Anker is promising changes to how it bundles its “Plus subscription” after customers complained they couldn’t easily remove it at checkout. “You can delete the cart and reselect the product without the subscription,” the company told reporters, adding that “Today there will be an update for the website that allows you to delete the subscription without needing to reselect the product.”
The issue stems from certain products on Anker’s website — such as the $59.99 Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, USB-C Cable) — being automatically sold with a “free” one-month trial of Anker Plus. This subscription offers perks like free express shipping, an extra 5% discount, exclusive product access, and more. After the first month, it automatically renews at $9.99 per month. The problem? Customers aren’t given a way to decline the trial before purchase, and the checkout page offers no button to remove the subscription — only the product itself can be deleted.
While Anker markets the program as cancelable “anytime,” relying on customers to spot and stop the recurring charge is risky. Many may forget, meaning Anker benefits from ongoing $9.99 monthly payments long after the initial order. This is a classic example of a “negative option” setup — the same type of subscription practice consumer watchdogs have long criticized for catching users off guard.
Anker remains a respected name in charging gear, but if you buy directly from their site, check your cart carefully. You might not just be purchasing a power bank — you could also be signing up for a monthly bill you didn’t bargain for.