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We all own tech devices for daily drivers, and things like phones and laptops are battery powered. This means you’ll need to make sure that battery stays full throughout the day. Carrying around a USB cable won’t get you far if you don’t have a power brick to plug it into, which is why some people invest in a portable power bank. Most devices are about the size of an average smartphone and usually contain a handful of USB ports for charging your everyday gadgets. And when it comes to reliable power bank manufacturers, one brand you can always rely on is Anker.
There are dozens of Anker power banks on the market at any given time, but what if you’re looking for one with a built-in cable? The main advantage is that you won’t have to worry about keeping a USB cable on standby, but these portable chargers often include USB ports, as well as many other features. Anker offers several power banks with built-in cables, and we’ve selected four to shed a little more light.
While our main criteria for inclusion is that the bank must have a connected cable, we also considered overall battery life, port variety, and security technology when reviewing these Anker products. There’s something on our list for every want, need, and budget, so let’s get to it. First up, a top-notch Anker charger: the Anker Nano Power Bank (10K).
Anker Nano Power Bank (A1638)
When it comes to power and versatility, the $60 Anker Nano Power Bank is an on-the-go charger everyone should consider. Available in several colors, the charger has a capacity of 10,000 milliamps and produces up to 45 watts at maximum power. Whether you need a quick replenishment for your phone or a quick charge for your AirPods case, the Nano is designed to charge your tech quickly. According to Anker, the Nano will actually charge an iPhone 16 from zero to 50% in just 27 minutes!
The Nano Power Bank features a built-in USB-C cable that is 2.3 feet long, produces up to 45 watts, and has an auto-retract function. You’ll also have access to a 45-watt USB-C port and a 22.5-watt USB-A port. When it’s time to charge the power bank, Anker recommends using a 30-watt power adapter (sold separately), and the Nano can even charge your devices while it charges.
On Amazon, the Nano has a 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 2,900 user reviews. The lion’s share of reviews is made up of abundant praise, but we have read a few reports of the retractable cable failing after several months. Some users also reported that the Nano failed to maintain a charge after light use. That said, we always suggest testing all device functions as early as possible; this way, any quality defects should be covered by the Anker warranty.
Anker Travel Essential Power Bank (A1383)
Power users of everyday consumer technology: Consider this. We’d like to draw your attention to the $70 Anker Power Bank, a 20,000 milliamp-hour charger that delivers 65 watts to a single device via the built-in USB-C port. You’ll also get up to 65 watts when a device is plugged into the USB-C port, and up to 22.5 watts via USB-A.
The Travel Essential is one of the best Anker power banks for charging a laptop; Anker claims that just 30 minutes of USB-C charging will take a MacBook Air from zero to 52% battery life. For the fastest charging times, you’ll want to use either the USB-C port or the built-in USB-C cable. You can also activate trickle charging (charging optimized for low-voltage devices) by double-tapping the charger button, located right next to the device screen.
The Travel Essential isn’t just great for charging a laptop; it’s also a power bank you can rely on to complement portable gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. Over 8,900 Amazon users have shared feedback on Travel Essential, earning the product a 4.6 star rating out of 5. The majority of reviews are 5 stars, but it’s worth noting that even people who love the Travel Essential find it a bit bulky.
Anker MagGo Power Bank (A1657)
Smartwatches are popular wearable devices that are generally not too expensive and are generally battery efficient. But if a product like the Apple Watch is essential to your livelihood, you’ll need a power bank that can provide backup charging in a pinch. For that, look no further than the $90 Anker MagGo Power Bank, a 10,000 milliamp charger with an adjustable magnetic charger for the Apple Watch. Once attached, your wrist companion receives up to 5 watts via the dock.
Remember: this is an integrated cable roundup, and the Anker MagGo is no exception. The integrated USB-C cable provides up to 30 watts when no other devices are connected. Unfortunately, the wire is only 8.46 inches long, so whatever you plan to connect will need to be placed near the power bank. The MagGo even supports direct charging, allowing you to stock up on a phone or other gadget while the bank itself is being filled.
Color options include white, black, pink, and green, and Amazon reviews are mostly complimentary. Earning 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 1,900 reviews, a few repeated complaints were about the weight (heavier than it looks) and the power bank failing in various circumstances. It’s a worthwhile purchase for Apple Watch enthusiasts, but be sure to test your product thoroughly once you open it.
Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank (A1685)
Built-in kickstands are always a nice addition to a great phone case, so you can imagine our delight when we found an Anker power bank that also included one. The $50 Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank comes in four colors (black, white, blue, and pink) and features a multi-angle foldable stand. When the bank is connected to your phone, you can quickly switch between portrait and landscape orientations. The Anker brand calls the Zolo an iPhone-optimized charger, but many Android devices are compatible with it as well.
When fully charged, you’ll have up to 10,000 milliamps to work with and a maximum output of 30 watts when a device is connected via USB-C. We also like that the built-in USB-C uses a braided jacket and includes a right-angle adapter. Other charging options include a 30-watt USB-C port and up to 7.5 watts when using the Qi wireless dock. Unfortunately, this is the only Anker bank on our list that doesn’t have a battery reading display; instead, it uses four LEDs to indicate how much power is left.
Amazon shoppers gave the Zolo 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 3,800 reviews. While most of the products we’ve discussed include Anker’s ActiveShield technology for temperature monitoring, a few customers reported that the Zolo seemed too hot when in use. There may also be some quality control issues (a few units reportedly failed in a short time), so be sure to test yours thoroughly to make sure it’s working properly.
How We Chose These Anker Power Banks
Owning a power bank with a built-in USB cable can be a real boon. This is especially beneficial in public places like airports and train stations, as you won’t need to rely on public USB ports and sockets which can be dangerous. When selecting the four Anker chargers that made our list, we confirmed that all units were approved for flight and that each power bank had multiple charging methods.
We also did our best to reference a number of use cases (e.g. charging a laptop, charging an Apple Watch), and relied on Amazon user reviews to determine potential pros and cons worth talking about.
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