A common misconception is to view a power station merely as an oversized portable battery pack. However, these devices offer a plethora of functionalities beyond simply recharging your gadgets. From powering lamps during a blackout to running a fridge during an outage, portable power stations prove to be versatile. They become indispensable on camping trips and serve as an outdoor power source for activities like backyard movie nights with projectors and speakers.
RAVPower Portable Power Station 252.7Wh Power House – Best Small Portable Power Station
Pros
- Small form factor
- Abundance of ports
- Includes a case and built-in flashlight
Cons
- Designed for quick trips, not extended use
Price Today: $189.99 at RavPower
For those seeking a power station for off-the-grid weekends or preparing for potential power shortages, RAVPower’s 252.7Wh portable power station fits the bill. Primarily geared towards recharging phones, laptops, and lighter-duty items, it features a pure sine wave AC inverter for sensitive devices. Despite its 253 watt-hour capacity limitation, it remains ultra-portable and lightweight, making it an affordable and practical choice.
Aukey PowerTitan 300 – Best Small Power Station Runner-Up
Pros
- Large bright display
- Ample ports
- Highly efficient
Cons
- Solar panel accessory falls short
Price Today: $249.99 at Aukey
Aukey’s PowerTitan closely competes with RAVPower’s offering. With high efficiency, a variety of ports, fast recharge times, and an affordable price, it excels in charging phones, tablets, and laptops. Limited by its 300 watt-hour capacity, similar to RAVPower, the deciding factor may be the cost, with RAVPower holding a slight edge in affordability.
Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro – Best Power Station for Preppers
Pros
- Excellent weight-to-capacity ratio
- Rapid charging
Cons
- No phone app support
- Battery chemistry may not be ideal for full-time off-grid use
Price Today: $1699 at Jackery
For those embracing preparedness in various scenarios, Jackery’s Explorer 1500 Pro stands out. With impressive efficiency, relatively light weight, and 1,500 watt-hours of capacity, it caters to needs ranging from camping trips to running appliances during power outages. Fast AC charging enhances its flexibility, although the absence of a customizable app might be a drawback.
Bluetti AC180 – Best for Preppers Runner-Up
Pros
- Very efficient AC operation
- Diverse connection options
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Price Today: $1099 at Bluetti
Bluetti’s AC180 secures its spot as a runner-up for preppers with a commendable price-to-performance ratio. Boasting class-leading efficiency with its 1,152 watt-hour capacity, it efficiently converts stored energy into electricity. Bluetti addresses the concerns of off-the-grid preppers with a feature-rich app that allows access to unit settings without internet connectivity.
EcoFlow Delta 2 – Best High-Tech and Expandable Power Station
Pros
- Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for longer duty cycles
- Handy companion app
- Impressive recharge rate
- Expandable with a secondary battery
Cons
- Loud fans under heavy loads
- Expansion battery is relatively pricey
Price Today: $649 at Amazon
EcoFlow’s Delta 2 emerges as one of the most high-tech portable power stations, featuring robust app support for remote control and the option to augment with a secondary battery. With rapid charge rates, an 1,800-watt output, and expandable capabilities, it stands out. However, the notable drawback is the fan noise, especially under heavy usage.
