Best Cheap Portable Chargers 2026: Top Budget Power Banks Reviewed
Quick Summary
- Best Overall: Anker PowerCore Slim 10K — slim design, reliable 10,000mAh capacity, and fast charging at a mid-range price
- Best Budget: iMuto 5,000mAh Mini Power Bank — ultra-affordable, pocketable, and perfect for topping up on the go
- Best Premium: Anker 737 Power Bank — high-capacity 24,000mAh with 140W USB-C for laptops and heavy users
Whether you are commuting, travelling, or simply tired of hunting for a plug socket, a cheap portable charger can be a genuine lifesaver. The good news is that in 2026 you no longer need to spend a fortune to get a reliable power bank — the budget market has matured dramatically, with solid options available from as little as £8. In this guide we have tested and compared the best cheap portable chargers available in the UK right now, covering a range of capacities, charging speeds, and form factors, so you can find the perfect match for your lifestyle and your wallet.
What to Look For in a Cheap Portable Charger
- Capacity (mAh): The milliamp-hour rating tells you how much charge a power bank holds. A 5,000mAh bank will top up most smartphones once; 10,000mAh will give you two to three full charges. If you carry a tablet or need multi-day backup, look for 20,000mAh or more.
- Charging speed: Look for USB-C Power Delivery (PD) or Quick Charge support if you want fast top-ups. Budget chargers often cap out at 10–18W, which is fine for overnight charging but slower than premium models that hit 30W or above.
- Size and weight: A 5,000mAh power bank can slip into a jacket pocket; a 20,000mAh unit is closer to a paperback book. Think honestly about whether you will actually carry it daily — the best charger is one you have on you when you need it.
- Number of ports: If you charge multiple devices simultaneously, check for two or more output ports. Dual USB-A plus a USB-C port is a versatile combination commonly found even on budget models.
Comparison at a Glance
| Product | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker PowerCore Slim 10K | £22 | Everyday all-rounder | ★★★★★ |
| iMuto 5,000mAh Mini Power Bank | £9 | Ultra-lightweight carry | ★★★★☆ |
| Anker 737 Power Bank | £110 | Laptop & heavy-duty charging | ★★★★☆ |
Our Top Picks
Anker PowerCore Slim 10K
The Anker PowerCore Slim 10K is consistently one of the best-selling portable chargers in the UK, and for good reason. At around £22, you get a genuinely slim profile (it is roughly the size of a large smartphone), 10,000mAh of capacity — enough for two to three full phone charges — and Anker’s reliable PowerIQ technology that automatically optimises charging speed for whatever device you plug in. It charges via USB-C and outputs through both USB-C and USB-A, making it compatible with virtually every device you own.
Pros
- Genuinely slim and pocket-friendly for 10,000mAh
- Dual outputs (USB-A + USB-C) for charging two devices at once
- Excellent build quality and Anker’s 18-month warranty
Cons
- Output limited to 12W — no true fast charging
- Takes around 4–5 hours to fully recharge itself
iMuto 5,000mAh Mini Power Bank
If you want to spend as little as possible while still getting a dependable portable charger, the iMuto 5,000mAh Mini is hard to beat at under £10. It is small enough to fit in a jeans pocket and weighs just 115g, making it one of the lightest power banks on the market. The 5,000mAh capacity will fully charge most modern smartphones once, which is exactly what you need in a pinch. It features a USB-A output port, a Micro-USB charging input, and a four-LED indicator to show remaining charge — everything you need and nothing you do not.
Pros
- Extremely affordable — one of the cheapest reliable options available
- Ultra-compact and lightweight for daily carry
- Simple, no-fuss operation with LED battery indicator
Cons
- Only one output port — cannot charge two devices simultaneously
- Charges in via Micro-USB rather than the more modern USB-C
Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)
For those who need serious power on the road — think frequent travellers, remote workers, or anyone carrying a laptop — the Anker 737 is a class apart. Its 24,000mAh capacity is enough to charge a MacBook Air once and a smartphone three or four times. The headline feature is its 140W USB-C port, which can fast-charge a compatible laptop in under an hour. It also boasts a bright LCD display showing exact battery percentage and wattage output, making it feel genuinely premium. Yes, £110 is more than our other picks, but it replaces the need to carry a laptop charger on short trips.
Pros
- 140W USB-C PD output — fast-charges laptops and phones
- LCD screen shows exact battery level and live wattage
- Three ports allow simultaneous charging of multiple devices
Cons
- Heavy at 636g — not ideal for lightweight daily carry
- Higher price point than typical budget power banks
Who Should Buy a Cheap Portable Charger?
Cheap portable chargers are ideal for students, commuters, and anyone who spends long stretches away from a power socket during the day. If your phone regularly hits low battery by mid-afternoon, a budget 10,000mAh power bank will solve that problem for the price of a couple of coffees. They are also brilliant for travel — keeping your maps, boarding passes, and messaging apps alive when you are exploring a new city or sitting through a long-haul flight.
Parents will find them invaluable for keeping children entertained on journeys, and outdoor enthusiasts should look at a slightly larger capacity (15,000–20,000mAh) to cover multi-day trips where mains power is not available. Even at the very budget end of the market, today’s power banks are safe, reliable, and well-regulated — so there is no reason to put off buying one.
Final Verdict
The best cheap portable charger for most people in 2026 is the Anker PowerCore Slim 10K. At around £22, it delivers a winning combination of slim portability, dependable 10,000mAh capacity, and Anker’s industry-leading build quality. If your budget is genuinely tight, the iMuto 5,000mAh Mini at under £10 is a brilliant little lifesaver for everyday use. And if money is less of a concern and you need laptop-level power on the road, splash out on the Anker 737 — it is worth every penny. Whichever you choose, you will wonder how you ever managed without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good capacity for a cheap portable charger?
For most people, 10,000mAh is the sweet spot — it provides two to three full charges for a typical smartphone and is compact enough to carry daily without much hassle. If you only need an emergency top-up, 5,000mAh is sufficient and usually cheaper. For heavy users or those carrying tablets and laptops, look for 20,000mAh or above.
Are cheap power banks safe to use?
Reputable budget brands such as Anker, INIU, and Ravpower are certified to UK and EU safety standards and include built-in protections against overcharging, overheating, and short circuits. It is best to avoid unbranded power banks with no safety certifications, particularly very cheap ones sold without any product description or brand name. Stick to products sold by established retailers and you will be fine.
Can I take a portable charger on a plane?
Yes, but only in your hand luggage — power banks must never go in checked baggage due to fire risk regulations. Most airlines allow power banks up to 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) without special permission, and up to 160Wh with airline approval. Always check your specific airline’s policy before you travel, as rules can vary slightly.
How long does a cheap portable charger take to recharge itself?
Budget power banks without fast-charging input typically take 4–8 hours to fully recharge via a standard 5W USB-A charger. Models with USB-C PD input can recharge significantly faster — a 10,000mAh bank with 18W input can be fully recharged in around 2.5 hours. Plugging your power bank in overnight is usually the most convenient approach for everyday use.
What is the difference between USB-A and USB-C on a power bank?
USB-A is the traditional rectangular port found on older chargers, while USB-C is the newer oval-shaped connector that supports faster charging and can be used for both input and output. Most modern smartphones, including iPhones from the iPhone 15 onwards and virtually all Android flagships, now use USB-C. If your device supports USB-C Power Delivery, choosing a power bank with a USB-C PD port will give you noticeably faster charging speeds.