Anker and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a product recall for a popular power bank due to a fire safety risk …
Anker PowerCore 10000 recall
The model concerned was sold for more than eight years.
We have identified that certain Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks (Model: A1263) manufactured between January 1st, 2016, and October 30th, 2019, which were sold between June 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2022, only in the United States may pose a fire safety risk due to a potential issue with the lithium-ion battery. This issue can cause the battery to overheat, leading to melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.
If you have an Anker power bank, check the product information on the base of the unit. You are looking for one or both of the following:
Either of these designators means you should immediately cease using the power bank, ensuring that it is disconnected from power.
Anker will either replace the unit with an equivalent model of the same capacity, or provide you with a $30 Amazon voucher, whichever you prefer.
You do not need to return the unit. Instead, you’ll need to take two photos as shown below, and to complete the claim form. Note that the requested order number is not required if you don’t have a record of it.
To receive a replacement power bank, please make sure you have the following:
(1) your name and contact information,
(2) order number,
(3) two photos of the recalled portable charger: one photo showing the model number and serial number (SN), which are printed on the bottom of the device; another photo of the recalled portable charger with the submission date and the word “recall” or “recalled” written on it in permanent marker.
Anker shows examples of the photos needed:
The company says you should wait for it to email confirmation that your unit is affected before you dispose of the product. You’ll also need to make special arrangements for disposal, as the e-waste recycling bins found in some stores must not be used for lithium-ion batteries subject to recall.
Your municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center may accept this recalled lithium-ion battery for disposal. Before taking your battery to a HHW collection center, contact it ahead of time and ask whether it accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries. If it does not, contact your municipality for further guidance.
9to5Mac’s Take
Anker is a reputable brand which is normally safe to buy. The fact that the company has issued a recall shows that it takes rare exceptions seriously.
Lithium-ion batteries in power banks and other products are always potentially hazardous, so never buy no-name brands: there have been numerous examples of cheap Chinese products with missing or inadequate safety features.
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Image: 9to5Mac collage of images from Anker and Chris Appano on Unsplash
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