The Anker PowerCore 20100 is one of the best portable chargers that your money can buy, but is also affordable. Whether you are traveling, running errands, or just doing your normal routine, having an external power bank, like the Anker PowerCore 20100, in your bag is a must. There is nothing like having a dead phone when you need it most. In today’s market, there is an endless amount of backup batteries but none are the same. There are a few with more power, more ports, that are conveniently wallet-sized, so it’s good to have a portable charger that you can trust.
Anker has made a name for itself as one of the most popular companies to produce portable chargers. The Anker PowerCore 20100 happens to be one of its best-sellers but is it the right one for you? It’s not necessarily pocket-sized but still travel-friendly since it’s not as big as others on the market.
Anker PowerCore 20100: Design & Features
Anker has an iconic design; a simple black, smooth aluminum exterior. And the company kept the consistent design with the Anker PowerCore 20100 as well. It measures 7.4 x 2.6 x 0.9 inches and weighs 15.2 ounces. The size and weight are larger than other competitors. It’s not that heavy where it will weigh down your bag but it definitely does not belong in your back pocket.
With its sleek and simple exterior, there is not much on the sides of the charger. On one of the rounded edges, you will find the power button and once it is pressed, four lights appear on the top side. These lights let you know how much charge is left so once there are two lights, there is about 50% left.
On the other end of the PowerCore 20100, there are two USB ports along with a micro USB slot to charge the charger itself. The PowerCore 20100 supports simultaneous charging, so you can charge your other devices while charging the charger. There is also a version that has a USB-C slot but that is more expensive. Although, the USB-C port on this charger has the ability to power devices like a MacBook.
Charging With the Anker PowerCore 20100
So how long does it take for the PowerCore 20100 to charge a smartphone? If you’re looking at an iPhone, it takes about two hours. This is when you are charging from a dead battery to a full charge.
Phones tend to charge faster if you choose a power bank with the Qualcomm QuickCharge 3 system and have a device compatible. This system is not available for all Anker chargers so it is worth looking into.
The battery inside the PowerCore 20100 has a strength of 20,100mAh. From an iPhone’s battery life, it can recharge the phone up to seven times before it dies. Once it’s time to charge the charger, it can take around 10 hours. Not ideal since it is a long time but Anker claimed that lower amp charging cables can make the charger take longer.
How Does the Anker PowerCore 20100 Compare?
| Anker PowerCore 20100 | iMuto Portable Charge X6 Pro | |
| Weight | 15.2 ounces | 24 ounces (1.5 pounds) |
| Price | Starts selling at $50 | Starts selling at $50 |
| Ports | 2 USB-A/2 USB-C | Has numerous ports |
| Display | Lights indicate battery life | Display shows power level |
| QuickCharge | Option to have the Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 | Supports Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 |
| Charging | No pass-through charging | Has pass through charging |
| Battery Capacity | 20,100mAh | 30,000mAh |
Overall, with the Anker PowerCore 20100, you are going to get a portable charger that is:
- Affordably priced, starting at $50
- Has ports to charge virtually any type of smartphone or tablet
- Gives you the option to use Qualcomm QuickCharge 30.0
- Lightweight and gives you enough power to charge your device in about two hours.
- Going to give you great battery capacity.
Conclusion
The Anker PowerCore 20100 does exactly what the instructions on the package says it will do with 20,100mAh of charging power. It can charge tablets several times, power a MacBook for an extra few hours, and still charge itself while fueling other devices. It can even charge your phone quickly.
With its multiple ports and the power it has along with the price, it is extremely reasonable. Another bonus is its size. There might be other portable chargers that are smaller and lighter but with the features the PowerCore 20100 has, the others do not compare. It might not have the pass-through and fast charging but it still is a solid charger.
