Anker PowerCore 20100 at a glance
Key specs
Capacity
20100 mAh
72.37 Wh
Dimensions (LxWxH)
6.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 in
16.76 x 5.84 x 2.29 cm
Weight
12.5 oz / 354 g
Charging technology
Charging time: 10 h
High speed charging
PowerIQ
PBE metrics
Affordability
502.63 mAh/$
Portability
56.78 mAh/g
1608.00 mAh/oz
Ports
USB Type A
USB Type A
Micro USB
Flight status
Under 100 Wh
Status: Safe
The power bank is safe to take on board. It's under the specified TSA limit of 100 Wh. Read more about taking power banks on planes.
Other features
LED power indicator
Overheating protection
Short circuit protection
Surge protection
Protective pouch
Charging cable
Charging capacity calculator
Use the search bar below and find out exactly how many times can the Anker PowerCore 20100mAh charge your smartphone battery
Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Power Bank Review
When it comes to choosing the best portable charger, any Anker power bank is usually in the conversation. We love a beefy power bank here at Power Bank Expert and the Anker PowerCore 20100 is certainly all that and more. Known for its high capacity, multiple ports and reliability at a reasonable price, it’s not a coincidence that it has become one of the best-selling models in the market. However, we’d like to help you know if this is the right one to keep your phone and other devices going.
Capacity & Charging Speed
With two super-fast USB outputs and one of the best size to power ratios in its class, the PowerCore 20100 is an impressive piece of equipment.
We have almost only good things to say about this portable charger model in terms of battery capacity and speed. One of the features that we liked the most is that allows dual device charging at incredible speed because honestly, who has only one device these days? Both USB ports are able to send 5V 2.4A to your selected devices, for a total output of 4.8A.
Having said this, we tested it and found out that it is able to charge the iPhone 7 almost seven times, the Galaxy S6 five times or the iPad mini 4 twice. It is powerful enough to even charge the new 12″ MacBook.
The PowerCore will also charge the MacBook 12″ which is something we’d love to see more of. It also comes with PowerIQ technology and VoltageBoost. People not familiar with either of these can rest assured that they are a positive addition.
PowerIQ detects the brand, firmware, and hardware of a device to deliver the most efficient charge possible. VoltageBoost, by contrast, directly affects the current to send stable power through its output. Both are certainly great features; however, the lack of support for QualComm Quickcharge leaves us a little disappointed. Considering that so many devices are supporting this technology, we’re shocked to see that the Anker PowerCore 20100 isn’t on board.
Like all portable chargers of this size, it takes a long time to recharge itself; a little over 10 hours using a 2A charger. Otherwise, be ready to wait around 20 hours for the PowerCore 20100 to be fully charged.
Look & feel
What is it about power banks that despite having a high capacity, they just end up not having any exciting features? We do like the look of the Anker PowerCore 20100 however it’s not going to be winning any cutting-edge design competition in the near future!
Anker has opted for a longer, slimmer design for the PowerCore 20100. The edges are rounded in typical Anker style and the unit is finished in a matte texture, which is great to prevent those annoying scratches and to increase grip. However, smudges and fingerprints can appear from time to time in spite of the fact that is being advertised to prevent these as well.
There are 4 lights on the flat face of the power bank near the end which helps to determine the charge, but it’s not an accurate display of how much charge truly remains. Both USB outputs and the micro USB input are located on the far edge. So we can say that PowerCore 20100 has a simple, logical and smart design.
Durability & Construction
As usual, we were impressed with the construction of this portable charger. Ever heard the saying “The bigger you are, the harder you fall?”. Well, this is true for power banks too! We’re happy to say that the build quality on the Anker PowerCore 20100 is some of the best engineering we’ve seen from Anker. Sturdy, stable and solid, the PowerCore is well-built and the tactile components are well-made.
There a couple of points against, however. If you’re planning to charge the following devices, think again:
It’s handy that the producers are at least upfront about their compatibility issues but it might throw a spanner in the works for some. It’s also a power bank that will not charge several devices at the same time as being charged itself. This is a feature some people find convenient, but the truth is that it can damage the internal cells of your portable charger.
Many manufacturers claim to provide protection to your phone and the power bank itself, but one thing we can be sure is that with MultiProtect Safety System will do so.
Portability
Anker shines again with this power bank. Even though some users have complained about being too heavy, at 12.5 oz it is one of the smallest 20000 mAh portable chargers we’ve seen. To give you a clear idea, the PowerCore 20100 is smaller and lighter than the EasyACC Monster.
It’s easy to carry everywhere without any problem because it’s relatively small. It might be a little long but it’s definitely slim, and can fit into your hands, pocket or carry-on bag easily. So if space is at a premium in your life and you don’t mind the longer rather than wider shape, this one’s for you.
Pros
High-Speed charging
7-day battery life
Dual-Device Output
Cons
Not compatible with Qualcomm
20 hours to reharge with 1A chargers
Slightly heavy and long
Comes with only 1 USB cable
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, this power bank boasts simplicity and reliability and is definitely worth buying if you travel a lot, work outside or have lectures all day. Despite claims that it is too heavy, it’s acceptable considering how much charge you can get from it. Besides, the PowerCore 20100 delivers in terms of charging two phones simultaneously at the same output current. With its capacity and flexibility, one can be sure that any sort of gadget will be fully charged and won’t die at an unwanted moment. It will ensure that you stay connected all the time when you need it.
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Thank you for the detailed review. I am considering buying a 20,000mah capacity power bank that charges both the iPod Nano and the Macbook. Anker seemed perfect till I read about the lack of compatibility with the iPod. Why is it so? And are there other options?
Hi Krishna,
It is unfortunate that the Anker 20100 claims to have compatibility issues with the iPod range of products. Unfortunately certain power banks hardware and device recognition systems aren’t “tuned in” to certain manufacturers devices. This is quite strange in the case of the Anker as it seems to work fine for the 2015 12 inch Macbook/iPads etc. It could be an current output issue but for specifics, you’d have to contact Anker.
It might even be worth contacting Anker as it’s possible they have fixed the issue and might have updated their stock in the Amazon warehouse and not changed the description.
For an alternative, check out the Xiaomi 20000: https://www.powerbankexpert.com/2016/09/12/mi-power-bank-20000mah/
It’s a price effective option and generally pretty reliable.