Most laptops have poor battery life and this somewhat defeats their purpose. Those lithium batteries can only power up so much of that screen and hardware before it starts running into its own engineering limitations. But instead of nesting near a Starbucks for power outlets during your “mobile work” escapades, you could look into more freeing solutions, such as laptop power banks.
They practically function similarly to phone power banks, except they’re bulkier and can accommodate a wider range of plugs.
Laptop power banks offer anywhere from half-a-charge to a couple of several charge cycles for your laptop though this depends on the laptop’s battery capacity. In any case, they’re a more elegant solution for staying on the go instead of camping from cafe to cafe; more than anything laptop power banks will finally allow you to take your laptop or work literally anywhere.
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Voltaic Systems - V250 Portable Laptop Power Bank
PROS
- Compatible with solar chargers
- Huge power capacity
- Hi-voltage laptop ports
- Built-in always-on convenience feature
- LCD screen shows remaining charge
CONS
- A bit thick and bulky
Specs:
- Capacity: 67,200 mAh
- Power Delivery: USB-C PD 45W
- Other Features: Compatible with solar charging
A disclaimer is in order, this laptop power bank isn’t solar-powered out of the box, it’s only optimized for solar charging, meaning you will still need to buy a solar charger for it. Those are cheap anyway so you’re golden if you have one of these laptop power banks.
The Voltaic Systems V250 has a huge power capacity and can charge most laptops up to three full cycles. They didn’t even need to make the capacity that big since the power bank is optimized for solar charging, but it’s still nice to have.
With a power bank like this (combined with a solar charger), you’ll never have to be confined to indoor establishments while working with your laptop. Of course, it’s mostly for work and should never be used for gaming.
Voltaic Systems - V250 Portable Laptop Power Bank
Anker 737 Power Bank
PROS
- Compact and easy to store
- Decent charging capacity
- Comes with its own compact extension cord
- 2-year warranty for connected equipment ($25,000 coverage)
- LCD screen displays charge info
CONS
- A bit pricey for its capacity
Specs:
- Capacity: 24,000mAh
- Power Delivery: 140W Output
- Other Features: Compact
If you don’t mind sacrificing some features and capacity, then the Anker 737 might be the more ideal option. It’s a cute and compact laptop and phone power bank that comes with its own compact outlet. This outlet also accommodates laptop plugs.
As far as charging capacity goes, it can complete one charge cycle for a MacBook Air (M1) and still have some spare left for a phone. It’s not really that impressive compared to the option above, but at least it won’t weigh down your backpack.
Anker 737 Power Bank
Arroe App-Enabled Laptop Power Bank 20000mAh
PROS
- Slim form factor
- Decent charge
- Good plug compatibility
- Solid app network
CONS
- Can mostly just charge laptops for one cycle
Specs:
- Capacity: 20,000mAh
- Power Delivery: USB-C PD 60W
- Other Features: Slim
If you value size more than performance (we’re still talking about power banks, by the way), then the Arroe laptop power bank might be the better contender. In fact, we’d wager it’s the best contender here when it comes to minimalism.
This power bank is no thicker than a Starbucks planner though it is quite wide. Still, you can easily slide it into the back pockets of a laptop bag with ease. Just be careful not to bend the thing. It also comes with different plugs for different manufacturers and brands so your laptop isn’t left out as long as it’s not too obscure.
Arroe App-Enabled Laptop Power Bank 20000mAh
Dell PW7018LC Notebook Power Bank
PROS
- Compact size
- Sleek design
CONS
- Can mostly just charge laptops for one cycle
Specs:
- Capacity: Unspecified
- Power Delivery: USB-C 65W
- Other Features: Compact
If you already have a Dell laptop, then you might want to opt for this one instead. It’s Dell’s own official laptop power bank, meaning it’s compatible with most of their products though you can also use it for other brands as long as the plug fits.
Since Dell didn’t specify its charging capacity, its strongest feature is its compact size since it’s not much bigger than a phone power bank. Thus, it’s fair to expect it to grant one charge cycle for a laptop.
Dell PW7018LC Notebook Power Bank
Imuto Power Bank
PROS
- Compact
- Comes with a plug
- Fast charging
- Affordable
CONS
- Thick
- Bad brochure and instructions
Specs:
- Capacity: 26800mah
- Power Delivery: USB-C 90w
- Other Features: Fast Charging, Compact
Despite being a budget option, the Imuto power bank is no slouch. It has enough charging capacity for one charge cycle and some spare for your phones. Its biggest strength apart from the compact size is the large power delivery that promises a complete charge for a 16-inch MacBook Pro in an hour and a half.
You no longer have to leave the device charging overnight because of this generous power delivery.
Other than that, the power bank comes with a separate extension plug if you have multiple devices that you need to charge fast.
Imuto Power Bank
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are laptop power banks safe to use?
They're about as safe to use as regular power banks. Just make sure they're not defective or have the proper plugs. -
How many charges do laptop power banks hold?
Typically, most laptop power banks can only provide one complete charge cycle for most laptops, depending on the laptop's battery. Some of the more expensive and bigger laptop power banks hold more charge cycles, of course.