Hey All
Recently i was one of a lucky few to be picked to test the new PowerCore III 10k Wireless.
Thanks @AnkerOfficial
Here’s a short review, but first…
Anker has a great community forum with regular reliable contributors who will lend a helping hand if you have any “real world” questions on products. It’s full of user reviews, product and new release information, product testing opportunities and a section to trade virtual “bucks” earned by forum participation for entries into the Power Draw giving you a chance to win some great prizes. Check it out here;
Anker produces PowerCores in various sizes, outputs and connections so there’s one to suit your requirements.
Don’t believe me?
Check out the link below and tell me in the comments what other brands offer that Anker doesn’t;
Onto the PowerCore!
Brief Spec,
10000mah. 5w, 7.5w and 10w wireless charging. 18w output USB C.
Unboxing,
Pretty standard affair.
Familiar blue and white box safely holding the PowerCore, USB C-C cable and a net pouch.
First Impressions,
Feels light but solid. Nice textured top with a rubber ring to stop the phone slipping when wireless charging.
USB C-C cable is a welcomed addition.
It rattles when shaked, I’ll need to investigate this.
In Use,
Ok, so let’s get a little techie!
Charging the PowerCore from empty took 4hrs 45min with an 18w Nano.
Starting draw was 17w, dropping to 9w around half way and to 3w from 75% to full.
Temperature while charging PowerCore 36°c front and 31°c back.
Wireless Charging Samsung Galaxy S20+
Phone was completely discharged with Airplane mode on.
Phone from flat phone showed 2hr 45m until full.
Phone to 25% - 36m
Phone to 50% - 1hr 12m
Phone to 75% - 1hr 55m
Phone to 100% - 2hr 34m
The PowerCore charged the phone from completely flat to full - 1 full charge plus 38%
The Samsung has a 4500mah battery. That gives a total wireless output of 6210mah.
Temperature of PowerCore with phone at 50% charge - 39°c front 43°c back.
Wired Charging USB C Samsung Galaxy S20+ using a PowerLine+ USB C-C
Phone was completely discharged with Airplane mode on.
Phone from flat showed 1hr 32m until full.
Phone to 25% - 22m draw 14.3w (8.44v at 1.69A)
Phone to 50% - 43m draw 14.3w (8.41v at 1.7A)
Phone to 75% - 1hr 3m draw 14.3w (8.44v at 1.69A)
Phone to 100% - 1hr 33m draw 3.1w (8.75v at 0.36A)
Draw from phone started to reduce when it got to 82% charge.
Voltage then remained constant at 8.75 as the amps reduced until the phone was at 100%
The PowerCore charged the phone from completely flat to full - 1 full charge plus 52%
So with a 4500mah battery. That gives a total wired output of 6840mah.
Temperature of PowerCore with phone at 50% charge - 35°c front 31°c back. This was measured at the end with the ports.
Wired Charging USB A Port Samsung Galaxy S20+ using PowerLine II Gen2 USB A-C
Phone was completely discharged with Airplane mode on.
Phone from flat showed 1hr 32m until full.
Phone to 25% - 22m draw 14.5w (8.58v at 1.69A)
Phone to 50% - 42m draw 14.5w (8.55v at 1.69A)
Phone to 75% - 1hr 2m draw 14.5w (8.54v at 1.69A)
Phone to 100% - 1hr 33m draw 5.1w (8.63v at 0.6A)
Draw from phone started to reduce when it got to 81% charge.
Voltage then remained constant at 8.62 as the amps reduced until the phone was at 100%
The PowerCore charged the phone from completely flat to full - 1 full charge plus 53%
So with a 4500mah battery. That gives a total wired USB A output of 6885mah
Temp at 50% charge with phone sitting on the PowerCore for the duration - front 34.8° back 33.6°
Wireless VS Wired Summary
Wireless - 0 to 100% 2hr 34m
Wired - 0 to 100% 1hr 33min
USB A and C performed as good as identically.
Wireless charging had 10% less output over wired.
Who would use this?
Anyone that needs portable power to keep those devices topped up while away from a wall socket.
Whether you hike, bike, fish or camp this is a worth while device to have in your travel pack.
Pros,
Supports 5w, 7.5w and 10w wireless charging.
18w USB C output.
50% charge in just over 40 minutes wired (this will vary depending on device)
Trickle charge for buds and small devices.
Light weight.
Pop out phone stand.
Sensible recharge time.
Cons,
The pouch is just a little to short, it doesn’t enclose the PowerCore completely.
Pop out phone stand rattles when closed.
It wont charge the Galaxy Watch. Although I’m sure this is down to Samsung, not Anker. Compatibility would have been a big benefit to me.
Button not easy to press as its small and recessed - I need to press with my nail not finger.
Other Observations,
Wired charging output to my phone dropped to 5.3w when wirelessly charging my buds at the same time.
This would have made the wireless charge time of my phone from flat to 3hr 32m.
While charging my phone wired, if I dropped the phone onto the wireless pad it continues to charge via the wired connection.
While plugged into the mains wireless charging is always active/on.
When not plugged into the mains, the button needs to be pressed to activate wireless charging.
Wireless charging stays active for 1min after pressing the button or removing a device while it was wireless charging.
It has one of those USB A sockets (?) built in - not sure what you would ever do with this?
This PowerCore makes a whirring noise when wireless charging. More noticeable when charging buds as the PowerCore is more exposed. It’s noticeable at night when on the bedside cabinet. It’s not loud, but once you hear it’s quite annoying.
I don’t get this on my Anker wireless stand or pad so not sure if this unit is performing as it should or has technical problems.
Conclusions,
I really enjoy carrying this around.
I’ve decided not to use it as a mains powered wireless charger, although that may change as time passes.
This is my carry everywhere PowerCore and it’s getting a lot of use. So much so, I’ll be excited to see a 15k or 20k mah version.
I’ve used it to wirelessly charge my phone while connected to the PowerConf. It’s a much tidier and professional looking completely cable free solution.
It’s main use has been to drop my phone on while in a cafe or pub and when taking a break at work to add a quick 25 - 50% charge. And think this would be most people’s main use for this.
If you have any questions or would like me to test something for you please drop me a message below and I’ll do y best for you.