Most power banks weigh 180–400 g; slim 10,000 mAh units average ~230 g, while 20,000 mAh models often land near 350–500 g.
Shopping for a portable charger often starts with capacity, but weight decides whether it lives in your pocket or stays on your desk. This guide gives clear ranges, real model weights, and simple rules so you can pick the right balance of juice and grams.
Power Bank Weight: Quick Ranges By Capacity
The table below summarizes common sizes and what you can expect to feel in hand. Numbers come from current spec sheets and reviews across popular brands.
| Capacity Class | Typical Weight | Carry Fit |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh (mini) | 100–150 g | Jacket or pants pocket |
| 10,000 mAh (mid) | 180–260 g | Pocket or small sling |
| 20,000 mAh (large) | 330–500 g | Backpack or handbag |
What Drives Weight Beyond Capacity
Cells set the baseline, but design choices can add or shave tens of grams. Here’s what moves the needle.
Battery Cells And Wh Rating
Energy is stored in lithium cells. A higher watt-hour (Wh) rating means more grams. Brands must mark Wh on the case, which helps you compare like-for-like across models. Airlines also look at Wh when deciding carry rules.
Case Materials And Size
Aluminum shells, rubber armor, and thick plastics add protection and grip. They also bump weight. Slim shells save grams but can feel warm during fast charging. Rounded edges slip into pockets more easily than sharp corners at the same mass.
Charging Hardware
Features such as 60–70 W USB-C output, wireless coils, strong magnets, or extra ports raise mass. Fast chargers need larger boards and thermal pads. Built-in cables are handy, yet they add a little heft compared with a bare port.
Safety Features
Thermal cutoffs, better cell separators, and quality control add a few grams you’ll never notice—until you need them. If you value reliability, an extra 10–20 g is a wise trade.
Real-World Ranges Backed By Current Models
To anchor those ranges, here are representative weights from well-known lines. These numbers reflect publicly posted specs from the brands and major retailers.
5,000 mAh Pocket Packs
Modern stick or magnetic packs sit near the 100–150 g band. Anker’s 5K Nano with built-in USB-C lists 100 g, while several Qi2 magnetic 5K blocks land near 120–140 g. Card-style models from Baseus hover around 108–150 g depending on coil and kickstand.
10,000 mAh Everyday Size
Expect around 180–260 g. Anker’s classic 10K units span roughly 180–210 g across generations, and the slim 10K magnetic line sits near 200 g. Budget 10K bricks often list ~215–230 g.
20,000 mAh Travel Size
Most mainstream 20K models post 330–420 g, while feature-heavy versions with higher power outputs reach 450–500 g. Thin 20K slabs can dip near ~340 g; compact “AC outlet” banks jump well past 600 g due to the inverter.
Carry Math: How Many Grams Per Charge?
Another way to judge weight is by “grams per full phone charge.” A 10K unit at ~230 g often gives 1.5–2.5 phone charges, landing near 90–150 g per charge. A 20K model at ~360–400 g yields 3–4+ charges, which can be more weight-efficient for trips if you can spare the space.
Magnetic 5K packs are lighter in the hand, yet they waste some energy over wireless, so you’ll get fewer full charges per gram compared with a cabled bank. If you prize compact carry and one short top-up mid-day, that trade still makes sense.
Airline Rules That Affect Your Choice
If you fly, pick a bank that you can bring through security with no friction. Spare lithium packs belong in carry-on, not checked bags, and airlines look at the Wh rating. Under 100 Wh is the easy zone; 101–160 Wh often needs airline approval; over that is usually restricted.
For reference, 10K packs sit near 37 Wh and 20K packs near 74 Wh, so they fall in the simple under-100 Wh range on many carriers. See the TSA’s page on power banks and the industry guidance from IATA passenger lithium battery guidance.
Some airlines also limit usage during flight or cap the number of loose batteries you can carry. If you travel often, scan your carrier’s page before packing day.
How To Estimate Weight Before You Buy
Specs vary by model, but you can predict within a handy range using a few cues.
1) Start With Wh
Multiply amp-hours by 3.7 V to get Wh, then match it to the ranges above. Similar Wh usually means similar mass.
2) Check Features
Add weight for extras: MagSafe/Qi wireless, 60 W+ USB-C output, metal shells, kickstands, or built-in cables.
3) Scan Real Weights
Look for grams on the product page or manual. When a brand lists only ounces, multiply by 28.35 to convert.
4) Compare Like-For-Like
Two 20K banks can differ by 50–100 g based on cells and case. Compare within the same capacity and output class.
5) Mind Cable And Adapter Mass
A short USB-C cable runs 15–25 g; a braided one can hit 30 g. A tiny USB-C wall charger adds 60–120 g. If you’re counting grams for travel, your “kit weight” is bank + cable + plug.
Back-Of-Bag Vs Pocket: Picking The Right Size
If you carry a phone and earbuds daily, a 5K pack is a neat safety net. For weekend confidence, a 10K hits a sweet spot between heft and endurance. For travel days or camera gear, a 20K brings margin without a wall socket.
Daily Carry Tips
- Pair a slim 10K with a short USB-C cable and stash it in a sling.
- Magnetic 5K blocks clip to modern phones for quick top-ups while moving.
- Skip glossy cases if you dislike fingerprints; matte shells look tidy longer.
- Pick a color that stands out in a dark bag so you don’t leave it behind.
Sample Model Weights (For Context)
These published figures show where common picks land. Use them to sanity-check a listing before you click buy.
| Model | Capacity | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Anker Nano Power Bank (USB-C) | 5,000 mAh | 100 g |
| Baseus PicoGo 5K Qi2 | 5,000 mAh | 136–150 g |
| Anker PowerCore Slim 10K | 10,000 mAh | ~200–241 g (varies by version) |
| Miady 10K (budget) | 10,000 mAh | ~218 g |
| Anker PowerCore 20K (325) | 20,000 mAh | ~337–343 g |
| RAVPower 20K PD Pioneer | 20,000 mAh | ~360 g |
Common Weight Quirks
Some 10K Banks Match Small 20K Mass
Wireless coils, metal bodies, and larger heat spreaders can push a 10K into small-20K territory.
Cell Quality Isn’t The Whole Story
Energy density varies a bit by supplier and format, but casing and electronics often drive bigger swings than the cells alone.
High Output Boards Add Bulk
True 60–70 W USB-C needs beefier components and heat paths, which adds grams and thickness.
Wireless Adds Mass
Plan for roughly 20–40 g for a coil, magnets, and alignment frame, plus a few extra millimeters of thickness.
5K Can Work For A Day Trip
For light phone use, one top-up is often enough. Heavy maps, photos, and tethering drain fast; a 10K is safer for that pattern.
Weight Vs Size: Handling Matters
Two banks can post the same grams yet carry very differently. A thin, wide slab hugs a notebook or passport; a chunky brick presses into your leg. Textured finishes add grip with barely any mass. If you hate pocket bulge, pick thinner designs even if they give up a few watt-hours.
Materials And Grip
Matte polycarbonate hides scuffs and feels secure. Smooth aluminum looks sharp but can feel slippery in cold weather. Rubber rails protect corners and stop table slides. None of these swaps change the number on the scale much, yet they change how heavy a bank feels over a long day.
Weight By Use Case
Commute And Office
A slim 10K near 200–230 g pairs well with laptops that sip charge from the phone in a pinch. You’ll carry it daily without it dragging your pocket down.
Hiking And Trail Days
A 5K stick at ~110–130 g covers maps and photos on a single day hike. For multi-day trips, two 10K units split across a group give redundancy without a single heavy brick.
International Travel
Long flights and navigation burn through charge. A 20K near 350–380 g plus a short cable rides in a backpack nicely. Keep the bank in carry-on and check the Wh label before you head out.
Spotting Shaky Listings
If a product claims 20,000 mAh at 180 g, that’s a red flag. Check for a proper Wh label, a real brand site, and a manual download. Realistic weight paired with a clear Wh mark is a good sign.
Look at photos of ports and vents. Overheating complaints in reviews often track with thin shells and cramped layouts. A few extra grams spent on heat paths pay off in comfort and safety.
Recycling And End-Of-Life Notes
When a bank no longer holds charge, take it to a battery drop-off. Tossing lithium cells in regular trash creates risks. Many local stores accept small electronics and power packs for safe handling.
Takeaways
If you want something you’ll pocket daily, a 5K or slim 10K keeps you moving with little weight tax. For trips or long shoot days, a 20K trades grams for fewer wall stops and calmer battery levels. Use the tables as a quick sizing card, skim the grams on the product page, and you’ll land on the right model the first time.