The Best Portable Power Stations For Off-Grid

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Portable power and electricity are a big thing in technology research recently. We’ve come to the time when not being away from the innovations for a couple of months you get a completely different picture once you’re back. This is the case with portable power stations. Not long ago, people thought that having portable power stations was a joke, for their short longevity, power capacity, and charge length. Today, many sing different songs.

Having some amazing advantages over gas generators like silence, zero-emission, solar and car charging, and the comparably smaller size and weight, portable power stations also became affordable and therefore convenient. They can be used in households for an emergency power outage, as power buffers in small workshops and manufacturing, and of course getaways like camping, picnics, tailgating, etc. They are great backup power.

The portable power stations we are reviewing are all based on Lithium-ion technology and they are similar to an electric car or smart device batteries, with all their advantages and disadvantages. The car industry has heard complaints that their batteries are not really there and they know it.

Running a car on an electric battery, however, is different than using these batteries as portable power stations. You’d be surprised by the potential these products have and the length of time they supply juice to reasonable power consumers.

In combination with available solar paneling technology, depending on how much one is willing to invest, these power stations can be charged relatively quickly on a bright day. Depending on the capacity and the power consumers connected to them, they can easily last the whole night, making them a reusable source of energy when going off the grid or when the grid is not working.

With zero emissions and noise they are great to be used indoors and near campsites. All of the reviewed products come with at least a couple of outlets like AC (at least one when applicable), USB A ports, USB C ports, and DC Outlets, and some models and products have additional outlet protocols, like car outlets.

Multiple (yet reasonable) devices can be connected simultaneously for using and charging. Some of the models have different sine-wave converters allowing for the use of AC devices that need smooth electrical waveforms found in AC outlets at home.

After this general introductory review, we are heading to the individual product review. We have picked these products out of the multitude of similar products on the market.

The criteria for picking the best portable power stations were numerous and included various specs (power, capacity, number of outlets), and testimonials of those who are already using them. Note that this is not exactly a top list since the list includes power stations of various power intended for various purposes. For ease of convenience, we placed the stations in four tiers:

  • Tier A – Monster: Very powerful power stations capable of running simple electronics for days or demanding electric devices for more than 30 minutes.
  • Tier B – The Big Ones: Powerful power stations capable of running simple electronics for more than 24 hours, with max Watt power insufficient for running large electric devices, like large air conditioners
  • Tier C – The Cubes: This tier refers to devices meant for running multiple small electric devices. They have the ability to charge phones multiple times, and laptops a couple of times. They can also run smaller devices for a reasonable amount of time
  • Tier D – The Chargers: The last tier is a tier stronger than a regular power bank. They do have the ability to run certain devices, but their Watt output is comparably smaller than the others’ and their capacity is comparably smaller as well. These are great as power output for one-night getaways meant for providing light, music, and charging smaller devices.

So, without further ado, let’s head on to the best portable power station section. Starting small, and moving on to the bigger ones.


1. Ecoflow River2 Portable Power Station

RiverPro2
RiverPro2

The smallest among the Ecoflow’s River series is a very compact 11lbs product the size of a toaster. Despite its size, Ecoflow River packs a surprising power. This is probably the best option for those who want to travel light with their electricity but still have more options in case of emergency.

Being the smallest in the line, Ecoflow River has 288Wh capacity enough to power a 40W CPAP machine for 5 to 10 hours, depending on the model of the CPAP and the charge of the battery. This further translates to about 25 hours for a 10W DC Light source or 2-3 hours for a small portable 150Wmini fridge.

Ecoflow River possesses a wonderfully built sine-wave converter and has 3 AC outputs. Additional X-Boost mode allows for an upgrade in output power from the usual 1200W to 1800W, allowing you to attach more devices for a quick serve. So if you have a power outage then this translates to coffee machines (you can make up to 12 cups when fully charged), hair-dryers (40 minutes work), or television (3 hours watch for 110W models). This does wear off the battery, mind you, so it’s best to use this feature occasionally and keep your devices below 1200W for longevity.

Charging is what’s been perfected in Ecoflow. All their devices have a fast-charging mode, and in the case of Ecoflow, this translates to 1.6 hours to full recharge on the AC outlet with an X-Stream charge mode on. This means the battery will be 80% charged in less than an hour, which is impressive.

The device contains other charging options, like car 12/24V battery charging, and solar panel charging. There are portable solar panels available that you can buy separately, and you can combine two portable solar panels for faster-charging input. The Ecoflow panels are synched with the device and allow for the most efficient charging, reaching 100% in less than two hours with full sun if two solar panels are used, and 3-5 hours with one 110W solar panel.

The river power station is packed with numerous safety features that protect from electrical surges, over-voltage, too much temperature, overload, etc. Short circuit protection allows you to connect and use multiple devices while you are away. The devices are safe to use without worry they will get too much current or too much voltage shift.

As we mentioned, the product contains three AC outlets, a USB-A fast-charge socket, two regular USB-A’s, one USB-C Outlet, and two DC outputs. It also possesses a car power output, which can be combined with a regular car power jack for an additional device.

Charging devices are one of the appeals of this particular product. You can charge a phone up to 21 times, a MacBook 5 times.

An LCD Display is informative and allows for easy and quick browsing through options that include a smart inverter turning for faster charging and the quiet charging option. It tells the current state of the battery precisely. Under strong light, the data is still visible and most won’t have any problems seeing what’s currently going on.

As for the dimensions, we have already mentioned how light and small it is. It doesn’t take much space and can be easily carried by one person. There is a convenient handle on the top of the device for easy portability. Finally, Ecoflow River can be upgraded with an extra battery for double the capacity.

Specs:

  • Tier: D+
  • Battery Capacity: 288 Wh (upgradeable)
  • Max Power: 1200W / 1800W with X-Boost
  • Number of outlets: 10
  • Charging to 80%: less than 1h (AC)
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor
  • Weight: 11lbs

2. Ecoflow River Max Power Station

Ecoflow River Max
Ecoflow River Max

If you need a little more power than the mentioned Ecoflow river, you can opt for Ecoflow River Max. If you have already bought a standard Ecoflow River device and you’d want slightly more juice from it, there is no need to worry. Every Ecoflow River device can be upgraded at any time to get an Ecoflow River Max with double the capacity.

So, with Ecoflow River Max you can expect a 576Wh capacity and all the features Ecoflow River has, with a few extras on the side. The additional capacity allows you to run all the devices twice as long. This translates to 42 phone charges, 50 hours of 10W DC light, 3-6 hours of 150W fridge, an hour and a half of hair drying, and 20 to 24 cups of coffee. A MacBook Pro can be fully charged up to five times, and a 60W drone up to six times with some electricity to spare.

This is an excellent device to have to run your CPAP device over two or even three nights on one charge, excellent for situations where charging is unavailable for a couple of days straight. Fully charged, it can keep a 40W CPAP device running for up to 20 hours. Add a solar panel and a couple of bright days to the mix, and you’ll have a device that will keep your CPAP running with energy to spare for other devices every night – indefinitely. This is perfect for longer getaways for anyone suffering from sleep apnea.

Devices like electric pans, those that need more power output (up to 1800W to be precise) can be connected to the power station and with the X-Boost mode they can run up to half an hour on some occasions. This is great for a quick breakfast fix, brewing a morning Joe, or cooling yourself down real quick with a smaller air-conditioner. This option will take some of the functionality from your power station over time, so use it with caution. The default settings for devices up to 1200W are perfectly safe.

The recharge time of the batteries does not change compared to Ecoflow River in the case of AC input. It will take less than an hour for Ecoflow River Max to be charged to 80%, and 1.6 hours to be fully charged. There is still an option to charge it with a 12/24V car adapter, which takes about six and a half hours, or 3-6 hours with two 110W portable solar panels to be fully charged. A portable 160W solar panel variant should fully charge the device in five to nine and a half hours in good sunlight conditions.

A sine-wave converter installed in Ecoflow River Max provides smooth waveform to AC power allowing delicate AC devices to run as smoothly as when attached to a wall AC outlet. This and other safety features like surge, voltage, and current overflow protection will keep your devices safe and won’t wear them during prolonged usage.

There is also an option to connect two Ecoflow River Max devices with a dedicated chord to quadruple the capacity and double the number of outlets. This makes it perfect for running some heavier equipment found in workshops, like presses, mills, saws, drills, etc. The charge time is not affected by the connection, and the quadruple capacity translates to quadruple max working time for all the devices.

The weight of Ecoflow River Max is a little heavier than Ecoflow River, but it can be managed by removing the extra battery while moving it around. Without the battery, it weighs 11lbs, and with it, it’s 17lbs.

Specs:

  • Tier: C+
  • Battery Capacity: 576 Wh (upgradeable to 1400Wh by connecting the two devices)
  • Max Power: 1200W / 1800W with X-Boost
  • Number of outlets: 10
  • Charging to 80%: less than 1h (AC)
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor
  • Weight: 17lbs

3. Ecoflow River Pro Power Station

EcoFlow RiverPro
EcoFlow RiverPro

Ecoflow River Pro goes a step beyond providing more power to your needs. It has 720Wh capacity by default which can be upgraded to 1440Wh with an extra battery unit. The battery unit is easily connectable to the power station and the power flow between them is smooth and highly operational.

The station comes with 10 power outlets, including 3 smooth sine wave AC outputs for delicate devices that need to house AC output-class waveforms. It can support devices of wattage up to 1200 by default and without loss of functionality over time. Turning the X-Boost mode on, the Ecoflow River Pro power station can sustain stable current flow for devices that require up to 1800W to function. This includes some entry-level UPS and workstation units that need a stable electricity flow. Prior testing is needed nevertheless for the safe usage of these devices.

The X-Boost mode basically overrides the Li-ion electricity release which slightly destabilizes the Li-ion grid within the battery and gradually reduces the lifespan and capacity of the battery. It is therefore advised to be used with caution and in moderation. Using the battery for devices of up to 1200W strength is perfectly safe. The devices that have precise requirements for voltage may have problems functioning. This includes air compressors and other devices with sensitive electro-motors.

The X-stream and Quiet Charging feature on the other hand allow for an extra-fast charging time. The charging time is not depending on the capacity of the device so just as River and River Max, Ecoflow River Pro can be charged to 80% in under an hour, and in perfect conditions, it can be fully charged via an AC outlet in only 96 minutes. This makes charging Ecoflow River Pro up to ten times faster than most other power stations on the market.

The station supports 200W solar panel charging which, in perfect conditions, can charge the device in four and a half hours. Ecoflow offers additional 110W portable solar panels at your disposal, and two of these can be combined for max charging speed. 12/25V car adapters charge the device in six and a half hours.

The device can even run some of the heavier equipment in most workshops, including drills, mills, saws, graters, etc. Practically all equipment typical for camping can be used with the device, and there is no limit to how many outlets at once (out of the 10 available) can be used. This means that you can turn on lights, fry some eggs, and fast-charge your phone and laptop while preparing your drone or/and GoPro battery for another run. If you’d use it only for charging a phone, you can charge it up to 58 times, or have 64DC/22AC hours of 10W light.

Including the already mentioned 3 AC outlets, the device comes with 3 USB-As (one fast-charging), a USB-C port, 2 DC Outlets, and a car adapter. This way you can combine up to 10 devices to use the power available without restraints.

Finally, the company has created an app that can be linked to any Ecoflow power station for remote monitoring and power control. You can use the app to see your carbon footprint, the real-time available capacity, and energy usage, you can turn on and off the different input and output modes like quiet, X-stream, or X-Boost.

Specs:

  • Tier: B
  • Capacity: 720 Wh (upgradeable to 1440Wh by connecting the two devices)
  • Max Power: 1200W / 1800W with X-Boost
  • Number of outlets: 10
  • Charging to 80%: less than 1h (AC)
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor
  • Weight: 16.8lbs

4. EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Station

EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Station
EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Station

One of the most powerful power stations in the line, Ecoflow Delta has earned a reputation as one of the best heavy-duty power stations on the market. Its appeal reflects especially in the fact it is made to support the more powerful devices of up to 1800W (or 3300W surge pure sine wave). Its total capacity is 1260Wh, a massive upgrade from the previously mentioned products that provide a day and a half-worth of 10W light or over 16 hours of laptop work. It can charge more than a hundred phones from full to zero, or one 60Wh drone for more than 15 times.

Delta is so powerful that it can be used as an emergency extra power storage for electric cars. In perfect conditions, you can get up to 7.5 miles of extra road, maybe just enough to get to the next charge station. Mind that on average this is at least 5 miles.

DIY devices can be used with Delta as well. This includes all devices under 1800W power. Unlike its smaller cousins, Ecoflow Delta possesses upgraded AC transmission control, and the Pure Sine Wave inverter sufficient for running the more delicate even-voltage power tools like air compressors, hammers, drills, grinders, even welding machines, and circular saws.

The casing is sturdy and durable, yet compact and adjustable. You can put the battery on either of the four sides for your convenience. The bottom corners are covered in rubber which softens tremors and impact, protecting the casing and its content during transportation. Delta can be combined and stacked with other Delta devices which fit easily one on top of another. The casing also gives minor water and particle protection to the device (full submerge not recommended though), which is especially handy if it’s caught in the rain.

The most amazing thing about Delta is the charging time. The upgrades to the input made and the nature of the battery itself still keep the 80% charge to an hour, with 1.6 hours needed to be fully charged. It takes about 10 hours to charge it via a car adapter, and three 160W or four 110W portable solar panels can charge it between 3.5 and 8 hours in perfect/good conditions. The portable solar panels are sold separately.

The unit can also be charged via AC and DC input simultaneously. It prioritizes the AC input and switches to DC once the AC is unavailable or not in use. This is especially handy if you want to save on your electricity bill or gas expenses though it takes a little extra effort and attention.

Ecoflow Delta has 13 power outputs. There are 6 AC outputs including the three-pin outputs for a steadier electricity surge. There are also 2 DC outputs and a car output which is conveniently protected by a sealing flap. Two regular USB-A and two fast-charging USB-A inputs along with two additional USB-C outlet ports should be more than enough to fit your charging needs.

The AC outlets are placed so that some cannot be used because of overlap and the size. Many reviewers see that as a disadvantage. Our opinion, however, is that the worst-case scenario is that we can use only three outlets at the same time which is enough in most cases. This design introduces a passive or hidden advantage if you like – putting too many heavy-consuming devices can increase the risk of battery wearing over time. This design reduces this risk significantly, helping you maintain your battery’s good health.

The size and weight of Ecoflow Delta are surprisingly reasonable. Being a little bigger than a microwave or a case of beer. It is light enough to be carried by most people yet there are two convenient handles so a couple can split the weight for an even easier use and transportation.

The LCD is clear and precisely calculates in real-time the amount of power left, the electricity usage and the charging speed, and the time remaining with the current input/output values. The App takes it to another level by allowing the device to share the data remotely as well as access the various settings without the need to hop to it now and then.

Specs:

  • Tier: A
  • Battery Capacity: 1260 Wh
  • Max Power: 1800W (3300W Surge)
  • Number of outlets: 13
  • Charging to 80%: less than 1h (AC), full charge in 1.6h (AC)
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor
  • Weight: 30.9lbs

5. Jackery Power Stations

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300, 293Wh Backup Lithium Battery, 110V/300W Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, Solar Generator (Solar Panel Not Included) for Outdoors Camping Travel Hunting Blackout

We are now moving on to another company that has set the standards in the power station industry. Jackery power station line covers all the possible combinations of portability and capacity needs for a great road trip or a safe and convenient blackout.

There are certain differences between Jackery and the abovementioned Ecoflow, and we think this is a good thing. The reason is that these differences accommodate different needs an individual consumer may have used these products.

So, what is the difference? In general, Jackery was more focused on improving longevity during power consumption. This is to say, the same devices can work longer when attached to a Jackery power station. This comes with a drawback in the form of reduced max wattage to Ecoflow’s advantage. So if you need a reliable source of energy that will last longer, Jackery is the product to go to.

What does Jackery offer? They offer seven products in total divided into two categories, based on the capacity and the power of a particular power station. Again, we will start small, and grow from there.

The first group consists of Compact Explorer products. As the name suggests, this is a list of four pretty small power stations meant to provide more or less basic power supply during trips, getaways, and emergency situations. The devices provide 167, 240, 293, and 518 Watt-hours of power. The power outlet supports the corresponding Wh, so a 160 model for example supports 110v, 110W, and 150W(peak) and the 500 model features a 110v, 500W, and 1000W (peak) AC outlet.

All models can be charged by AC, portable solar panels (bought separately), and 12v car input. The charging time depends on the model, and the charge time depends on the model. The time is between 4.5 hours to 10 hours for AC and car, solar charging naturally depends on the weather conditions. This is another disadvantage of Jackery compared to Ecoflow, but have in mind that this disadvantage comes from the attitude towards the battery – a slower charge means a slower and steadier discharge, so hold it as necessary rather than just another drawback.

All products contain one USB-C output, a car output, an AC outlet, and a USB-C output (except the 240 model, which has the first three). Models 160 and 300 have an additional USB-C output, with the 300 models being the only ones with another, USB-A quick-charge output. The 500 model has 4 outputs in total, the fourth being a DC output. This sums it up to:

  • 160: 2 USB-A, a USB-C, a Carport, and an AC (100W) outlet
  • 240: 2 USB-A, a Carport, and an AC (200W) outlet
  • 300: One USB-A, additional Quick Charge USB-A, a USB-C, 12V Carport, and two 300W AC outputs
  • 500: 3 USB-A, 2 DC, a Carport, and 1 AC (500W) outlet

As you can see, the amount of output and the options are somewhat limited with these first few products, so it’s great to have that in mind when making a decision. The minimum amount of outputs on a model is 3, and that’s for a 240 model which can’t support more than 200 Watts-worth of a single device.

Concluding from the specs of the first Compact group, these devices are a great accessory for the road and can work as a power source for a couple of devices at a time. The 500 models can also be used for CPAP machines during the night as buffers since it’s packed with Pure Sine Wave.

The second group is named Mighty Explorer, and lists three products, also conveniently named after the max power output as well as the capacity: E1000, E1500, and E2000. They respectively possess 1000W power/1002Wh, 1800W/1534Wh, and 2200W/2060Wh which makes them suitable for long hauls and steady suppliers of power.

The number of ports is better with these products:

  • E1000: 3 1000W AC outlets, 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, and a DC Carport
  • E1500: 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, a Carport, and 3 AC (1800W) outlets
  • E2000: 1 Quick Charge USB-A, a USB-A, a USB-C, a Carport, and 4 AC (2200W) outlets

With these three products, there’s much more space to play. Though the 1000 model doesn’t provide as much wattage as its Delta counterpart, a 1500 model is in the same line as Delta and it has more capacity. These products can keep a mini cooler running for 17 (E1000) to 26(E1500)/35 hours (E2000), the 1500 model can power a coffee maker for about an hour, and you can use a hairdryer for a whole hour with the 2000 model. The same model can even run an air conditioner for an hour and a half.

All these models feature pure sine wave inverters which create gracious waveforms needed for running more delicate devices. They also come with various inputs which allow them for combined charging. This way you can utilize the joinable solar panels the company provides separately to give them more juice during bright sunny days.

All the models come with a highly elaborated safety system that makes sure hazards don’t occur. Charging and discharging always mess with cells’ temperature, so all the models have temperature control. There are also protections from overcurrent, short-circuit, over-discharge, and over-voltage.

The system is designed to that supports pass-through charging. This way you can utilize your car battery or solar panels in a way that if there is excess power, it will be stored in the battery, or you can slow down the drain of the battery while keeping the device on charging.

Now, the size. Jackery power stations are compact compared to most models of similar power. The largest model (E2000) weighs only 43.2lbs, while the smallest is just a little below 4 pounds. All the products are very compact in dimensions, with the largest one being the size of a microwave. The stations all possess well-designed and sturdy casings which protects them from the elements and accidental impacts of smaller force (we wouldn’t drop them on any occasion). This makes them easy to transport and carry and since they can help with depleted batteries, we think that even having them in the car all the time is great preparation for emergencies.

  • Tiers: D to A (depending on the model)
  • Battery Capacity: 167Wh to 2060Wh (depending on the model)
  • Max Power: 100W to 2200W (depending on the model)
  • Number of outlets: 5-8 (depending on the model)
  • Charging to 80%: 2.5 to 7 hours (depending on the model)
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor
  • Weight: 3.97lbs to 43.2lbs (depending on the model)

The rest of the list are individual products that caught our attention and passed our criteria.


6. Bluetti AC200P 2000W/Wh Portable Power Station

Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh/2000W Portable Power Station

If you need more power than Delta can offer and you look for a safe alternative to Jackery E2000, there is an option that’s within their price range.

Bluetti’s approach was to – approach their customers. They’ve done a survey on what kind of power station their potential consumers would like, and they’ve made a product according to their exact requirements.

That’s how they’ve created AC200P. What first catches the eye is the design and the size. It is larger than Jackery for example, about the size of a regular PC casing. The second thing you can notice is that all ports, inputs, and outputs are closed with protective rubber caps. This is highly convenient for areas with a lot of sand and dust.

Bluetti AC200P excels with the number of available outlets. It features 17 outputs in total, including:

  • 6 AC outlets (2kW)
  • 4 DC outlets (1 12v/10A and 2 12v/3A, 1 12v/25A)
  • 1 USB-C
  • 2 Wireless Charging ports
  • 4 USB-A

The number of power outlets was one of our favorite features of this power station. It is good to note that just like Delta, the AC outlets are pretty close to each other so it may be possible to have some problems adding more than three. The ports are not in a dent like with Delta, however, so it is more likely that you won’t have a problem with jacks of reasonable size and shape.

The LCD is also very appealing, large, and well-light. The interface is based on a touch screen which further reduces spots and places dust and dirt can fall into. It precisely calculates how much power is left, and how much power is being used. The interface includes useful data summaries and a BMS maintenance menu through which you can check individual cell voltages. There is a convenient AC/DC on and off option at the bottom of the screen, through which you can turn your inverter on.

The inverter creates smooth waveforms and this allows some of the more delicate equipment to be connected to the device. What’s important to note is that this station can pass inverter tests, which is surprisingly rare in the power station market. Another feature worth mentioning is the 700W cap for solar charging, which means you can connect up to 7 100W solar panels to charge this power station.

The company can boast with its battery’s very long life cycle that exceeds most of the similar products. This assures the longevity of the station and its endurance in charging and refilling the batteries. The batteries will take between 2.5 and 3 hours to recharge on AC and solar panels together. Double AC adapters in, and you have 800 Watts of power to charge it in 3 to 3.5 hours. Note that only one adapter comes with a product.

  • Tier: A
  • Battery Capacity: 2000 Wh
  • Max Power: 2000W
  • Number of outlets: 17
  • Charging to 80%: 1.5h (2AC), full charge in 2h-2.5h (2AC)
  • Chargeable by: 2AC, one universal adapter for solar panels/car.
  • Weight: 30.9lbs

7. FlashFish Portable Power Station

200W Portable Power Station, FlashFish 40800mAh Solar Generator with 110V AC Outlet/2 DC Ports/3 USB Ports, Backup Battery Pack Power Supply for CPAP Outdoor Advanture Load Trip Camping Emergency.

We really liked the Jackery E200 model but we have to face it – there were not enough DC ports available. This was a major drawback for us especially now that more and more people rely on such ports for their mobile devices. Of course, there is a workaround with adapters and it’s a fairly easy one, but we believe that the more cables we carry, the bigger chances are we are losing some of them. FlashFish is therefore our next recommendation.

This is a budget variant that has its drawbacks but also a few conveniences that can easily come in handy in many outdoor activities. These conveniences allow the users to utilize two DC outputs as well as two QC USB-A and normal USB-A outlets, which is more than Jackery E200 or even Ecoflow River.

The slight drawback we were mentioning is the capacity. Though it can handle up to 200W-worth of devices through its single AC inverter output, the total capacity of the station is 151Wh, slightly less than even Ecoflow River and Jackery E160. This doesn’t make it the best option for supplying power-hungry devices, but it is more than super-convenient for charging your devices.

It is also one of the options with more total outputs, 6 to be precise. It has one AC output, two DC outputs, two QC USB-A, and a normal USB-A. The inverter worked well for light sources and a mini-fridge, but the test has shown slight deviations in the waveform.

These deviations can lead to the malfunction of certain devices that solely work on pure sine AC power, or it can produce regulations while functioning (so-called hiccups). These irregular waves can damage many devices in the long run, so extra attention should be paid when choosing what you want to plugin.

There is a multifunction LCD with simple functions related to the device’s settings and the input/output measures, telling how much power it has and when it will run out. Speaking of running out of power and charging, it is worth mentioning that this power station utilizes some older battery technologies but has made improvements regarding charging memory, and this reduces the chance for premature capacity reduction that was common with this particular type of Li-ion batteries.

The FlashFish power station can be charged through solar panels that are sold separately as well as through a car adapter. The company does not disclose how long it’s charged, but in our tests, we managed to fully charge it in 4 hours using a 100W solar panel.

The charging and discharging mechanisms are not solved with this model and the company recommends its users avoid discharging the battery while it’s being charged. To safely use the station, it is best to first unplug it from the power source and then plug in the devices you want to connect.

  • Tier: C
  • Battery Capacity: 151 Wh
  • Max Power: 100W
  • Number of outlets: 6
  • Charging to 80%: ~3.5h (AC), full charge 5 hours (AC)
  • Chargeable by: 2AC, one universal adapter for solar panels/car.
  • Weight: 5.6lbs

8. Westinghouse iGen160s

Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment iGen160s Portable Power Station and Outdoor Generator 150 Peak 100 Rated Watts, Solar Solar, 155Wh Lithium-ion Battery (Solar Panel Not Included)

Another device with additional outputs and great portability, we recommend Westinghouse iGen160s as a great portable, easy-to-carry power station for trips that don’t demand too much power, but just the basics. These kinds of devices are becoming more and more necessary during trips off the grid.

Just a few weeks ago one of the testers went on a getaway to a remote bungalow by a river in the north for a surprise birthday party. It all went well and dandy but the simple fact his phone ran out of juice the first hour since he arrived. The bungalow was connected to the grid but there was a storm that knocked the power line for that day. Just then everyone realized – that nobody brought their power bank except one person.

It would be great if they had one of these power stations since iGen160s can charge a phone up to 17 times before it’s out of power. The first thing you’ll mention is its long face. Why the long face, you ask? It’s because this station packs 9 power outlets as listed:

  • 2 AC outlets (three-pin and two pins)
  • QC USB-A Outlets
  • 2 USB-A Outlets
  • USB-C Outlets
  • 3 DC outlets

The power station is also very sturdy and durable, both physically and electrically. It can power even a smaller LED TV or heated blankets over one night. The casing is very light, less than 4lbs, and is considered one of the lightest on the market. It is also very small, the size of an average lunchbox.

This makes it one of the best portable options you can even carry in your backpack. It has a very convenient handle to carry around if needed, and a clear LCD that tells all the necessary information about the current state of the battery, the ins and outs, and predictions.

Its capacity is 155Wh which is not great, not terrible. 100W is the max power it can push (150W peak). The tests we’ve done over it had a passing grade, so it is efficient and reliable. The sine waveform was not so great but on the higher placement on the list, which is not that relevant since there are not many devices that need pure waveform and work on less than 100W.

As for the charging, it’s not the fastest one. You should be fine leaving it for a while because it can take up to 6 hours for it to be charged on an AC outlet. There are security protocols installed in the base and the software so you should not worry if it’s overcharged. Remember that keeping it full too long on the grid is not great for battery life.

  • Tier: C
  • Battery Capacity: 155 Wh
  • Max Power: 100W
  • Number of outlets: 9
  • Charging to 80%: ~6h (AC), full charge 8 hours (AC)
  • Chargeable by: 2AC, one universal adapter for solar panels/car.
  • Weight: 3.75lbs

9. Ecoflow Delta Pro

EcoFlow Europe | Portable Power Station | DELTA Power Station

As a bonus at the end of our list, we bring an exceptional power station that’s been released just recently. This July, to be precise. At the time of writing this list, there is still some undisclosed information and we hope we’ll update them as soon as they are published by the manufacturer. To complete the circle, this product comes from the same producer as the first items on our list.

Ecoflow Delta Pro sounds like a slightly improved version of Ecoflow Delta. That would be a severe understatement. There are many pieces of technology that both products share, but there is a major shift from Delta’s 1300Wh to Delta Pro’s astonishing 3.6 kWh. Yes, we’ve had to change the prefix. With these major changes in performance and capacity come the changes in size, which we’ll cover later.

Another major change is the power output ability. As regular Delta has a 1800W cap on any device, Delta Pro can supply devices of whopping 3600-7200 Watts of power. This feature makes it compatible with practically any device in the household, and that will be important in just a moment.

Delta Pro was designed with a large-scale power supply in mind. It was meant for electrical outages and emergencies that demand much higher power output for short periods or emergency power supply for longer periods. The main focus when creating this product was the ability to hold much more, house stronger devices, and be able to combine with more devices efficiently while providing all the necessary security features its smaller cousins have and more.

Ecoflow has a couple of new ideas and plans for the product in terms of accessories. As smaller counterparts, it can be charged through solar, car DC, and household AC in addition to the ability to supercharge on EV stations at rates of 3kW max. The company has wind turbines in the planning and they state these are coming soon.

The 3000W max can be enhanced with 1200W max solar panel charging, all at the same time. The device possesses Ecoflow’s smart generator, which can be used to charge the stations to full in case of emergencies.

With the right combination of number Delta Pros and some additional equipment (like Double Voltage Hub for instance), a household can be equipped with up to 25kWh of stored electricity which should be enough for more than 20 hours of the average household’s daily power needs. It’s good to mention here that one device should be enough to power the whole house for 3 hours, and can power emergency devices in hard times for up to two days.

  • Tier: S+
  • Capacity: 3.6 kWh
  • Max Power: 3600W / 7200W with Double Voltage Hub
  • Number of outlets: 10
  • Charging time: N/A at the moment
  • Chargeable by: AC, Solar Panels, 12/24V Car Adaptor, EV Station (3000W Max), Wind Turbine (soon to come)
  • Weight: N/A at the moment

Conclusion

As we mentioned in the beginning, the power storage industry is on the rise and we are at the threshold where they are seeing a rapid increase in popularity. We can also look forward to some awesome products in the next couple of years, as breakthroughs in battery technology appear as expected or unexpectedly.

Of course there are other portable power stations that are not included in this list as the technology advances daily and it’s hard to keep track, but sometimes it’s better to buy a proves portable power station than to risk new tech fail when it’s needed the most.

Marc Anthony
Marc Anthonyhttps://eyeoftheday.org
Hi, I am glad you made it here to know more about me. I am an RV travel blogger. I have been on the road for more than five years, met some extraordinary people, and I have gathered one hell of a piece of information about the tools to build a house in the woods, our own camper van and more!

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