About two months ago, Anker announced that it was teaming up with Nintendo to release a line of Switch-compatible battery packs. After reports surfaced earlier this year that some power supplies were bricking Nintendo’s portable console, consumers have needed to show greater caution when powering their systems. Fast forward to today and Anker’s official USB-C battery packs are up for pre-order.
I’ve been able to spend a few days with these new battery packs and put them through some testing. For Anker, having an official partnership with Nintendo is a big deal. Just a few years ago, the company was only beginning to roll out its Amazon store and now it’s partnered with the one of the biggest gaming brands in the world. A few thoughts and a quick hands-on below with the 13400mAh model.
Design |
Let’s start with the vanity here first. I love that these battery packs come with a big Nintendo Switch logo on the side. Sure, it’s not that big of a deal, but if you like your setups to match (like I do), then this is a nice touch. The other side reveals the usual Anker branding and an LED ring that communicates how much juice is left on the battery.
One end of the casing has Anker’s IQ USB port, which can push up to 2.4A of power. There’s also a USB-C PD port, which is where this battery is made to be used in conjunction with Nintendo Switch. The two-tone casing offers varying shades of gray and I found it to be rather slippery. When it’s connected to your Nintendo Switch, be certain that you’ve got a solid grip to avoid any accidents.
Thankfully, Anker includes a full-speed USB-C cable with purchase. These days I’m always happy to see a USB-C cable bundled with any purchase and at $70, you’d hope that Anker would include that here. Kudos to them in this area.
Function |
Anker promises to fill up your Nintendo Switch battery 1.7-times with its 13400mAh battery. It can also fully power up a dead battery is just under 3-hours. In my testing, I found this number to be closer to 2.5-hours. However, I didn’t quite get back to 70% on the second charge, as Anker promises. Obviously real world conditions vary but I found this number to be pretty spot on.
The battery itself is about as tall as a Nintendo Switch, and roughly 33% in width. It’s hardly an unsightly addition to any setup. However, the trade-off is that you’re not going to be able to fit it in many of the popular carrying cases from AmazonBasics and the like that we frequently feature here on gadgetnewsonline. A carrying case is included with purchase, which remedies this situation a bit. It’s simply a trade-off for having extra battery life around.
Value |
As expected, Anker delivers on all fronts with build quality and a trust-worthy history suitable for your beloved Nintendo Switch. Where the questions start to come in is when you look at its latest $70 USB-C battery pack from a value perspective. Anker is likely paying some sort of premium for the official Nintendo backing and that appears to be passed along to consumers in price. Similar USB-C battery packs sell on Amazon for 50% less. Even when accounting for the bundled USB-C cable, Anker’s latest Switch-focused options are pricier.
That said, the reassurance here that you’re getting a Nintendo-approved battery pack delivers some weight and thus added worth.
To sum it up, Anker’s new Switch-focused USB-C battery packs are worth the extra cash if you’re interested in the peace of mind that accompanies them. They are perfect for long weekend trips where free time may not allow more than a battery’s worth of playtime. Otherwise, I recommend bringing Nintendo’s official wall adapter.
Anker’s PowerCore 13400mAh Battery Pack is available for pre-order at Amazon today at $69.99. It’s slated to ship on August 13th.
Pre-order Now
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