Anker 733 Power Bank: What It Is & How It Works

The Anker 733 Power Bank (also sold as the PowerCore 65W Combo) is a 10,000 mAh portable charger with a built-in 65W USB-C wall plug, letting you charge your devices from an outlet and a battery in one compact unit. You plug it into the wall to charge your laptop and phone simultaneously, or take it with you as a standalone power bank when you’re away from an outlet. This article explains how it works, what it can and can’t do, how it compares to other options, and what to check before you buy.

Background: The 2-in-1 Charger Category

The Anker 733 belongs to a small but growing category of “2-in-1� chargers: a power bank with folding AC prongs built into the body. The idea is to eliminate the need to carry both a wall charger and a separate battery. Anker introduced this concept with the PowerCore Fusion series around 2016, and the 733 is a later, higher-power version. The “733� is Anker’s internal model number, and the retail name varies by region (e.g., PowerCore 65W Combo in some markets). It’s not a huge power bank—10,000 mAh is about two full charges for a typical smartphone—but the 65W USB-C output is what sets it apart, because that’s enough to charge a laptop.

How the Anker 733 Works

The 733 has two functions that share the same USB-C port:

• Wall charger mode: When plugged into an AC outlet, the USB-C port can deliver up to 65W. The USB-A port (max 22.5W) shares the total output; the combined maximum is 65W. So you can charge a laptop (45W) and a phone (20W) at the same time.
• Power bank mode: When unplugged, the internal 10,000 mAh battery (rated at 36Wh) discharges through the same ports. The USB-C max is 65W, USB-A max is 22.5W, and the combined max is 65W. This is enough to charge a MacBook Air or a 13-inch ultrabook, but not a 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed.

The battery uses lithium-ion cells (typical for this size) and supports USB Power Delivery (PD) for USB-C and Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 for USB-A. The 733 also supports pass-through charging: you can plug it into the wall and charge your devices at the same time, while the power bank itself recharges. It recharges at up to 65W, so a full charge takes about 1.5–2 hours with a 65W USB-C charger.

How to Choose: Is the Anker 733 Right for You?

Before buying, consider what you’ll actually charge:

• If you need to charge a laptop: The 733 works with most USB-C laptops that accept 65W or less (e.g., MacBook Air, Dell XPS 13, ThinkPad X1 Carbon). It will not charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed—that needs 96W.
• If you need more capacity: 10,000 mAh is fine for a day trip, but if you’re flying or camping for two days, look at 20,000 mAh models (like the Anker 737 or PowerCore 20K).
• If you need multiple ports: The 733 has one USB-C and one USB-A. If you need to charge three devices at once, consider a power bank with two USB-C ports.
• If you travel internationally: The 733 has foldable US prongs, but you can use a plug adapter. The charger accepts 100–240V, so it works worldwide with the right adapter.

Also note the size: the 733 is about the size of a deck of cards but thicker (approximately 4.5 x 2.3 x 1.2 inches). It weighs around 11.6 ounces (330g). It’s not a pocket device—it’s meant to sit in a backpack or purse.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“It charges my phone, but not my laptop.� This usually happens when the laptop requires more than 65W, or when the USB-C cable doesn’t support PD. Use a 5A-rated USB-C cable (the one that came with your laptop is best). Also, some laptops have a “smart� charge setting that limits input—check your power settings.

“The power bank runs out too fast.� A 10,000 mAh battery at 3.6V is about 36Wh. A typical laptop battery is 50–60Wh, so the 733 can charge a laptop to about 60–70%. That’s expected. It will fully charge a phone (about 15–18Wh) about 1.5–2 times.

“It gets hot when charging.� That’s normal for a 65W charger. The 733 has temperature protection, but it will warm up. If it gets uncomfortably hot, unplug it and let it cool.

Misconception: “The 65W output means it charges my phone faster than a 20W charger.� No—your phone will only draw as much as it supports (e.g., iPhone 15 draws 20W, Samsung S23 draws 45W). The 65W is the maximum the port can deliver, not a forced speed.

Comparing to Other Power Banks

Here’s how the 733 stacks up against common alternatives:

• Anker 521 (PowerCore 10K): Cheaper, no wall plug, 20W output. Good for phones only.
• Anker 737 (PowerCore 24K): 24,000 mAh, 140W output, but no wall plug. Heavier and larger, but can charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
• Anker 733 vs. a separate 65W wall charger + 10K power bank: The 733 is more convenient (one device), but if you need a wall charger for your laptop anyway, carrying both might be lighter than the 733 alone.
• Other 2-in-1 chargers: Some brands offer similar combos, but the 733 is one of the few with 65W output. Lower-priced models often cap at 30W or 45W.

The key trade-off is capacity vs. portability. You can’t have a 65W output and a 20,000 mAh battery in a device this small—physics and battery density limit that.

Cost and Value

The Anker 733 typically retails between $60 and $80 USD, depending on sales. That’s more than a basic 10,000 mAh power bank (around $20–30) and more than a 65W wall charger (around $30–40). But it replaces both, so if you need both, the 733 can save money and space. It’s not a budget option, but it’s a premium convenience. If you rarely need a laptop charger on the go, a cheaper power bank + separate wall charger might be more cost-effective.

Safety and Battery Care

Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, especially with heat and high discharge rates. To extend the 733’s life:

• Avoid leaving it in a hot car or in direct sunlight.
• Don’t discharge it to 0% regularly; keep it between 20% and 80% if possible.
• Use a quality USB-C cable that supports 5A current.
• If the device gets swollen, stops charging, or smells odd, stop using it and recycle it properly.

The 733 has built-in protections against overcurrent, overvoltage, and short circuits, which is standard for Anker products. It also meets international safety standards (UL, CE, FCC), but always buy from an authorized seller to avoid counterfeit units that may lack these protections.

Alternatives to the Anker 733

If the 733 doesn’t fit your needs, consider:

• If you need more capacity: Anker 737 (24K, 140W) or the PowerCore 20K (20K, 45W).
• If you want a lighter option: A 10,000 mAh slim power bank (like the Anker PowerCore Slim 10K) plus a separate 65W wall charger. Total weight is similar, but you have two devices.
• If you need a wall plug with two USB-C ports: A 65W dual-port wall charger (like the Anker 715) plus a small power bank.
• If you need to charge a camera or drone: Make sure the device supports USB-PD; the 733 works with DJI drones, GoPros, and many mirrorless cameras.

Always check the power requirements of your specific devices before buying. The 733 is a versatile tool, but it’s not a universal solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Anker 733 charge a MacBook Pro? Yes, but only models that accept 65W or less, like the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch model requires 96W, so it will charge slowly or not at all.

How long does it take to recharge the 733 itself? With a 65W USB-C charger, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. With a 30W charger, it takes about 3 hours.

Can I use the 733 while it’s plugged into the wall? Yes, it supports pass-through charging. You can charge your devices and the power bank simultaneously.

Is the 733 allowed on airplanes? Yes, because it’s under 100Wh (36Wh). You can carry it in your carry-on, but not in checked luggage.

Does the 733 support fast charging for Samsung phones? It supports USB-PD and Quick Charge 3.0, so it will fast-charge most Samsung phones (which use PD or QC). However, it won’t trigger Samsung’s proprietary “Super Fast Charging 2.0� (45W) because that requires PPS support, which the 733 lacks.

What’s the difference between the 733 and the 521? The 521 is a 10,000 mAh power bank with a built-in 20W wall plug. The 733 has a 65W wall plug and 65W USB-C output, so it can charge laptops. The 521 is smaller and cheaper, but limited to phones and tablets.

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