When it comes to portable chargers, I've become accustomed to the type of power bank I have to hold in my hand, juggling it while trying to use my phone, or having it awkwardly protrude from my pocket with a long cable sticking out to charge my phone. Neither solution is particularly attractive, but MagSafe and Qi2 come to the rescue.
I recently got my hands on the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K), and it's been such a joy to use with my Pixel 10. It's relatively thin, has a fairly large battery, and it's incredibly convenient to carry around when you need extra power. Yet, while there are still reasons to love non-MagSafe portable chargers, this Qi2 model has given me a glimpse of the true benefit of MagSafe, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
And the best part is that the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) is currently on sale for Black Friday, which makes this the second time I've seen it discounted, making it even more convenient for anyone wanting to pick one up.
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Thin is in
Of course, the most alluring aspect of the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) is its slim design. The charger measures .34 inches, which is about as thin (or thick) as the Pixel 10. Yes, it essentially doubles the phone's thickness, but it's much less jarring given the thickness of the Pixel 10's camera bar.
Anker's promotional visuals around this charger focus heavily on the iPhone Air, which is significantly thinner. That said, when you have a phone so thin, battery life may already be a concern, and having a charger that's a bit thicker but with a larger battery feels like a manageable tradeoff.
As for the actual magnetic connection, it's very strong, and I've never had any concerns with the charger coming off the Pixel 10 without my wanting it to.
But another great aspect of the charging being thin is that it makes it easier to put into a pocket. Unlike other portable chargers, which tend to be quite thick and somewhat unwieldy, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) is small, light, and the best example of "portable" that I've seen in a charger.
How is the charging?
The Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) wirelessly charges at 15W and features a 5,000mAh battery capacity, which matches the top end of many of the best Android phones. That's enough to give you a decent charge when you need it, though you shouldn't expect this to fully replenish your battery.
That's because wireless charging is relatively inefficient, so the power bank will usually die before it can fully top up the Pixel 10's 4,970mAh battery. However, it should still be enough for most people, especially when used as a backup. Furthermore, the charger will get a bit warm when in use, but not worryingly so.
Wireless charging:
- Pixel 10 reaches 1-50% charge in 2 hours, 45 minutes.
- Pixel 10 achieves a final battery percentage of 59% once the Anker power bank is depleted.
Wired charging:
- Pixel 10 reaches 1-50% charge in 59 minutes.
- Pixel 10 achieves a final battery percentage of 65% once the Anker power bank is depleted.
Furthermore, you can use the USB-C port for power output, with a maximum of 20W. While not the fastest, it should prove faster and more efficient than wireless charging, as shown in the examples above.
It also supports 20W charging going in, which isn't too bad, but it means you're waiting nearly two hours for a full charge. There's no display to show your current charge level, but there are four small lights at the bottom that serve the same function, which can be activated with a press of the side button.
Alternatives to consider
There are some obvious downsides to having a charger this thin, the main one being the relatively limited capacity. With other power banks, I'm used to having a capacity of at least 10,000mAh, which will provide me at least a full charge and then some. With the growing battery capacities of the best Android phones, I can't expect a full charge from the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K), though I still find it useful for extra power when I need it.
The charging speed also leaves much to be desired, but it's not terribly slow, especially if you opt for the USB-C method (which somewhat defeats the point of having a magnetic portable charger).
To remedy this, Anker offers a 10,000mAh version of the MagGo Power Bank that not only doubles the capacity but also supports up to 30W charging via USB-C, in addition to 15W wireless charging. That said, at .58 inches, the charger is much thicker and doesn't feel like something I would want to stick on the back of my phone.
Still, it's an option for anyone wanting to get a little more out of their portable MagSafe charger, and there's even another 10,000mAh model with the same capacity and a small display on the side (although it's even thicker at .78 inches).
On the other hand, if you're willing to forgo the convenience of a magnetic connection, the Anker Nano Power Bank has served me well and has become my new favorite portable charger. It features a retractable USB-C cable, a 10,000mAh battery, 45W charging, a convenient display to check the status of your charge or view other useful information, and a loop for easy carrying.
Worth the tradeoffs
Despite the obvious tradeoffs that come with a portable charger like this, I would still recommend the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) if you have a Qi2-compatible smartphone. It's thin, light, pocketable, and great to use in a pinch. Plus, you can even use it to charge other smaller devices, such as wireless earbuds, just by placing them on the wireless charger.
At the time of writing, Anker's website notes that the charger isn't compatible with the Pixel 10 series, which I find odd since the Pixel 10 supports Qi2 and the charger functions just fine with my unit. It also works fine with my Galaxy S25 Plus, even though a Qi2 case is required for the magnetic connection. However, Anker has informed me that the charger does, in fact, support the Pixel 10 and that it will update its listing soon.
Nonetheless, if you're looking for something inexpensive to buy over the Black Friday shopping season, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) should be on your list, especially if you own a Pixel 10 or a newer 2025 Galaxy phone.
FAQ
What is the charging speed of the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K)?
The Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) supports 15W wireless charging for Qi2-compatible smartphones. It can also supports 20W bi-directional charging via the USB-C cable for devices that don't support Qi2 or wireless charging.
Is the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) compatible with the Pixel 10?
The Pixel 10 fully supports the Qi2 specification, and as a Qi2 charger, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) supports the Pixel 10.
How much charge can the Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K) provide for a smartphone via wireless charging?
According to Anker, the MagGo Power Bank (5K) provides an estimated 2,750 to 3,500mAh to devices, due to "a 30% to 45% energy loss in battery cells and conversion circuitry." In our tests, a fully charged power bank took the Pixel 10 from 1% to 59% via wireless charging.
