How to Choose the Best Power Bank for Your Laptop
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Find the best laptop powerbank for your laptop. Learn how to safely charge your laptop with a portable charger and compare different options of laptop power bank.
Can You Charge a Laptop with a Portable Power Bank?
Yes, you absolutely can—but not with just any power bank. Charging a laptop requires significantly more power than charging a phone. While your smartphone might only need 18W for fast charging, most laptops require 45W to 100W, depending on the model. A standard power bank with a USB-A output simply won't cut it. To safely and efficiently charge a laptop with a portable charger, you need a high-output laptop powerbank that supports USB Power Delivery (PD), ideally with support for PD3.0 or PD3.1.
Lightweight laptops like the MacBook Air, Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, and HP Spectre are designed to work with PD-compatible USB-C power banks, typically requiring at least 45W to 65W for regular usage. For high-performance models—especially those used for creative work or gaming—you'll need 100W or even 140W output.
What Features Should You Look for in a Laptop Power Bank?
Are you feeling overwhelmed when choosing a laptop power bank? Let's take a look at what you should pay attention to.
Power Output (Wattage)
This is the most critical spec to consider. Your laptop computer power bank must match or exceed your laptop's charging requirements:
|
Device Type |
Recommended Output |
Notes |
|
MacBook Air / Ultrabook |
45W–65W |
65W power bank offers fast charging for ultra laptops and is gradually becoming the mainstream charging device for this type of laptop. |
|
MacBook Pro 13/14/ other high-performance lightweight laptops |
65W–100W |
100W supports up to 90% of high-performance lightweight laptops. This type of power bank usually has PD3.0 output capability. |
|
High-performance laptops (MacBook Pro 16, RTX, M2 Max, gaming rigs) |
100W–140W |
140W power bank can provide fast charging for higher-performance and high-power laptops, with some of these power banks supporting full-speed output with PD3.1. |
A good power bank for laptop use would better support USB PD at these levels. Most 65W models are great for lightweight devices, while 100W+ models are better for power users.
Capacity (mAh)
More capacity means more charges but also more weight. For laptop charging:
Convenient choice: 20,000mAh (can usually give 1 full charge to light laptops)
Recommended: 25,000mAh to 30,000mAh (usually covers 1.5+ charges or larger battery laptops)
Real-world battery life note: Laptops with large-capacity batteries require more power, and don't forget to factor in the power lost during charging when calculating the capacity of a power bank. For example, a MacBook Pro 16" has a battery capacity of 100Wh. A 26,800mAh / 99Wh power bank's theoretical energy approaches the MacBook's capacity, but significant energy losses occur during charging (due to voltage conversion, cabling, and device circuitry). In practice, such a power bank will likely deliver around 80-90Wh of usable energy to the laptop, translating to roughly 80-90% of a full charge for the MacBook Pro 16".
Port Selection
A premium laptop powerbank should offer:
- At least one USB-C PD port (output of 65W/100W/140W)
- USB-C input for fast recharge
- USB-A output for phones and other accessories
- Some high-end models also include multiple USB-C ports for charging two laptops simultaneously (load balancing supported)
Fast Recharge & Pass-through
Laptop power banks that support fast charging input can be charged in a short time using a compatible PD wall charger. Some also support pass-through charging (charging devices while the power bank itself is charging), but this feature should be used cautiously to avoid overheating.
Size & Portability
Choose based on your mobility needs:
- Frequent traveler? Look for slim 20,000mAh, 65W models under 500g
- Creative professional? Consider 100W/140W models even if they're bulkier
What Portable Chargers Work for MacBooks?
Not all power banks are Mac-compatible. If you're using a MacBook—especially a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro—it's essential to choose a portable Mac charger that:
- Supports USB PD with the right wattage
- MacBook Air: 65W
- MacBook Pro 14": 100W
- PD3.1 Full Speed Charging for MacBook Pro 16": 140W
- Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable with an E-Marker chip for high-wattage charging
- Has enough capacity (≥20,000mAh recommended)
Apple Compatibility Tip:
Most modern MacBooks are fully compatible with USB-C PD standards. Avoid cheap, uncertified cables or power banks, which can lead to slower charging or even port damage.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Buying a Laptop Power Bank?
Focusing Only on mAh: Capacity (mAh) matters, but wattage (W) is crucial for laptops. A massive 30,000mAh bank outputting only 18W won't charge most laptops at all.
Skipping USB-C Power Delivery (PD): Ensure the power bank supports USB-C PD. Ports without PD can't deliver the higher voltages (like 20V) laptops require.
Using Non-E-Marked Cables: For high-wattage charging (60W+), you need USB-C cables with E-Marker chips. Standard cables can't safely handle the power and will limit charging speed or fail.
Underpowering Your Device: Match the power bank's output wattage to your laptop's input requirement. A 30W bank charging a 96W MacBook Pro will result in extremely slow charging or battery drain during use.
How Do You Safely Charge a Laptop with a Power Bank?
Use Certified PD Gear: Always use USB-C Power Delivery (PD) certified chargers and e-marked cables rated for your laptop's wattage. Avoid uncertified or damaged equipment.
Match Power Specifications: Confirm your laptop's required input voltage/amperage (e.g., 20V/3A = 60W) and ensure your power bank's USB-C PD output meets or exceeds this rating. Underpowered banks cause slow charging or drain.
Minimize Heat During Charging: Avoid running CPU/GPU-intensive tasks while charging via a power bank. Heat buildup can trigger thermal throttling, reduce efficiency, and stress batteries.
Ensure Proper Ventilation: Place the power bank on a flat, hard, non-flammable surface away from fabrics or bedding. Avoid covering it to prevent overheating.
Use Direct USB-C Connections: It would be better not to use USB-A to USB-C adapters for laptop charging. USB-A ports lack PD negotiation and cannot deliver high-wattage power (> 18W) safely.
What Are the Best INIU Power Banks for Laptops?
Looking for a reliable brand for your laptop power bank? INIU offers top-rated, PD-compliant options:
INIU P62-E1 65W 20,000mAh Laptop Power Bank
World’s Smallest 65W 20,000mAh Power Bank: Just 4.3×2.8×1.1 in (TinyCell® + HyperStack® tech)
65W Laptop Fast Charge: Powers MacBook Air & ultra laptop
Charge 2 Devices at Full Speed: Dual USB-C (65W max) + USB-A port
All-Gear Compatibility: Charges laptops, phones, and tiny devices like AirPods
38M+ Trusted Safety: Backed by a 3-year warranty
INIU P63-E1 100W 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank
30% Smaller, Airline-Approved: Compact 25,000mAh capacity (FAA-compliant)
100W Super Fast Charging: Juices up most ultra laptops in minutes
3-Device Simultaneous Charge: 2*USB-C + 1*USB-A ports
Week-Long Adventure Power: Ideal for travelers, photographers & creators
Universal Compatibility: Phones, tablets, laptops via USB-C/USB-A
3-Year Warranty: Industry-leading after-sales service
INIU P64-E1 140W PD3.1 Power Bank
140W Hyper-Fast Charging: support PD 3.1 full speed charging
Pro-Grade Power: Fuels high-demand gear like high-performance laptops, drones, Vision Pro, Steam Deck and more
Massive 25,000mAh Capacity: Airline-safe multi-device charging
Triple-Port Flexibility: Charge 3 devices via 2*USB-C + 1*USB-A
38M+ Verified Safety: 3-year warranty
These models are ideal if you're seeking a good power bank for laptop performance with airline-safe capacity, compact size, and strong compatibility.
Charge in Flash. Easy to Carry
To reliably charge a laptop with a portable charger, focus on output wattage, PD compatibility, and build quality. Your choice matters: the wrong laptop computer power bank may not charge your device at all, or worse, may damage it. The right one will keep you productive and mobile no matter where you work.
Explore INIU's trusted lineup of laptop power banks, and power your day with confidence.