J-Go Tech The Tanker – A high output and large capacity power bank Summary J-Go Tech’s the Tanker is a high output and large capacity power bank. Good for USB PD phones, tablets, Nintendo Switch, and up to 13-inch laptops. Capacity is within FAA’s general limits. Includes cables and a pouch. Overall 4.9 Performance (5)

Design (5)

Safety (4.5)

Recharge Time (5) Sending User Review 0 ( 0 votes) Pros Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel

Charges Switch in both handheld and TV mode

Can be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Fits in most Switch carrying cases, but takes up most of the accessory pocket

Charges a 12 to 14-inch laptop

Supports pass through charging

Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable

Charge two devices at once

Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights Cons Won’t fast charge Quick Charge 3.0 enabled phones; but does normal charging

May be too big for some international airlines, check before you fly

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. J-Go Tech provided the product in this review.

No products found.

Model: DG-206PD

Tech Specs:

Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2, micro-USB

USB-C Output: 45W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/2.25A)

USB-A Output: 12W USB (5V/2.4A) Apple 2.4A 3.2A max total

Input: 40W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/2A, 20V/2A)

Capacity: 26,800mAh | 99.1 Wh

Size: 7.3 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches | 184 x 79 x 22 mm

Weight: 16.8 oz | 476 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

The Tanker

USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 3.3 feet/1 meter (included on Amazon, optional on J-Go Tech’s site)

micro-USB cable w/USB-C adapter, 3.3 feet/1 meter (56k Ohm resistor)

Pouch

Good For:

Travel

iPhone

Android

Nintendo Switch (handheld & docked)

iPad Pro

12-inch laptop

13-inch/14-inch laptop

Estimated Number of Charges:

iPhone 6/7/8: 8 charges

iPhone Plus/X/XR: 6 charges

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 5 charges

Samsung Galaxy S10: 5 charges

Nintendo Switch: 9.5+ hours of play

First Impression

The J-Go Tech Tanker is a power bank with an actual name. It arrived charged up. I only needed to top it off for 10 minutes before testing. It has the same basic design of Anker and RAVPower’s 26,800mAh power banks. But unlike those it offers 45W output, enough for most small and mid-sized laptops. Mine came with a couple of cables and long pouch. If you buy from Amazon it’ll be the same. If you buy from J-Go Tech directly you can pick and choose from several accessories at various prices.

J-Go Tech The Tanker with Moto G6 J-Go Tech The Tanker with Nintendo Switch J-Go Tech The Tanker in Switch carrying case J-Go Tech The Tanker with MacBook Pro, 13-inch

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Charger J-Go Tech The Tanker Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD



Review Jackery Supercharge 26800 PD Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3



Review Ports USB-C, USB-A x2 USB-C, USB-A x2 USB-C, USB-A USB-C, USB-A x2 Output 45W USB-C PD 30W USB-C PD 45W USB-C PD



Quick Charge 3.0 45W USB-C PD



Quick Charge 3.0 Capacity 26,800mAh 26,800mAh 26,800mAh 20,000mAh Features Pass Through Charging Only available with included wall charger Includes 45W USB-C PD wall charger Pass Through Charging Cable USB-C to USB-C cable USB-C to USB-C cable USB-C to USB-C cable USB-C to USB-A cable Dimensions 7.3 x 3.1 x 0.9 in

16.8 oz 6.5 x 3.2 x 0.9 in

20.3 oz 6.7 x 3.2 x 0.9 in

15.2 oz 6.1 x 2.9 x 1.1 in

15.5 oz Price No products found. Price not available $69.99 $59.99

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2020-09-25.

Top: Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD. Bottom: J-Go Tech The Tanker. Top: RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800. Bottom: J-Go Tech The Tanker. Top: J-Go Tech XCOREsion 15-45. Bottom: J-Go Tech The Tanker.

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS

Essential Phone

Google Pixel

LG ThinQ/V30

Razer

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10

Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9

Xiaomi Mi 8/9

ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

iPhone 8 power meter (USB-C) iPhone 8 power meter (USB-A) iPhone 8 power negotiation (USB-C)

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is an optional inclusion.

For iPhones the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

HTC

LG

Motorola

Nokia

Samsung Galaxy

Sony

Xiaomi Mi 5/6

ZTE

Moto G6 power meter (USB-C) Moto G6 power meter (USB-A)

Using a Moto G6 for testing we get below normal charging rates. As Quick Charge isn’t offered we can’t expect fast charging. But the charge over USB-C is a bit slower than with similar power banks. Usually we get ~10W. Here we get 7W.

Nintendo Switch

Switch gaming power meter (USB-C) Switch sleeping power meter (USB-C) Switch power negotiation (USB-C)

The Nintendo Switch charges near its max rate, up to 17W. It’ll fast charge while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is also normal. This charger can also power the Switch’s dock.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

This power bank had the fewest hours of play time compared to other 26,800mAh power banks I’ve tested. Models with 15W get the most play time, up to 12.5 hours. Similar USB-C PD models 10-11 hours. Where the Tanker only saw 9.5 hours. For more 12.5 hours of total play time is more than enough. But if need as much play time as possible this is not an ideal option.

USB-C Laptops

MacBook Pro 13-inch power meter MacBook Pro 13-inch power negotiation

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 41W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 45W charger can support 12-inch, 13-inch, and 14-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

Limited Input With Certain Chargers

The power bank allows for up to 40W USB-C PD input. Pretty good given its 45W output. A matching input would be nice, but most users wouldn’t miss 5W.

But to get the fastest recharge of your new power bank you’ll need to be sure to use a charger that supports 20V. That’s because at 15V the input specs only allow for up to 30W. If you used the Nintendo Switch’s AC adapter, which is 5V and 15V only, you’d get a slower recharge. But if you use a more standard 45W USB-C PD charger it’ll support 20V and give you the full 40W.

Not a big deal. Just be mindful of the wall charger you use with the Tanker.

Printed Specs vs Manufacture’s Specs

You may note that the power output specs printed on the Tanker and in this review aren’t exactly the same. This review lists the manufacture’s specs. That is the performance the factory (which builds to J-Go Tech’s specifications) advertises. Most power banks list their manufacture specs. J-Go Tech opted for more conservative listings on their device and product listing.

Printed USB-C Output: 5V/3A, 9V/2A , 15V/2A , 20V/2A

, , Actual USB-C Output: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/2.25A

I spoke to J-Go Tech about this. Their approach is to under-promise and over-deliver. They, like most of us, have been disappointed when companies hype up their products to be something that they truly aren’t. They don’t want their customers to experience that with their products.

There is always power loss through inefficiency. A “45W charger” will usually end up being ~42W by the time the power goes into the device. Charger nerds like me know and expect this. But not everyone does, and it can be a surprise for someone using a power meter for the first time. The specs printed on the power bank advertise 40W, so expectations are always met or exceeded.

The good news is my testing shows the manufacture’s specs hold up with the Tanker. It performed in line with other 45W chargers with the Switch and other devices. I opted to base this review on the manufacture’s specs. That is what I tested against. It is also what I use for my other reviews. This provides the best comparison between the Tanker and other power banks.

Using the Included USB-C to micro-USB Adapter

As a general rule it is safe to use a USB-C to micro-USB adapter. That is an adapter that turns a micro-USB connection into a USB-C connection. That’s the type of adapter included with this charger’s micro-USB cable.

It is not safe to use the opposite, turning a USB-C connection into a micro-USB connection. That would allow for connections against the USB standards. And is potentially dangerous to devices.

My USB tester showed the micro-USB cable with USB-C adapter includes a 56k Ohm resistor. That resistor is required under USB-C specs for all USB-C to USB-A cables.

The cable charged my Moto G6 at the same rate as a regular USB-C to USB-A cable.

Pass Through Charging

Pass through charging allows a portable charger to both charge itself and a connected device. The power received from the wall charger splits. Some to the portable charger’s own batteries. And some to the connected device. How it handles the split varies. And there are more inefficiencies than normal.

This portable charger supports pass through charging under these connections:

Input: USB-C, Output: USB-A

Input: micro-USB, Output: USB-A

You can use either USB-A port to charge while the power bank re-charges. I was not able to get output through USB-C. If you try your USB-C devices may act like they are charging. There is a power connection (normal voltage), but no current (0 amps). To the device indicator shows a charge but the battery will continue to drain.

Pass through charging is useful when you only have one USB wall charger. But it is not recommended to use this feature on a regular basis. It puts more heat and stress on the portable charger. Which will affect its lifespan. It can also provide an inefficient charge to your device. Again, not great for its own battery’s lifespan.

If you like to have the option when traveling, fine. But don’t set this up next to your bed at home every night.

Summary

The J-Go Tech Tanker lives up to its name. With 26,800mAh capacity it’ll recharge a laptop more than once, a Switch more than three times. And it is among the few large power banks to offer 45W output and almost as fast of a recharge for itself.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode as fast as any other option. And it can power the Switch when docked, should the need arise.

Its 45W USB-C output works well for small to medium sized USB-C devices. Especially phones and tablets that support USB Power Delivery, and up to 13-inch laptops.

The lack of Quick Charge is its only output issue. Most Android phones use Quick Charge or a fast charging standard that mimics it. LG, Motorola, and Quick Charge enabled phones will charge at a normal rate using USB-C to USB-A. But no fast charging.

Pass through charging isn’t officially supported by J-Go Tech, but works nonetheless. You can charge via the USB-A ports while recharging. It won’t output via USB-C. It you try your device may show it is charging, but no current is actually being drawn.

The Tanker falls within the FAA’s limits for flights within the United States, barely. The limit is 100Wh, the Tanker is 99.1Wh. If traveling outside of the U.S. contact your airline before you leave. Check the limits for lithium batteries, which are based on the country of origin. Most airlines post these limits on their websites.

About J-Go Tech

J-Go Tech is located in southern New Jersey, USA with local 24/7 support (web, email, phone). They offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and a 24 month warranty.

Bottom Line

The J-Go Tech Tanker is a great value high output, large capacity power bank. Well suited for powering a laptop and other devices on the go. Its competitors offer lower output, less capacity, or a higher price. While the power bank is made in China the company is based in the U.S.

Buy if you:

Need a high capacity power bank to support your USB-C laptop

Want to charge a large device and phone together without losing output

Like building your own bundle (at jgotech.com)

Don’t buy if you:

Want to fast charge a LG or Motorola Android phone

Are looking for the longest possible play time with your Switch (look at 15W USB-C 26,8000mAh models)

Travel internationally to countries that have stricter lithium battery limits on planes

No products found.

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. J-Go Tech had their own 45W USB-C PD charger (with 20V support). It can be bundled with this power bank in some cases. Otherwise I recommend the ZMI PowerPlug Turbo.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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