Cheap and tough power banks to keep your devices alive

South Africa’s millennial workforce has one universal gripe: flat batteries at the worst possible time. Whether it is Eskom’s load-shedding roulette, back-to-back Zoom calls, or endless scrolling during a taxi ride, phones die fast.

The fix is obvious but surprisingly overlooked: a reliable, budget-friendly power bank that can handle a rough commute and still deliver proper charge speeds.

Here are some of the best (and highly rated) Takealot options that won’t torch your wallet or quit after a month.

Rayswitch 10,000 mAh Fast Charging (22.5 W PD20W)

The Rayswitch unit is a compact everyday carrier with 22.5 W output and Power Delivery support. At R199, it’s one of the cheaper fast-charge picks. The slim size suits pockets and bags, and it balances capacity with portability.

Samsung 20,000 mAh 45 W PD Battery Pack

Samsung’s original pack is not the cheapest at R740, but it is rated at 45 W PD, which means it can charge a Galaxy phone at full speed and still push charge to tablets or laptops when you're in a pinch. Build quality is on brand: tough casing, reliable circuitry, and a two-port setup that actually sustains higher outputs.

Paying more doesn’t always buy you style points, but it can buy reliability. Sometimes that’s worth it.

Redisson PD605 40,000 mAh Fast Charging Power Bank

This beast sits firmly in the “weekend survival kit” category. At 40,000 mAh, the PD605 can recharge a standard smartphone multiple times without breaking a sweat. It is chunky (more backpack than pocket-friendly), but at under R400, it offers serious endurance for road trips, camping, or when the grid looks unstable.

Winx Go Simple 10,000 mAh Power Bank

The Winx Go Simple comes in under R200. The specs are modest, but it’s reliable. Lightweight and durable enough to throw into a laptop bag, it works for people who just want one or two extra charges through the day without paying flagship prices.

Volkano Punch Series 20,000 mAh PD 20 W

The Volkano Punch delivers 20,000 mAh capacity and a 20 W PD fast charging. At about R389, it’s one of the best price-to-capacity ratios available locally. It charges two devices at once and can withstand scratches and knocks, which makes it a decent travel companion.

These are not luxury gadgets; they’re practical lifelines. Prices vary from R199 to R740, but each of these has enough stamina to keep your phone alive. The right choice depends on whether you want pocket-size portability, laptop-friendly power, or marathon endurance.