It’s hard to imagine going anywhere without your smartphone, but until someone invents a battery that never runs out, you’re going to find yourself low on battery at some point, especially if you’re out for a particularly long day. And it’s not like power socket grows on trees, so once your device runs out of battery, you’ll probably be left with a useless brick that won’t power on.
Enter the humble power bank: portable, versatile, and accessible, a power bank can save you from battery anxiety by allowing you to carry around an extra power source in the unfortunate event that your devices run out of battery when you need them most.
The concept sounds simple enough, but with the myriad of options on the market, selecting the perfect power bank that fits your needs can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the best power banks to help you deal with your power-hungry devices.
From high-capacity powerhouses to sleek, pocket-sized chargers, there’s sure to be something for you here!
Editor
Grace L. chevron_right
Table of Contents
How Do I Choose A Power Bank For My Phone?
Basically, you’ll have to consider these criteria depending on your own preference.
- Capacity
If you’re looking for several charges from your power bank, you’ll benefit from one with a bigger capacity; going on a trip with minimal luggage would require a small yet lightweight power bank; having multiple devices means you’ll have to consider the power bank’s compatibility and number of ports.
- Weight
You may have to make sacrifices of one for the other. For example, a high-capacity power bank will definitely be bulkier than a smaller one, but smaller power banks have more portability.
- Price
Here, our power banks range roughly between RM50 - RM200. Considering their features and performance, you can select one that fits your budget and strikes a balance between reliability and cost.
What Did We Test Power Banks For?
For this list, we selected some of the bestselling power banks in Malaysia and tested them according to the below criteria:
- Capacity (mAh or Wh)
Capacity is one of the most critical factors in a power bank, as that is what determines how much power it stores and how many devices/times you can charge with it. In Malaysia, most power bank capacities are measured using milliampere-hours, more commonly written as mAh.
The most common power bank capacity found in Malaysia is 10,000 mAh, which should be enough to fully charge a standard smartphone twice. There are also power banks that have capacities as low as 5,000 mAh to as high as 50,000 mAh.
However, do note that paper capacity often differs from actual usable capacity, the latter of which may sometimes be lower due to energy conversion loss, battery degradation, and the charging efficiency of your device. Therefore, for our review here, we prefer to use the advertised capacity as a point of reference only and focus on the actual usable capacity rather than the nominal capacity alone.
- Charging speed (input and output)
There are two kinds of charging speed here: output, which is how fast the power bank charges another device, and input, which is how fast the power bank itself recharges. Both of these are important to consider when it comes to choosing a power bank. After all, it would defeat the purpose of convenience if you had to wait five hours for your power bank to recharge, wouldn’t it?
As most smartphones offer fast charging nowadays, you’ll need a power bank (and cable) that has the same output to fully make use of the feature.
- Size and weight
Portability is another crucial factor when it comes to selecting your dream power bank. Pockets are small enough as they are, and you definitely don’t want to lug around a huge purse just because you might need some backup power.
Then again, the smaller the power bank, the smaller the capacity. Therefore, we assess the size and weight of each power bank along with its capacity to see which one strikes the best balance between compactness and capacity.
- Durability and build quality
Like all your other devices, you’ll probably want your power bank to be hardy and durable. We test the power banks against accidental drops and general daily wear and tear.
- Compatibility
How many devices could a power bank charge if a power bank could charge devices? That’s the question we ask for every power bank that falls victim to our editor. From smartphones and tablets to earbuds right up to laptops, these power banks have been through a lot…
- Extra features
Who doesn’t like a multitasking device? In an ideal world, we would have one device that can do practically anything we need in our day… wait, that’s a smartphone. Let’s try this again: in an ideal world, your power bank would not only be able to charge your phone, but also wireless charging, in-built cables and flashlights, multiple ports, solar charging, mop your floors, and do the dishes.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, so the power banks in the list below will not come with all these features at once. They do feature some, though keep in mind that more features = a bulkier power bank.
Top 8 Power Banks in Malaysia
Why It's Our Top Pick?
Considering a fast-paced life in the world of technology, the UGREEN power bank will save your day. Its portable feature will let you carry it around without interrupting your work or your leisure time while on the game.
Who is this for?
Portable and equipped with fast-charging technology and high-temperature protection, this power bank can last up to 500 cycles. With its universal compatibility, we recommend this product for those in search of a good power bank for daily use.
What to know?
Delivering powerful charging, this product from UGREEN has everything you need in a power bank – portability, longevi,ty and capacity. This pocket-sized power bank also has a built-in type-C cable which simplifies the charging process.
The other two output options also make this power bank universally compatible as long as there are USB-A and USB-C cables. Thanks to its fast-charging technology, you’ll be able to get your smartphone fully charged in just a little over an hour!
Key info
- Built-in Cable: Type-C
- Input Port: USB-C
- Output options: 3 ( x2 USB-A, x1 USB-C)
- Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
- Weight: 181g
- Dimension: 4.1 x 2.1 x 0.8 inch
- Warranty: 12 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
You can’t go wrong with UGREEN when it comes to mobile or laptop accessories. The brand came through with this particular power bank that is palm-sized and comes with a built-in cable.
The only downside for this is that it’s a little thicker than we’d like it to be, but otherwise, the UGREEN 20W PD QC 3.0 Fast Charging Power Banexceedsed expectations in terms of power and speed. The built-in cable comes in USB Type-C and supports fast charging speeds of up to 20W.
Apart from the in-built cable, it also sports another two USB-A ports and a USB Type-C port, which makes the power bank universally compatible with pretty much all devices, including iPhones. The power bank also recharges relatively quickly, making it a great daily companion.
Who is this for?
If you are on a budget but also in need of a power bank, this power bank will do the job. It can fully charge an average of two smartphones on every full charge, making it a great power bank for daily use.
What to know?
As a 10000 mAh power bank, the design of this power bank is thin and more compact as compared to other models. Capable of charging three devices simultaneously, this PINENG PN-961 efficiently charges your mobile devices and saves you time.
Key info
- Output: 2 USB-A
- Input Ports: 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning)
- Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
- Weight: 220g
- Dimension: 145.5mm x 72.8mm x 14.3mm
- Warranty: 12 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
The Pineng PN961 is pretty much identical to the PN886 above, just without the wireless charging function. It’s a great no-nonsense, affordable power bank that does everything you need a power bank to do.
While lacking some fancy features like inbuilt cables or flashlights, it makes up for the abundance of ports. It has two USB-A output ports, a micro-USB input port, and a USB Type-C port that can do both, which means you can pretty much charge it and your smartphones with any kind of cable.
The PN961 is the same size, weight, and dimensions as my Galaxy S22, which makes it a decently portable device that’s also easy to hold.
Who is this for?
If you carry multiple power-hungry devices around with you all the time, this 20000 mAh power bank is made for you. Its built-in cable makes charging easier, especially since it can fully charge a mobile phone more than three times.
What to know?
Most people have more than one device, so having a power bank with the ability to charge all of them at the same time would be useful. This Baseus Power Bank can do just that, thanks to its 20,000 mAh capacity, built-in cable, and a healthy amount of ports!
Key info
- Input Ports: 2 (x1 USB-C, x1 Lightning port)
- Output: 3 (x1 USB-A, x1 USB-C, x1 in-built USB-C cable)
- Built-in Cable: Type-C
- Battery Capacity: 20000mAh
- Weight: 360g
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
This 20,000 mAh power bank is large, and bulky, but cute, with the ability to charge up to three devices at the same time. For extra portability and convenience points, it also comes with an inbuilt cable that also doubles as a strap!
As a purple lover, I did not hesitate even a minute when choosing the color: of course, I’d go with the purple one, which did not disappoint. You can also choose between Type-C or iPhone Lightning for the inbuilt cable – but since it also comes with two other output ports (x1 USB-A and x1 USB-C), you needn’t worry about compatibility.
The inbuilt strap itself is pretty durable, which has to be as it also doubles as a carrying strap for the power bank. It is made of flexible TPE and has yet to suffer fraying or breakage after a solid two months of use. It also supports up to 22.5W fast charging, as is loudly proclaimed on the front of the power bank.
The Baseus power bank has a large LED display on the front that displays its current battery level, which makes it easy to see at a glance how much juice you have left. 20,000 mAh was enough to last through three and a half full charges of a Samsung Galaxy S22.
On to the cons; this power bank is thick, large, and heavy. It’s not something that can fit in a small purse unless that is all you want to bring with you on your day out. This is due to its large capacity, which also means that it takes a pretty long time for it to fully recharge: approximately three and a half hours, in our tests.
Who is this for?
The KUULAA Mini PD 18W Power Bank works great as a last-resort emergency backup power source on a day trip or shopping trip. It’s tiny, lightweight, and ultraportable, designed to attach to your phone without all the bells, whistles, and cables!
What to know?
The KUULAA Mini PD 18W Power Bank is small enough to fit in a small pocket and barely takes up any space in your purse. It attaches right to your phone as well, so you needn’t worry about dangling wires!
This power bank also recharges quickly thanks to the 18W Quick Recharging, so it can be ready for you whenever you need it.
Key info
- Input Port: USB-C
- Built-in Output Plugs: 1 (Type-C or Lightning)
- Display: Digital
- Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
- Dimension: (L) 81mm x (W) 28mm x (H) 50mm
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
No joke, I fell in love with the KUULAA Mini Power Bank almost as soon as I got it out of the box. It is just so tiny and cute, which makes it ultra-portable — all you need to do is attach it to your phone, and you can still use your phone as normal while it gets juiced up. No more trying to awkwardly hold two slabs!
Even though it’s really small, the KUULAA mini power bank still has an LED screen that tells you how much power it has left. The input port is Type-C, and you can choose between Type-C or Lighting for the output plug, which comes on the power bank itself complete with a little cap, so you don’t need an extra cable.
But here’s the catch: it only has a 5000 mAh capacity, so it doesn’t hold much power at all. It can’t even fully charge my Galaxy S22; the mini power bank ran out of battery at around 84%, whilst it was plugged in at 19%.
Since the rated capacity is so low, I wouldn’t recommend it for longer trips. This would be more suitable as an emergency backup power source if you’re on a day trip or just out shopping.
Who is this for?
The Samsung 10,000mAh Power Bank is on the pricey side, but considering it’s a Samsung original accessory, you’re getting guaranteed quality and warranty. If you’re already using Samsung devices, we recommend getting this; in fact, non-Samsung devices can be used too!
What to know?
Despite the slim and lightweight design, this Samsung power bank has a capacity of 10000 mAh, fully charging a device around 2.5 times, depending on the device’s capacity. Other than the fact that its simultaneous dual-port charging output is reliable, it also takes a relatively shorter and quicker recharging time.
Key info
- Input Port: USB-C
- Output options: x2 USB-A
- Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
- Weight: 220g
- Dimension: (D) 14mm x (W) 71mm x (H) 141.8mm
- Warranty: 6 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
The Samsung 10,000 mAh Power Bank is pretty much the standard definition of a power bank. Slim, sleek, and no-nonsense, it does what a power bank should do, nothing more, nothing less.
Compared to some of the others in this list, the Samsung 10,000 mAh Power Bank is pretty basic, lacking some of the showy features like an in-built flashlight and cables, but the one thing it does not skimp on is power. This is the only 10,000 mAh power bank that could charge two Samsung phones and have a little leftover for my earbuds. With two output USB-A ports, it can charge up to two devices at the same time.
It’s also very nice to hold, despite being as large as my phone itself, thanks to the matte coating on the surface of the power bank and the slimness. All in all, a pleasant standard power experience.
Who is this for?
If you need to recharge your devices often, we recommend getting this power bank because of its capacity. There is no need to worry about either your phone or your power bank running out of battery.
What to know?
The large capacity of this PINENG PN939 power bank is reasonably sized for its large capacity. It can charge plenty of devices with its two USB-A output ports. Unfortunately, the PN939 does not come with an in-built cable, but it does have a battery indicator that tells you how much power it still holds. With the 20,000 mAh capacity, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice anytime soon!
Key info
- Input Ports: 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning)
- Output: x2 USB-A
- Battery Capacity: 20000mAh
- Weight: 420g
- Dimension: 160mm X 78mm X 22mm
- Warranty: 12 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
PINENG is also yet another pretty well-known brand for its no-nonsense power banks. The PN939 has a massive 20,000 mAh capacity that is advertised to be able to charge laptops as well.
Well, in our experience, that didn’t quite happen, the primary reason being laptops need compatible cables as well as chargers, and the cable that came with the PN939 is not one of them. My laptop needed a 27W power adapter, something which the PN939 did not have, so it ended up going the other way around: my laptop charging the power bank.
That said, I also try charging a Chromebook with the PN939, and that worked, even though the charging was slow. Other than that, 20,000 mAh is enough to pretty much charge up to 5 phones, though you can only do two simultaneously since there are only two USB-A output ports.
In terms of recharging, the PN939 understandably takes a considerable amount of time, given its capacity. It took a little under three hours for us to fully charge the device, but it managed to last up to four days charging two phones daily, so that was a decent exchange.
Who is this for?
This is a decently affordable wireless power bank if you don’t mind the extra steps to get to wireless charging. It’s also decently slim and lightweight, making it a great power bank for those frequently on the go.
What to know?
With a wireless launcher and two USB-A outputs, this power bank is compatible with all devices with Qi wireless charging. The Pineng PN886 also comes with a battery protection IC to prevent overcharging or short-circuit incidents.
Key info
- Output: 3 (x1 Wireless Launcher, x2 USB-A)
- Input Ports: 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning)
- Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
- Weight: 260g
- Dimension: 123mm X 66mm X 12.5mm
- Warranty: 12 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
As far as a power bank goes, the Pineng PN886 is pretty much standard: 10,000 mAh, two output USB-A ports, and an LED screen indicating battery level and other information. What makes it special is the wireless charging pad on the front, which allows you to charge Qi-compatible devices wirelessly, including smartphones and wireless earbuds.
In practical use, though, we found the wireless charging function on the PN886 a little finicky. That’s because it doesn’t charge automatically when you place your device on the charging pad. To activate the wireless charging function, you had to double-click the power button and quickly put your phone on the pad. It also took a while to perfectly center the device so that it lines up with the charging pad and starts charging, which is pretty time-consuming, if not annoying.
This could be a great safety feature, but honestly, I could do without it. If I had to find something good to say about the wireless charging on the power bank, it’s that it has a ring of rubber around it so your device doesn’t slip off the power bank easily, which can happen as the power bank is slightly narrower than a standard smartphone (Galaxy S22 in our case).
Apart from the annoying wireless charging function, though, the PN886 works perfectly well as a normal power bank. It can fully charge a little under two phones and takes about two hours to get back to full charge.
Who is this for?
Those tired of wire-bound charging would enjoy using this wireless power bank, especially with its quick charging feature and compact design. Well-developed with safety controls, this Aukey PB-WL02 is by far the best wireless power bank for mobile devices.
What to know?
This power bank is designed to achieve the best practicality one can have — made with wireless charging as its main output port, it comes with a phone holder and a stand. Not only can it support your phone while charging, but you can also use your phone to watch videos while charging.
Equipped with Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3.0, this power bank from Aukey can charge compatible devices up to four times faster than normal charging. Its design is also made to be held easily and to fit well in your pocket.
Key info
- Output: 3 (x1 Wireless Charging Stand, x1 USB-C, x1 USB-A)
- Input Port: USB-C
- Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
- Weight: 242g
- Dimension: 155mm x 75mm x 15mm
- Warranty: 24 months
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
This Aukey Wireless Power Bank is great for those who cannot live without their phones. With a built-in stand and phone holder, it allows you to still watch movies on your phone while it’s charging, or simply just have a nice place to prop your phone up if you’re too tired to hold it up yourself!
Fancy stand aside, the Aukey Wireless power bank can charge up to three devices at a time: one wirelessly, and two through the USB-A and USB Type-C ports on the side. The Type-C port also doubles as the input charger for the power bank itself.
Design-wise, this Aukey power bank looks sleek and sensible, but it’s a little prone to fingerprints especially if you have sweaty hands. Even though it’s a little large in dimension, it’s slim and lightweight enough to be easily pocketable.
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| Product Name | Baseus Power Bank | UGREEN Fast Charging Power Bank | KUULAA Mini Power Bank | Samsung Dual Battery Power Bank | PINENG PN-939 | PINENG PN-886 | PINENG PN-961 | Aukey Fast Charging Power Bank |
| Input Port(s) | 2 (x1 USB-C, x1 Lightning port) | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning) | 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning) | 3 (x1 USB-C, x1 USB-Micro, x1 Lightning) | USB-C |
| Output Port(s) | 3 (x1 USB-A, x1 USB-C, x1 in-built USB-C cable) | 3 ( x2 USB-A, x1 USB-C) | 1 (Type-C or Lightning) | x2 USB-A | x2 USB-A | 3 (x1 Wireless Launcher, x2 USB-A) | x2 USB-A | 3 (x1 Wireless Charging Stand, x1 USB-C, x1 USB-A) |
| Capacity | 20000mAh | 10000mAh | 5000mAh | 10000mAh | 20000mAh | 10000mAh | 10000mAh | 10000mAh |
| Weight | 360g | 181g | - | 220g | 420g | 260g | 220g | 242g |
| Where to Buy |
FAQ
How do power banks work?
A power bank lets you deposit electrical energy into it to be used for later when needed. These batteries are designed with a special circuit to control power flow into your devices. The special circuit ensures that the right amount of power goes into your devices, and stops when your devices are fully charged. This way, your devices will not overcharge and cause a short circuit to happen.
How long do power banks last?
Assuming that you use them almost every other day, a power bank should last you between 1 to 2 years in mint condition. Its wear will certainly show once in a year of regular use. Still, these power banks won't be very unusable.
User experiences will vary, such as the ports being loose for your cables to plug-in. This will affect charging your devices efficiently especially if you're one to just toss the power bank charging your device into your bag for freewill (without a storage compartment to restrict movement).
At the same time, as with most tech uses, charges won't be as full as they used to be. You'll find that the power bank's capacity may be cut to as little as a quarter or even half the usual. This is due to the chemical reaction in rechargeable batteries, whereby the more charging cycles it goes through, the more "crystals" it forms inside. That leads to less efficiency in holding more charge (and passing into your device).
Is using a power bank bad for your phone?
You may have heard of the rule to not use your phone (or any other device) when it's charging. This is because when electricity flows into your device, heat is generated naturally. And when you use your phone, heat is also...generated.
By using your phone while it's charging, it'll cause even more heat to generate in your phone and thus, the action will risk frying your phone or even yourself. In short, it's like asking for your phone to be fried slowly. Even if today's phones are made with more heat-resistant materials, they are still prone to burns that can potentially cause a fire. Plus, today most power banks come with overcharging protection features.
Can you charge power banks overnight?
Back then, we would say no. However, with today's advanced technology, you can. The simple answer is that today's power banks (and phones) are commonly built with smart protection in the form of "trickle charge". It works such that the device will self-discharge once the battery's capacity is full. This charging protection feature is also coupled with extra support such as high-heat resistant materials.
Tips for Faster Charging
Here's an insider tip from us: charge with a shorter (and high-quality) cable!
This is because the longer the cable, the more power is lost during the power transfer to your device. In short, charging cables have electrical resistance on them, and the longer they are, the more resistance! For reference, anything below 15cm is good.
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