Best Portable Power Banks for UK Camping and Hiking 2026

How Much Power Do You Actually Need?

A typical smartphone battery is 4,000–5,000mAh. A 10,000mAh power bank gives you roughly two full charges (accounting for conversion losses). For a weekend trip, that's usually plenty. For longer trips, either carry more capacity or reduce phone usage with aeroplane mode.

The biggest drain on your phone while hiking is the screen and GPS. If you're using your phone for navigation, expect it to die within 4-6 hours of continuous GPS use. A 10,000mAh bank extends that to a comfortable weekend. A 20,000mAh bank covers a week.

Top 5 Power Banks for Camping

1. Nitecore NB10000 — ~£35 (Best Ultralight)

10,000mAh in a 150g carbon fibre body. USB-C and USB-A outputs. Slim enough to slide into a hip belt pocket. The ultralight hiker's standard power bank.

Pros: Incredibly light for capacity, slim design, dual output, quality brand Cons: More expensive than Anker, no fast charging on USB-A, can be hard to find

2. Anker PowerCore 10000 — ~£20 (Best Value)

10,000mAh, 180g, reliable. Anker's quality control is excellent and the price is unbeatable. Not the lightest but the best value.

Pros: Cheap, reliable, well-made, widely available Cons: Heavier than Nitecore, no USB-C input on older versions, basic design

3. Anker 622 MagGo — ~£30 (Best for iPhone)

MagSafe wireless charging, 5,000mAh, sticks to the back of your iPhone. Convenient for quick top-ups without cables.

Pros: Wireless charging, convenient, compact, built-in stand Cons: iPhone only (MagSafe), lower capacity, wireless charging is inefficient

4. BioLite Charge 40 PD — ~£40 (Best Rugged)

USB-C PD fast charging, 10,000mAh, with integrated cable management. Slightly rubberised body handles drops.

Pros: Fast charging, rugged build, integrated cables, reliable Cons: Heavier (240g), more expensive, bulkier

5. Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC — ~£200 (Best for Base Camp)

25,600mAh, AC outlet (charges laptops), 100W USB-C PD, wireless charging pad. Overkill for backpacking but perfect for car camping.

Pros: Massive capacity, AC outlet, fast charging, wireless pad Cons: Expensive, heavy (700g), too big for backpacking

Power Bank Tips

• Turn off unnecessary phone features — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services drain battery fast
• Aeroplane mode when you don't need signal — saves massive amounts of power. Your phone constantly searching for signal in areas with poor reception is the biggest battery drain.
• Charge overnight while you sleep — your phone and torch will be full by morning
• Cold reduces capacity — keep your power bank warm (inside sleeping bag) in cold weather. Lithium batteries can lose 20-30% capacity in freezing conditions.
• Solar panels sound great but are mostly disappointing in the UK — limited sun and slow charging make them a backup at best, not a primary strategy. A good panel might produce 2,000mAh on a sunny UK day. On a cloudy day: almost nothing.

If you're serious about solar charging for camping, our sister site INeedSolar has detailed guides on portable solar panels and camping power setups.

Extending Phone Battery on Trail

Before investing in a bigger power bank, try these:

1. Download offline maps before you leave — no data usage
2. Screen brightness to minimum — the screen is the biggest drain
3. Close background apps — especially social media
4. Use a dedicated GPS instead of your phone — the Garmin eTrex SE lasts 168 hours
5. Carry a watch for time instead of checking your phone