Reviews You Can Rely On

Anker PowerPort 21W Review

A compact, lightweight panel that can charge multiple devices with decent efficiency and charging capabilities at a good price
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anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review
Credit: Amazon
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Anker
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2022
80
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Charge interruption recovery - 20% 8.0
  • Charging speed - 30% 8.0
  • Multiple device charging speed - 20% 9.0
  • Weight & Portability - 20% 7.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

Touted as a high-performance machine, Anker's panels have often been among our winners, earning that spot mostly for their reliable, high-quality manufacturing. They have always produced a well-made, dependable product. The Anker Powerport is lightweight and offers high performance. This panel excels in most metrics, especially when it comes to charging multi-device charging capabilities.
REASONS TO BUY
Efficient
Powerful
Great value for its size
Lightweight
Good portability
REASONS TO AVOID
Pocket too small to hold extra cords and accessories
Storage pouch is also only semi-secure

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Anker 21 hit our review with some solid performance. This three-panel solar panel provides good power when you're off the grid and in the backcountry. While less portable than some of the other panels we reviewed, the Anker 21 gave a solid charge.

Performance Comparison


anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review - the anker powerport 21w, an efficient three-paneled solar charger...
The Anker PowerPort 21W, an efficient three-paneled solar charger, soaking up maximum rays in the Sierra sunshine.
Credit: Jane Jackson

Direct Solar Charging Speed


One of the most important factors for a solar panel is how well it converts sunlight into energy. A panel's ability to quickly charge the devices you plug into it is a crucial metric. The 21W from Anker did a good job of charging an external battery at a decent clip. We placed the solar panel in the sun for an hour and it produced 1560 mAh, which was a decent metric for our panel.

anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review - next to our ec winner, the bigblue. the anker came close but didn't...
Next to our EC winner, the BigBlue. The Anker came close but didn't win over the consistently powerful BigBlue.
Credit: Jane Jackson

In thirty minutes, the 21W from Anker charged a Pixel 3 from about 30%. This is impressive and on par with some of the larger capacity panels in this review.

Indirect Solar Charging Speed


The sun won't always be out when you're on a camping trip, out at base camp, or just looking for a charge from the sun. An equally important metric is how well a solar panel works when the sun isn't directly out. We tested the panels in full shade and partially shaded conditions and saw how much each panel put out.

In this category, the Anker 21W did fairly well. When left in the sun for thirty minutes, the panel charged our battery pack up to 10%. Then, after we shaded it and uncovered it some times, the panel reestablished a connection to the battery and resumed charging after about five minutes of attempting to do so. Most of the more significant models performed in this way, so our testing results were inconclusive as to which contender soared above all the rest regarding performance.

anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review - these ports are meant to help regulate output - helping the anker...
These ports are meant to help regulate output - helping the Anker deliver charge during an interruption.
Credit: Jane Jackson

Multiple Device Charging Speed


The capacity to charge multiple devices at a time is a necessity for solar panels as often when one device loses charge, chances are that the other ones will as well. The 21W from Anker did an okay job at charging multiple devices. The battery charged the first port at 809 mAh and the second at 635 mAh, which was a bit below the rest of the devices.

Portability


The 21W weighs 16.4 oz which is lightweight, especially given its capabilities. Ounce for ounce, the panel is miles above the other 20W panels and even outdoes some of the panels of smaller capacities.

anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review - the anker is sleek - easy to throw in the bottom of a pack on a day...
The Anker is sleek - easy to throw in the bottom of a pack on a day out.
Credit: Jane Jackson

Folded, the panel breaks down to 11.13" x 6.13" x 1.13" while unfolded it is 26.25" x 11.13". For being a tri-fold panel with a large surface area of cells, the 21W is small and sleek. When folded, the width is about the size of a thin book or a magazine.

Should You Buy The Anker 21?


The Anker 21 is decently priced, especially when you consider its overall capacity. While you can find a panel with a much larger capacity for a similar or cheaper price, this panel does provide a good charge, it's well made and it comes from a reliable company, which adds to its value.

anker powerport 21w portable solar charger review - the anker is a top-notch panel.
The Anker is a top-notch panel.
Credit: Jane Jackson

What Other Solar Chargers Should You Consider?


The Anker 21 is well made, light, and compact. It can also carry its weight as a charging powerhouse. It's okay when charging one or more devices, and can recover its charge even after being shaded for a few minutes. The panel also works decently well on overcast days, whereas some of the lower wattage panels could not keep a charge going when clouds were overhead. We are big fans of this long-time favorite, but the Anker 21 has finally come up against some fierce competition in recent years.

For better charging capabilities and better handling of multiple devices, try the Big Blue 28W, which comes at a slightly higher price. Another great options is the X-Dragon 20W SunPower which performs as well as the Anker 21 but at a little less of the cost.

Jane Jackson