Anker Power Bank Review: Which Model to Pack, Plus the Recall List You Should Check First

For most travelers who carry a laptop, the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) is the Anker to buy, because it holds 25,000 mAh, which works out to 92.5Wh and stays under the 100Wh carry-on line, and it has two built-in cables so you are not digging for one. If you only charge a phone, skip it and buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) or the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) instead.

Anker’s power bank collection currently lists six models. This article covers four of them that suit a traveler, and checks the recall list first, because it decides whether the Anker already in your bag should still fly. For the older Anker 737, Prime 27K and Nano 10K, plus a ranking against other brands and a list of what each airline allows, read our best power bank for international travel roundup.

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Check the recall list before you buy anything

Anker has recalled several power banks, and the list matters if you already own one. The June 2025 US recall covered the PowerCore 10000, model A1263, sold between June 2016 and December 2022. That same month, Anker announced a global voluntary recall for five more models, according to MacRumors: the A1257 (Power Bank 10K, 22.5W), A1647 (Power Bank 20,000 mAh, 22.5W with a built-in USB-C cable), A1652 (MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh, 7.5W), A1681 and A1689 (Zolo Power Bank 20K, 30W).

The hazard Anker describes is battery cells from one vendor that may contain impurities or metal particles, which can cause short circuits, overheating, smoke and fire. Anker calls the likelihood of a malfunction “minimal.” In the US, the remedy is a replacement or a gift card, not a refund, and you check your serial number through Anker’s recall form. The model number is printed on the bottom of the unit.

None of the four banks reviewed below are on that list. One name is easy to confuse, though. The recalled A1652 is the older MagGo 10,000 mAh with 7.5W wireless output. The MagGo 10K Slim reviewed here is model A1664, a different product.

Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W)

Photo: Anker

This is the pick for a traveler with a laptop. It holds 25,000 mAh, which is 92.5Wh by the standard formula (25,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1000), and Anker marks it flight-approved. Total output is 165W, with up to 100W per USB-C port, and it has three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a smart display, and two built-in retractable USB-C cables. Anker lists it at $119.99, and it recharges in about 2 hours on a 100W charger.

A reviewer at The Tech Revolutionist charged a MacBook and an iPhone at the same time with no noticeable slowdown, and TechAU’s reviewer charged three phones from one run and still had 42 percent left. Both are anecdotal tests, and TechAU’s reviewer received the unit from Anker.

The honest negatives are weight and sharing. At 595 grams (21.0 oz), it is not a pocket item, and The Tech Revolutionist says it is better suited to a backpack. The 165W headline figure also falls to 130W when three or four devices are connected, per Anker’s own page. The retractable cables are the part to watch: PixelTwelve’s review says recurring owner reports about cable failures deserve attention before you buy.

Check price at Anker

Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W)

Photo: Anker

The Prime 26K is the pick if you travel with two laptops or a laptop and a camera battery kit. It holds 26,250 mAh, about 97.1Wh by the standard formula, and Anker lists it as flight-approved. Total output is 300W, with 140W per USB-C port, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a smart display and Bluetooth app control. It weighs 600 grams (1.32 lb) and costs $229.99.

Digital Camera World’s review lists that it can power up to two laptops at once as a pro, and its main caveat is that how much of the 140W you actually get depends on your devices, so many buyers may be better served by a slower, cheaper bank. Anker also notes that conversion loss means the 26,250 mAh pack delivers about 15,200 mAh to your devices, which is the number to plan around.

The honest negative is value. At $229.99 it costs about $110 more than the Laptop 25K, and 97.1Wh sits close to the 100Wh ceiling, so you have almost no margin if an airline counts differently. Buy it only if your bag really contains two power-hungry devices.

Check price at Anker

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)

Photo: Anker

The MagGo 10K Slim is the pick for an iPhone user who wants a battery that snaps onto the back of the phone. It holds 10,000 mAh, which is 37Wh, so it is a non-issue on any airline. It measures 4.09 by 2.78 by 0.58 inches (104 by 70.6 by 14.7 mm), weighs 7.62 oz (215.9 grams), and has a 30W USB-C port plus 15W Qi2 wireless charging. Anker lists it at $79.86 on the page we checked, and the page lists a MagSafe-compatible magnet and a temperature monitor that keeps the surface under 104°F.

TechRadar called it “the fastest MagSafe power bank I’ve tested,” and its listed cons are that it is heavier than expected and costly. Anker says it gives about 5,500 to 6,500 mAh of usable power, and its listing claims 1.8 full charges for an iPhone 15 Pro.

The honest negative is that the Anker page lists conflicting wired figures, 30W in one place and 12W in another, so confirm the output on the product page before you rely on 30W.

Check price at Anker

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)

Photo: Anker

The Nano 5K is the pick when thin matters more than capacity. It holds 5,000 mAh, which is 18.5Wh, and it weighs 4.3 oz (122 grams) at 0.34 inches (8.6 mm) thick. It has one USB-C port and Qi2 wireless charging and costs $54.99. It is the slimmest bank in this article.

The honest negative is the evidence. We found no independent professional review of this model, only Anker’s own pages, which list conflicting output figures for both the wired and wireless sides. At 5,000 mAh it is a top-up, not a full-day reserve.

Check price at Anker

The decision

• If you carry a laptop, buy the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W). 92.5Wh, two built-in cables, 595 grams (21.0 oz), $119.99.
• If you carry two power-hungry devices, buy the Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W). 300W total and 140W per port, at $229.99 and 600 grams (1.32 lb).
• If you only charge an iPhone and want wireless, buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). 37Wh, 15W Qi2, 215.9 grams (7.62 oz), $79.86.
• If you want the thinnest top-up, consider the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim). 4.3 oz (122 grams) and $54.99, with the least independent testing of the four.
• If you own an older Anker, check the model number first. A1263, A1257, A1647, A1652, A1681 and A1689 are on the recall list.