The Best External Power Banks for Gaming Laptops
The Problem:
With more PC manufacturers like HP, Apple, and Lenovo shifting to non-removable, sealed batteries in their laptops, the days of simply swapping out a spare battery are long gone. These internal batteries are now integrated components—replacing them is as complex as changing a laptop’s hard drive.
For road warriors and gamers, this change creates a significant challenge: how do you keep your laptop powered during extended periods away from a wall outlet?
For road warriors and gamers, this change creates a significant challenge: how do you keep your laptop powered during extended periods away from a wall outlet?
The Solution:
Portable power banks are here to save the day! These external battery packs provide a convenient way to keep your laptop running.
However, there’s a catch: most power banks on the market are designed for smartphones and tablets, not high-performance laptops. Gaming laptops, in particular, have high power demands that can overwhelm standard power banks. Even if you find one with an AC outlet, many power banks automatically shut off when faced with the high current draw of a laptop.
However, there’s a catch: most power banks on the market are designed for smartphones and tablets, not high-performance laptops. Gaming laptops, in particular, have high power demands that can overwhelm standard power banks. Even if you find one with an AC outlet, many power banks automatically shut off when faced with the high current draw of a laptop.
Figuring Out How Much Power You Need
Step 1: Check Your Laptop’s Maximum Power
Look at the power adapter for your laptop. You’ll see either a large number like 120W or 230W, OR
voltage and amperage ratings like 19.5V===11.8A or 19.5V===6.15A.
Multiply the voltage (V) by the amperage (A) to get the power in watts:
19.5V x 11.8A = 230W
19.5V x 6.15A = 120W
voltage and amperage ratings like 19.5V===11.8A or 19.5V===6.15A.
Multiply the voltage (V) by the amperage (A) to get the power in watts:
19.5V x 11.8A = 230W
19.5V x 6.15A = 120W
Step 2: Find the Power Bank’s Maximum Power Output (Not Power Storage Capacity)
The key spec for compatibility is maximum power output, not capacity.
Even if a power bank has a high capacity like 30,000 mAh (110 Wh) or 50,000 mAh (185 Wh), it may not work for high-performance laptops unless it supports the necessary wattage.
Imagine a water tank — a large tank (capacity) but a weak faucet (output) won’t let you shower.
A power bank must deliver power like a high-pressure jet to run demanding laptops.
Even if a power bank has a high capacity like 30,000 mAh (110 Wh) or 50,000 mAh (185 Wh), it may not work for high-performance laptops unless it supports the necessary wattage.
Imagine a water tank — a large tank (capacity) but a weak faucet (output) won’t let you shower.
A power bank must deliver power like a high-pressure jet to run demanding laptops.
Best Power Banks for Gaming Laptops
Best for Most
Highlights: Manageable size (fits most backpacks), reasonable cost, and capable of handling 200W continuous / 250W peak power.
Why It’s the Best Choice for Most Users
The 42000 mAh (146 Wh) Power Bank/Solar Charger is the ideal option for most gaming laptop users. With 200W continuous power output and a 250W peak, it reliably powered our 230W gaming laptop during testing.
To use the AC outlet, simply turn on the power bank and press the “AC” button to activate the outlet.
This power bank meets current TSA regulations for carry-on baggage (but NOT checked baggage). I highly recommend carrying the manual when traveling, as it clearly states the capacity is 42000mAh (146Wh)—important for security checks.
For detailed specifications of this power bank and a summary of our testing process, see the bottom section.
The 42000 mAh (146 Wh) Power Bank/Solar Charger is the ideal option for most gaming laptop users. With 200W continuous power output and a 250W peak, it reliably powered our 230W gaming laptop during testing.
To use the AC outlet, simply turn on the power bank and press the “AC” button to activate the outlet.
This power bank meets current TSA regulations for carry-on baggage (but NOT checked baggage). I highly recommend carrying the manual when traveling, as it clearly states the capacity is 42000mAh (146Wh)—important for security checks.
For detailed specifications of this power bank and a summary of our testing process, see the bottom section.
Bulkier, but Feature-Packed
Highlights: Nearly double the capacity of smaller options, but at the cost of size and weight. Offers quick-charging and can handle 300W continuous / 600W peak power.
Why This Power Bank Stands Out
The Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station combines exceptional power with versatility, making it a top choice for gamers, content creators, and other professionals.
With a massive 80,000mAh (288Wh) capacity, the C300 provides 300W continuous power and 600W peak power, capable of running even the most demanding gaming laptops with ease. Its quick-charging feature allows you to recharge the power bank to 80% in just 50 minutes, a standout convenience for heavy users.
Equipped with three AC outlets, the C300 offers unmatched versatility. However, its size and weight make it less portable—it may be difficult to fit both your laptop and this power bank in a standard backpack.
One major limitation is its ineligibility for air travel, as its capacity exceeds TSA regulations for carry-on luggage. If portability for flights isn’t a priority, this power bank is an excellent investment.
For full dimensions, weight, and additional specifications, see the bottom section.
The Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station combines exceptional power with versatility, making it a top choice for gamers, content creators, and other professionals.
With a massive 80,000mAh (288Wh) capacity, the C300 provides 300W continuous power and 600W peak power, capable of running even the most demanding gaming laptops with ease. Its quick-charging feature allows you to recharge the power bank to 80% in just 50 minutes, a standout convenience for heavy users.
Equipped with three AC outlets, the C300 offers unmatched versatility. However, its size and weight make it less portable—it may be difficult to fit both your laptop and this power bank in a standard backpack.
One major limitation is its ineligibility for air travel, as its capacity exceeds TSA regulations for carry-on luggage. If portability for flights isn’t a priority, this power bank is an excellent investment.
For full dimensions, weight, and additional specifications, see the bottom section.
Slightly Slimmer and Lighter
Highlights: Slimmer and lighter than the Anker C300, with a high capacity and competitive 300W power output. A great option for those seeking powerful performance with a slightly smaller footprint.
Why Choose This Power Station
The Powdeom 300W Portable Power Station is a solid alternative to the Anker C300 for users who want high power output and exceptional capacity in a slimmer and lighter design.
With a 300W maximum power output and an impressive 299.7Wh capacity, this power station can handle even the most demanding gaming laptops or other high-performance devices. Its quick-recharging feature (up to 60% in just one hour) makes it an efficient choice for users who need rapid turnarounds.
While it’s not as compact as smaller power banks, its design is slightly slimmer and lighter than the Anker C300, making it easier to transport. However, like the Anker, this power station exceeds TSA carry-on battery regulations, so it’s not approved for air travel.
Although its regular price is higher than some competitors, this power station is frequently discounted during sales events like Prime Day, making it a competitive option for budget-conscious shoppers.
For full specs, dimensions, and details, see the bottom section.
The Powdeom 300W Portable Power Station is a solid alternative to the Anker C300 for users who want high power output and exceptional capacity in a slimmer and lighter design.
With a 300W maximum power output and an impressive 299.7Wh capacity, this power station can handle even the most demanding gaming laptops or other high-performance devices. Its quick-recharging feature (up to 60% in just one hour) makes it an efficient choice for users who need rapid turnarounds.
While it’s not as compact as smaller power banks, its design is slightly slimmer and lighter than the Anker C300, making it easier to transport. However, like the Anker, this power station exceeds TSA carry-on battery regulations, so it’s not approved for air travel.
Although its regular price is higher than some competitors, this power station is frequently discounted during sales events like Prime Day, making it a competitive option for budget-conscious shoppers.
For full specs, dimensions, and details, see the bottom section.
Previous Picks No Longer Available
While unavailable at the moment, two products we previously recommended were the 64800 mAH (220 Wh) Power Bank/Solar Charger and the Egretech Plume 300W Portable Power Station. Both offered excellent performance and features, and we’ll update this page if they become available again.
How Long Will My Device Run?
Power conversion losses are a normal part of using any power bank, typically reducing efficiency by about 10% to 15%. To estimate how long a power bank will run your device, use this formula:
(Power capacity of power bank (Wh)) x 0.85 / (Device wattage (W))
For example, if your device averages 60 W, a 146 Wh power bank would provide approximately:
146 Wh x 0.85 ÷ 60 W = 2.07 hours of usage.
In real-world testing, the 42,000 mAh (146 Wh) power bank ran for about 2 to 2.5 hours of continuous usage and took around 7 hours to fully recharge.
To better compare with your laptop, the specs of our tested laptop (230 W) is shown at the end of this article.
Looking Beyond Regular Power Banks
This article primarily focuses on power banks that fit neatly into a backpack’s second pocket, where AC adapters or extra batteries are often stored. However, if you’re willing to carry a larger device (think lunch-pail size), you might consider “power stations”. These devices, like the Gensrock Portable Power Station (weighing 5.5 lbs), offer massive capacity (100,000 mAh or higher), higher power outputs (250W+), and features like UPS functionality and solar charging. Most power stations can easily handle gaming laptops with power to spare. We review these portable power stations here.
Product Specs
HIGHLIGHTS
AC POWER OUTPUT
POWER STORAGE
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT
LINK TO PDF MANUAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Best Solution for Most AC POWER OUTPUT
200W (continuous)/250W (peak) POWER STORAGE
42000 mAh (146 Wh) DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT
5.71 x 7.87 x 1.81 in, 3.31 lbs. LINK TO PDF MANUAL
Instruction Manual 
HIGHLIGHTS
Higher Capacity and Powerful Features AC POWER OUTPUT
300W (continuous)/600W (peak) POWER STORAGE
80000 mAh (288 Wh) DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT
6.46 x 6.34 x 9.45 in, 9.02 lbs. LINK TO PDF MANUAL
User Manual 
HIGHLIGHTS
Slimmer and Lighter Version of Anker C300 AC POWER OUTPUT
300W POWER STORAGE
299.7 Wh DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT
9.84 x 4.8 x 4.76 in, 7.7 lbs.LINK TO PDF MANUAL
Currently not available Specs of Tested Laptop
Features
AC POWER
POWER USAGE (STANDARD/MAXIMUM)
Gaming Laptop (230W)
Model: Omen 17-w200
Features
17.3″ widescreen, 2 internal HDDs POWER USAGE (STANDARD/MAXIMUM)
Approx. 23W/230W TSA Travel Regulations
When traveling, it’s important to note that power banks are subject to strict regulations due to the rare but real risk of flammability. While hazardous items like knives and firearms are allowed in checked luggage in the U.S., power banks generally are not allowed. Instead, these must be stored in carry-on bags and are subject to specific size limits:
– Power banks up to 100 Wh: Allowed in carry-on bags only
– Power banks from 101-160 Wh: Up to two power banks are allowed in carry-on bags with airline approval
(Source: TSA Guidelines)
Before traveling, always check the TSA website, your airline’s latest regulations, and any relevant international guidelines for the countries you’re visiting, as policies can vary and change without notice.
– Power banks up to 100 Wh: Allowed in carry-on bags only
– Power banks from 101-160 Wh: Up to two power banks are allowed in carry-on bags with airline approval
(Source: TSA Guidelines)
Before traveling, always check the TSA website, your airline’s latest regulations, and any relevant international guidelines for the countries you’re visiting, as policies can vary and change without notice.
Disclaimers
– The testing data provided is for reference only and reflects specific use cases. Compatibility with your laptop or device is not guaranteed. Always compare your device specifications with the power bank details provided here and consider your personal usage patterns.
– Airline and travel regulations for power banks are subject to change. The current U.S. limit is 100 Wh for checked luggage and 160 Wh for carry-on luggage (with restrictions). Always verify with the TSA, your airline, and international authorities prior to travel.
– Airline and travel regulations for power banks are subject to change. The current U.S. limit is 100 Wh for checked luggage and 160 Wh for carry-on luggage (with restrictions). Always verify with the TSA, your airline, and international authorities prior to travel.
Hello, I was just wondering if using the 200w power bank would damage my laptop, since it uses 230w like the omen with 19.5v and 11.8A, thanks.
Not likely, but will cuz slow charge then normal. And Charger is likely to heat up as it has to run at max or peak capacity. Also laptop will draw power that’s ontly needed.
Here’s my opinion as a non-expert.
Electronics are sensitive to changes in voltage, such as when a 100V device is plugged into a 240V outlet, but the power brick for your laptop probably is an international product that can handle 100V to 240V (mine says “INPUT: 100-240V ~3.5A”).
And so, what will happen if you can only give your laptop 200W when it needs 230W (peak)?
In my experience, such as when riding on planes with a supplied outlet (probably max. 120W), my laptop simply switched to battery power when it did not get enough juice.
Also, the 200W power bank has a peak of 250W, and so it MIGHT be able to handle 230W for a short length of time.
Hi, thanks for the review. Just wondering what made you say that the 42000mah version can’t do the passhrough, like does it physically not let you?
That’s right. You can’t charge it (connect to the INPUT) and use power (connected to outlet or USB) at the same time.
Hi,
Thanks for the review.
You just introduced me to a new world of portable power supply!
Thanks.
Regards
Hi there, do you know roughly how long did the FLOUREON battery last for your 230w gaming laptop?
Off the top of my head, I’d say slightly more than two hours for word processing applications. Of course, this would be significantly less for games.
Great, thks for the quick reply!
Hi mr Japandude, been hoping you might update this soon as there are very few references online to help me decide which power bank will give me the longest battery life. All i need to do is stream video to it at hd – uhd, with as close to full screen as possible. I was wondering if you knew if there was a huge difference between streaming video from a camcorder, or playing a video game such as dota 2. What id like is a power bank capable of giving me 12 hours of stream per day, and be ready to go again the next day after a night of charging. What id love is for it to allow me to play dota 2 as well for 12 hours, but do realize that is a lot to ask and would require many many amps.
Thanks for visiting my site!
It sounds like you’re going to need a lot of power.
First, do you want your power bank to be portable (fit in a backpack) or can it be a bigger size? I review some of the large power stations here (http://www.japandude.com/guide-to-portable-solar-generators-power-stations/).
To get an idea of how much power you need, try to figure out how many watts you’re using. You might be able to find out from the device manual, otherwise, you’ll need an “energy consumption meter” or similar device. I’ve seen them for $12-$13 on Amazon.(https://amzn.to/2pwHVjC)
Then, you need to compare that value with how much juice the power bank will provide. From the manual (http://www.japandude.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Portable-Solar-Generator-42000-mah-Manual.pdf), the 42000 mAh power bank above is 146 wH. That means that if you’re using 100W, you should get less than 90 minutes or power. If you’re using 50 W, you should get almost 3 hours. Of course, actual performance will slightly less than this theoretical value. This should at least give you an idea of what mAh (wH) range you should be looking for.
Good luck!
Pls, how long will the 64800mah powerbank last while playing games on dell xps 9550
It’s difficult to give a reliable estimate with all the possible variables, but here’s some estimates for you.
The 64800mah is equivalent to 220 Wh, and the 6-cell battery in the XPS 9550 is rated at 84 Wh, and so that’s nearly three times as much as the current battery.
Your power supply is rated at 130W, and so when running at FULL power, you should get around 220/130 = 1.7 hours.
Howdy, JapanDude!
Hey, great article. I had zero knowledge about how powerbanks work, and your article was my introduction.
Do you have a recommendation for a car-charger for a laptop? It is an MSI GF75 with a 3-cell 51Whr battery. The power adapter says “180W”. It does NOT have USB-C charging capabilities. Also, I would only be charging it while the laptop was off and the car was running. 🙂
Any education or advice would be well received.
Thank you!
John D.
Thanks for the kind words.
It sounds like you need a “power inverter” for your car that plugs into the cigarette outlet. Plus, you’d want one that’s rated HIGHER than 180W.
Here are some power inverters.
https://amzn.to/2SE8Oht
JapanDude
Great post! Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work.
Hi there, firstly would like to appreciate this article and say it is brilliant especially with the detail of air transport restrictions. I just have one question.
Question
I wanted to ask if you know how long a 230w gaming laptop would last on the larger Floureon 64800mah power supply/bank.
Thank you! and sorry for such a late comment.
I have the 42000mah power bank, and for my 230w gaming laptop, it gives me about 2 hours of power — longer when using light apps, shorter for games and other power-intensive apps.
Based on those numbers, the 64800mah power bank should give you around 3 hours of power.
I hope that this helps!
That’s right. You can’t charge it (connect to the INPUT) and use power (connected to outlet or USB) at the same time.
Hello Japandude, great review !
I’ve got a Lenovo legion y540 170W, 20V, 52.5Wh
Should I look for a powerbank of +- 150W and 20V and more than 60Wh ?
Hope you’ll see this message.
BelgiumDude
Hey there!
A powerbank of +- 150W will PROBABLY be OK unless you are running games or other high-demand apps.
Normally, my PC runs at only a fraction of the maximum power.
However, 60Wh seems a little small to me. If your PC runs at about a third of the maximum power (170/3 = 57W), that will only give you one hour of power.
The 42000mAh (146Wh) power bank featured here will give you 146 Wh, which is almost 2.5x more than 60Wh.
Of course, it all depends on what you need it for. I hope that this helps!
Thanks for the answer JapanDude !
I’ll take a powerbank with the most Wh possible then.
The 42000mAh power bank has got too much watts (200W) for my 170W Legion y540, hasn’t it ? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for my computer? I wonder what would be the best option in terms of watts.
I thought I should look for a power bank with less watts than the computer since you took a 200W power bank for your 230W computer.
Hope you’ll see this new message and sorry for disturbing you ^_^
I just bought this computer and I would be really happy if I could use it for a whole day at the university.
BelgiumDude
BelgiumDude,
I think that you’re misunderstanding the units of power, watts (W), here. You NEED to have a power bank that supplies at or more than your power needs.
You can plug low-power devices into the 200W power bank without any problems. The 200W is how much power it supplies at the peak.
When you plug in low-power devices, the power bank will last 8 or more hours. When you plug in a high-power device, it will only last for an hour or two.
The AC output for the power bank is “AC 110V”. As long as your device can plug into outlets in North America (110V), you don’t need to worry about frying your device.
Everythhing’s clear now.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find any powerbank that would fit. Some are real generators, so too large for my backpack and others are not deliverable in Belgium… My device can’t plug into outlets in North America but I could have bought an adapter. Anyway, Thank you for your explanations, JapanDude !
Tu trabajo es inclreible!!! Estoy muy impresionado, me has enseñado mas en 30 minutos de lo que he aprendido buscando videos e informacion sobre este tema, muchas gracias por compartir tu conocimiento 😉
I have an acer predator helios 300, my power adapter says 180 watts what power bank would be best for me? And in canada flying with a less than 160wh battery. Thanks in advance, jeff
Thanks for your question!
Because the 50000 mAH power bank featured here supports only up to 90W in the specs (we tested it working up to 120W), I think that the 42000 mAh is the best choice for you.
It’s also the only one of these three that is TSA-approved for airline travel (carry-on) because it’s less than 160wh.
Thanks man your the best, promot reply, i forgot to mention in my previous question, the device will not charge while in play will it? Does it need to be in sleep mode or turned off to charge? Thanks Japandude.
Your device does NOT need to be in sleep mode or turned off.
The 42000 mAh power bank can provide power continuously at 200W (250W peak). That means that you CAN run your PC while charging — the PC will act like it’s plugged into an outlet. In fact, I was able to run my 230W power laptop this way.
In my experience, the PC would need to be off only when the power bank cannot supply enough power in its normal state — such as when using the 50000 mAh power bank that has only 90W power output.
Hey, thanks for the information. But i still have a doubt tho. My laptops adapter says 16A 250V. So what kind of power bank will i need. Please suggest.
And that my laptop says its 66Wh
In that case, the 64800 mAH power bank (220 Wh) would be your best choice because it offers 300W power output (600W peak).
The next closest is the 42000 mAh power bank, but it only offers 200W power output (250W peak).
If you still don’t think that these will give you enough power, you need to look at the power stations that I review here.
The large power station there provides 1000W power (2000W peak).
I want an half or less capacity 250W power bank like this, to be allowable in air travel.
This power bank provides up to 100W of power and should be OK for air travel.
Link:
https://amzn.to/3B80k6e
That is not capable to power a 230 W consumer, like is common in some gaming laptops.
This is very confusing. In some places I see the limit for air travel is 20000 mAh, others say 27000 mAh, others say 27600 mAh and now it appears here an entry with 42000 mAh!
The best thing is to just check with the airline that you will be flying with. Many have it posted on their websites.
AOHI has an AC 150w TSA compliant portable powerbank
Hi JapanDude, thanks for writing this article and sharing the wisdom! I reckon I have a fundamental gap in knowledge that brings up this question but I’d like to ask if it’s technically possible to charge a 200W gaming laptop with a a 100W power bank when the laptop is not in use (let’s say it’s sleeping)? I’d just like to charge the laptop when it’s in my backpack or not in use, I can stand not having it charge while I’m using it. Cheers
Technically, it’s difficult to say, but if I had to guess, I’d say yes. That’s because I was able to charge my 230W laptop with a 90W power bank when it was turned off.
Of course, there’s no guarantee, and so maybe you should buy the 100W power bank from a dealer with an easy return policy just in case.
The reason it could work is that 200W is the maximum power that your laptop draws, but normally, it should not need that much power.
JD, borrowed a power bank from a friend to power something, not charge. It was low power but needed it to ‘continuously’ run. However, I found that the power bank switches off after 2 hours. Do all power banks switch off like that? Just need it to stay on. Any recommendations? Thanks!
On the Amazon page of the Powkey power bank presented here, the manufacturer answers this question in the Customer Q&As: “The DC & USB outputs will auto off in several seconds if no devices loaded. but even a very small load, such as 2W USB fan, It will also be detected and the battery will always output power.”
If size is not an issue, for this 300W peak / 280Wh capacity large power bank, in the Customer Q&As, the manufacturer says: “This portable power station will power down automatically if the total output power is detected lower than 2W for 12 consecutive hours. But if you charge the device less than 2W, this power station won’t stop working until 12 hours later.”
Hope this helps!
On the Amazon page of the Powkey power bank presented here, the manufacturer answers this question in the Customer Q&As: “The DC & USB outputs will auto off in several seconds if no devices loaded. but even a very small load, such as 2W USB fan, It will also be detected and the battery will always output power.”
If size is not an issue, for this 300W peak / 280Wh capacity large power bank, in the Customer Q&As, the manufacturer says: “This portable power station will power down automatically if the total output power is detected lower than 2W for 12 consecutive hours. But if you charge the device less than 2W, this power station won’t stop working until 12 hours later.”
Hope this helps!