Consumer Reports: The best chargers for your cell phone

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Some cell phone batteries last a lot longer than others. Among the best in Consumer Reports' tests are Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Alpha and Notes; the LG G phones; the Motorola Droid Turbo; and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

Another option is to get a charging device. Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine checked out several that will leave no device uncharged.

Nothing says misery like being out and about, away from a power source, and your phone goes dead.

Lots of companies are tapping into that fear, producing products for portable power.

How about a leather purse that comes with its own charger? Sure these are cute, but are they necessary? One bag, for $175, has a sewn-in battery. But the pocket couldn't zip properly because of the cord sticking out.

Some other clutches come with a removable charger, so you could put it into another bag. Which led Consumer Reports ShopSmart Editor, Lisa Freeman, to ask, "Why not just buy a little portable charger that you can put in a bag that you already own?"

Indeed. There are tons of portable chargers on the market. How do you pick one?

"When you shop, look for milliamps per hour, or mAh. And keep in mind that the average smart phone battery holds about 2200 to 3000 mAh," said Freeman.

One sleek device for $20, the Anker Astro Mini, has 3200 m-A-h - more than enough to fully charge your phone. It works with both Apple and Android devices and fits into any bag or pocket.

For true techies who need to power up several gadgets on the go, there's an TYLT Energi Backpack for $200. The battery holds over 10,000 m-A-h and has three ports - two for phones, one for charging a tablet. The cables run to plush-lined compartments that keep everything protected, including your laptop.

Another option to help your phone stay powered up is to buy a charging case from companies such as Mophie and PhoneSuit. Consumer Reports' tests show they can nearly double a phone's battery life.