What makes a great compact portable charger?
A compact portable charger is a small, rechargeable battery pack or mini power station designed to keep phones, tablets, laptops and other USB devices running while you travel, balancing capacity, weight, charging speed and the number of gadgets it can power at once. In this wave of Prime Day power deals, two standout options are the Anker 737 power bank and the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus portable power station. Both promise generous capacity in bags that do not add much bulk, but they take slightly different paths: Anker focuses on dense, high-wattage power in a classic power bank design, while Jackery offers a palm-sized power station that prioritises multi-device charging. Understanding their capacity, outputs and real-world usability helps you decide which portable power bank deals fit your daily carry, weekend camping trips or long-haul flights without paying for more power than you need.
Anker 737 Power Bank: dense power for laptops and phones
The Anker 737 power bank has long been a favourite among tech reviewers because it packs laptop-grade power into a backpack-friendly brick. WIRED notes that this compact portable charger offers a 24,000 mAh capacity and can send or receive up to 140 watts, enough to top up a laptop or iPad alongside a phone. It can recharge itself in under an hour, which makes it ideal for fast turnarounds in airports or coffee shops. A clear display shows battery percentage, temperature and output, so you can see how your power is being used. The trade-off is weight: at about a pound and a half, it is dense for a day pack. According to WIRED, the reviewer “needed something reliable” for camping and liked it so much they bought a second, which is strong praise for the current Anker 737 sale.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus: palm-sized power station on deep discount
Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus blurs the line between power bank and power station, offering more ports and capacity than many pocket batteries while staying under 1 kg. The unit weighs approximately 965 g and delivers a 99 Wh capacity, equivalent to 31,000 mAh at its internal voltage, with a maximum combined output of 128 W. Amazon has cut more than half the price of this palm-sized Jackery power station, describing a Jackery power station discount that “has fallen to £67 for Prime members” and represents a £72.99 reduction. With two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, it can charge three USB devices at once, from phones and tablets to many modern laptops. A small colour screen shows charge level and output, while LiFePO4 cells aim for long service life. Solar charging support adds flexibility for outdoor use during Prime Day power deals.
One device or many? Ports, capacity and real-world use
Choosing between these portable power bank deals comes down to how many devices you carry and how you use them. The Anker 737 offers 24,000 mAh with 140 W capability, making it well suited to fast-charging a power-hungry laptop or tablet plus other gadgets from a dense, brick-style power bank. The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus provides a slightly larger stated capacity in watt-hours and a 128 W combined output, but its strength lies in three simultaneous USB outputs, including two 100 W USB-C ports. Jackery says its 99 Wh capacity can charge a typical smartphone around six times or a tablet twice, which covers a weekend away or a day of heavy navigation and streaming. If you prioritise a single high-power device, Anker’s compact portable charger may fit better; if your family or camera kit needs three USB sockets, Jackery pulls ahead.
Which compact charger wins for travel value?
Both the Anker 737 sale and the Jackery power station discount aim squarely at travellers who need portable charging without suitcase-sized gear. Anker’s power bank focuses on speed and density: fast self-recharging, high wattage and a smaller footprint make it appealing if you often top up one main device and accept a bit of extra weight. Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus weighs under 1 kg and adds multi-device flexibility, a colour screen and LiFePO4 chemistry that is rated to retain at least 80 percent capacity after 2,000 cycles. With its price reduced by £72.99 to £67 for Prime members, Jackery looks compelling for those who value longevity and three-device charging. If you travel light with a single laptop and phone, Anker may still be the better compact portable charger; if you support several USB gadgets at once, Jackery offers better value per port.
