Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger

Reviewing the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger

There are few worse things than having your phone die on you when you most need it. Whether that’s to be available for calls from family or work or surviving a long flight by watching your favorite TV series, staying connected is crucial.

It would be best if you always had your chargers on you to juice up your devices when their batteries drain, but you might not always be able to find a power outlet. That’s why having a portable charger such as Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger can come in handy. It essentially acts as a second battery and juices up your iPhone 12 or 13.

Testing the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger

BestReviews has a group of testers who test products in a real-world environment. Before testing the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger, they were asked to describe their experiences with portable battery chargers and Anker products. They were also asked to explain what functions and features to look for in a high-quality portable battery charger.

Once the testing team answered all pre-screening questions, they unboxed the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger and tested its various aspects. These include its magnetic ability, how long it takes to charge the charger, how long it takes to charge a phone using the portable charger and the battery life of the charger itself.

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim Anker makes about the 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger. For this article, the testing team aimed to verify if the portable charger is easy to connect with a snap-and-go function, if it’s compatible with the iPhone 12 and up, its safety features and whether it offers over 17 hours of charging.

What is the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger?

The Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger is a backup power bank that's a small rectangular power cell about two-thirds the size of a standard smartphone. It works with every iPhone 12 and 13 model. Its Powercore 5K battery offers over 17 hours of charging time on a full charge. 

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best portable chargers.

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger price and where to buy

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger costs $50 and is available at Amazon.

How to use Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger

The Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger is a straightforward device that’s easy to use and requires no setup. All you need to do to get it ready is charge it, much the same way you would any other electronic device. It comes about halfway charged, but for best results, it’s best to get it up to 100% before using it for the first time. Attaching it to the back of an iPhone 12 or 13 is effortless with the included magnetic ring. Once it’s steady, the phone will automatically charge.

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger benefits

This Anker portable charger connects firmly to the back of a compatible iPhone and won’t fall off if unsupported. Charging time depends on the iPhone model, but for perspective, it can charge an iPhone 13 mini from under 5% and get it fully charged in two-and-a-half hours. The portable charger gets up to 100% in approximately two hours when connected directly to a power outlet. The integrated power regulator adjusts output based on the temperature, so you’ll never feel it overheating.

Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger drawbacks

The Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger doesn’t offer as much battery charging as other portable chargers. Although small and lightweight, it’s still somewhat thick and can make texting slightly uncomfortable. It’s a sufficient portable charger for a day of traveling or one night of camping; however, it can’t charge smartphones other than iPhone 12 and 13 models and doesn’t have capabilities for charging multiple devices simultaneously.

Should you get the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger?

The Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Wireless Portable Charger works fast, and its lightweight design makes it suitable for everyday use, such as if you need a charge before heading to the gym after work or when listening to music during your commute in the morning or evening.

That said, if you want something that’ll last you a long time and let you charge multiple devices simultaneously, you’re better off looking for a more robust portable charger. It’s crucial to remember that this portable charger only works with iPhone 12 and 13 models, so if you have an older iPhone or an Android smartphone, this charger won’t work.