This is a gear review about the best power banks for backpacking 2022.
These lightweight and portable battery packs for backpacking and camping allow you to keep all your electronics charged for several days.
For many people, it is a choice between taking the Best Portable Solar Charger for Backpacking or taking the Best Power Bank for Backpacking. Some people take both. Either way, keep reading about these lightweight power storage batteries.
Below I have brought together the best power banks for backpacking, that you can get your hands on right now.
Best Battery Packs For Backpacking 2022
The Best Battery Packs For Backpacking in 2022 are:
Best Power Bank 2022 – Overall
Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600
Weight: 20.8oz / 590 grams
Pros:
> Multiple Outlets – This portable charger comes with 4 outlets that you can use to charge your phone or anything you need to use while backpacking.
> Fast – The Anker PowerCore III Elite, charges your devices extremely quickly, so you don’t have to wait for ages for your devices to have battery life.
> Lightweight – This product is really lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
Cons:
> At 20oz it is quite heavy but not if you need a lot of charging power then the weight is worth it.
The Anker PowerCore III Elite Portable Charger has a 25,600 mAh cell capacity, which means it holds more power than a lot of portable chargers on the market. This product has two USB-C ports, with an 87W output, which is quite high for a portable charger, high enough to charge most laptop computers.
Hence, you charge your phone at the top speed, so you won’t have to wait around for your phone to charge. There are also two extra USB-A ports, so you could potentially charge four devices at once at the same time at a high speed.
With the Anker PowerCore III Elite Portable Charger, you have everything you need to charge whatever you need on your backpacking adventure. This portable charger will charge your phone and or even your computer no matter where you are.
This portable battery pack for backpacking will charge in about 3 hours which makes it perfect for thru hikers.
It comes with a travel pouch to keep it safe, while it is kept in your rucksack and also has a 18 month warranty.
This is the best portable battery charger for thru hiking, backpacking or traveling. If you going backpacking with a camera, phone, drone and other electronics, then this is for you.
Best Power Bank For Hiking 2022
Anker PowerCore II 10000
Weight: 6.9oz / 196 grams
Pros:
> PowerIQ 2.0 technology – The technology used in this device, will charge your phone at ultra-high speeds.
> Small – This is a small power bank that can easily fit into your hand and pocket.
> 8 LED lights – The 8 lights show how much power you have left in your power bank, which makes it more reliable and precise in how much battery is left.
Cons:
> Only one output – There is only one output port, which for most people shouldn’t be a massive issue.
The Anker PowerCore II 10000 has one port which means the 10,000 mAh power can focus on just one device, making it ideal for someone who is backpacking. The single port produces 18W of power, which means your device can charge at its top speed.
This power bank not only quickly charges your devices but can charge itself really quickly too. With a quick charge USB wall charger, this power bank can reach full battery in just 4 hours.
This is a very minimalist power bank, that is light enough to carry around. The Anker PowerCore II can fit easily in your hands or any small pocket to keep it safe, while you are moving.
This is a reliable power bank that will charge your chosen device quickly and effortlessly. It may look simple, but it works well and does everything that you need it to.
Overall, this is the best battery bank for hiking backpacking.
Best Lightweight Power Bank For Backpacking 2022
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Power Bank
Weight: 7.5oz / 208 grams
Pros:
> Portable – This power bank is one of the slimmest Anker power banks
> Simple – There are no added features on this device
> Affordable – This is a great option for someone on a budget
Cons:
> Battery – This power bank takes 6 hours to charge and can only charge your phone at most two times (depending on the make of your phone).
The Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Power Bank can charge your devices in just a couple of hours. Unlike other models on this list, this power bank isn’t compatible with quick charge, so charging your devices might take a little longer, but it can still charge your devices quickly.
This Anker PowerCore power bank is one its slimmest models, and only weighs 7.5 ounces. This is a slim and quite small power bank and can be easily carried around. It can be quite easy to forget where you put it as it’s so light, it can be unnoticeable.
This product has a decent battery and would be able to charge your phone fully two times before it would need to recharged itself. This is a very simple power bank that doesn’t have any other features. It has one port, so you can only charge one device at a time.
When you need to recharge your power bank, the Anker PowerCore Slim takes just under 6 hours to reach full power. This is a very portable charger that is lightweight and easy to carry around. It is a great option to throw into your back, just in case so you don’t end up with a dead phone.
Best Battery Pack For Thru Hiking 2022
Anker PowerCore 20,100 mAh Portable Charger
Weight: 12.5oz / 354 grams
Pros:
> 2 charging ports – This power bank comes with two output ports, which means you can charge two devices at the same.
> Design – Made with a protective shell that keeps the power bank safe and won’t scratch while it is in your bag.
> Versatile – The Anker PowerCore 20, can charge all types of phones and get them up to 50% within 40 to 50 minutes.
Cons:
> SLOW Charging Time – This power bank can take 10 hours to charge with a 2 amp charger, which is quite long.
The Anker PowerCore 20 is a compact and sleek power bank. This power bank can charge most phones from 0 to 50% in about 50 minutes max. It weighs only 12.5 ounces, as little as a can of soup.
With a 1 amp phone charger, this power bank can take 20 hours to charge, but with a 2 amp charger this power bank only takes 10 hours (overnight) to charge its battery.
This product can charge any device multiple times. The design of this power bank is very simple, yet the matt finish helps keep the surface free from fingerprints.
It comes with an inner metal shell that protects the LG batteries, and a polycarbonate outer layer gives you a smooth surface to look at that doesn’t scratch. This is the current portable battery bank that I use for thru-hiking. I used it on the 3 thru-hikes to date which is over 8000 miles of abuse while hiking.
Overall, the large battery capacity makes this one of the best battery banks for backpacking and thru hiking.
Best Waterproof Power Bank For Backpacking 2022
Dark Energy Poseidon IP68 Portable Charger
Weight: 11.2oz / 318 grams
Pros:
> Waterproof – This power bank is 100% waterproof and can be submerged in water and still keep working afterwards.
> 2 charging ports – There are two charging ports, so you can charge two devices at once.
> Charging – This power bank can charge your phone 3 to 4 times to 100%.
Cons:
> Different charging rates – The two ports have different charging rates, so one port charges much faster than the other port.
The Dark Energy Poseidon IP68 Portable Charger is a tough power bank that can survive tough conditions. This is a very durable power bank, it is military graded and completely waterproof.
If you fall or drop this product in water, it will survive and still work like new. The USB cable that is provided is also wrapped in a paracord nylon strap and has a carabiner for added protection. Nothing is going to affect or damage this charger.
There are two charging ports that put out 3.4 amps, which can charge virtually any USB-powered device. Including your phone, GPS devices, and Bluetooth speakers.
You’ll be able to charge your phone to full power about 3 to 4 times before the power bank needs to be recharged. When the Dark Energy Poseidon Portable Charger needs to be recharged this will take around 5 to 6 hours to complete.
Yet overall, this is a very heavy-duty charger, which is great for anyone who is known to be clumsy or if you are backpacking through difficult terrain. Also with an added flashlight, this power bank is ideal to have when you are in an emergency.
Overall, this is the best waterproof battery bank for backpacking, canoeing, or use in the outdoors.
Best Battery Bank For Ultralight Hikers 2022
Nitecore NB 10000
Weight: 5.9oz / 167 grams
Pros:
> Ultralight – Weighs only 5.9oz which makes it superlight.
> Carbon Fibre – Lightweight and strong material.
> This power bank can charge your phone 3 to 4 times to 100%.
Cons:
> Only 10000mAh- Enough for shorter trips only.
The Nitecore NP 10000 is an ultralight battery bank for backpacking and thru-hiking. With only 10000 mAh of battery capacity, it is enough for most people on shorter backpacking trips.
It features carbon fiber to keep the weight light and the strength high. Not only is it strong and light but it is efficient at charging your phone when out hiking.
Overall, this is one of the best battery banks for ultralight hikers wanting to save every gram possible but still be able to recharge their phone.
Buyer’s Guide
If you are going on your next backpacking trip you might want to consider purchasing a power bank. You don’t really want to risk your phone running out of battery and then if something goes wrong there is no way to get in contact with someone to help you.
There are a few things you should consider when buying a power bank. Below we have put together a list of key elements that you need to consider when buying a power bank for backpacking.
Weight
Most power banks are quite slim now and therefore quite light. You want something that is easy to carry around. You want to be able to throw it into your bag or a pocket and for it to be quite noticeable.
Capacity
You need to consider how often you will be using the power bank on your backpacking trip. You’ll also need to consider what devices you will be taking with you and often you expect to be charging them.
It is important to buy a power bank with a large enough battery so that when you do need to charge your hiking camera, phone or ipad, you know that your power bank can handle it.
You don’t want to get into the third day of your backpacking trip and find that you can’t charge your devices again because the battery of the power bank isn’t big enough to make it through the rest of your trip.
Always try to have a larger battery capacity than what you think you will need. You’d rather have some power left than barely making it through the journey.
The capacity of your power bank is important, because you never know when you may need your phone and if you can’t charge it because your power bank doesn’t have enough battery, you could end up in trouble.
Ports
It does depend on how many devices you intend to take with you and will need to be charged. For a lot of people, one port is enough as they only use it for their phone. While if you bring multiple devices then two or more ports may be needed.
The number of ports a power bank has can be a good and bad thing. You could take turns to charge devices, if your power bank only has one port, but sometimes it is easiest to charge multiple things at once.
It is up to you, but sometimes 2 ports is better than 1, especially if you need two devices charged quickly.
Input And Out Charging Speeds
The faster you want your devices or the power bank to charge, then results in a faster battery pack input and output rates. It would be ideal to have a quick charging power bank, so then there is less waiting round for devices to charge.
Makes of phones all take different amounts of time to charge, as do different makes of power banks. What you want is something that can charge at a reasonable length.
The power bank is known for taking a while to charge, but ideally you would want to be able to charge it overnight, so then it is ready to take with you during the day.
It is important to look into the input and output charging times, because not everyone wants to wait hours for their phone to charge and not everyone can wait 10+ hours for their power bank to charge. You need to find charging speeds that are reasonable for you.
Conclusion
We have given you a list of the best power banks that you can use on your next backpacking trip. You want something that is durable and will be able to keep you connected to the world, in case something goes wrong.
You want to be able to rely upon your power bank to charge your devices as quickly as possible. All of the power banks we have mentioned above, will get you through your next backpacking trip easily.
Overall, the best power back for backpacking and hiking on the market in 2022 is the Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600.
And the best ultralight power bank for backpacking is the Nitecore NP 10000.
Other worthy lightweight powerbanks:
Frequently Asked Questions
The longer the trip the more mAh you will need. For a one day of backpacking, you will need a power bank with 10,000 mAh. However, if your trip is for multiple days then you need a power bank with 20,000 mAh.
They are a great way to recharge devices when you are far away from a wall outlet. They can charge any USB charged device and help keep you connected for emergencies.
Yes, solar power banks allow you to constantly recharge your power bank, which means it can last for much longer during longer trips. However solar power banks are on the higher end of the market, so not ideal for someone on a budget.
