Best Portable Power Supplies

Pushing a smart phone, tablet, digital camera, navigational watch or ancillary device hard puts you in an energy Black Hole in as little as an hour.  Active Junky’s long favored power bricks, even for in-town commutes and long coffee shop sessions where plugs are frequently scarce.  These three will agitate your electrons from downtown latte sipping to gravity-seeking exploits around the world. 

Scosche GoBat 12000:  Mega matters

Yes, it comes fully juiced out of the box with up to six iPhone charges at the ready.  As with other supplies, this one takes some learning to “know the code” on recharge and discharge levels.  Duel USB ports got used more than expected as the variable use of multiple devices didn’t allow sequential, one at a time charging.  Several drops to concrete and tile during travel to Mexico’s Baja California Sur confirmed GoBat’s Military Spec 810G Drop/Shock test rating.  Scosche’s claim of cycle times less than half of “similarly sized PowerBanks” is subject to future exploration though Active Junky found it faster than anticipated.  An incidental carabiner clip failed to distract from the precision waterproof, dustproof cover that requires dry hands to operate.

Tester Comments: Unassuming, reliable and an easy fit in most pack pockets despite the massive power hiding inside.  The “perfect charge” ports that tailor levels to each device are magical and frankly, assumed trustworthy given past experience with the brand even if we didn’t lab-test GoBat.   

Best For: High-demand users with periodic accessory to reliable AC recharging (versus trying to limp along with USB power levels)

Check out the Scosche GoBat 12000 >

Brunton ReVolt 9000:  Relentless rebirth

Brunton Revolt 9000 Power Pack

Active Junky’s taken both smaller ReVolt models and editions of the ReSync series to desert, mountain, ocean and forest.  Each Series has its strengths and ReVolt is, in a word, muscular.  Waving a banner reading “Never Power Down,” Brunton equips 9000 with “adventure armor.”  Lovers of silicone wraps for shock, dust and moisture protection, they did this one right with nearly ¼” of perimeter cushioning as well as a faceplate shield closer to 1/8” thick.  Testers loved the palm-sized design and obvious yellow status LEDs blinking on the topside.  Underneath, Brunton’s teamed with Vibram on the 9000’s “sole” for non-slip stability – not to let it hike down the trail after you.  

Tester Comments:  The squid-like power connectors make the package work.  While not permanently connected to the 9000, their bright yellow color keeps them from disappearing when the USB-hungry pack is needed.  For most adventure users, the waterproof ReVolt line is serious, superior energy we’re comfortable carrying in a pack flap for ready deployment.

Best For: Adventure travel in variable (and sketchy) environmental conditions where single, sequential recharging is sufficient

Lander Cascade Universal Power Bank:  Retro readiness

Looking like a cross between a 70s Remington razor and a Panasonic radio from the same era, Cascade’s smooth lines cloak respectable recharging capability.  Without question, this 7800mAh power supply is among the easiest to use on the market.  Four micro LEDs provide unmistakable, push-to-view status updates, sharing the same switch with on/off functions.  Of note is the switch’s barely-raised contact point that minimizes accidental activation.  Three hundred cycles are Cascade’s rated lifespan while pushing 3.1A output when dual USB ports are called upon for phone, camera or watch use.  Lander loves including Illumaweave reflective technology where possible and the short lanyard on the Cascade is no exception.

Tester Comments:  The right balance between storage and size makes this one an alluring choice.  Absent is a dust or moisture (or water) cover to multiply Cascade’s utility in travel conditions.  Auto-off energy saving is helpful and the unit, well, feels comforting to grab and easy to handle even in a rush.

Best For: Urban and commuting scenarios as well as emergency back-up given the product’s low resistance to tough operating conditions including inclement weather

Check out the Lander Cascade >