In an era where portable gaming is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance, devices like Valve’s Steam Deck have redefined what gamers can expect in terms of performance and portability. However, the excitement and immersion of gaming sessions can be limited by battery life, an obstacle that many gamers know all too well. Luckily, there is a simple and effective solution: le power banks. These portable devices become indispensable companions for extending gaming sessions far beyond the standard capacity of the internal battery. Steam Deck is not the only device to benefit from this solution.
The market is now full of high-quality pocket PCs, such as ROG Ally by ASUS, Legion GO by Lenovo or MSI Claw. These devices, similar to Steam Deck but all based on Windows 11, combine powerful hardware with a design optimized for on-the-go gaming, but remain subject to the limitations of integrated batteries. Consequently, our guide is not only aimed at Steam Deck owners, but at all those looking to improve the gaming experience on handheld PCs, offering an in-depth overview of the best power banks available on the market.
In this guide, we will expose the key criteria for choosing the power bank best suited to your needs, taking into account factors such as capacity, output power, portability, and versatility. Whether you are looking to extend your gaming sessions on your handheld PC, or you also want to use it for your smartphone if needed, we will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. Furthermore, we will present you a selection of the best power banks currently available, so you can play for hours without worrying about finding an electrical outlet.
What specifications to consider?
Choosing an appropriate power bank for Steam Deck, ROG Ally or other similar devices requires consideration of various key aspects that determine its effectiveness and convenience of use. Here are the most important criteria-
- Capacity: the capacity of a power bank, expressed in mAh or Wh, is perhaps the most obvious factor. A power bank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh or higher is recommended to ensure several more hours of gaming.
- Output power: Steam Deck requires a minimum charging power of 45 Watts through USB-C Power Delivery (PD) technology for efficient charging. A power bank that supports this specification or higher will ensure that your device is charged quickly and safely. The other devices already mentioned such as MSI Claw, ROG Ally and Legion GO instead require a power of 65 Watts, so we will have to pay more attention to choosing the correct model. Then consider that some laptops can be powered and recharged with this wattage.
- Size and portability: While a large capacity is desirable, it should not overly compromise the portability of the power bank. A device that balances capacity and size will allow you to easily carry it in your bag or backpack, making it an ideal travel companion for your Steam Deck.
- Ports and versatility: The presence of multiple USB ports, including USB-C and USB-A, allows you to simultaneously charge multiple devices, making the power bank a versatile tool for all your electronic gadgets.
- Safety and reliability: Opt for well-known and reliable brands that offer built-in protections against overloads, surges, and short circuits. This will ensure not only the longevity and correct functioning of the power bank, but also the safety of all the devices you connect to the power source to recharge them.
The best power banks
Anker 737 | 24,000 mAh 140W
The PowerCore 737 from Anker is a versatile power bank with two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A. One of the Type-C ports is bidirectional, allowing you to charge both devices and the power bank itself. With a capacity of 24,000 mAh, it can charge the Nintendo Switch OLED, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, Steam Deck or ROG Ally more than 5 times. Its strong point is the output power of 140 Watts, more than enough to charge a 16″ MacBook Pro even during use or any ultrabook PC.
It is therefore the best quality/price product that you can find on the market, also excellent for general use with other electronic devices.
Omni 20+ | 20,000mAh 100W
The Omnicharge Omni 20+ power bank stands out for its exceptional versatility and power, making it ideal for users of portable devices such as Steam Deck, ROG Ally and similar. This device offers a capacity of 20,000 mAh, accompanied by a remarkable 100W output power through its USB-C port. This makes it capable of quickly charging even the most demanding devices, not limited to just the gaming world, but extending to laptops and other high-power gadgets.
Its distinctive feature is the AC output, which allows you to directly connect external chargers. However, this also entails a much higher price than the others.
Zendure SuperTank S5 | 24,000 mAh 100W
Zendure with its SuperTank S5 manages to guarantee more than enough output power to satisfy the demands of Steam Deck, ROG Ally and the like. With its 24,000 mAh capacity it can charge all your devices several times so you never run out of battery life. It has a more limited number of ports, but is quite small and compact to easily carry around.
Baseus Power Bank | 26,800mAh 65W
This Baseus power bank is often found at a similar price to the Zendure proposed above. However, it has an advantage in terms of ports with 4 USB-A and 3 USB-C. It delivers a power of only 65 W, but it is more than enough to charge any handheld PC. However, be careful not to connect other devices at the same time, because you may not get enough power. In addition to the lower power compared to the Zendure, this power bank is also slightly larger, in fact it has 26,800 mAh of maximum capacity.
INIU Power Bank | 20,000mAh 65W
This is definitely the cheapest option, often found under €50. It is a small and compact power bank for the features offered. It has a single USB-A port and two USB-C ports. With 20,000 mAh you can sufficiently extend the battery life of all your devices, while carrying a device that is not excessively large. Again, power could be a constraint, especially if you intend to charge multiple devices at the same time.
Antank for Steam Deck | 16,000mAh 45W
We are including this as a bonus device, compatible exclusively with Steam Deck. The accessory is sold together with a magnetic mount, to be fixed on the rear body of the Steam Deck. In this way the power bank will remain fixed to the back of the device, without bothering the handle. However, be careful that in this way you will considerably increase the overall weight of the Steam Deck, which in itself makes itself felt quite a lot. However, it is an original solution, which could excite some users, especially due to the affordable price.
