The best power banks for hiking and camping (2023)

Some old-fashioned hikers might roll their eyes and groan at the suggestion of bringing a power bank on a hike. They'll moan about something like outdoors supposedly being about getting away from modern life. But don’t take any notice of that because a power bank can be as much a necessity as it can be a luxury on a hike.

For example, you might have your OS maps downloaded on your phone and that’ll need to be recharged if you’re to save yourself from getting lost. A power bank can also recharge your headtorch and other modes of lighting. Additionally, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to listen to music on a device, or boot up some cool camping gadgets at the site! A good power bank can be the star of any family camping trip; we think it's well worth investing in the right one.

Our Shortlist

Goal Zero Venture 75 – Best in test

RUGD. Power Brick – Best value

Zendure Supermini – Best compact power bank

Anker 521 PowerHouse – Best power bank for camping

Biolite Charge 40 PD – Best power bank for ultralight hiking

Here, we’re going to help you by recommending the best power bank options for outdoor endeavours. Your choice ultimately boils down to two options: a standard power bank protected by a dry bag, or a rugged power bank with a high IP rating. We've covered both – and thrown in a wildcard option for those who love a bit of luxury.

The best power banks for hiking and camping in detail

How to recharge your power bank

The easiest and fastest way to recharge power banks is by the same means you would with a smartphone. However, away from mains power, options are limited.

Small, portable solar panels are a solution. 5- and 10-watt solar panels are small enough to take with you on a hike, and many of them can be strapped to your pack so they charge devices while you walk.

By no means do these solar chargers achieve the same performance as a standard plug, but they are useful for keeping devices topped up.

BioLite and Goal Zero produce some of the best lightweight and robust solar chargers around. For example, their 10-watt solar chargers weigh about half a kilogram and can charge power banks or devices directly via a cable.

What to look for in a power bank for hiking

Capacity: A smartphone requires between 2500 to 3500mAh to recharge. On this basis, a 10,000mAh power bank will provide about three recharges, for example. Consider how much you’re going to use your device(s) when on a hike and how much charge they demand. You can get more recharges of a headtorch from 5,000mAh than you can from a smartphone, for example.

Toughness: Power banks with decent ingress protection are always more suitable for outdoor endeavours, particularly for those who have a habit of being rough on their gear. However, it’s not strictly necessary. Regular power banks can be smaller and have more capacity, which is appealing, and you can pair them with a dry bag or case for protection. It comes down to personal preference.

Size: Cramming as much capacity into as small a size as possible is one of the ultimate goals of a power bank. Some brands are better at this than others, but it’s also important to remember that tough power banks with good IP ratings are never going to offer the power to weight ratio of regular power banks due to all that extra protection.

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