Be prepared for unexpected power failures and off-the-grid camping trips.
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The demand for portable power has never been higher. Whether you're concerned about a power outage during or after a storm or are camping or overlanding several days or more off-grid, keeping our devices and electronics charged up is essential. Gone are the days where getting power where there is none means firing up a gas-powered generator. Sure, that is still an option— and for bigger needs, like whole home power, that may be the better option— but modern, battery-powered stations offer a lot of versatility that gas-fed models lack.
For instance, they are quieter. If you are hosting a party or tailgating, the noise of a gas engine won't drown out the conversation and music around you. Or if you're recharging essential electronics at night while camping, a quieter environment obviously makes for easier sleeping. Additionally, battery-operated power stations can be ran indoors. This means if you are trying to power a small appliance in your house during a power outage, you can bring the power station inside the house and set it up next to the appliance. That wouldn't be possible with a gas generator.
The heart of a power station is essentially a battery, whereas traditional portable power solutions—namely generators—are powered by internal combustion engines. Though gas generators are typically less expensive and provide more energy for a longer period of time, they are noisier and can be used only outside and at a safe distance from your home to keep carbon monoxide exhaust from getting inside.
Gas generators are a great solution for temporarily providing power during an outage. They can be cumbersome to take on camping trips, though, especially when you consider the extra heft of fuel.
Although prices are coming down, power stations are often more expensive than generators. However, they come with a slew of benefits. They are more eco-friendly—particularly when powered by solar panels—and also are quiet and safe for indoor use. They typically come in a variety of sizes, so you can get a smaller, more portable unit for short camping trips or a day by the lake.
For a battery station to be as powerful as a gas generator, though, you will have to spend big bucks—often well over $1,000. While these batteries are rechargeable, some may take more than 8 hours to charge, so be sure to check the specs before you buy.
What Size Power Station Do You Need?
It’s important to know what you intend to plug into a power station in order to choose the right size. Many manufacturers have a chart with estimated power requirements for common appliances and devices to help add up what’s required. You can also calculate the figure by tallying the power consumption of specific devices and adding them together.
To calculate watts, multiply voltage (usually 120 volts) by the amps (amperage) required to run the appliance (usually found on a tag attached to the appliance). Do this for each item the generator will power.
Some manufacturers sent us solar panels to charge up their power stations. While I wasn’t testing them specifically, I did try them out to see how well they worked and how easy they are to use. In general, I found that it’s difficult to reach the maximum charging capability of any given solar panel.
This is due to a couple of reasons, but mainly because conditions are rarely perfect. I tested in Northeast PA on a mostly clear, sunny day and typically reached 60- to 70-percent of any given panel’s current-generation potential.
Since it generally takes multiple hours to recharge a power station, we had to reposition the panels frequently to maintain optimal orientation to the sun. This is not to say solar panels aren’t viable options for charging, just that if you’re going to rely on them, you need to plan accordingly. You may need more panels than you expect if you’re simply going by the numbers the panels are rated at to estimate how long charging will take.
For the initial test of these power stations, I timed how long it took to discharge and recharge their batteries. To do this, I created a constant 450-watt load that could run on each model to keep things consistent. To get to 450 watts, I selected four 42-watt incandescent light bulbs, one three-speed pedestal fan, and a small personal heater. Where applicable, I also paired the power stations with their companion app on a smart phone and monitored them remotely. I assessed performance, as well as ease of use and the feedback and data provided by each model’s display screen.
In subsequent updates for this article, testing was more focused on casual, typical use-cases. For some of these, the primary test was seeing how long I could power a small refrigerator before fully draining the battery. A fridge is a high-end, but common, use case for these units that illustrates what these units are capable of.
When choosing portable power stations for this list, I wanted to offer a variety of choices that will fit both your needs and your budget. Small, basic power stations start around $500, but larger models can cost $3,500 or more. I included options at both ends of this range, as well as a few middle-of-the-line choices.
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro is a massive power station that rivals the output of gas-powered generators. The brand claims it will power nearly any appliance, and after testing, we’re inclined to agree. With an output of 3,600 watts, it can handle multiple appliances, and you can bump the output to 4,500 watts with its built in X-Boost technology if you need more power.
In testing, running with a continuous 470-watt load, as indicated on the Delta Pro’s display, it provided power for 6 hours and 57 minutes. Of course, in a home back-up during a power outage situation, I would run only what was needed to conserve power. To that end, I used it to power a full-size, 25-cubic-foot refrigerator—which it did for a remarkable 51 hours and 24 minutes.
Recharging the power station from empty using a standard 120-volt home outlet, it recharged to full capacity in 2 hours and 36 minutes. You can also charge the system, with the included adapter, at EV charging stations, with solar panels (sold separately), a car charger, or combinations of these to speed things up.
The Delta Pro’s display screen provides all the important information you need to manage you power consumption. I frequently checked the screen during testing to see the unit’s charge level, current load, and estimated run time at the current discharge rate.
All of this information is also accessible through EcoFlow’s app, which was the most intuitive and easy-to-use of those tested. I connected the app both locally using Bluetooth and via Wi-Fi remotely to monitor the power station from anywhere. I could also toggle outlets on and off remotely, which is helpful if you’re trying to manage power station output to extend the battery life.
Initially, I tested just one Delta Pro, but since then, I've also tested the brand's Whole-Home Backup Kit, which includes two of the power stations and a dual voltage hub used to connect to your home service panel, via a transfer switch. I used this set-up to power critical circuits in a Northeast PA home in late winter.
The Delta Pro Whole Home Kit ran just over 24 hours, powering kitchen outlets, a full-size refrigerator, a chest freezer, a cable modem and wireless network, and a hot water boiler. The two Delta Pro power stations had been previously stored with 100 percent charge for 8 months, and maintained their full charges.
Testing was performed under normal usage conditions—run time could easily be extended by employing standard power conservation strategies like lowering the thermostat, powering the fridge and freezer for four hours on and four hours off, and only opening the them when absolutely necessary. EcoFlow’s Delta Pro Whole Home Kit is a legitimate home back-up system that can operate inside your home, with none of the risks or potential hassles of running a generator.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is a new and improved version of the previous iteration of this model. Jackery increased the storage capacity by 70Wh, and bumped the output by 50 percent, to 1500W. This means you can power devices with higher loads, like an electric grill or large microwave. Jackery managed this while maintaining the Explorer 1000’s compact size and weight, which means it’s still easily portable for activities like camping.
The Explorer 1000 features three standard 120v AC outlets, two USB C ports (30 and 100W), one USB A port (18W), and one 12V DC outlet. Paired with Jackery’s app, you can monitor it locally via Bluetooth, or from anywhere when it's connected via Wi-Fi. In the app you can check charge levels and estimated run time, as well as toggle any of the outputs on or off.
Plugged into the wall, the Explorer 1000 recharges in under two hours. Using an optional 200W solar panel will take longer, at over seven hours—but that time can be reduced using multiple panels. It can also be charged from your vehicle, taking up to 12 hours.
Performance wise, the 1000 V2 did well powering a 25-cubic-foot refrigerator for 18 hours, 22 minutes, which is better performance than I've gotten from other tested 1000W models. Under a constant load of 475 watts—that’s a little less than a small coffee maker—it ran for 1 hour and 57 minutes.
This power station offers a lot of bang for the buck. Sure, it isn't going to power your house through a days-long outage, but it offers a lot of nice features for the price, making it one of the better values out there, especially if you can pick it up on sale.
The Yeti 1500X is the bridge between emergency home backup and off-grid power for camping, tailgating, or remote excursions. I ran it from 100-percent down to empty using a 459-watt load over 3 hours and 11 minutes. For reference, that’s like running four refrigerators continuously, for the same amount of time. I actually did use the Yeti 1500X to power one refrigerator during testing, and we were able to keep it going for 28 hours and 17 minutes before the battery died.
When I recharged the Yeti from a wall outlet with the included AC charger, it took 13 hours and 11 minutes to go from empty to full. You can cut that down to as little as 3 hours (claimed) with an optional 600-watt power supply. You can also charge from your car with Goal Zero’s optional car charger, or using a Boulder Solar Panel Briefcase.
Using Goal Zero’s free app, I was able to pair the Yeti 1500X via Bluetooth and set it up to access via Wi-Fi remotely. Being able to monitor charging and battery level remotely made things easy for testing. That convenience translates well to home or camping use, being able to know how much longer the battery will last—or when the power station is back up to a full charge.
One thing I've learned testing power stations is that cable management can be a hassle. With multiple charging cords, plugs, and adapters, I often got cables mixed up. I didn’t have that problem with the Yeti, though, because it has a built-in cable storage compartment—a welcome feature, to be sure.
Anker’s 535 Portable Power Station is intended for smaller power needs and ideal for use as a mobile charging station for your devices. It’s not designed for loads over 500 watts: That means no hair dryers, toaster ovens, or coffee machines. I used all four 110-volt outlets to run a total load of 424 watts, as calculated by the 535, for exactly an hour before the battery kicked it, which matched the estimated run time on the display to the minute.
Admittedly, this test load is higher than what you might typically run off the 535, but I use the same load across all power stations tested. Note that devices using 100 watts or less can be sustained for 5- to 10 hours. More in line with typical use, the 535 will charge laptops and tablets several times over and mobile phones dozens of times.
When it comes to recharging your devices, one of our favorite features, power-saving mode, automatically shuts the 535 down once devices reach a full charge. I timed recharging, from 0- to 100 percent, at 4 hours and 56 minutes from a standard wall outlet. It can also charge from your vehicle with the included cable.
I found the information displayed on 535’s screen helpful in managing power consumption and charging. Data it provides include current power in watts—coming in during charging or going out during use, estimated run time, battery charge level, and which outlets are in use.
The name says it all for Jackery’s Explorer 500. Ideal for camping and travel, it’s designed for low- and medium-power devices—anything under 500 watts. That means skip the toaster oven or microwave. The Explorer 500 only has a single 110-volt outlet, so I had to use a power strip to test with the same devices used on other models.
The display gives you the critical information you need: power coming in during charging, power going out during use, and battery charge level. According to the display, the testing load totaled 478 watts, which ran for 1 hour and 2 minutes before depleting the battery. Using the Explorer 500 as a mobile charging station, you can expect to recharge a laptop up to five times or a mobile phone up to 50 times.
I timed recharging the Explorer from a wall outlet in 7 hours and 1 minute. It can also charge via an included adapter for your car or using an optional solar panel. Jackery sent us a Solar Saga 100 to try out with it. While solar is a great option to charge your power station or keep it topped up, to get the most out of solar charging, you need to keep the panels oriented toward the sun.
On testing day in Pennsylvania with the sun lower in the sky, it took 2 hours per 10 percent of battery charge and required moving the panels to keep them oriented for the strongest sunlight.
For the price, Duracell’s Power 1000 is hard to beat. It is nearly half the price, per watt, of other models in the 500- to 1500 watt range. And its performance per watt is on par or better than that of other models in that range.
I was able to run a full-size refrigerator, under normal usage, for 13 hours and 43 minutes, before exhausting the battery. Running on a constant load averaging 470 watts, it ran for 1 hour and 57 minutes. The test results indicate the Power 1000 would be suitable for using as an emergency back-up in a power outage, or with its relatively small size, for a weekend camping, to keep your personal electronic devices charged up.
The relatively low cost of the Power 1000 means there are some compromises—namely that it doesn’t feature Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, so you cannot monitor it from your smart phone. This could be an issue if you are using this power station at a remote site for something like keeping a fridge running, where a sudden loss of power could mean spoiled food if you don't get back to it in time. But for occasional use where you can physically check on battery life once in a while, it's hard to beat this unit for the price.
Do battery power stations require routine maintenance?
No, not in the normal sense. You should charge it fully, about every three months, when not in use. Be sure to unplug it once it has reached full charge.
When does a fuel powered generator make more sense than a battery power station?
There isn't a universal right answer—it really depends on several variables. If you live in an apartment or condo, and don’t have a place to safely run a generator, then your only option is a power station. Scale comes into play too—if you only need to charge a phone or laptop, then a small power station is the most convenient way to go.
For emergency backup power, it depends on how many appliances and devices you expect to power, and for how long. The longer you need significant amounts of power, the more sense a fuel-powered generator may make. A portable generator may be the least expensive investment, but if you have to run it multiple days, the cost of fuel will start to add up.
For emergency backup over an extended period, you might be able to rely on a medium-to-large portable power station, with a small generator to recharge it.
What is the lifespan of a portable power station?
A power station's lifespan will vary by battery type, inverter/charger design, and manufacturer. It can vary widely from one model to another, and understand that runtime will slowly degrade over time.
Generally, the battery won’t just fail with an end-of-life event—it simply won’t hold as much of a charge. That said, manufacturers estimate lifespan in thousands of discharge cycles. It’s common to see numbers from 1,000 to 10,000 cycles. For reference, 3,500 discharge cycles would be about 10 years, if used every day.
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
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