Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh 165W: features, specs and who it suits

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is a 25,000mAh battery pack with up to 165W of total output, enough to charge a laptop away from an outlet. Two USB-C cables are built in, so there's less to pack, and a display shows what's happening on each port. Here is what its numbers mean for work and travel.

What 25,000mAh means in practice

Power bank capacity is quoted in milliamp-hours at the voltage of the battery cells themselves. At the typical lithium-ion cell voltage of about 3.6 to 3.7 volts, 25,000mAh works out to roughly 90 watt-hours. Some energy is always lost when the pack converts it to the higher voltages that laptops and phones charge at, so the energy your devices actually receive is noticeably less than the headline figure suggests.

In Anker's own testing, it gives about 1.3 charges for a popular thin-and-light laptop and about 4.5 for a recent flagship smartphone. Laptops with larger batteries will get less than that.

165W in total, up to 100W per port

There are four outputs: the two built-in USB-C cables, a third USB-C port and a USB-A port. Each USB-C output reaches up to 100W, and all four can charge at the same time. The 165W is the total shared across everything plugged in, so when several devices charge together, each gets a share of it.

Laptops that charge over USB-C typically use USB Power Delivery, and 100W is enough for most thin-and-light models at full speed. Power-hungry gaming or workstation laptops may charge more slowly, or only hold their level while in use.

The power bank itself recharges fastest from a USB-C charger rated at 100W or more. A wall charger isn't included.

Built-in cables and the display

One USB-C cable extends to 2.3 feet (about 70 cm) and retracts, and Anker tested it for 20,000 retractions. The other is about 0.98 feet (30 cm) long and doubles as a carrying strap, rated for more than 20,000 bends. Built-in cables mean you're less likely to leave one behind.

The display shows the remaining battery, the input and output wattage on each port, the battery temperature and battery health. That's handy for checking whether a laptop is actually drawing the power you expect.

Flying with it

Anker says it complies with the 100Wh airline limit for carry-on bags. Under widely used airline rules, power banks below 100Wh are allowed in cabin baggage without special approval, but not in checked luggage. Some airlines also restrict using or charging power banks on board, and rules change, so check with your airline before you fly.

It measures about 6.2 x 2.1 x 1.9 inches (16 x 5.3 x 4.8 cm) and weighs 21 oz (595 g), so it's made for a laptop bag rather than a pocket. A protective pouch comes in the box, and Anker lists an 18-month warranty.

Who it suits

It suits laptop users who work remotely or travel, and anyone who wants to charge a laptop, a tablet and a phone from one pack. The built-in cables make it practical for travel days, when spare cables tend to go missing.

What to check before you buy

• Your laptop's charging: confirm it charges over USB-C and check the wattage it needs.
• Capacity: compare your laptop's battery size in watt-hours with roughly 90Wh, allowing for conversion losses.
• Weight: at 595 g, it adds noticeable weight to a bag.
• Charger: you'll need a USB-C wall charger of 100W or more for the fastest recharging.
• Travel rules: check your airline's current rules on power banks.

The short version

• A 25,000mAh power bank with up to 165W in total and up to 100W from each USB-C output.
• Two built-in USB-C cables (one retracts and extends to 2.3 ft), plus a USB-C and a USB-A port: four devices at once.
• The display shows battery level, wattage per port, temperature and battery health.
• About 1.3 laptop charges or 4.5 phone charges in Anker's own testing, within the 100Wh carry-on limit.
• 21 oz (595 g), with a protective pouch.

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