'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
This is a lifesaver when the power goes out
We rely so much on being able to plug into electrical outlets that we don't realize how much we use them until the power isn't there anymore. Thankfully, power outages are not as common as they once were, but they still happen, and while that is an inconvenience for some, for others that rely on it for medical items such as CPAP machines, a power outage can be a serious issue.
On top of that, some of us like to get away from it all but still have AC power at our fingertips, and being able to load a small box into a car or even a motorcycle or bike, and take AC power with you can mean we can take some creature comforts with us.
And for photographers and videographers who spend time in the outdoors, having power on tap to charge up devices is a must.
Over the past few weeks, I've been testing the RAVPower RP-PB187 power station. Think of it as the power of Thor in a small box. This is one of the smallest power stations I've come across, and yet is home to 7Wh/70200mAh of battery capacity and can power two AC outlets (capable of delivering 250W when using a single outlet, and a total 300W when using both).
Inside the unit are premium LG 18650 batteries, which should offer long life and safety.
There's also a 60W input/output PD USB-C port for charging modern devices, such as laptops and smartphones, and three USB-A for legacy devices (two regular 5V/2.4A ports and a single 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A port).
There's also a 12V/10A DC output.
Must read: Does this accessory damage your MacBook?
RAVPower RP-PB187 power station
You can charge up the RP-PB187 power station in a number of ways, from using the supplied AC charger, or USB-C, 12/24V car charger, or solar panels (you have to supply the solar panels or car charger). Charging takes around 5 hours using the PD port or 6 hours using the DC input.
There's also a light on the unit for emergencies.
- Battery Capacity 70200mAh/252.7Wh
- PD Input: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A, PD60W Max
- DC Input: 12-24V/3.3-4A, 60W Max
- DC Output: 12V/10A, 120W Max
- iSmart1 Output: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A, 18W Max
- iSmart2 Output: 5V/2.4A, 12W Max
- iSmart3 Output: 5V/2.4A, 12W Max
- PD Output: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3A, PD60W Max
- AC Output 110V/60Hz 300W Max. 250W Rated
- Net Weight 2500g/88.2oz
- Dimensions 130 x 130 x 189mm / 5.12 x 5.12 x 7.44in
How many times can it recharge your devices?
Dangerous laptop charger -- in pictures
The RP-PB187 comes supplied in a neat cloth carry case which is quite robust, and there's a comfy shoulder strap. The whole package is stylish yet pretty robust.
The only downside I have come across is that the unit is not in any way waterproof.
At 2500g/88.2oz isn't also not that heavy, and both the carry bag and the unit have a carry handle fitted.
All-in-all, it's a really solid, robust package that delivers. I've used a number of power stations and despite being small, the RP-PB187 is still mighty.
And priced at $270 (shop around and you may find discounts), it's also reasonably priced, and is perfect both as an at-home emergency backup device, and as a power station for those who want to take power on the road with them.