Review: Anker 521 Magnetic Battery
The Anker 521 magnetic battery was one of the first power banks to support the new MagSafe feature of the iPhone. It enables you to magnetically attach the power bank to the back of your MagSafe compatible iPhone and charge it wirelessly on the go without cables.
Fittingly, Anker originally called this power bank a snap and go power bank but changed the naming convention. It’s now called a MagGo power bank.
Though the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a powerful battery, I rarely make it through an entire day on a single charge. Probably, because I do a lot of photo editing on my iPhone.
So when Apple announced MagSafe, I hoped that either Apple or someone else would release a power bank that I could attach magnetically and without cables to my iPhone. A few months later, Anker was one of the first to release such a magnetic and wireless power bank.
In this Anker 521 magnetic battery review, I’ll share my real-world experience using it.
Models of the Anker Magnetic Battery
Since Anker released the original PowerCore Magnetic 5K in 2021, they released three more models and changed their products’ naming convention.
- The original model I used for this review was called Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K. It’s now called Anker 521 Magnetic Battery.
- In Mid 2022, Anker released the successor of the Anker 521 MagGo: The Anker 621 magnetic battery. It’s slightly thinner than the original Anker 521 and offers the same capacity as the Anker 521.
- Another MagGo model is the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery. It also has a capacity of 5.000 mAh but comes with a stand attached to the power bank.
- Anker also released a 10.000 mAh version called Anker 633 Magnetic Battery. This version is slightly larger (and thicker) than the 5.000 mAh models.
To help you decide which Anker MagGo Magnetic battery model is suitable for you, here’s a capacity, size and weight comparison of the Anker magnetic batteries 521 vs 621 vs 622 vs 633. Measurements are in inches and pounds.
| Anker 521 | 5.000 mAh | 3.66 | 2.44 | 0.63 | 0.29 |
| Anker 621 | 5.000 mAh | 4.12 | 2.62 | 0.44 | 0.31 |
| Anker 622 | 5.000 mAh | 4.13 | 2.62 | 0.521 | 0.31 |
| Anker 633 | 10.000 mAh | 4.21 | 2.62 | 0.71 | 0.48 |
If you’re looking for a lightweight and small magnetic power bank with a capacity of 5.000 mAh, then go for the Anker (621) magnetic battery (the successor of the Anker 521). If you’re looking for more charges at the price of weight and size, then go for the Anker 633 magnetic power bank.
Please mind that this review is about the Anker 521 magnetic battery that was originally called Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K. I’ve added info about the other models for completeness.
Why I bought the Anker 521 magnetic battery
As mentioned above, I rarely make it through the day with a single charge on my iPhone.
As I’m a Minimalist, I always strive to get rid of things, especially things, that I need to carry and that would prevent me from traveling light.
Eliminating the cables for everyday charging was the reason I originally switched from my Anker 10.000 mAh slim power bank to the Apple Smart Battery Case for an everyday use power bank.
And that was also the reason why I bought the Anker 521 magnetic battery: To be able to charge my iPhone on the go without using cables. like this:
Features of the Anker 521 magnetic battery
Compatibility of the Anker magnetic batteries
As mentioned, I’ve used the Anker 521 magnetic battery with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and now use it with my new iPhone 14 Pro. Anker mentions in their specs, that their magnetic batteries works with all MagSafe compatible iPhones except for the iPhone Mini. From a photo I found on the Internet it looks like that the camera of the iPhone Mini is a little too big for the the Anker magnetic battery.
MagSafe compatible
The Anker 521 magnetic power bank is MagSafe compatible and thus allows you to charge your iPhone wirelessly while it’s magnetically attached to the back of your iPhone. I used and use it with various iPhone Models in a MagSafe compatible iPhone case from moment.
I wondered how strong the magnets were and tried to shake the power bank off the iPhone’s back a few times. I failed. The magnets are pretty strong.
But as with all attachable MagSafe accessories, if you try to put the iPhone with the power bank attached into a tight. it may come off.
Capacity of 5000 mAh
The Anker 521, Anker 621 and Anker 622 magnetic power banks have a capacity of 5.000 mAh. Anker claims it would charge an iPhone 12 Pro Max from zero to roughly 75%.
So I did a real-world test for this review and wirelessly charged my iPhone 12 Pro Max for precisely one hour. I didn’t put the iPhone to flight mode or disabled any services I’d use during a typical day.
The iPhone’s 12 Pro Max battery went from 30% to 50% during the hour, and after an additional hour, the battery was at 70%.
After two hours of charging the iPhone’s battery by 40%, the power bank’s LEDs indicated that it still had around 25% of its charge.
So I guess you can charge an iPhone 12 Pro Max by around 60% in a real-world scenario if you charge it wirelessly.
If you use another iPhone model, you may get more than the estimated 50%-60% because the batteries of these models have a different capacities than the battery of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Out of curiosity, I also tried to charge an iPad Pro 11 2018. The Anker 521 magnetic power bank could charge it from 30% to 67% before it was empty.
Please note that the three different models I mentioned before supply different wireless charging power:
| Anker 521 5.000 mAh | 5W |
| Anker 621 5.000 mAh | 7.5W |
| Anker 622 5.000 mAh | 7.5W |
| Anker 633 10.000 mAh | 7.5W |
You may be able to squeeze a bit more out of the power bank if you attach a USBC to lightning cable to the power bank and charge your iPhone with a cable.
But that’s not what I was looking for, so I didn’t test it.
Two Way USB-C Charging
If you need to charge a non-MagSafe compatible device, you can attach it to the USB-C port of the Anker magnetic batteries that you use to charge the power bank itself. This way, the power bank will charge other devices as well.
According to my tests, using the magnetic charger and the cable on the Anke 521 magnetic battery, you can’t charge two devices at once. As soon as you attach a cable, the device on the cable takes precedence
Speaking of charging the power bank: To charge the Anker 521 and Anker 622 power banks, Anker recommends using a 12W power adapter, while for the Anker 633, you should use an 18W power adapter.
Anker 521 LED Indicators and their functions
All the Anker magnetic batteries have four LED status lights that indicate how much charge the power bank has left. One status light approximately equals a charge of 25%.
As I’ve outlined in the chapter about the power bank’s capacity, one of the status lights was still lit after charging my iPhone 12 Pro Max wirelessly by 40%.
Further, the power bank has a blue power light. It’ll start blinking if you charge the power bank itself. Once you turn on the power bank and charge your iPhone, it’s continuously lit.
On/Off Switch
One feature I liked is the on/off switch. To start charging the iPhone wirelessly, you need to press the button once to turn it on until the blue LED light turns on. That will prevent accidentally charging your iPhone.
Charge your Airpods wirelessly
Though this Anker wireless battery pack won’t magnetically stick to your AirPod case (or the other way round), you can charge your Apple Airpods wirelessly. Just place the power bank on a flat surface and put the AirPod case in the middle of the charging area.
The light of the AirPod case will briefly turn on to indicate that the case is now charging.
What’s in the box?
The package content of the Anker 521 magnetic battery corresponds to that of many other power banks. It contains:
The Anker magnetic batteries do not come with a power adapter. Personally, I don’t mind. I have an Anker 4 port desk charger with two USB-C ports that I can use to charge the power bank at home. To charge it on the go, I use a small Anker Nano Charger.
The Apple magsafe power bank vs. the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5k
I added this chapter because Apple also released a MagSafe compliant power bank for the iPhone. When the Apple power bank details became public, people quickly pointed out that Apple’s battery pack only had 30% of the capacity compared to the Anker magnetic power banks.
Yes, the Apple battery pack has a capacity of 1560 mAh. But that’s just half of the story.
To compare the Anker magnetic power banks with the Apple power bank, you have to consider the current that’s used to store the power. If you multiply the mAh with the current and divide it by 1000, you get the watt-hours (Wh). And this is the only metric you should use to compare power banks.
The Anker wireless power bank uses a current of 3.7V, while Apple uses a current of 7.62V. So, this yields 18.5 Wh of the Anker MagSafe battery pack compared to 11.13 Wh of the Apple power bank. These two numbers are even in the fine print on the two power banks.
So the Apple MagSafe battery pack’s capacity is 60% compared to the Anker battery pack.
I don’t have the Apple battery pack, but if I ever get it, I’ll happily compare it to the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K.
The Verdict
The Anker 521 magnetic battery is what I wanted. A portable and lightweight power bank for everyday use that allows me to charge my iPhone wirelessly on the go. I’d buy it again.
I won’t upgrade the Anker 521 model to one of the newer models because for traveling, I rely on the 26.800 mAh power bank from Anker, and you’ll find a Anker PowereCore 26.800 review in the blog.
Anker PowerCore III Wireless review: Everything in moderation
Anker’s PowerCore III Wireless power bank feels like an old, reliable option. It’s neither the largest nor the fastest, yet it can juice three devices at a time with proprietary PowerIQ technology. Anker is a leader in charging accessories which makes the PowerCore III Wireless a safe, if uninspiring, bet.
What we like
Wired and wireless charging options
What we don’t like
Anker PowerCore III Wireless
Anker’s PowerCore III Wireless power bank feels like an old, reliable option. It’s neither the largest nor the fastest, yet it can juice three devices at a time with proprietary PowerIQ technology. Anker is a leader in charging accessories which makes the PowerCore III Wireless a safe, if uninspiring, bet.
The smartphone accessories market is a crowded one, yet some names stand out among the crowd. Whether it’s Spigen for cases or Moment for camera accessories, certain brands have become established as a marker for quality. Anker is another example, and it has perfectly cornered the charging market. With powerful wireless chargers and power banks to choose from, let’s check out the best of both worlds. This is our Anker PowerCore III Wireless power bank review.
What you need to know about the Anker PowerCore III Wireless power bank
Anker’s PowerCore lineup covers the full range of power banks, but today we’re looking at a 10,000mAh option. The PowerCore III Wireless packs a USB-A port and a USB-C port, but the key selling point is its Qi charging pad. It tops out at 18W wired charging through the USB-C port, while the pad is capable of up to 10W output.
The entire charging bank is plastic, though it features a soft rubber ring to keep your phone in place on the charging pad. You can also check on the remaining charge with a series of four white LEDs mounted on the side. It’s small enough to shove in a backpack or large. measuring 151.9 by 68.3 by 18.8mm and weighing just 245g.
Anker keeps things pretty light inside the packaging, with minimal paperwork to worry about. You’ll also find a USB-C cable and a lightly padded black carrying bag to keep your power bank safe. The bag is just barely large enough for the power bank and cable, though you’ll have to shove the cable carefully down the side.
What’s good?
Anker’s PowerCore III Wireless power bank is a true do-it-all option. You can recharge up to three devices at a time, making a significant difference on long road trips or if you’re stuck away from an outlet. I found myself turning to the Qi charging pad frequently, especially when I needed to give my Galaxy Buds a quick jolt.
Overall, the PowerCore III Wireless power bank is capable of decent, if not incredible, charging speeds. The USB-C port packs Anker’s proprietary PowerIQ 3.0 charging, which supports USB Power Delivery and PowerIQ 2.0 in a single port at up to 18W. PowerIQ 2.0 places an emphasis on Quick Charge devices, so you should have no problem charging a full range of USB-C-toting products. Anker’s power bank also offers passthrough charging so you can get your phone back to speed while you wait for the power bank to charge.
The drawstring charging pouch is a nice touch, especially when it comes to transporting the power bank. It can be easy to scratch some types of plastic, so the pouch offers a little peace of mind. The included USB-C cable is just under two feet long, the perfect length for a power bank. It’s long enough to give you some flexibility, yet short enough that it won’t get caught on stray corners in your house.
What’s not so good?
The PowerCore III Wireless performs best when it can FOCUS on one device at a time. Unfortunately, I found that speeds plummeted when I used both outputs simultaneously. Despite seeing 14W speeds with either the USB-A or USB-C ports, I could only reach 8W speeds while using both. It didn’t seem to matter which port I tested, as speeds were consistent across the pair.
While the single-device charging speeds are decent, charging multiple devices seems to cap output at 8W per port.
The PowerCore III Wireless also did not offer enough power from the USB-A port to recharge a laptop — in the case of my testing, a Surface Laptop 3. While I could pick up a charge from the USB-C port, I could only achieve speeds in the neighborhood of 8.5W — a far cry from the 18W peak speeds. Some of the speed issues may be due to Anker’s lack of USB PD PPS support. While it’s not that common in ~50 power banks, it’s a must if you want to charge a modern Galaxy flagship or the Pixel 6 series at close to top speeds.
You can check out my charging results in the table below, and all tests were performed with Anker cables.
Best Anker power banks: top 5 picks in 2022
Having a good portable power bank could make the difference between getting the call for that dream job and not; between binge-watching your favorite Netflix series during a long flight and staring at the seat in front of you; between conveniently navigating your way through a foreign country and having to gasp ask people for directions.
In other words, having a phone with a dead battery is not fun. Thankfully, we have power banks – an essential accessory for anyone who spends lots of time out and about… or just likes to use their phone snuggled in bed even while it’s charging. And Anker is the company making some of the best power banks on the market.
But what is the best power bank for you? How do you pick one and how do you make sense of all the technical specifications attached to every different model? Worry not as we’re here to help!
- Anker 737 Power Bank – best overall
- Anker 733 Power Bank – 2-in-1 wall charger and power bank
- Anker 525 Power Bank – a more compact solution
- Anker 633 Magnetic Battery – wireless, for iPhones with MagSafe
- Anker 511 Power Bank – compact and lightweight
With all that being said, we’ve compiled here a list of the best Anker power banks to help you choose which one to get for yourself.
Anker 737 Power Bank
The Anker 737 Power Bank is the first one on our list for a reason: it has a huge 24,000mAh battery capacity and on top of that, it allows you to charge three devices simultaneously. The generous 24,000 mAh battery can charge an iPhone 13 completely almost 5 times, a Galaxy S22 – 4 times and a half, or can even charge 1.3 times a MacBook Air with M1 from 2020! That’s an epic amount of battery life you can carry around in a relatively compact form.
But that’s not all this power bank has going for it. It features a Smart Display which shows you important metrics like how much battery it has left, how much time it has until it’s charged, as well as other useful metrics such as Battery Health and battery cycles. If you need ultra-fast charging, you’ll be delighted to learn that the Anker 737 supports 140W fast charging (your device should support that, keep in mind), which can charge a MacBook Pro 16-inch to 50% in just 40 minutes.
Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)
Featuring a 24,000mAh battery capacity: charge up iPhone 13 almost 5 times or a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 1.3 times.
Anker 733 Power Bank
Another great power bank from the Series 7 power banks by Anker is the 733. It has a 2-in-1 design and can be used as a fast charger when connected to a wall outlet, or as a 10,000mAh battery bank when you’re on the go. And, on top of that, you don’t need a separate power brick to charge the power bank itself! Additionally, it is widely compatible with iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, Pixels, and other devices, and can charge 3 devices simultaneously.
And, on top of all of this, the Anker 733 Power Bank features Active Shield 2.0, which ensures there won’t be any issues with temperature: it monitors temperature daily 3,000,000 times! An epic power bank, we might add!
Anker 733 Power Bank: get 15% off now until November 15
65W power bank that can also be used as a wall charger. You can charge 3 devices simultaneously. Right now, until November 15, you can get 15% off using code ANKER1111 (apply it in the cart).
Anker 525 Power Bank
If you need a more compact solution, the Anker 525 is a great option. It still has a 20,000mAh battery, so it’s quite capable of delivering enough battery for your phone despite being a more compact option than the ones we listed above.
It may be an older model, but its reliability and compact design are why it is listed as a part of the best Anker power banks that you can get right now. It has a 20W USB-C port which can fast-charge your iPhone, and it also features an 18W USB port for when you need to charge a second device.
Anker 525 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K): save 18
A more compact solution with 20,000mAh. 20W USB-C port to fast-charge your iPhone, and an 18W USB port for a second device. Right now, Anker has a great deal on it and you can save 18 with code WS7DQUI047.
Anker 633 Magnetic Battery
If you’re looking for something different than your standard power bank, the Anker 633 Magnetic Battery is one option to look into. However, keep in mind that you can take advantage of its magnetic capabilities only with an iPhone, which supports MagSafe, such as an iPhone 12 and above. It has a 10,000mAh battery and uses magnets to attach to your iPhone – and charges it wirelessly.
On top of that, it has a built-in kickstand so you can charge your phone and place it in a way that’s easy-to-view – on a table, for example. And, last but not least, it sports a compact and trendy design with multiple color options to choose from.
Anker 511 Power Bank
For an ultra-compact and lightweight solution, we have the 5,000mAh Anker 511 Power Bank. It is relatively smaller, and despite having a bit less in terms of battery capacity, it entices with its compactness. For a little (but much-needed) battery life, the Anker 511 Power Bank is more than enough. And, it is a cheaper solution in case you’re on a budget.
But that’s not all this power bank has going for it. It also has built-in prongs that you can use to plug it into a wall outlet and use it as a charger.
How to choose the best Anker power bank for you
Choosing the best Anker power bank for you is a process that requires you to take into account several aspects:
- How often do you plan to carry it?
- How much mAh do you really need?
- Do you need the power bank to be able to charge simultaneously more than one device?
Let’s address why those (and similar questions to ask yourself) are important. First off, some Anker power banks can be quite heavy (bigger battery capacity, or mAh, means heavier power bank), so if you’re the type of person to carry around a lot of stuff, you should take into consideration the added bulk and weight.
Additionally, you should think do you really need to charge simultaneously three devices, or do you need it only for your phone? Basically, if a power bank can charge more devices at the same time, it will have more ports – and this can make it more expensive. Think about how many ports you need exactly and, if you need it just for your phone, you can go for a solution that has only one port.
On the other hand, the mAh is important to be able to figure out how many charges you will be carrying with the power bank. Each power bank has its battery capacity listed in the specs. The higher the number, the more juice it can store. For example, a more unassuming option (like the 5,000mAh Anker 511) will be able to charge your phone completely just once or one and a half times, depending on your phone’s battery capacity, while big solutions (like 24,000mAh ones) will offer several charges, needed for people with a more busy schedule and more time outside (and heavier phone use when out!).
How we pick the best Anker power bank
The power banks that we listed here are picked across a wide Anker portfolio in order to answer most people’s needs. We’ve selected all-out Anker power banks for busy people and people who need to charge more devices, like phones and smartwatches, simultaneously on the go. But that’s not all – we’ve also thought about people who use their phone less often and would like to just have a piece of mind when out and about so that they won’t run out of battery.
That’s why we’ve picked the best power banks for both use cases. We’ve also taken into account the bulkiness, the extras, the price (for what you get) and even the looks.
We’ve focused our attention on selecting Anker products from the latest series the company has. We want to help you get the most up-to-date experience and the best Anker can offer in terms of design, mAh, fast charging, and added functionality.
Do Anker power banks work with both Android and iPhone devices?
Anker power banks are famous for offering wide compatibility with different devices. All the power banks here (except the MagSafe wireless one) are compatible with Android phones and iPhones. Of course, you need to have a cable with the respective connector to charge your iPhone or Android phone. Most of the power banks listed here come without a cable for your phone, so do check that in the What you get section on Anker’s website for the power bank you have in mind.
On top of that, many of the solutions Anker offers can also charge tablets and, some of them, even laptops.
Are Anker power banks safe for my phones?
Yes. Anker takes safety seriously and virtually all its charging products are equipped with a technology called MultiProtect, which monitors voltages to ensure your devices and you are protected and safe. Additionally, the more expensive power banks we’ve selected include the ActiveShield 2 technology, which also monitors the temperature to prevent overheating when charging. You can read more about Anker’s MultiProtect here.
Anker PowerCore 10000 – The Gold Standard USB-A Power Bank
Anker PowerCore 10000 with Nintendo Switch. Cable not included.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I purchased the product in this review.
The Anker PowerCore 10000 is the gold standard of mid-sized USB-A power banks. Its compact design makes it a better fit in a Switch carrying case than thinner forms. It is easy and reliable, if lacking in features.
- Ports: USB-A x1
- USB-A Output: 5V/2.4A
- micro-USB Input: 5V/2A
- Capacity: 10,000mAh | 37 Wh
- Size: 3.6 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches | 92 x 60 x 22 mm
- Weight: 6.3 oz | 180 grams
Switch Chargers Ratings:
Included In Box:
Anker PowerCore 10000 and cable in a Nintendo Switch case.
- Charges Switch while you play under some conditions
- Compact design gives it a smaller footprint
- Fits in most Switch carrying cases
Compared With Similar Chargers
Good For
Times based on 3 hours per full Switch charge, and assumes both Switch and power bank are at 100%.
First Impression
The Anker PowerCore 10000 is a compact power bank, fitting into any bag or Switch case. It is a bit heavier than a regular sized smartphone. A side button lights up 4 LED lights, indicating how much charge remains. The USB-A port limits power output for the Switch, but does keep the price down. Its 5V output is more efficient than USB-C PD. So its capacity goes further than a similar capacity USB-C PD power bank.
The Anker PowerCore 10000 is compact, light (for a bunch of batteries), and inexpensive. It makes a nice first power bank for new Switch owners. A larger capacity power bank would keep your Switch running for longer. And a USB-C power bank would charge your Switch faster. But either increases your cost, and if you aren’t sure about your needs you could end up overbuying.
This power bank will charge the Switch fine while asleep. While playing it’ll charge under some conditions. But under most conditions it’ll only slow down the Switch’s battery drain. Worst case it can extend playtime by a few hours. I used it between play sessions with the Switch and stopped charging once the Switch was ~80%. This maximized charge time and use of the limited capacity. If you don’t want to stop playing after a few hours then you’ll want a more expensive USB-C option.
To charge the power bank itself you’ll want to use a USB-A charger. Any you have already will get the job done. You’ll get the fastest charge with one built for a tablet (5V/2A output). The included micro-USB cable is for charging the power bank. You could use a USB-C charger with a USB-C to micro-USB adapter. But why add one more item to travel with and increase your cost?
The other limit is the single USB-A port. You can only charge one device at a time. If you want to keep both your phone and Switch topped off you’ll need to balance that by switching back and forth. Unless you have a phone with USB-C you’ll need to change cables each time as well.
Anker has U.S. based support contacts (web, email, phone) and warranty service. They are a beloved brand within and outside of the Switch community.
Bottom Line
The Anker PowerCore 10000 is a low cost option for new Switch owners who don’t know their charging on the go needs yet. You will need a USB-C to USB-A cable, which does add to the cost. If you replace it later you could still use it for day trips with heavy phone use. It’ll also sell on the used or trade-in market.
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