But Nimble's use of bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging at least reduces the environmental impact where it can be reduced. They use lithium, cobalt, and other rare metals whose supply chains are environmentally and socially questionable at best. Batteries are not environmentally benign. The other reason we like Nimble best is because of its environmental efforts. There's also a smaller version with a 5,200-mAh capacity that tops out at 15 watts. The Pro version is bigger but doubles the capacity (to 20,000 mAh) and has a similar design with two USB-C ports that go up to 65 watts.

It feels durable, comes in a snazzy new range of speckled color finishes, and has a bright lanyard loop that makes for easy carrying and helps you pick it out of your backpack. While Scott used the original for years, the new version has only just landed, but so far, so good. It's smaller than a deck of cards and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end. At 6.2 ounces, it's one of the lightest on the market. The Nimble Champ topped this list for years, and now its successor is taking over by combining everything that made the original so good and bringing some welcome improvements. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated April 2024: We added power banks from Raycon, Sharge, and Fans Dreams, among others, removed several sold-out or discontinued chargers, and updated prices throughout. Be sure to check out our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for Apple-specific portable chargers, and our Best Portable Power Stations guide if you need more power. But even if you're not living in an off-grid solar setup, good power banks will come in handy. This obsession started when Scott Gilbertson lived off-grid in a vintage RV, powered primarily by solar panels. To help, we've spent years working our way through all of them. There are hundreds of portable battery packs, and picking one can be confusing. But if you keep a battery-powered portable charger handy, all those situations are a thing of the past. Portable devices have a Murphy’s law–like ability to run out of power at the least convenient moment: as you step on the bus, right in the middle of an important meeting, or just as you get comfortable on the couch and press Play.

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