A power bank for emergency use has one job: keep your phone charged long enough to matter. Most power outages last less than 24 hours. Even a modest 10,000 mAh bank can charge most smartphones 2–3 times — more than enough for most events.
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What to Look For
- Capacity in mAh — 10,000 mAh is a useful minimum for emergency use. 20,000–26,800 mAh banks provide 4–6+ phone charges and can charge tablets and small devices as well.
- Number of outputs — at least 2 USB ports lets you charge a phone and a second device simultaneously.
- USB-C compatibility — most modern phones and devices use USB-C. A bank with USB-C in and out is more versatile.
- Passthrough charging — the ability to charge the bank and a device simultaneously is useful.
- Durability — look for banks with good drop and splash resistance if the bank will be kept in a go-bag.
- Charge indicator — a clear charge level indicator (LED or display) lets you know when to recharge.
What to Avoid
- Banks that are never recharged before an emergency — build a habit of checking charge monthly
- Very cheap no-name banks with inflated capacity claims — independent reviews are the best guide
- Extremely large banks (60,000+ mAh) for go-bags — they're heavy; save high capacity for home use
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