Yahoo Autos The Best Portable Power Stations for Outages and Outings
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Whether you’re an avid camper (who still enjoys some creature comforts) or you feel better knowing you have an emergency power source backup at home for unexpected outages, a portable power station can come in handy. While generators are typically powered by gas and are only for outside use, these power stations provide electricity from large batteries that are safe to use indoors. Plus, they’re a bit more portable, so you can actually take them with you on off-the-grid excursions.
Read on for buying advice and our reviews of the five best power stations on the market, ready to rev up your power tools, charge electronics, or even keep appliances running when the power’s out at home.
The Best Power Stations
Best Emergency Power: EcoFlow Delta Pro
Most Versatile: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X
Best for Ego Tool Owners: Ego Power+ Nexus
Best Small Power Station: Anker 535
Best for Camping: Jackery Explorer 500
Gas Versus Battery Power
Power stations are battery operated (with some able to recharge using solar energy), while gas power sources are generally known as generators. Though gas generators are typically less expensive and provide more energy for a longer period of time, they tend to be noisy and can be used only outside, 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, but they—plus the fuel you need to run them—can be cumbersome to take on camping trips.
Battery-operated power stations are often more expensive, but they also come with a slew of benefits. They are more eco-friendly—particularly when powered by solar panels—quiet, and safe for indoor use. They typically come in a variety of sizes, so you can get a smaller, more portable pack for short camping trips or a day by the lake. For a battery station to get 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 for them to charge.
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.
About Charging with Solar Panels
Some manufacturers sent us solar panels to charge up their power stations. While we weren’t testing them specifically, we did try them out to see how well they worked and how easy they are to use. In general, we 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. We tested in late February in eastern Pennsylvania on a mostly clear, sunny day and typically reached 60-70 percent of any given panel’s current generation potential. And 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.
How We Tested and Selected Power Stations
To test these power stations, we timed how long it took to discharge and recharge their batteries. To do this, we created a constant 450-watt load that we could run on each model to keep things consistent. To get to 450 watts, we selected four, 42-watt incandescent light bulbs, one three-speed pedestal fan, and a small personal heater. Where applicable, we also paired the power stations with apps on smart phones and monitored them remotely. We assessed performance, as well as ease of use and the feedback and data provided by each model’s display screen.
When choosing portable power stations for this list, we 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 over $3,000. We included options at both ends of this range, as well as a few middle-of-the-line choices. Further, we selected power stations that were highly regarded among consumers, with popular features.
—BEST EMERGENCY POWER—
EcoFlow Delta Pro Portable Power Station
Capacity/output: 1,500 watts | Two standard 120-volt, 16.5-amp AC outlets | Two USB-A ports, 12 watts each | One USB-C port, 18 watts | One USB-C PD port (input/output), 60-watts | One 12-volt, 30-amp DC outlet | One 12-volt, High Power Port (HPP) | Two 12-volt 6mm ports | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Charging input options: Standard 120-volt AC plug, solar 11-150-volt at 15A (panels sold separately), automotive 12-volt plug | Weight: 42.5 lb
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro is a massive power station that rivals the output of gas-powered generators. EcoFlow 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 if you need more power, you can bump up to 4,500 watts with its built in X-Boost technology. In our 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, we would run only what we needed to conserve power. To that end, we 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 0 percent using a standard 120-volt home outlet, we were able to get back 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 panel chargers (sold separately), a car charger, or combinations of these to speed things up.
The Delta Pro’s display screen provides all the important of information you need to manage you power consumption. We 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 we tested. We connected the app both locally using Bluetooth and via Wi-Fi remotely to monitor the power station from anywhere. We could also toggle outlets on and off remotely, which is super helpful if you’re trying to manage power station output to extend the battery life.
While we just tested one Delta Pro, you can pair two together to double capacity.
