With the ever-growing number of external (or portable) batteries and universal chargers available, making a choice in this technological jungle is a challenge for most of us. To help you in this quest for the best backup battery to recharge your true wireless earphones, your Bluetooth headphones, your portable Bluetooth speaker or your DAP, this article provides some clarifications on the equipment and technologies offered by Anker, a brand specializing in this field.
Anker: the brand
The world famous Anker brand is a subsidiary of Anker Innovations. Founded in 2011 by Steven Yang, this company based in Shenzhen, Guangdong initially manufactured batteries for laptops. From 2012, Anker began to specialize in the design of rechargeable portable batteries (or power banks) and chargers. Keen to offer ever more efficient charging methods, Anker quickly created its own technologies, but also integrated some already existing ones in order to meet an ever more challenging demand.
Proprietary Anker technologies: optimization and universal compatibility
PowerIQ
Eager to stand out, Anker filed a patent in 2014 for its proprietary technology called PowerIQ. Originally delivering a maximum output power of 12 watts, this technology with a somewhat cryptic name allows any battery or charger that uses it to optimize the charging of any associated device and thus offer the fastest charging speed.
PowerIQ 2.0
From 2017, improvements were made to the technology, leading to the birth of PowerIQ 2.0 technology, which offers a maximum output power of 24 watts.
PowerIQ 3.0
As of 2019, the third generation PowerIQ (dubbed PowerIQ 3.0) offers a much higher maximum output power that reaches 100 watts.
VoltageBoost
Associated with all generations of PowerIQ technology, VoltageBoost technology helps optimize the charging time of your mobile devices. It is present on most Anker portable batteries and chargers.
Built-in technologies: fast charging
These two technologies, which are incorporated into some Anker portable batteries and chargers, allow owners of compatible devices to enjoy fast charging without having to find or buy the official charger.
Power Delivery (PD)
Arriving in 2012 at the instigation of the USB Promoters Group, Power Delivery technology makes it possible to increase the power of fast charging to 100 watts in order to recharge most mobile devices, including smartphones, laptops or even hard drives. To take advantage of this technology, it is necessary to use a USB C to USB C cable.
Quick Charge 3.0
Released from Qualcomm laboratories in 2016, the latest version of this 3rd generation of Quick Charge technology offers fast charging for any compatible device (smartphones in particular). It is also compatible with USB A, USB C and micro USB ports.
External batteries (power banks), wall chargers, cigarette lighter chargers and hybrid chargers: how to choose the best solution?
Now that the technological information has been presented, it is time to look at the ranges offered by Anker. Indeed, it can be complicated to choose among all these references. Let’s take a look at the differences between all these models.
External batteries: perfect for travel and outdoor activities
If you travel regularly, have no access to an outlet during the day, or even want to go on vacation, the portable battery is surely the best solution for you. This will allow you, for example, to recharge your portable Bluetooth speaker, your Bluetooth headphones, your True Wireless headphones or your DAP in all circumstances. Depending on your needs, many parameters should be taken into account when choosing a backup battery: its capacity, the number and type of USB ports it offers, the technologies it incorporates, etc.
| Model | Capacity (mAh) | Charger (type) | USB charger (number) | Technologies | Price (€) |
 Powercore 5000 | 5 000 | USB A | 1 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 19.90 |
 Powercore 10000 | 10 000 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 29.90 |
 Powercore Metro Slim 10000 | 10 000 | USB A | 1 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 29.90 |
 Powercore 10400 | 10 400 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 34.90 |
 Powercore 13000 | 13 000 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 34.90 |
 Powercore Slim 10000 PD | 10 000 | USB A USB C | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost Power Delivery | 39.90 |
 Powercore 15600 | 15 600 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 39.90 |
 Powercore Select 20000 | 20 000 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 44.90 |
 Powercore Wireless 10K | 10 000 | USB A Wireless | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 49.90 |
 Powercore 10000 PD + PIQ 2.0 | 10 000 | USB A USB C | 2 | PowerIQ 2.0 VoltageBoost Power Delivery | 54.90 |
 Powercore 20100 | 20 100 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 54.90 |
Hybrid chargers: perfect for all activities
Very versatile, the hybrid charger can be used as a power bank, but also as a classic wall charger. It adapts perfectly to all your activities, both sedentary and mobile.
Cigarette lighter chargers: perfect for long car journeys
With the GPS, the music and the various devices of your passengers, the batteries of all this equipment can run out very quickly. This is why Anker offers optimized cigarette lighter chargers to recharge your devices as quickly as possible in the car.
| Model | Charger (type) | USB charger (number) | Technologies | Price (€) |
 Powerdrive 2 | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 14.90 |
 PowerDrive Speed | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost Quick Charge 3.0 | 19.90 |
 Powerdrive PD 2 | USB A USB C | 2 | PowerIQ 2.0 Power Delivery | 24.90 |
 PowerDrive + III Duo | USB C | 2 | PowerIQ 3.0 Power Delivery | 29.90 |
Wall chargers: perfect for sedentary activities
With all the mobile devices that we accumulate, the chargers get lost, and available sockets can be lacking… This is why Anker offers universal wall chargers, some with fast charging and others with 2 to 5 ports allowing you to simultaneous charge of all your devices as quickly as possible.
| Model | Charger (type) | USB charger (number) | Technologies | Price (€) |
 2-port 24W USB | USB A | 2 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost | 19.90 |
 18W USB port | USB A | 1 | Quick Charge 3.0 | 19.90 |
 PowerPort III Nano | USB C | 1 | PowerIQ 3.0 | 24.90 |
 PowerPort III Mini | USB C | 1 | PowerIQ 3.0 Power Delivery | 29.90 |
 PowerWave Base Pad | Wireless | – | – | 29.90 |
 PowerPort Speed 5 2X QC3 | USB A | 5 | PowerIQ VoltageBoost Quick Charge 3.0 | 39.90 |
 PowerPort + Atom III | USB A USB C | 2 | PowerIQ 2.0 PowerIQ 3.0 | 44.90 |
 PowerPort Atom III Slim | USB A USB C | 4 | PowerIQ 3.0 | 49.90 |
 PowerPort II | USB A USB C | 2 | PowerIQ 2.0 Power Delivery | 49.90 |
