Trying to decide between a tidy desk charging hub and a powerful travel battery? This hands-on comparison covers the Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, model A91C8) and the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, model A1695). Both offer fast USB-C up to 100W, retractable USB-C cables, and live power readouts, but they’re built for different jobs—one to declutter your desk with AC outlets, the other to keep laptops and phones topped up when you’re away from the wall. Read on for verified specs, real-world notes, and which one fits your setup.
Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, A91C8)
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Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000mAh, A1695)
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🔎 Quick overview
I did a hands-on comparison of two convenient Anker charging solutions so you can decide which one fits your setup better: the Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1, model A91C8) and the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, 100W). Both are capable workhorses, but they’re designed for slightly different use cases: one is a powered desktop hub, the other is a portable battery pack for life on the go.
🔌 Design & ports
The A91C8 is the 7-in-1 Nano Charging Station. It’s a non-battery power strip that you plug into the wall — the cord runs about 5 feet. This one is perfect for desks where you want a neat, multi-port charging station. It provides 3 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, and 3 AC outlets, plus two retractable USB-C cables that extend to about 2.3 ft.
The power bank is a portable unit with an internal battery (25,000 mAh / ~90Wh, carry-on flight-approved). Unlike the Nano Station, you don’t plug it into the wall to use it; you charge devices directly from its stored power. Each USB-C port can deliver up to 100W, with up to 165W combined across ports.
📺 Displays & useful readouts
Both units feature clear displays. I like being able to cycle through the readouts — you can see each port’s power output, the unit’s internal battery temperature, battery health, and total wattage. That level of feedback is handy when you’re charging multiple devices and want to know how much power each port is drawing.
Quote: “Here I can see the power output of each port, and then a temperature reading.” — Jester Dad
🔌 Cables & portability
One of my favorite design touches on the Nano Charging Station is the built-in retractable USB-C cables — very tidy for a desk setup. The power bank also has a retractable USB-C cable, and the included lanyard doubles as a USB-C cable. Small conveniences like that make a big difference in day-to-day use.
I measured cable lengths during the comparison: both retractables came out to the same length (about 27 inches). The power bank’s cable has a subtle blue line and even a printed number on it — a small detail, but it stood out to me.
⚡ Performance & real-world use cases
Both units are rated up to 100W output per USB-C, so they’ll handle charging laptops, phones, AirPods, and other accessories without issue. Where they diverge is how and where you’ll use them:
- Anker 7-in-1 Nano Charging Station (A91C8): Best for a desk, office, or home command center. Plug it into the wall and enjoy multiple ports, tidy retractable cables, and a stable power source for longer sessions. USB power is shared up to 100W across ports; AC outlets support typical desk gear.
- Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh): Best for travel and on-the-go charging. It has an internal battery so you can charge devices without needing an outlet — perfect for flights, day trips, or when you’re away from power for hours. Up to 165W combined across ports; up to 100W from a single USB-C; fast recharge in about ~2 hours with a 100W charger.
I also tested charging the power bank itself by plugging it into the 7-in-1 station — it works fine. That flexibility is great: you can use the Nano Station to recharge the bank when you’re back at your desk.
🧳 Which should you buy?
If you want a clean, multi-device desktop solution, go with the Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1). If you need portable capacity and the ability to charge without a wall outlet, the Anker Laptop Power Bank is the winner.
Short summary:
- Desk setup & multi-port convenience — Anker Nano Charging Station (A91C8).
- Travel & off-grid charging — Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, A1695).
🛒 Where to buy
Buy now — Anker Nano Charging Station (7-in-1)
Buy now — Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can both chargers provide 100W at the same time?
Both units can deliver up to 100W from a single USB-C port. On the Nano Station, total USB output is shared up to 100W across its USB ports. On the Laptop Power Bank, total output is shared up to 165W across ports (with 100W max on one USB-C).
Is the 7-in-1 Nano Charging Station battery-powered?
No — the Nano Charging Station is a non-battery desktop unit that requires plugging into an electrical outlet. If you need battery power, choose the laptop power bank.
How portable is the Anker power bank?
Very portable for its capacity. It’s designed for travel: you can charge laptops, phones, and smaller devices without an outlet. The retractable cable and lanyard-as-cable are nice portability features. At roughly 90Wh, it is carry-on flight approved with most airlines in the U.S. (always check your carrier’s policy).
Can I recharge the power bank from the Nano Station?
Yes — you can plug the power bank into the 7-in-1 station to recharge the bank when you’re back at your desk. With a capable 100W USB-C charger/source, the bank typically recharges in about ~2 hours.
Do the retractable cables wear out quickly?
In my testing the retractable cables felt durable and convenient. They’re about 27 inches when extended and retract cleanly — a useful feature to keep a desk tidy.
🔚 Final thoughts
I love both of these Anker products for different reasons. The Nano Charging Station is my go-to for a tidy, powerful desk setup. The Anker Laptop Power Bank is what I grab when I travel. As I said in the comparison: “Little different design, but I love both of them. This is on my desk, and this is when I travel.
