I typically dislike energy banks as a result of they’re large, heavy, and annoying to hold round. Anker’s Nano Energy Financial institution is none of these issues, and it additionally has the newest must-have wi-fi charging tech inside for further cool factors.
I’ve used it, and you need to in all probability concentrate in case you’re planning an enormous Google {hardware} buy within the close to future.
Qi2 goodness inside
Why this issues
The Anker Nano Energy Financial institution is particularly notable as a result of it’s one of many first to be formally Qi2 licensed, and it helps wi-fi charging speeds as much as 15W, is made for cell units with magnets contained in the physique, and is safer and extra environment friendly than ever earlier than.
Sadly, it’s nonetheless early days for Qi2 adoption. In the intervening time, the one Qi2-certified Android telephone is the HMD Skyline, nevertheless it’s rumored that Google will construct Qi2 help, full with inside magnets, into the Pixel 10 vary.
This will probably be an enormous step ahead, placing Samsung’s half-hearted “Qi2 Prepared” method in its current telephones within the shade, and bringing Android telephones in step with the Apple iPhone.
The Qi2 open customary is the Wi-fi Energy Consortium’s response to Apple’s MagSafe, launched with the iPhone 12 sequence. The Anker Nano Energy Financial institution is designed to be used with MagSafe, and that is how we’ve examined it out, forward of any large information from Google on August 20.
What concerning the specs?
Modest mAh, tiny dimension
What I like concerning the Anker Nano Energy Financial institution is its small dimension. It matches in my bag with out weighing it down and with out taking on a lot house.
It’s 122 grams and simply 8.6mm thick, and its total footprint is barely bigger than a stack of bank cards. Certain, it provides some weight and bulk to your telephone, however when it’s not getting used, it’s not intrusive.
It accommodates a 5,000mAh battery and, in response to Anker, has a most charging energy of 20W. Nonetheless, you’re solely prone to see wi-fi charging speeds of 15W, which is the utmost supported by MagSafe and Qi2.
There’s a USB-C port to cost the facility financial institution, however this may also be used to cost one other machine, too.
Safeguards towards the facility financial institution getting too scorching are in place, together with a graphene layer to assist dissipate warmth.
The facility financial institution has a metallic chassis and a easy, curved plastic again. It feels high-quality and well-made.
The magnets held it securely towards our iPhone 16 Professional Max, even in a MagSafe-compatible case.
What about efficiency?
Sufficient juice for emergencies
The 5,000mAh battery is modestly sized, so counting on the Anker Nano Energy Financial institution for a weekend away might be not the most effective concept.
Nonetheless, it’s sufficient to high most batteries up throughout a single day of heavy use. This utilization state of affairs is mirrored in its efficiency.
With the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s battery at 50%, the Anker Nano Energy Financial institution added 15% to it in simply over half-hour, and reached 80% cost in an hour and 20 minutes whole.
Anker expects the facility financial institution to cost an nearly flat battery to 25% in about half-hour. It additionally notes that the facility financial institution might cease charging earlier than a battery reaches 100%, because of software program restrictions.
Whereas the facility financial institution will get heat, largely on the very begin of charging, it by no means turns into too scorching to carry, though I wouldn’t need it in my pocket in the course of the early levels.
I used the charger in comparatively heat outside circumstances, which supplies me confidence it received’t trigger any overheating points.
Though it takes a good bit of wriggling round to seek out the charging spot, the Anker Nano Energy Financial institution additionally wirelessly prices suitable earbuds, together with the Google Pixel Buds Professional 2.
There’s a set of 4 LEDs on the facet of the facility financial institution and a button to light up them, which supplies a basic indication of how a lot cost is remaining inside.
After utilizing the facility financial institution to cost the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s battery from 50% to 80%, solely a single LED lit up, so don’t count on it to totally cost a flat battery.
Accessible now
Prepared in your Pixel 10
The Anker Nano Energy Financial institution is right to hold round on daily basis, prepared to be used in an emergency.
It’s unlikely to totally recharge a telephone, however there’s sufficient juice to assist get your telephone by a day of heavy use, even when your telephone’s battery would usually fail.
It matches my wants completely, and its speedy efficiency makes it helpful.
It’s yours for $55 or £50 by Anker’s on-line retailer.
Whereas it’s greatest paired with an Apple iPhone for the time being, extra Qi2-compatible smartphones will inevitably come this yr, and the checklist appears to be like set to incorporate the Pixel 10 sequence.
The Anker Nano Energy Financial institution is a good way to affordably get pleasure from the advantages of Qi2 wi-fi charging.