Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD Review

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD
Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD - A bundled portable charging solution

Summary

The Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD is a bundled portable charging solution. Includes a cable and wall charger to recharge itself. And is one of only a few USB-IF certified power banks.

Overall
4.9
  • Performance
    (4.5)
  • Design
    (5)
  • Safety
    (5)
  • Recharge Time
    (5)
Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Pros

  • Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel
  • Charges Switch while you play
  • Can be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
  • Fits in most Switch carrying cases
  • Charges a 12-inch laptop
  • Includes a 30W USB-C PD wall charger
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable
  • USB-IF certified
  • Charge two devices at once
  • Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights

Cons

  • Won’t fast charge Quick Charge 3.0 enabled phones; but does normal charging
  • Shy of being a full 30W charger
  • Only available from Amazon, Anker, and Best Buy as a bundle

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I purchased the product in this review.

[wpcd_coupon id=7351]
Model: A1275011
Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD specs

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD specs

Tech Specs:
  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A
  • USB-C Output:
    • 24W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2.6A, 12V/1.9A, 15V/1.6A)
  • USB-A Output:
    • 10W USB (5V/2A)
    • Apple 2.4A (won’t reach full potential)
  • Input: 30W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
  • Capacity: 20,100mAh | 74.37 Wh
  • Size: 6.6 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches | 168 x 62 x 22 mm
  • Weight: 12.7 oz | 360 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD box and contents

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD box and contents

Included In Box:
Good For:
  • Additional charger for home or work
  • Commute
  • Travel
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • iPad Pro (pre-2018)
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld)
  • 12-inch laptop
Estimated Number of Charges:
  • iPhone 6/7/8: 7 chargers
  • iPhone Plus/X/XR: 4 chargers
  • Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 4 chargers
  • Samsung Galaxy S10: 4 chargers
  • Nintendo Switch: 8.5+ hours of play

First Impression

The Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD has the same design as Anker’s other 20,100mAh power banks. Long, narrow, and not so thick you can’t grasp it in one hand. You can identify this particular model from its siblings by its single, blue USB-A port. Only the Anker PowerCore 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition shares that trait. And it has a Switch logo to distinguish it. The included pouch has room for the power bank and cable.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

ChargerAnker PowerCore
Speed 20000 PD
Anker PowerCore 20100
Nintendo Switch Edition


Review
RAVPower 20100 USB-C PDZMI PowerPack 20000

Review
PortsUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-A x2USB-C, USB-A x2
Output24W USB-C PD24W USB-C PD30W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
45W USB-C PD
Capacity20,100mAh20,100mAh20,100mAh20,000mAh
FeaturesUSB-IF Certified

Includes 30W USB-C wall charger
Nintendo LicensedPass Through ChargingPass Through Charging

USB Hub
USB-C CableUSB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cableUSB-C to USB-C cable
Dimensions6.6 x 2.4 x 0.9 in
12.7 oz
6.6 x 2.4 x 0.9 in
12.7 oz
6.7 x 3.1 x 0.8 in
17.3 oz
6.3 × 3.2 × 0.8 in
14.3 oz
PricePrice not available$199.00No products found.Price not available

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-03-19.

 

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

  • Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS
  • Essential Phone
  • Google Pixel
  • LG ThinQ/V30
  • Razer
  • Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
  • Xiaomi Mi 8/9
  • ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, also not included.

For iPhones, the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast-charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

  • HTC
  • LG
  • Motorola
  • Nokia
  • Samsung Galaxy
  • Sony
  • Xiaomi Mi 5/6
  • ZTE

Using a Moto G6 for testing we get normal charging rates. But as no Quick Charge or compatible fast charging standard is supported that’s as fast as it goes. Still, 10W is a decent charge rate.

Nintendo Switch

 

The Nintendo Switch charges at its max rate, up to 18W. It’ll fast charge while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is also normal. But it won’t power a docked Switch. That requires a higher 15V output than this charger offers.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptop

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 22W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general, this would support most 12-inch laptops. A 30W output would be ideal, but 24W is close enough.

PowerCore Speed 20000 PD vs PowerCore 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition

The 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition is a variation of the Speed 20000 PD. They perform similarly with the Nintendo Switch. The biggest difference is the price and that the Speed 20000 PD includes a wall charger.

The PowerCore Speed 20000 PD’s model number is A1275Z11. The PowerCore 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition’s model number is A1275S11. Their advertised specs match up exactly. Side-by-side they look identical except for the Nintendo Switch logo. They weighed the same on my scale. And the side of the Nintendo Switch Edition reads “PowerCore Speed 20000 PD.”

Their power meter readings were quite similar. Charging the two portable chargers also gave near-identical results.

Finally, I tested the full capacity of both portable chargers. I drained my Nintendo Switch to 0% and charged the portable charger to 100%. I then recharged the Switch using the portable charger up to 100%. When done I drained the Switch again and recharged it again with the portable charger. This continued until the portable charger shut down.

Many charge cycles died to bring us this information

The results? The Nintendo Switch Edition charged the Switch 289%. The Speed 20000 PD charged it 295%. Again, when you consider a margin of error there isn’t much difference. The ±6% equals ~10 minutes of playtime.

Summary

The Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD is a high end, high capacity power bank. Despite its name, its capacity is actually 20,100mAh. While Anker doesn’t advertise the point, it is USB-IF certified. Its weakness is a mid-ranged output level, like most Anker power banks.

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD ports

Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD ports

Its 24W USB-C PD output works well for smaller USB-C devices. Especially phones that support USB Power Delivery and the Nintendo Switch. Lack of Quick Charge makes it less optimal for most Android phones. It is shy of the 30W a small laptop wants but could manage under most conditions.

The bundled Anker PowerPort Speed PD 30 wall charger is a great charger on its own. At 30W USB-C PD output it can recharge the power bank up to its max input. It’ll also work well for the same USB Power Delivery phones, the Nintendo Switch (handheld only), and 12-inch laptops like the MacBook. You only get one USB-C cable to share between the two chargers.

Most stores sell this power bank only in the bundled form. Walmart offers the power bank with USB-C cable and pouches only for $30 less. You can also get a Nintendo Switch Edition of this power bank. But if you need a USB-C wall charger the bundle makes sense. And any support issues all go to the same company.

About Anker

Anker has U.S. based support (web, email, phone) and an 18-month warranty. They are a beloved brand within many USB-C communities.

Bottom Line

The Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD lives up to the expectations of a flagship Anker product. But be aware of its output limits. If you need a second wall charger and mid-ranged power bank this bundle works out great. Everything you need for your small to medium-sized USB-C devices.

Buy if you:
  • Feel more comfortable with the USB-IF certification
  • Have several devices to charge on the go
  • Need a USB-C PD wall charger to charge your new USB-C PD power bank
Don’t buy if you:
  • Don’t want to spend extra for a bundled wall charger
  • Need to fast charge an LG or Motorola Android phone
  • Want to charge a 13 to 15-inch laptop

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.


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