Why do some Anker chargers have Bluetooth?

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When it comes to chargers, Anker is one of the most well-known brands in the world, often appearing at the top of “best of” lists. The company offers a wide variety of options, from single or power strip charging bricks for use in home AC outlets to portable chargers for on-the-go use that can charge everything from smartphones to laptops with the most powerful options. They all have the typical features, including at least one port for plugging in a device. Some have built-in cables, LED lights to indicate power, maybe even tiny screens to show charging status and other useful information. But one feature you might also see, albeit less frequently, is built-in Bluetooth.

Wait, Bluetooth? Why would you want or need Bluetooth in a charger? The simple answer is that chargers with this feature include it to sync with a mobile app to show you useful information about the connection between the charger and the device it’s charging. You can also adjust power and charging modes, get firmware updates and much more. It’s limited to more premium models of the best Anker gadgets you can buy, usually those with more power to charge products like a laptop. But for the most advanced charging experience, it’s a nice feature.

With Anker chargers that have Bluetooth, you can pair them with your phone and the app using a typical pairing process. Once paired, you can see the real-time charging speed of the connected device and adjust output behavior, such as choosing a port shutdown countdown or asking the charger to immediately stop output. The app can also display (and let you adjust) cable and protocol information as well as charging modes, like the charging priority assigned to each port. You can also use the app and Bluetooth connection to find a misplaced power station, just like if you left it in your old backpack or purse, and update the firmware for new features. Some may also allow you to adjust the device’s display settings, such as screen brightness, timeout, rotation, and language.

You should keep in mind that Bluetooth power itself requires consumption, which means that the charger will run out faster. It’s a good idea to turn off Bluetooth when you don’t need it to preserve standby battery life. Bluetooth is probably on by default, so when you first use it, check it and turn it off to maximize power.

Bluetooth technology is available in a number of Anker products, such as the 220W Anker Prime 20,000 milliamp-hour (mAh) Power Bank, ideal for charging a laptop on the go, the 160-watt Anker Prime Charger, which has three ports and a built-in smart display, and the 27,650mAh Anker Prime Power Bank, which ranks among the best portable chargers, according to Consumer Reports. This technology is not something everyone would use, but it is suitable for business people who charge multiple high-powered devices on the go and want to be able to adjust charging priority, monitor charging speed, check output, etc. With a great value charger, being able to play a tone to locate it is a good peace of mind feature if you’re using it in different locations: at home, in the office and on the go.

You may want to switch to specialized charging modes, such as low current power, if you accept low and slow continuous charging, or if you need to adjust cooling configurations. The addition of Bluetooth and app control is a unique option for some more powerful high-end Anker chargers, and one you might find useful for better control and customization.