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Apr . 18, 2024 11:13 Back to list

The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested



Say goodbye to the smelly, noisy, and potentially hazardous gasoline generators and welcome the 21st century with a battery-packed power station. These modern solutions are not only quiet and odor-free but also activate with a simple press of a button. Available in a variety of sizes and price ranges, they can be recharged using multiple power sources—from AC mains to solar energy—and typically last for years with minimal maintenance required.

 

However, with the recent surge in the availability of power stations, choosing the right one has become a complex task. Sorting through the vast options to find a high-quality power station that suits your needs can be challenging, especially considering the price range, with some high-end models costing thousands of dollars. Don't worry though, not all are this expensive!

Also: Best rechargeable batteries

Over the past few years I've tested well over 100 different portable power stations to find out which are the best of the best. My pick for the best portable power station overall right now is the Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000, which is a huge behemoth that holds an enormous amount of power and can potentially be used to power your home for up to two weeks (plus, it's currently on sale at Amazon for $700 off). Read on for the rest of our picks for the best portable power stations you can buy.

 

Best portable power station overall

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus power station
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
pros & cons
pros
  • Clean, easy-to-read LCD display
  • Expansion battery modules
  • Solar panels are durable and highly efficient
  • Wheels make moving it a lot easier
cons
  • Expensive
  • Huge
more details

Jackery, a familiar name in the power station game for over a decade now, has a new power station called the Explorer 2000 Plus, and this thing is a total game changer. You can scale it up from a single unit that's good for a day or two of camping to an array of batteries and solar panels that can power your home for two weeks.

You read that right: two weeks.

But you might notice that something is sitting atop my Explorer 2000 Plus. That's an add-on PackPlus E2000 Plus battery pack that adds an additional 2042.8 Wh of electrical storage capacity to the system. A single PackPlus E2000 Plus weighs in at 41.9 lbs (19 kg), so the two units combined come in at over 100 lbs (46.9 kg). That's quite a lot of weight, but in my experience everything slots together well and the unit is surprisingly portable.

Review: This portable battery station can power your home for 2 weeks

This is a really big setup, so while it's not for everyone, it without a doubt represents the ultimate in portable power storage.

The reviews of this setup from buyers on Amazon reflect my feelings -- that this is a solid, well-made system that delivers on the marketing claims it makes. 

Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 tech specs: Power: 3000 watts/6000 watts surge | Weight: 61.5 | Connectivity: 10 ports

Portable power stations have gotten good. We've gotten to the point where there's not much that sets one apart from another these days. That is, of course until one manufacturer decides to shake things up. Anker did exactly that with the Solix C800 Plus, the first portable power station with detachable 3-mode camping lights.

The Solix C800 Plus, at its heart, is a power beast, stuffed with durable LiFePO4 batteries that can stash a whopping 768Wh of power. Plus, it's got ten ports ready to charge up all your gadgets. It's like the Goldilocks of power stations; it's just the perfect size, packing plenty of punch without being a hassle to lug around.

Review: This portable power station has a standout feature that makes camping safer than ever

The unit is also incredibly well-built. Anker has housed the Solix C800 Plus' industrial-grade components and advanced circuitry in a tough, drop-proof, unibody construction shell. I can stand and jump on this unit and it doesn't flex or creak or seem like it's going to implode, which is good.

But this is all pretty standard for a good-quality power station. Where the Solix C800 Plus shines are the accessories hidden inside a flip-top compartment on the top of the unit. Inside this compartment are two battery-powered LED lights and a telescopic pole. 

Reviewers on Amazon and Reddit agree that this is a perfect portable power station, that it delivers the power that Anker claims, and that it's ideal for camping.

Anker Solix C800 Plus tech specs: Power: 1200 watts/1,600 watts surge) | Weight: 24 pounds | Connectivity: 8 outlets

While there's a time and a place for massive power stations, sometimes I want something I can grab and go, throw into a car or truck, and take with me camping or on jobs.

The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid and well made, as I've come to expect from EcoFlow, and it's perfect for those times when you want power but don't want a huge amount of it! 

Review: The EcoFlow River 2 is a truly portable power station

This has been my go-to portable power station, as it's great to throw into the footwell of a vehicle to act like a rather big power bank.

Reviewers on Amazon say they love this model for its portability and low price -- it's the perfect entry-level power station available.

EcoFlow River 2 tech specs: Power: 300 watts/600 watts surge | Weight: 7.7 pounds | Connectivity: 6 outlets

 

 


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