Ideal Gifts: Cheap, powerful batteries from Anker are a gadget addict’s dream

In the Ideal Gifts series, The Next Web team shares personal recommendations for gifts to give this holiday season.

I use a LOT of power. People praise the iPhone 6 Plus for its big battery, but I still need to charge mine during the day to last through to bedtime. Maybe it’s me working hard to beat Natt Garun at Two Dots, but whatever the reason, a portable battery is a must-carry accessory for me every day.

There’s no shortage of batteries on the market, sold with the promise of giving your phone an extra charge or three on the go. What I learned the hard way is most of these are much more expensive than they need be.

If you’re looking for a brilliant stocking filler for the mobile phone or tablet addict in your life (or maybe even yourself), Anker has a range of batteries that offer potency without an eye-watering price tag.

Anker’s range includes models with faster charging of USB-C laptops like the 2015 MacBook, surge protection and built-in flashlights. They generally offer dual USB ports for charging two devices at once and you’ll find they tend to come in way better value than better-known brands.

For example, the PowerCore 16000 boasts a 16,000 mAh battery and costs £20 on Amazon UK, while the similar Mophie Powerstation Duo costs £70 and only packs 6,000 mAh.

Sure, these aren’t the sexiest-looking models on the block but they’re reliable, durable and great value. I carry two of the Second Generation Astro E4 13,000 mAh models in my bag whenever I go traveling and I know that each will give me an extra charge out of my iPad Air, or three extra charges of iPhone 6 Plus.  And those numbers are typically higher if I don’t use my devices while the battery does its work.

➤ Anker portable batteries