The Best Portable Power Stations of 2024

You never know when an emergency will strike, so it’s always best to be prepared. The best portable power stations fulfill a variety of roles, from keeping a household running when things go awry to adding convenience to outdoor excursions.

What to Look for in a Portable Power Station in 2024

Portable power stations are a modern convenience that every household should consider investing in. They’re the device you may never use but don’t want to be without when life throws a curveball. A great power station can mitigate an otherwise problematic situation, especially if you live in an area known for heavy or violent storms.

When you’re shopping for a new portable power station, there are a few things you’ll want to watch for. Maybe the most important is the available inputs. Are there enough plugs to cover what you need in an emergency or charge all your devices?

If you’re looking at a power adapter missing ports you need, it may be an automatic pass. Some of the best portable power stations support USB charging, have a 12V input, and no less than 2 AC ports.

From there, you can look at other aspects, like the battery capacity, typically rated in milliamp-hours (mAh). You can use this number and the rated voltage (either 12V or 24V) to determine the watt hours using the formula (mAh)*(V)/1000.

So, if your portable power station has a capacity of 20,000mAh and a rating of 24V, its watt-hours would be 480Wh. Why is this important to know? Every device you use with the station will chip away at that 480Wh. For example, if you have a 200W desktop computer, the power station can run it for approximately 2 hours without any other variables.

While looking at wattage, you’ll also want to consider the peak and continuous wattage ratings. Peak wattage refers to the max wattage needed to run a device from a cold start. Continuous wattage refers to the lower supply they’ll need to remain running.

If you’re worried about keeping appliances running, the station will need a higher peak wattage rating, easily well into the 2,000W range. This part is crucial and can’t be emphasized enough—if you want to power your fridge during a power outage, you must have a power station with a peak wattage rating high enough to handle the startup draw of the compressor.

Finally, how does the power station charge? Some only support wall outlet charging through a DC port, while others are compatible with detached solar panels. The latter is recommended, especially if you plan on traveling with your power station.

There’s plenty to think about when shopping for a new portable power station, so we’ve tried to simplify the process. Below, you’ll find five of the best portable power stations, at least one of which should satisfy your needs.

EcoFlow builds some of the best portable power stations on the market, and the company’s DELTA 2 Max is no exception. It’s a fantastic power station that will keep your gadgets and select home appliances running during an outage or an off-the-grip camping trip.

This power station houses a big 2,048Wh LFP battery, enough to run a regular refrigerator for 14 hours, a TV for 15 hours, or charge a phone over 140 times. But if you need even more power, you will be happy to know that the DELTA 2 Max’s battery capacity is expandable. You can connect up to two extra batteries for a total battery of 6144Wh.

You also get plenty of ports and sockets, including six 120V three-prong AC sockets, two 100W USB-C ports, USB Type-A ports, and dual DC5521 ports, to use all this power. Plus, it can typically push a total of 2400W AC power, but you can increase the output to 3400W using the X-Boost mode.

Another benefit of the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is its fast charging. Using AC and solar power, you can top it up from zero to 80% in just 43 minutes. But even without solar, it can reach the 80% mark in 1.1 hours. In addition to solar and AC charging, you can use your vehicle’s 12V or 24V outlet to top it up in a crunch situation.

The included color LCD display helps get critical metrics about the power station. However, you can also use the EcoFlow app to obtain more information. Other highlights include pass-through charging support, EPC functionality, and a five-year warranty.

The DELTA 2 Max has much to like about it but also has a couple of annoyances. It lacks wheels for easy transportation and doesn’t support solar input higher than 500W via each of its two ports.

Best Portable Power Station Overall

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max

$999 $1899 Save $900

From expandable battery capacity to fast charging, the EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max has much going for it. It’s also choke-full of ports and can deliver 2400W of continuous AC power.

The Flashfish 330W Portable Power Station is a simple-looking device that’s friendly to your wallet. Its unassuming construction features eight ports, including 2 AC, 2 DC, and a 45W USB-C option. Though not the most robust in inputs and outputs, when you spot the modest price tag, the appeal of the Flashfish power station is more apparent.

The unit boasts a cost per Wh of only 69 cents, so you’re saving a bunch on this portable unit. Due to its size and capacity, you won’t run an entire household with it. However, the unit is great for travel, especially with the built-in SOS flashlight.

The 330W will keep small devices running—just don’t expect to use it to cook meals on a portable electric cooktop. This is more of an emergency device to guarantee you have lighting, a charged smartphone, power for your CPAP machine, and other small essentials.

If you don’t mind spending more, the Flashfish is compatible with 100W solar panels. And since you can have the panels plugged in while using the battery, you can create a near-limitless stream of power for your sub-330W devices. Though a power unit’s capacity may be low, its price and size boost its value.

Best Budget Portable Power Station

FF FLASHFISH 330W Portable Power Station

The low-priced Flashfish 330W portable station is easy to transport and features solar charging compatibility for ample convenience.

Best Solar Portable Power Station: Bluetti AC200L

The Bluetti AC200L is a successor to the AC200MAX, and it’s an outstanding portable power station with a capacity of 2,048Wh, a max continuous power rating of 2400W, and a peak power rating of 3600W. In other words, the AC200L can power pretty much every appliance you think of, with the added benefit of being able to recharge your RV’s battery thanks to the included TT30 port.

Other ports on the Bluetti AC200L include four 20A AC power outlets, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports with 100W USB PD, a single car outlet, and a 48V DC port. The power station also supports solar (up to 1200W) and AC charging (up to 2400W), allowing you to refill its battery in about an hour. Even with a single 200W solar panel hooked up, you can recharge the internal battery with one day’s worth of sunlight.

Aside from the impressive selection of ports and the ability to power RVs, the Bluetti AC200L also supports expandable batteries. You can upgrade AC200L’s capacity to 8,192Wh with two B300 expandable cells. Even though they’re quite bulky and add to AC200L’s already hefty volume, they’re worth it if you need a portable power station capable of playing the role of a proper household generator when needed. You can also control the station via the Bluetti phone app, available on iPhone/iPad and Android.

The Bluetti AC200L’s biggest downside is its bulkiness. The base weight is more than 60 lbs, with each expandable battery adding at least 48 lbs to the total. Another minus is the price, but a high-end portable power station like this doesn’t come cheap. Also, while they’re super handy, solar panels are sold extra and are quite pricey. Even the most affordable 100W panel costs $250 a pop.

Best Solar Portable Power Station

BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station

The Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station is an outstanding portable power station, delivering ample power through AC, DC, and USB ports. The 2,048mAh capacity battery makes the AC200L keep the essentials and outdoor supplies running for hours, and the inclusion of a TT30 port allows it to power RVs.

The Anker 521 may be a David among Goliaths, but this super-compact portable power station has lots to offer every outdoor fan who needs power for their gadgets and appliances. It has a capacity of 256Wh, 300W of continuous power delivery with a 600W peak power rating, compatibility with solar charging, two AC outlets, two USB-A ports (12W max), a single USB-C port with 60W USB Power Delivery, and a car outlet.

The Anker 521 is a well-rounded, compact portable power station you can carry around with you thanks to the built-in handle that feels rather sturdy and a total weight of only 8.2 pounds. The front of the unit is dominated by a large LCD screen that shows all the relevant info, with a bright LED strip placed just below the ports for easy access during nighttime.

Regarding negatives, the 60W USB-C port can be handy, but a 100W USB-C port would’ve worked even better. We’d also like to see multiple USB-C ports since virtually every modern phone and many laptops use USB-C ports for charging.

If you need more USB-C ports that can deliver more than 60W of power, the Anker SOLIX C300 might be a better solution for your needs. This one’s quite similar to the Anker 521, but it’s got a slightly higher capacity of 288Wh and comes with three USB-C ports, two of which can deliver up to 140W of power. On the flip side, the C300 is not as portable-friendly as the Anker 521; it weighs more than 9 pounds, which, combined with its larger footprint, makes it harder to carry around than the 521.

Best Compact Portable Power Station

Anker 521 Portable Power Station

$160 $220 Save $60

The Anker 521 is a surprisingly compact portable power station that packs lots of power, lots of outlets, and lots of value. You can recharge it using solar panels, and with its 60W USB-C port, you can quickly charge your phone even while enjoying the great outdoors.

Best Fast-Charging Portable Power Station: Anker SOLIX C1000

Although our best overall pick supports fast charging, the Anker SOLIX C1000 takes things even further with its “HyperFlash” charging. It can go from zero to 100% in just 58 minutes with AC input. Even when you are only using solar, this Anker power station can fully charge in less than two hours, granted you use 600W solar input. So, if you want a fast-charging portable power station, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. Like other power stations, it supports charging through AC, solar, and your car.

Besides impressive charging speeds, the SOLIX C1000 has a reasonable 1,056Wh LFP battery. But if that is low for your use, it supports expansion, and you can plug in an extra battery to take the total capacity to 2,112Wh.

The power station can offer a typical pure sine-wave output of 1800W, which you can increase to 2,400W with the SurgePad option. The port selection is also excellent, and you get six three-prong AC sockets, one 100W USB-C port, one 30W USB-C port, two USB Type-A ports, and a cigarette lighter output.

Other features include the built-in LCD showing all the essential details plus an app for even more information and to control the power station. The Anker SOLIX C1000 is also well built and features two robust handles on either side.

On the downside, there is no DC output apart from the cigarette lighter outlet, and the power station can get loud while charging and under heavy loads.

Best Fast-Charging Portable Power Station

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station

$429 $999 Save $570

The Anker SOLIX C1000 is an excellent mid-size power station that can fully charge in less than an hour. It also offers plenty of AC outlets.

FAQ

What size power station do I need?

The size of the power station you need depends on the power consumption of the devices you plan to run. Calculate the total power consumption of all the devices and the desired duration. For example, if you’re consuming 300W of power continuously for 5 hours per day, you’ll need a portable power station rated at least 1,500Wh.

Can a portable power station run a heater?

Yes, a portable power station can run a heater, but it depends on the capacity of the power station and the power requirements of the heater. Make sure the power station has enough capacity to run the heater for your desired length of time.

Can a portable power station run a refrigerator?

While a portable power station can run a refrigerator, you need to consider the power consumption of the refrigerator and the capacity of the power station. Some portable power stations may not have enough battery life to sustain the refrigerator’s power requirements. Check the mAh of your power station’s battery and the watt hours of your refrigerator to determine compatibility.

How do I charge a power station?

Portable power stations can be charged in multiple ways. The traditional method is using a DC cord plugged into a wall outlet. Depending on the power station, you may also have the option to charge it using a USB-C cable or through your car’s cigarette lighter. Some power stations even support solar charging, allowing you to use detached solar chargers to keep the station charged throughout the day.