Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Energy Financial institution Assessment

Bottom Line

With a simple, no-frills design, the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 could be renamed “Ole’ Reliable” – just like most Anker products we have used. The Powercore Slim seemed to float around the middle of the pack or a bit below in almost every metric we tested. More specifically, it took an hour longer than any other 10,000 mAh power bank to recharge from empty and even after a long recharge, it doesn’t have much power available per ounce. The most significant point against it is its lack of pass-through charging.

It is the only power bank we tested that didn’t offer that feature. That said, it is obvious that this model is built of sturdier materials than most of the other 10,000 mAh battery packs. This is especially true when comparing it to similarly affordable options. We still like this power bank overall as an affordable 10,000 mAh option and we would put our trust in the Powercore Slim to keep us charged while on a thru-hike.

Efficiency

The PowerCore Slim is not among the top competitors regarding the available power per ounce. It also isn’t the best choice if weight and efficiency are a concern while backpacking. During our side-by-side comparison tests, we used a dummy-load resistor to drain a full Anker battery of its power and a multimeter to measure how much power was inside. After completing testing, recording the results, and doing a few calculations to compare that number to the overall weight of the power bank, the Anker scored near the bottom of the list for efficiency. Out in the field, this deficit was a bit less obvious. We were careful to charge electronic devices in the evening and didn’t typically charge phones past 80%. The PowerCore Slim still charged our phones multiple times before running out of battery and was more than sufficient for two to four night backpacking trips. 

Weight & Portability

We have a few complaints about the Anker and weight is one of them. According to our scale, the PowerCore Slim is the heaviest 10,000 mAh battery pack we tested. In addition to weight, it is also large. When we performed metrics testing, this model had the most sizable volume of its capacity size. This was evident when we tested the Anker on some local backpacking trips. It takes up more space in a zip lock baggie – what we use as an electronics dry bag – and is quite obviously heavier than any of the other power banks we tested. 

Durability

There is a reason why Anker products are highly recommended by thru-hikers year after year: they are reliably durable, and the PowerCore Slim is no exception. Our own experience with Anker products has been that they generally last a long time. We have used the same Anker power bank for over six years and 8,000 miles of backpacking. Word of Anker product failure is less common than other power bank models, particularly given how many people use them for long-distance backpacking trips. 

The PowerCore Slim performed well in every durability test we conducted. For our side-by-side testing, we dropped it from a height of eight feet into loosely packed dirt. It is still working well after being dropped and we have continued to use it on several trips without any trouble.

We have noticed that while the “front” of this power bank does have a grid-like pattern that helps with cosmetic wear, the “back” has collected some scratches over time. This does not affect how the power bank performs, and it is evident that this model has a more durable surface than many of the other 10,000 mAh battery packs we tested. In the field, we used this power bank on multiple weekend backpacking trips and it performed exceptionally well, even in wet conditions.

Charging Speed

Another common complaint about Anker products is their longer recharge time, which we found to be true of the PowerCore Slim. We charged and discharged the PowerCore multiple times on trips and during testing. When just casually charging it around the house, the charge time didn’t make a big difference.

Unfortunately, when we timed how long it took to recharge during testing, it was over an hour longer than any other 10,000 mAh battery pack. On the trail, that translates to an extra hour of sitting next to an outlet in town. Five and a half hours recharge time is relatively long when trying to get out the door for a last-minute backpacking trip. We have certainly forgotten to charge a power bank until right before a trip, and accommodating a long recharge time can be frustrating.

Features

The PowerCore Slim has a relatively streamlined interface; unfortunately, it is so simple that it does not include pass-through charging. This is a big knock against this model – every other power bank we tested had this feature. Pass-through charging may be less critical for those who are primarily weekend warriors. However, anyone who needs to recharge in a communal area, for example at a cafe while on a thru-hike, will need to take this missing feature into consideration. Outlets can often be at a premium in high-traffic areas, making the ability to charge an electronic device and the power bank simultaneously a big time saver. 

Valuable features include the selection of input and output ports and low-power mode. We were disappointed to find there are two input options and only one output port. That means only one device can be charged at a time, which presents problems for hikers needing to charge a phone, headlamp, personal locator beacon, or other electronics simultaneously. There is a trickle charge mode available for small electronics such as earbuds. This mode can be activated by pressing and holding the battery indicator button until it turns green.

Cold Capability

Those looking for a power bank to backpack with the winter may want to pass over the Anker PowerCore Slim. We drained a full PowerCore using the same dummy resistor load and multimeter from our efficiency tests during our testing process in ambient temperatures. Then, we placed the whole setup inside a refrigerator and compared the efficiency to the data from the regular tests. The Anker’s performance declined by about 6% compared to the room temperature test.

In the field, the decline was not exceedingly noticeable while using the power bank in damp and chilly weather. This metric may be less of a concern for those who will be primarily hiking in warm weather or are dedicated to keeping the bank warm by sleeping with it in their sleeping bag. However, those who need dependable power in frigid conditions may want to consider alternative options.

Should You Buy the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000?

Though the Anker often performed at the bottom of the 10,000 mAh category in many metrics we tested, there is still a big audience for this power bank. After all, there is a reason so many thru-hikers choose to rely on Anker products for six-month-long hikes. What the Anker may lack in efficiency, portability, and features, it makes up for in reliability and durability. All the features in the world won’t do you any good if your power bank breaks in the middle of the wilderness. Gram weenies may want to look elsewhere, but those hitting rugged trails where dependability is essential should consider the PowerCore Slim.

What Other Power Banks Should You Consider?

Zendure Super Mini 10000 Review: The Super Mini has many things in common with the PowerCore, for example, a durable and minimalistic design. Like the PowerCore, it does not show much cosmetic wear after everyday use, and the ridges it sports help to increase durability. It also has minimal input and output ports compared to other battery packs that we tested. Unlike the PowerCore, it is much lighter and easier to carry around. They both also have very affordable price tags.

Miady AS-TPB21 Review: One thing we really like about the Miady is how budget-friendly it is. It costs essentially the same as the PowerCore Slim, but for two units instead of one. That makes it an excellent choice for those just getting into backpacking. The durability is certainly a bit more questionable, but overall, it offers good bang for your buck.

OKZU 10000 Review: The OKZU 10000 is another budget-friendly 10,000 mAh power bank option to consider. It is not quite as sturdy as the PowerCore, but the tradeoff is that it recharges much more quickly. With solid weight, efficiency, and feature performance, it is a good all-around power bank for your next backpacking trip.