I generally dislike power banks because they’re big, heavy, and annoying to carry around. Anker’s Nano Power Bank is none of those things, and it also has the latest must-have wireless charging tech inside for extra cool points.
I’ve used it, and you should probably pay attention if you’re planning a big Google hardware purchase in the near future.
Qi2 goodness inside
Why this matters
The Anker Nano Power Bank is especially notable because it’s one of the first to be officially Qi2 certified, and it supports wireless charging speeds up to 15W, is made for mobile devices with magnets inside the body, and is safer and more efficient than ever before.
Unfortunately, it’s still early days for Qi2 adoption. At the moment, the only Qi2-certified Android phone is the HMD Skyline, but it’s rumored that Google will build Qi2 support, complete with internal magnets, into the Pixel 10 range.
This will be a big step forward, putting Samsung’s half-hearted “Qi2 Ready” approach in its recent phones in the shade, and bringing Android phones in line with the Apple iPhone.
The Qi2 open standard is the Wireless Power Consortium’s response to Apple’s MagSafe, introduced with the iPhone 12 series. The Anker Nano Power Bank is designed for use with MagSafe, and this is how we’ve tested it out, ahead of any big news from Google on August 20.
What about the specs?
Modest mAh, tiny size
What I like about the Anker Nano Power Bank is its small size. It fits in my bag without weighing it down and without taking up much space.
It’s 122 grams and just 8.6mm thick, and its overall footprint is barely larger than a stack of credit cards. Sure, it adds some weight and bulk to your phone, but when it’s not being used, it’s not intrusive.
It contains a 5,000mAh battery and, according to Anker, has a maximum charging power of 20W. However, you’re only likely to see wireless charging speeds of 15W, which is the maximum supported by MagSafe and Qi2.
There’s a USB-C port to charge the power bank, but this can also be used to charge another device, too.
Safeguards against the power bank getting too hot are in place, along with a graphene layer to help dissipate heat.
The power bank has a metal chassis and a smooth, curved plastic back. It feels high-quality and well-made.
The magnets held it securely against our iPhone 16 Pro Max, even in a MagSafe-compatible case.
What about performance?
Enough juice for emergencies
The 5,000mAh battery is modestly sized, so relying on the Anker Nano Power Bank for a weekend away is probably not the best idea.
However, it’s enough to top most batteries up during a single day of heavy use. This usage scenario is reflected in its performance.
With the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery at 50%, the Anker Nano Power Bank added 15% to it in just over 30 minutes, and reached 80% charge in an hour and 20 minutes total.
Anker expects the power bank to charge an almost flat battery to 25% in about 30 minutes. It also notes that the power bank may stop charging before a battery reaches 100%, due to software restrictions.
While the power bank gets warm, mostly at the very start of charging, it never becomes too hot to hold, although I wouldn’t want it in my pocket during the early stages.
I used the charger in relatively warm outdoor conditions, which gives me confidence it won’t cause any overheating issues.
Although it takes a fair bit of wriggling around to find the charging spot, the Anker Nano Power Bank also wirelessly charges compatible earbuds, including the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.
There’s a set of four LEDs on the side of the power bank and a button to illuminate them, which gives a general indication of how much charge is remaining inside.
After using the power bank to charge the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery from 50% to 80%, only a single LED lit up, so don’t expect it to fully charge a flat battery.
Available now
Ready for your Pixel 10
The Anker Nano Power Bank is ideal to carry around every day, ready for use in an emergency.
It’s unlikely to fully recharge a phone, but there’s enough juice to help get your phone through a day of heavy use, even when your phone’s battery would normally fail.
It fits my needs perfectly, and its speedy performance makes it useful.
It’s yours for $55 or £50 through Anker’s online store.
While it’s best paired with an Apple iPhone at the moment, more Qi2-compatible smartphones will inevitably come this year, and the list looks set to include the Pixel 10 series.
The Anker Nano Power Bank is a great way to affordably enjoy the benefits of Qi2 wireless charging.
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