Anker is one of the leading experts in charging technology, and their power banks and chargers are among the best in the market. While it is a simple device, a power bank is much more than just a battery pack to charge your mobile phone. Behind it contains complicated electronics and circuitry to ensure that the power bank holds its charge, provides enough wattage for all the different types of available devices, and that it doesn’t die out after a few charges. We had a chance to check out the Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 QC power bank. Let see how it performs.

Specifications

Here is a quick glance at its specifications:

Unboxing

Here is what is included in the box:

  • The PowerCore Speed 20000 Power Bank
  • Micro USB Cable
  • Travel Pouch
  • Welcome Guide

All the items are pretty standard, but the travel pouch has a good cushion which will protect it from damage if you ever drop it.

With a high capacity of 20100mAh, the weight of 369g is average when compared to other power banks of the same capacity. It is not particularly light for you to carry on your body/in your pocket, nor is it overly heavy to weigh your bag down. Despite its weight, its long slim form makes it easy to hold in your hand, even if you have a small palm.

There are two charging ports on the power bank which allows you to charge two devices simultaneously. The port in the middle (with the quick charge symbol) is equipped with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3 technology that can quickly charge your phone in a short period of time. The port on the left comes with Anker’s own IQ technology that can identify the device you are charging and deliver the optimum charge (no quick charge though). The input port on the right is for charging the power bank and still requires you to use a micro USB cable.

On its longer side there is a button where you can click to check the power bank’s power level. And, of course, the indicator light at the top will blink to display the amount of power left. Each light is equivalent to 25% of power. The image below shows that there is 75% of power level in the power bank.

One thing you have to take note of is that when there is only one light blinking, it can mean a remaining charge of as low as 2% or as high as 25%. You will have to guesstimate if the remaining charge is sufficient to last for the whole day. If not, you will have to carry a bulky paperweight along on your trip.

Performance

The power bank came with 50% charge out of the box, and I still managed to charge my phone twice (from 30% to 100%) before it went dead.

Recharging the power bank takes around nine hours (yes, that is a pretty long amount of time), but I managed to charge my phone six times before it needed a recharge.

For my OnePlus 5T, it took around ninety minutes to get from 30% to 100%. It was faster than using a normal charger (about fifteen to thirty minutes faster) to charge my phone.

The one thing that I love about this power bank is that it doesn’t get hot. I used it to charge my headphones and phone together, and it still remained cool as usual.

Can I bring this powerbank on a flight?

With a power rating of 72.36 Wh, which is less than the 100Wh limitation of most flights, you can bring this power bank along in your carry-on luggage. You can’t leave it in the checked in luggage, though.

Pros

  • The Quick Charge port can charge your device faster
  • Its high capacity allows you to charge multiple devices (or multiple times) before it needs a recharge
  • Its long and slim form makes it easy to carry in your hand and slot in your bag

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a USB-C port, though you can use a USB-C adaptor/cable to charge your USB-C phone
  • Recharging time is long

Conclusion

Anker’s PowerCore Speed 20000 QC is a heavyweight power bank that you can rely on to quickly charge your phone when you need the extra battery juice. If you are looking for a power bank that can charge multiple devices quickly and simultaneously and one that doesn’t need frequent recharging, I would strongly recommend the PowerCore Speed 20000.

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 QC

Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.

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