Heading off on a vacation? It’s easy to forget about boring things like charging solutions, but when you’re away from home, keeping your devices juiced up is both more important than usual, and more difficult than usual. I speak from experience — I’ve found myself in one too many foreign city after a long day of exploring, trying to memorize Google Maps directions to a hotel while my phone battery dwindles alarmingly into the red.
This year, though, I’ve decided to get myself prepared, and avoid all that stress by arming myself with the right travel gadgets. Luckily, at TechRadar our reviews team members have tested dozens of charging gadgets of all kinds, and below I’ve rounded up our top recommendations for travel.
I’ve included a mix of options here. There are plug-in charging stations that will let me juice up multiple gadgets at once if I end up in a hotel room with limited power outlets (or it’s a foreign socket and I’ve only brought one plug adaptor). There are also plug-in or MagSafe power packs that I can keep in my bag for charging when out and about. I’ve also thrown in a couple more specialized options: a foldable pad that can juice up three different Apple devices at once, and a 6-port beast that can handle charging power-hungry laptops and tablets — ideal while working while on the go.
I’ve included a handy specs comparison table at the bottom of the page, and if you want to dig into more options, we have separate, dedicated guides to the best wireless chargers and the best power banks. Bon voyage!
Top travel chargers
Why’s it good for travel? This is our very favorite charger overall, and it’s very well-suited for travel. Charging is super-speedy and there’s a good number of ports (four in total) for juicing up multiple gadgets at once. The mini robot styling, complete with changing facial expressions, isn’t strictly necessary, but who doesn’t want a bit of extra friendly company when they’re away from home?
Pros
- Super-fast charging
- Fun display and emojis
- Four ports including USB-A and USB-C
Cons
- Not the cheapest charger on the market
- Display could be a touch brighter
Why’s it good for travel? We called this “the ultimate on-the-go charging solution”. There’s a wireless charging pad, a speedy USB-C port, and an integrated USB-C cable, and it’s compact, high-quality and charges fast. If you can stretch to the higher price, it’d make a superb travel buddy.
Pros
- Reliable performance
- Great build quality
- Integrated cable and USB-C port add flexibility
Cons
- Can get a little hot
- Price may be a turn-off
Why’s it good for travel? An integrated, retractible USB-C cable means you don’t have to worry about remembering to bring an extra cable or remember where you’ve put it. It’s a generous length, which is helpful if your power outlet isn’t optimally placed. In our tests, charging was impressively speedy, too.
Pros
- Convenient retractable cable
- Strong overall performance
- Compact build
Cons
- Multi-port power distribution won’t suit all
- In-built cable doesn’t support Samsung Super Charge 2.0 45W
- Non-foldable prongs on UK model
Why’s it good for travel? This palm-sized, fold-up, wireless charger is perfect for traveling Apple fans. It unfolds to offer up charging modules for an iPhone and AirPods, plus a certified Apple Watch fast-charging module. It also turns into a landscape stand for your iPhone.
Pros
- Light-weight and travel-sized
- Good iPhone and Apple Watch charging speeds
- Can charge Apple Watches with loop bands
- Turns into a landscape stand for iPhone
Cons
- Tricky to take phone off charge one-handed
- Moves on surfaces easily
- It’s pretty pricey
Why’s it good for travel? This compact power bank has an integrated, retractable charge cable — ultra-helpful if you’re traveling about and don’t want to have to remember a separate one — and a handy cord to clip on a backpack or belt loop.
Pros
- Convenient retractable cable
- Useful display
- Solid overall performance
Cons
- Not enough wattage for more power-hungry devices
- Could recharge a little faster
- Thermal throttling can prevent peak performance
Why’s it good for travel? If you have a MagSafe device you want to keep powered up, this slimline Anker power bank is a great choice. It’s well-built, the charging is speedy, and the grip is strong enough that you won’t have to worry about it dropping off.
Pros
- Charges fast
- Strong magnetic grip
- Slim for a 10K battery
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- On the pricey side
Why’s it good for travel? It’s overkill for casual travelers just looking to juice up their phone and earbuds, but if you’re working on the go, this charge station is an excellent choice. It has the most power-out ports of any featured in this list (four USB-C ports and two more USB-A) and packs a hefty output of 200W, making it suitable for power-hungry devices like laptops.
Pros
- Six speedy charging ports
- High build quality
- Great value
Cons
- No Anker app compatibility
- Lacks any kind of display
Why’s it good for travel? This Qi2 charger is light in weight, compact in size and has a reinforced power cable that won’t mind being shoved into your luggage. The magnetic grip is secure and it’s perfectly possible to keep using your phone while it’s charging. If you just have one MagSafe device to charge, it’s a great choice.
Pros
- Easy to hold
- Robust power cable
- Reassuringly secure magnet
Cons
- Integrated power cable
- Slides around on surfaces
- Not as comfortable to hold as some alternatives
Specs compared
