Ehsan Haque/CNN Underscored

Few things are worse than when your phone or tablet is low on battery and there’s nowhere to plug it in. A portable power bank is an easy way to avoid that situation. And while you won’t need a battery bank all the time, they can be a big help in emergencies and when you’re traveling.

Rather than searching for a wall outlet, power banks let you keep phones and other devices charged while on the go. As someone who travels regularly, I always carry one with me, whether I’m on a 3-hour hike or a 12-hour flight.

There are hundreds of battery banks available, and picking one can be challenging. Let’s take a look at an inexpensive power bank from Target’s Heyday brand that may have everything you need for $10.

This power bank is among one of the most affordable options and meets the needs of most consumers. It weighs 0.3 pounds and has enough battery capacity to fully charge an iPhone 15 Pro, making it a perfect travel companion.

How I found the Heyday Power Bank

I look for a few things when it comes to power banks, but the two most important factors I consider are battery capacity and form factor.

A power bank’s capacity rating tells you roughly how much of a charge it can hold. A battery pack’s capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (often abbreviated as mAh). Generally speaking, battery packs with higher capacities tend to weigh more.

Power banks should also be small and lightweight so they’re easy to toss in your pocket or a travel backpack without being cumbersome. I tend to look for power banks that have a slim design and weigh less than 1 pound.

I found the Heyday Power Bank when shopping on Target’s website, and it ticks most of these boxes even though it only costs $10.

Why the Heyday Power Bank is a score

Ehsan Haque/CNN Underscored

The Heyday Power Bank comes with a respectable battery capacity of 4,000 mAh. And with its single USB-A port, it can charge just about any smartphone or tablet, provided you have the correct cable. The power bank has a maximum power output of 10.5 watts.

The battery pack comes with a standard micro-USB charging cable that can be used to recharge it. There is also a charge light indicator that lets you know when the power bank needs to be charged.

Although the battery pack doesn’t come with a cable to charge your smartphone, you most likely already have one for your current device. For example, if you have a USB-A to USB-C cable, you will be able to charge USB-C devices like the iPhone 15.

The Heyday Power Bank is compact, lightweight and has a well-thought-out design that can fit in your pocket. Incredibly, the power bank weighs less than 0.3 pounds, so light that I often forget it’s in my pocket.

Bottom line

A battery pack is a valuable tool when your phone is just about to die. If you want to be prepared for any event, whether it’s a long road trip or a night out with some friends, carrying a battery pack with you is a great idea.

And at just around $10, the Heyday Power Bank is a great option for those looking to carry a portable battery pack for a very budget-friendly price.

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