I own the Anker 20 and the Nitecore 10, I am a long distance backpacker and I generally go with that Nitecore. Less charging power but about seven oz less. I am old so weight is a big issue for me. I am not rich but the difference in cost means nothing to me. Packing light does. Nitecore is the gold standard for long distance hikers. The Anker is generally used for general travel. It’s very good and gives plenty of charge.
I find myself in the market for a new power bank. Right back here to your review to help me weight the options. Your review couldn’t be more helpful. Thanks.
4 out of 5 of the EDC videos I’ve watched from you so far I’ve bought something off Amazon. 🤣 thanks for this super informative vids, you’re reviews are always about gear im looking for.
Very nice review, Jonathan!👍🏼 As a German Nitecore dealer I love all Nitecore products! I own several Nitecore torches, powerbanks and a powerstation with a solarpanel for emergency situations! I am truly my best customer…. 😉
I’ve been loyal customer of the Anker Powerbank. Picked one up few years back because the iPhone 7 has a very weak battery. The Powerbank has been a essential piece of my travel. Always top up my phone on my trip, so when I arrived at the destination…just shoot away, pictures, videos without worrying that I may out of juice and can’t use Google maps in places I don’t know. Use it everyday for about 2 years, when it’s getting less reliable and battery drains faster than normally would. Now I got 2 of those on standby in the car and the backpack. It’s a reassuring feel to know you don’t have to worry about running out of juice in this tech heavy reliance era.
It's worth mentioning that the GoalZero Venture 35 comes with an additional feature - it can be charged and discharged at the same time, which comes in handy when you are using a solar panel which might be too unstable to charge your phone or other device directly, especially when you are using it on the move. Then, the GoalZero acts as a buffer to ensure continuous power supply.
Thanks for the great video, Jon. As always your video is informative and pleasing to watch. Just noticed I wasn't subscribed (much to my surprise) and have rectified that situation. I own a few different power banks and been caught by the "well this one is cheap and I like saviing money" trap. Time to put that mindset aside and realize that you get what you pay for, and when you're paying for reliability, it's nice to have educated a source such as yours.
Triply one of the best reviews of juch items I have seen for long time. It is very nice to see a goal zero product included. In my opinion they do great work, but are quite pricey. You did a great job to point out the advantages of each of the three. Thank you very much!
I get the need for ruggedness in a power bank, but 9600 mah? That pitifully low. I've tested and used a number of power banks. From the ungodly cheap to the "wife is considering a divorce" it cost so much. Here are my takeaways from using a number of these devices. 1. Solar panels are more a selling point than actual functional. You can drain a power bank, set it in the hot August sun all day, and still not have a enough power to fully charge a phone. The trickle charge from the panel just isn't worth it. 2. Power indicators fall into three categories. No indicator, LED lights to indictor power level, and digital read out. If you power bank doesn't have a digital readout, you are fooling yourself. You are going to get frustrated if you aren't sure how much power you have left and yes, at some point that lack of reliable power indication will let you down. 3. The average reasonable power bank on the market right now should provide 20k - 30k mah. You got gipped buying anything below that. 4. You need ruggedness but don't want to pay the rugged price tag for an underpowered unit? Simple. Buy a small storage case. Even manufacturers like Pelican make them. Just fine one big enough for your power bank and you still will come out below the cost of a rugged power bank. 5. The average life expectancy of the batteries is anywhere from 3 -5 years. If having one reliable one is critical for what you are doing, I would suggest replacing it every 3 years or sooner if the power storage even remotely becomes suspect or you see some cracking or bulging of the power bank outer shell.
@@superdave8248 1. Agree - hoping the tech improves with time. 2. fair point - rough guide. 3. I don't agree I have used 10k ones frequently, they actually power my cameras for hours at a time and have helped me out plenty of times with my phone. 4. Good suggestion. 5. Agree. Also iii you like the Goal Zero they do much bigger rugged ones too. Thanks for the feedback and taking the time to comment.
Great video as always!!! I have been waiting for a video review with a direct comparison of the Anker Powercore Slim and the Nitecore NB1000. I have several Anker slim power banks as they were really the first reliable, thin, PD battery pack for fast charging. They WERE the best minimal PD/fastcharge option. I travel 150k+ miles a year and battery packs are a must. I've built out my travel EDC around several things from this channel. I already have and love several Nitecore flashlights... Time to order the Nitecore NB1000!!
Excellent review Jon! Here in Costa Rica it is very important to have always one. We never know, when we could be hit by an earthquake and lose our power lines. The Goal Zero could be a good option for me to replace my old one. I found out, the company offers also solar panels for the power bank. Thanks and keep going... Greetings Horacio.
I have three of the Nitecores and love them. The only problem I have is getting it to go to low power mode. That is charging my Apple Watch and it usually stops. Now that I got a Apple Watch 7 using a usb c cord, it’s not a problem anymore. I have several Anker products and quality is sometimes an issue. I had to return some items like a battery and charging unit.
Good review Jon. I have a 20000 mAh Anker and a 10000 mAh rugged which is nearly identical to the heavy duty one reviewed. I'm very happy with the reliabilty of both. I do like the look of the Nitecore though nice materials and general aesthetic. Might have to add that to my ever expanding list of goodies to buy in the future. On a side note I did treat myself to the Minichamp alox following your review which is now in my daily rotation with the Leatherman Micra for my everyday carry. Both of them are excellent quality mini tools that are tactile and functional.
I've gone through so many power banks, the last one I got is a Aukey PB-WL02 as its got wireless charging, full USB n usb-c also has a phone stand thingy which is nifty. I've used so many Aukey, Anker n RavPower
Very informative review, Jon. Yeah, worth getting a quality power bank from a named brand. There are el cheapo versions out there, but I guess they save money on components -so it's no saving at all! Reliability is the key here. Thanks
Awesome comparisons between those power banks. My current edc power bank is aukey PB-WL03 20000 mah Basix Pro. Has PD,Qc3 and QI wireless charging in a slim and small form factor.
Thank you. I have that Anker powerbank and have had it turn off prematurely while charging a flashlight or running a portable humidifier overnight. I suppose I should have read the user manual!
God tip regarding Trickle Charge functionality. I've had issues trying to charge wireless earphones in the past when the powerbank didn't work at all on such a small battery. Thanks.
Great review Jon, I have that exact Anker power bank and I love it. I actually have several Anker Power Banks, every time they come out with a new one I buy it. As a matter a fact I have many Anker products including cables, wall chargers and speakers and I’m completely satisfied with all of them. I’m not affiliated with Anker nor am I a Anker Fanboy, I just believe they deliver a quality product for a reasonable price. I must also add that their Customer Service and warranty is outstanding, thanks again from Chicago!!
@@JonGadget Me too mate! I have become a bit of a connoisseur of power banks; I’m on my sixth, of varying sizes and capacities, and this Anker is most certainly the best yet. I’ve had it for two years and it hasn’t faded at all, whereas couple of the others did. In my experience, Anker is definitely one of the most reliable. In Southeast Asia, Norway, Nepal and France wild camping, power-banks were, for me, absolutely indispensable PS: Best wishes to you too Joey. Love Chicago! 🇬🇧🇺🇸🤡 PPS: Jon, I shall now binge watch the rest of your stuff! Thanks!
cant agree anymore with you, I had a speaker out of warranty from them and shot them an email and they actually sent a replacement for me at no extra cost out of warranty. That deserves my loyalty and business alone.
Definitely a good idea to buy a powerbank from a known brand name, Nitecore, Anker, etc. You know they're not going to skimp and will not buy cheap components; they have to protect the brand name. I recently bought the Energizer 20,000 with 2x USB A outputs and micro-USB and USB-C input - plus an LED display to show percentage charge remaining. This bank is a heavy brute, but very well made and I'm very pleased with it.
I was lucky to get onboard with Anker very early in their power Bank production. I find their price:power ratio to be spot on. I have a few different sizes for different situations, but the idea of the goal zero water resistant one has peaked my interest after a very wet hiking situation which I believe fried an older powerbank of mine. Great reviews as always Jon
@@wesolowskimatt can’t use them in a dry bag as easily. And the water resistant one would also come in handy on scuba diving boats where it hard to avoid some water
Very helpful review as always. It is really a joke that phone manufacturers keep trying to make their phones slimmer and of high quality more fragile materials so what most people end up doing is sticking them in a chunky case, fitting a screen protector and having to carry around a power bank. Taking Apple as an example (but they are all the same), I wish that they would come up with a rugged iPhone that offers genuine multi-day battery life and better drop/shock resistance. I would be willing to sacrifice some form for this because I have already had to make this compromise with my existing phone to achieve the same ends. I rarely see anyone using their phone without a case.
I just got the Anker 737 pd3.1 power bank with 28v 5a max output input. Very nicely made feels quality. Bit disappointed with its claimed MWh. Charges my laptop once at full speed from falt but keeps it running all day if already changed. 👍
Great comparison! Is your review on the Nightcore based on Gen 2? Also, how long does it re-charge these powerbanks (with and without a fast charger)? Thanks!
Another consideration (less aesthetic) might be the Nitecore UI1 USB Charger for 18650 batteries. I use this option because the single battery charger allows for charging my iphone from the 18650 batteries I use for my flashlight. So, in the bag is flashlight, extra battery, Ul1 charger, and a few cables. This is a clunky setup, but it gives me the option for more flashlight time or phone time, depending on my needs each day. However, 2 18650 batteries will not contain as much charging power as any of the power banks you reviewed here, and there is no USB-C option or low power charging mode.
Would be interesting to see a review of the Zendure power bank range. At the moment there’s various offers on Amazon UK with an additional £10 off on certain models!
@@JonGadget I had no trouble finding the dimensions of their products on their site. I backed their 16k mah powerbank on Kickstarter back in 2013 and it's still going strong.
Jon...nowadays at a minimum, any powerbank worth considering should have these features: Bypass Charging (It provides the function of an AC Charger in the same device), Trickle Charging, USB A + USB C PD >65W (At least single device 65W or more) Digital Charge Indicator, 3 Device Charging Capacity. IMHO. Cheers!
Useful video Jon, thanks. I use a 3,500 mAh for hiking and a Chinese made 10,400 mAh for EDC. The Chinese option I bought in China when I lived there and it has proved incredibly reliable over the last 4 years, has 2 port output and weights 252gm. I also have a 5,000 mAh Anker that I use on longer hikes. If one breaks I will consider one of the options presented for EDC. The Anker option looks good the Goal Zero has too much functionality that I don't need, with the Nitcore being a luxury option for me, the weight saving is attractive though.
What is your take on the Zippo 9s hand warmer / power bank? Just discovered them the other day. It's a hand warmer that doubles as a power bank. The hand warming feature is supposed to last for 9 hours.
Samsung phone turns on super charging when plugged into the 2.1 A or 1.2A port, the phone is on, and regular cable is used. When the power bank is low at charge, it turns on the fast charging, if the phone setting is on. The power bank keeps its new feature for other devices, that don’t have settings for this, but supports fast charging.
My Anker 40,000 has never failed,yeah it takes all night to charge 💯 percent,but it will charge my phone, Bluetooth headphones and speakers that are Bluetooth 15x,and when your hiking or camping that's awesome,the only down is long time to charge,and it's heavy,
Do you thing the rubber on the outside of the Go zero will degrade over time and turn in to a sticky tacky mess like a lot of rubberized coating tend to do.?
I just got an anker powercore essential 20000. I'm charging it for the first time as we speak. It should be more than enough for what I do. One question though: do I have to let it get below 25% before I can recharge it or can I top it off as I please?
I travel globally on a regular basis for work (or at least have just started again), and in addition to my work laptop, which goes in overhead storage, I have an M1 iPad Pro with loads of accessories to go under the seat in front for my own work and entertainment after my main paid work is done for the day. 20,000 mAh is the maximum size allowed on a plane for a power bank, and I did have a RAVPower one, but the case cracked for no apparent reason. I currently have an Iniu one, which is still going strong.
I've had to get a number of 20/40k do to the consistent power outages where I'm at. And seeing as my house is more or less on USB light strips, or USB fans, radio, lanterns and the like. They run for about half a day before needing recharging from the 20/40k.
Good to include Anker. Not critical but to be precise you should not compare mAh as each battery pack has different voltages so should compare Watthours. They are all similar voltages so end up similar Wh for same mAh. The Anker is Lithium polymer. In small print will be the Wh on each. I have two of those Anker 10000 PD, another rounded shape Anker 10000 PD, two Anker 20000 PD, and Anker 26800. I tend to EDC an now not made 6700, then next EDC 10000 PD. For camping or longer trips I use 20000 PD. For hiking I carry two 10000 PD and put them on opposite side of backpack in case I fall, and store in dry bags. I had an unplanned emergency last year, I was biking in mountains and broke my leg, I had 3 hours in the road, two ambulances and A&E and then 3 days in hospital. Fortunately I had on my person my Anker 10000 PD and charger and cable and was perfectly fine power wise waiting. Better now. In hindsight I wished I had 20000 as electrical sockets in hospitals few and far between.
Hi Nigel, I use mAh as a comparator - assuming charging same device, it's a good LFL measure I think. Just checked the Anker and it states Li-ion on the back. Thanks for the feedback on your use case. The mountain bike example is a perfect example of why it is so useful to carry a power bank. Thanks for sharing 👍
One thing to consider with power banks, does the USB socket(s) stay live constantly? I'm trying to run a USB PIR Motion Sensor Led Strip via a power bank but some won't work because the PIR draws next to nothing amp wise so the power bank switches the 5 volt feed off.
Powerbanks really revolutionized festivals for the worst… I remember back then nobody had any juice after a few days and nobody took stupid stage videos like today where you watch in the best case the stage trough the camera of your front man!
Does the Nitecore have any IPX rating? I love how it looks. I personally carry around a 5000mah power bank just if I’m nipping out, but have larger for long journeys and an Omnicharge for home 💡🔌⚡️
@@JonGadget Still seems like a pretty good option. I like the idea of light weight. I also have a pair of Mifo O5 ( newest version) earbuds, the aluminium case comes with a dongle and doubles as a 2600mah power bank, sound good and you get emergency power. ⚡️
Hi Jon! Good review as usual & the right categories.👍🏻 Anker has another 10000mAh Power Bank, called the “PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger” on their 🇺🇸 website. It’s smaller, both in weight & size (L & B, but thicker), to the one you compared. It’s priced @ $25/- on the Anker website, but is usually available on Amazon for $20/- or lower during holiday or prime day sales. I have a few of those in various kits. Weight : 180 g / 6.3 oz Size : 92 × 60 × 22 mm / 3.6 × 2.4 × 0.9 in Output : 5 V / 2.4 A Input : 5 V / 2 A Capacity : 10000 mAh / 36 Wh Don’t know whether the same is available in UK?
I spent hours doing research between Anker/nitecore and just ended up ordering the nitecore. For most people I don’t think it’s worth the extra 20 bucks over the Anker, but I’m trying to do a onebag-type setup where I fit a lot of high value, low footprint items into a pretty small bag for work/travel. Even more so than the weight, the form factor of the nitecore is just awesome. So small and slim in addition to being light compared to other 10k power packs. Now I’ll have more room in my small bag for other essentials. It also has pass-through charging so you can charge it and a device simultaneously (although doing this often is not recommended) and I like the carbon fiber construction if I want to take it hiking with me. In general though, if you’re just looking for a generic power pack for daily use and don’t care much about size/weight just save 20 bucks and get the Anker. It also has 20w charging vs 18w on the nitecore which is slightly better. I keep a 20k Anker pack at home for power outages. I can’t speak on the Goal Zero as it’s completely outside of my use cases. Thanks for the vid, you helped me make this agonizing conclusion after reading 1 or 2 or 50 Reddit posts :)
Surprised 2 years on and nothing really beats the Nitecore for size. Still, the technology isn't there anymore. 20w charging won't do it I feel like we are at the point where you should be able to fit 15k into the same size as this Nitecore w/ at least 45w or 65w charging. Now that would be a device I'd buy
Not sure if an error but you slightly misspoke on how the trickle charge works. It is not "low output". Does not lower max output, only lowers the minimum output. You are correct it is intended to be used on smaller battery devices which helps them get to fully charged. Example of what it solved was recharing earbuds where you'd not get much past 85% charged as all recharging devices reduce their input as they get past 85% full. The trickle charge mode turns the powerbank off at a lower current so small battery items can get nearer to 100% full. If you don't want to buy a trickle charge featured powerbank either keep pressing the power button til device charged or just know you're not quite fully charged. I used to have non-trickle-charge earbuds and I'd have to keep pressing the power button a few minutes, indicating I was very nearly full without the feature.
It’s very important to understand that the Nitecore NB10000 is advertised as having 10000 mAh capacity, but that is the capacity of the battery only. The true rating of how much power it can actually deliver to your devices is only 6400 mAh @ 5V. Similarly, the NB20000 is billed as having 20,000 mAh capacity, but the true rating is only 13,500 mAh. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, as it is still probably half the size and weight of the 13,500 mAh Staples brand power bank I currently own (again, the true rating is likely quite a bit less, once conversion losses are accounted). The Staples unit is probably constructed of six 18650 cells, rather than a unitary polymer battery. i like Nitecore, in fact I just took delivery of a new Nitecore EC11 yesterday, but always look very closely at the fine print.
This is indeed an important point that you make here. The way the ratings are done gives a false impression of how much you can get of a power bank. The motto is - buy bigger than you need. 10,000 mah sounds a lot, and so does 20,000 but when the efficiency calculation is considered, they make good sense.
16:55 That’s kinda not true. You can take more than two power banks onto a flight in most of the airports. To my experience, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Amsterdam, Helsinki and many other airports don’t care about how many power banks and what capacities they are.
galaxy note 7 ... Why did Note 7 explode? Samsung suspended sales of the Galaxy Note 7 and announced an informal recall on 2 September 2016 after it was found that a manufacturing defect in the phones' batteries caused some of them to generate excessive heat, resulting in fires.
I would like to see a genuine credit card sized powerbank (perhaps the thickness of 3 or 4). I don’t really care how small the capacity would have to be as long as it’s 1000mah+. If it would give you say 25% battery then that would be enough if your phone ran out towards the end of the day.
@@wilcoxtactical3716 the closest I’ve found is a TNTOR 2500mah. It’s close to credit card size but still not small enough to fit in a credit card slot. However I quite like the TAU mini powerbank at 1400mah. It’s not a credit card size, it’s designed to go on a keyring. The good thing is it has lightning, micro-usb and USB-C but unfortunately you can only charge it using the supplied cradle, which is a massive shame in my opinion. If they made the USB-C “in” and “out” then it would be close to perfect as a small powerbank.
@@wilcoxtactical3716 do you have a link? I know there are powerbanks that are titled as “credit card” powerbanks but they have larger dimensions than credit cards (excluding thickness).
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #107 РОДНОЙ ДОМ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3QKzKUlHM/mqdefault.jpg)
I own the Anker 20 and the Nitecore 10, I am a long distance backpacker and I generally go with that Nitecore. Less charging power but about seven oz less. I am old so weight is a big issue for me. I am not rich but the difference in cost means nothing to me. Packing light does. Nitecore is the gold standard for long distance hikers. The Anker is generally used for general travel. It’s very good and gives plenty of charge.
I have that Anker battery and had no idea about the low power mode. Very detailed review, thanks 👍🏻
I find myself in the market for a new power bank. Right back here to your review to help me weight the options. Your review couldn’t be more helpful. Thanks.
4 out of 5 of the EDC videos I’ve watched from you so far I’ve bought something off Amazon. 🤣 thanks for this super informative vids, you’re reviews are always about gear im looking for.
Very nice review, Jonathan!👍🏼 As a German Nitecore dealer I love all Nitecore products! I own several Nitecore torches, powerbanks and a powerstation with a solarpanel for emergency situations! I am truly my best customer…. 😉
Wow, I never knew about low current output. Very useful info.
I’ve been loyal customer of the Anker Powerbank. Picked one up few years back because the iPhone 7 has a very weak battery.
The Powerbank has been a essential piece of my travel. Always top up my phone on my trip, so when I arrived at the destination…just shoot away, pictures, videos without worrying that I may out of juice and can’t use Google maps in places I don’t know.
Use it everyday for about 2 years, when it’s getting less reliable and battery drains faster than normally would.
Now I got 2 of those on standby in the car and the backpack. It’s a reassuring feel to know you don’t have to worry about running out of juice in this tech heavy reliance era.
Sir, this is an excellent presentation! Thank you
It's worth mentioning that the GoalZero Venture 35 comes with an additional feature - it can be charged and discharged at the same time, which comes in handy when you are using a solar panel which might be too unstable to charge your phone or other device directly, especially when you are using it on the move. Then, the GoalZero acts as a buffer to ensure continuous power supply.
How was your weekend
The NB10K can also be charged and discharged at the same time and do not for the low watt mode also.
So can the nitecore.
Excellent review as always, sir. I'm a battery aficionado and these hit the sweet spot.
Thanks for the feedback as always - have a great weekend 👍
very good and professional review good work chap.
Thanks for the great video, Jon. As always your video is informative and pleasing to watch. Just noticed I wasn't subscribed (much to my surprise) and have rectified that situation.
I own a few different power banks and been caught by the "well this one is cheap and I like saviing money" trap. Time to put that mindset aside and realize that you get what you pay for, and when you're paying for reliability, it's nice to have educated a source such as yours.
Apologies for the very slow response! - thanks for the sub 👍 much appreciated
Excellent product overview and comparison!
Triply one of the best reviews of juch items I have seen for long time. It is very nice to see a goal zero product included. In my opinion they do great work, but are quite pricey. You did a great job to point out the advantages of each of the three. Thank you very much!
thank you for the kind feedback 🙏😊
I get the need for ruggedness in a power bank, but 9600 mah? That pitifully low.
I've tested and used a number of power banks. From the ungodly cheap to the "wife is considering a divorce" it cost so much.
Here are my takeaways from using a number of these devices.
1. Solar panels are more a selling point than actual functional. You can drain a power bank, set it in the hot August sun all day, and still not have a enough power to fully charge a phone. The trickle charge from the panel just isn't worth it.
2. Power indicators fall into three categories. No indicator, LED lights to indictor power level, and digital read out. If you power bank doesn't have a digital readout, you are fooling yourself. You are going to get frustrated if you aren't sure how much power you have left and yes, at some point that lack of reliable power indication will let you down.
3. The average reasonable power bank on the market right now should provide 20k - 30k mah. You got gipped buying anything below that.
4. You need ruggedness but don't want to pay the rugged price tag for an underpowered unit? Simple. Buy a small storage case. Even manufacturers like Pelican make them. Just fine one big enough for your power bank and you still will come out below the cost of a rugged power bank.
5. The average life expectancy of the batteries is anywhere from 3 -5 years. If having one reliable one is critical for what you are doing, I would suggest replacing it every 3 years or sooner if the power storage even remotely becomes suspect or you see some cracking or bulging of the power bank outer shell.
@@superdave8248 1. Agree - hoping the tech improves with time. 2. fair point - rough guide. 3. I don't agree I have used 10k ones frequently, they actually power my cameras for hours at a time and have helped me out plenty of times with my phone. 4. Good suggestion. 5. Agree. Also iii you like the Goal Zero they do much bigger rugged ones too. Thanks for the feedback and taking the time to comment.
nice review. I will go with the Anker, specially the low power mod is greatly used for my controllers and watch.
Thanks for the video. Very informative.
Very informative as always, Jon.
Thanks Steven 👍
Great information, Thank you. Would like to see more power banks
reviewed on your channel.
Thanks Hitch - good to know 👍
Thx, the Anker one is on 14 hour sale today for $20. I just ordered 6 for xmas presents.
Great video as always!!! I have been waiting for a video review with a direct comparison of the Anker Powercore Slim and the Nitecore NB1000. I have several Anker slim power banks as they were really the first reliable, thin, PD battery pack for fast charging. They WERE the best minimal PD/fastcharge option. I travel 150k+ miles a year and battery packs are a must. I've built out my travel EDC around several things from this channel. I already have and love several Nitecore flashlights... Time to order the Nitecore NB1000!!
Thanks for the great feedback I think you will be very happy with the Nitecore 👍
How did it work our for you man?
Excellent review Jon! Here in Costa Rica it is very important to have always one. We never know, when we could be hit by an earthquake and lose our power lines. The Goal Zero could be a good option for me to replace my old one. I found out, the company offers also solar panels for the power bank. Thanks and keep going... Greetings Horacio.
Thanks for the feedback - yes, solar panels are a big part of their offering 👍
Thank you Jon for your reviews very much appreciated.
I have three of the Nitecores and love them. The only problem I have is getting it to go to low power mode. That is charging my Apple Watch and it usually stops. Now that I got a Apple Watch 7 using a usb c cord, it’s not a problem anymore. I have several Anker products and quality is sometimes an issue. I had to return some items like a battery and charging unit.
Great review. Thank you,
Thank you Richard
Good review Jon. I have a 20000 mAh Anker and a 10000 mAh rugged which is nearly identical to the heavy duty one reviewed. I'm very happy with the reliabilty of both. I do like the look of the Nitecore though nice materials and general aesthetic. Might have to add that to my ever expanding list of goodies to buy in the future. On a side note I did treat myself to the Minichamp alox following your review which is now in my daily rotation with the Leatherman Micra for my everyday carry. Both of them are excellent quality mini tools that are tactile and functional.
Great to hear, thanks so much for the feedback - the Nitecore did impress me too - will find it's way into a new pack I am working on 👍
Very good reviews thank you also subscribed to your channel😊👍🏽
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for the great info.
you're welcome 👍
Fantastic review, I'll be going with the Nitecore :)
My go to 👍
Thanks for the helpful video. Lucky you getting free stuff.
I've gone through so many power banks, the last one I got is a Aukey PB-WL02 as its got wireless charging, full USB n usb-c also has a phone stand thingy which is nifty. I've used so many Aukey, Anker n RavPower
Very informative review, Jon. Yeah, worth getting a quality power bank from a named brand. There are el cheapo versions out there, but I guess they save money on components -so it's no saving at all!
Reliability is the key here. Thanks
thank you 👍
Awesome comparisons between those power banks. My current edc power bank is aukey PB-WL03 20000 mah Basix Pro. Has PD,Qc3 and QI wireless charging in a slim and small form factor.
I'll check these out 👍
Just purchased the Nitcore, thanks to you.
It's my favourite now 👍
Thank you. I have that Anker powerbank and have had it turn off prematurely while charging a flashlight or running a portable humidifier overnight. I suppose I should have read the user manual!
You have a very pleasant voice. I would probably listen to you review air and enjoy it. 😂
God tip regarding Trickle Charge functionality. I've had issues trying to charge wireless earphones in the past when the powerbank didn't work at all on such a small battery. Thanks.
Glad I could help
I make it a point to include a powerbank in all my bags. Either my work bag or leisure bags.
I have an anker powerbank and I love it
Great review Jon, I have that exact Anker power bank and I love it. I actually have several Anker Power Banks, every time they come out with a new one I buy it. As a matter a fact I have many Anker products including cables, wall chargers and speakers and I’m completely satisfied with all of them. I’m not affiliated with Anker nor am I a Anker Fanboy, I just believe they deliver a quality product for a reasonable price. I must also add that their Customer Service and warranty is outstanding, thanks again from Chicago!!
Thanks for the great feedback. I have a lot of their cables too and have been very happy - a great option I think.
@@JonGadget Me too mate! I have become a bit of a connoisseur of power banks; I’m on my sixth, of varying sizes and capacities, and this Anker is most certainly the best yet. I’ve had it for two years and it hasn’t faded at all, whereas couple of the others did. In my experience, Anker is definitely one of the most reliable. In Southeast Asia, Norway, Nepal and France wild camping, power-banks were, for me, absolutely indispensable PS: Best wishes to you too Joey. Love Chicago! 🇬🇧🇺🇸🤡 PPS: Jon, I shall now binge watch the rest of your stuff! Thanks!
@@Johnny-sj9sj Thanks Johnny for the great feedback 👍 Binge away 😊
cant agree anymore with you, I had a speaker out of warranty from them and shot them an email and they actually sent a replacement for me at no extra cost out of warranty. That deserves my loyalty and business alone.
Definitely a good idea to buy a powerbank from a known brand name, Nitecore, Anker, etc. You know they're not going to skimp and will not buy cheap components; they have to protect the brand name. I recently bought the Energizer 20,000 with 2x USB A outputs and micro-USB and USB-C input - plus an LED display to show percentage charge remaining. This bank is a heavy brute, but very well made and I'm very pleased with it.
I was lucky to get onboard with Anker very early in their power Bank production. I find their price:power ratio to be spot on. I have a few different sizes for different situations, but the idea of the goal zero water resistant one has peaked my interest after a very wet hiking situation which I believe fried an older powerbank of mine. Great reviews as always Jon
Or you can buy small dry bag for your electronic devices. Its always gut idea to keep such equipment dry, even if it's waterproof.
@@wesolowskimatt can’t use them in a dry bag as easily. And the water resistant one would also come in handy on scuba diving boats where it hard to avoid some water
Nitecore has a model that can be fully submerged in water and be charged/discharged. They also have 2 models that can operate in extreme cold weather.
Very helpful review as always. It is really a joke that phone manufacturers keep trying to make their phones slimmer and of high quality more fragile materials so what most people end up doing is sticking them in a chunky case, fitting a screen protector and having to carry around a power bank. Taking Apple as an example (but they are all the same), I wish that they would come up with a rugged iPhone that offers genuine multi-day battery life and better drop/shock resistance. I would be willing to sacrifice some form for this because I have already had to make this compromise with my existing phone to achieve the same ends. I rarely see anyone using their phone without a case.
Thank u for info
I just got the Anker 737 pd3.1 power bank with 28v 5a max output input. Very nicely made feels quality. Bit disappointed with its claimed MWh. Charges my laptop once at full speed from falt but keeps it running all day if already changed. 👍
Thanks! Good stuff. It would be interesting to get your take on solar chargers?
good shout - I'll try to round some up (in the Summer!)
Great comparison! Is your review on the Nightcore based on Gen 2? Also, how long does it re-charge these powerbanks (with and without a fast charger)? Thanks!
Another consideration (less aesthetic) might be the Nitecore UI1 USB Charger for 18650 batteries. I use this option because the single battery charger allows for charging my iphone from the 18650 batteries I use for my flashlight. So, in the bag is flashlight, extra battery, Ul1 charger, and a few cables. This is a clunky setup, but it gives me the option for more flashlight time or phone time, depending on my needs each day.
However, 2 18650 batteries will not contain as much charging power as any of the power banks you reviewed here, and there is no USB-C option or low power charging mode.
a flexible option but as you say might be a bit fiddly for some
Would be interesting to see a review of the Zendure power bank range. At the moment there’s various offers on Amazon UK with an additional £10 off on certain models!
Yes - an interesting option - all their marketing avoids the dimension which shows how thick its is - still looks interesting though 👍
@@JonGadget I had no trouble finding the dimensions of their products on their site. I backed their 16k mah powerbank on Kickstarter back in 2013 and it's still going strong.
Great video. The nitecore is also waterproof ☺️
thank you IPX5 I believe so shower proof 👍
I have Goal Zero power banks and generators in various sizes. Can't beat 'em with a stick.
Jon...nowadays at a minimum, any powerbank worth considering should have these features: Bypass Charging (It provides the function of an AC Charger in the same device), Trickle Charging, USB A + USB C PD >65W (At least single device 65W or more) Digital Charge Indicator, 3 Device Charging Capacity. IMHO. Cheers!
Useful video Jon, thanks. I use a 3,500 mAh for hiking and a Chinese made 10,400 mAh for EDC. The Chinese option I bought in China when I lived there and it has proved incredibly reliable over the last 4 years, has 2 port output and weights 252gm. I also have a 5,000 mAh Anker that I use on longer hikes. If one breaks I will consider one of the options presented for EDC. The Anker option looks good the Goal Zero has too much functionality that I don't need, with the Nitcore being a luxury option for me, the weight saving is attractive though.
Thanks for the feedback, great to hear about your experiences. I was impressed with the Nitecore too 👍
What is your take on the Zippo 9s hand warmer / power bank? Just discovered them the other day.
It's a hand warmer that doubles as a power bank. The hand warming feature is supposed to last for 9 hours.
Have yoou tested or used the Anker solar rechargable bank?
Samsung phone turns on super charging when plugged into the 2.1 A or 1.2A port, the phone is on, and regular cable is used. When the power bank is low at charge, it turns on the fast charging, if the phone setting is on. The power bank keeps its new feature for other devices, that don’t have settings for this, but supports fast charging.
You forgot to mention that the Goal Zero can charge wireless.
My Anker 40,000 has never failed,yeah it takes all night to charge 💯 percent,but it will charge my phone, Bluetooth headphones and speakers that are Bluetooth 15x,and when your hiking or camping that's awesome,the only down is long time to charge,and it's heavy,
Torches. Do one on bonkers bright torches. Just ordered a Nitecore thanks to your review :)
I really like Nitecore 👍
He just did a flashlight one
Do you thing the rubber on the outside of the Go zero will degrade over time and turn in to a sticky tacky mess like a lot of rubberized coating tend to do.?
I just got an anker powercore essential 20000. I'm charging it for the first time as we speak. It should be more than enough for what I do. One question though: do I have to let it get below 25% before I can recharge it or can I top it off as I please?
Anker s a very good and reliable brand. I love my Anker as they perform flawlessly!
Looking for a small powerbank for my edc. Just needs to fully re charge my phone once. Any suggestions?
looking for good charger/power bank to fast charge flashlights?
What I have now is a anker powercore fusion 20w.
Which Powerbank would you recommend to fit inside of the Maxpedition Mini?
I travel globally on a regular basis for work (or at least have just started again), and in addition to my work laptop, which goes in overhead storage, I have an M1 iPad Pro with loads of accessories to go under the seat in front for my own work and entertainment after my main paid work is done for the day. 20,000 mAh is the maximum size allowed on a plane for a power bank, and I did have a RAVPower one, but the case cracked for no apparent reason. I currently have an Iniu one, which is still going strong.
thanks for the feedback - good to hear - all the info suggests 26,000 should be allowed.....
I have one that’s solar and led
I've had to get a number of 20/40k do to the consistent power outages where I'm at. And seeing as my house is more or less on USB light strips, or USB fans, radio, lanterns and the like. They run for about half a day before needing recharging from the 20/40k.
Also, the Walmart Onn Anker rebadges are pretty good, bit heafty but good.
thanks for sharing 👍
Good to include Anker. Not critical but to be precise you should not compare mAh as each battery pack has different voltages so should compare Watthours. They are all similar voltages so end up similar Wh for same mAh. The Anker is Lithium polymer. In small print will be the Wh on each.
I have two of those Anker 10000 PD, another rounded shape Anker 10000 PD, two Anker 20000 PD, and Anker 26800. I tend to EDC an now not made 6700, then next EDC 10000 PD. For camping or longer trips I use 20000 PD. For hiking I carry two 10000 PD and put them on opposite side of backpack in case I fall, and store in dry bags.
I had an unplanned emergency last year, I was biking in mountains and broke my leg, I had 3 hours in the road, two ambulances and A&E and then 3 days in hospital. Fortunately I had on my person my Anker 10000 PD and charger and cable and was perfectly fine power wise waiting. Better now. In hindsight I wished I had 20000 as electrical sockets in hospitals few and far between.
Hi Nigel, I use mAh as a comparator - assuming charging same device, it's a good LFL measure I think.
Just checked the Anker and it states Li-ion on the back.
Thanks for the feedback on your use case. The mountain bike example is a perfect example of why it is so useful to carry a power bank.
Thanks for sharing 👍
One thing to consider with power banks, does the USB socket(s) stay live constantly? I'm trying to run a USB PIR Motion Sensor Led Strip via a power bank but some won't work because the PIR draws next to nothing amp wise so the power bank switches the 5 volt feed off.
Yes, check out the low power mode mentioned in the video which is in the Anker and Nitecore which should sort this 👍
Nice review 👍 but the prices are bit high
If there were some way of transforming the voltage of your average 18v power tool battery to USB you would really be on to something.
I am a big fan of Anker products
me too 👍
What do you think of nestout power bank?
Powerbanks really revolutionized festivals for the worst… I remember back then nobody had any juice after a few days and nobody took stupid stage videos like today where you watch in the best case the stage trough the camera of your front man!
I know what you mean - a lot of people watch the screen as they record the event rather than 'being there'
Does the Nitecore have any IPX rating? I love how it looks. I personally carry around a 5000mah power bank just if I’m nipping out, but have larger for long journeys and an Omnicharge for home 💡🔌⚡️
good question - IPX5 so only shower proof
@@JonGadget Still seems like a pretty good option. I like the idea of light weight. I also have a pair of Mifo O5 ( newest version) earbuds, the aluminium case comes with a dongle and doubles as a 2600mah power bank, sound good and you get emergency power. ⚡️
@@snowqueen7968 I think it's a good option too. I'll check out those earbuds - they sound good 👍
what's the fastest charging 20,000 power bank?
Introduce a small portable petrol generator portable under one kg for solo backpackers please
Would be nice if the nitecore was in stock ;-(
Hi Jon! Good review as usual & the right categories.👍🏻
Anker has another 10000mAh Power Bank, called the “PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger” on their 🇺🇸 website. It’s smaller, both in weight & size (L & B, but thicker), to the one you compared. It’s priced @ $25/- on the Anker website, but is usually available on Amazon for $20/- or lower during holiday or prime day sales. I have a few of those in various kits.
Weight : 180 g / 6.3 oz
Size : 92 × 60 × 22 mm / 3.6 × 2.4 × 0.9 in
Output : 5 V / 2.4 A
Input : 5 V / 2 A
Capacity : 10000 mAh / 36 Wh
Don’t know whether the same is available in UK?
Good to know 👍 I am guessing it won't have the PD output at that price - but I might be wrong.....
@@JonGadget You are right. Does not have PD. Please checkout the Anker 🇺🇸 website, if you are interested.
I spent hours doing research between Anker/nitecore and just ended up ordering the nitecore.
For most people I don’t think it’s worth the extra 20 bucks over the Anker, but I’m trying to do a onebag-type setup where I fit a lot of high value, low footprint items into a pretty small bag for work/travel. Even more so than the weight, the form factor of the nitecore is just awesome. So small and slim in addition to being light compared to other 10k power packs. Now I’ll have more room in my small bag for other essentials.
It also has pass-through charging so you can charge it and a device simultaneously (although doing this often is not recommended) and I like the carbon fiber construction if I want to take it hiking with me.
In general though, if you’re just looking for a generic power pack for daily use and don’t care much about size/weight just save 20 bucks and get the Anker. It also has 20w charging vs 18w on the nitecore which is slightly better. I keep a 20k Anker pack at home for power outages.
I can’t speak on the Goal Zero as it’s completely outside of my use cases.
Thanks for the vid, you helped me make this agonizing conclusion after reading 1 or 2 or 50 Reddit posts :)
So which is the best when it comes for charging devices.?
they all work well - my go to is now the Nitecore but mainly for weight advantage
Is it a Solar power bank Ta
Surprised 2 years on and nothing really beats the Nitecore for size. Still, the technology isn't there anymore. 20w charging won't do it
I feel like we are at the point where you should be able to fit 15k into the same size as this Nitecore w/ at least 45w or 65w charging. Now that would be a device I'd buy
Not sure if an error but you slightly misspoke on how the trickle charge works. It is not "low output". Does not lower max output, only lowers the minimum output. You are correct it is intended to be used on smaller battery devices which helps them get to fully charged. Example of what it solved was recharing earbuds where you'd not get much past 85% charged as all recharging devices reduce their input as they get past 85% full. The trickle charge mode turns the powerbank off at a lower current so small battery items can get nearer to 100% full. If you don't want to buy a trickle charge featured powerbank either keep pressing the power button til device charged or just know you're not quite fully charged. I used to have non-trickle-charge earbuds and I'd have to keep pressing the power button a few minutes, indicating I was very nearly full without the feature.
Thanks for the feedback - sorry if I wasn't clear on this feature 👍
It’s very important to understand that the Nitecore NB10000 is advertised as having 10000 mAh capacity, but that is the capacity of the battery only. The true rating of how much power it can actually deliver to your devices is only 6400 mAh @ 5V. Similarly, the NB20000 is billed as having 20,000 mAh capacity, but the true rating is only 13,500 mAh. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, as it is still probably half the size and weight of the 13,500 mAh Staples brand power bank I currently own (again, the true rating is likely quite a bit less, once conversion losses are accounted). The Staples unit is probably constructed of six 18650 cells, rather than a unitary polymer battery. i like Nitecore, in fact I just took delivery of a new Nitecore EC11 yesterday, but always look very closely at the fine print.
It makes no sense to measure it at 5 V when the phone battery is 3.7 V.
This is indeed an important point that you make here. The way the ratings are done gives a false impression of how much you can get of a power bank. The motto is - buy bigger than you need. 10,000 mah sounds a lot, and so does 20,000 but when the efficiency calculation is considered, they make good sense.
How do you measure the actual capacity?
The Nitecore is a normal Lithium ion battery it’s not Lithium polymer. Besides polymer isn’t more energy dense than ion anyway.
16:55 That’s kinda not true. You can take more than two power banks onto a flight in most of the airports. To my experience, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Amsterdam, Helsinki and many other airports don’t care about how many power banks and what capacities they are.
Are there any qi charged and offer qi charging banks out there?
good question - I'm not aware of any Qi charged power banks but I am sure they are out there!
Odd hearing about thru-hikers here... I am one... 95% of hikers use Anker 10kmah or 20k mah battery packs
Hi! That's good to know - NB10000 is a great option I would say, as weight must be a key factor?
@@JonGadget weight is #1 factor for everything. maybe us hikers are all behind the times and there is a better mouse trap out there nowadays.
galaxy note 7 ...
Why did Note 7 explode?
Samsung suspended sales of the Galaxy Note 7 and announced an informal recall on 2 September 2016 after it was found that a manufacturing defect in the phones' batteries caused some of them to generate excessive heat, resulting in fires.
I'd want a 20k bank atleast
there is a 20k version of the Nitecore which would be a good option to manage the weight
I would like to see a genuine credit card sized powerbank (perhaps the thickness of 3 or 4). I don’t really care how small the capacity would have to be as long as it’s 1000mah+. If it would give you say 25% battery then that would be enough if your phone ran out towards the end of the day.
yes - that would be good - I will have a look around Oliver
They do have some the size you're talking about but unfortunately they are 1 time use and about $9 ea. Made for real emergencies.
@@wilcoxtactical3716 the closest I’ve found is a TNTOR 2500mah. It’s close to credit card size but still not small enough to fit in a credit card slot. However I quite like the TAU mini powerbank at 1400mah. It’s not a credit card size, it’s designed to go on a keyring. The good thing is it has lightning, micro-usb and USB-C but unfortunately you can only charge it using the supplied cradle, which is a massive shame in my opinion. If they made the USB-C “in” and “out” then it would be close to perfect as a small powerbank.
@@oliverpolden there is one available now. Look up credit card power bank.
@@wilcoxtactical3716 do you have a link? I know there are powerbanks that are titled as “credit card” powerbanks but they have larger dimensions than credit cards (excluding thickness).
Passthrough?
I'd have to check
Crazy enough the nitecore was cheaper than the anker for me.
Yeah but I would move rather have a power bank that has solar powered
So they can be two ways to charge.
No faith in the Texas power grid, got 4 units 10K~20K!
Lithium-polymer batteries are great until they burn your house down
I’ve found carry what like but NO weapons or big bottle
Of water, don’t volunteer any info. ,carry what you like into plane!
In India anker and belkin powerbanks are not affordable... They are most expensive powerbanks. 😂
Power banks manufacturer contact with us.
Samsung make a better unit than the Anker for cheaper, it does 25w and has 2 usb c..