Let's be real: nothing kills a trip faster than your iPhone dying. You're about to snap a perfect sunset, and your screen goes black. You're navigating unfamiliar streets, and the map stops loading. You just want to message "I'm safe!" and your phone is completely dead. Picking a travel charger in 2025 isn't about grabbing anything that works—it needs to be portable, fast, and adapt to any situation. Whether you're backpacking, on a business trip, or just relaxing on vacation, your phone needs to stay alive.
I've spent the last six months traveling with popular chargers from INIU and ESR. I've learned what works and what doesn't. Here’s my real-world take on which ones are actually worth the space in your luggage.
First, the core needs: A travel charger needs to be small (don't waste precious bag space), fast (topping up between sights), and ideally, able to charge multiple devices at once (so you carry fewer cables). Let's break it down by use case: on-the-go, in the hotel, and emergency fast-charging.
Whether on a long flight, sightseeing all day, or working from a café, a power bank is a lifesaver. I've tested both of these charger on the road, and they each suit different travel styles.
INIU P50-E1 Wired Fast Charging Power Bank (10000mAh, 45W)
This thing is a tiny powerhouse! I took it to Dali—it fit easily in my tote bag's side pocket all day. At 160 grams, it's lighter than a small water bottle and about the size of two stacked macarons. The charging speed is the real star. My iPhone 17 went from 20% to 70% in just over 20 minutes. I finished my coffee by Erhai Lake, and my phone was ready to go.
The three ports are a game-changer for travel. My friend and I could charge her phone, my iPad (with offline guides), and a Bluetooth speaker simultaneously—no more fighting for outlets. In a small shop in Shuanglang, with only one socket, this power bank got us through until we got back to the hotel. Our travel buddies were seriously jealous.
ESR Magnetic Wireless Power Bank (10000mAh, Qi2 15W)
If you're like me and always misplace cables, get this one! It magnetically snaps onto iPhone 12-17 models and starts charging instantly—no port-fumbling required. When I visited the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and my phone was dying, I just pulled this out of my bag, attached it, and kept going—taking photos, reading info—all without a tangled mess of wires.
It's incredibly slim (just 0.5 inches thick). I barely felt it in my jeans pocket while walking around all day. From a full charge, it can power an iPhone 16 more than twice—perfect for a short weekend trip. The one thing to note: as a wireless charger, it's slower than a wired one, but the convenience is worth it. Rushing for a train or flight? Just pull it out and snap it on. No digging for cables.
The Verdict: It's all about your habit. If you're always in a rush and need a quick top-up, the P50-E1 is your pick. If you hate the hassle of cables, the ESR Power Bank is your perfect travel buddy.
The universal hotel room problems: too few outlets and tiny desks. Bringing multiple chargers turns the place into a spider web of cables. A wireless charger fixes this, and ESR's new Qi2.2 series is a massive upgrade over older models like the INIU SnapGo W31-E1—it's practically made for travel.
This is now my non-negotiable travel essential. I used to carry the INIU W31-E1, but it was bulky, heavy, and slow. The ESR model fixes all of that. The speed is impressive—my iPhone 16 Pro went from 0% to 75% in just half an hour. I could plug it in at the hotel, get ready for bed, and have a full battery for a late-night snack run.
Its cooling tech is a lifesaver. Other wireless chargers made my phone hot overnight, which worried me. The CryoBoost tech actually works—it was only slightly warm after a full night's charge. Total peace of mind. Plus, it's foldable! Folded, it's as thin as a small notebook. On my trip to Xinjiang, it slid right into my backpack's side pocket without taking up any real space.
It also charges Apple Watch and AirPods with official certification, so it's super stable. One stand powers three devices, clearing up the entire desk. No more fighting your partner for the outlet. In a small cabin in Kanas with only one socket, this thing charged my phone, watch, and headphones. Pure bliss.
I've tested both, and they're for different scenarios. The INIU W21-E1 is a decent desk stand. If you travel for business and need to take video calls or check messages in your room, it's handy—your phone charges upright, so you don't have to look down. The built-in fan also helps with heat. But it doesn't fold and is pretty bulky. When I took it to Yunnan, it hogged suitcase space. It's better for a semi-permanent hotel setup, not constant moving.
The ESR CryoBoost Travel Charger is designed for life "on the move." It's foldable, ultra-portable, and can even fit in a carry-on. On a business trip to Shanghai—from the airport to the hotel to client offices—I carried it everywhere. The 25W fast charging and ability to power three devices meant I could top up my phone between meetings and charge my watch and headphones during breaks. So efficient. It's also much smaller than the INIU W21-E1. A no-brainer for frequent travelers.
If your travels are simple and you only need to charge a phone, the INIU W11-E1 gets the job done. It's slim, foldable, and can fit in a wallet-sized pouch. It's slower (15W), but leaving it on your nightstand overnight will get you to 100%. On a short trip to a nearby town, it was simple and hassle-free.
But if you travel with an Apple Watch and AirPods, I highly recommend the ESR 25W 3-in-1. It works as a stand for watching videos or navigation, charges three devices at once, and comes with its own power adapter—so you don't need to pack an extra plug. In a Hainan homestay, I propped my phone up to watch ocean videos while my watch and耳机 charged beside it. One charger solved everything, keeping the desk clean. It just feels better.
Sometimes you face emergencies: a 5 AM flight and your phone is at 10%, or a long bus ride where you need a quick power boost. That's where a wall charger shines. INIU's 100W GaN wall charger is far superior to ESR's offerings—a godsend for multi-device users.
INIU A11-E1 100W GaN Wall Charger. Don't let the high power fool you—it's super compact, about the size of a deck of cards. It fits easily in a travel adapter pouch. It uses new materials, making it half the size and much lighter than old chargers. On a trip to Europe, this single charger handled my iPhone, MacBook Air, and iPad. I didn't need to bring multiple plugs, saving a ton of space.
It has two ports (USB-C and USB-A), so even older devices work—like my mom's old wireless headphones. It's also very safe, with over-current and over-voltage protection. I've left it plugged in overnight at hotels without any worry. Best of all, it charges laptops quickly. At the airport, a 40-minute charge on my MacBook Air gave me enough juice for an afternoon of work. A true emergency hero.
Forget the complicated specs. Just match the charger to your travel style.
You don't need the most expensive travel charger—you need the one that fits you.
A good charger takes the anxiety out of travel. No more stressing about finding an outlet, missing a perfect shot because your phone died, or dealing with a tangled cable mess. Here's to your next trip being fully charged and absolutely unforgettable
