There’s nothing worse than realizing that you forgot to put your phone on charge the night before. Or, when venturing out of your house for the day with barely any battery left. If you’ve been in that situation before, you’ll know exactly how it feels.
A power bank can be a lifesaver when you have no power left on your smartphone or tablet. Power banks are also convenient to have if you’re going out for the day and don’t have access to a charger. Regardless of what you’re doing, a power bank can make your life much easier and a lot less stressful.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the best power banks currently on the market in the United Arab Emirates. There are some unique things to consider when buying a power bank in the UAE, which we’ll run through in the next section.
Quick Summary: Our Top 6 Power Banks in the UAE
Rank | Product | Capacity | Key Features | |
1 | Anker PowerCore Select | 20,000mAh | · Best overall power bank · Fast Charging (18W) · Sleek black design · Well known brand · 18-month warranty · 7 iPhone 8 charges |
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2 | Anker PowerCore+ | 26,800mAh | · Best premium power bank · Largest battery capacity · PowerIQ 3.0 Fast Charging technology · 45W rapid laptop charging · Excellent safety features · 18-month warranty · 6 iPhone X charges |
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3 | Charmast Portable | 23,800mAh | · Best fast charging high capacity power bank · Quick Charge 3.0 technology (18W) · Charge 4 devices simultaneously · Portable design · 5 iPhone 11 charges |
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4 | Charmast Compact | 10,400mAh | · Best compact power bank · Weighs 187g · Credit card sized · iSmart technology for faster and more optimized charging · 3.5 iPhone 8 charges |
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5 | Oxsaytee Solar Powered | 25,000mAh | · Best solar powered power bank · Solar powered charging – no outlet needed · Dustproof and splashproof · Multifunction LED · 7 iPhone 8 charges |
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6 | Charmast Wireless | 10,000mAh | · Best wireless power bank · Wireless Qi charging · Suction cup design to keep phone in place · Strong battery protection features · 3 iPhone 8 charges |
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Things to Look for in a Power Bank
There are several key things to look out for when buying a power bank in the UAE. Before you order the first one you come across, take a moment to learn about which factors and specifications make a power bank worth buying.
Below are six of the key areas you should consider before making a purchase.
Battery Capacity
Needless to say, the power bank’s battery capacity is perhaps the most critical factor to consider. There’s no point in buying a small capacity power bank if you intend to charge your phone multiple times throughout the day. Likewise, if you need to charge a larger device, like a laptop, you’ll need a power bank with plenty of juice.
Battery capacity is rated in milliamp-hours (mAh). The higher the mAh rating, the more charges you will get from the power bank. Most power banks have a capacity of at least 10,000mAh, which is pretty decent and will charge most standard smartphones two or three times. There are some much larger capacity power banks available though, typically with around 20,000mAh of capacity or above. These beefier power banks have enough power to charge smartphones five or six times before running out of power and needing to be recharged.
The power bank’s battery capacity is something important to keep in mind if you need to charge your device several times per day. For example, if you know you’ll be away from a place where you can charge your devices at the wall, a higher capacity power bank will be a smart choice. This is especially true if you want to charge several devices, like a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop, all off one charge.
Number of Ports
The number of ports the power bank has is pretty important if you want to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Most power banks have at least two USB charging ports, although some only have one. You will find some power banks with four or more charging ports, allowing you to simultaneously charge several devices.
Always double-check how many devices can be charged at the same time. This is critical to check because some power banks have two outputs but are only capable of charging one device at a time.
In addition to the number of ports, it’s a good idea to check what type of ports the power bank has. Most have USB 3.0 quick charging ports, allowing you to charge your devices exceptionally quickly. Others will have standard USB-A ports, and some will have USB-C ports. Make sure the ports match the devices you have; otherwise, you may need to purchase adapters at an additional cost.
Finally, when it comes to ports, the power output is another essential factor to consider. The power output of a port is usually measured in Amperes (A). You’ll also see Watts (W) mentioned. This is another measurement of how quickly and how much charge is delivered. The higher the amperes or watts, the faster your device will charge.
Quick Charging
Today’s technology is way more advanced than in the previous decades in many areas, including charging. Quick Charging (QC) — also sometimes known as fast charging — allows your device to charge much faster, assuming the device supports quick charging. You’ll also need to check whether the power bank supports quick charging — most power banks on the market in the UAE do.
It’s important to choose a power bank with quick charging if your phone supports it, as the difference in speed between regular charging and fast charging is significant. A fast charger will charge your device’s battery to between 50% and 80% capacity within 30 to 60 minutes, at most. A standard charger can take up to 2 or 3 hours to fully charge a phone’s battery.
You may be wondering why a fast charger only charges up to 80%. It does this to protect the battery; it will charge the last 20% at a slower rate to protect the battery and prolong its life.
Battery Protection
Battery protection is another major thing to look out for, as you don’t want to damage the batteries in your devices — especially as most batteries can’t be removed these days and cost a lot to replace. You’ll find that most power banks provide some degree of protection for your batteries while charging.
The most common types of protection you’ll see include overcharge protection, short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, and overheating protection. The last point is especially important for those of us in the UAE who charge our devices when out and about, as outdoor temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius in the summer months. Of course, inside air-conditioned buildings, that isn’t much of an issue.
If you see that the power bank has an intelligent smart chip, it will include some form of protective mechanism that is designed to keep your batteries safe.
Size and Weight
Depending on your specific needs, you may want a small and compact power bank that’s easy to carry around with you. Some power banks are the size of a credit card, making them easy to carry in your trouser pocket. When it comes to portability, the battery capacity usually suffers in exchange for the power bank being smaller and more compact.
On the other hand, a larger and heavier power bank will typically have a lot more battery capacity. That said, even the most powerful power banks are still a reasonable weight and size. You can expect most power banks to be under 500g in weight, with some of the smallest ones weighing just under 200g.
Additional Features
Last but not least, the additional features of the power bank. You may want a power bank that does more than just charging your devices. For instance, you may want a power bank that includes an LED flashlight for when you’re walking about at night or searching for something in the dark.
Another feature you may want from the power bank is a digital display that shows you how much remaining power the power bank’s battery has. Or, you may want a power bank that has wireless charging; thankfully, there are both wireless power banks and solar-powered power banks available on the market in the UAE. The latter is especially useful if you’re spending the day out in the sun, away from any power outlets.
The 6 Best Power Banks in the UAE
We’ve searched high and low for the best power banks in the UAE. The following six power banks are the best power banks when it comes to power, features, and price. There’s a power bank to suit everybody’s needs on our list, no matter your budget or requirements.
#1: Anker PowerCore Select 20,000mAh Power Bank (Best Overall Power Bank)
Anker is a well-known brand in the world of batteries and chargers. They produce some high-quality products, and the PowerCore Select is another excellent device from Anker. This reasonably priced power bank provides plenty of charging capacity, with an impressive 20,000mAh battery that’s powerful enough to charge an iPhone 8 seven times or a Galaxy S10 five times.
Thanks to using PowerIQ 2.0 technology, this power bank can fast charge your devices at 18W. There are two USB-A output ports, and the product comes with a USB-A to Micro USB cable in the box. Compared to some of the other chargers, it does have fewer ports. But, for the price, it still offers excellent value for money and is a great all-rounder.
The sleek black design is easy to handle and unlikely to slip from your grasp or fall off a table. This is important, as dropping power banks can cause serious damage to the battery. It also weighs just under 350g, making it light enough to carry around in a small bag or large pocket.
The MultiProtect and VoltageBoost technologies help protect your device’s battery while maintaining optimal charging, so you can leave your devices on charge without worrying about them being damaged. It takes just six and a half hours to fully charge the power bank, which is reasonable considering the large-capacity battery.
As mentioned, Anker is a well-known brand that manufactures great quality products. This power bank comes with an 18-month warranty, giving you peace of mind should the device fail for any reason.
#2: Anker PowerCore+ 26,800mAh Power Bank (Best Premium Power Bank)
Another fantastic product by Anker, the PowerCore+ is the bigger and more powerful brother to the PowerCore Select. It has a massive 26,800mAh battery capacity, which is the largest in our lineup of power banks in the UAE. That capacity is enough to charge an iPhone X six times, a Samsung Galaxy S9 five and a half times, or a MacBook Pro or Dell XPS once.
In addition to having a huge amount of capacity, the PowerCore+ can also charge a laptop up at full speed thanks to its 45W USB-C output port. There are an additional two 15W USB ports that have been designed for optimal charging of smartphones and tablets. The PowerIQ 3.0 technology allows for optimal high-speed charging of all your handheld devices.
This product comes with a wall charger that allows for rapid charging of the power bank. You can charge this power bank’s battery from zero to full in under three and a half hours. A travel pouch and a USB-C cable are also included in the box.
There’s also no need to worry about the safety of the batteries in your devices, as the PowerCore+ incorporates some useful protective mechanisms, such as temperature control, high voltage protection, and current regulation, among others.
As with Anker’s other products, this power bank comes with an 18-month warranty for peace of mind. It is the most expensive power bank in our lineup at over AED 300, but there’s a reason for that: it’s a superior, premium quality product.
#3: Charmast 23,800mAh Portable Power Bank (Best Fast Charging High Capacity Power Bank)
If you’re in the market for a high capacity portable power bank that also has fast charging, this might be the one for you. It has an impressive 23,800mAh battery capacity, which is slightly less than the Anker PowerCore+ — the major difference here is the price, though. This Charmast power bank is less than half the price of the Anker product, making it fantastic value for money.
You’ll be able to charge your iPhone 11 up to five times with this power bank. In addition to plenty of charges, this power bank can also charge your devices up to four times faster than a regular power bank. That’s pretty impressive and very useful for people who need to charge their devices in a hurry.
The Quick Charge 3.0 technology allows your phone to reach 80% battery capacity in just 30 minutes using 18W charging. What’s more, you can charge up to four devices at the same time as there are two separate input ports and four separate output ports. Combined with the high capacity battery, this power bank can charge four smartphones at the same time and still have enough juice left for another charge.
The sleek and thin design looks great and is easy to carry and handle. Weighing 386g means it’s not too heavy to carry around. It also has an intelligent chip that monitors the power and ensures that there’s no short-circuiting, overcurrent, and overvoltage so that your device’s battery stays protected.
This is an excellent choice if you value fast charging and need multiple charges between recharging the power bank.
#4: Charmast 10,400mAh Compact Portable Power Bank (Best Compact Power Bank)
Another product from the popular brand Charmast. This power bank has a lower capacity at just 10,400mAh; however, that’s still enough to charge an iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8 two and a half times, or an iPhone 8 three and a half times. When you consider its compact size, that’s pretty impressive.
On the topic of size, this compact and portable power bank is the size of a credit card. Pretty cool, right? It also weighs just 187g, so you’ll hardly feel it if you carry it around in your pocket. Even with the small size, Charmast has incorporated an LED display that shows how much charge the power bank has left. That’s a handy feature if you’re not sure about when you can next recharge the device.
There are two USB 3.0 ports that both support quick charging; however, you can only quick charge one device at a time, so bear that in mind. iSmart technology means faster and smarter charging of your batteries. The optimized and efficient charging process prolongs your battery’s health and lifespan. You can also charge the power bank in just three and a half hours by using the quick charge 3.0 adapters.
Finally, this small device features plenty of safety features designed to protect your battery, including overheating, overcharging, and excess current protection.
If you’re looking for an ultra-small yet powerful power bank, you can’t go wrong with this great product.
#5: Oxsaytee 25,000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank (Best Solar Powered Power Bank)
Here we have the Oxsaytee 25,000mAh solar power bank. As you’ll have guessed from the name, this power bank is different from all the others. That’s right; it is solar-powered. It features four large solar panels that are foldable, with all of the panels putting out a combined 1A of current. These are high-quality panels designed for more efficient and faster solar charging. The fact that it’s solar-powered means you don’t need to be at a plug socket to recharge the power bank; this is great if you’re using it outdoors.
Speaking of outdoors, this power bank has a leather cover and protective USB lid, designed to be splashproof and dustproof. If you like to spend time out in the sand dunes or at the beach, this could be an excellent contender. Especially considering we’re not short of sunlight in the UAE.
There are two high capacity lithium polymer batteries inside of this power bank, with a combined 25,000mAh capacity. This will allow you to charge an iPhone 8 seven times! There’s also dual charging, which allows for simultaneous charging via the 2.1A high speed charging ports.
The smart integrated chip intelligently charges your devices by optimizing the current. It also provides good protection from overheating, overvoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits. In addition to all of that, this solar-powered power bank features a multifunction LED light with four modes: stable light mode, SOS mode, quick flash mode, and off.
If you’re somebody who likes to travel a lot and may not have access to an electrical outlet, this Oxsaytee power bank is an excellent choice, especially if you need to charge more than one device.
#6: Charmast 10,000mAh Wireless Power Bank (Best Wireless Power Bank)
Last but not least, we have the Charmast wireless power bank. As with the previous product, this power bank is unlike the others. It offers wireless Qi charging — no cables needed! At 10W of wireless charging, your devices will be topped up in no time. You can also charge the power bank itself rather quickly using a cable, as it charges at 18W.
While 10,000mAh isn’t the most impressive battery capacity in the world, it’s decent enough to charge an iPhone 8 up to three times on one charge. You can connect your devices to this power bank with either a type C cable or through the USB 3.0 port, depending on your needs.
One common issue with wireless chargers is that it can be difficult to get them to charge, as the phone and the coil in the charger must be aligned properly. Charmast has thought long and hard about this issue, and they have a simple yet effective solution. They decided to incorporate anti-slip suction cups, which keeps your phone in place while it’s charging. This feature also stops your phone from falling off and being damaged, which is a good safety feature.
To charge this wireless power bank from empty, it’ll take around three and a half hours using a USB 3.0 charger. There’s no need to worry about battery damage to your phone, as this power bank has overvoltage, overcharging, and other protections built-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take a power bank on a plane in the UAE?
Yes, according to the latest regulations, you can take a power bank and other small batteries on a plane provided it’s taken on in your carry on luggage. However, you are forbidden from taking power banks and other batteries in your cargo luggage, so you’ll need to keep them with you at all times.
Do power banks lose charge over time?
Power banks do lose charge over time, although it’s at a relatively slow rate. A good quality power bank will hold its charge for between 3 to 6 months. A lower quality power bank may lose its charge in as little as 4 to 6 weeks. Regardless, so long as you top it up every so often, this won’t be much of an issue.
How long does a power bank take to charge a phone?
The answer to this question depends on several factors; for example, the size of your phone’s battery, the output of the power bank, and the type of charging. A quick charger will charge an average-sized phone battery in under 60 minutes, whereas a regular power bank will charge a phone in around 2 hours.
Do power banks stop charging when full?
All of the power banks on the market in the UAE these days will stop charging when they have fully charged your devices. The same is also true for charging the power bank itself. As you can see from our list, they all incorporate safety features that prevent overcharging and other issues that can damage your batteries.
Is it safe to leave a power bank in a car?
We would not recommend leaving a power bank inside of a car unattended, especially in the UAE. The hot temperatures are intensified by the car’s glass windows, making the inside of a car extremely hot. Heat can reduce the power bank’s capacity, in addition to being a safety risk. Hot batteries can explode, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and take the power bank with you.
Summing It Up
As you’ve now seen, there are plenty of excellent power banks to choose from in the UAE. No matter what you need it for or how much money you have to spend, there’s a power bank to suit your needs.
While most power banks will do what you need them to do, you may want one with special features, such as quick charging or multiple outputs. Be sure to first consider what you need before making a purchase. Our handy list of things to look out for can help make your decision much easier.
With a power bank, you can stay charged up and connected, even when you’re on the go!