Anker 737 Power Bank Review 2026: Best Portable Charger for Kayak Electronics

2026-10-03

TL;DR

The Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) is a 24,000mAh beast with a built-in digital display, 140W max output, and enough juice to charge a fish finder, a VHF radio, and your phone — multiple times. If your kayak fishing rig depends on electronics, this is the portable power solution that won't leave you stranded.

Why Kayakers Need a High-Capacity Power Bank

Modern kayak anglers are carrying more electronics than ever. A GPS/fish finder, a marine VHF radio, a smartphone running mapping apps, a GoPro recording the action, and maybe a Bluetooth speaker — all of it drains power fast. A full day on the water can easily run 8–10 hours, and there's no outlet on the lake.

The problem with cheap power banks is twofold: they don't have enough capacity, and they can't deliver enough power to run demanding devices like fish finders or charge fast enough to be useful during short lunch breaks. The Anker 737 solves both problems.

Whether you're pre-charging your Garmin Striker the night before, topping off your VHF radio between trips, or keeping your phone alive during a long all-day float, a serious power bank is now as essential as your PFD.

Specs & Features

Key features:

• 140W USB-C output — powerful enough to charge a laptop, let alone kayak electronics
• Digital display — shows exact battery percentage, not just vague LED dots
• Bi-directional 100W charging — refills the bank itself in about 1.5 hours
• Three simultaneous ports — charge your phone, radio, and fish finder at once
• Smart Temperature Control — built-in thermal sensors prevent overheating in summer sun
• Compact brick form factor — fits easily in a dry bag or tackle crate side pocket

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Massive 24,000mAh capacity — charges most smartphones 5–6 times
• 140W output handles power-hungry devices fish finders and GPS units
• Digital display is precise and easy to read in bright sunlight
• Recharges itself quickly via 100W USB-C input
• Three ports let you charge multiple devices simultaneously
• Solid build quality with a grippy rubberized exterior

Cons:

• Not waterproof rated (IPX rating: none) — must be kept in a dry bag on the water
• Heavy at 1.65 lbs; not ideal for ultralight touring or backpacking
• Premium price point vs. budget power banks
• Gets warm during high-wattage charging sessions

Bottom line on waterproofing: The Anker 737 itself is not waterproof, so pair it with an Earth Pak dry bag or keep it in a waterproof crate. It's too good a device to risk dunking.

How It Performs on a Full Kayak Fishing Day

In real-world kayak fishing use, the 737 handles the typical electronics load with capacity to spare:

• Garmin Striker 4 fish finder (draws ~1A at 12V): The 737 powers it for a full day trip via a 12V USB-C cable
• Uniden MHS75 VHF Radio (7.4V/1800mAh battery): Full charge in under 30 minutes
• iPhone 15 Pro (3274mAh): Full charge takes the 737 from 95% to about 81%

You can realistically run all three across a 10-hour day and still have 40–50% battery left in the power bank.

Buy Links

Best price on Amazon: Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) on Amazon (affiliate link — supports BestKayakStuff at no cost to you)

Overton's carries a selection of marine electronics accessories and may have compatible charging accessories — shop marine electronics at Overton's.

The Verdict

If you're running a serious kayak fishing rig with GPS, radio, and a smartphone, the Anker 737 Power Bank is the insurance policy that keeps everything alive. It's heavy, it's not waterproof on its own, and it's not cheap — but the 140W output and 24,000mAh capacity are in a class well above most portable chargers. Just drop it in a dry bag and you're set.

Rating: 4.7 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

For a complete mobile charging setup, pair it with a waterproof dry bag and a RAM X-Grip phone mount to keep your devices secure and powered all day.