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Mar 11, 2023

Best portable power stations in 2023

Make sure the gadgets you depend on stay powered at all times As advanced as

Make sure the gadgets you depend on stay powered at all times

As advanced as modern electronic gadgets and appliances are, they still depend on a reliable supply of power to work. So while one of our power banks recommendations can help during a pinch for a phone or two, it won't be very useful for extended power outages, off-the-grid vacations, or running AC-powered household appliances. This is where power stations come into play.

Power stations that use lithium-ion batteries not only reduce your reliance on gas- or diesel-guzzling generators, but they can also power your appliances, charge mobile devices, and do a lot more. So here are the best portable power stations on the market to get you started.

Charge your life

The Jackery Explorer 1000 is a high-quality portable power station that packs a ton of features and power in an easy-to-handle package. It's great for backup power, camping trips, and more.

Jackery is no stranger to portable power systems, and the company's Explorer 1000 is widely loved for its ability to run most power-hungry appliances despite having a relatively portable design. It houses a 1002Wh lithium battery that you can use to charge your phones, laptops, and mobile devices using the onboard USB-C and USB-A ports. You also get three AC points that output pure sine-wave power for your appliances. With a power output of 1000W, it can run most small appliances, including a microwave and coffee maker.

You can juice it up using a wall outlet, solar panels, or the 12V output from a car. Additionally, the onboard LCD is easy to read and offers information about the remaining battery and input/output voltage. The Jackery offering has excellent build quality, and the included handle helps carry it around.

The ultimate portable power for your adventures

The Yeti 1500X is Goal Zero's best-selling large portable power station and for good reason. It packs a ton of power, multiple charging options, and a wide array of ports and outlets.

The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X is the most powerful power station among our recommendations. It houses a 1500Wh battery in an aluminum shell that can deliver up to 2000W power (3500W surge), enough to run pretty much anything you may need in an emergency or during an outdoor adventure. But this also means the Yeti 1500X is relatively heavy at 45 pounds.

In other features, the built-in LCD screen is informative and lets you know all the necessary details. The company has also packed multiple ports and outlets, including two USB-C ports and two 120V AC ports.

You can charge the Yeti 1500X using solar power, wall power, and a 12V car outlet. You'll also be happy to know you can reduce the charge times by using the company's optional 600W power supply that takes three hours to top up.

Ready for any adventure

Togo Power Advance 350 is an excellent, compact companion for power outages, camping, and more. It is lightweight and features DC ports, USB ports, and an AC outlet.

The Togo Power Advance 350 is perfect for anyone who wants a smaller power station capable of keeping the essentials powered up during an extended outage or outdoor activities. It packs a 346Wh battery that can charge your mobile devices, drone, and cameras or run a small refrigerator, 50-inch TV, or projector without trouble. There is only one AC outlet, but you get four USB ports, including a Type-C with 60W output.

The Togo Power offering also supports three common charging modes: wall power, solar power, and a car 12V port. There is also a built-in LED light that doubles as an SOS light, an LCD screen to display vital information about the power station, and a built-in Qi charger that you rarely see in budget power stations.

Built for performance

Anker 757 Powerhouse is a versatile power station with super-fast charging, multiple ports and outlets, and newer LFP batteries. The 757 Powerhouse can also act as a UPS for your computer.

The Anker 757 Powerhouse shares some features with the EcoFlow Delta 2, such as super-fast AC charging and LFP batteries. And although it has a few tricks of its own, it also lacks a few things you would find in the Delta 2. For example, while the Anker power station can act as a UPS for your critical electronic devices, it doesn't support expandable battery capacity.

In terms of specifications, the Anker offering has a battery capacity of 1229Wh, six USB ports, six AC outlets, and a car outlet. These features help the power station run everything from your phone and laptop to smaller fridges and microwaves. Design-wise, the Anker 757 Powerhouse looks both modern and premium. But unfortunately, it's relatively heavy. You can still carry it around in a truck or RV, though.

Convenience and comfort

The Jackery Explorer 300 delivers great performance for the money, so this is a good option if you don't need a lot of backup power.

The Jackery Explorer 300 is an excellent budget power station that's lightweight but still packs a decent amount of power and a wide range of ports. It has a 293Wh battery, which, although not a lot, can charge your mobile devices and power smaller appliances, such as fans, smaller TVs, and mini coolers.

It has the same design as our best overall pick, including the easy-to-read LCD screen that shows all the vital information about the unit. In terms of output, you get two AC outlets, three USB ports, and a 12V car outlet. Of course, you can also juice it up using the typical array of modes, such as wall outlets, solar panels, and car power sockets.

On the downside, it's not the fastest charging power station and will take around two hours to get from zero to 80% via a wall outlet or a USB PD adapter. Charging via solar panels can take up to 3.5 hours to achieve the same.

Built to last and perform

The Delta 2 is an impressive power station that can handle almost everything you throw at it. It also supports extra battery packs and uses LFP batteries.

A successor to EcoFlow's popular Delta power station, the Delta 2 packs several improvements that make it a much better power station. It has a battery capacity of 1024Wh. But if that is not enough, you can add extra battery packs.

Speaking of batteries, one of the biggest highlights of the Delta 2 is the inclusion of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have several advantages over the ternary lithium or NMC batteries found in the original Delta model and several other power stations. For example, LFP batteries can survive over three times the number of charge cycles before depletion compared to other batteries, and they are more efficient and less prone to overheating.

The Delta 2 offers charging via solar panels, wall outlets, and a 12V car outlet. You'll also be happy to know that the EcoFlow power station supports impressive fast charging speeds via AC power; it can go from zero to 100% in an hour and a half. You also get four USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, six AC ports (two are rated for 20amps), two DC ports, and a cigarette power adapter.

Small in size but big in capacity

The Bluetti EB3A is a great alternative to our value pick. It uses LFP batteries for a longer lifespan, has fast charging support, and has a decent selection of ports.

The Bluetti EB3A is another super-compact power station like the Jackery Explorer 300, but it uses LFP batteries, making it a better option for battery longevity. It also has a 600W power output, much higher than the Jackery unit. However, the Bluetti EB3A has a slightly lower battery capacity at 268Wh, so it'll last a relatively shorter duration, particularly when you connect appliances that consume more power.

The Bluetti power station can charge quickly using a wall socket, solar, car outlet, or generator. You can also juice up the power station using AC and solar power simultaneously for even faster charging. Among other features, there are three USB ports, two AC outlets, and three DC outlets. Moreover, like Togo Power Advance 350, you get a Qi charging slot.

Adapts to your needs

The BioLite BaseCharge 600 has all the elements of a good mid-range power station. It can deliver up to 600W of power and has a decent selection of ports and outlets.

The BioLite BaseCharge 600 is an excellent mid-range option if you want more power and capacity than our compact power station recommendations but aren't ready to shell out for the likes of Jackery Explorer 1000 or EF EcoFlow Delta 2. It has a battery capacity of 622Wh, and it can deliver 600W of power. This is enough power to run things like microwaves, refrigerators, power washers, electric coolers, or coffee grinders.

The company hasn't skimped on the ports and outlets; you get two AC outlets, four USB ports, and three DC ports. There is also a Qi charger on the top to juice up your phone or a mobile accessory.

The power station isn't too heavy at 14 pounds, so you can easily carry it around. In addition, it supports charging via a wall charger, USB PD charger, and solar panels. Unfortunately, charging isn't very fast, but you can use both the PD and wall chargers to reduce the time.

With a fan-less design

Zendure SuperBase 600M will entice buyers who either want a mid-range power station in a compact form factor or need something quiet.

The Zendure SuperBase 600M is another great mid-range power station option. It has a compact design and a relatively lightweight body. And as the company has not included any fans and uses the power station body to dissipate heat, you get an almost completely silent operation.

Unfortunately, the fan-less design also means there is no super-fast charging support. Instead, the unit will take around six hours to go from zero to 100 using a 100W USB PD charger. In other charging options, you can use solar panels, a 12V car output, or a DC input from another source. The port and outlet options are comprehensive but not as expansive as high-end power stations.

In terms of the battery capacity, there are 607Wh cells inside that can deliver 600W power. But in the case of a surge, it can support up to 1000W without stalling.

Power bank with solar power

The Riapow T11X is perfect for keeping your phone or mobile accessories juiced up while camping or during a power outage. It has a 30,000mAh capacity and can be topped using solar or AC power.

If you don't need a big power station with AC outlets and want something that can keep your phone and mobile accessories topped up, the Riapow T11X is a good option. This power bank has a massive battery capacity of 30,000mAh that can deliver multiple charges to most phones on the market. It also comes with built-in solar panels for charging when you don't have access to a wall outlet.

Another highlight of the power bank is the built-in USB-C, USB-A, and lightning cables that remove the need to carry cords. But if you need a longer cable, there are the usual USB-A and USB-C ports to plug them in. Regarding charging speed, the Riapow T11X can push up to 15W of power.

It's no exaggeration that modern-day gadgets and appliances have become essential in our daily lives. Hence, it's vital that they're never without a power source, and a good power station can help with that.

We are particularly impressed by Jackery's Explorer 1000. It has a lot going for it, from a reasonably big 1002Wh battery to a comprehensive selection of ports and outlets. The power station is also well-built, and Jackery is a reputed brand in this space. But if you need something even more powerful, Goal Zero's Yeti 1500X is definitely worth considering. It has a massive 1000Wh battery and can deliver 2000W of power. You can also juice it up relatively fast with the company's optional 600W charger.

Budget-conscious buyers will appreciate Togo Power's Advance 300. It may not be as powerful as Jackery Explorer 1000 or Goal Zero Yeti 1500X, but it can run many small appliances and has plenty of ports to keep your mobile device topped up.

Gaurav Shukla has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade. His first foray into technology journalism was a self-published Android blog — AndroidOS.in — where Gaurav covered everything from the T-Mobile G1 to HTC's descent into smartphone oblivion. Since then, he has worked with MSN.com, NDTV Gadgets 360, How-To Geek, and XDA-Developers. Over the course of his career, Gaurav has extensively covered consumer technology news, written dozens of product reviews, how-to guides, explainers, buying guides, and much more. When he's not writing or keeping up with the latest gadgets, you can find him catching up on the latest TV series or movies. You can reach him at [email protected].