Review – Anker Astro E1 5200mAh Portable Charger

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Astro E1 5200mAh Portable Charger at a glance

Anker are market leaders for portable cell phone chargers and for good reason. The Anker Astro E1 offers incredible capacity and performance for the size of their device. In their own words, this “Candy Bar Sized” power bank offers an impressive charge rate and comes with it’s exclusive PowerIQ technology.

Capacity & Charging speed

Anker’s PowerIQ technology means that the Anker Astro E1 Power Bank effectively detects the device it’s attached to and optimizes the power output for maximum efficiency. The technology basically identifies if you’re plugged into a Galaxy S4 or an iPhone 5 or an iPad. It then changes the method of charge delivery so that your cell phone or tablet charges as fast as possible.

Some customers have complained of less than advertised charge rates in some cases. The upshot is that Anker’s customer service is swift and generally quite impressive. The Anker Astro E1 also comes with an 18 month warranty which is a big stamp of approval from Power Bank Expert.

How many times will the Anker Astro E1 5200mAh charge my device?

Look and feel

Visually it’s a fairly smart looking external charger. The corners are rounded and the surface quite shiny and smooth. There are 4 LED lights on the flat top of the power bank to give an indication of current charge. The standard USB and micro usb slots are quite close together on the flat end of the device. It’s probably not the sexiest portable charger on the market but still holds up aesthetically to its competitors.

It also comes in 4 different colors which provides a bit of individualism for your purchase!

Durability & Construction

The charger is surprisingly heavy which is no real surprise. It’s sure packing a lot of heat at that size so it’s no wonder really. Construction wise it feel strong and sturdy. The case is drop tested and the joins that run along the sides of the Anker Astro E1 don’t look like they’re coming apart any time soon. I’ve not read any reports of broken hardware from accidental damage. I have however read a couple of reports of the battery becoming extremely hot and not charging properly. In both cases, the battery was replaced immediately due to Anker’s 18 month warranty.

Portability

When I talk about portability, I essentially look at size compared to output. This is where the Anker Astro E1 really shines. The Anker Astro E1 is pocket sized, literally. It’s dimensions are 3.8 x 1.7 x 0.9 and it weighs in at 4.16 ounces. For 5200 mAh, this is quite impressive and it’s obvious that Anker have taken pains to keep their product as small as possible. The shape might work well for some and not so well for others. There is something to be said for flat, card shaped devices as they can be easier to slip into wallets or bag pockets.

With that said, the Anker Astro E1 isn’t going to cause any trouble at its current dimensions.

Technical Details

Final Thoughts