Anker MagGo 10,000mAh Slim Energy Financial institution evaluate: A conveyable powerhouse

Anker is understood for its charging-focused cellular equipment, from wi-fi charging stands to energy adapters. Nonetheless, it is in all probability energy banks the place the corporate first actually made a reputation for itself. In a sea of equally styled choices, Anker stands out as a notable and reliable marque within the house. Earlier this yr, the corporate launched its next-generation MagGo 2.0 charging merchandise, together with the brand new Anker MagGo Energy Financial institution (10K, Slim).

The throughline with Anker’s charging-capable MagGo 2.0 lineup is its help for the newest Qi2 wi-fi charging customary. Primarily based on Apple’s MagSafe, Qi2 guarantees magnetic alignment and attachment and a peak wi-fi charging output of 15W. However does the Anker MagGo Energy Financial institution (10K, Slim)’s revised type and reworked development make it essentially the most reliable Qi2-capable energy financial institution but? And is it worthy of a spot on our shortlist of the greatest energy banks?

Worth, availability, and specs

Anker introduced its first wave of MagGo 2.0 merchandise on September 5, 2024. Two entries within the lineup had been 10,000mAh capability energy banks; one centered across the Apple Watch and the 10K, Slim (featured right here), designed to serve smartphones.

The Slim clocks in at $75, making this new entry $15 cheaper than Anker’s earlier 10K Qi2-enabled energy financial institution. And that is earlier than the (frequent) gross sales the model appears to run.

Anker sells the MagGo Energy Financial institution (10K, Slim) in 4 finishes: Aurora White (pictured on this evaluate), Black Stone, Pink Aura and Teal Oasis.

What’s good concerning the Anker MagGo 10,000mAh Slim Energy Financial institution?

Extra transportable and adaptable

The entire run of MagGo 2.0 equipment shares a clear minimalist aesthetic that appears to take cues from pure supplies, like stone. The matte end on the Slim’s rounded prime could technically be hewn from 75% post-consumer recycled plastic, however the texture and the way in which the sunshine hits it resembles the qualities of wonderful marble.

This explicit energy financial institution’s edge can also be accented by a steady steel band, which provides energy to the development and a premium contact, courtesy of its cool really feel and polished chamfered edges, which catch the sunshine at sure angles. Anker has dressed the flat wi-fi charging floor with a silicone layer that provides extra grip, making it simpler to retrieve from a pocket or bag, whereas additionally serving to it adhere to the again of your cellphone, working in tandem with the built-in magnets.

Regardless of the corporate already providing a Qi2-compliant 10,000mAh capability energy financial institution, the Slim’s magic is its comparatively wafer-thin profile. The earlier MagGo providing clocked in at 0.78 inches (19.8mm) thick, whereas this new variant provides the identical sizable battery whereas measuring simply over 25% thinner (0.58 inches or 14.7 mm). So, the gadget is way extra pocketable and fewer intrusive within the hand whereas utilizing your cellphone. It’s, in truth, Anker’s thinnest 10,000mAh energy financial institution so far.

Qi2 help ensures a most output of 15W when charging wirelessly. However it additionally means, regardless of the similarities to MagSafe, this open customary provides broader help for the know-how’s velocity and magnetic attachment. Proper now, choices are slim past iPhones; the HMD Skyline is the one different smartphone with Qi2 compatibility on the time of writing, although the Slim will work with different Android telephones via MagSafe-compatible instances.

When it comes to juice, mileage will fluctuate primarily based in your gadget’s capability and temperature. (Anker’s ActiveShield 2.0 tech really displays the working temperature contained in the Slim to take care of protected charging conduct.) However the firm quotes simply over 1.8 full recharges of an iPhone 15 Professional (which itself sports activities a 3,274mAh battery).

As for velocity, I used to be capable of recharge my 15 Professional to 38% after half-hour, and it hit 50% in lower than 40, whereas the HMD Skyline I known as in for this evaluate (with its bigger 4,600mAh capability battery) hit 31% after half-hour and 50% after 55 minutes.

The bump as much as 30W wired charging out and in (the non-slim mannequin tops out at 20W) is one main charging benefit the Slim lords over its predecessor. Supplied you will have a PD-compliant charger that outputs not less than 30W, you possibly can refill your gadget doubly quick (in comparison with the wi-fi charging output), and get extra longevity from the facility financial institution, too, as much less of its 10,000mAh capability will get misplaced as warmth. Recharging my iPhone 15 Professional by way of a wired connection at its peak 27W velocity meant it hit 51% cost after half-hour.

Refilling the Slim itself can also be faster, with the facility financial institution refilling fairly constantly at a fee of 25% each half-hour. In testing, a full recharge took a sliver over two hours (half an hour sooner than Anker quotes inside its official figures). And in the event you’re curious, you can even refill the Slim with a wired connection whereas concurrently wirelessly charging your gadget.

What’s unhealthy concerning the Anker MagGo 10,000mAh Slim Energy Financial institution?

Stability, alignment, and readability

Trimming the fats to grant the Slim its namesake and new, extra svelte, silhouette does include some extra compromises, in comparison with Anker’s earlier 10,000mAh MagGo energy financial institution.

Maybe essentially the most irritating change is the lack of an built-in kickstand. This would not be so unhealthy in the event you may stand your cellphone upright, however within the case of the iPhone 15 Professional, the charging pad’s alignment with the MagSafe magnet array means the underside of the Slim sits just under the bottom of the iPhone. As such, it simply ideas ahead (screen-first) if left unsupported. The issue is much more pronounced on the HMD Skyline, whose Qi2 magnet array sits even decrease on its again. Consequently, you possibly can solely actually set your cellphone down on the Slim face-up on a flat floor, assuming you continue to wish to see the show.

I like that the Slim has a single button to allow/disable its On the spot Join characteristic (with a five-second press) or charging (with a two-second press). However although a single press reveals the facility financial institution’s remaining cost, it is solely conveyed utilizing 4 LEDs, every denoting 25% of the battery’s whole capability. Regardless of being functionally wonderful, after seeing the in-depth insights the earlier mannequin provided, with its colourful built-in Good Show (cost proportion, remaining battery in hours/minutes, and time to recharge in hours/minutes), 4 LEDs, paradoxically, go away you comparatively at midnight.

The silicone fascia that gives grip within the hand and in opposition to the again of your gadget is a double-edged sword, because it additionally holds onto dust and particulates all too simply. Set the Slim down on a grimy café desk or throw it in your lint-lined denims pocket, and you will seemingly must spend time wiping it clear earlier than snapping it onto the again of your gadget.

Must you purchase it?

In slimming down its present 10,000mAh Qi2 energy financial institution, it is apparent that Anker needed to compromise with this new MagGo 2.0 model. However if you’d like the comfort and longevity of such a capacious wi-fi charging-capable energy financial institution with out extra bulk, the Slim is close to the entrance of the pack proper now.

Its design is trendy, with the accessible colorways seemingly supposed to enhance a spread of tastes and fashions, whereas the stability of portability versus capability is plain. It is a disgrace the kickstand needed to go and silicone is such a mud magnet, however these are shortcomings I can overlook.