My favorite portable iPhone charger is still discounted after Cyber Monday
I was always afraid that the iPhone battery would run out. After all, I rely on my phone not only for communication, but also for directions, important text messages, and more. That all changed when I started carrying this little portable charger that now goes everywhere with me.
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.
CNET’s shopping experts work nonstop to find every deal worth sharing in our weeklong, constantly updated guide.
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 $35 (was $45) 22% off
Dolomite White for $35 (was $42) 17% off
Interstellar Gray for $31.50 (was $50) 37% off
Lilac purple for $35 (was $50) 30% off
Misty Blue for $35 (was $45) 22% off
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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.
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View all photosEssential 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. Normally I can 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 when 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 $55 Anchor 633 (currently on sale for $40) 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.
You can also consider getting the chunkier one 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.