Imagine this: You have just found the perfect angle for a photo of the Shanghai skyline when your phone screen goes black. Your battery is dead. A stranger points to a sleek white machine nearby. Within 30 seconds, you have scanned a QR code, paid a small deposit with your international card, and a fully charged portable charger slides out. Welcome to China's power bank rental revolution—a life-saving solution that lets you stay connected, day and night.
Why You'll Love China's Sharing Portable Chargers
China's power bank rental system has become one of the most convenient services for travelers. With coverage in virtually every corner of major cities, you will never be far from a charging point.
Key benefits include
Universal availability — found in restaurants, subway stations, shopping malls, airports, bars, and even small convenience stores. Major brands like Meituan, Monster, Xiaodian, and Jiedian cover most of the country
No app needed — scan and rent directly through WeChat or Alipay mini‑programs, exactly like ordering food delivery or hailing a DiDi, using the same familiar payment setup
International card support — works with Alipay and WeChat Pay linked to your Visa or Mastercard, plus foreign phone numbers accepted by major brands
Pick up anywhere, return anywhere — drop off at any cabinet from the same brand, even across different cities
Main Brands
The most commonly seen brands across Chinese cities are Meituan, Monster (怪兽充电), Xiaodian (小电), and Jiedian (街电). A 2025 report from Jiangsu Consumer Council tested seven brands—Meituan, Monster, Laidian, Xiaodian, Chongdianlang, Jiedian, and Dianbaobao—and all were found to have similar pricing structures: a short free period (2–5 minutes), hourly rates of approximately 3–6 CNY, daily caps around 30–60 CNY, and an overall cap of 99 CNY.
Brands that stand out for foreign users:
Meituan (美团): Integrated with the Meituan super-app, offering a 5‑minute free trial and 2.4A fast charging. Supported in every major city
Monster (怪兽充电): Officially supports overseas phone numbers and international cards through WeChat/Alipay mini‑programs. If you have set up Alipay or WeChat Pay, you are good to go
Xiaodian (小电): Reliable and widely available, with seamless mini‑program integration on both WeChat and Alipay. If your credit score is 550+, rental is deposit‑free
Jiedian (街电): One of the pioneers, with a huge footprint across restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues
How to Rent and Return
1.How to find a shared power bank?
a.Rent offline directly
Shared power banks are commonly placed in:
- Inside shopping malls
- At the entrance of street-side shops
- Near subway stations
- Tourist attractions
b.Find via mini programs
If you don't see one nearby, you can search for the brand's mini program within WeChat or Alipay to check nearby device lications.
2.Rental Steps (Meituan for instance)
a. Scan the QR Code on the MachineUse WeChat or Alipay to scan the QR code on the device.
b.Pay a Deposit / Deposit-Free Option
After scanning, the system will prompt you to:
Pay a deposit (usually around 99 RMB) to rent or use "WeChat Pay Score" to waive the deposit if your credit score meets the requirement
• Foreign visitors usually do not have a high enough score and will need to pay the deposit.
c.Take the Power Bank
After successful payment:
The slot will automatically release the power bank
You can connect it directly to your phone and start charging.
d.Charging Fees
Billing starts by time (usually hourly)
You can check real-time charges in the mini program
There is usually a price cap (around 99 RMB)
If the usage exceeds the capped amount, the deposit may be automatically deducted and the power bank will be considered purchased, allowing you to keep it.
• Some brands also support direct purchase.
e. Return
Find any machine of the same brand, insert the power bank into an empty slot, and wait for the mini program to display "Return Successful".
• If you cannot find a nearby machine:Open the corresponding mini programTap "Nearby Locations" to check the closest device on the mapAfter a successful return, the system will automatically settle the charges. If you paid a deposit, you will need to manually apply for a refund.
How Foreigners Can Pay (Step by Step)
The beauty of China's power bank rental system is that you do not need to download any new apps. Everything works through the same WeChat Pay or Alipay that you likely already set up for ordering taxis and food delivery.
What you need before starting：
WeChat or Alipay installed and set up on your phone (complete identity verification and link your Visa/Mastercard)
An international card (Visa/Mastercard) linked to the app. No Chinese bank account required
Option 1: Via Alipay
Scan‑direct method: Open Alipay, tap "Scan" on the home page, and point it at the QR code on the cabinet. The system will guide you through the rental process—select your cable type (Lightning/USB‑C/Micro‑USB), authorize Sesame Credit (if ≥550, deposit is waived), and confirm the rental. This is the fastest method
Mini‑program method: Search the brand name within Alipay, open its official mini‑program, find a nearby cabinet, and initiate the rental from there
Option 2: Via WeChat
Scan‑direct method: Open WeChat, tap "Scan" (the ＋ icon or discover page), and point it at the cabinet QR code. The mini‑program will open automatically
Mini‑program method: Swipe down from the WeChat home screen to access the mini‑program panel, search the brand name, and start the rental process from there
Important: If your WeChat Pay is set up with an international card, it will work for power bank rentals. However, the deposit‑free option may not always be available through WeChat for foreign accounts; in that case, you will be asked to pay a deposit that is automatically refunded after return
Tips for Foreigners
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive — This guide builds on the assumption that you have already completed this step. If not, refer to the payment setup guides linked earlier
Start with Alipay — For most foreign travelers, Alipay offers a smoother experience with power bank rentals, especially when it comes to deposit‑free qualification through credit scores
Use the QR code on the cabinet itself — Not the one on your phone. Some cabinets show an online QR code on the display, but the physical QR code on the side or back of the cabinet is more reliable
Watch the battery level before you grab — Wait for a unit with at least 60% charge. Some cabinets let you choose between available units
Keep a small amount of cash — In the rare event that both apps fail, you can still pay for a meal or taxi to get to a place where you can charge your phone with an outlet
Your smartphone is your key to navigating China—maps, translations, payments, and communication all depend on it. When that key runs out of power, China's network of sharing portable chargers is your backup. A quick scan, a small payment, and you are back online. As with food delivery and ride‑hailing, the system works seamlessly with the Alipay and WeChat Pay you already have. So next time your battery warning flashes red, just look around. The solution is probably within arm's reach.
