The USB charging adapters that cordless power tool brands make are great accessories, and allow you to power or charge personal electronic devices. But if you’re looking for a pocketable battery bank for regular use, a dedicated charger is more highly recommended.
Shown above is the Anker Powercore II 10000, a portable battery bank for charging smartphones and other such USB-chargeable devices.
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The Anker Powercore II 10000 comes with a micro USB charging cable, but you can plug in any other USB cord with an Type A-style plug on one end.
Just to warn you, this battery bank is larger than others, and heavier, but still fairly compact and lightweight. I have an older model of similar form factor a PowerCore+ 10050 that I bought for $36 three years ago for travelling.
What I like about this form factor is that the power bank is made with 3 standard Li-ion battery cells, which I feel are more stable and durable than LiPo packs found in some other brands and models. Anker says that this battery bank and charger uses LG lithium ion cells.
It features PowerIQ 2.0 for fast-charging select devices at a rate of 18W. PowerIQ 1.0 achieved max charging rates of 12W. Anker says that this charger can recharge a Samsung S7 in 1.5 hours. A PowerIQ 1.0 device would take 2 hours, and a standard 1A charger would take 2.8 hours.
Anker says that the charger can provide up to 2.3 Galaxy S8 charges, 3.4 iPhone 8 charges, or 1.2 iPad mini 4 charges.
I like the rotary-style charge indicator button on my charger, and I imagine that the identical-looking gauge on this model works just as good.
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There are all kinds of other smart-sounding features, but the bottom line is that this is a compact charger with 10000 mAh charge capacity.
As you can tell, this charger’s an older model. So why talk about it? First, I like the 3-cell form factor. Second, it’s on sale right now, with “deal” pricing of $24.55, down from $36.
Sale Price: $24.55
What do you guys use for on-the-go smartphone charging when an outlet or vehicle USB port isn’t available?
Jason Mcdaniels
The biggest thing I hate about portable batteries is cable and recharging. As an iPhone user most require a micro usb to recharge.
Below if links embed is the one I use, simply because it plugs into the wall. Because of that it’s a little bigger than most, and it’s more generic brand so the runtime isn’t as good in my opinion. But, it just flat out works. I don’t have to worry about having a cable to recharge it or bringing a cable to charge my phone. Also has wireless charging. Ships with usb-C, micro usb, and lightning cable.
I’ve used the lightning for my phone, USB-C for my tablet, and wirelessly charged my AirPods all at the same time.
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Portable-High-Speed-Charging-mobilephone/dp/B07ZH8XJGY/
Gordon
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H3W62PY/
This changed everything for us. It charges the bank, then charges pretty much anything you would have. You can also get a version with a Mini-USB for those older devices. I leave one in the bag with the bank, one in the car, one in the backpack, and my wife has 2 at work.
Hilton
I have the Powercore II Slim 10000 which uses cellphone batteries. It’s about the size of an iPhone. Seems to be ok.
Chris
I don’t think I will buy anymore without a USB-C port as part of the lineup. It’s becoming more and more common and you can use the same port for charge and discharge purposes. The charge speed is better and the connector durability is far more reliable than micro-usb.
Koko the Talking Ape
Here’s another hybrid wall charger/powerbank. It’s heavier than a typicaly charger, but it can charge your phone a few times. It’s smaller than some power banks, but it can be charged from the wall, and it can charge your phone overnight. And it’s from Anker, a brand which typically gets great reviews. It has 5000 mAh, much more than the one reviewed. And it costs just a bit more. I’ve been happy with mine.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K702S66/
Corey Moore
Think you missed a zero on the mAH of the one reviewed.
Koko the Talking Ape
Indeed I did! Thanks. I would correct my post except I cant.
David Zeller
Beware, you can’t legally carry a battery of that power on a plane. That is why most top out at like 26800 or something like that.
TSA will take it if they notice.
PlaneGrain
I purchased the Milwaukee heated jacket. It came with a power adapter. It fits M-12 batteries, it has a usb outlet built in. I charge my phone with an M-12 6ah battery. Works great and is always in my jacket. Might need a small tool box/ organizer to carry it in the warmer months.
Robert
Totally agree. I love that thing.
I also use the DC plug for powering audio and video gear.
Dewaltlandlord
I have the Dewalt connector that you can plug in USb to the 20V batteries. ITs fantastic if you have Dewalt batteries, you can essentially keep charging electronic devices for days. It works really well.
Jim Felt
I’ve foolishly bought both Bosch 12v and 18v USB adapters for their two battery styles.
And I think we have one now for Milwaukee as well. M12 or M18? I dunno.
They all, of course, have significantly more power available then most of the purpose built flat ones like these Anker units.
Okay. So I’ll admit I only ever seem to use with any regularity the little Anker/Anker clones.
PlaneGrain
You can probably find a compact camera(belt loop style) case, to carry bigger m-12, m-18, 20v batteries. The M-12 would be the most compact.
PlaneGrain
I notice HD has a sale on M-18 batteries. It’s a kit( 9.0 ah & 5.0 ah batteries, charger, tool bag.), On sale for $199.00!
Wayne R.
I’ve made charging kits for traveling and each car, and each includes something like this. AC chargers, DC/cigarette chargers, cables too of course, all permutations.
I’ve never *not* been able to use the AC or DC chargers.
Emilio Gonzalez
I have yet to see the lower price links for many items you are showing on your site. The Anker power station is not $24.99 on Amazon.
Stuart
Thanks – unfortunately it looks like the deal expired.
Some of the deals and discounts we discuss have unknown end dates.