I’ve tested so many of the best power banks out there that I’ve started to lose count. From the best wireless chargers to the best solar-powered options, I’ve tried them all, but when it comes to charging my laptop, there’s one I always grab.
If you’re anything like me and regularly work abroad or spend days away from a plug, you’ll need a power bank that can actually keep your laptop juiced up. I always look for something with a high capacity, fast charging speeds and a flight-friendly design.
Enter Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank. I’ve been using it as my go-to laptop charger for a year now, using it abroad, on conference trips and when working on the train. But at £75, is it actually worth the price?
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How I tested
I’ve been testing power banks at The Independent for more than five years. I’ve been chucking Anker’s laptop power bank into my backpack and carry-on since I first reviewed it a year ago. I’ve plugged it in to multiple laptops, phones and headphones, used it to charge several devices at once and yes, dropped it more times than I’d like to admit. Here’s why it’s become my travel essential.
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Anker laptop power bank
Capacity: 25,000mAh
Max output: 165W
Dimensions: 15.7cm x 5.4cm x 4.9cm
Weight: 594g
Why we love it
- Fast-charges multiple devices at the same time
- Has two built-in cables
- Intelligently power depending on the device
Take note
- Heavy
The first thing to note is that this thing is chunky. At just under 600g, it’s not something you can easily slide into your jeans pocket, but there’s a reason for the heft – the huge 25,000mAh capacity. You get two built-in USB-C cables. One of them is retractable and other doubles up as a carry handle. You also get an extra USB-C port and a USB-A port, so you can charge up to four devices at once.
But the reason it’s so good for charging my MacBook is that it has a huge 165W total output, with each USB-C port capable of delivering up to 100W. That means it has enough power to fast-charge most laptops, rather than just slowing down the battery drain, which is what lower-output power banks tend to do. For context, lighter laptops like a MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13 need around 45W-65W to fast-charge, while more powerful gaming machines need around 60W-100W over USB-C to fast-charge. The Anker laptop power bank is good for all models.
Some power banks are fine for charging your iPhone, but once you plug in a laptop, they can’t deliver enough power to recharge both at the same time. Instead, they just keep your laptop hovering at the same precarious battery level. When I’m on work trips or away from my desk, this Anker power bank charges my MacBook much like a wall plug would. Even when I’ve got my AirPods or phone plugged in as well, the power is intelligently split, so it knows what power each device needs.
What’s really neat is that you can see on the display exactly what power each device is pulling in real-time. I could see that both my iPhone and my MacBook were using 30W for example, which was enough to fast-charge both devices at the same time. It also shows the overall output, the power bank’s battery percentage down to two decimal places and even the temperature.
Flight-safe, it’s a heavy, chunky bit of kit that’s super durable. It’s survived being dropped several times and always lasts me days at a time before needing a recharge.
Buy now £74.99, Amazon.co.uk
Should you buy the Anker laptop power bank?
While it’s a little pricey, Anker’s laptop power bank will be your best travel companion for years to come. It’s got two built-in cables, so you won’t ever need to remember to bring any extra USB-C wires; there’s a huge 165W capacity, meaning it can fast-charge any laptop; and there’s enough juice inside to last you a good few days before needing to plug it back in. There’s a reason why I’ve not ditched it yet.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alex Lee is a senior tech critic at The Independent. He’s been reviewing gadgets since 2017, with a particular interest in battery tech, new charging formats and fast-charging innovations. Always curious about what’s next in power delivery, he’s been testing and reviewing the best power banks for IndyBest since 2021.
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