Anker is a Chinese company founded in 2011 by ex-Google engineer Steven Yang, who had the goal of building reasonably priced electronics.
Yang has consistently asserted that companies need to have an extensive product range to survive any shifts in the market, and Anker develops 100s of new products every year.
They’re known for producing computer and cellphone accessories and add-ons, like chargers, screen protectors, cables, and headphones.
They’ve recently started widening the scope of their products, adding things like chainsaws and floor-sweeping robots to their repertoire.
After ten years in the business, there are Anker stores in 146 countries worldwide, so they must be doing something right! This article will explore whether or not Anker is the right fit for you.
If you are looking for a quality, durable, and reliable piece of equipment, you can’t go wrong with Anker.
However, if you are looking for something less generic, perhaps another brand will give you a better selection of looks, colors, and customization options.
Is Anker a Quality Brand?
If you’ve plugged a charger into a device in the last ten years, you’ve probably come across Anker. Their reach is vast and impressive, and they’ve developed a reputation as the best in the business.
Anker products are durable and safe, and over 200 million have been sold worldwide. They are affordable but outperform brands that are similarly priced.
Users rave that Anker products last for many years, and the company continues to provide quality products even though they are also busy working on using the latest technology to innovate.
One of the most popular top-quality Anker products is their Bluetooth Speaker. Users have reported dropping their speakers underwater or controlling the sound from up to 60ft away, and still, the sound produced is clear and clean.
Is Anker a Good Charging Brand?
Yes! Anker has been producing chargers right from the very beginning. They now have over ten years of experience honing their craft and taking on customer feedback to redevelop products that are precisely what their customers want.
Anker USB C, 323 Charger (33W)
The Anker 323 Charger is a compact and portable device that charges up to 3x faster with a 33W USB-C port and an additional USB-A port. It also features a foldable design, and ActiveShield Safety System, and comes with an 18-month warranty.
The most popular charger that Anker offers is the PowerPort III Nano, which is both tiny and inexpensive, and it can charge a fully drained phone battery to more than 50% in only half an hour.
USB-C chargers can top up phones faster than older USB-A models can, and they work with both iPhones and Android devices.
Anker products are also compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.
The one I linked above is certified by Apple.
Is Anker Better Than Belkin?
According to CNN’s product review, they found Belkin’s cables “a bit more flexible than Anker’s slightly stiffer offering, but with a two-year warranty, we thought the Ankers was a better buy for just about everyone.”
The output of both packs has been measured, and Ankers is always the fastest charge, plus they have multiple outputs, as opposed to Belkin’s one. In terms of power banks, Anker’s were thicker and heavier than the Belkin power banks.
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C Portable Charger
Charge up to 3 devices simultaneously with a 20,000 mAH power bank that provides up to 78 hours of extra battery life. The USB-C port and dual USB-A ports deliver 15W of power and it comes with an LED indicator light and a 6-inch USB-A to USB-C cable.
However, the Anker pack functions as a power bank and a wall charger, so you can use it as a charging adapter at home and as an external power source that can recharge your battery while away from home.
Overall, users have voted that Anker creates a better product than Belkin.
Where are Anker’s products manufactured?
While Steven Yang was working for Google, he felt frustrated that there were no quality laptop chargers to be found anywhere. He began a side hustle with his wife, importing cheap tech into the USA and selling it there.
He saw that this was a good business model. His business was growing, so he left Google and decided to take full advantage of China’s already solid manufacturing base.
Now, all Anker products are manufactured in Shenzhen, China, which was already established as a top area for manufacturing in the tech industry.
Anker has a strong foundation in China, and when it began, it was perfectly poised to take advantage of the rapid development of China’s foreign trade industry – similar to Lenovo.
Does Anker have good customer service?
Anker is famous for saying that it attaches great importance to comments left by its customers and consumers. It is a motto of theirs to keep their customers as happy as possible, to the point where Anker will develop new products with secondary functions to appeal to more people.
Thousands of users report having a positive interaction with Anker customer service. However, there are many instances where users have found their phone call with an Anker representative to be frustrating or unhelpful.
We recommend purchasing your products directly through Anker to avoid any potential difficulties in the future.
How fast is delivery?
As of January 2022, Anker only ships within the US, and you can generally expect your parcel to arrive within 3-5 business days.
If Anker doesn’t ship to your country, you need to ship your items to a US package forwarder, who’ll then ship your package to your international location. Companies like MYUS.com handle jobs like this but will add 2-4 business days to your delivery time.
Alternatively, you could find the Anker product you are looking for on Amazon and order through them instead. Amazon delivery times will range in different countries.
What is the returns policy like?
Undamaged products may be returned for a full refund for any reason within 30 days of the date of purchase. Once the returned item arrives in Anker’s warehouse for inspection, the refund process will begin.
However, beware of the fine print! Anker will only process a refund for items purchased directly through Anker. So, if you buy your Anker products through Amazon, it is likely any returns and refunds will be tricky to navigate.
Another note here; if you are returning a product to Anker due to some defect or other quality problem, Anker will send you a shipping label and take full responsibility for the items when they are shipped.
However, if you make a return because you changed your mind, you take responsibility. So, if the product is damaged on its way from you back to the Anker warehouse, then you may not be eligible for that sweet refund.
How often does Anker have sales?
Anker hosts multiple sales throughout the year, with their most significant site-wide sales on Black Fridays.
Anker sales and deals on Amazon can be found on the Featured Deals page here, and 9to5 Toys has an up-to-date list of all of the Anker sales and discounts here.
There are multiple authorized retailers for Anker, and each of them will have its sales and sales timetables, so keep an eye out for pop-up sales happening at an outlet near you!
What type of budget does Anker suit?
Anker straddles the line between quality and cost perfectly. While there are multiple similar products priced lower than Anker, you will soon find their quality lacking.
Anker is the cheapest quality and most reliable product while still carrying a good warranty. So, while they’re not the most affordable, they are probably the cheapest products of their level of quality.
A power bank will set you back between $20-$70, a pack of multiple charging cables between $15-$25, and a Bluetooth speaker ranges from $30-$130.
Is Anker a sustainable and ethical brand?
Yes, on their website, Anker publishes a statement with a commitment to eco-friendly practices and inclusivity practices.
They promise that they do not use any cadmium or mercury in the making of their batteries, but rather, a significant component of new batteries made by Anker is recycled old Anker batteries.
Today, almost all residual polyamide six yarns at Anker are recycled. A fiber manufacturer, Aquafil, collects the residual yarns and uses them to make recycled Econyl fibers, which are then processed to make carpets.
While their innovations in battery recycling are impressive, Anker has not done much to lower its carbon emissions in the last few years, and its packaging is not eco-friendly.
We appreciate that they are making moves to become more ethically sustainable, but they have not done enough yet to be considered a safe green company.
Is Anker online only?
No! As we mentioned, there are currently Anker stores or authorized Anker retailers in 146 different countries worldwide. To check if your country is on this list, you can locate the nearest Anker store with this Where to Buy service on Anker’s website.
If your country is not on this list, and Amazon does not deliver to you either, never fear! You can try to find a reputable
Conclusion
So, is Anker a good brand? You bet it is! While they still have some way to go with their environmental policies, they are taking steps in the right direction, and they are one of the few battery manufacturers that do not use cadmium in all of their batteries.
Most users agree that Anker provides the cheapest products that last the longest time and give the quickest charge. It’s a win-win-win!
If you would like a product that has more style or customization options, you may want to opt for a more expensive brand that has more money to spend on aesthetic niceties.
However, if you are happy with a generic-looking, user-friendly, and durable product, we highly recommend Anker.