Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) review: Plenty of power for laptops and more

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › A typical power bank is meant to resurrect a dead smartphone or extend tablet usage through a long flight. But laptops fall into an entirely different category when it comes to backup power. The same goes for other power-hungry devices like drones, and even high-end cameras. I’ve been testing the Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) for several weeks with a number of different devices. In that time I’ve found it to be powerful, simple to use, and full of welcome features that make it enjoyable to use. It’s not perfect, but If you want one battery pack that can keep up with modern USB-C gear-and you’re willing to carry it-this is a great option. Review: Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) See It Pros Real laptop output: Up to 140W on a single USB-C port, with 220W total available across ports. Fast to refill: 100W input means it can recharge in under an hour with the right charger and cable. Actually useful smarts: The on-device display gives real-time wattage and time estimates; the app is there if you want deeper tweaks. Cons Price: It’s an investment, especially if you add accessories like the charging base. Weight: It’s “pocketable” on paper, but at over a pound you’ll feel it. Capacity reality check: This is a 20K-class pack (about 72Wh), not a full replacement for a laptop battery. Design and Build The Anker Prime 20K is roughly the size of one of those skinny Diet Coke cans, but it’s a squared-off soda can with real heft. It measures 1.73 × 1.99 × 5.79 inches and weighs 1.12 lbs (510 g), which makes it easy to stash in a backpack or camera bag-and a little silly to carry in a jacket pocket unless you’re committed. Build quality is a standout. It’s a dense block of hardware rather than a hollow plastic shell, which matters when you’re throwing it into bags, bouncing between locations, or generally living the clumsy reality of travel. Anker’s display is also genuinely helpful. Instead of the old system of four mystery LEDs, you get clear readouts for charge level, real-time wattage in/out, and time-to-empty or time-to-full estimates. When you’re trying to decide whether you have enough juice for a flight, a shoot, or a long coffee shop session, that kind of clarity is the difference between guessing and knowing. The shiny surface on the front of the device does pick up smudges and finger prints easily, but that doesn’t matter much to me. Port layout is straightforward and practical: two USB-C ports and one USB-A across the top. In day-to-day use, I found it easier to lay it flat with the screen facing up so it’s less likely to tip if a stiff cable gets bumped. How I tested Anker’s Prime Power Bank In the several weeks I spent with this device, I used it to fuel my 14-inch...

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