This Anker Nano power bank is 'cool' in almost every way

You might never have heard of their tagline, "The world's number one mobile charging brand," but I'm sure you've heard of the company. I'm talking about Anker, and since 2011, the China-based outfit has been selling consumer electronics all around the globe.

One of their latest offerings is the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim). It's a slim Qi2-compatible power bank with 15W MagSafe charging, but maybe its standout USP is its heat management. Thanks to graphene, dual NTC chips, and smart charging adjustments, the power bank stays 14 degrees cooler than the industry standard.

With Ugreen, Cuktech, iMuto, and others creating equally feature-rich power banks, there is serious competition for a place in our guide to the best power banks. I'm particularly interested in seeing if this Anker Nano power bank can topple the Baseus Magnetic Foldable power bank as the current champion of the best magnetic power bank for phones.

Anker Nano Power Bank 5K: Key specifications

Design and Build

• Slim design that's a perfect fit for mobile phones
• The lightweight build is ideal for portability
• A simple display would improve usability

Its most striking feature is its minimalist, feather-light build, which feels far less cumbersome than you'd expect. Holding your phone and this power bank together for wireless charging is surprisingly comfortable, making it a perfect companion for anyone on the move.

I particularly appreciated the soft, curved edges that make it pleasant to hold and prevent it from catching on fabric. The exterior combines a soft-touch matte plastic with a sturdy metal frame, giving it a pleasant, premium feel while also being remarkably resistant to fingerprints. Internally, you'll find advanced components like graphene and NTC chips for cooling.

Due to the small form factor, Anker has chosen not to include a digital display. If you'd like that feature, then you'll need the bulkier 10K version of this power bank. Alternatively, there are four LED indicators that give you a quick, approximate idea of the charge level. Each light represents about 25% of the battery.

Design score: 4.5/5

Features and performance

• Small battery capacity with 15W wireless charging
• Excellent heat management

The small 5,000mAh battery capacity meant that I was only able to charge my iPhone once before needing to recharge the power bank again. I personally found this a little limiting, and in reality, I ended up only using the power bank in emergencies rather than as a daily juice booster.

One of the highlights of the Anker Nano 5K Power Bank is its advanced safety features centred around heat management. This is achieved through a triad of features, including graphene-enhanced cooling, dual NTC chips, and ActiveShield 2.0. These combined are designed to manage temperature and prevent overheating. I can testify to its effectiveness. At no point did the unit get even remotely warm, despite testing it to its limits. This is a big win when power banks are concerned.

This power bank is Qi2 and MagSafe compatible, which makes it possible to magnetically snap it onto the back of a compatible iPhone (iPhone 12 series and newer). This Qi2 technology supports a maximum of 15W wireless charging. It's important to note that the Qi2 interface supports up to 25W, but not all chargers will adopt the highest speeds. That is the case for this Anker Nano power bank.

In my testing, I was able to wirelessly charge my iPhone to around the advertised speeds. That meant my iPhone charged to around 50% in just over an hour, while a full 100% recharge took closer to three hours. Keep in mind that power banks will slow their charging speed down as the device nears a full charge. This is also the case for the Anker Nano.

Alongside wireless charging, it is also possible to charge your devices using a cable, thanks to the USB-C port. This supports a maximum of 20W input/output. A full recharge of my iPhone took less than two hours with this option.

This Anker power bank also offers dual charging functionality, which means it supports pass-through charging. As a result, you're able to charge a device while the power bank is itself being recharged. Anker restricts charging speeds when this functionality is being utilised, though.

All in all, this is a reliable power bank that lives up to its advertised charging speeds.

Features score: 4.5/5

Performance score: 4/5

Price

At $54.99/£49.99, the Anker Nano 5K Power Bank is definitely one of the more expensive options for this amount of battery capacity. It's important to note that it's no small feat to pack wireless charging and this level of heat management inside such a small case. In essence, you're paying for a super compact design and excellent build quality. You could buy a cheaper alternative, but it's unlikely to be as portable as Anker's offering. By way of comparison, we recommend checking out our guide to the best power banks.

Value score: 4/5

Who's it for?

• Anyone who wants mobile charging on the go

It doesn't have the largest capacity, but if you want a convenient power boost to get you through the day, then this Anker Nano 5K Power Bank is a great choice. Just keep in mind that it'll only charge your phone once, so you'll want to make sure that fits your lifestyle. If you need something that can charge your phone multiple times or handle a laptop recharge, then you'll be better off with the Cuktech 20 power bank.

Buy it if...

• You want a dedicated power bank for your phone
• You'll be taking the bank with you wherever you go
• You want to buy from a trusted brand

Don't buy it if...

• You need to charge both phones and laptops
• You want a high-capacity power bank
• You're on a super tight budget