Anker 737 Power Bank Review: The Travel Standard

Sponsored Review — Anker provided this unit for testing. Our editorial standards apply regardless: if it's bad, we say so.

I've been carrying the Anker 737 as my primary travel battery for three months. It's gone through a cross-country flight, a week-long conference, and a 14-hour overnight train where the power outlets didn't work. Here's what I actually think.

The Case For It

140W USB-C output is the key spec. That's enough to charge a 16" MacBook Pro at full speed — most competitors top out at 65W, which keeps your MacBook from dying but doesn't actually charge it while you're using it. The 24,000mAh capacity gives me roughly 1.5 full charges of my MacBook Air M3 and 4-5 charges of my iPhone 15 Pro. That's a full travel day without hunting for outlets.

The OLED display showing current wattage draw is genuinely useful — it tells you whether your cable and device are actually negotiating fast charging or limping along at 18W. I've changed three cables because of this display.

The Case Against It

It's heavy. 567 grams (1.25 lbs) is noticeable in a bag. Not a dealbreaker for travel, but this doesn't belong in a gym bag or a small crossbody. If you're charging phones only, the 733 is half the price and half the weight and there's no reason to buy the 737.

Charging the 737 itself takes 2.5 hours with a 140W adapter — but Anker doesn't include an adapter in the box. That's a frustrating omission at $129. Buy the Anker 736 Charger ($55) alongside it.

Who Should Buy It

Remote workers who travel with a laptop and need wall-independence for 8+ hours. Conference attendees. Frequent fliers. If you're only charging a phone, the 733 or any 65W bank is the right call and you'll save $70.

Bottom Line

The 737 is the best travel power bank if you carry a laptop. The 140W output justifies the premium. Just budget for the missing adapter.