Festivals pose a bit of a conundrum when it comes to charging. It’s really useful to have a phone — for checking programs, finding friends, and snapping photos — but the days are long, and there’s minimal access to power points. A power pack is your best friend, and below I’ve rounded up the best models for festival-goers.
I’ve included a mix of options. There are compact, lightweight power banks that won’t weigh your bag down and can charge your phone while you’re using it. These can generally only manage two charges at the absolute maximum, so they’re best suited to one- or two-day festivals, or festivals where you’ll have overnight access to power. There are also larger power packs that offer multiple recharges, but which are generally too bulky and heavy to carry around all day.
Our seasoned reviewers have tested all of these power banks personally, and given them their stamp of approval. You can hit the ‘More details’ button to find out more about each one, and for a link to the full review, and there’s also a handy specs table at the bottom of the page so you can see how the different options match up. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our general best power bank guide has a wider range of options.
Power up
Why’s it good for a festival? We were impressed with this power pack’s “strong blend of portability, speed, and value”. The capacity is impressive given the pocketable size — you should be able to use it for multiple recharges before you need to plug it in again.
Pros
- 45W fast charging
- Very compact
- Handy lanyard cable
Cons
- Won’t hit top speed on all phones
- Lacks 20V output for some laptops
- Picks up scratches easily
Why’s it good for a festival? A compact, reliable power pack with a helpful cord and integrated cable. You won’t get many charges out of it, but it’s a great one for popping into your bag while you’re out and about at the festival.
Pros
- Convenient retractable cable
- Useful display
- Solid overall performance
Cons
- Not enough wattage for more power-hungry devices
- Could recharge a little faster
- Thermal throttling can prevent peak performance
Why’s it good for a festival? It supports MagSafe charging, and snaps onto your phone with enough force you won’t have to worry about losing it. The slimline design is perfect if you want to keep using your phone while it powers up.
Pros
- Charges fast
- Strong magnetic grip
- Slim for a 10K battery
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- On the pricey side
Why’s it good for a festival? This model has enough oomph to juice up not just phones but things like laptops and tablets, if they’re part of your festival plan. It feels solidly constructed and durable.
Pros
- Large power output
- Well-made
- Integrated USB-C cable
Cons
- Some rivals are smaller
- Unnecessarily powerful for many
- Display lacks detailed information
Why’s it good for a festival? It’s small enough to fit into a pocket, and comes with a handy lanyard for looping it onto a bag. There are three ports and it works quickly, although don’t expect multiple charges out of it.
Pros
- Small yet capacious
- Convenient features
- Clear display
Cons
- Display could be more detailed
- Some may desire more ports
- Not enough power for large devices
Pros
- A powerful 140W output
- A screen that shows charge rates
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Chunky dimensions
- Higher priced
- No UPS mode
Specs compared
Note: the cards above will only show if the product is available in your region — that means there may be products featured in this table that you can’t see above.
