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Which power banks are best?
USB connectivity and charging underwent a radical and welcome change several years ago as USB Type-C reached critical mass and became the industry’s most popular connector. Able to deliver incredible speeds and enough electricity to charge a full-size laptop, USB-C revolutionized portable power and made it far easier to use electronics when you’re on the go.
One of the big benefits of the standardized USB-C connectors is the huge selection of portable power banks that most consumers can now use. Ranging from low-cost options meant for emergency phone charging to massive, heavy batteries that can run a laptop for days, both Anker and Belkin power banks have something to offer.
Anker power banks
Founded by a former Google engineer who prides the company on dependability and convenience, Anker makes a wide range of reasonably priced and feature-packed electronics. Its headphones, for instance, represent some of the best value in wireless audio. It’s made a wide variety of chargers and power banks ever since the USB Type-C standard really took off a few years ago.
Anker power bank pros
- Extensive selection: No matter what your needs in terms of features and capacity, there’s almost certainly an Anker power bank for you.
- As dependable as they come: Expert reviews praise their construction and long-term owner reviews rarely report failure. This has been the case since Anker’s initial entry into the portable charger market.
- Great for phones and laptops: Anker makes a point to deliver power banks that support the most important protocols. For smartphones and laptops that use the Quick Charge and USB Power Delivery protocols, Anker is a great choice.
Anker power bank cons
- Some are quite expensive: At the high end, a 100-watt-hour Anker power bank with enough juice to run a laptop for hours will require somewhat of an investment.
- Batteries are heavy: This isn’t exclusive to Anker, but do keep in mind that the lithium cells used in rechargeable power banks are not lightweight by any means.
Best Anker power banks
This is made to be resistant to scratches and comes with MultiProtect, which protects it from short circuiting and more. Not only is it relatively slim, it’s also remarkably inexpensive.
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It serves as both a wireless charger and a magnetic stand, making it perfect for web browsing and video calls when you don’t have access to a wall outlet.
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Quite a bit different from the rest, this massive battery can keep a wide range of electronics running for many hours. It’s especially great for camping trips where there’s no electricity.
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It’s a highly convenient combination of charger and power bank, although it doesn’t work with laptops.
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This is one of the rare options that includes an AC outlet and is just under the limit for traveling on commercial flights.
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Fast recharging and a high-wattage output make Anker’s flagship power bank ideal for any laptop that supports USB-C PD charging.
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An integrated solar panel allows you to recharge this one in full sun, although it does take a decent amount of time to fully recharge.
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Belkin power banks
Belkin has manufactured a wide range of adapters, peripherals and wired and wireless networking solutions for many years. Now, it’s also gotten into the portable power bank game. With such a great reputation in basically every other area, it’s no surprise that Belkin’s power banks are of top quality.
Belkin power bank pros
- Highly reliable: You won’t ever have to worry about a Belkin power bank frying your sensitive electronics. They adhere to the most common standards and are manufactured using premium components and plenty of quality control.
- Moderately priced: A quality power bank from Belkin will most likely not break the bank. Even the highest-capacity models cost only around $50.
Belkin power bank cons
- Poor selection: There simply aren’t many Belkin power banks to choose from. The ones Belkin does offer are great, but few.
- Limited feature set: You won’t find many advanced features on Belkin power banks. For example, there aren’t any available that can serve as a USB hub in addition to charging computer peripherals.
- Not suitable for laptops: There are very few Belkin power banks available with USB-C PD outputs above 45 watts. In other words, most of them won’t be able to power a full-size laptop.
Best Belkin power banks
Belkin Wireless Portable Charger Power Bank
Able to deliver 7.5 watts of wireless charging, this is one of the most convenient options for owners of high-end smartphones.
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It comes at a great price for the capacity, although it’s not powerful enough to charge a laptop.
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Few other 10,000-milliamp-hour power banks are available at such a low price.
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Should you get an Anker or Belkin power bank?
You can rest assured that you’re getting a dependable, long-lasting and feature-packed power bank whether you go with Anker or Belkin. You’re much more likely to find one from Anker that suits your needs simply because it offers a wider variety. However, if you find a Belkin power bank with the features you want, don’t hesitate to get it you really can’t go wrong with either brand.
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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