Laptop power bank: match the USB-C watts, then count the watt-hours
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Quick answer
Yes, a power bank can charge a laptop if it has a USB-C Power Delivery port with enough watts. Goal Zero's Sherpa 100PD, for example, outputs up to 100 W over USB-C and holds 94.7 Wh. Goal Zero estimates a 95 Wh Sherpa gives a 50 Wh laptop up to 1.5 recharges. Check your laptop charger's wattage first. For flying, FAA says power banks go in carry-on bags and limits lithium-ion batteries to 100 Wh without airline approval.
Three laptop-capable power banks compared
| Spec | Goal Zero Venture 75 | Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD | Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 71.04 Wh | 94.7 Wh | 94.7 Wh |
| Max USB-C output | 60 W | 100 W | 100 W (one port), 60 W (other) |
| USB-C input | 60 W | 60 W | 60 W |
| AC outlet | No | No | Yes, 100 W modified sine wave |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 W | 15 W |
| Weight | 20.35 oz | 1.5 lb | 2.1 lb |
| Weather | IP67 | Not rated | Not rated |
All three are under FAA's 100 Wh limit for lithium-ion batteries carried without airline approval.
Can a power bank charge my laptop?
- Check the port: the laptop needs to charge over USB-C. If yours uses a barrel plug instead, it needs an AC outlet or the laptop maker's adapter.
- Match the watts: look at the wattage printed on your laptop's charger. Goal Zero's Sherpa 100PD lists 100 W from its USB-C port, as 20 V at up to 5 A. If your laptop's charger is rated above the bank's port, such as the Venture 75's 60 W, expect slower charging.
- Use a cable rated for the watts: Since 100 W is 20 V at 5 A, use a cable rated for 5 A; Goal Zero includes a USB-C to USB-C cable with the Sherpa.
How many laptop charges to expect
Divide the bank's watt-hours by the laptop battery's watt-hours, then allow for losses. Goal Zero shows the gap: 94.7 Wh divided by a 50 Wh laptop is 1.9 on paper, but Goal Zero lists up to 1.5 recharges for the Sherpa 100AC. Goal Zero lists the 71.04 Wh Venture 75 at up to 1 recharge of a USB-C laptop.
- Phones: Goal Zero lists up to 7 recharges of a 12 Wh smartphone from the Sherpa 100AC.
- Tablets: up to 3 recharges of a 30 Wh tablet.
Find your laptop's battery watt-hours in its specs or on the battery label to estimate your own number.
USB-C or an AC outlet?
- USB-C is more efficient: a laptop that charges over USB-C can take power directly, without converting to AC and back.
- AC for barrel-plug devices: the Sherpa 100AC adds a 110 V outlet limited to 100 W, which Goal Zero lists as a modified sine wave. That suits a small laptop charger or camera charger, not appliances.
- Check the limit: anything drawing more than 100 W will not run from that outlet.
Recharging the bank in an outage
- Wall: Goal Zero says a 65 W USB-C charger, sold separately, refills a Sherpa in about 2 hours.
- Sun: Goal Zero lists 9 to 18 hours for the Sherpa 100PD on a Nomad 20 panel, and 3 to 6 hours for the Sherpa 100AC on a Nomad 50.
- Car: both Sherpas can charge from a vehicle's USB or a USB-C car charger.
- Storage: Goal Zero says to charge them every 3 to 6 months, and lists an operating range of 32 to 104°F for the Sherpa.
For panel choices, see our best solar power bank and small solar panels guides.
Flying with a laptop power bank
FAA says spare lithium batteries, including power banks, must go in carry-on baggage, and must be removed from a bag that is checked at the gate. It limits lithium-ion batteries to 100 Wh each without airline approval, and notes some airlines limit how many power banks you can carry. Both Sherpas list 94.7 Wh and the Venture 75 lists 71.04 Wh. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
What to look for when you buy
100 W USB-C: Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD
Best for: USB-C laptops that draw up to 100 W
Goal Zero lists 94.7 Wh, 100 W USB-C PD output, 60 W input, two USB-A ports, 15 W wireless charging, a 2 hour recharge on a 65 W charger and 1.5 lb.
Watch out: No AC outlet, and the 65 W wall charger is sold separately.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)With an AC outlet: Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC
Best for: Laptops or chargers that need a wall plug
Goal Zero lists 94.7 Wh, two 60 W USB-C ports with one reaching 100 W out, a 100 W modified sine AC outlet, an OLED display and 8 mm solar input.
Watch out: Heavier at 2.1 lb; the AC outlet is limited to 100 W.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Rugged and smaller: Goal Zero Venture 75
Best for: Smaller laptops and outdoor use
Goal Zero lists 71.04 Wh, 60 W USB-C in and out, up to one USB-C laptop recharge, a 1.5 hour recharge, IP67 and 20.35 oz.
Watch out: 60 W may charge a power-hungry laptop slowly.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Can a power bank charge a laptop?
- Yes, through USB-C Power Delivery with enough watts; Goal Zero's Sherpa 100PD outputs up to 100 W.
- How many times can a power bank charge a laptop?
- Goal Zero lists up to 1.5 recharges of a 50 Wh laptop from its 94.7 Wh Sherpa 100AC.
- Can I take a laptop power bank on a plane?
- In carry-on only, per FAA, and up to 100 Wh without airline approval; the Sherpas list 94.7 Wh.
- Do I need an AC outlet on a power bank?
- Only for devices that cannot charge over USB-C; the Sherpa 100AC's outlet is limited to 100 W.
Sources
- Sherpa 100PD, Goal Zero
- Sherpa 100AC, Goal Zero
- Venture 75, Goal Zero
- PackSafe: Lithium Batteries, Federal Aviation Administration