NEW YORK — It started with a faint smell of ozone, a scent like singed hair and ozone, drifting from the bottom of Sarah Jenkins’ leather tote bag. By the time she reached for her bag on a crowded Manhattan-bound 4-train, the leather was hot to the touch.
“I pulled it out, and the casing was literally bulging,” Jenkins said. “It looked like it was trying to breathe. Then the smoke started.”
Jenkins is one of the lucky ones. Across the United States, over 1.1 million owners of Anker power banks are waking up to a terrifying reality: the device they rely on to keep their lives connected has been reclassified by federal safety regulators as a potential firebomb.
The Global Power Scandal
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in a joint announcement that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, officially expanded a massive recall targeting several of Anker’s most popular models. What began as a localized manufacturing “hiccup” has blossomed into a full-scale safety crisis involving over 1,158,000 units in the U.S. alone.
The culprit? A catastrophic failure in the lithium-ion battery cells. According to internal reports and federal filings, a manufacturing defect—traced back to an unauthorized change in “diaphragm material” by a third-party supplier—has turned these sleek, matte-black chargers into hazards that can overheat, melt, and in the worst cases, explode.
To date, Anker has received at least 19 reports of fires and explosions. The damage isn’t just theoretical; property losses have already topped $60,000, with victims reporting charred desks, ruined car interiors, and in two chilling cases, minor burn injuries that narrowly avoided becoming tragedies.
Is Your Device on the List?
This isn’t just a single “bad batch.” The recall spans multiple product lines sold at major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and eBay between 2016 and late 2025.
If you own one of the following models, safety experts say you must stop using it immediately:
- Anker PowerCore 10000 (Model A1263): The “workhorse” of the industry, with over a million units affected.
- Anker 335 Power Bank (Model A1647): Specifically units manufactured in early 2024.
- Anker MagGo Power Bank (Models A1642, A1652): Popular with iPhone users for its magnetic attachment.
- Anker Zolo Power Bank (Models A1681, A1689): Known for its integrated cables.
- Anker 535 Power Bank (Model A1366): A high-capacity 20K unit.
EDITOR’S NOTE: To check your device, look at the fine print on the bottom or back of the casing. If the model number matches any of the above, do not plug it into a wall and do not connect it to your phone.
“A Total Breakdown of Trust”
For a brand like Anker—which has spent years positioning itself as the “premium” alternative to the cheap, nameless chargers found at gas stations—this recall is a PR nightmare.
“We buy Anker because we trust them not to burn our houses down,” says tech analyst Marcus Thorne. “When you pay a premium for a brand, you’re paying for the peace of mind that their QA (Quality Assurance) is airtight. This 1.1 million-unit recall suggests the seal was broken a long time ago.”
The conflict lies in the supply chain. Investigations reveal that the fire risk originated from a supplier known as Amprius, which allegedly swapped out critical safety materials without proper authorization. It is a stark reminder that even the tech giants are only as safe as their weakest link in a globalized assembly line.
The “Do Not Trash” Dilemma
Perhaps the most dangerous part of this recall isn’t the explosion itself—it’s what happens next.
Federal law and the CPSC have issued a stern warning: Do not throw these batteries in the trash. When a compromised lithium-ion battery is crushed in a garbage truck or processed at a standard recycling center, it becomes a “zombie fire.” These fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and have been responsible for multi-million dollar losses at waste facilities across the country.
“You are essentially holding a hazardous waste product,” says a CPSC spokesperson. “It requires specialized disposal at a facility that handles recalled lithium batteries. You can’t just toss it in the blue bin and hope for the best.”
How to Get Your Money Back (And Stay Safe)
Anker has launched a dedicated recall portal to handle the surge of claims. However, the process is more involved than a standard return:
- The Proof: You must take a photo of the power bank showing the model number and serial number.
- The Mark: You are required to write the word “RECALLED” in permanent marker across the device.
- The Disposal: You must provide proof of “safe disposal” at a certified hazardous waste site before a replacement or refund is issued.
For many, the $30 to $50 refund feels small compared to the risk. “I’ve been sleeping with this thing on my nightstand for six months,” Sarah Jenkins noted. “A $30 gift card doesn’t really cover the ‘what if’ factor.”
Highlights: The Recall at a Glance
- Total Units: 1,158,000+ in the U.S.
- The Hazard: Overheating, smoke, and fire caused by a battery “separator” defect.
- Incidents: 19 confirmed fires; $60,700 in property damage.
- Key Models: A1263, A1647, A1652, A1366.
- Action Required: Immediate power-down and registration at Anker’s Official Recall Page.
The Bottom Line
As our world becomes increasingly tethered to portable power, the “Anker Incident” serves as a wake-up call for the entire electronics industry. In the race to produce faster, smaller, and more powerful batteries, the margin for error has shrunk to a razor-thin “diaphragm material.”
For now, a million Americans are being told that the device in their pocket is no longer a tool—it’s a liability.
Check your bags. Check your drawers. And for heaven’s sake, check the bottom of your charger.
