The best portable iPhone charger I’ve ever owned is now just $30 for Black Friday

I’ve carried around a lot of battery chargers over the years, and when I look back at old laptops, it’s amazing to think I carried around so much size and weight. But while a laptop is a necessity for me, having an iPhone charger is a convenience — until the power drops into the red and I look for an electrical outlet. Now I’ve found the perfect balance of size, power and price in a charger that keeps my iPhone running, and it’s on sale as part of Black Friday deals.

The Anchor 622 MagGo is a small battery with a few functions that make it an ideal accessory for on the go. Amazon often lowers prices on specific colors, so be sure to click through each model to find the best deal.

The discount may depend on the color option you choose. For me it’s more about power than color, but if you want to buy a battery pack that fits your phone, here’s how they break down:

Buds Green for $32 (was $45) 29% off

Dolomite White for $32 (was $42) 25% off + $3 off with clickable coupon

Interstellar Gray for $32

Lilac purple for $32 (was $50) 36% off

Misty Blue for $32 (was $45) 29% off + $3 off with clickable coupon

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals copy is free, easy, and saves you money.

This is why I’ve stuck with this little charger for so long

Have you seen people walking around with a cable loop hanging from their pocket to their phone? I’ve been there and hooked that loop on too many chairs and table corners. Never again. The ring of magnets in the Anker 622 MagGo aligns with the MagSafe magnets in every iPhone since the iPhone 12, allowing it to lock securely and charge wirelessly.

It’s compact, too: a small backpack that powers the phone while you’re holding it or stashed in your pocket, even a jeans pocket if your fit isn’t too tight.

These features alone would have convinced me, but the Anker 622 also has a fold-out back flap that supports my iPhone and can also hold the phone in the wide position for StandBy mode. With a power adapter such as the Anchor NanoPro (not included) and a charging cable, I’ve taught long classes with the phone propped up in a corner so I could keep track of the time without looking at my watch.

Essential Anker 622 MagGo Specifications

Here’s what you need to know.

• Battery capacity: 5,000 milliampere hours
• Voltage: 1.55 volts
• Output power: 7.5 watts magnetic (compatible with MagSafe-equipped devices, iPhone 12 and later) or 20 watts USB-C port. Can only charge one device at a time.
• Input: The same single USB-C is also how you charge the device.
• Size: 4.13 inches by 2.61 inches by 0.5 inches
• Weight: 5 ounces
• Included: Magnetic battery, 60 cm (23.6 in) USB-C to USB-C cable.
• Warranty: 24 months

MagSafe compatible charging

I’ve had several battery chargers, and each battery has some sort of compromise. They are bulky. They need a cable. They charge wirelessly, but don’t contain a magnet to hold the phone in place, so it’s tricky to maintain that connection. There is always something.

The Anker 622 is half an inch thick and snaps onto the back of my iPhone using the MagSafe aligned magnets. I don’t have to turn it on to start charging; the current flows once the connection is established.

This isn’t the highest capacity (5,000 mAh) or the fastest portable charger. That’s fine. What I usually need is a way to get a few more hours of battery life on my iPhone. I can usually fully upgrade my iPhone 15 Pro.

Taking a stand

The other attractive feature of the Anker 622 MagGo for me is the built-in kickstand. Frankly, it doesn’t look like it should work properly: it’s a fabric-covered set of plastic parts that lie flush against the case, fold in two places, and attach to the back of the device with a magnetic strip when they are pulled out. Still, I haven’t had any issues with the stability of my iPhone 15 Pro or even the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max size.

This also allows me to use StandBy mode by rotating the iPhone to landscape orientation (the magnets are strong enough to hold the phone in place) when it’s on a table or desk.

Smart port placement is important

The charger draws its juice from a single USB-C port, which is located on the edge of the case, not the bottom. That means you can refill it while the stand is open; the ports of many chargers are attached to the bottom.

That USB-C port also functions as a charger for other devices if you plug a cable into it, for example if your Apple Watch needs a boost.

How the Anker 622 MagGo compares to comparable power banks

Before I bought the Anker 622 MagGo, I carried an Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless, which doubles the battery capacity, includes a USB-A port and charges wirelessly, but without magnets to hold the phone in place. That meant that when I wasn’t using a cable, the phone and charger had to be stable and level; too many times I found the iPhone sliding out of its wireless spot and not charging. It is also bigger and heavier. I still use it, but it is the power bank that fits in my carry-on luggage as a spare charger.

Since I’ve owned this Anker 622 MagGo, the company has released a number of updated models. The Anchor 633 packs 10,000 mAh into a slightly thicker brick, includes a USB-A port in addition to USB-C, and has a metal stand to rest the phone upright. Right now it’s on sale for Prime Day for $40, or 50% off.

For $54 as a Black Friday deal, you can get the larger version Anker MagGo Power Bank which delivers 10,000 mAh and follows the same idea of ​​compact magnetic charging and a convenient stand. Key benefits include faster 15-watt magnetic charging and Qi2 compatibility, plus a small display on the side that shows battery capacity and an estimate of battery remaining in hours.

For more smart purchases, check out this great multi-tool and a portable mini lantern that can go anywhere.