10 Best Portable Power Stations With Solar Panels
Dec. 15, 2022What is a Portable Power Station?
Power stations, or should I say, portable power stations arebattery-powered inverter generatorsthat convert DC to AC current. It provides power to multiple devices through various ports and outlets. In fact, you can run your refrigerator and charge your smartphone, both at the same time using the power station.
Unlike gas-fueled generators, portable power stationsoperate off the gridwithout any harmful emissions or noise. And with advancements in fast charging, you can charge the power station quickly if you have frequent power cuts in your area. Not to mention, power stations are becoming compact and lightweight, so you can carry them while camping or during a short trip to remote areas.
Battery Capacity: More than anything, you should check the battery capacity of a power station, which should, at least, be more than 200 to 300Wh. When I say 300Wh, that means it can power a device of 300W for an hour. For example, a smartphone consumes around 2W to 6W, so a power station can charge up your phone almost 30 to 50 times based on your usage. So more the capacity, the better it is.
Power Output: Apart from that, a power station should be capable of providing power up to 200W. Nowadays, mini-fridges are generally rated at 60W, so you should always keep a healthy margin when charging multiple devices. By the way, power stations have almost double surge output, so you should be safe in case you plug in a high-voltage appliance.
Pure Sine Wave Outlet:If you want to run a medical device like a CPAP machine, make sure the power station offers a Pure Sine Wave AC outlet. You will need this dedicated AC outlet to be able to run these kinds of devices.
MultipleCharging Support:While solar and car charging are nice, make sure the power station supports AC wall outlet charging. This will make charging devices much faster. And nowadays, almost all power stations are equipped with fast charging support. So make sure to compare the time taken to charge the entire battery pack while you make a buying decision.
Ports Availability: Make sure the power station has ample ports, including USB-C, USB-A, carport, and AC outlets. If the power station supports PD or Quick Charging, that is even better. Some power stations also come with DC ports, which are suitable for charging portable refrigerators.
It can power a coffee maker, pressure cooker, and othermotor-driven applianceswith ease. Moreover, you can charge a medical device like a CPAP machine for 17 hours using the Jackery Explorer 1000, as it also offers pure sine wave signals support. Talking about the ports, you have all the essential ones, including 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 3x AC outlets, and a 12V car outlet. There is also a screen on the front, whichdisplays the input and output power supplyand how much charge is left. Overall, Jackery Explorer 1000 is a tried-and-tested power station that will not disappoint.
Buy from Amazon ($999)
BLUETTI is another company that makes reliable power stations for all kinds of pricepoint and capacities. Its AC2ooP model is one of the most popular portable power stations with solar power out there. With a2,000W power output(4,800W peak), it can run almost any electronic device, be it your smartphone or a large appliance like a dishwasher. You can use BLUETTI AC200P as a home backup solution and can also utilize it during outdoor camping.
The total capacity of this power station is 2,000Wh, meaning you can use it to power an appliance of 2000W capacity for 1 hour. It utilizes aLiFePO4 battery cell, which is known for its efficiency and protection. As for outlets, you get a total of 17 ports, including 6x AC ports, 4x USB-A ports, 1x USB-C port, 1 car outlet, 2x wireless charging pads, and more. And it can also be full charge in just 4 hours from an AC outlet. Overall, BLUETTI AC200P is a capable power station, and you can use it to run almost any device or electronic device.ProsConsPowerful 2000W outputQuite expensiveLiFePO4 cell for long-lasting batterySupports heavy home appliances as wellsupports 17 output ports
Buy from Amazon ($1659)
Anker offers an incredible portable power station with a good selection of ports and ample power capacity in a lightweight profile. It weighs around 18 pounds, so you can easily carry around while camping or on a short trip. Itsmaximum output is 500W, which is lower than Explorer 1000, but that’s what you sacrifice for portability. You won’t be able to run power-hungry motor-driven appliances like a washing machine or a microwave.
However, Anker 545 PowerHouse is best suited for charging electronics such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, and more. Itcan also power CPAP machines, but the power draw must be below 500W. And with thebuilt-in 21,6000 mAh battery, it will last much longer. This Anker portable power station also supports fast charging, meaning you can fully charge it within 5 hours. And as for ports, you get 2x USB-C ports, 4x USB-A ports, 1x car socket, and 2x AC outlets, which is pretty decent. So, the Anker 545 PowerHouse is a good portable power station with solar power at an inexpensive price, and you should definitely consider it.ProsConsQuite compact and portableNot for powering home appliancesReliable and offer solid backupPower output of 500W and 21,6000 mAhOffers fast-charging ports
Buy from Amazon ($519)
If you want the most powerful power station to run the generator off the grid for home backup, Goal Zero Yeti 1500X is a fantastic solution. It’s one of the heaviest power stations available in the market, supporting acapacity of 1,516Wh and 2,000W power output. So be it a blackout or an emergency, the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X will last you for days and can handle large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines as well.
You can also fast charge the power station with a 600-watt outlet. It can fully replenish the power stationwithin 3 hoursand with a 230-watt outlet, it can charge in 7 hours. There are also numerous ports on Goal Zero Yeti 1500X. You have 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1 car outlet, 2x 360W power outlet, 2x 120W and 2x 2000W AC outlets. To sum up, Yeti 1500X ranks among the most rugged and powerful portable power generators. And if you want a heavy-duty portale power station and don’t have any budget restrictions, this is the one to get.ProsConsHeavy-duty power stationQuite expensiveOffers up to 2,000W of powerBest for home backupOffers multiple AC ports
Buy from Amazon ($1999)
Buy from Amazon ($999)
There is also a7-inch screento check the power input and output. As for the ports, the AUKEY PowerTitan 300 features 3x USB-A ports, 1x USB -C PD (60W) port, 2x 12V DC output, and a single 110V AC outlet for TVs and CPAP machines. To sum up, if you are looking for an inexpensive power station with solar power for charging your essential devices on the move, the AUKEY PowerTitan 300 is a great pick.
Buy from Aukey ($269.99)
For just $360, the BigBlue CellPowa 500 is a promising portable power station with a huge capacity. It has amaximum power capacity of 537Wh, double of what the competition offers. Packed with a high-grade LiFePO4 battery, it can be provide power backup for multiple devices. Your smartphone can be charged 36 times, a laptop can be charged 7 times, and it can also run a mini-fridge for 10 hours and do a lot more. If you have a medical CPAP machine, the BigBlue CellPowa 500 can provide up to 20 hours of power backup for the device, which is awesome.
Not to mention, due to higher power output, you can also run a juicer, rice cooker, and TV with this power station. You don’t have to worry about ports as well since the BigBlue CellPowa 500 features 2x USB-C 60W ports, 2x USB-A (18W) ports, a 12V car charger, 2x DC output, and 2x AC outlets having a capacity of 500W (surge of 1000W).For this price, you will not get a better portable power station than BigBlue CellPowa 500.ProsCons537Wh capacity at a low priceNot as rugged as other power stationsMultiple ports availableSupports CPAP machine as well
Buy from Amazon ($449)
Energizer also offers a portable power station for only $329. At this sweet price, you get a maximum output of 300W and atotal capacity of 320Wh. It uses a LiFePO4 battery that can last for more than 2,000 charging cycles and has built-in BMS protection. You can use this portable power station with solar power to charge all your electronic devices, ranging from smartphones to AirPods. It can run any device that has a power input less than 300W. And since the power station supports pure sine wave signals, you can also use it to run CPAP machines.
There is also anLCD screenup-front, where you can check the power usage and how much battery is left. Coming to the outlets, you get access to 2x USB-A ports, 1x USB-C port, and 2x AC output. Not to forget, the Energizer 320 can befully recharged in 3.76 hours, and that’s decent for a battery of this size. Simply put, if you are on the lookout for an affordable portable power station under $300, Energizer 320 can be a good choice.ProsConsOffers 320Wh capacity at an affordable priceCharging time is longAmple ports availableLiFePO4 cell
Buy from Energizer ($329)
Jackery has also launched a highly-portable power station called Explorer 240. As the name suggests, it comes with acapacity of 240Whand can offer a pure sine wave output of 200W. Basically, for short travel, hunting, or outdoor camping, it’s a suitable power station. Not to mention, the price is low, coming at just $219, which is amazing as Jackery’s power stations are known for reliable power backup.
Buy from Amazon ($239)
MERRAC recently announced two incredible power stations with a power output of 650W and 2000W, respectively. The MERRAC Space Pro I 06 has a compact and lightweight design, while the bigger Space Pro I 20 comes in a larger footprint with a big battery capacity. The smaller one has a total battery capacity of 540Wh and the 2,000W modelbrings 1,440Wh of capacity. As for the I/O ports, you get 3x USB-A ports, 2x USB-C ports, a car outlet, and 2x AC outlets.
The MERRAC Space Pro power stations also support fast charging and can be refilled entirely in 3 hours. The best part is that these power stations are priced well. The 650W variant costs $399 and the larger 2,000W modelcosts $1099, putting them in direct competition with Jackery and BLUETTI. Overall, the MERRAC Space Pro has unveiled a great lineup of power stations at an affordable price, and you should check them out.ProsCons540W and 2000W of power outputNone as suchSupports fast chargingHas ample portsPriced aggressively
Buy from Merrac ($399)
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