Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 Review: Is This 2-in-1 Power Bank Worth It?

I am a firm believer that everyone who owns a smartphone should also own a power bank. Maybe I’m biased because of how much I use my iPhone, but it’s so crucial to me. I can’t afford for it to die when I’m in the middle of nowhere. Yet at the same time I understand people not wanting to carry yet another gizmo around and then have to charge it separately too. Well there’s a little black box that attempts to solve this problem: The Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000.

Whenever I have to go for long car rides, which is frequent these days, I bring along the much larger Anker PowerCore 20100. But the Fusion 5000 is so flexible, lightweight and convenient, it very well could be my new travel companion.

PowerCore Fusion’s Versatile Design

The power accessory is a 2-in-1 portable charger and wall charger. The wall charger flips out from the battery pack similar to a Mac power adapter (actually, it’s about identical in size to one too.) But on the other side, there are two USB out ports to power and charge your devices. Inside is a 5,000 mAh battery to charge them.

When the battery inside runs out, just plug the PowerCore into a wall outlet and it will automatically start charging your devices and the battery pack. First it fills up your devices, then refills the 5,000 mAh battery.

The built-in wall charger is so convenient to have because it means less cables and accessories. You won’t need to bring the power adapter for your phones around and you won’t even need to bring a charging cable for your power bank. It can charge entirely on its own as there is a power outlet at some point within your reach. The only additional accessory you’d need is the charging cable to charge from your PowerCore Fusion 5000 to your iPhone or Android phone.

I’m sure you might be thinking, isn’t fear of being without a power source the whole reason to bring a power bank along? Yes, but on places like vacation, it comes in handy. Let it charge your devices throughout the day, then plug it in at your hotel room at night.

The dimensions are only 70 x 72 x 31 mm and it weighs just 190g (6.72 ounces) so it’s ultra portable. Build quality feels decent, though I have to say I’ve held far more solid power banks than this. Try to keep drops to a minimum.

How Much Charge to Expect

The Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 comes with a 5,000 mAh battery as you might expect. You should get about two full charges to an iPhone 7, slightly over one for iPhone 7 Plus and one for the Samsung Galaxy S7. It all depends on the size of your phone and its battery. Generally, The Fusion 5000 should be more than capable of helping your phone get through a long day — and maybe even two or three days with less usage.

The PowerCore Fusion also comes with Anker’s PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies. The power bank automatically recognizes which device you’re charging and adjusts the current on the fly to avoid overcharging and overheating. All your devices get exactly the maximum amount of charge they can handle.

While this model could technically work with a laptop, I wouldn’t recommend it. 5,000 mAh won’t provide much charge to a laptop. Theoretically it could save the day if you need just that extra bit of juice to get something done.

Pricing and Verdict

Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 is great bang for the buck and an overall must-have for anyone who travels, even infrequently.

The Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 sells for a very affordable $25.99 on Amazon. It’s great bang for the buck and an overall must-have for anyone who travels, even infrequently. Frequent travelers should look toward one of Anker’s larger power banks, but keep in mind if you upgrade, you’ll lose the wall outlet functionality.

ALSO READ: Anker PowerCore vs. PowerCore+: Should You Opt for a Premium Power Bank?