Trying to find an outlet when your phone is running out of power is never fun. It’s even less fun when you find the outlet only to realize you don’t have the right wall adapter. This is why anyone who is constantly on the move should invest in a backup battery charger.
Of course, not all backup battery chargers are created equal.
If you use your devices like we do, you’ll love the Anker 325 Power Bank with High-Speed PowerIQ Technology. With this 20000mAh power bank, you not only get between 4-5 charges to most smartphones, but you also get the ability to charge two devices at one time. Even better? Anker’s PowerIQ fast charging technology adapts to each of your devices to deliver the fastest charge possible.
This is one travel accessory you really shouldn’t leave the house without. And it’ll set you back just $60.
What We Like
There is no better battery than the one that will charge your laptop on the go as well as your phone. If you’ve got a Mac laptop with a USB-C port, you can use the Anker 325 Power Bank to recharge on the go.
We were pleasantly surprised was that we were able to use a USB to USB-C cable to charge a 2019 MacBook Air to nearly 60% from 25% in just a few hours while using the laptop. For a power bank the size of a large smartphone, that’s a big accomplishment.
While this does leave fewer charges left over for your phone, being able to charge your phone while you charge your laptop should make that hurt a lot less. If you’re using your phone as your hotspot while you work remotely, you will really appreciate this feature.
This charger is small enough to fit in a purse or backpack, possibly even a pocket. It comes in a small pouch perfect for carrying your charging cable as well. A ring of blue lights shows how much power is left, and its lasting power may surprise you. Fully charged, this device lasted Meena almost two weeks on a trip to France in October.
What We Don’t Like
The power to charge a single device multiple times does come at a physical cost.
The Anker 325 rivals the iPhone 12 Max in height but is almost twice as thick. It’s also heavier than an iPhone. 12 Max. If you’re going to leave your purse or backpack at home, you’ll need literal deep pockets to carry your power supply.
Charging the power bank and charging your devices will take different cables. To charge your devices, you’ll either need a USB to Mini-USB or a USB to Lightning (specifically for charging iPhones). To charge your power bank, you’ll need a USB-C or Mini-USB cable with a wall adaptor. And you’ll have to provide your own way to wrangle all the cables as the softcover for the battery has no pockets and will only hold a couple of cables effectively.
Bottom Line
We decided to try the Anker 325 Power Bank after receiving an earlier model as a gift. At $20 and half the size, our first experience with Anker far surpassed our expectations. This one is even better, and at $60 it feels like a bargain. You can buy it here.
*We generate revenue through affiliate links, but this article is not paid advertising.
