GoKawiilI'm always on the lookout for new pocket-friendly portable chargers that are slim and lightweight, and Baseus' recently released 5,000-mAh PicoGo Air AM71 is easily among the thinnest and lightest power banks I've ever tested. Only 0.27 inches (6.9mm) thick and weighing about 3.7 ounces (105 grams), it's a little slimmer and lighter than Baseus' earlier PicoGo Ultra-Slim Magnetic Power Bank and Anker's Nano MagSafe ($55) portable charger, both of which are 0.3 inches thick and house 5,000-mAh batteries.
But is the PicoGo Air better than the Anker? The short answer is: in some ways, yes; in a few ways, no.
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Enlarge Image The Baseus PicoGo Air AM71 is slightly thinner and lighter than the Anker Nano MagSafe. David Carnoy/CNET
What makes the Pico Air AM71 better
Price : While the PicoGo Air AM71 lists for $70, applying the code EHYGXRMR at checkout on Amazon
: While the PicoGo Air AM71 lists for $70, applying the code at Size and weight : The PicoGo Air AM71 is a little slimmer than the Nano MagSafe and definitely feels lighter in your hand. They have about the same overall footprint, however.
: The PicoGo Air AM71 is a little slimmer than the Nano MagSafe and definitely feels lighter in your hand. They have about the same overall footprint, however. Slightly faster wired charging : The PicoGo Air AM71 offers 22.5-watt wired fast charging, compared to 20 watts for the Nano MagSafe.
: The PicoGo Air AM71 offers 22.5-watt wired fast charging, compared to 20 watts for the Nano MagSafe. Braided mini USB-C cable included : You get a nicely designed short cable for wired charging that seems durable.
: You get a nicely designed short cable for wired charging that seems durable. NFC PowerSense feature: When logged into the Baseus app, hold the PicoGo Air AM71 up to your phone and tap to link via short-range NFC to view the battery status.
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