I needed a USB battery pack that would output at least 70Wh output capacity. 80 to 85Wh would have been fantastic. And the total pack shoudl have batteries at or below 99Wh due to the TSA limit. Hoping for 85Wh output out of 99Wh of batteries is optimistic but totally possible.

In real life, I got 9 packs from amazon, all of them lied about the battery capacity, some by a lot (up to claiming it was 60% higher than real), and between claimed capacity and actual output, most packs barely gave half in output, or even less. It was a complete shit show.

After a week of testing with professional charger/discharger, I tested how much energy I got out (typically at a 2.5A draw, but when I tested at 1A draw only, it didn't make much of a difference). And then I checked how much eneergy I had to push back in at 1.5 to 2A over USB to recharge them. None of them took more than 94Wh, some took 75Wh while claiming to be 145Wh!

Here is the result:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NKVCJ15 Seller RETMSR

Name: RETMSR Portable Charger, Power Bank 30000mAh Battery Pack with 22.5W Fast Charging, 4 Outputs External Charger PD 20W USB C for iPhone, Samsung, Pad Mini, and More

Claimed capacity: 30000mAh x 3.7v = 111Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 56Wh, Energy to recharge: 83Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 70Wh? Capacity Lie: 137% of real

Comments: it's much bigger than other packs for only 56Wh of use. Doesn't even have a real battery meter, just 4 dots

Return: seller reimbursed me after reading my review and analysis

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NKVCJ15 Seller huiyuetongus

Portable Charger Power Bank 30,800mAh LCD Display Power Bank,25W PD Fast Charging +QC 4.0 Quick Phone Charging Power Bank Tri-Outputs Battery Pack Compatible with iPhone,Android etc(Black)

Claimed capacity: 113.86Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 58Wh, Energy to recharge: 74Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 66Wh? Capacity Lie: 143% of real

TSA compliant: No due to the 113Wh lie even though the battery is likely only 66Wh

Comments: it's a reasonably compact battery pack for 58Wh, but lying that much about capacity is not ok

Return: No, I'm very annoyed at the capacity lie (43% extra of real), but it's otherwise a usable pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0915T91JN/ Seller HEJING-US

Wireless Portable Charger 30,800mAh 15W Wireless Charging 25W PD QC4.0 Fast Charging Smart LED Display USB-C Power Bank, 4 Output & 2 Input External Battery Pack Compatible with iPhone, Samsung etc

Claimed capacity: 113.86Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 54Wh, Energy to recharge: 61Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 57Wh? Capacity Lie: 150% of real

TSA compliant: No due to the 113Wh lie even though the battery is likely only 57Wh

Comments: One of the biggest capacity lie: 50% over the real battery size

Return: Yes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0915T91JN/ Sold by: TENGJIADA

Portable Charger 38800mAh,LCD Display Power Bank,4 USB Outputs Battery Pack Backup, Dual Input USB-C Phone Charging Compatible with iPhone 14/13 Pro Max/13 Mini/12,Android Samsung Galaxy/Pixel/Nexus

Claimed Capacity: 99Wh

Comment Product claims a totally fake 38800 or 143Wh, but the new version sold by TENGJIADA now only claims 99Wh to be TSA compliant. See https://www.amazon.com/messaging/880687751187454166

Usable Discharge Capacity: 70Wh, Energy to recharge: 94Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 82Wh? Capacity Lie: 118% of real

Return: No, capacity lie is minimal, TSA compliant

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0915T91JN/ Sold by: SANJIAYI-US

Claimed Capacity: 143Wh

TSA compliant: No

Comment Product claims a totally fake 38800 or 143Wh, but the new version sold by TENGJIADA now only claims 99Wh to be TSA compliant. See https://www.amazon.com/messaging/880687751187454166

Usable Discharge Capacity: 70Wh, Energy to recharge: 94Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 82Wh? Capacity Lie: 143% of real

Return: Yes, big capacity lie and non TSA compliant

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMVFV9N9/ Seller amazon

FEELLE Power Bank Portable Charger - 27000mAh USB C in & Out PD Fast Charger QC3.0 22.5W 4 Outputs External Battery Pack Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, Google, LG, Tablet and More

TSA compliant: Yes

Claimed Capacity: 99Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 51Wh, Energy to recharge: 60Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 55Wh? Capacity Lie: 145% of real

Comment: Good for not lying about capacity past 99Wh, but 45% lie on capacity is not ok

Return: Yes, 45% capacity lie, that's bad.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWD9YVQ Seller Seven times seven

Power-Bank-Portable-Charger - 40000mAh Power Bank Support PD 30W and QC4.0 Fast Charging with Built-in 2 Output Cable and LED Display for iPhone and Android Phones and Most Electronic Devices

TSA compliant: No

Claimed Capacity: 40000mAh*3.7V = 148Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 60Wh, Energy to recharge: 82Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 71Wh Capacity Lie: 152% of real

Comment: Very big pack, but only a measly 60Wh usable and one of the biggest capacity lies in the packs I tested

Return: Yes, 52% capacity lie and non TSA compliant

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B916NM1 Seller IBEV / LOVELEDI Store

Portable-Charger - 40000mAh Power Bank QC 4.0 and PD 30W Quick Charging Built-in LED Display 2 USB 1Type-C Output Compatible with Most Electronic Devices on The Market

TSA compliant: No

Claimed Capacity: 40000mAh*3.7V = 148Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 64Wh, Energy to recharge: 82Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 73Wh? Capacity Lie: 151% of real

Comment: Very big pack for 64Wh usable, nice multi voltage output, but 51% over capacity lie is huge

Return: Yes, %51 capacity lie is unacceptable and non TSA compliant

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2423BW9 Seller Sidlin / LOVELEDI Store

Bank - 40000mAh Power Bank PD 30W and QC 4.0 Quick Charging Built-in Bright flashlight LED Display 2 USB 1Type-C Output for Most Electronic Devices on The Market(Carbon Black)

TSA compliant: No

Claimed Capacity: 40000mAh*3.7V = 148Wh

Usable Discharge Capacity: 57Wh, Energy to recharge: 75Wh. Real Battery Capacity: 66Wh? Capacity Lie: 156% of real

Comment: Very big pack for 57Wh usable, nice multi voltage output, but 51% over capacity lie is huge

Return: Yes, %56 capacity lie is unacceptable and non TSA compliant

I'm in the market for a MagSafe battery pack for my iPhone and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options out there. I'm looking for something reliable, efficient, and ideally not too bulky.

What are your experiences? Any specific brands or models you absolutely love (or hate)?

Looking for the "best" in terms of:

• Charging speed

• Capacity vs. Size

• Durability

• Value for money

• Any extra features (like pass-through charging, etc.)

Hi everyone, I’m looking for recommendations for a portable battery to use with my iPhone, especially for travel. Fast charging, multiple full charges and compact enough to easily fit in a backpack/pocket are my priorities. What models do you use and recommend for travel? Thank you in advance