Can the mobile phone charging station business be profitable overseas?

Phone charging lockers, by providing convenient mobile device charging services in public spaces, solve the problem of insufficient phone battery life. This innovative business model not only brings convenience to users but also opens new profit channels for investors. Power bank stations have validated their business model in the Chinese market. But does this business have profit potential in overseas markets?

We will analyze the overseas mobile phone charging station market from multiple perspectives, including market, business model, and profit logic, to help overseas investors gain a more comprehensive understanding of the mobile charging station business and provide in-depth professional support.

1. What Business Opportunities Are There in the Overseas Power Bank Vending Machine Market?

Smartphones are widely popular globally, and the growing demand for convenient charging solutions is increasing. Whether traveling, live streaming, working, or studying, phone battery issues can cause significant inconvenience. The widespread issue of "battery anxiety" has created a vast market demand for rental power banks.

Global smartphone penetration is high and continues to grow. By 2029, the number of global smartphone users is expected to reach approximately 8.064 billion. The global rental power bank market is rapidly expanding, driven by the proliferation of smartphones and the increasing dependence on mobile devices.

Data source:：Ericsson

In travel, socializing, and outdoor activities, the need for temporary charging is on the rise. Rental power banks, as rentable and universal portable charging solutions, provide users with charging options for their phones, Bluetooth headsets, and other electronic devices anytime and anywhere.

According to Verified Market Reports, the power bank rental station service market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to accelerate growth, reaching $5.2 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% from 2026 to 2033.

Data source: Verified Market Reports

In many countries and regions overseas, public charging infrastructure is limited in coverage and convenience, and people often have trouble finding available charging outlets. Urbanization and the development of the tourism industry have led to a surge in public space charging demand. Shared power banks, as a flexible and convenient solution, can meet users’ instant charging needs in mobile scenarios.

Power bank sharing is deployed in locations such as shopping malls, restaurants, and transportation hubs. While growth has slowed in recent years, it continues to rise, especially in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe, which have become the fastest-growing regions for the mobile phone charging station market.

For a deeper understanding of the mobile phone charging station , you can click on“What is a power bank station?”to get more information and better grasp the business opportunities in the power bank rental industry.

2. Why Can Power Bank Rentals Make Money?

Fast-charging power banks provide mobile phone users with convenient charging services, solving the problem of insufficient battery life. By placing fast-charging power banks in locations such as shopping malls, hospitals, airports, and cafes, users can rent and return the power banks through a self-service system.

Power banks for phones generate profit through multiple channels, including rental fees, advertising revenue, deposit income, value-added services, and product sales. Rental income allows investors to cover operating costs and achieve rapid profitability. By cooperating with high-traffic locations, investors can display brand advertisements on the devices, increasing advertising revenue.

Offering membership systems, local services, and other value-added services can further increase revenue. Rental deposits provide liquidity, generating short-term investment income. Sales of accessories and other products help expand revenue streams.

The high-frequency usage, large-scale deployment, and refined management of power bank vending machines create economies of scale for investors, maximizing profits. The more portable power stations deployed, the higher the usage rate, and the lower the unit cost.

3. Key Factors Affecting the Portable Charging Station Business

Power bank phones can provide mobile device charging rental services at multiple locations, meeting users’ instant charging needs. Deploying devices in high-quality locations such as dining establishments, shopping centers, transportation hubs, and entertainment venues increases usage frequency and income.

The high density of phone charging vending machine locations helps create economies of scale, making it easier to rent and return devices, attracting more users. Investors can establish long-term partnerships with high-traffic venues to take advantage of the channel network.

A differentiated location strategy, focusing on transportation hubs in cities and business districts in towns, is key. Users in high-traffic locations are more reliant on mobile devices, resulting in higher demand frequency. With broad coverage of power bank stations, users can easily access and recharge their devices.

Device management and maintenance are crucial and depend on the technological capabilities of the platform. A smart management system allows remote monitoring of device operational status, real-time tracking of station distribution, usage status, and rental data, helping to save costs through intelligent maintenance.

Rapid iteration, such as using fast-charging technology to reduce charging time and offering wireless charging options, provides more convenient charging. A smart management system enables remote management, fault warnings, and data analysis to optimize location layouts and accurately predict demand. Continuous product and service innovation is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage.

4. How to Quickly Start the Shared Power Bank Business?

Independent development can cost millions, so investors generally choose to collaborate with power bank vending machine manufacturers to customize hardware and software solutions, as well as payment systems. Manufacturers can personalize products to meet the needs of investors’ businesses, aligning with user and market demands, helping investors quickly start the power bank rental station business.

Issues such as slow charging speeds, frequent device malfunctions, and incompatible interfaces can severely impact user experience. Investors need to conduct thorough assessments of the manufacturer's qualifications and capabilities to ensure the long-term sustainability of their business.

Investors should verify whether the manufacturer holds certifications such as ISO9001, CE/UL, and other international standards. They should also assess the manufacturer’s independent R&D capabilities, product development speed and frequency, and whether the production capacity can meet market demands.

If you are interested in the mobile charger power bank business and want to quickly start the power bank charger business, our solution will help you start with lower costs and increase your revenue. We will assist investors in rapidly promoting power bank sharing stations, helping them achieve their profitability goals faster.

Whether you are an individual entrepreneur or a large enterprise, our solution offers flexible cooperation models to meet business needs at different stages and help you gain a leading position in the power bank docking station market.

Conclusion

Global smartphone penetration continues to increase, and the lack of public charging infrastructure is driving the development of the portable cell phone charger market, which is expected to reach a market size of $5.2 billion by 2033. Investors can generate profits through high-frequency rental fees, location-based advertising, membership value-added services, and more.

To succeed in this business, it is crucial to focus on high-traffic location strategies (transportation hubs, business districts), achieve economies of scale to reduce costs, and utilize smart maintenance systems and technological advancements.

Emerging markets in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe are seeing rapid growth due to urbanization and tourism industry benefits, offering significant profit potential in the overseas power bank charger market. Investors can partner with certified manufacturers to quickly deploy the power bank station rental business, mitigate quality and cooperation risks, and capture market opportunities with low R&D investment.

May 10, 2025