The Disappointing Truth Behind The Anker 548

[@MordecaiTheFoxVids]

From ankers website about low draw devices: The power bank has a 0.1W resolution. For devices like headphones or smartwatches with high battery levels, the charging power may fall below 0.1W. Rest assured, the power bank continues to charge the device even if the displayed power shows 0W. Also in the manual it explains how to get to the options screen for screen time out: 1. When idle with a battery level circle, press the SOS button twice to enter the settings page. 2. Press and hold for 2 seconds to switch between different screen timeout settings. 3. Press the SOS button twice to exit the settings page. Just seems weird to review a product and not read the manual or manufacturer's website...

[@GirlOnAQuest]

And then won't reply to your comment and admit lol

[@matthewf1979]

I think Anker designed this to be an emergency reserve device with a lower price point. They have other “solar generators” that do what the 737 does and more, but they’re a lot more expensive. I really like this thing, along with a 60 watt solar panel to keep phones and tablets charged during power outages. For that purpose, it’s freaking beautiful.

[@viperomen914]

But even for $169 you’d be better off looking at brands like jackery, ecoflow and bluetti

[@oddslug7459]

@@viperomen914 What would be the equivalent model from each manufacturer?

[@viperomen914]

@@oddslug7459 jackery has the jackery 300 but I’d recommend the new 300 plus because it’s upgraded with new LFP batteries, for EcoFlow it’s the EcoFlow river 2 and for Bluetti it’s the bluetti EB3A, keep in mind these are power stations not power banks and all mentioned above have LFP batteries which last up to 3000 charge cycles before the battery degrades to 80% max capacity so it’s about 10+ years of everyday use

[@viperomen914]

@@oddslug7459 but if you want something smaller you can also look into the new jackery 100plus that little device can fit in the palm of your hand

[@oddslug7459]

@@viperomen914 Thanks very much. You're right the 100 plus would be the one I'd be interested in, others being too big and heavy. It's a power bank I'm interested in. But in the UK at least the Jackery 100 plus isn't as good value for money as the Anker. Maybe if it comes down in price. Thanks again.

[@kenjboyd6233]

Thanks Todd. I've commented many times on the quality of your videos, but as Jason's recent comment indicates, you have been a great trusted go to source for honest reviews, with honesty being a more valued commodity to me all the time.

[@todd.parker]

Thanks Ken, I really appreciate that!

[@RandyBeers]

Thank you for shedding some light on the 548's shortcomings. I was wondering why it had not gained more popularity or interest, given its rather high capacity LFP battery (for a power bank), but had not seen any reviews or comparisons with details like you shared here. You just gained a subscriber.

[@shanes481]

I got mine on sale for 129 on Amazon a couple weeks ago. My wife likes to plug it in while working on her MacBook and ipad. Add in a semi useful light, lfp battery chemistry, and the battery is decent sized for something like this. So for me its worth the $129. I'm keeping it. I understand the frustrations but seems to me at the $129 price point its a pretty useful product. At $169 I'd probably return it because that's pretty much river 2 or eb3 sale price territory. Thanks for the honest review.

[@Toast90186]

Just ordered one through Amazon at the same price I’m also going to pair this with a goal zero nomad 20

[@viperomen914]

Exactly I was very interested in this product but as of right now it’s $169 and I can’t justify that price over something like a jackery, ecoflow and even bluetti

[@HavanaOutpost]

Just got mine for $99. Worth it.

[@derrickhanna9943]

@@HavanaOutpost I got mine for about the same price. It's perfect for my needs, especially camping and emergency power outages.

[@JosephAlexanderBabao]

Does it come with 2yr warranty? My anker prime 250 has a two year warranty

[@mintwax9002]

I actually like the 548. If you are going on a long road trip you can actually get more power cycles to charge my steam deck while the 737 can't do more at least 2 power cycles. And besides I use a separate one for my phone. I'm satisfied with it because Many devices talk about how fast but don't talk about how many cycles you can get.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, there are use cases where the 548 is very useful. For me, it couldn't keep up with my MacBook Pro and was just too slow to charge but the LFP battery and higher cycle count it great. It just could have been so much better without so many caveats

[@honsoloburger]

How many phone charges can u get off it?

[@Jasonoid]

So I guess they need to rework this a bit to make it like the smaller Anker 737! I kinda wish it allowed a full 120w from solar. Nice to see LFP batteries though.... Bummer! Great honest video, Todd!

[@todd.parker]

Thanks Jason. Yeah, if they just slapped the 737 onto a bigger LFP battery, I’d be happy but the solar is also a frustrating constraint. Let’s hope there’s a v2 because PD power stations are really cool.

[@kenjboyd6233]

You have been another trusted go to in this area Jason, much thanks!

[@AnotherJake79]

Seems like a great device to grab and while running to my storm shelter. Also seems great for camping. I still don't understand why you would need to max out all ports. Are all of your devices dying at the same time and are essential to your survival and communication?

[@todd.parker]

The USB ports are just pretty lame on such a big unit. The new Solix 300DC is what I was hoping this would be and I’d recommend getting that since it’s not much more and it way more capable. Compare the two and you’ll see why I was disappointed

[@Luke-lv8ej]

@@todd.parker It would be nice if the Solix 300DC was actually available worldwide, but it seems to only be available in countries that use 110V AC and they have chosen not to release the DC only version (where it wouldn’t matter what the AC voltage is) in other countries. But when you’re considering emergency use, I am thinking of pairing it with the Goal Zero 50w panels and an adapter to xt60 for more flexibility in what I can charge on solar as that also allows USB 5w/1a output. If I need fast power packs - that’s why I have a 737, but I also have a goal zero venture 75, venture jump and a few of the 30w anker power IQs.

[@Aaron48219]

5:09 *"The 767..."* Correction, 737. PowerCore 24K to be specific, as there are three or four 737 models.

[@DaveHunterDave]

The 5 in 548 denotes the product's position within Anker's range, hence it having fewer features than the higher spec 7 series device. The last two digits are number of ports and charging time (hours) respectively.

[@todd.parker]

Thanks. I didn’t know Anker product naming was decipherable by humans

[@TheStopwatchGod]

That last digit is a rough measure of battery capacity. 1 = 5,000mAh 3= 10,000mAh 5 = 20,000mAh 7 = 20 - 40,000mAh 8 = 40,000mAh and above. On wall chargers, it's used to decipher the wattage of the chargers, however it's very inconsistent. There is a 324 charger with 40W power, but a 543 charger with 65W power,.

[@crabcakekenneth9657]

Most of these problems don’t really effect if you’re just planning on using this for yourself and one device like a phone or laptop

[@MattKach1]

I just snagged this for $90 from the Anker TikTok shop. I feel it’s totally worth it sub hundred dollars.

[@MatEsp23]

Can you share the Link?

[@TobyCostaRica]

Well now I’m not buying it until it hits that price on Amazon 😀

[@maxdragon15]

​@@TobyCostaRica it is now!

[@HughMessenger]

Got mine from the Tiktok shop for $78, they added a second coupon. Was aware of the shortcomings, but at that price, when all I want it for is charging a couple of phones in an emergency, it's a deal.

[@OhDamniiiTsRey]

Other than the quirkiness or cons of this device, just needed a basic shtf or zombie apocalypse convenient power bank that acts as a last resort. Pretty much handy when going off-grid. Love the fact it lights up, option for solar charging, and digital display that shows battery usage. Best Father’s Day gift ever! Had the wifey order me this as a used unit going for $80 on Amazon! No way I’ll drop the usual $150 for it, other power stations are available for that price with better capacity & features.

[@tide365fisherman7]

What’s the camera for

[@GreenlifeFin]

Why not also replace that huge SOS but with car charger output. Great review, thanks.

[@TheStopwatchGod]

Behind that SOS button, the display button, and all the USB ports are the batteries. Therefore they would have to move that new port to a different position in the powerbank

[@usconceptschannel]

I really like the 737 but I want to put a wireless charger by my front door. I don't have any way to run power to that area reasonably. If I plugged in one or two QI charging pads for when people came home, would this unit automatically start releasing power to the charging pads or do you have to wake up the unit by pressing a button. I realize that every few weeks I'll have to plug it in and charge it up and then put it away in the cabinet but it sounds like this unit might work for recharging phones on wireless chargers as long as you don't have to push a start button to wake up the unit.

[@todd.parker]

I think it would work well for that application, good idea

[@technicolortony3091]

Wait won't this last way longer than the 737?

[@todd.parker]

It has a much larger battery and the LFP cells will last for way more cycles so in that way it's great. They just cheated out on the USB ports which is problematic for a USB-only device. It's fine for most charging tasks but not great for bigger laptops or other power hungry devices and is a good value on sale.

[@wildoutdoors]

What do you think of the Shargeek Storm 2 vs the Anker 737??

[@todd.parker]

I think Shargeek units are overpriced. That’s around $170 and for $20 less you can get the Anker Solix 300 DC with LFP batteries, 3x the capacity, way more ports, solar charging, etc. or pick up a 737 on sale for half that.

[@brokensword2621]

My galaxy s23 plus also dont charge in fast charging mode. I don't know why.

[@Whigu]

Nice to see review which doesn't smell like paid advertisement like most youtube reviews =)

[@todd.parker]

I appreciate that!

[@Aaron48219]

5:22 If you have access to a vehicle with a 12v system (ok 13.8vdc when running, sue me) and a well regulated RC car charger, you could use the XT60 port to charge this thing. I'd like to see how what kind of voltage and amperage that input can really sustain.

[@kobetilbury2320]

How many yimes can i charge my mobile with a usb c lead?

[@todd.parker]

Probably 6-7?

[@jeepxj]

Man if they combine the features. Incredible offering.

[@euresko1]

Agree the screen could have more detail on the specs of what is happening, and the lower wattage output isn't great, but would work fine in an emergency for phones or camping. Would like to know what happens if someone connects a 100w capable solar panel, if it works or just shuts off because it's too much power, or charges at the max 60w input.

[@todd.parker]

With any power station the wattage doesn’t matter but you can’t exceed the voltage or it will fry the charger

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

To me, the SOS button on a BEV, summons a Diesel-powered rescue vehicle.

[@TheColinputer]

Really hope Anker either release a V2 of this. OR just release a 200-300WHish LipoFe4 USB only powerbank with actually good USB C outputs. Dont need solar in, or some silly lantern. Just something with a good capacity and high wattage USB C that will happily extend my Macbook Pro battery 2-3 times. It seems there just isnt anything that fits the bill around these days. They all either are full powerstations with AC inverters and that. Or while you can get some pretty decent capacity units. They have weak USB C outputs. And everything which has a high wattage output has a quite small battery.

[@todd.parker]

100% agree

[@ASKips]

Thanks for the unbiased review. What alternative would recommend with a similar capacity?

[@wentrum]

Thanks. I have a 737 and I'm looking for something bigger that can stay with me permanently in the car. I was thinking about the 548, but after your video I think buying another 737 will be a better solution.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, I agree. I’d rather have a pair of 737’s right now. Hoping for better alternatives with LFP cells

[@daniel_960_]

Just getting multiple 737s or the newer ones still is the way to go. I don't understand why you'd want lfp in something non stationary.

[@BatteryAddicted]

Amazing review! I bought this for about $100 from Amazon and soon found out the weird voltage limitations too. Also, if I have a USB A device plugged in - any time I do anything with the other ports, it shuts off that device and resets it - annoying. But, we did get to use this in a 6+ hour power outage we had recently and it did its job well. Still, like you posted here, I also have a 737 and wish I could get a LFP combined unit with all the features of the 737 and the batteries of the 548. Great video and subbed - looking forward to watching the other ones! Thank you

[@todd.parker]

Thanks! I heard they switch from LFP to NMC batteries on the 548 which was the only good feature it had. Let's hope other companies step in and offer better options this year

[@Sencer.]

How many volt output should the solar panel have to charge Anker 548 powerbank with solar panel?

[@tonesmith909]

12-24

[@jhernandezjr25]

Which goal zero lighthouse micro? Flash or charge did you have?

[@todd.parker]

I have all 3 versions (lantern only, lantern + flash, lantern + flash + charger) and really like them. For me, the mid level Flash version is the best balance of features.

[@jhernandezjr25]

@@todd.parker thank you for the update.

[@PaymentIsDue]

Nice video very helpful. This would be perfect if it could do 100 watt input charge. The Quick Start Guide on Anker website interestingly enough shows on LCD Input: 99W. So can this do 99W on charge? What are your thoughts?

[@todd.parker]

I don’t think it can but returned mine

[@ocratitude]

Does anyone have link to the solar panel used in this video?

[@EduardoLopez-tged]

This review is very informative and detailed and I defintely learned alot more about the 548. What is highly disappointing is the reviewer doesn't remotely consider the respective power banks use cases. It seems like to him, Big battery should = other big battery in all features or its a failure. Here is the thing, these power banks were built for enitrely different purposes. The 737 is awesome (I agree with the reviewer, its on sale alot so wait for a deal). I work in tech so I have a lot of devices with me, since the pandemic, I have been remote but I have to move around the city so I carry around a mobile office with me. That means a laptop, tablet, ios and android phone a second monitor, my apple watch and other devices depending on the work I need to do. the 737 is amazing for this, its small, light (1 pound basically) and the fact that it outputs as fast as it does is crucial when you are sitting at a table and don't always have reliable access to an outlet but need to keep going with work without having to worry about your devices dying. The 548 is a completely different animal, this is NOT a battery I would take with me to the office, or on the move with my mobile office set up. This is a battery I bought because during storm season we had some power outages (one lasted almost 24 hours) and it sucked to scrap together enough batterys or devices to keep us entertained while we waited it out. This battery is also something I would take with me camping and on a road trip. It excels in these areas far more then the 737 by simple fact that its a bigger battery and has a light that can be used when you have no real access to electricity. The review does a poor job of making these distinctions. I CAN use my 737 for some of the things above, but its simply won't be as good, it has less ports , no light, and less capacity. I am also less concerned about the 60 output with a laptop connected because most people don't really take laptops for camping or use it on a roadtrip (tablets and mobiles have taken this niche) so its just not going to come up as much. WHo gives a shit that I have to output my power slowly when my battery can't charge everything I need and is dead sooner due to less capacity? I will take slow output over dead battery in an emergency sitation any day of the week. The 548 isn't perfect, and there are some good points (the lack of a trickle charge feature for apple watch is stupid and I can't explain that one away) the sos feature makes sense in the 3 situitaions I mention above but didn't need its own dedicated button. I agree I would like the extra UI features the 737 has but the 737 is part of the anker prime series which I assume one of the benefits is the enhance UI on the screen. It wouldn't make sense to bring this to other non prime products. It also could be to reduce cost on the 548 since this isn't a feature thats absolutely needed for something that is primarly meant to be used in an emergency situation and the lower the output the longer the battery health life which is crucial again..... for an emergency device. To rate the 548 against the 737 is to fundamentally miss the entire purpose it exists.

[@viperomen914]

Truth be told it’s completely garbage😂 no way around it, the reviewer was comparing it to a power bank not a power station and even so the Anker 548 still fell short, it’s completely over priced if you need power station capabilities at the $169 price point everyone is much better off looking into jackery 300 plus, eco flow river 2 and the Bluetti eb3a, all 3 mentioned above have much bigger battery’s and charge a whole lost faster and have 100W+ type C output🤷‍♂️ I think the biggest issue here is that it comes to close to the line between a power bank and a power station where it lacks features of both sides and for the price point it’s just not a good deal that’s just my opinion of course

[@EduardoLopez-tged]

@@viperomen914 I'd disagree, Its advertising shows it as a power bank for when you lose power in your house (hence the light on top), road trips and light camping (not hiking). In that regard its a solid device, it will keep your phone, tablet, laptop (though I wouldn't really be using a laptop in my car or camping) charged. That is about all it promises. The jackery 300 plus is AWESOME but also like...... 300 dollars. that is a huge price difference. Eco flow river 2 is 280 and so on. Those SHOULD have better features, they are like all more then twice the anker 548. I would also point out the reason the anker 548 was coming up in so many reviews is because it went through a long period of being 25% off. I got mine for 120. For 120 it has been an awesome power bank. During storm season when the power gets knocked out, we have no issues if our devices were low, just plug it into this and we are all good. For 120 this was a steal.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

They had it for 109 which I think its a fair price for what you get though

[@tonesmith909]

Every option listed above is at least 2x the cost of the $99 Anker 548. Its perfect for my base camp. I dont take my macbook hunting.

[@rayoflight62]

I bought it to replace an hurricane lamp, and it fits the purpose. Also the LFP batteries are double the size of an equivalent Li-Ion setup, and can't discharge too fast, thus the 60 W limitation of this device. But they are rated for 2000 cycles over 10 years, which is an advantage in my case. I have the Shargeek 2 and the Zendure 100 W for quick charging a laptop but they aren't emergency devices like this one. This is a long lasting light which can charge phones and tablets, and last for a long time at that. Bought in a Black Friday special offer as I don't think it is worth the list price since the simplified electronics...

[@todd.parker]

Good point. This s definitely good for a slow and low backup battery

[@MVIVN]

You just saved me from making an expensive mistake with this video. Thank you!

[@sarayuki8540]

I bought mine. I didn’t come with a charger which kinda sucks

[@todd.parker]

Yeah you need to buy one separately

[@sarayuki8540]

@@todd.parker 😮‍💨 Wish I knew that. Thanks. I ended up getting one.

[@kenlumen7791]

Would the unit be a good value at $110? It's currently on sale for that price. If the low wattage wasn't a concern for me do you think it would still be worth the money? I do intend to get a compatible solar panel for it in the future as well.

[@todd.parker]

It’s a decent value at that price as long as you understand how limited the USB ports are. I’ve heard they switched from LFP batteries to NMC which is a big step backwards if true so check that

[@heshamalsabea595]

@@todd.parker Hi Todd, Thanks for your reviews. I actually checked and they confirmed it is still LFP. The Reddit thread was misleading. The Li-ion recycling symbol at the bottom of the unit is not to convey the type of battery, just the recycling method it seems. To add, their AI sometimes answers email queries, which is not accurate all the time. I chatted with them and they even sent me a test certificate showing clearly the LFP was used and not Li-ion.

[@todd.parker]

@@heshamalsabea595that’s great to hear. Thanks for the follow-up

[@lemon9.9]

If it was a big 737, wouldn't the price also be basically 737 price but like quadruple ?

[@233kosta]

The 60W limit kind of makes sense in the context of lithium ferrophosphate cells. They'll last a LONG time, but they don't like higher relative discharge applications.

[@gphalo7]

Which solar panel did you use???

[@todd.parker]

It was the Sun Jack 60w panel. It’s great.

[@ldeporto]

Hello Todd, would it be possible to purchase a XT60 to USB C cable to charge the unit with AC power while opening up the C1 port for use? Thanks for your great videos and honest reviews.

[@todd.parker]

Good question. I don't think that would work because USB-C power delivery needs to negotiate with the device to find the right voltage and amperage so a simple cable adapter probably won't trigger power. You could definitely buy a AC to DC power supply that you could plug into the wall and act like a solar panel, just stay within the voltage limits of the input. Something like might work: amzn.to/49ytyfF

[@ldeporto]

@@todd.parker Thanks for your help Todd!

[@ldeporto]

Just an update. I ordered a USB C to XT60 cable and it is charging the unit while also powering other devices. I’m using an Anker Nano II 65W adapter as the power source.

[@punking488]

Lots of their banks are terrible, the feel good quality but the longevity of circuitry is laughable. Got a Anker 20ah power core, worked fine in the beginning but over time it started charging slower and slower. Until eventually it would just heat up around the ports and shut off. Keep in mind, I only ever charged my headphones or my phone. I eventually got tired of it just straight up shutting off and ripped it open via a razor blade and grinder because they love glue apparently. ONE OF THE RIBBIN CABLES FOR THE BATTERY HAD COME OFF THE BOARD. waste of money! Get a skull candy stash bank. Lasts a hell of a lot longer then this garbage. This wasn't the first time Anker power banks had "shin the bed"

[@prabjotusa]

Thank you for your video! I agree with your assessment. I just bought one and am semi-disappointed by these flaws. Thinking of returning it and getting the new one. Hopefully, the fix these issues by then. Thanks again Todd!

[@ceciliamontenegro7861]

Thanks for making the decision easier for me, I appreciate your content!

[@todd.parker]

Glad it was helpful. I bought this with my own money and it had to go back.

[@enkibirds]

why all these rants when you said you were aware of all these prior to purchasing it?

[@gabrielglouw3589]

I was so pleased with mine that I ordered a second one. Couple with a Renogy 100 watt solar suitcase this is going to be my go to for keeping my small devices charged during a power down situation. The only thing I don’t like is the obnoxiously large SOS button I’m never going to use. And I actually prefer the whiter light. But to each their own.

[@todd.parker]

Glad it works for you, and I agree about that huge SOS button. The reason I was so disappointed in this unit is I didn't expect it would be less powerful than the much smaller 737 and now that the Solix 300 DC is out, you can see what I was expecting - amzn.to/3OnzcIt This is so much more powerful and isn't that much more money so I think it's a better value. One bad thing about the 548 is Anker downgraded the battery cells from LFP to NCM that has a shorter life and is more dangerous and never told anyone.

[@cheri6174]

Todd new subscriber. Can you please tell me how you made the fiberglass shelf used in your Pacifica. I didn’t see anything in the video that explained where you got it or how you built it. Thank you

[@apprentice7755]

What was SOS button for?

[@todd.parker]

It just flashes the lantern in a SOS pattern. Definitely doesn't deserve a button!

[@mikemotorbike4283]

And why not throw a little inverter? Even a tiny 20w AC receptacle would allow adapters, radio, an extension cord for a nightlight in the bathroom. My paperback-size Black & Decker Pocket Power from 2005 had a 20w plug which was great for a phone adapter, led strip, aquarium pump, smart speaker, router......so many things. It ran on only eight NiMh AA cells. That's only 10 Ahs! A 15w fluorescent lamp would run for 15 minutes. Mt hydroponic tower garden has a 23w pump. It could hypothetically keep my plants alive for 24 hrs running for half a minute on the hour.

[@LamoidZombieDog]

Yeah the 548 sucks. i bought one with my 737 as an impulse, and now ill never touch it unfortunately. plus a new 737 replacement just came out, so now i wont even get to use that one either.

[@procurement3681]

All the stuff it doesn't have is why it doesn't cost twice as much. For the price is seems like a great value. The biggest problem you seem to have is when it's being charged and won't output enough power. But why not just plug in your other devices if you're able to charge your reserve battery pack?

[@Norp-i7m]

I wish they would put a max of one USB-A port on their batteries. Everyone's moving to USB-C.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah. I get why it's good to have one USB-A but it should offer a bunch of USB-C's

[@megachristy9838]

Todd... This is one spot on comparison. EXACTLY what I wanted

[@henlohenlo689]

on amazong the 2 products u show. the 60mah lamp is 90 bucks. the 30mah smaller bank is 120 bucks. so you are getting TWICE mac battery total for a 25 percent discount on the price. so it would be 240 dollars of 2 smaller devices to get same battery total as the 90 dollar lamp. i also love the lamp feature as i am regularly in low light situations. overall i like the lamp model as much. i may buy both.

[@leokolev]

Right, return it and I will buy it! Anker is the best! 👍🥳🎄

[@guyfriends1843]

It is understandable to give power slowly but to be locked at receiving 60 is odd. Reasoning for the first is high voltage targeting it for high draw efficiency being at around 65w and up

[@Rhialto]

Nice reminder to fully read specifications and small print before buying! Maybe the updated version will be called 748?

[@todd.parker]

You’d have to dig really deep to understand what’s going on in the manual. They don’t note these limitations on the marketing site. Their naming is beyond mysterious, they even have different products with the same number!

[@MainelyElectrons]

Yeah that C2 power limit kills my usage for this, I would have loved to be able to bring this with me to keep my drone batteries charged up! But 10-15w would take all day to charge a single battery. I want something with a bit more capacity than the 27000mah packs but am having a hard time finding something that is similarly portable as this one

[@ryoguyo]

great review but i would like to see some alternatives at a similar price point. looking around online this seems to be the best value.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, I'm still hoping other companies come out with LFP packs. Still waiting.

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

I was about to buy it Until I noticed the Lack of 12v ports. I didn't even have to be a cigarette lighter port it could have been a 5521 barrel jack.

[@todd.parker]

I agree that would be a good feature

[@hithere7382]

If that xt60 was bidirectional it would work. It's popular in remote control vehicles.

[@RonaldRyanSenas]

thank you. i was going to buy it but thanks for letting me know about this problem. I got the 20k anker prime instead.

[@HoneyBadgerDontCare19]

I like the review, very informative and way more in-depth than most other videos. However, I would say two things. 1) this product is obviously meant more for the outdoor/off the grid type person. Having to ability to charge device by solar is huge. I think, yes my opinion, the slow charge device is to keep you from losing a ton of power too quickly. It allows you to slow roll that power and keep it running longer. 2) similar to above but this is a great device to have for Emergencies when there or long power outages and you need a way to keep you phone/device charged and can still use solar. Again, slower charge speed allows for longer use so it doesn’t drain as fast. Just my thoughts and why like mentioned above….if you can snag it for under $100 I’d go for it.

[@tomm21]

So it seems whatever weirdness they are doing behind the scenes is probably why it's been driving me nuts every time I plug in or unplug a device. It shuts off everything and then restarts it. Like many other commenters, I got this on sale on Amazon. Unfortunately, that was before you made this video. I'll use it until it dies since I've paid for it and it's too late to return it. But from now on, I won't be buying another Anker product until I see the unsponsored reviews first.

[@todd.parker]

Honestly I think it’s very common for PD power banks to recycle all the connections when you plug in something now, maybe it’s part of the spec? But yeah, this is ok but could have been so much better

[@planetkeane]

That's what I call a great review! Really well summarized. thank you for the effort

[@todd.parker]

Much appreciated!

[@pimpmyride7278]

I’m a simple guy. The 548 works just fine for my use. The lamp was the big sale for me.

[@Mr.Mister1974]

Hopefully, the second version they fix all these issues.

[@oddslug7459]

Depends what you mean by issues. Some are just trade offs. If fast charging is important to you then buy a lithium ion based battery. It won't hold a charge as long and will degrade quicker. Choose the right technology for the job and be aware of pros and cons. Personally I think it fits an interesting niche.

[@IT-ov8rv]

Thank you for review! It shows that this product would be a real better choice for me in periods of long power shutdowns. Specs details were super useful too!)

[@thefoxhouse]

I wished I’d seen this review before purchasing mine. I have the exact same complaints. I think a smaller recessed lighting button that you hold to cycle through modes and a dedicated display button would have definitely been better. An sos button is virtually useless this day and age. I’m pretty sure Anker is looking to discontinue it from their line up because I participated in a recent video survey because of my purchase and they had a smaller model they were looking for feedback on. It was very similar to UGreen’s PB770 model. The 548 certainly gets the job done, but it’s far from ideal. I keep my in my backpack to power my laptop and monitor, but the light is always accidentally turning on. Thank you for taking the time to post your review. Also if you go on Amazon and look at their listings pages they all have a swipe section showing the output using different port configurations.

[@Grateful_Grannie]

Thank you! It looked so good. Darn.

[@oldgoatgaming]

Doesn't work with Anker solar 200W panels though, even if on a cloudy day the output from the panel is less than 30w. Disappointing that Anker's own panels won't work with it.

[@germanicus5066]

I wish you linked that Micro lantern so I coulda just used link and bought. Great video.

[@todd.parker]

Ah, here you go: amzn.to/3Sg0hAl

[@germanicus5066]

Scooped one up. Thanks so much!!! @@todd.parker

[@lifeisgood4519]

Excellent review. Comment for the algorithm, hit the like, clicked the purchase link. Will get another 737 from that. Thank you.

[@todd.parker]

Awesome, thank you! I'll probably pick another one up myself, or the new Prime 250w models

[@johnnysweekends]

Great Video Todd. The 548 did look promising but unfortunately it does come up short. Very good testing showing the short comings of the 548.

[@todd.parker]

Right on

[@charleyweinhardt]

how about for only 67 bucks..? its 80 on amazon right now, 67 used like new''

[@todd.parker]

For that price it’s totally worth it just keep in mind that they changed the battery chemistry from LFP to NMC that has much shorter lifespan which is a bummer

[@charleyweinhardt]

@@todd.parker 👍

[@kchaney56]

Thank you for this. Looks like all blow and no go.

[@dansklrvids7303]

Thanks for a helpful review!

[@Nancy-and-Micaiah]

If I only saw this before I purchased 🤦🏼‍♂️. Thanks for the good review

[@Runner50783]

It’s a 5 series, it’s technically an interior product, like a mid range. It’s like comparing a iPad to an brand new iPhone, just because it’s bigger does not mean it’s the better

[@JamesStreetStreet]

I have both devices, along with a large graveyard of powercore and powercore+ anker devices that are only 2-3 years old, but mostly all dead. I love the 737 for topping up amazingly fast, and I'll admit the 548 is compromised and not what most people want, but at the $120 (3q2023) price I paid it's a bargain. Also my experience so far with LFP batteries is that they are going to keep going for a lot longer than 3 years, which may not matter to most people, but if you cycle these batteries every day like me, will be a much better investment. Now if only the SOS button would order pizza...

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, I really debated if I should send it back since I picked it up for $130 but I found it couldn’t keep up with my MacBook Pro and that was the final straw. The 737 will shine bright and burn out fast for sure. Just waiting for someone to combine a bigger LFP battery with PD3.1 and a decent display

[@mkultra3679]

​@@todd.parkerIn which way did the Powerbank not keep up with your Macbook pro? Was it still charging the Macbook whilst doing light work like Office etc?

[@BonkedByAScout]

So I've actually had one of these on order for like a week. I didn't realize that the USB A ports were limited to 5w output when the USB C was in use, or that this one doesn't have the ability to power low-power devices (other Anker banks I have have an override to not shut off due to low power draw). Went ahead and cancelled it, going to look at something else.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, good call

[@efrainSRT]

737 is great but all the gloss is easily scratched and looks ugly within weeks of use, you would need to be careful with it

[@ttrevino167]

It's not high tech compared to my bluetti but for the price I got it at 94$ and I'm using it for power outage for like 2hrs. Need the light and keep the phones charged. It's also good for road trips too. Can use the sos flash while keeping the phone charged for emergencies. I think it's decent for what it is and it being not as high tech is ok. Maybe that's why they made the prime section for a reason idk

[@murda2999]

Great points you discovered that would never show up by just looking at the specs. I hope they take the feedback and come up with the perfect V2!

[@pcxdrone]

There is some serious discrepancy on these units right now, where Anker quickly removed any reference to the Lifep04 cells in this model. Anker support has provided contradicting answers regarding the battery chemistry for this particular model. This might be or might not be a LFP power station. But one thing is for sure, Anker's official site makes no mention of LFP cells for this model only.

[@todd.parker]

I heard they changed the battery chemistry from LFP to NMC at some point which is really odd, that was the only good feature on this one. The new Solix 300DC is awesome and everything I hoped this would be: amzn.to/4dWJcCQ - I bought mine on sale for $150

[@dukeofcarlisle]

Thanks for the warning… I was just about to buy, but now I don’t think so… great review hitting on details that many ignore…

[@todd.parker]

It's a good basic unit but could have been so much better. Maybe next time.

[@krisherrera9834]

it charges my phone at 15w anyone elses do this

[@novablaze]

Thank you for this review, will wait for a better version

[@andriyurenov7215]

It charges Apple Watch and AirPods beyond 15 minutes without any problem. Even with older usb-a cables.

[@murkinit]

I just got mine. Awesome piece of gear 👍

[@haidertahirsaraf7929]

COuld You Be Any More Critical? One Sided Review.

[@GainingDespair]

Based on the Anker support tickets I've seen posted online recently, it seems they have moved away from LFP batteries in the ones being old now and are using generic lithium batteries instead. They haven't mentioned which cell manufacturer is involved, just that the batteries are no longer Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP04) and have transitioned to traditional lithium cells. This is a major downgrade, I can be left to assume they are now opting for lower quality battery cells. They went out of their way to specify the cell quality in their promotional materials, but now there's no information about the new cells after the change. I was really on the fence about this product, but this review and what I've already read helped me decided the product just isn't for me. Thank you

[@todd.parker]

Just got the Solix 300 DC and it’s really good (and LFP)

[@Amplified435]

For me, most of what I’m charging are smaller to average size camping fans, phones, speakers, small lights-that sort of thing. Idc about 20w output, that’s the fastest you can charge many small devices made 2016-2023ish anyway 🤷‍♂️

[@wordsmith451]

I just got mine for €150. Thus should be €250 or €300 for a proper station, but I'm delighted to just have a big fat battery :)

[@CookiePepper]

Not sure if you have the same firmware version but mine can be configured "Auto Power On" mode and "Auto Screen Turn Off" time (30s, 1min, 5min, 30min). LFP and Solar input are the main reason why I bought this one. I totally agreed with you about the "SOS" thing. It is just stupid. Marketing should be fired.

[@todd.parker]

Huh, maybe I missed that. I didn't see anything in the manual...how did you get to those settings? I've already returned mine but might help someone else. LFP + solar are great features, just a shame they made so many dumb decisions on the design. Maybe next time.

[@d.j.madonnie106]

Once again, great review!

[@todd.parker]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Saved me explaining why I don't like this in all the comments suggesting I check it out

[@gizmo8760]

People just have to remember that this is a power bank and not a portable power station. There is a difference. This 548 is limited to powering USB devices and charging devices via USB. For that purpose it's fine. If you need a portable power station that generates AC power, then you should get the Anker Solix C300 and above which have AC electrical sockets.

[@todd.parker]

It’s fine but I was hoping for a lot more. You can’t charge bigger things like a laptop well with this but they came out with the Solix 300DC which I s what I was hoping this with be. Big difference

[@queasycarboy508]

This is why i have not boight the 548 despite being larger... fast usbc input was a priority so i bought the 737. I wished to buy the prime 27650mAh but only avaible in US, so i got 737 on amazon instead. Honestly, 737 is a great buy.

[@todd.parker]

I know the 737 won't live long because of the wear and tear but it's pretty great to be able to charge and discharge so quickly. It's like a tall glass of energy you can quickly dump out and refill.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, it's super chunky and I definitely get the LFP argument, that's all I usually recommend but I do like how quick you can charge and discharge the 737 and the informational screen really helps when monitoring PD output. Sometimes things don't sync right and they will charge super slow. With a basic bank like the Baseus, you'd have no idea.

[@VinnyUnion]

​​@@todd.parkeri use a power bank every once a year usually. I wonder how long that overhyped 737 would last me. 🤔 I've recently got the INIU B63 25000mah, 65w for my steam Deck primarily but eh, I'll likely have it has an backup on an possible road trip. It's a great power bank because its true capacity is very decent even for today's standards. I'll eye for the 737 regardless during the winter sale and might get it for a another just-in-case bank (phone + handheld console + led lamp) (actually I'll get get a another handheld console soon, likely.) and if it is on a sale, I might consider getting it. Primarily for the aesthetics to be honest, I just like its impractical longeviated cube design and the green matrix text on the display. The "storm2" too looked quite amazing, but I'll go only that far for mere aesthetics. Also, Anker is a piece of sh#t company and threatening - that's my experience from their ebay "ankerdirect" counterpart. Horrible support and that "Anker integrity" department is threatening as soon as you caught them using false postal courier and showing to them as proof after they've changed it without acknowledging it that you mentioned it and still making you pay for the return on a product you falsely purchased (asked for cancellation few hours after purchase) the wrong power bank which hadn't had the "+ PD" support. It's one of their older 20000mah banks I think without the PD tag. The support additionally kept responding like a full on NPC bot in millionth phrases over and over again pretending to be a human support with including some name. I hope Anker just diesirae and rots in hell. Long story short, INIU is bae. I've purchased too much unnecessary stuff and got my stuff returned swiftly. Well they couldn't make a return label, so I paid for it and they offered me to pay for the return. They were HUMAN unlike that robotic Anker. Again, I hope Anker goes to hell. I'll still consider the product 737 though. *Edit:* _actually, I won't consider it on second thought. It's only 24k mAh. And I have no devices that can benefit for its 240w even if I use a few at the same time. Nah man. If it was 26800 then sure, but 24k for 150? Get outta here. Crap company. Crap support. Crap pricing._

[@robertjones8260]

That 60w cap is a dealbreaker for me.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah. Check out the new Solix 300DC - it’s what I was hoping this would be

[@abracadabra2337]

very good review thanks