When we say the “Best Portable Power Stations” we do mean portable. There are some amazing portable battery systems out there but they just need to stay home. When a portable power station takes up half of the cargo area in your car, it is no longer portable in our opinion. Below, we look at some of our favorite units, ranging from heavy and “don’t want to carry too far” to small and they stay in the back of my Jeep most of the time, perfect for laptops, cell phones, shoe dryers, and more. So whether you are powering a portable refrigerator or charging your daughter’s iPhone because she spent all day on Instagram, we have you covered.
Pro Tip. If you think the best portable power stations are too pricey, wait until a major holiday weekend and chances are they will go on sale.
VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 Power Station
Looking for a high-capacity battery power station to keep the lights on during a blackout? Maybe run a refrigerator for a couple of days? Go off-grid for a few days. The VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 is a solid portable power station to meet your emergency supplies or camping list.
The VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 packs a high capacity 1548Wh battery using LiFePO chemistry, it has every output port you could ask for, including three AC outlets with 1500W output, it has the option of expansion with an external battery pack and features a 10-function battery management system (BMS) for safety. It also supports solar charging, offers fast-charging, and can be used as a UPS.VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 Power Station. There is no Wifi or Bluetooth connectivity available.
Overall, this is a solid station for the money and size. It is heavy but nothing out of the ordinary for a power station this size. The FlashSpeed 1500’s solar panels are large, so be prepared. It is available on Amazon for $999.00 (as of 7-5-2024) and is a nice station for someone using it two to three times a month. The solar panels run an extra $500 or $800, depending on the size. You can pick up the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 on Amazon.
Jackery Explorer 1000
One of our favorite stations is the Jackery 1000, it will run our house fridge for about 36 hours or run lamps and charge devices for hours on end. We use it quite a bit as a backup to the battery in our BougeRV CRPRO30 portable fridge. With that said, don’t plan on running an electric kettle or coffee maker off this station; while it will run a kettle or coffee pot, it will chew through a good chunk of battery, but this handy medium-sized battery can take care of most of life’s necessities.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station charges eight devices simultaneously. With a battery capacity of 1002Wh, it is suitable for charging all devices during camping and power outages. The Explorer 1000 power station features three standard AC outlets, a compact design, an MPPT charge controller, and an industrial-grade quiet power station.
You can get the Jackery 1000 for $529 without solar panels on Jackery.com. Panels will run you an extra $200.
Anker SOLIX C800 Portable Power Station
It packs in five AC outlets, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a DC outlet. It has a cell capacity of 768Wh. It has a max output of 1,600W and a max recharge speed of 1,100W. Those are impressive numbers that make a huge impact on what can be run from it and how fast it gets recharged and therefore usable again.
To top off some of the specs, it also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for mobile app functionality. In relation to its physical size, there’s a lot packed into the 24-pound unit. The battery is only around 14.5 inches long and 8 inches deep. I found the C800 Plus to be easier to lug around than past batteries I’ve tried from both Anker and Goal Zero.
The Solix C800 runs $449 without solar panels on anker.com or on Amazon.
Bluetti EB3A
This unit is an awesome small to medium-sized portable power station that can take care of the essentials. The Bluetti EB3A portable power station is ideal for weekend trips, fans, laptops, and phones. You won’ be running a kettle, coffee maker or anything that needs a big charge, but this unit is a good option for other fundamentals.
The EB3A station has 268Wh of capacity with a rated power output of 600 watts (1,200 surge). It also has the ability to be at 80% in 30 minutes and a charge time under 2 hours in most cases. As usual, the interface is simple and the information screen is easy to read. All in all, this is a great package with a low price tag, which makes it a perfect budget option.
The EB3A is $209 on bluetti.com without solar panels. You really can’t beat this deal. You’ll need to spend an extra $175 for solar power.
Jackery Expored 500 and Explorer 300
With Jackery Explorer 500 and 300 portable power stations, you get a nice combination of lightweight and emergency power in a small package. You’ll never have to worry about finding a wall outlet for recharging. Multiple other charging methods, like solar panels, car outlets, or electric generators ensure you’ll have the power to charge your gear anywhere, anytime.
Jackery Explorer 500
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station features numerous outlets and ports to charge low to high-power appliances, including air pumps, CPAP machines, mini-refrigerators, and more. Its compact size and lightweight design make the power station ideal for road trips and RV camping.
The Explorer 500 is available on Jackery.com for $300. Depending on the size and power output the solar panels start at $200.
Jackery Explorer 300
The Jackery 300 Plus has a capacity of 288Wh and an output of 300W of power. Its dual PD ports can output up to 100W. The Jackery 300 Plus supports fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously and offers various charging options, making it convenient for outdoor charging. The following data is based on laboratory test results and is for reference purposes only.
You can pick up the Explorer 300 for $300 on Jackery.com with a 40w solar panel. The 40w panel pretty much takes all day to charge in the sun.
