Anker vs. RAVPower: Which Power Bank Is Better for a Minimalist Traveler?

There’s a specific kind of anxiety that only a minimalist traveler knows. It’s the feeling of watching your phone battery dip into the red while you’re in a new city, trying to pull up a map, a bus ticket, or a hotel reservation. When you travel with just one 40L carry-on bag, your phone isn’t just a phone—it’s your map, your airline ticket, your camera, and your lifeline. Letting it die isn’t an option.

This is why a portable power bank is one of the few “extra” items I consider absolutely essential. But in a one-bag world, every single ounce matters. The choice isn’t if you should carry one, but which one gives you the most power for the least possible weight. The two biggest names in the game are, without a doubt, Anker and RAVPower. But which one is truly better for a traveler who counts every gram?

I’m Raji Deneshan Kumar, and after spending nearly five years refining my own one-bag travel system for my site, Travel with dp, I’ve learned that the best gear isn’t always the most expensive or the one with the most features. It’s the one that’s the most reliable and efficient. I got tired of sorting through generic reviews that just re-stated the specs on the box. So, I bought two of the most popular, comparable models—one from Anker and one from RAVPower—to run my own side-by-side tests and find a definitive winner.

Why a Power Bank is Non-Negotiable for One-Bag Travel

When you commit to traveling with only a 40L backpack, you’re making a trade. You’re trading the burden of heavy luggage for the freedom to be mobile. But that freedom is powered by technology. A power bank is your personal energy-independence-in-a-box.

Here’s the thing: it’s not just for your phone.

• Long Bus/Train Rides: It keeps your noise-canceling headphones or e-reader alive.
• Full Travel Days: You can charge your devices while walking around, not just when you’re back at the hostel or hotel.
• Emergencies: It ensures you can always access your maps, contact your bank, or call for help.

The minimalist paradox is that you sometimes have to carry one extra item to achieve more freedom. A power bank untethers you from wall outlets. It means you can sit at the cafe you want to be at, not the one that has an open plug. For me, that freedom is worth the small amount of space it takes up in my packing cube. The only question is how to minimize that space and weight penalty.

The Test: Setting Up a Real-World Comparison

The numbers on a marketing website are one thing. How a power bank performs in your bag, in your hand, and on a long travel day is something else entirely. My goal wasn’t to test it in a lab—it was to test it as a traveler.

Here was my simple, real-world method:

1. The Contenders: I chose the 10,000mAh capacity. For me, this is the sweet spot. A 5,000mAh bank often isn’t enough, and a 20,000mAh brick is just too heavy for minimalist travel. I bought the Anker PowerCore 10000 and a comparable RAVPower 10000mAh model.
2. The Test Device: I used my own smartphone, which has a battery of around 3,300mAh. This is a pretty standard size for a modern phone.
3. The Tests:
   • Weight: I weighed both power banks on my own digital kitchen scale, straight out of the box.
   • Real-World Charges: I charged both power banks to 100%. Then, I used my phone until it hit 20% and charged it up to 100%. I counted how many of these 20-to-100% charges I could get before the power bank was completely dead. This is a much more realistic test than just counting “full charges.”
   • Recharge Time: After they were both drained, I timed how long it took to recharge each power bank back to 100% using a standard wall adapter.

I wasn’t interested in testing charging-cable speeds or wall adapters—that’s a different topic. This test was 100% about the portable battery packs themselves.

Anker vs. RAVPower: The Head-to-Head Data

After a few days of charging, draining, timing, and weighing, the numbers told a very clear story.

I find that looking at data in a simple table is the easiest way to cut through the noise. Here’s the raw data from my side-by-side test.

That table tells you the “what,” but as a traveler, I care about the “so what.”

The first thing that jumped out at me was the weight. The RAVPower was almost 0.75 ounces (21 grams) heavier. That might sound like nothing, but when you’re trying to keep a 40L bag under a 7kg (15lb) airline weight limit, every single gram is a decision.

But the most critical finding was the real usable power. Both are sold as 10,000mAh, but due to energy loss (which happens with all power banks), you never get the full 10,000mAh. In my test, the Anker just flat-out delivered more power. That extra half-charge is the difference between landing with a working phone and landing with a dead one.

The Most Important Metric: Power-to-Weight Ratio

This brings me to the single most important metric for any minimalist traveler: the power-to-weight ratio.

It’s not just about how much power it holds. It’s about how much power you get for the weight you are forced to carry.

Let’s do the simple math based on my tests:

• Anker PowerCore 10000:
  • 2.8 charges / 6.35 ounces = 0.44 charges per ounce
• RAVPower 10000mAh:
  • 2.5 charges / 7.09 ounces = 0.35 charges per ounce

When you look at it this way, the answer is obvious. The Anker PowerCore 10000 gave me 25% more charging power for every ounce I had to carry.

For a minimalist, that’s the entire game. It’s not just a small win; it’s a decisive victory. The Anker is a significantly more efficient piece of gear. It means I’m carrying less weight to get the same, or in this case, more, performance.

Beyond the Numbers: Feel, Form, and Durability

Data is great, but you also have to live with this thing. How did they feel to use and carry?

Anker’s Build and Feel

The Anker PowerCore 10000 has a classic, compact design. It’s slightly wider and thicker than the RAVPower, but shorter. This “credit card” shape actually fits better in the palm of your hand or in a loose pocket.

• Pros:
  • The matte plastic finish is tough. I’ve had Anker products for years, and this material resists scratches and scuffs really well.
  • The “IQ” charging port automatically detects your device to deliver the fastest possible charge. It’s smart and reliable.
  • Its compact shape fits easily into the small admin pockets of a backpack.
• Cons:
  • The four-dot LED indicator for battery level feels a bit basic, but it’s simple and it works.

RAVPower’s Build and Feel

The RAVPower model I tested was long and slim, more like a “candy bar.” This can be a pro or a con depending on what you’re_storing it in.

• Pros:
  • The long, narrow shape might slide into a skinny water bottle pocket or a trouser pocket more easily than the Anker.
  • The build quality also felt solid and durable.
• Cons:
  • It was noticeably heavier in my hand.
  • The long shape felt more awkward to hold in my hand with my phone while charging.
  • It took longer to recharge itself, which is a real pain when you’re at a cafe for a quick stop and need to top it off.

A Quick Note on Brand Trust

Trust is a huge part of the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) equation. As a traveler, I need to trust that my gear won’t fail me.

Anker has built a rock-solid reputation over the last decade for high-quality, safe, and reliable charging products. They are a go-to brand for a reason.

RAVPower also makes good products. However, it’s worth noting that in 2021, RAVPower was banned from Amazon (along with several other brands) for issues related to their review practices. While their products are still sold elsewhere and are generally considered safe, this event did damage their brand’s trustworthiness. For me, when I’m relying on a device in a foreign country, Anker’s long-standing, clean track record gives me more peace of mind.

My Final Recommendation: Which One Stays in My Bag?

After weighing them, timing them, and draining them, the choice for my 40L carry-on bag is clear and simple.

The winner is the Anker PowerCore 10000.

The RAVPower isn’t a bad product. But the Anker is a smarter product for a minimalist traveler.

Here’s why it wins:

1. Superior Power-to-Weight Ratio: It delivers 25% more power for every ounce you carry. This is the most important metric.
2. Lighter Overall: It’s tangibly lighter, which helps when you’re trying to stay under strict airline carry-on weight limits.
3. More Real-World Power: It delivered more usable charges from the same “10,000mAh” capacity.
4. Faster Recharging: It gets itself back to 100% over 30 minutes faster.
5. Higher Brand Trust: Anker’s reputation for quality and reliability is unmatched in this space.

The Anker PowerCore 10000 has earned its permanent spot in my packing cube.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is 10,000mAh really enough for minimalist travel?

For me, yes. It’s the perfect balance. It provides 2-3 full phone charges, which is more than enough to get you through a long travel day, a weekend trip, or a night in a place without power. A 20,000mAh bank is just too heavy and bulky for one-bag travel.

2. What’s the difference between a standard 10,000mAh and a “PD” version?

“PD” stands for Power Delivery. It’s a faster-charging technology, usually found on USB-C ports. If your phone and cables support PD, it can charge your device (and the power bank itself) much, much faster. The Anker model I tested was the standard, but their PD versions are also excellent if you’re willing to pay a small premium.

3. Can I take a 10,000mAh power bank on a plane?

Absolutely. All airlines allow power banks under 100Wh (watt-hours). A 10,000mAh bank is only about 37Wh, so it’s well under the limit. The one critical rule: you must keep it in your carry-on bag (your 40L pack), not in your checked luggage.

4. Does the shape really matter that much?

It does! The Anker’s “credit card” shape is easier to stack on top of a phone in your hand. The RAVPower’s “candy bar” shape is longer and can feel more awkward. This comes down to personal preference, but for packing, I find the Anker’s more compact block-like shape fits into small, leftover spaces in my bag more easily.

The Choice Is About Efficiency

Choosing your gear as a minimalist traveler isn’t about deprivation. It’s about making smart, intentional choices. It’s about finding the tool that provides the most value for the least weight and space.

When it comes to portable power, you want the most charges for the fewest grams. In this head-to-head test, the Anker PowerCore 10000 proved it understands that equation better than anyone. It has earned its spot in my bag.