Anker 737 review

Who it is for

The 737 is for anyone whose outage plan includes a laptop: working from home when the power drops, keeping a tablet going for the kids, or running a CPAP's USB-C adapter through a night. Anker's specifications list a total capacity of 24,000 mAh, two USB-C ports and one USB-A, and a total output of 140 watts maximum, which is enough to charge a large laptop at its full rate. It is also a reasonable phone bank for a family: several phone charges before it needs the wall.

It fits in a bag, not a pocket. Anker's product page gives 6.13 by 2.15 by 1.95 inches and 22.22 ounces; its support pages quote slightly different weights of 607 and 632 grams, so call it about 1.4 pounds.

The display, and why it helps in an outage

The smart digital display is the feature that sets the 737 apart from cheaper banks. It shows battery percentage, the wattage flowing in and out, and in its settings screen Anker says it also shows battery cycle count and total input and output over the bank's life. Knowing that a laptop is drawing 45 watts and the bank has 60 percent left is what lets you ration power on day two of an outage instead of guessing.

One caveat from Anker's own FAQ: leaving the settings screen on drains about 15 percent of the battery in 24 hours. Let the display sleep.

Charging it back up

Anker says a 140-watt USB-C PD wall charger fully recharges the 737 in about one hour, and a typical MacBook charger takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. That speed matters more than it sounds: when the power comes back for an hour between outages, or when a power station is rationed, the 737 can be refilled in the window. A 20-watt phone charger will take most of a day.

Anker's power bank safety guide gives an operating and storage range of 32°F to 95°F, says not to cover the bank or block ventilation in use, to keep it away from keys and metal objects, and to recharge it every 3 months in storage to prevent deep discharge. Our lithium battery fire safety guide covers the general rules.

Limits to know before you buy

The 140 watts is the total across ports, so with a laptop and two phones connected each gets less. Anker says the 737 is not compatible with a few devices that demand the full 140 watts over one port, naming some Lenovo Legion laptops and the DJI Mini Pro. The USB-A port tops out at 12 volts, 1.5 amps, so it is for phones and small devices. Warranty is 24 months.

Like every power bank, it ships with its charge rated in milliamp-hours at the cell voltage; the energy that reaches a laptop at 20 volts is less, as conversion losses apply. Expect roughly one and a half full charges of a 13-inch laptop, not three.

How it compares, and the verdict

On our power bank comparison, the Anker 20,000 mAh bank with built-in cable is the phones-and-tablet pick, lighter and cheaper, and the INIU 20,000 mAh 45-watt bank is the budget alternative. Anker's own 25,000 mAh laptop bank is the newer sibling with built-in cables. The 737 remains the one with the most informative display and the full 140-watt output.

Verdict: the power bank to buy if a laptop is part of the plan. Skip it if you only charge phones, if weight in a go-bag matters more than laptop charging, or if you want built-in cables.

Can the Anker 737 charge a laptop?

Yes. Anker rates total output at 140 watts maximum over USB-C, enough for most laptops at full speed. A few devices that need the full 140 watts on one port, such as some Lenovo Legion models, are listed by Anker as not compatible.

How long does the Anker 737 take to recharge?

Anker says about one hour with a 140-watt PD wall charger, or around 1.5 to 2 hours with a typical MacBook charger. A small phone charger takes much longer.

How much does the Anker 737 weigh?

Anker's product page lists 22.22 ounces, with its support pages quoting 607 and 632 grams; roughly 1.4 pounds either way.

How should I store the 737 for emergencies?

Anker's safety guide says to keep it between 32°F and 95°F, away from metal objects, and to recharge it every 3 months so it does not deep-discharge.