Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD Review

In a world saturated with portable chargers, it takes something special to stand out. Most power banks are designed for a simple task: topping up your smartphone. But as our digital lives expand to include tablets, ultra-portable laptops, and powerful handheld consoles, the humble power bank has been forced to evolve. Enter the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD, a monolithic battery pack that isn’t just about capacity; it’s about capability. This isn’t your pocket-friendly emergency charger. This is a mobile power station, engineered for the demanding user who needs to power everything, everywhere.

Design and Build Quality

Unboxing the PowerCore+ 26800 PD, its purpose is immediately clear. Encased in a sleek, matte black aluminum-alloy shell, it feels less like an accessory and more like a serious piece of hardware. The build is exceptionally solid, with no flex or creaks, projecting a sense of durability that inspires confidence. It’s a minimalist monolith, with a single button that activates a circular array of 10 white LEDs to indicate the remaining charge. However, this robust construction comes at a cost: weight and size. At over a pound (around 580g), this is not a device you slip into your jeans pocket. It’s destined for a backpack or laptop bag, where its heft is a reasonable trade-off for the power it holds.

Performance and Core Features

The spec sheet is where the PowerCore+ truly shines. The 26,800mAh capacity is the maximum you can legally carry on most commercial flights, and it’s enough to charge an iPhone 14 over five times, a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra about four times, or a MacBook Air from zero to 100% with charge to spare.

But the real game-changer is the “PD” in its name: Power Delivery. The USB-C PD port is a two-way street, used for both charging the power bank itself and delivering a potent 45W output. This is enough to charge a Nintendo Switch at full speed while playing, rapidly charge an iPad Pro, or, crucially, power a wide range of USB-C laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or Apple’s MacBook Air. For these devices, it’s not just a top-up; it’s a legitimate power source. Alongside the USB-C port are two USB-A ports featuring Anker’s PowerIQ technology, which intelligently identify the connected device to provide an optimized charge up to 15W. This means you can charge a laptop, a phone, and a pair of headphones simultaneously.

Recharging a battery this large could be a tedious affair, but Anker smartly bundles a high-power 60W USB-C PD wall charger. Using this included adapter, the PowerCore+ can be refilled from empty in a remarkably swift 3.5 hours. Using a standard phone charger would take the better part of a day, making the included wall brick an essential part of the package.

Value Proposition

On the surface, the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD carries a premium price tag compared to standard power banks. However, its value extends beyond the battery itself. When you factor in the cost of a separate 45W+ portable charger and a 60W PD wall adapter, Anker’s all-in-one package starts to look much more reasonable. You’re not just buying a battery; you’re buying a complete, high-speed charging ecosystem for all your modern devices. For the digital nomad, the frequent flyer, or the student working from coffee shops, the convenience of carrying one brick that can genuinely power a laptop for hours is worth the investment.

Final Verdict

The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD is an unapologetically powerful and robust solution for a specific type of user. It’s overkill for someone who just needs to keep their phone alive through the evening. But for the road warrior, the tech enthusiast with a bag full of gadgets, or anyone who relies on a USB-C powered laptop away from a wall outlet, it is a category-defining product. It confidently bridges the gap between a simple phone charger and a true, portable power supply, delivering on its promise of high-capacity, high-speed, go-anywhere power.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon