9 must-have laptop power and charging accessories for students

Laptops are amazing devices that students can put to great use while on campus, and the best laptops make researching, studying, and completing assignments a breeze. However, if you plan on using one, then you’re going to want to invest in a quality charging accessory that can keep your device juiced up throughout a long day of classes. Here are some of our favorites.

Note: If you choose to get one of these, you need to check the type of plug your device uses to charge and make sure that it’s compatible with the charging accessory on which you have your eye. Most modern laptops use a USB-C cable for charging, so most of these accessories will primarily charge that way.

Staff pick

This power bank packs a whopping 50,000 mAh of battery power, four USB ports for charging peripherals, and it comes with a ton of different adapters that will allow you to use it on almost any laptop out there — old or new.

• $130 at Amazon
• $200 at Device Improve

This charging brick offers the same colossal battery power as the previous option, but has two USB 3.0 ports instead of USB 1.0 or 2.1, allowing you to charge your peripherals faster if they support those improvements.

• $190 at Engadget
• $200 at Amazon

This 22,000 mAh bank doesn’t have the highest capacity on the list, but it does come with a thick, high-quality fabric wrap on the exterior that feels nice, looks great, and improves the power bank’s durability.

• $200 at Amazon
• $200 at Mophie

Anker’s solution packs 26,800 mAh of power and two USB 3.0 ports into a small frame that’s easy to store in a bag, making it an excellent choice if you want something high-quality and easy to carry around.

• $60 at Amazon
• $60 at Anker

This 26,800 mAh charger doesn’t hold its charge as well as more expensive options, but it does have two “iSmart” USB ports that charge peripherals fast. It’s also on the portable side, making it a great choice.

• $60 at Amazon
• $60 at Newegg

If you own a Dell device that uses one of their trademark barrel plugs to charge instead of USB-C, this 18,000 mAh power bank is for you. It’s decently portable as well, which is always a plus.

• $79 at Newegg
• $124 at Dell

This tiny power bank from AUKEY doesn’t hold nearly as much power as other options on this list, but it is less expensive, and its small size makes it fantastic for usage on-the-go.

• $50 at Amazon
• $64 at Greenhomefair

This direct connection adapter from iClever allows you to turn any wall socket into a USB-C charging station for your device, and it’s dirt cheap, too, making it ideal for people on a budget.

• $16 at Amazon
• $50 at Newegg

If you want to turn your dorm desk into a high-end workstation, the CalDigit TS3 dock is for you. It provides continuous 85W charging to your laptop, and it also allows you to connect it to several 4K displays as well as expand your USB port count significantly.

• $210 at Amazon
• $210 at B&H

If we had to choose

Choosing a charging accessory for your laptop is an important step you’ll need to take to get the most out of your device. This is especially true if you’re equipped with one of the best laptops on the market that will help your productivity soar to new heights. Frequent use or use with intensive types of software will drain the battery faster, so in that case, you’ll want to opt for a product that has a high battery capacity. If you only use your laptop for a short while each day, though, you can get away with a more affordable option without any issues. Of course, the amount and type of USB ports that a power bank comes with is a factor, too, as most college students will want to keep their peripheral devices charged as well as their laptops.

Our favorite pick is the MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank, as it offers a ton of battery capacity and a set of four USB ports for a very fair price.

If you’re looking for something less expensive, but still high-quality, than you should opt for the RAVPower Portable Charger since it strikes an excellent balance between charging efficiency and price, making it ideal for people that use their laptops less frequently than their peers. If a power bank that can fit into your bag easily is what you’re after, the compact size and top-notch quality of the Anker PowerCore is your best bet, as there’s an impressive amount of value crammed into its frame.