What Size Power Bank Do I Need for Travelling? Start with These 5 Questions

It’s one of the most common questions a traveller asks before a trip: “What size power bank do I need for travelling?” The immediate impulse is often to look at the one with the biggest capacity or the lowest price. But this approach usually misses the point entirely.

The reality of modern travel is that keeping your device powered up isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessary lifeline for navigating unknown areas, communicating with loved ones and acquaintances, and entertaining yourself on the go.

For this reason, the key to choosing the right portable travel charger isn’t found in a spec sheet alone, but in understanding how you actually travel, what you carry, and what kind of trip you’re taking.

Answering just five simple questions can help you skip the guesswork and find a power bank that’s the right size for your travel needs. Here’s how to choose one that feels less like a technical accessory and more like a reliable travel companion.

Question 1 – How Long Will You Be Away From a Power Outlet?

This question is the first and arguably the most important to ask because the single most important factor in choosing a power bank is access to electricity or the lack thereof.

A traveller’s proximity to wall outlets dictates everything. Are you simply moving from hotel to conference hall, or are you venturing somewhere the grid doesn’t reach? The duration of your unplugged time fundamentally shapes your power needs.

Scenario: I’m going on a short-day trip, and I can use a hotel charger at the end of the day.

These are scenarios for a quick top-up, like getting a phone from 20% back to 80% while grabbing lunch or sitting in a taxi. A massive power bank is often just overkill for this, so a compact, lightweight unit is perfect.

The UGREEN Uno 10000mAh 30W Power Bank is an ideal fit here. It’s small enough to slip into a pocket or a small purse, yet its 10,000mAh capacity can charge a modern smartphone like an iPhone 15 Pro roughly twice. The 30W output is more than enough to fast-charge most phones, making it an efficient and handy partner for urban exploration.

Best for: Day trips, daily commutes, and overnight stays with guaranteed charging access.

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Scenario: I’m going on an all-day journey, and I’m not sure if I’ll have access to power outlets.

These are the long-haul flights, cross-country train rides, or day-long conferences. Here, reliance on a power bank shifts from a simple top-up to a primary power source for multiple devices throughout the day. These situations are where capacity and features begin to matter more. A 20,000mAh battery strikes a great balance between power and portability.

Consider the UGREEN Nexode 20000mAh 165W with Retractable Cable. Its capacity can charge a phone, an iPad, and earbuds with ease simultaneously. More importantly, its integrated retractable cable means one less cable to forget or untangle from a bag. The high 165W output means it can intelligently distribute power to charge multiple devices quickly, so you’re not waiting hours for everything to be ready.

Best for: Long travel days, flights, and anyone who needs to keep multiple devices running without outlet access.

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Scenario: I’m going on a multi-day trip, a camping excursion, or remote fieldwork, and I won’t have any access to a power supply.

These are the true off-grid adventures, and they demand the most robust power solution you can carry. In these situations, running out of power can be a serious problem. Here is where high-capacity, high-wattage power banks designed to be mobile powerhouses become essential.

The UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh 145W Power Bank is built for this. Its 25000mAh capacity is substantial enough to charge a laptop like a MacBook Air from 0 to 100% and still have juice left over for a phone. It also features a metal casing that utilises smart thermal control to dissipate heat, ensuring stability even under heavy loads. This is the kind of power bank that can sustain a digital nomad for a weekend or keep a group’s essential devices charged on a camping trip.

But for even longer or more demanding power needs, especially when you’re charging high-consumption gear like drones, DSLRs, or even small appliances, you may want to go one step further.

Consider the UGREEN 48000mAh 300W Portable Power Bank. With its massive 48,000mAh capacity and triple-port 300W output (2 USB-C, 1 USB-A), it’s practically a portable power station. It can charge a MacBook Pro multiple times, power a tablet and phone simultaneously, or run a portable fan or camera rig. Its LED screen gives real-time battery status, and the rugged design makes it perfect for outdoor adventures or professional remote work scenarios.

Best for: Multi-day off-grid travel, field photography, production crews, van life, or anyone who needs serious sustained charging power in the wild.

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Question 2 – What Devices Are You Planning To Charge?

After considering the time, the next question is about your tech ecosystem. The type and number of devices you carry directly influence the required capacity (mAh) and power output (wattage) you’ll need. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work because a laptop has vastly different needs than a Nintendo Switch or a pair of earbuds.

Most travellers fall into one of three profiles:

Scenario: I only carry the essentials (Phone + Earbuds)

If your travel kit is minimalist (a smartphone for pictures and basic communication, and wireless earbuds for music), having a massive power bank is unnecessary. For these devices, a 10,000mAh capacity is the sweet spot. It provides enough energy for 2-3 phone charges without adding bulk. Wattage between 18W and 30W is also ideal for fast-charging a phone with PD or QC protocols.

The UGREEN Uno 10000mAh 30W perfectly matches this profile, offering portability and speed for the essentials.

Scenario: I use multiple devices at the same time (Phone + Tablet + Console)

The travellers under this profile carry a bit more. A phone for communication, a tablet like an iPad for reading or watching movies, and maybe a Nintendo Switch for gaming on the go. This collection of devices requires more energy and slightly higher wattage to charge efficiently, so a 20,000mAh power bank with 65W or higher output becomes the new baseline. Higher wattage ensures faster and simultaneous charging across multiple devices, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience, especially on long journeys.

The UGREEN Nexode 20000mAh 165W is a strong candidate here, as its high total wattage of 165W can easily service these mid-range devices at the same time. It can handle charging a phone and a tablet simultaneously without losing charging speed for either device.

Scenario: I use power-heavy devices for business & entertainment (Laptop / Camera/ Steam Deck)

For anyone traveling with a USB-C powered laptop (like a MacBook, Dell XPS, or Surface), camera, or handheld gaming device like a Steam Deck, the power requirements jump significantly. These devices need both high capacity and high wattage.

Charging a laptop requires a power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery (PD) at a high output, typically 65W or more. Given that most laptops and cameras have a battery capacity of between 3,500 and 6,000mAh, a power bank with a 25,000mAh capacity is almost mandatory to provide a meaningful charge with power left over.

The UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh 145W Power Bank is designed for exactly this. With 145W total output and one port capable of delivering up to 100W, it can charge most modern laptops at or near their full speed, making it a true replacement for a wall adapter when in a pinch.

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Question 3 – Are You Taking It on a Plane?

For many people, travel means flying, and airports come with their own set of rules, especially concerning batteries. This area is where bigger is definitely not better, especially if it can mean getting your power bank confiscated by security.

Aviation agencies worldwide, including the USA’s FAA and Europe’s EASA, have strict regulations on lithium-ion batteries. The limit is typically 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery without needing special airline approval. It’s a crucial number, yet most power banks are marketed by their milliamp-hour (mAh) capacity, creating confusion. A simple conversion helps here.

To get the capacity of your power bank in Watt−hours, use the formula: (mAh X Voltage)/1000.

Since most power banks operate at a nominal voltage of 3.7V, the 100Wh limit translates to roughly 27,000mAh. Any power bank above this capacity may require airline permission, and batteries over 160Wh are generally forbidden. Critically, all power banks must be in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags.

This regulation creates two distinct scenarios for travelers:

Scenario: Yes, I fly frequently.

For those moving through airports, compliance is key. The goal is to maximize capacity without crossing the 100Wh line, so power banks in the 20,000-27,000mAh range are the holy grail here.

The UGREEN Uno Power Bank 10000mAh 30W and UGREEN Nexode 20000mAh 100W Power Bank both sit comfortably under the 100Wh limit. At 37Wh and 74Wh respectively, they offer about the maximum power you can legally carry onto a plane without hassle, making them the default choice for globe-trotters who need to power a laptop and other devices mid-flight.

Note: W (watts) and Wh (watt-hours) are not the same. W refers to how fast a power bank can charge your devices (charging speed), while Wh tells you how much total energy the power bank stores. For air travel, it’s the Wh (energy capacity) that matters most.

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Answer: No, I prefer a road trip or a train ride.

Travelers who stick to the ground by car, train, or on foot are free from these aviation rules. This freedom opens the door to much larger power stations.

A model like the UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh 145W Laptop Power Bank provides a fantastic amount of energy for a weekend trip. It can keep an entire family’s phones topped up or a personal work laptop running from a scenic viewpoint, offering power without the extreme bulk of a 50000mAh+ unit.

Question 4 – Do You Dislike Cables or Prefer Wireless Charging?

Let’s be honest. A power bank is only useful if you have the right cable to connect it to your device. A familiar frustration for many travellers is looking into a backpack only to see their cables in a tangled mess, or even worse, realise they’ve forgotten the cord at home.

Fortunately, modern power banks have evolved to solve this exact problem, so people who dislike cables are in two camps:

Scenario: I don’t like carrying separate cables.

The most elegant solution to this problem is to eliminate the separate cable. A power bank with an integrated cord is a self-contained charging system. You grab one item, and you’re ready.

The UGREEN Nexode 20000mAh 165W with Retractable Cable is a masterclass in this design philosophy. Its standout feature is the built-in 0.65m retractable USB-C cable, which pulls out smoothly when needed and retracts cleanly when not in use. Tested for 25,000+ retractions and 10,000+ bends, this cable doesn’t just save space—it virtually eliminates the risk of forgetting or damaging your main charging cord. For travellers who value organization, this feature alone is a game changer.

Beyond the retractable cable, this power bank also offers dual-port fast charging up to 165W, allowing you to charge a laptop, smartphone, and another USB-C device simultaneously—without waiting in line. Whether you’re powering up a MacBook Pro to 54% in just 30 minutes or keeping multiple devices alive during a layover, the 165W output ensures no slowdown across ports.

To further enhance the user experience, the Nexode includes a smart digital display that shows real-time charging data at a glance, so you always know what’s happening with your power. It also comes equipped with 13 layers of safety protection against overheating, overvoltage, and short-circuits, ensuring you can charge confidently wherever you go.

And yes, with a 20,000mAh capacity and compliant design, it’s approved for airline travel, making it a reliable companion from the airport lounge to your final destination.

Scenario: I prefer wireless charging.

Wireless charging technology allows for a magnetic, snap-on connection that charges your phone without you needing a cable. For those embedded in Apple’s ecosystem, there’s an even more seamless option: Magnetic Power Bank . It’s the ultimate in grab-and-go convenience.

UGREEN MagSafe 15W Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh is designed specifically for users of the iPhone. It attaches firmly to the back of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, charging it without any wires at all. Its slim profile also means you can continue using the phone while it charges; this makes it the perfect minimalist solution for iPhone users who prioritize a cable-free experience.

Question 5 – Do You Want to Share Power or Charge Multiple Devices at Once?

The final question addresses the reality of modern tech life because we rarely carry just one device. Charging devices one after the other can be time-consuming and inefficient. If you need to power up your phone, watch, and headphones overnight, or revive a laptop and phone simultaneously, you need a power bank built for multitasking.

It needs to have not just multiple ports, but also a high enough total wattage to distribute meaningful power across them.

Scenario: I only carry one device.

If you primarily charge one device at a time, your needs are simple. A power bank with one or two ports is sufficient, and the total wattage doesn’t need to be astronomical.

UGREEN’s Uno 10000mAh 30W is again a great fit. Its 30W output is focused on charging a single device quickly and efficiently.

Answer: I always carry multiple devices.

Anyone juggling a phone, tablet, and wearable needs a power bank that can handle at least two or three devices at once. This requires multiple ports (a mix of USB-C and USB-A is versatile) and a high total wattage.

The UGREEN 20000mAh 165W shines here. Its 165W total output is cleverly managed by its internal chipset, so if you plug in a phone and a tablet, it can deliver fast charging to both simultaneously without compromising speed.

Answer: I sometimes share power with others in addition to my own devices.

Charging a laptop while also topping up accessories and another person’s phone is a demanding scenario that requires a power bank that acts as a mobile charging station. Here is where port count and smart power distribution become critical.

The UGREEN 25000mAh 145W Power Bank is the ultimate solution. With two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, it can power a setup like a MacBook (using the 100W USB-C port), an iPhone (using the second USB-C port), and AirPods (using the USB-A port) all at the same time. We reckon this capability is invaluable for professionals on the move or those sharing power with a travel partner.

The Best Power Bank Isn’t the Biggest, It’s the Smartest Choice

The search for the perfect travel power bank shouldn’t start with an obsession over milliamp-hours (mAh). As we’ve seen, the power bank with the largest capacity is often too heavy, sometimes impractical for the required situation, or even prohibited on flights. Therefore, the best choice for you should be a reflection of your travel style and utility, not just sheer battery power.

UGREEN’s range demonstrates this philosophy well, offering thoughtful solutions tailored to the day-tripper, the frequent flyer, and the off-grid adventurer alike, ensuring that every traveller can find their perfect energy companion.