When it comes to reliable power sources for outdoors and emergencies, the best portable power stations are indispensable. Learn all your options for these life-saving machines here.
The need for a stable, safe power supply these days can't be downplayed. It's the very reason power stations are popular these days, especially for preppers and survivalists. These power stations prove to be essential amenities for emergencies--similar to your survival whistles.
Even campers, RV owners, and outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from these power stations. It can keep important accessories, such as phones, GPS, and emergency radios up and running.
Keep in mind that power stations and generators are not the same. Later on, we will discuss the difference between these two. But overall, they do perform the function of providing electricity to your electronics and gadgets.
In the meantime, take a look at the top portable power stations you can get today.
| Battery Capacity | Cycle Life | Where to Buy | |
 EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station | 2,016 Wh | 800 cycles (at 80 percent capacity) | Amazon REI |
 Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 | 300 Wh | 500 cycles (at 80 percent capacity) | Amazon |
 Anker 521 Portable Power Station | 256 Wh | 3000 cycles (at 80 percent capacity) | Amazon |
 BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200P | 2000 Wh | 3500 cycles (at 80 percent capacity | Amazon |
 Westinghouse iGen300s Portable Power Station | 296 Wh | 500 cycles (at 80 percent capacity) | Amazon |
 NEXPOW Portable Power Station 300W | 296 Wh | 600 cycles (at 80 percent capacity) | Amazon |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium-ion NMC 19.6 inches x 12 inches x 9.5 inches 53 lbs. 2,018 watts (expandable to 6,000 watts) -4 to 113°F (-20 to 45°C) Wall, Car, USB 1.6 hours (AC wall port) BMS, Over Voltage Protection, Short Circuit Protection |
EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station Review
The EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station is one of the top power stations these days. It features quick-charging X-Stream technology that allows it to reach 80 percent of its capacity within an hour. Orr you can also charge it via the EcoFlow solar panels for non-stop energy supply.
This item could power up to 15 devices at the same time. Specifically, it has 6 AC ports and 9 DC ports. It can accommodate different appliances and essential electronics for outdoor use.
It is also an intuitive power station. After all, you can monitor and control its performance via the EcoFlow app.
As mentioned, the power of this device can be expanded from 2,000 watts to 6,000 watts. Simply connect two external batteries to this power station, and it will generate triple the size of your energy requirements. It can even power your entire RV and home during emergencies.
| PROS | CONS |
| Multiple charging mechanisms Built for outdoor use; durable and rugged Can charge multiple devices at the same time | Heavier and bulkier than other portable stations here |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium-ion NMC 9.1 inches x 5.2 inches x 7.8 inches 7.1 lbs. 293 Wh 14 t0 104°F (-10 to 40 °C) Wall, Car, USB, Solar 2.5 hours (AC wall port) BMS, Over Voltage Protection, Short Circuit Protection |
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 Review
The Jackery Explorer 300 is an ideal power station for short camping trips and lightweight use. Thanks to its oversized carrying handle, it is compact and easy to carry. It has a power capacity of 293Wh, enabling it to operate small appliances efficiently.
It has enough power to charge six smart devices and electronics simultaneously. Its charging time takes up to 2.5 hours when connected to an AC wall charger. But you can also charge it via generators, cars, or solar panels. It has six outputs, including a 60-watt PD USB-C and a 12-volt carport.
With its MPPT technology, charging the power station via solar panels becomes a speedy process. Specifically, a 100-watt SolarSaga solar panel will charge this power station for less than 6 hours.
Of course, the Jackery Explorer 300 has an intuitive interface. It is easy to operate and control. Moreover, it's eco-friendly and safe to use, thanks to its integrated pure sine wave inverter and battery management system.
| PROS | CONS |
| Lightweight and travel-friendly design Comes with a fast-charging solar panel Safe and stable | No notable drawbacks |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) 8.5 inches x 8.32 inches x 5.67inches 9.57 lbs. 293 Wh 32 to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Wall, Car, USB 4 hours (AC wall port) Battery Management System |
Anker 521 Portable Power Station Review
This product from Anker is a fantastic option for a portable power station. It has numerous innovative features, such as its energy-saving mode that automatically deactivates the power station once all your devices are already charged.
Furthermore, this particular setting enables stable, safe charging of your electronics. This is an essential component for charging sensitive gadgets. Interestingly, the Anker PowerHouse comes with built-in LED lighting. You can use this during emergencies or evenings at the campsite.
It also includes a smart display that lets you know the cell capacity, output and input, and the recharging time of the power station.
By the way, keep in mind that this power station doesn't work on large appliances, such as CPAPs, air compressors, and microwaves. Still, it is a good power station for your essentials.
| PROS | CONS |
| Operates quietly Compact and travel-friendly construction Includes a built-in warm light | Not suitable for charging big appliances |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) 16.5 inches x 11 inches x 15.2 inches 60.6 lbs. 2,000 Wh 32 to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Wall, Car, USB, Solar 5.5 hours (AC wall port) Battery Management System, MPPT Charge Controller |
BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200P Review
This power station is a high-capacity unit for powering various appliances in RVs and tools for emergencies. It comes with a 2000-watt inverter that ensures that it can charge with optimal performance and stability.
Its LiFePO4 battery cell doesn't have any problems holding charges for extended periods. We also love its premium battery management system that provides it and your electronics with different levels of protection.
Moreover, this power station is compatible with a 500-watt AC charger and a 700-watt solar panel. So by combining these two, the charging time of this power station could be reduced to 2.5 hours.
There are 17 outlets integrated into this unit, such as 6 AC ports and two wireless charging pads. It also includes a 12V / 25A DC port for your machinery.
| PROS | CONS |
| Can last long in service Can be dual-charged for faster charging Provides stability in powering sensitive devices | AC charger has loud fans |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium ion 9.1 inches x 5 inches x 8.9 inches 6.35 lbs. 296 Wh 32 to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Wall, Car, USB, Solar 5 hours (AC wall port) Battery Management System, Overload Protection, OverCurrent Protection, Over Voltage Protection, Short Circuit Protection |
Westinghouse iGen300s Portable Power Station Review
Westinghouse is a popular brand for generators and power stations. This particular unit from the company represents its finesse in making reliable, ultra-safe power-providing tools.
The Westinghouse iGen300s Portable Power Station can charge up to 9 devices at the same time. So depending on the situation you are in, this little guy can actually keep you on the grid. For example, it can charge smartphones up to 31 times and laptops 12 times.
Despite its heavy-duty performance, the iGen300s is compact and light. It sits at 6.35 pounds, making it lighter than its Jackery counterpart. This unit operates without emissions, as well. It doesn't generate fumes whatsoever.
It has a fairly quick charging time. The power station can reach its 80-percent load in approximately five hours or less when connected to an AC port.
| PROS | CONS |
| Durable construction Multiple charging option Includes a three-mode flashlight and intuitive LED interface | Charging time is long when not using AC ports |
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Battery Type: Dimensions: Weight: Capacity: Discharge Temperature Charger Type: Charging Time: Management System: | Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) 11.8 inches x 11.14 inches x 8.78 inches 12.34 lbs. 296 Wh 32 to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Wall, Car, USB, Solar 5 hours (AC wall port) Battery Management System |
NEXPOW Portable Power Station 300W Review
Finally, we have the NEXPOW Portable Power Station. It has a capacity of 296 Wh, which should be able to power small outdoor and emergency essentials. It includes nine different ports to charge your phone, tablet, radio, and flashlights.
Similar to most of the power stations we featured here, the NEXPOW Power Station has four charging methods: solar, wall plug, car charger, and type-C USB. Regardless of the situation, you can certainly power this machine.
It is a suitable choice for emergencies, thanks to its built-in flashlight that includes three lighting modes. Moreover, it is compact and lightweight, allowing you to carry it with you without the need for a vehicle.
Because this unit is built to last, expect that it can withstand constant use and abuse. Even its enclosed construction ensures that it can't be breached by the elements.
| PROS | CONS |
| Comes with multiple ports Offers different charging mediums Stable and suitable for sensitive electronics | Emits loud beeping sounds |
Before we go to the next meat of this blog, it is important that we can define what a portable power station is.
As its name may suggest, a power station is a device that provides other electronics and appliances. It is often used to charge radios, medical equipment, worksite tools, and smartphones. Essentially, these portable power stations are advertised as integral items for camping emergency and survival.
Portable power stations are similar to power banks, except for the fact that they have larger and better batteries. Because of this, their battery output and capacity are capable enough to handle larger electronics and appliances.
They also include outlets that you can use to plug appliances, equipment, and simple gadgets. Many of these portable power stations are designed for easier transport. They are suitable for outdoor activities, such as camping. But they are also useful in events where their power outages become too frequent.
Many people think that portable power stations and portable generators are just the same. While the function of these two pieces of equipment is virtually the same (provide power to appliances and equipment), the way they execute them is quite different.
Power stations are touted to be the environmentally-conscious route for charging and power generation. The reason for this is that it can operate without the use of gasoline or petroleum. In short, it doesn't have emissions, which is vital if you are keen in following the leave-no-trace principles. It can charge by plugging it into AC outlets, USB ports, or solar panels.
Unlike traditional generators, these power stations don't generate electricity on their own. You need to charge them, which means that they have batteries in their systems.
In fact, you can think of these power stations as portable batteries. Usually, they are equipped with lithium-ion cells with different chemistries, such as NMC and LiFEP04.
If you are going to choose between a power station and a generator, make sure that you know your needs. Power stations are great for those who want reliable power sources during emergencies. They are power banks, after all. So if they are fully charged, you can get them to run your critical equipment.
Generators, on the other hand, create their own electricity. So as long as you have fuel for them, they could last for as long as needed. Power stations tend to depend on electricity. So once their charge is drained, you need to plug them into an outlet again. This downside is quite limiting, especially if there are no external power sources. Fortunately, many of these power stations can be charged via cars or solar panels.
These are the things that you need to consider whenever you want to purchase a portable power station for outdoor or emergency use.
One of the most important things that you need to figure out is the battery capacity of a power station. Each power station has its respective battery capacity. Some of them are capable of powering large appliances, while others are restricted to small equipment and electronics.
The battery capacity will also determine how many times a power station can charge a particular device. Needless to say, the higher the capacity, the more full charges you can get.
Of course, don't jump ships automatically yet. Keep in mind that power stations with higher capacities are larger and bulkier than their counterparts. So you need to assess your intended applications before you decide which power station to get.
By the way, manufacturers have specific metrics in determining the capacity of their power stations. However, the most common ones are milliamp hour, watt hour, kilowatt hour, and amp hour. All of these things may refer to battery capacity.
Notably, electronics these days indicate their power consumption via watt-hours. If a power station indicates its battery capacity in watts, then just keep in mind that one watt is equivalent to one watt-hour.
The primary function of power stations is to charge appliances and electronics. That's why it is crucial that you choose a particular unit that can operate different equipment--including your sensitive units.
Many power stations today have inverters. These inverters are the ones that convert the direct current of the battery to alternating current. Direct current is the one being used to power battery-operated devices such as survival flashlights, tablets, and phones. Meanwhile, alternating current is designed for power-consuming items such as refrigerators, CPAPs, and other emergency equipment.
Modified sine wave inverters and pure sine wave inverters are the two categories of inverters. The pure sine wave inverters can generate clean sine waves, while the modified ones create pulse width modulation (PWM), which is a mimicry of the pure sine wave signal.
Between the two, choose power stations that are equipped with pure sine wave inverters if you are exclusively charging sensitive electronics. For power-hungry appliances, you are free to go with modified sine wave inverters.
Let's talk about batteries once again.
As we have mentioned earlier, power stations are like power banks; they are equipped with batteries where the charged electricity is stored.
The kind of battery used in a power station may determine its performance, charging speed, and even cost. So it's essential that you know all your options.
Lithium-ion, lithium iron phosphate, and lead acid are among the usually used batteries in power stations.
Lithium-ion is known for its fast-charging capability. It also has high energy density. Lithium iron phosphate, or LiFePO4, has almost the same qualities as lithium-ion batteries. It is extremely safe and stable. Lead batteries are the most affordable here. But they are bulky, and they don't charge that fast.
Hence, your option here would be a power station that is either powered by lithium-ion or lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.
Another important aspect of a power station is its charging ports. These are where you are going to plug your devices and equipment.
But keep in mind that quantity isn't the only factor you need to consider when it comes to ports. You also need to check their variation. Of course, it is not enough that you have ports for AC and DC-powered devices. You also need to have USB ports for your gadgets.
At the same time, you may also want to get those power stations that offer wireless charging and USB-C ports. These special configurations mean that you have different ways to keep your essentials running.
It is also important to identify the lifespan of the batteries of these power stations. If a power station has a long battery lifespan, then you would be able to use it for a very long time.
Their lifespan is usually expressed in charging cycles. Batteries that can be charged and discharged numerous times are great because they signify that the power station is long-lasting. They don't degrade quickly.
If you are planning to use the power station frequently, then go with those units that have charging cycles of at least a thousand.
We often discuss starting and running watts when we talk about generators, right? However, they are also applicable to power stations.
As we have indicated earlier, these power stations can be used to power crucial appliances on the job site, emergency tools, and other large appliances you use on your camping trip.
However, always remember that a power station can only operate if they have sufficient running and starting watts.
Items that have high power requirements have specific starting watts for them to start. Once they are on, they need a supply of continuous power, which is called running watts.
In a nutshell, the best portable power stations are essential investments for those who love to travel outdoors and those who want to be ready in emergencies. These power stations provide stable and clean energy for charging your important equipment. They can also operate your integral devices and tools whenever you need them the most.
It's crucial that you identify your requirements before you purchase a power station. After that, you can pick the most appropriate power station we listed in this post. By that time, you should be able to head outdoors confidently and readily.
