Anker PowerPort II PD Review

Anker PowerPort II PD
Anker PowerPort II PD

Anker PowerPort II PD

Anker PowerPort II PD - Dual USB-C & USB-A charger

Summary

The Anker PowerPort II PD is a dual port charger. With USB-C for your newer devices and USB-A for your older ones. Ideal for travel or a second home/office charger.

Overall
5
  • Performance
    (5)
  • Design
    (5)
  • Safety
    (5)
  • Portability
    (5)
Sending
User Review
5 (1 vote)

Pros

  • Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, and Motorola phones
  • Charges Switch while you play
  • Fits in most Switch carrying cases
  • USB-IF certified
  • Travel friendly design
  • Charge two devices at once
  • Works worldwide with 100-240V power input (may need a plug adapter)

Cons

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

Model: A2014113
Anker PowerPort II PD specs

Anker PowerPort II PD specs

Tech Specs:
  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A
  • USB-C Output:
    • 30W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
    • Apple 2.4A
  • USB-A Output:
    • 12W USB (5V/2.4A)
    • PowerIQ 2.0 (Quick Charge 3.0 compatible)
    • Huawei FCP
    • Apple 2.4A
  • Input: 100V–240V, 1.6A, 50/60Hz
  • Size: 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.1 inches | 69 x 69 x 28 mm
  • Weight: 5.3 oz | 150 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Anker PowerPort II PD box and contents

Anker PowerPort II PD box and contents

Included In Box:
  • Anker PowerPort II PD
Good For:
  • Additional charger for home or work
  • Travel charger
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • Power banks
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld)
  • iPad Pro
  • 12-inch laptop

First Impression

The Anker PowerPort II PD is an ideal travel charger. Provided you won’t need to charge up to two devices at once. Most of us still have a mix of newer USB-C devices and older USB-A devices. This charger allows you to fast charge both new and old devices. And without the need for new cables. It is heavier than a single port charger but lighter and smaller than two chargers would be. The square shape and folding prongs allow it to pack easily. It fits in a double-sided pouch I use. One side for the charger, the other for cables. It does have an always-on blue LED. That could be bothersome in a dark hotel room, but it isn’t too bright.

Compared With Similar Chargers

ChargerAnker PowerPort II PDAUKEY PA-Y11 30W PD USB-CMonoprice Obsidian Speed Plus USB 2-Port 39WRAVPower 36W Dual USB-C PD
PortsUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-AUSB-C, USB-A
Output30W USB-C PD

PowerIQ 2.0
30W USB-C PD

Quick Charge 3.0
39W USB-C PD30W USB-C PD
FeaturesUSB-IF Certified

Quick Charge 3.0 compatible

Travel Friendly
Travel FriendlyUSB-IF Certified

Travel Friendly
Travel Friendly
CableNo cableNo cableNo cableNo cable
Dimensions 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.1 in
5.3 oz
2.5 x 2.5 x 1.1 in
4.5 oz
2.5 x 3.0 x 1.2 in
4.9 oz
3 x 2.7 x 1 in
5.6 oz
PricePrice not availableNo products found.$18.79No products found.

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

 

You can see more USB-C chargers 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 see PowerIQ 2.0 will fast charge over the USB-A port. PowerIQ 2.0 is proprietary to Anker. But it mimics Quick Charge 3.0. So any Samsung, Motorola, or QC supporting Android phone will enable fast charging.

Nintendo Switch

 

The Nintendo Switch charges at its max rate, charging while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is better than average. 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 Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 28W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general, a 30W charger can support 12-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

PowerIQ 2.0

Anker PowerPort II PD ports

Anker PowerPort II PD ports

PowerIQ 2.0 (PIQ 2.0) is a fast-charging standard created by Anker. It is a charger side only standard, which is unusual. Anker doesn’t have their tech installed in any devices other than their own chargers. As no device makers support PowerIQ, Anker has made their standard mimic others.

PIQ 2.0 supports up to 18W (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A). Those are similar power profiles used by Quick Charge 3.0 and Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging. In mimicking those standards it registers as such. My Power-Z KM001 tester showed support for both Quick Charge 3.0 and Samsung AFC. It doesn’t register as PowerIQ. The Moto G6, which owns TurboPower also mimics Quick Charge 3.0, fast-charged. Anker advertises Samsung and other QC phones do the same.

The original PowerIQ supports a legacy fast-charging standard. Most notable Apple 2.4A and Samsung 2.0A. You can identify PowerIQ 2.0 chargers from original PowerIQ chargers by their logo. PowerIQ 2.0’s logo includes a square symbol (IQ²).

Trip Report

I tried out the PowerPort II PD on a long weekend trip. On shorter trips, we travel with fewer devices. And more of them are using USB-C. I had been using an Anker 4-port USB-A charger. But we weren’t using all its ports. And it wouldn’t fast charge anything. So we tried stepping down to the 2-port PowerPort II PD. Hoping the faster charging would make up for the missing ports.

Devices & Cables
  • iPhone 8 x2
  • MacBook Pro, 13-inch
  • Nintendo Switch
  • AirPods
  • Beats Studio headphones
  • AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C PD
  • Lightning cable
  • USB-C to Lightning cable
  • USB-C to USB-C cable
  • micro-USB to USB-A cable
Didn’t Miss Those Extra USB Ports

I expected it to charge everything but the MacBook Pro at optimal levels. And it did. The Switch charged while playing. We could fast charge one iPhone. And both charged fine overnight.

It also kept up with our use of the MacBook Pro. We used it to stream video to the TV. The 30W USB-C charger kept it at 100%. And it recharged fine while asleep. I didn’t put a lot of demand on the laptop during the trip. Some entertainment, Internet, and word processing. Those have low power requirements so 30W sufficed, especially if I start with the Mac at 100%. If I was doing video games or graphical work I would want 45-60W. If we’re both bringing laptops to work then my wife will bring a 45W or 60W charger. And on her solo work trips, she takes the same. She tends to let the battery level drop and then recharge while continuing to work. But for a non-work trip, I could get by with only this charger.

The two ports also worked for us. We did need good cable management. The more expensive USB-C to Lightning cable was a must. But if you have dedicated travel cables you only need to do it once. As devices charged faster there wasn’t ever a queue of other devices waiting their turn.

Summary

Anker PowerPort II PD LED

Anker PowerPort II PD LED

The Anker PowerPort II PD is a great travel charger, depending on your device list. It is best for those with both USB-C Power Delivery supporting devices Quick Charge compatible phones. If you don’t need Quick Charge or don’t have a USB-C laptop one of Anker’s other two-port chargers could work as well for a little less. But then again the PowerPort II PD is only a few dollars more and offers better future-proofing for new devices.

For the Nintendo Switch, it charges in handheld mode as fast as any other option. But it cannot power a docked Switch.

The 30W USB-C PD port can fast charge many small to medium-sized USB-C devices. USB PD phones like iPhone, newer Samsungs, and Google Pixel will fast charge. It fully supports 12-inch laptops. And you could get by on it with 13-inch/14-inch laptops if your needs aren’t too demanding.

PowerIQ 2.0 on the USB-A port offers fast charging for Samsung, Motorola, and Quick Charge supporting Android phones. You’ll need to use a USB-C to USB-A cable. But chances are your phone came with one.

The charger has a blue LED as a power indicator. It indicates power to the charger, not active charging of a device. Like most blue LEDs it isn’t too bright. But you’ll notice it in an otherwise dark room.

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 PowerPort II PD is a great dual-port charger. Best for those with both USB-C Power Delivery devices and a Samsung or Quick Charge 3.0 phone. It’ll fast charge most any USB-C device up to a 12-inch laptop. A travel-friendly with a compact design and folding prongs. And the USB-IF certification offers peace of mind.

Buy if you:
  • Need to charge two devices at once
  • Want to fast charge two newer iPhones, or support a split iPhone/Samsung household
  • Feel more comfortable with a USB-IF certified charger
Don’t buy if you:
  • Need to fast charge two Google Pixels or Nintendo Switches at once
  • Want an all-in-one option that supports the Nintendo Switch’s dock
  • Plan to use a larger laptop for gaming or resource-demanding apps

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


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