There are many reasons why people need a portable power station. For example, while on vacation or camping, you have probably needed a power source, but you discover that there is not anywhere you can turn to. In moments such as these, a portable power station is an essential part of your packing list.
However, with so many battery power banks on the market, you may not know what to look for when buying one. Read on to discover the ultimate guide for portable power stations, including why they are important and what to look for.
Why a Portable Power Station is Important
Have you ever been away from home on vacation, and your phone’s battery is nearing 0%, and you wish you had somewhere to charge it?
While a portable power station is not the same thing as a full-scale generator, it is an excellent option to consider.
- Camping. It is difficult to find charging stations when you go camping, especially if you are not using a camper or an RV. Having a portable power station is good to bring with you in these situations. For example, in the summer, you may be using an air conditioner in your RV. It is well known that air conditioners take up a lot of energy, and they can put stress on your RV’s power system.
- You Spend a Lot of Time on the Road. Do you work on the road? Do you need to charge your laptop? Do not use your car engine and gasoline. A portable power station can charge all your electronics. In addition, a portable power station very critical part of an emergency kit in your car.
- Emergency Situations. If you lose power at home and need light or certain electrical devices, you can use a portable power station.
- Rechargeable and Green. Portable power stations are rechargeable, either by battery or solar power, which is free and green!
- Small size. Many portable power sources are small and, therefore, can be used in many situations. They can fit in your car, RV, or truck. They can be stored in small spaces until needed. Portable power stations are versatile with where and how they can be used.
- You do not have accessible outlets. You may find that certain rooms, or a backyard shed, have no convenient electrical outlet for a specific job. A portable power station is an excellent option to avoid extension cords or adaptors.
What You Need to Look for in a Power Station
There are a few things you need to consider when looking for portable power stations. As you shop around, you need to pay close attention to these elements because you want to make sure that you choose the right one for your needs.
- Price Range. The first thing you need to know is how much you are willing to spend on a portable power station. There are cheaper low capacity portable power stations that will cost you around $150, and there are powerful fully optioned around $2000.
- Specifications. Portable power stations have Watt-hour, Watt, and milliamp-hour ratings. Confused? In the next section, I will make things clear so you can choose the best.
- Features. Portable power stations include many features that you may or may not want. For example, if you want a USB port included in your unit, you will need to make sure it comes with that feature.
- Size & Weight. Portable power stations come in various sizes, though all are going to be small compared to a full-size generator. Some portable power stations are not that “portable.” For example, if you are backpacking, you will want the lightest option available.
This is why it is important to know why you need a portable power station. Make notes of what you need and how you want to use the unit. When you have this information, it will be easier to decipher which power station you want to invest in.
What the Power Ratings Mean
Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand what the power ratings you see on a portable power station mean. However, once you know the basics, you will make an informed decision when choosing your next power station.
You need to be familiar with a couple of terms when you are looking at potential portable power stations.
- Watt-hours. This will be represented by the letters: “Wh.” This tells you the capacity of the battery. A higher number means a larger battery that stores more energy for later use.
- Milliamp hour. This will be represented by the letters: “mAh.” Like Watt-hours, this also tells you the capacity of the battery. A higher number means a larger battery. However, watt-hours are a more accurate measure than mAh.
- Watts. This is the power rating of the portable power station. In other words, it is the maximum output -or energy- the battery can deliver at one time. A higher number means the battery can run more devices at once.
- If you want a portable power station to last longer, you will want to find a unit that has a high Wh capacity.
- If you want to plug more devices simultaneously, you need to find a unit with a higher watt rating.
What Extra Features Are Available for Power Stations?
You need to know what features you would like included in your portable power stations. However, you may not know what features are available to choose from.
If you know how you want to use your portable power station, you will figure out which features make the most sense. Here are some of the features you will choose from when you are searching for your portable power station.
- Wall outlets. Most portable power stations come with wall outlets that you can use to plug in many devices you have, such as the charging cable for your smartphone.
- USB ports. You may need USB ports in your portable power station. Many come with multiple USB ports, and they may come with different kinds of USB ports. For example, USB 2 and USB 3 ports. Regardless, if this is something you need, make a note of it while searching for your power station.
- Cigarette lighter outlet. Not all portable power chargers will have this feature, but some do, and if this is important to you, you should make sure the unit you get has one.
- Flashlight. Some will have a flashlight feature, which can be very useful in emergencies.
- Solar panel input. If you want to recharge your portable power station via solar panels, you must make sure that they have a solar panel input; otherwise, you will not be able to use solar panels with your unit.
- Car Battery Jumper Cables. A portable power station can jump a dead car battery! Many actually come with jumper cables. It is a great option to have.
Five Excellent Portable Power Stations to Consider:
Now that you know the benefits of a portable power station, and you know how you want to use it, it is time to go shopping! Make sure you the specifications meet your needs.
Here are five highly-rated and reliable portable power stations you should look at:
- Nexpow 178wh Portable Power Station
- PROGENY 300W Portable Power Station
- ROCKPALS 280wh Portable Power Station
- Goal Zero Yeti 500x 505wh Portable Power Station
- Jackery Explorer 1488wh Portable Power Station
Taking a closer look at each of these will help you get the full picture as to how each of these can help you with your energy needs.
Nexpow Portable Power Station
Another great option to look at is the Nexpow Portable Power Station. This power station is only around $130 and is small and compact. Moreover, it has 178Wh and 150 watts.
While this one is a cheaper option and therefore has fewer features to look at, what it does have is pretty good and makes this one worth considering.
- Two USB ports. This portable power station includes two USB ports. While this may not be as many as some other options, it is still a good amount.
- LED Flashlight. At the front of the unit is a built-in LED flashlight, which can be very useful in emergencies.
- Voltage Control & Current Control. This is one of the safety features on the Nexpow, which prevents current fluctuations that may affect sensitive electronics or medical equipment.
- Temperature Control. Another safety feature, this one will ensure your battery and device does not overheat.
- 5 overall outlets. You can charge up to five devices at once through the five different ports.
- Can be recharged with solar energy. This one can be recharged in a few different ways, and one of those ways is through solar with these solar panels from Amazon.
PROGENY 300W Portable Power Station
The PROGENY 300W Portable Power Station is a great option to consider. This portable power station has a Wh capacity of 299 and a power rating of 300 watts.
It is a compact power station that weighs less than 7.5 lbs. Additionally, it has several great features that you should take a look at.
- LED Screen. There is an LED screen that is built into the unit, and it is heavy-duty, so you do not have to worry about it breaking easily.
- Emergency Flashlight. This particular portable power station comes with an emergency flashlight, so it is a good option if your main purpose is emergencies.
- Has a built in 5w wireless charger pad on the top making it compatible with most Qi wireless charging devices
- Rechargeable. The Progeny Portable Power Station is rechargeable and can be recharged in four ways: solar panels, wall outlets, through another generator, and DC power from a source such as your car.
- 4 USB Ports. If you are looking for a power station that also has USB ports, this one has four for your convenience.
This portable power station will cost you around $200, but it is highly rated and a great option to consider.
ROCKPALS 300w Portable Power Station
The ROCKPALS 300w Portable Power Station is another great option to consider. It is small and compact and costs around $250. Additionally, it runs on 300w and 280Wh.
There are several features on this portable power station that are worth noting when comparing different power stations.
- Includes 1 110v outlet.
- Includes 4 USB outlets.
- Can be charged via solar and through your car.
- Under 7.5 lbs.
It is important to note that ROCKPALS also includes a solar power charging kit that can be paired with this portable power station, which is beneficial if you are looking for a solar-powered power station.
While this portable power station is more expensive than some of the others, and it may have slightly fewer features, it is still a powerful option. It is highly rated as many people love its versatility and power. It is easy to charge and easy to use, which makes it a great option for indoor or outdoor applications.
Goal Zero Yeti 500x Portable Power Station
This is a high-end option for a portable power station. The Goal Zero Yeti 500x can cost you around $699, but the extra money goes into the quality you are getting in return.
The Goal Zero Yeti 500x is heavier than the other items listed. It weighs around 12 lbs, but it is durable and solid. Additionally, it has 505Wh and runs on a power rating of 500 watts. This is a pretty powerful little power station.
Here are some of the features of the Goal Zero Yeti 500x that make it worth considering, despite the higher price.
- Can be recharged with solar panels. The Goal Zero Yeti 500x can be paired with solar panels to recharge, which creates a green alternative.
- Has multiple 110v outlets. Unlike some other options, this one has multiple 110v outlets, which makes it very versatile.
- Can be charged between 4.5 hours and 10 hours, depending on the source.
- Is very quiet. Sometimes, portable power stations can run loudly, but the Goal Zero Yeti 500x runs very quietly, which can be great, especially if you need to use it at night.
- 4 USB outlets. The number of outlets for charging devices is one of the best features of this unit.
- Has enough power to charge a laptop 10 times.
This portable power station is larger than others, but it contains a lot more power than others, too. If you need a heavy-duty option that will last you a pretty long time between charges, then this may be the choice for you.
Jackery Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station
Want to go big? The Jackery Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station can deliver for hours, and possibly days. This portable power station holds 1488wh of charge and can deliver 1800w of power! This, of course, comes at a hefty 32lbs.
Moreover, if you want the full package, you can choose to charge via solar. Jackery pairs the Power Station with solar panels for easy charging. There are a few ways to recharge this portable power station, and all the ways usually take around five hours or so for a complete recharge!
Some other features of the Jackery Portable power station include:
- Four devices can be charged simultaneously.
- Can be charged through your car.
Additionally, the Jackery Portable Power Station is usually bought for around $1500, though sometimes it is available for less (look for the coupon checkbox on Amazon).
Conclusion:
A Portable Power Station can serve to run lights in emergencies, or can run your laptop and phone for online classes while you camp. Choose a portable power station that meets your needs. Remember that the higher the watt-hour or milliamp-hour rating, the larger the battery capacity. The higher watt rating the more devices can be charged at once. Always, aim for a unit that exceeds your needs and can be charged in multiple methods.
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