Best for…
This is one of the smallest and lightest power banks we've tested. It features a powerful USB-C PD port and integrated USB-C and Lightning cables. But it loads slower than our other tips.
I need direction. With a dead phone battery, it's unlikely I'll be able to find the landmark right in front of my face, let alone find the way back to my accommodation.
That's why I always travel with a portable charger. And while I love the top picks from our guide—they're easy to slip into a backpack—on occasions when I'm determined to see some light, they can feel bulky with just my small purse that holds my wallet, keys, and phone.
In this case, a credit card-sized portable power bank is just what the doctor ordered—if the doctor is charging expert Sarah Witman, our intrepid guide to the best portable chargers. She found that the TravelCard Plus stood out for its impressively small and lightweight design. (It's slightly larger and about four times thicker than a credit card and weighs about the same as five sheets of notebook paper.) Plus, it's easy to use and has sturdy built-in cables.
However, what you gain in portability, you lose in performance. It's slow and unlikely to fully charge your phone (our top larger offerings can fully charge a phone up to three times). Still, in an emergency without a phone, all you need is a little juice.