Average Recharging Time: 5 hours and 25 minutes

• Ports: AC Output (Max 85W), USB-C Output (5V/3A), 2 x iSmart USB-A Output (5V/2.4A)

• Charging Technology: Built-in AC output

• Flight Status: Under 100Wh. Safe to take on board.

Another RAVPower power bank on the list. Its versatility, including an AC outlet, multiple ports, and robust construction will appeal to many customers.

Its construction is a double-edged sword, though. On one hand, it’s an extremely robust device, with superb quality materials and the capability to resist falls. Two air vents successfully prevent overheating. Solid construction guarantees durability for years. The downside is its dimension and weight. It’s not a small device and will not appeal to those looking for a compact power bank with laptop-charging capabilities.

The power bank is equipped with 3 USB ports: two iSmart USB-A (5V/2.4A) and a USB-C (5V/3A). Sadly, the latter is not equipped with Power Delivery (PD) technology. However, the newest version has it. An AC outlet has a maximum output of 100W, but no DC outlet. This unit should be enough to charge most laptops and different devices such as cameras, loudspeakers, or drones, you name it.

According to the tests, the battery efficiency is at 90%, which makes it a high-quality battery. Over 18,000 mAh of energy is at your disposal after converting to 5V. This amount of energy should be enough to charge small-medium laptops up to 2 times!

The power bank’s 3 ports can be used simultaneously. According to the tests, fully charging three phones at the same time should take between 2.5h to 3 hours, which is a solid time. The 13-inch MacBook Pro needed 4.5 hours to get a full charge. The power bank delivered 9,000 mAh in total, which proves its capabilities to charge this and similar laptops twice. We checked the iPad as well. It took 4 hours and 40 minutes to charge fully; the unit delivered 7,000 mAh of energy. The power bank proved its main value as a power bank for laptops.

The power bank can be only recharged with the provided charger. This adds an extra item to carry. However, it provides fast charging, and you get a fully charged power bank within 5 hours.

Overall, it’s a solid power bank for its price and capabilities. If you don’t mind its size and weight and you need a versatile, long-lasting device, this one will work well for you.

Read the full review of RAVPower 27000mAh AC Power Bank

Buy RAVPower

The Verdict & Conclusion

These 5 power banks are the best laptop portable chargers on the market. They differ from each other, have their strengths and weaknesses, but proved their positions and found ten thousand of happy users. The question is what you’re looking for?

The RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh 60W PD 3.0 USB C shows up as the best one on this list. It misses AC and DC outlets, but with the current trend and shifting to USB-C in laptops as a charging port, it’s somehow not essential. As a tradeoff, you can get a cheap, low-weight and highly efficient portable laptop charger. Remember though, if you need either an AC or DC outlet, this should be a choice for you.

If you don’t mind spending a significant amount of money and versatility is on the top of your priority, the Omni 20+ 20000mah Power Bank is the best option out there. It has everything you need: AC and DC outlets, wireless charging and multiple ports (USB-C PD and 2xUSB-A), LED screen indicator, and all of these in a small device. Omni 20+ could work well as a power outlet/ports station for your work desk. The downside is the price, which fluctuates around $200.

If the battery capacity is more important than anything else the MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank should be your option. With its crazily sizable battery of 50000mAh/185Wh, you’ll get a medium-sized laptop charged up to 4 times! If you add to this great construction and multiple USB ports, you’ll get a highly efficient power bank for a reasonable price.

If you need a small power bank with an AC outlet, then you should familiarize yourself with the RAVPower Power Bank with AC Outlet 80W 20000mAh 30W PD. It’s capable of charging most laptops either via AC outlet or USB-C at least once. It’s equipped with a USB-A port as well and able to charge 3 devices simultaneously. Perfect device for daily use.

Last, but not least is the AC Portable Charger RAVPower 27000mAh AC Power Bank 85W. It takes everything from the aforementioned power banks.