Anker versus Kmart: Cheap portable chargers compared

Fergus Halliday
Jul 19, 2024
Icon Time To Read4 min read
// It's Anker v. Anko

We might make money if you buy something through these links. Click as many as you want.

Finding somewhere that can sell you a new power bank or portable charger in a pitch is simple. Picking out one that's got the edge is a little trickier. Even if you feel like the differences between this year's and last year's iPhone are hard to spot, it's got nothing on the world of accessories.

Trying to tease out the differences between what a thrifty brand like Anker has to offer versus the likes of Kmart's super-cheap Anko brand? We've done the work of making that a little bit easier. Here's what both Kmart and Anker have to offer when it comes to portable chargers and how they compare against one another when it comes to wattage, features, price and quality.

What to consider when buying a portable charger or power bank

Pin

MagSafe support

If you're looking at buying a portable charger or power bank that offers wireless charging, you'll want to make sure it has proper MagSafe compatibility. If it does, you'll not only have access to faster charging speeds on selected iPhone models, but you'll also get the benefits of quick and easy alignment with the charging coils.

Heads Up

Wattage

While the number of ports on a portable charger should be a consideration, the speed at which those ports operate is a much more important thing to keep in mind. Higher is better here, as it means you'll be able to get your Samsung phone topped up sooner rather than later.

Light Bulb

Safety

When it comes to accessories that deal directly in the transmission of power like iPhone chargers, it can pay to go with a more expensive and well-known brand since it means you'll get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they probably aren't cutting corners on safety.

Price Tag

Price

 Price of course is another thing to consider - but if you're just after a simple charger, you don't need to shell out the big bucks.

Best Anker power banks and portable chargers

Anker has been an up-and-comer in the accessories space for the past ten years. They haven't quite cracked the mainstream in the same way that Belkin has but if you're in the market for a portable charger or power bank on a budget, then they aren't to overlooked.

Price-wise, an Anker power bank can be as cheap as $65 to as expensive as $370. In terms of capacity, the smallest power bank weighs in at around 5000mAh while the largest is a whopping 60000mAh. Charging speeds vary widely, but the majority offer at least 15W.

Anker portable chargers with 9,000mAh or less

Anker 321 MagGo 5K Magnetic Power Bank
Anker 321 MagGo 5K Magnetic Power Bank
RRP$63.99
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 5,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 12W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)
  • pro
    MagSafe
Anker MagGo Power Bank
Anker MagGo Power Bank
4 out of 5 stars
4
RRP$129
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 6,600mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 12W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)
  • pro
    MagSafe

Anker portable chargers with 10,000mAh

Anker 10K 22.5W Power Bank
Anker 10K 22.5W Power Bank
RRP$64.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 22.5W
Anker MagGo 10K Magnetic Power Bank
Anker MagGo 10K Magnetic Power Bank
RRP$129.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 15W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)
  • pro
    MagSafe
Anker Nano 10K 30W Power Bank with built-in USB-C cable
Anker Nano 10K 30W Power Bank with built-in USB-C cable
RRP$99.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 30W
Anker PowerCore III 10K
Anker PowerCore III 10K
RRP$109.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 12W

Anker portable chargers with more than 10,000mAh

Anker 20K 30W Power Bank
Anker 20K 30W Power Bank
RRP$99.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 20,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 30W
Anker 548 PowerBank (PowerCore Reserve)
Anker 548 PowerBank (PowerCore Reserve)
RRP$369.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 60,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 60W
Anker Prime 20K 200W PowerBank
Anker Prime 20K 200W PowerBank
RRP$229.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 20,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 100W
Anker Prime 27K 250W PD 3.1 Power Bank
Anker Prime 27K 250W PD 3.1 Power Bank
RRP$299.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 27,650mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 140W
Anker Prime 12K 130W Bank
Anker Prime 12K 130W Bank
RRP$169.95
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 12,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 65W

Best Kmart power banks and portable chargers

From 2018 onwards, Kmart has been selling a variety of products under its generic Anko brand. That includes smaller gadgets and consumer electronics like portable chargers and power banks. 

Price-wise, an Anko power bank can be as cheap as $12 to as expensive as $69. In terms of capacity, the smallest power bank weighs in with around 2000mAh while the largest is a whopping 20000mAh. Charging speeds vary widely, but the majority offer at least 10W.

Kmart portable chargers with 5,000mAh or less

Anko Portable Charger USB A and C 15W
Anko Portable Charger USB A and C 15W
3 out of 5 stars
3
RRP$19
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 5,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 15W
Anko 5000mAh Power Bank
Anko 5000mAh Power Bank
RRP$15
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 5,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 10W
Anko 3000mAh Portable Lipstick Charger
Anko 3000mAh Portable Lipstick Charger
RRP$12
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 3,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 10W

Kmart portable chargers with 10,000mAh

Anko 10W 10000mAh Magnetic Wireless and Portable Charger
Anko 10W 10000mAh Magnetic Wireless and Portable Charger
RRP$49
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 10W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)
  • pro
    MagSafe
Anko 10000mAh Portable Charger
Anko 10000mAh Portable Charger
RRP$39
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 22.5W
Anko 10000mAh Universal Powerpack
Anko 10000mAh Universal Powerpack
RRP$69
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 15W (Wired) + 5W (Wireless)
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAh
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAh
RRP$29
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 15W
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAh USBA and C 20W
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAh USBA and C 20W
RRP$39
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 10,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 20W

Kmart portable chargers with more than 10,000mAh

Anko Portable Charger Dual Port
Anko Portable Charger Dual Port
RRP$35
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 15,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 10W
Anko Portable Charger USB-C
Anko Portable Charger USB-C
RRP$39
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 15,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 10W
Anko 20W Portable Charger USB and C 20000mAh
Anko 20W Portable Charger USB and C 20000mAh
RRP$69
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 20,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 20W
Anko Portable Charger USB-A and USB-C 15W
Anko Portable Charger USB-A and USB-C 15W
RRP$59
  • Icon Blank
    Capcity: 20,000mAh
  • Icon Blank
    Max Charging Speed: 15W

Portable chargers compared

Anker versus Kmart Anko power banks and portable chargers
Model
Capacity
RRP
Max charging speed
Output ports
Input ports
Magnetic attachment
Anko Portable Charger USB A and C 15WAnko Portable Charger USB A and C 15W
5000mAh$1915W1x USB-A + 1x USB-C1x USB-CNo
Anko 10W 10000mAh Magnetic Wireless and Portable ChargerAnko 10W 10000mAh Magnetic Wireless and Portable Charger
10000mAh$4910W (Wired) / 7.5W (Wireless)1x USB-C (Input/Output)Yes
Anko 5000mAh Power BankAnko 5000mAh Power Bank
5000mAh$1510W2x USB-A1x USB Micro + 1x USB-CNo
Anko Portable Charger USB-CAnko Portable Charger USB-C
15000mAh$3910W1x USB-A + 1x USB-C1x USB MicroNo
Anko 10000mAh Portable ChargerAnko 10000mAh Portable Charger
10000mAh$3922.5W2x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anko 10000mAh Universal PowerpackAnko 10000mAh Universal Powerpack
10000mAh$6915W (Wired) / 5W (Wireless)2x USB-C1x ACNo
Anko 3000mAh Portable Lipstick ChargerAnko 3000mAh Portable Lipstick Charger
3000mAh$1210W1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAhAnko Portable Charger 10000mAh
10000mAh$2915W2x USB-C + 1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anko 20W Portable Charger USB and C 20000mAhAnko 20W Portable Charger USB and C 20000mAh
20000mAh$6920W2x USB-A + 1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anko Portable Charger USB-A and USB-C 15WAnko Portable Charger USB-A and USB-C 15W
20000mAh$5915W2x USB-C + 1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anko Portable Charger 10000mAh USBA and C 20WAnko Portable Charger 10000mAh USBA and C 20W
10000mAh$3920W2x USB-C + 1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Model
Capacity
RRP
Max charging speed
Output ports
Input ports
Magnetic attachment
Anker 10K 22.5W Power BankAnker 10K 22.5W Power Bank
10000mAh$64.9522.5W1x USB-C + 1x USB-A1x USB-C + 1x USB-ANo
Anker MagGo 10K Magnetic Power BankAnker MagGo 10K Magnetic Power Bank
10000mAh$129.9515W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)1x USB-A1x USB-CYes
Anker 20K 30W Power BankAnker 20K 30W Power Bank
20000mAh$99.9530W1x USB-A + 2x USB-C1x USB-CNo
Anker 548 PowerBank (PowerCore Reserve)Anker 548 PowerBank (PowerCore Reserve)
60000mAh$369.9560W2x USB-A + 2x USB-C1x USB-CNo
Anker Prime 20K 200W PowerBankAnker Prime 20K 200W PowerBank
20000mAh$229.95100W1x USB-A + 2x USB-A2x USB-CNo
Anker Prime 27K 250W PD 3.1 Power BankAnker Prime 27K 250W PD 3.1 Power Bank
27650mAh$299.95140W2x USB-C + 1x USB-A2x USB-CNo
Anker Nano 10K 30W Power Bank with built-in USB-C cableAnker Nano 10K 30W Power Bank with built-in USB-C cable
10000mAh$99.9530W1x USB-A + 1x USB-C1x USB-CNo
Anker 321 MagGo 5K Magnetic Power BankAnker 321 MagGo 5K Magnetic Power Bank
5000mAh$63.9912W (Wired) + 7.5W (Wireless)1x USB-C1x USB-CYes
Anker Prime 12K 130W BankAnker Prime 12K 130W Bank
12000mAh$169.9565W1x USB-C + 1x USB-A1x USB-CNo
Anker PowerCore III 10KAnker PowerCore III 10K
10000mAh$109.9512W2x USB-A1x USB-CNo

How we review power banks (and give them that star rating)

We use standardised testing across every product we review to ensure we're giving you the best recommendations possible. Our team designs these tests uniquely to the product category, taking into account the most important factors for consumers.

When we review power banks and portable there are five main considerations;

  • Price: What is the value proposition? Are you being asked to pay too much for too little? 
  • Capacity and charging speed: Just how much extra battery life are you getting per dollar spent? How friendly is it to multiple devices? Does it support fast charging?
  • Features: The basics of power banks and portable chargers aren't complicated so what does this one do that's different? What thoughtful features does it use to make your life easier?
  • Design: How heavy is it? How long is the charging cable? Does it feel nice in your hand, are the buttons in a useful position?
  • Expert testing: What is it like to use? Does it feel like it's worth the price? Does it deliver on the promises that the manufacturer makes?

In some cases, we may not have had a chance to do hands-on reviews with these products, in which case we omit the expert testing section in our rating. This doesn't affect how the products are scaled against each other. However, it does mean that our ratings may change as we get through practical reviews.

Fergus Halliday
Written by
Fergus Halliday is a journalist and editor for Reviews.org. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school and began his full-time career as the Editor of PC World Australia. Fergus has made the MCV 30 Under 30 list, been a finalist for seven categories at the IT Journalism Awards and won Most Controversial Writer at the 2022 Consensus Awards. He has been published in Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, Screen Rant, Superjump, Nestegg and more.