(2020 UPDATE: I no longer recommend this product! More information at the end of the article.)
As a bike tourer who prefers wild camping off the grid, I need a good solution for powering my electronics. Lots of methods are fine for phones and other USB devices, but a laptop - especially a Mac - is more challenging.
Zendure SuperTank Portable Charger. Capacity 27,000mAh or 100Wh Connectivity USB-C, USB-A. With the power 30000mah, you can charge mobile, laptop, MacBook, tablet, and can run portable refrigerator as well. This Power Banks molded with ABS+PC material and have 3 USB port with a Lighter Socket to enhance its uses for multi purposes.
- RAVPower official website offers compatible power banks, GaN tech chargers, innovative wireless chargers, wall charger and car chargers as well as durable long-lasting cables at factory direct prices; all backed up by first class customer support to millions around the globe.
- BatPower ProE 2 EX7B Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank for Apple MacBook Pro MacBook Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB Ports Fast Charging for Tablet and Smartphone -98Wh 4.0 out of 5 stars 51.
- Sep 27, 2020 For example, the MacBook Pro 13” and MacBook Air require 61 watts of power. The MacBook Pro 15” requires 87 watts, and the new MacBook Pro 16” requires 96 watts of power. All of them use a USB Type-C cable and come with AC adapters for home use. More on the power requirements of the MacBook pro here. So which power banks are the best for.
I couldn't do photography and blogging properly without some extra equipment with me. Besides the obvious DSLR, a laptop is also necessary for storing and processing my images. I prefer a MacBook Air for its excellent battery life, light weight and reliability. To power it, I considered all three main alternative sources of electricity on a bicycle tour:
- Wheel hub dynamos
- Solar panels
- Power banks
Right away it was clear that a dynamo would never be enough for me. I just don't cycle enough per day, and may stop to camp and take photos for several days or even a week. So it couldn't power anything when I need it the most. I didn't even bother finding out if there was an option available that could somehow supply power for the MacBook.
Solar panels were my main choice for a while. I've used a couple small ones before, and although those weren't very good, the technology has come a long way. Plus solar has a 'cool factor', which is very tempting. What kind of environmentally aware nomad wouldn't want to harness the green power of the sun? After some research, I had my eyes on the GoalZero Sherpa 100. It comes with a 20W panel and, more importantly, a battery with AC output that I could plug the Mac into.
While that probably would've worked, and been a true off-the-grid solution, there are many downsides. At $500 and 2kg (4.4lbs), it's expensive and heavy. With a capacity of only 8800 mAh, it wouldn't have charged my laptop to even 100% due to transfer loss. Also refilling the battery takes a long time, and I'd have to constantly adjust the panels to be facing the sun. And they may attract thieves - my last solar panel was stolen off a bike pannier while I was drinking coffee at a gas station. Ultimately not an ideal solution.
Finally I turned to power banks. After plenty of googling, I found the best one to be the Maxoak 36000 mAh K3 version. Compared to the solar option, it's much cheaper, smaller, half the weight, holds 4x as much power and doesn't require daylight, good weather, or frequent care. The only downside is I do need to plug it into a wall outlet. Fortunately those are easily available at any café, restaurant, tourist info, hotel lobby, or gas station I might take a break at.
The device has one 16.8V/3.5A output for charging Macs with either T or F Magsafe adapters, one USB-C output, and two regular 5V/2.1A USB outputs. There are four LED lights that tell you how much charge is remaining (0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, and 75-100%). And the package comes with a small pouch for storage. It takes about six hours to charge from zero, which is a bit of a wait, but still pretty good considering the huge capacity. For me in practice, that would mean either charging overnight at a camping ground (in the odd case that I stay in one), or doing smaller refills as needed.
So how much is 36000 mAh? That's enough to recharge my Android phone a dozen times, which means maybe two weeks of normal/heavyish use, or a month of light touring use. My 2014 MacBook Air, which has a much bigger battery, can be recharged from zero to 100% twice, meaning about a week or more of photo editing and blogging in my tent. This is plenty for my needs. The device also works with a MacBook Pro - but make sure your version is compatible from the Amazon site, regardless of the type of Mac you have.
I should mention there was a problem when I ordered this from Amazon. I was actually sent the K2 version, which is a Maxoak 50,000 mAh power bank for Windows laptops. To the credit of the seller however, they apologised, let me keep that one and immediately sent the correct MacBook version instead. While that added a little extra hassle and another two weeks of delivery time, it goes to show the seller is dedicated to fixing any issues fairly. Which is always a plus. I then proceeded to sell the K2, so even this mistake finished with a very nice discount in my favor!
In addition to the phone and laptop, this can even charge my camera via a USB charger for Nikon DSLR batteries. As well as the USB rechargeable headlamp that I carry. Uad plugins torrent windows 7. So it's a nice all-in-one solution.
The only issue is the size. This kind of capacity doesn't come in a small package, and the 1kg (2.2lbs) weight can be a lot to carry around. But if I want the added freedom of working anywhere, there's just no way around the extra weight.
Overall, this is exactly what I need on my bike trip and I'm happy to recommend it.
2018 update on USB cables:
After traveling and using this for a year, I still have no complaints. The Maxoak is one of my favourite pieces of equipment and has saved me countless times. Also my travel partner, who is notoriously bad with charging her devices, often relied on my power bank to keep some of her devices charged as well.
There is one issue that I didn't really consider in this article: USB cables. The quality of your USB cable has a considerable effect on your use of this or any other power bank. Because if the cable is in poor condition, it can lose much of the power in transmission. That means it will draw the same amount of power, but only a percentage gets to your phone or other device.
When you use USB cables, especially on the road, they twist and turn and wear out until the connection is not great anymore. I notice this when my phone stops and starts charging while being plugged in, which is when I replace the cable. Some USB cables charge slower than others, even when brand new. So don't buy the cheapest cable you find, because chances are it will charge inefficiently. As a rule, the shorter and thicker the cable, the better. You can read more information here.
Feb 2020 UPDATE:
USB cables weren’t the only thing causing disruptions in charging. One of the actual USB ports itself loosened enough that current wasn’t flowing through unless there was pressure on the cable from the right direction. This still wasn’t a major issue, since the other port remained in working order for some time. Until that one also came loose, sometime after the end of my bike trip under much easier conditions.
This made the power bank much more difficult to use. I basically couldn’t charge on the road, since the device had to be perfectly still in order to work. When I asked Maxoak customer service about this issue, the emails I received were very unprofessional - curt almost to the point of being rude. After they asked me for the original order number, the reply was: “You did not buy our products. I have confirmed that you may have bought a fake K3.”
Now, what with Amazon being full of fake products and copies, this may be true. But since I didn’t receive any more information that would confirm this, I can’t be sure. Maybe they were just covering for a fault in the manufacturing. I asked which is the real K3 then, and received no reply, so I also can’t link to an actual product here.
Either way I couldn’t recommend a company with customer service so bad they can’t even send decent emails. Furthermore, I’m tired of supporting the whole Amazon beast and Jeff Bezos empire. So I’m just going to remove all Amazon affiliate links from this website and order my things from stores that aren’t riddled with fake reviews and fake products, and that actually pay their employees living wages.
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Even when I’m out of the station, I remain connected to my work. Hence, I carry my MacBook Pro wherever I go. One more thing I never fail to carry is a high-capacity charger to not let the laptop run out of steam. Purely based on portable design, robust battery, and reliable performance, these are my best USB-C power banks for new MacBook Pro.
#1. RAVPower
RAVPower is an absolute beast. Boasting a huge 20100mah battery, the external charger offers plenty of extra charge to the notebook.
It powers up your MBP fast and with needed efficiency. There are four LED indicators to let you easily keep a track on the power status. With advanced circuit design, it offers complete security against short circuit or overcharging. Beyond safety, RAVPower has a small and compact design that makes it ultra-portable.
USP: High efficiency
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#2. Anker PowerCore
Anker PowerCore+ excels in providing fast charging solution and comes with a 13000mAh battery that delivers consistent performance. The external charger has incorporated PowerIQ and VoltageBoost to juice up your notebook at top-notch speed.
It features a pretty small design and can easily slip into even a tiny pocket. Aluminum body with the matte finish has an ergonomic design to offer better grip. With the multi-project system, it ensures threats like short-circuiting, low voltage or overcharging remain away. Lastly, PowerCore comes with the 18-month warranty.
USP: Multi-protect system
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#3. Zendure
With 20100mAh capacity power bank from Zendure, you can charge your MacBook Pro almost 1.5 times. 45W USB-C with 3A provides high-speed charging for your beast. Besides, you can charge your iPhone as well as it supports both. The best part is that it is TSA approved so that you can carry it on the plane without any issues.
The power bank is equipped with premium quality batteries, maintaining 95% power even after six months of standby. It is undoubtedly one of the best USB-C Power banks for MacBook Pro. Lastly, the company also offers two color options: Black, and Silver.
USP: High-quality batteries that don’t drain the power when in standby
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#4. iMuto
With the monstrous 30,000mAh battery, iMuto is a powerful external charger. The Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Technology helps it charge supported devices 4x faster than a standard charger.
The 3A output is good enough to charge your device at a decent speed. There is a power button to let you easily start and end charging. The digital screen shows the remaining power, while an advanced protection system keeps your device safe while charging. Furthermore, iMuto comes with the 12-month warranty.
USP: Monstrous battery
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#5. FDGAO
Why settle with a powerbank that can charge only your Macbook Pro? Get yourself 10000mAh FDGAO powerbank for multiple use. It has USB-C output to power up your Macbook Pro, while it also has wireless charging station. You can use it to charge your iPhone X or other models with wireless charging capabilities.
The power bank has built-in safety features to avoid short-circuit, overcharge, overcurrent, or overheating issues. Overall, the product is slim and lightweight enough to carry it around while travelling.
USP: Wireless charging support
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#6. Zendure A6PD
Zendure A6PD power bank has you covered from all aspects. The high-capacity 20100mAh battery can deliver 45W output, which is enough to turbocharge, your notebook and other compatible devices.
Apart from a USB C port, it also features an efficient 2.4A port that can come handy in charging other devices. One notable feature of this charger is that you can juice it up while powering up other devices.
Due mainly to the rugged construction, it can endure accidental falls. Additionally, A6PD is backed by 24-month warranty.
USP: 45W output
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#7. MAXOAK
MAXOAK is for the folks who want to have tons of extra juice to keep the notebook charged up all the time. The massive 36000mAh battery charges your laptop with lightning fast speed. You have four USB ports (including Type-C) to keep all of your devices powered up.
Integrated with smart IC chip, this external charger offers the maximum safeguard to your MBP from common hazards like overcharging and overcurrent. Therefore, you will always remain worried free about the safety of your device. Aside from highly secure charging, MAXOAK is supported by a reliable 18-month warranty.
USP: Durable built-up
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#8. AUKEY
AUKEY’s power bank is highly appreciated for providing a reliable charging solution. Empowered by a humongous 30000mAh battery, it is capable of offering a lot of charge to your laptop.
The inclusion of AiPower charging technology enables it to provide safe charging. It also supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology to charge supported devices with lightning fast speed. The external charger comes with high-efficiency synchronous IC to improve battery lifespan. Past the features, AUKEY is available with the 24-month warranty.
USP: High efficiency synchronous IC
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#9. Charmast
The quality that stands out in Charmast is high-efficiency. It’s lashed with a pretty robust 20800mAh battery that excels in charging your device at a rapid speed. The intelligent port quickly identifies your notebook and offers suitable charging.
It also resists threats like overvoltage so that the laptop has the required defense at all hazards. With the lightweight and compact design, you have the desired convenience while carrying the charger. Besides, Charmast comes in multiple colors like black and silver.
USP: Smart port
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
#10. Omars
Omars presents a customized USB-C power bank for your MacBook. Unlike other tasteless power banks, this one is stylish and ultra-portable. Look at its deep blue soft-touch case that comfortably fits in your hand with its rounded edges.
Omars has used lithium-ion batteries to give you a product that is safest to use. Following other safety measures, this power bank protects your device from overcharge. Omars has used advanced short-circuit protection for complete protection of your devices.
USP: Stylish & ultra-portable
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
BONUS
Power Bank For Mac
ZeroLemon
If you are a frequent flyer and like to continue working on your Macbook Pro, ZeroLemon is the powerbank you should have. It has a huge 30000mAh battery to keep your device alive almost all the time. The power bank also features enough safety measure to protect Macbook from charging related issues.
Besides that, there are five additional USB ports to charge your iPhone or any other gadget. Given the capacity and number of ports, this one is slightly bulky but maybe perfect for people who work while travelling for hours.
USP: Five additional USB ports
Check out on Amazon
Check out on Amazon
That’s all for now!
Your favorite?
Have you picked up any of these power banks for your MBP? Would you mind telling us its name and the qualities you have liked in it? It’d be cool to know your pick.
Power Bank For Mac Air
You might want to refer these posts as well:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
Power Bank For Macbook Air 2020
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/