REASONS TO BUY
Great for large devices
Can handle higher outputs than most
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Expensive
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD Review
If you prioritize capacity over everything else, then this bulky battery is one of our top recommendations
Credit: Anker
RELATED: Best Portable Charger of 2023
Our Verdict
The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD is one of the largest portable batteries we've tested, but with that size comes the promise that you can recharge most smartphones a handful of times and even charge a tablet once or twice. Additionally, this model sets itself apart from the rest by conforming to the newest standard when it comes to USB charging, USB power delivery (USB PD). This means that you can charge high-power devices, such as the latest MacBooks, drones, or the Nintendo Switch, much faster than the standard USB chargers. Unfortunately, this battery is pricy and one of the largest and heaviest we have tested, so we consider it more of a specialty charging item. However, if you need maximum capacity or want to charge larger devices and don't plan on carrying it around in a pocket, then the PowerCore+ 26800 is a perfect choice.
Editor's Note: This review was revised on March 7, 2022, with information on updates to this charging device.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | |  |
| Price | $160 List $139.99 at Amazon | $20.00 List $20.00 at Amazon | $30 List $29.98 at Amazon | $40 List | $22 List $21.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Great for large devices, can handle higher outputs than most | Lightweight and portable design, good battery capacity, inexpensive | Integrated cables, small and lightweight, quick to recharge | Super thin, lightweight and small, integrated cable | Great value, USB-C/microUSB charging input, dual outputs |
| Cons | Bulky, expensive | No integrated cables | Cables are short, smaller capacity means fewer charges | Won't fully charge most dead smartphones, has inconsistent efficiency performance, and has no way to plug in another cord | Takes a long time to recharge, not the highest power output |
| Bottom Line | If you prioritize capacity over everything else, then this bulky battery is one of our top recommendations | If you're seeking a battery bank with a larger capacity, then this is one of our favorites | A convenient compromise that's small and lightweight but still has enough power to fully charge any dead smartphone | A super lightweight, ultra-thin charger that's easy to stick in your wallet for serious emergencies when you need enough juice to get home | If you are searching for a great value, then we strongly recommend checking out this set of power packs |
| Rating Categories | Anker PowerCore+ 26... | INIU Portable Charg... | Miisso 6000mAh Ultr... | Clutch V2 | 2-Pack Miady 10000 |
| Portability (40%) | |||||
| Charging Efficiency (30%) | |||||
| Added Convenience (20%) | |||||
| Recharge Time (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Anker PowerCore+ 26... | INIU Portable Charg... | Miisso 6000mAh Ultr... | Clutch V2 | 2-Pack Miady 10000 |
| Claimed Capacity (mAh) | 26,800 mAh | 10,000 mAh | 6,000 mAh | 3,000 mAh | 10,000 mAh |
| Measured Usable Capacity (% of claimed) | 62% | 61% | 51% | 64% | 59% |
| Dimensions (inches) | 7.00" x 3.13" x 1.00" | 5.19" x 2.75" x 0.60" | 4.13" x 2.63" x 0.5" | 3.63" x 2.5" x 0.19" | 5.49" x 2.64" x 0.63" |
| Measured Weight (ounces) | 20.60 oz | 6.88 oz | 4.0 oz | 2.3 oz | 7.69 oz |
| Measured Recharge Time (minutes) | 250 min | 300 min | 165 min | 293 min | 405 min |
| Output 1 | Power Delivery (USB-C): 5 V/3 A 9 V/3 A 15 V/2 A 20 V/1.5 A |
DC 5 V / 3 A(Max) | lightning (5 V/2.1 A) | lightning (not specified) | 5 V/2.1 A |
| Output 2 | 5 V/3 A (3 A Max per port) | DC 5 V / 3 A(Max) | USB-C (5 V/2.1 A) | N/A | 5 V/2.1 A |
| Output 3 | 5 V/3 A (3 A Max per port) | DC 5 V / 3 A(Max) | USB (5 V/2.1 A) | N/A | N/A |
| Input | USB-C: 5 V/3 A 9 V/3 A 15 V/2 A 20 V/1.5 A |
USB-C: 5 V / 3 A |
USB-C or micro USB: 5 V/2.0 A |
Micro USB | Micro USB/USB-C: 5 V/2 A |
| Model Tested | A1375 | BI-B1 | 5K95 | v2, lightning | TPB21C |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Product Update Note — March 2022
With this portable high-capacity battery, Anker now includes a wall charger and USB-C to C cable as part of the package. Above, the charger we tested is shown on the left, with the updated bundle pictured on the right.
With this portable high-capacity battery, Anker now includes a wall charger and USB-C to C cable as part of the package. Above, the charger we tested is shown on the left, with the updated bundle pictured on the right.
The PowerCore+ 26800 is a solid battery pack whose score was mainly dinged by its size and weight — it's much more cumbersome to carry around than many of the other products, and it doesn't really have that much when it comes to integrated convenience features.
Performance Comparison
This is your best bet for high-power devices.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Portability
The first series of tests focused specifically on the portability of each of these portable battery packs. We considered the size and weight of each product, as well as how easy it is to fit inside different pockets. Unfortunately, the PowerCore+ got off to a bit of a rocky start in this metric, which accounts for 40% of its overall score.
This is one of the largest and heaviest battery packs of the group, measuring about 7 inches lengthwise and a little over 3 inches wide, while being about 1 inch thick. It also weighs in at well over a pound.
Needless to say, this isn't a portable battery that you really want to carry around in a pocket. It is very noticeable in the front or back pocket of most pants. However, we realize most folks will probably stash this item in a backpack or tote bag.
This battery pack is easier to carry around in a bag.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Charging Efficiency
Our next metric dealt with the actual electrical capacity of each battery, which is responsible for 30% of the overall score. We used a dummy electrical load and multimeter to measure the total number of milliamp-hours we could pull from a fully charged battery at both a 1 amps and at its maximum discharge rate — usually 2.4 amps — and compared it to the stated capacity to determine scores. We also looked at any manufacturers' claims about how many times a battery can charge a specific device and tested out those claims to see how well they held up.
The PowerCore+ has a rated capacity of 26,800 milliamp-hours and did fairly well in our resistive load tests. We were able to extract about 62% of the stated capacity — 16641 mAh — at a 2.4 amp discharge rate and a tiny bit more with a 1 amp rate.
The PowerCore+ 26800 PD will charge a Nintendo Switch while you are playing.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Anker claims that this battery pack can charge an iPhone 8 nine times, which we calculated to be equivalent to charging a Samsung S8 about 5.46 times. The PowerCore+ exceeded this in our tests, charging an S8 a little over six times before it was fully depleted.
Added Convenience
While the main purpose of these products is to recharge your consumer electronics and all of them will do that to some degree, we also took any other features and functions these products might have that make them easier to use. We awarded points if you can charge multiple devices simultaneously and whether there were any integrated features like a flashlight or cables, and we also looked at any warranty terms. Overall, these tests account for 20% of the final score.
This portable power pack can charge multiple devices at once, using its pair of USB-A iQ ports and its USB-C PD port. All three can be used at once, with each port being nominally rated for a 3 amp max discharge — though this will drop if using the higher voltage capabilities of the PD port.
You can charge multiple devices at once with this charger.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
This battery has 10 small LEDs that indicate its level of charge but lacks both a built-in wall plug or integrated cables. It also doesn't have an integrated flashlight.
The PowerCore+ 26800 PD uses a ring of LEDs to indicate how much battery life is left.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Recharge Time
Our fourth and final metric deals with how long it takes each of these portable battery packs to recharge, which is responsible for the remaining 10% of the total score. As this is one of the largest batteries, we initially thought the PowerCore+ PD would score quite poorly compared to some of the smaller packs, but it held its own quite well.
The PowerCore+ includes a dedicated PD charging wall brick, which allows this massive battery to recharge in a little over four hours — faster than some other products that are less than half the size. However, it takes considerably longer to charge without it.
The PowerCore+ 26800 PD has a super charger for a quick recharge time.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Should You Buy the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD?
Overall, the PowerCore+ 26800 is one of the best portable chargers if you need to get a ton of charges out of your portable power pack or need to charge lots of high-power devices, but it is probably overkill if you are just looking for a way to ensure that you aren't caught with a dead phone. However, if you do have a larger device, like a newer MacBook, or if you need to charge multiple tablets simultaneously, this battery from Anker is our top recommendation.
What Other Portable Chargers Should You Consider?
If you don't need the Power Delivery capabilities of this hefty device, or just want something more affordable and less bulky, check out the INIU Portable Charger 10000. For a charger that includes three types of cords, the TG90 10000mAh Power Bank is another great option.
—
David Wise and Austin Palmer
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