Anker Power Bank Recall: Is Your Model Affected?

In March 2025, Anker announced a voluntary recall of over 1 million portable power banks sold in the United States and Canada. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the formal recall notice after reports of battery failures causing fires and burn injuries. The affected models include Anker PowerCore and PowerPort series power banks with specific model numbers manufactured between January 2023 and December 2024. The primary hazard: lithium-ion battery cells can overheat, swell, and in some cases catch fire — even when not in use. Anker is offering full refunds or free replacement units to anyone with an affected model. The company set up a dedicated recall portal at anker.com/pages/recall where you can enter your model number and serial number to check eligibility and submit your claim.

Finding out if your specific power bank is affected takes about 2 minutes. Step 1: Locate your model number. Flip your power bank over and look for a white or silver label on the back. You're looking for a code that starts with "A" followed by four digits — like A1268 or A1647. Step 2: Check for your serial number. This is usually below the model number on the same label. It's a longer alphanumeric code, often 16-20 characters. Step 3: Visit the CPSC recall page at cpsc.gov and search for "Anker 2025" to find the official recall notice. This page lists all affected model numbers. Step 4: Cross-reference your model against the list. Common recalled models include Anker PowerCore A1268 (10,000mAh), Anker PowerCore+ A1647 (26,800mAh with Power Delivery), and Anker PowerPort series portable chargers.

Anker isn't alone. Several other portable battery brands have issued recalls in the past two years. INIU Power Bank Recall (210,000 units): INIU recalled multiple models sold on Amazon between 2022-2024 for similar lithium-ion battery fire hazards. Affected models include B41, B42, and B63 series. Check cpsc.gov for the full list and claim instructions at iniu.com/pages/recall. Charmast Portable Charger Recall: Charmast recalled approximately 88,000 power banks in 2024 after reports of battery swelling and fire risk. Models affected were primarily sold through Amazon and Walmart. Lenovo Go USB-C Laptop Power Bank: Lenovo recalled 80,000 units of their Go series power bank (model 20000mAh) in early 2024. This one affected business users who bought them with Lenovo laptops.

Even if your power bank isn't on a recall list, watch for these red flags. Swelling or bulging: If your power bank feels thicker than it used to, or the casing is warped, the battery inside is expanding. This is dangerous. Stop using it immediately. Excessive heat: Power banks get slightly warm during charging — that's normal. If it's hot to the touch, or stays warm when not in use, that's a problem. Leaking liquid: Any liquid coming from your power bank is a sign of battery failure. Don't touch it with bare hands. Burning smell: Chemical or electrical burning smell means the battery is failing. Move it to a safe location away from flammable materials. Rapid capacity loss: If your power bank used to charge your phone 3 times and now barely charges it once, the cells are degrading.

Understanding why power bank fires happen helps you stay safe. Lithium-ion batteries work by moving lithium ions between two electrodes through a liquid electrolyte. When a battery cell is damaged, has a manufacturing defect, or degrades over time, the separator between electrodes can break down. This causes a short circuit inside the cell. Once a short happens, the battery rapidly heats up in a process called thermal runaway. The electrolyte is flammable, so heat plus oxygen equals fire. And because power banks contain multiple cells packed together, when one cell goes into thermal runaway, it can trigger neighboring cells to fail too. The bigger the battery capacity, the more energy stored, and the bigger the potential fire.

If you travel, this is critical: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits recalled lithium batteries on all flights. You cannot pack a recalled power bank in checked luggage. Period. It's a federal violation, and if caught, you could face fines or be denied boarding. You also cannot bring it in carry-on luggage once it's been officially recalled. Airlines have the right to confiscate it at the gate if they become aware. What about power banks that aren't recalled? Those are allowed in carry-on only, up to 100 watt-hours (most consumer power banks fall under this). Larger ones (100-160Wh) require airline approval.

Never throw a lithium-ion battery in the trash. It can cause fires in garbage trucks and landfills. Best Buy: Most Best Buy locations have a battery recycling kiosk near the entrance. They accept power banks, phone batteries, and other lithium-ion devices free of charge. Home Depot: Many Home Depot stores participate in battery recycling programs. Call ahead to confirm your local store accepts power banks. Call2Recycle: This nonprofit runs a network of battery drop-off locations across the US and Canada. Visit call2recycle.org and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest location. Anker's recall program: For Anker-specific recalls, the company provides prepaid shipping labels. You mail the recalled unit back, and they handle disposal.

Power bank recalls happen every year. Anker, INIU, and Charmast won't be the last. The problem: manufacturers don't always have your current email. You might have bought it on Amazon using a checkout account you don't check. Or the recall notice goes to your spam folder. RecallRadar monitors recalls across all major brands and sends you alerts as soon as new recalls are announced. Add your Anker power bank to your watchlist, and we'll notify you if any future programs affect your devices.