(Last Updated On: April 9, 2018)

There are many different types of power banks on the market, and that is one of the main reasons that portable chargers are the most useful types of charging electronics. Of course, at their base, portable chargers are one of the most useful types of chargers because you take them anywhere that you want. The selection is really the next level of what makes purchasing one so great.

In this case, we’re talking about portable car jumper chargers. These types of portable chargers can charge our USB chargeable device while at the same time they can jump-start our cars. So it’s definitely the best type of charger if you want to keep it in your car and still have a backup battery for your smartphone or tablet.

In this review, we’re focusing on Anker’s PowerCore Jump Starter Mini 400A Peak 9,000mAh portable charger. Coming from one of the best charging electronics brands on the market, let’s see what Anker has to offer with their portable car jump starter.

Power

Power Capacity:

The power capacity of this PowerCore Jump Starter Mini starts at 9,000mAh. That said, if you’ve read our many other portable charger reviews, then you probably already know that the initial power capacity isn’t what you’re actually able to use to charge your device. That’s because power is lost during charging your devices. With this power bank, there are two USB-A charging ports that you can use, but they have standard charging.

As a result, the conversion of power capacity during charging is going to be standard.

3.7 x 9,000 = 33,300 / 5 = 6660

So most of the time you’re actually able to use about 6,660mAh of the capacity that this charger has to offer. Overall, this power bank has enough output power capacity to charge smartphones to their full power about two times. If you’re charging a tablet with this power bank then that will likely result in only one full charge as tablets have much higher battery capacities than smartphones.

Number of Full Jump-Starts

Even though this is a portable charger that can charge your smartphone and tablets, the reality is that you’re getting this Anker PowerCore Jump Starter is because it’s able to jump-start cars.

This portable charger is able to jump-start cars that have a 2.8L Engine or below. If you’re using this power bank to solely jump-start cars then that will result in about 15 full jump-starts. That’s a lot and that’s the main reason that you should mainly use this portable charger for jump-starting cars. As using the minimal amount of power capacity that this charger does have will result in many lower charges, as charging even a smartphone to full power can cut the 15 full charges that you would have, in half.

With all that said, it would have been nice and useful for the portable charger to have a higher power capacity, so you can do more with it. Such as having a balance between charging your devices and at the same time being able to jump-start a car many times at the same time.

Output Charging:

There are two USB-A ports on this power bank. Each of the ports has a charging speed of 5V/3.0A, but at the same time, the max output of this charger is 3A. So if you’re charging two devices at once, each port would be able to output 5V/1.5A.

So the charging power is still quite good as the max output of the power bank is shared between its two USB-A ports, At the same time, you do not really get this portable charger just for the charging ability that it has.

Input Charging:

This Anker portable charger is recharged through a DC input port, and that’s really good because as a result, you’re able to get a 15V/1.0A recharge speed. This portable charger actually comes with a 15V Wall Adapter, and also a 15V car charger adapter too. So you can recharge this power bank at its max charging speed either in your house or in the car while you’re driving.

Design

Size and Weight:

The size of this portable charger is compact, but the same time it’s also quite heavy. It has a length of 6.1 inches, a width of 3.4 inches, and a width of 1.2 inches. The weight of the charger is 1.7 Pounds. So it’s definitely not the type of charger that you’re going to want in your pocket or in your hand for a long duration of time. So most of the time you’re going to be leaving this portable charger in your car where it’ll be the most useful to have.

Functional Components:

Using this PowerCore Jump-Start Mini is quite simple.

When it comes to charging your USB device, you can just connect them to a USB-A port and they automatically start charging. The USB-A ports on this power bank can be found under a charging flap.

On top of, the charger is where there’s a power button and four Blue Power Capacity Indicators. The jump starter port is also under a flap, and you have to use the Jumper cable with the clamps to attach them to the port. Once that’s done, you can connect the Positive to the Positive and the Negative to the Negative, press the power button and wait for the Red light on the jumper cable cord to turn green.

Once it’s green, you can then crank the engine and your car will then start.

Build

Structure and Material:

This portable charger has actually a very good build and most portable car jump-starters do. With this one having a strong outer casing that’s actually quite rugged, and at the same time, this charger has an IP65 water-resistance rating. The water-resistance rating can only withstand splashes of water such as rain and is only in effect when the charging ports are covered.

Tech:

One of the most important things to remember when using a portable car jump-starter is that you must take breaks in-between cranks. This is a very small device and everything is very compact. If you crank constantly too many times, then the battery can very well expand and cause the portable charger to break. That said. It does get warm after you do, do a jump-start and it’s best to let it cool down before you charge any of your devices.

Reliability

This is a very reliable portable charger jump-starter. With its use of some standard USB-A ports, and it’s ability to jump-start a 2.8L car. One thing that could have made it more reliable is if it used a higher power capacity so that you could charge more devices and still have more power dedicated to jump-starting a car.

Summary:

Power:

Most smartphones are able to charge to their full power about two times with the full power capacity. Or you can jump-start your car about 15 times. The use of a higher power capacity would have been useful.

Design:

It’s a small but very heavy portable charger. The best way to be portable with it is to keep it in your vehicle where it’ll be the most useful and reliable.

Build:

The build quality of this charger is very good with its tough structural build and an IP65 water-resistance rating. Of course, the water-resistance is really only meant for rain.

Reliability:

It’s a well made portable charger from, Anker and has a precise purpose for jump-starting cars, while at the same time having a side capability of charging smartphones.

Specs of the Anker PowerCore Jump Starter Mini 400A Peak 9,000mAh Portable Charger:

• Capacity:

Initial Capacity: 9,000mAh

Output Capacity: 6,660mAh

• Output:

USB-A Port: 5V3.0A | Max Output: 3A

Car Jump Starting: Startup Current: 200A | Peak Current: 400A

• Input:

AC Adapter or Car Adapter: 15V

• LED Power Indicator: 4 Blue LED Power Capacity Indicators
• Size: 6.1 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 1.7 Pounds

Conclusion:

This Anker PowerCore Jump Starter Mini portable charger is power bank that you should consider if you want to have a charger with you that can charge your smartphone and jump-start your car. It’s a good backup battery to have, but at the same time, the very low power capacity of this jump-starter still leaves a lot be desired.

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