Best cheap power banks for 2024

Power banks are essentially big rechargeable batteries with built-in USB ports – but their flexibility and portability make them one of the most useful accessories you can carry.

Capable of topping up everything from phones and tablets to wireless headphones, they offer significant peace of mind when you need to keep your gadgets alive. A good power bank is perfect for topping up charge on weekends away without plug sockets, keeping your devices alive on long journeys or just providing some extra juice in an emergency. And they needn't cost the earth, either – below we round up some of the cheapest power banks we've tested, and explain what to consider before you buy.

Go straight to the best power banks we've tested to find out which models impressed our experts.

Best power banks under £20

We regularly find decent power banks for £20 or less – including the occasional Best Buy. The best cheap power banks are quick, efficient and versatile. Models with larger capacities, measured in mAh (milliamp hours), have more cells inside the outer casing. This makes them more expensive – so we don’t tend to see high capacity power banks in this price range. 

Table last updated April 2024

Best power banks under £30

While our tests show time and time again that price is no guarantee of quality, there are some fantastic models available if you’re willing to spend a little more.

Notably, we start to see some very good 20,000mAh power banks in this price range, with plenty of power to charge smartphones, tablets and handheld games consoles. Below are three of the best mid-priced portable power bank chargers.

Table last updated April 2024

What should you watch out for when buying a cheap power bank?

• As a rule, cheap power banks tend to be on the slower side, both when charging the power bank and using it.
• Consider capacity vs portability – do you want to slip something into a pocket that has enough juice to charge a phone, or keep a range of gadgets going for a whole weekend? The smallest power bank we’ve tested capable of fully charging a smartphone is 5,000mAh.
• Larger power banks are generally more expensive, but they’re often better value in terms of mAh for every pound spent.
• Useful features like ‘pass through charging’, which allows you to charge your power bank from the mains while it’s in use, start to appear even in budget models.
• Be wary of suspiciously cheap models from unknown online brands – shoddily constructed power banks without the right safety features have been known to overheat, or even explode.

Still unsure what kind of power bank is right for you? Visit our page on the best power bank for more information.

Looking for more good value, affordable tech? See our guide to the best cheap laptops