this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2025
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Anker remains one of our preferred sources of power banks, USB-C hubs, and other PC and phone peripherals. But beware buying them from Anker itself. You might end up with a $9.99/mo “Plus subscription” that you’ll have to spot and actively cancel.

Some of Anker’s slim Nano products ship automatically bundled with the recurring Anker Plus subscription, which promises an extra five percent off of all purchases and benefits like free next-day delivery. That might be acceptable if it were your choice, but it’s not. The subscription is added as a one-time “free” benefit. After that, Anker will charge $9.99 to your credit card per month.

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[–] Soapbox@lemmy.zip 37 points 1 day ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

WTF are you supposed to even get from a $10 monthly subscription to a power bank company?

I've always had good experiences with their products, but this is fucking shady.

[–] officermike@lemmy.world 52 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I loved Anker's products and would seek them out over other brands on Amazon. Since their Eufy camera privacy fiasco and their absolutely moronic response to it, I have never bought another Anker or Eufy product. This is just another nail sealing that coffin for me.

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I never understood the appeal of Anker. I buy a lot of cables due to my line of work and Anker's cables have always been the same quality as the cheaper options (as in, their quality sucked) but with a higher price tag.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Which brands have you used instead, any that you'd recommend?

[–] officermike@lemmy.world 30 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Largely Ugreen. Everything I've bought from them has seemed to work as advertised and feels like good quality.

[–] Damage@feddit.it 4 points 21 hours ago

plus now they have cute faces!

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 44 points 1 day ago

Yep that sounds pretty shady

[–] dangling_cat@piefed.blahaj.zone 24 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I found ugreen is pretty good. It feels more premium too and is cheaper.

[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Second this.

[–] Godnroc@lemmy.world 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Anker hasn't had a W for a long time.

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Didn't they just recently have to recall a bunch of exploding batteries? PC World may want to rethink that endorsement.

[–] rhythmisaprancer@piefed.social 1 points 16 hours ago

I had a charge pack under (presumably) this recall and they said it wasn't eligible 🫤 not very assuring.

[–] Gerudo@lemmy.zip 14 points 1 day ago

Yet another brand to add to the list of never buying again.

[–] pennomi@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

Someone should sue or get the FTC involved. That’s extremely bad behavior.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oof. Love their power banks and chargers, and their headphones and cables are consistently the best mid-cost option, but this bodes ill for the future.

[–] emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Speakers too. I used to work in a kitchen and i bought one of the soundcore speakers to bring in and use since it was cheap and i had one i was happy with at home. Not only is the sound fantastic for the size but that thing survived like 3 years of 16hr a day playing, plus getting battered and beaten and spilled on and dropped. I got out of that job because i couldn't handle it anymore but for all i know that speaker is still there plugging away.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

I kind of wish I lived the type of life where a bluetooth speaker was a useful thing for me. Honestly I never considered it. I think I've purchased one bluetooth speaker in my life, and it was a gift for my girlfriend (now wife).