Best Portable Power Stations
Whether you're planning a camping trip, going off the grid for awhile or just preparing for an upcoming natural disaster, it's important to have a way to charge your devices. This is especially true if you'll want to get into contact with family or friends to let them know you're okay and confirm they are too.
Most of the time, doing any of these things means you won't have regular access to electricity. This is where a portable power station comes in.
You can charge it completely whenever you're around electric, then use it while you're out and about to keep everything charged. Since there are so many options, we've put together a list of 7 of the best portable power stations on the market, as well as a buying guide and FAQ area. All of this information should help you find the one that meets your needs.
Our Top Rated Portable Power Stations for 2020
NEXPOW Portable Power Station
Jackery Portable Power Station
PROGENY 280W Generator
1. NEXPOW Portable Power Station- Top Pick for 2020
NEXPOW produces many different battery related products, including jumpstarters and portable power stations. They aren't too well known, but they produce high quality products that are built with high quality parts.
Design/Build
The overall design of this portable charging station is relatively simple. It's shaped like a long rectangle with a handle on the top. It's less than 10 pounds and measures about 8.9 x 3.1 x 4.1 inches, which means it's very easy to transport and doesn't take up too much room. Not only does it have 2 USB ports, but it also has a Type-C port, AC output ports and DC output ports.
Functionality
This portable charger can be recharged quickly and easily. You can use one of the following methods: PD charger, solar panel, wall outlet or car accessory outlet. It's suitable for use in many different areas, such as camping, hiking and areas where natural disasters happen. It's relatively quiet and, depending on what you're charging, it charges quite quickly.
Capacity
This particular charger is best used with devices that require 120W or less. It puts out 48000mAh. On one charge, it can charge the following devices: 2+ recharges for 50W laptops, 14 recharges for iPhones, 2+ hours for a 32" LCD TV, 3+ hours for a small fan or 2+ recharges for a drone. Keep in mind, if you charge more than one device at a time, the battery on the charger will go down quicker than just doing 1 device at a time.
Additional Features
There are some additional features that are convenient and helpful with this product. Some of these are listed below.
- An emergency built-in lamp.
- Display that lets you know the charge percentage.
- Protected for temperatures up to 60 degrees F and -20 degrees F
- Made with flame retardant materials
- Lifetime support for technical and safety issues
Star Rating/Recommendation
With 4.5 out of 5 stars, this product is built to last and give you enough power for plenty of charges. It can be charged completely in a matter of hours and it's very easy to carry and transport. All in all, this is definitely recommended and you should be relatively happy with your purchase.Pros
Cons
2. Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500
Jackery is one of the more well-known companies that produce portable charging stations. Not only do they offer a wide range of products, but they are quite known for having products that are high-quality and built to last. Besides having larger units, they also have smaller ones that can fit right into your pocket. Almost all of the products they sell has a decent amount of power and tends to charge many devices at once.
Design/Build
When comparing the size to other units, this one is quite a bit bigger. Instead of having the rectangular shape that others have, this particular one is more square. It weighs around 13 pounds has dimensions of 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.2 inches. These specs might not seem like a big deal, but it can get tiring lugging it around. It has 2 DC ports, 3 USB ports and 1 AC port.
Functionality
It can be charged 4 different ways, which are: solar panel(around 9.5 hours), car port(around 16 hours), AC outlet(7.5 hours) or a generator(7.5 hours). This means it doesn't charge too quickly, but it stays charged for a longer period once it is full. Since it's a little on the heavier and larger side, it's a good idea to use it for places where you won't be doing a lot of walking or hiking, such as camping or in an RV.
Capacity
While it isn't suitable for anything that's more than 500W, it does a great job at charging things under that. Some of these are: a 60W mini cooler for 37 hours, a 5W LED light for 45 hours, a CPAP machine for 13+ hours and a 60W TV for 7.5 hours. A few of the other things it can charge are: air pumps, smartphones, laptops, small appliances and things like car vacuums. Basically, if it's under 500W, it can charge it!
Additional Features
Some additional features of this portable charger are listed below.
- It shows the remaining battery percent of the charger
- It shows the input and output watt amounts
- It has many features to help ensure safety while it's being used
- If you have a solar panel, you can charge and hangout off grid
- It has an emergency light if needed.
- It's very durable and does well in rain and extreme temperatures.
Star Rating/Recommendation
With it having 5 out of 5 stars, this is one of the highest recommended portable power stations available. As stated earlier, the brand produces high quality products that give you plenty of charge time. It runs quite quietly too, which means you don't have to worry about being kept awake.
Pros
Cons
3. PROGENY 280W Generator Portable Power Station
Progeny is another one of those companies that aren't necessarily well-known, but tend to produce some decent products. They haven't been around as long as other companies, but they've quickly moved up in the rankings because of the quality of products they offer. They don't really offer any smaller options and most of the products they have are great for charging multiple devices at once. They do what they can to make sure the customer is happy as well.
Design/Build
The design of the actual charger is a lot like the others on the list. It's shaped like a long rectangle and has a comfortable handle on top that lets you carry it around pretty easily. It weighs around 6 pounds and the dimensions are 14 x 8 x 5.6 inches. In terms of ports, it actually has a decent amount. They are: 1 AC output, 3 DC outputs and 2 USB outputs. All of these are situated on the front and very easy to get through.
Functionality
In terms of charging the actual unit, it has 4 options. These are: a 100W solar charger(10-11 hours), a car port(6-7 hours), a generator(7-8 hours) or and AC outlet(7-8 hours). While it's great for most outdoor and indoor activities, it really stands out when it's being used for things like CPAP use or use in an emergency. It tends to stay charged for a long period of time, so you can go longer in between full charges.
Capacity
It puts out 280W, which is a decent amount of capacity. Some of the things it can charge are: 5+ recharges for a MacBook Pro, 4+ hours for a 32 inch TV, 10+ recharges for a drone, 5+ hours for a mini fridge and 7+ hours for a CPAP machine. If you use DC, you can power the CPAP machine for 25+ hours. Keep in mind, the more things you charge at once, the faster the battery will drain.
Additional Features
- It has minimal noise and vibrations.
- It's quite durable when it comes to weather conditions.
- It has safety measures set up.
- It has an 18 month guarantee.
- It does a really fantastic job with CPAP machines.
- Using a solar panel to let it charge lets you hangout off grid.
Star Rating/Recommendation
It has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating and most people are relatively happy with their purchase. When looking at the quality of the materials, the additional features of the unit and the fact that it can charge many different devices, you'll see why we recommend it. It would work great for most people, but it would be the most beneficial to those that need to wear a CPAP machine every night.
Pros
Cons
4. BEAUDENS Portable Power Station
BEAUDENS is known for many things, one of which is portable chargers. These aren't the main thing they produce, but they do have them. Since they are known for their other products, many people don't even realize they can get a portable charging station from them. These are high quality and made with materials that tend to stand up well.
Design/Build
When looking at the design of this unit, you'll see that it kind of looks like a briefcase and has a similar handle on top. It weighs 5 pounds and the dimensions are 6.7 x 3.2 x 5.9 inches. This means it's extremely easy to carry around and is compact enough to store in various different places. It has 3 USB ports, 2 DC ports, 2 input ports and an AC port.
Functionality
It has 3 different ways of charging, which are: solar panel, wall socket and car adapter. The wall socket charges it the quickest as it only takes around 4-5 hours to fully charge. It's great for most activities, but it really shines when you're doing stuff outside. It can even do well in areas that have a lot of dirt or sand blowing around.
Capacity
It can charge so many things, but we're just going to take a look at a few of them. These are: 2-3 recharges for laptops, 11 recharges for smartphones, 8 hours for a 20W fan, 38 recharges for a camera, 2-3 hours for an electric blanket, 7-8 hours for a CPAP machine, 3-4 hours for a portable mini fridge and 2-3 recharges for a drone.
Additional Features
Some additional features for this particular product are listed below.
- It has a 24 month warranty.
- It has safety measures in case of problems.
- It has an LED light and SOS setting.
- It works great during or after various types of emergencies.
- It's extremely lightweight and easy to store.
Star Rating/Recommendation
With a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, you can see why this product has high recommendations. Not only does it charge many different devices, but it stays charged for a decent amount of time. While it isn't great for things that are 150W or more, it can do a great job charging many other types of products.Pros
Cons
5. ENKEEO Power Station
ENKEEO is one of the brands that's quite well-known for their charging stations and other battery related products, such as solar panels. They've been around for quite some time and have had plenty of practice perfecting their products. If you buy from them, you'll get a high quality item that stands up well to various types of wear and tear.
Design/Build
The overall design a simple square shape with a sturdy handle on top. The writing on the front is a lime green, which is very easy to see. In terms of ports, this unit has quite a few of them. These are: 2 AC outlets, 3 USB ports and 2 DC jacks. This means you can charge many different devices at once. It's really a great product for pretty much any situation.
Functionality
It has 3 ways to charge the actual unit, which are: solar panel(7-8 hours in direct sun), AC outlet(6 hours) and a car port(7 hours). Compared to some other options, these are relatively quick charging times. With that being the case, you could easily take it with you during pretty much any activity.
Capacity
While it's not great at charging devices over 100W, there are some products that it does a fantastic job with. Some of these are: 2.5+ hours for a 50W fan, 16+ recharges for a GoPro camera, 6+ recharges for a 25W tablet, 2.5+ hours for a 50W laptop and 1 recharge for a drone. If it's under 100W, it should be able to easily charge it up.
Additional Features
- Some of the additional features are listed below.
- It has an easy to use ON/OFF switch.
- It has an emergency LED light.
- It stands up well in most weather conditions.
- It has plenty of ports.
Star Rating/Recommendation
With a 4 out of 5 star rating, you'll see that it's quite recommended. Most people are happy with their purchase and notice that the materials are high quality. It's great for all kinds of planned activities, as well as emergency situations.Pros
Cons
6. Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator Power Station
Not only does Aeiusny produce portable power stations, but they also create various types of solar panels. Their products come in a range of different designs and sizes, so you should be able to find something for your needs. They offer products that are made from high quality materials and have decent features.
Design/Build
Shaped like a long rectangle with a handle on top, this bright yellow charger only weighs about 7.5 pounds. It's measurements are 12.3 x 4.88 x 6.48 inches. It's a little bit bigger than some of the other options, but it's still relatively light and easy to fit into many places. The front has 4 USB ports and 2 DC 12V ports. The back has 3 AC output ports, which means you can plug 3 electric cords in at once.
Functionality
This charger can be charged up in 3 different ways: by solar panel, a 12V car port or AC wall outlet. Solar panel charging will take around 10-15 hours in direct sunlight, 12V will take around 10-15 hours and AC outlet will take around 6-7 hours. It can be used pretty much anywhere, but it's especially great for times when you won't be close to any type of chargers or electricity.
Capacity
Additional Features
Some of the additional features this portable charger has are listed below.
- It has a built-in LED light.
- It tells you how much battery power is left.
- It has a 12 month warranty.
- It has various symbols that will pop up during certain situations.
Star Rating/Recommendation
It has 4.5 out of 5 stars. It can be used for many different things and has plenty of battery life to give you a few charges. It's recommended for pretty much everyone, but especially to those that need to use a CPAP regularly.Pros
Cons
7. FlashFish 60000mAh Power Supply Station
Like most of the other companies on this list, FlashFish makes both portable chargers and solar panels to help with charging. There products work great for outside activities and they tend to stand up well to various types of wear and tear. They are made with high quality materials and end up lasting a long time.
Design/Build
With this rectangle charger being only about 6 pounds and having a sturdy handle, it can be easily carried around. The dimensions are 14 x 9.5 x 5.5 inches, which means it's a little bigger than other options and takes up a little more room. There are 2 12V DC ports, 2 110 AC ports, 2 QC3.0 USB ports and 1 2.4A USB port. It has 300W continuous power, 350W peak power and 60000mAh, which means it should have plenty of power to charge all of your devices.
Functionality
It can be charged the following 3 ways: solar panel(takes 7-8 hours), car charger(takes 5-6 hours) or wall charger(takes 5-6 hours). Keep in mind, it's not suitable for anything that's more than 350W and it can be used both indoors and outdoors. The durability makes it a great choice for outdoor activities, such as camping or hiking.
Capacity
With the power it has, a full charge can give power to some of the following things: 80+ hours for a 30W light, 20+ recharges for smartphones, 5-7 recharges for a 60W laptop, 12+ hours for a 20W electric guitar, 8+ hours for a 15-45W projector, 3+ recharges for a 90W drone, 60+ recharges for a 14W GoPro and 7+ hours for a 40W mini fridge.
Additional Features
Some of the additional features it has are talked about below.
- It has built in safety features.
- It has a display that lets you see how much battery is left.
- It has more than one power button for the different types of outputs.
- It can power a CPAP machine if needed.
Star Rating/Recommendation
It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It has a decent amount of ports and power, so you should be able to charge all of your devices. Add that to the fact that it stays charged for a long time, and you'll see why it's definitely recommendedPros
Cons
Choosing the Best Portable Power Stations: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Now that we've looked at 7 of the best portable power stations on the market, we need to take a look at a buying guide. Not only will this tell you about some of the different features you should expect to find, but you'll also be able to take that information and narrow down your choices.
Keep in mind, everyone has different needs, so making sure you get the perfect product for your exact needs and situation is crucial. While some of these will have additional features, such as a carrying case or strap, the points we decided to talk on are the ones that are most important.
Battery Storage
When considering how much battery storage you need, it's important to think about how many times you want to use the power station in between full charges. For instance, if you only want to use it 2 or 3 times, you'll be able to get a power station with a lower amount of storage than if you want to have more time between the charges.
There are quite a few different battery storage options, but there are some that are more common. We're going to look at 3 of those common choices below. We're going to use certain model of phone as an example, but keep in mind that bigger devices will cut down this number and some mAh options might not charge them fully.
5,000mAh
A battery storage of 5,000mAh will charge an iPhone 7 up to 1.5 times on a single charge. This works if the iPhone is running iOS 10 or higher.
10,000mAh
For 10,000mAh, an iPhone 7 that's running iOS 10 or higher can be charged up to 3 times on a single charge.
15,000mAh
Finally, an iPhone 7 that's running iOS 10 or higher can be charged up to 5 times on a single charge if the battery storage is 15,000mAh.
Power Output
The next thing you'll want to consider is the power output the portable power station has. This will let you know how fast the devices will be charged fully. We're going to take a look at the differences between charging 1 device or 2 devices, as well as how fast it can be done with various types of amps or watts.
1 Device
You'll only be charging 1 device at a time to get these speeds. The 2 speeds we'll talk about with a single device are: 1AMP/5WATT and 2.4AMP/12WATT. We'll also give 1 of 3 ratings to let you know how quickly devices will charge.
Smartphone
With the 1AMP/5WATT speed, a smartphone will charge at medium speed, while a 2.4AMP/12WATT speed will charge at a quick and optimal speed. While the 1AMP will charge your phone, it will probably do so slowly. This is true even if the battery can charge your phone more than once. On the other hand, the 2.4AMP is the fastest speeds for smartphones and is considered the optimal speed.
Tablet
If you're charging a tablet at the 1AMP speed, it will charge very slowly, while a 2.4AMP will give a medium speed. Basically, these speeds aren't optimal for tablets if you're trying to get them charged fast. While they'll do the job, it's going to take a lot longer before you'll be able to use them at full charge.
2 Devices
Now we'll look at the different information for charging 2 devices at once. The 3 speeds we'll talk about are: 2.4AMP/12WATT, 3.4AMP/17WATT and 4.8AMP/24WATT. Just like before, we'll talk about a few different device combinations and give everything a speed rating to let you know how fast things will charge.
2 Smartphones
The 2.4AMP will charge 2 smartphones at medium speed, the 3.4AMP will charge them both quickly and 4.8AMP will also charge them quickly. If you use a 2.4AMP, it will charge both phones, but it's not going to be too quickly. The other 2 speeds will charge both phones quickly and optimally.
1 Smartphone/1 Tablet
For 1 smartphone and 1 tablet, the 2.4AMP speed will give a medium charging speed, while the 3.4AMP and 4.8AMP will charge them both quickly. Just like above, the 2.4AMP will charge both but it won't be very quickly, while the other 2 will charge them both fast.
2 Tablets
The 2.4AMP will charge 2 tablets at the slowest speed, which means it really isn't a good option. The 3.4AMP will charge them at medium speed, while the 4.8AMP will charge at the fastest speed possible. The last 2 options are the best for charging 2 tablets, but if you want it to be done quickly and optimally, the 4.8AMP is your best option.
Capacity
When thinking about capacity, you need to figure out how many devices you want to charge at the same time. This is similar to power outage, but it's different because it isn't necessarily about speed. It's just important to find out the exact number of devices the power station can handle at one time. Not only do you want to think about how many personal devices will need charged, but you also want to think about if anyone else will be using the power station along with you.
Remember, the more devices you need to charge, the more capacity you'll need. It's a good idea to count the different devices and get a product that can handle over that just so you know you have everything covered.
Battery Station Charging
Another feature to consider is how the battery pack gets charged and what kind of indicator it has. Most of the time, your charging station will need to be plugged into a traditional wall outlet to charge, but some of them will come with other types of charging options, such as the outlet in the car.
You'll also want to know how fast it will take for the charging station to get a full charge, including from being completely dead. Some battery stations will have indicator lights to let you know how charged it is, which can be helpful if you need to see how much charge it gets in a limited amount of time.
Number/Types of Ports
In addition to the capacity, you'll want to make sure the charging station has plenty of ports and, if possible, a few different kinds. The number of ports matters when you're thinking about how many devices you'll need to charge, while the types of ports matter because different devices require different types of chargers. Most of the time, they'll have USB ports that let you plug a cord into.
If this is the case, you'll need to make sure the opposite end is compatible with your devices. If possible, try and get one of the products that have multiple different types of chargers built into one unit.
Weight/Size
Depending on where you'll be going and what you'll be doing, the weight and size of the power station might be extremely important. If you're going to be doing a lot of walking or moving, you don't want to get something that's going to be extremely heavy or big. On the other hand, if you won't be doing much of this, you could get away with a bigger one.
You'll also want to consider how much space you'll have. If you have just a backpack, you'll want a smaller one, but you could get a bigger charging station if you don't have to worry about your luggage situation.
Durability
One of the most important things you'll need to consider before choosing a portable power station is the durability it has. Not only is it a good idea to find something that's water proof, but you'll also want to see what other features it has.
Some of the common ones are: fall proof, wind proof and dirt proof. It's going to greatly depend on exactly where you're going and what you'll be doing, but it's a good idea to try and find something that has most of these features. It's much better to have them and not need them, than to not have them and end up getting into a situation that results in the power station getting ruined. This isn't so bad if you're somewhere that has a store you can run to, but it can be extremely detrimental if you're out in the wilderness with nothing around.
Warranty
The final thing you'll want to consider is what kind of warranty the power station has. Most companies will offer one that covers you for a certain amount of years, but it usually only covers certain things. There's usually an option to buy extra protection that will keep you covered for a longer time and cover more things. If you aren't really worried, you could do fine with the included warranty, but buying the extra one will give you extra piece of mind. Keep in mind, you don't have to buy it if you don't want to and you shouldn't be forced to if you decide you don'w want it.
FAQs
Before wrapping up, it's important to check out some of the frequently asked questions customers have. Not only will this give you a better understanding when it comes to product features, but you'll also be able to narrow down products you need and ignore the ones you don't. Keep in mind, these are just some of the popular questions and you might have others that haven't been talked about here, so doing your own research is highly recommended.
Q: How Many Ports do I Need?
A: This is going to vary greatly on how many devices you'll need to charge. You'll also want to take into consideration how many other people will be using the power station. If you only have 2 or 3 personal devices to charge, then you could get away with less ports, but more devices will require more. If you aren't really sure, count how many devices you have and get a product that has a few extra ports available. Even if you don't use them all, they will be there if you end up needing them.
Q: What Cords Do I Need?
A: Just like the ports, this is going to depend on what devices you have. Since different products have different types of chargers, you want to make sure you get at least 1 cord for every type. It actually wouldn't be a bad idea to get multiples just in case one breaks or stops working. If possible, try getting a few of the products that have multiple different types of cords included so you can ensure all your bases are covered.
Q: How Much Battery Life do I Need?
A: The easiest way to figure this out is to try and see how long you'll go in between charges. For instance, if you will only be able to fully charge the power station every few days, you want to make sure you get a product that will stay alive that long. On the other hand, if you'll be able to charge it at least once a day, you won't have to get something that has as much battery.
If you aren't really sure how long it'll be between charges, try and go with something that has more battery power just to make sure you can continue charging your devices.
Q: What Power Output do I Need?
A: Depending on where you're at, it might be extremely important to have your devices become fully charged as quickly as possible. With that being the case, you want to make sure you get a power station that can get you charged up quickly. One thing to keep in mind is that the more devices you have charging at once, the slower they'll charge. If you'll need to charge multiple devices at one time, make sure you get a product that can give you enough output.
Q: How Much Capacity Will I Need?
A: This depends on how many devices you need to charge at the same time. Some products will only let you do 1 or 2 at once, while others will let you charge more. The important thing is to figure out how many devices you have and ensure the product has that capacity. Even if you don't charge them all at once, having the option means you won't have to go without something getting charged.
Keep in mind, the more devices you charge, the quicker the battery will drain on the actual power station. You should be able to see the exact capacity on the product description or box when you make your purchase.
Q: What Durability Features Should I Look For?
A: The exact features you want will depend on where you're going. For instance, if you know you'll have some kind of shelter, you can get away with less features than you would if you'll be out in the wilderness. Some of the features you'll want to look for are: waterproof, fall proof, temperature proof and able to handle things like sand or dirt. If you aren't really sure, try and get something that has all of these features to ensure you'll be protected regardless of what kind of conditions you encounter.
Q: What Size Should I Get?
A: With size, the most important thing you want to ensure is that you'll be able to carry it or fit it into whatever luggage you have. If you'll only have a small pack, try and find one that's smaller with all of the ports, capacity and battery power you need. If that's not an issue, you can get a charging station that's pretty much any size. As stated above, just make sure you can carry it around because it could mean the difference between staying in touch and worrying the entire time you're out.
Q: Do I Need a Warranty?
A: While you don't necessarily need a warranty, it's a good idea to have one. You never know what could happen, so it's important to have protection in case you need to replace it. Most companies will offer a warranty for a certain period of time when you purchase, but it's usually just a basic warranty. Sometimes, you can pay a little extra to have a better protection plan. It's really up to you and if you don't feel like you need an extra warranty, then you don't need to get one.
As you can see, we made sure to do extensive research to bring you the best information and options possible. If you find that you don't want to use one of the 7 portable power stations in the list, you can use the information provided to choose one that will get the job done and meet whatever needs you have.
The most important thing is that you find one that's reliable and won't let you down when you need it the most. With so many options, though, you should be able to do this relatively easily. Keep in mind, it might take some time to find the perfect product, so give yourself plenty of time to purchase and receive it!