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Anker 737 power bank long-term review - Blogged Off

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Choosing the right power bank is like choosing the right pair of socks. Everyone’s criteria is a little bit different. It may come down to size, fit, intended use case, style, or just plain old price. The Anker 737, then, is a very expensive pair of socks. (And that’s the end of this analogy.)



I’ve owned my Anker 737 for the better part of two years now, and it remains my favorite portable charger. It’s incredibly powerful, has enough capacity for recharging most gadgets, and shows clearly how fast it’s charging something. Its performance also hasn’t diminished in that time, and it works just as well as the day I bought it.



Anker 737 power bank quick facts




Capacity: 24,000mAh



Ports: 2x USB-C (Power Delivery 3.1), 1x USB-A



Maximum power output: 140 Watts (USB-C, USB-A port limited to 18W)



Maximum power input: 140 Watts



Recharge time: Under 60 minutes (with 140W charger)



Weight: 1.4lbs (0.64kg)



Dimensions: 4.56″L x 2.15″W x 1.95″D



Price: $150 MSRP, frequently $100-110 or less retail




Anker 737 power bank pros




Extremely high charging output. Charge even a MacBook Pro 16 at full speed over MagSafe. 140W is enough for all but powerful dedicated gaming laptops.



Good capacity. 24,000mAh is enough to fully recharge any smartphone or tablet (or Steam Deck) multiple times, and enough to get most larger laptop from 0-50%.



Power display. Lets you clearly understand how quickly your gadgets are charging, with estimated time to battery empty state at current drain.



Recharges very quickly. With a sufficiently powerful wall charger — though you probably don’t own a 140W USB wall charger for “full” speed.



Anker is a very reputable brand. Their products are high quality and perform as advertised. The 737 comes with a 2-year warranty.




Anker 737 power bank cons




Bulky. At nearly a pound-and-a-half and around 2 inches thick, the 737 isn’t going in your pocket. The choice to use a thicker but shorter, narrower profile is also a trade-off versus a flatter design for things like airplane seat pockets.



Expensive. $150 MSRP and around $100-110 retail pricing make the Anker 737 far more expensive than power banks of similar capacity and lower output, and a good 20-30% more expensive than ones of comparable charge output. You’re paying for Anker’s premium reputation.



Overkill. The Anker 737 is truly a multi-gadget and laptop power bank. If you’re only charging a smartphone, tablet, or peripherals like headphones and a smartwatch, you can easily get by with a cheaper power bank (i.e., one with lower power output).




Anker 737 extended thoughts



If you need a power bank that fits in a pocket or physically attaches to your phone, this thing is a no-go. The Anker 737 is at its best in a backpack, given its high capacity (24,000 mAh — enough to charge an empty iPhone 16 Pro five times) and mass (1.4lbs or 0.64kg). It’s also most useful as a multi-device charger for tablets and laptops, with its very high maximum power output (140 Watts at peak), allowing it to charge even a MacBook Pro 16 at the highest possible speed. And at around $100 retail, you’re paying for more than just raw capacity — the 737’s built-in power meter display shows the current power input and output of all three ports, which is only useful if you actually care about any of this information (and, admittedly, most people don’t).

Where the Anker 737 shines, for me, is its rapid recharging and guarantee of high output when charging pretty much any device. With an 65W USB wall charger, I can take the 737 from empty to full in well under 2 hours, making topping up the power bank while on the go (plane, train, etc.) totally feasible. Most smartphone power banks of this capacity top out at 22-30W, meaning that’s as fast they’ll recharge, in turn — and that entails 3-4 hours plugged into the wall to get a full charge. And when I’m recharging my MacBook Air 15 with the 737, I get a full 70W of output, so the laptop gains considerable charge even while I’m actively using it.

As for the price of the Anker relative to similar power banks from UGREEN and INIU? There are some small differences to note. First, the Anker 737’s USB-C ports both support the full 140W output advertised — not just one. Second, the Anker 737 can accept up to 140W of charging input. Most other high-output power banks are not truly input/output symmetrical, with 65-100W of input rating. That’s not to say these other chargers recharge slowly, just that, from a purely technical perspective, the Anker does have capabilities to justify its premium pricing. Anker’s 7xx series power banks also have a 2-year warranty against defects.

Anker 737 power bank FAQs



Does the Anker 737 include a wall charger or charging cable?



No. Unless you purchase a bundle that includes a charger or charging cable, the box comes with only the Anker 737 power bank itself.



What wall charger should I use with the Anker 737 power bank?



Any USB wall charger can charge the Anker 737 power bank, but to charge it as quickly as possible, you’ll need a very powerful wall charger. I recommend at least a 65W USB-C PD charger; a 100W charger will give you some extra speed, but will cost considerably more. A full 140W wall charger is likely to be bulky and expensive, and so probably not worthwhile just for charging a power bank. It also won’t recharge that much faster; the battery will only take the full 140W of input when it’s near empty, and then quickly start to throttle back.



Is there an updated version of the Anker 737 power bank in 2024 / 2025?



Yes, Anker launched the Anker Prime Power Bank in 2024. It has slightly higher capacity (over 10% more), a connected app, and much higher total system output power (up to 250W, but still 140W max on a single port). It’s also much more expensive.



Should I buy the Anker 737 or the Anker Prime Power Bank?



I see no reason to go with the Anker Prime Power Bank over the Anker 737 unless money is no object. You’re paying at least 50% more for a power bank that doesn’t meaningfully increase its usefulness for all but the most extreme scenarios (e.g., two laptops plugged into the power bank at once, which will drain it incredibly quickly anyway). At that point, you’re better off looking into ultra high-capacity power stations.



Can I charge multiple devices with the Anker 737 power bank?



Yes, the 737 has three USB ports, and all three can charge devices simultaneously. However, connecting multiple devices limits the maximum output of the other ports (.e.g., you cannot use more than 140W of output combined across the three ports).



Does the Anker 737 power bank fast charge over USB-A?



No, the Anker 737 power bank’s maximum charge speed over USB-A is 18W, no more than a typical smartphone wall charger.



Can I take the Anker 737 power bank on an airplane?



Yes, I regularly bring my Anker 737 in my carry-on luggage without issue, both for domestic and international air travel.