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The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested
Say goodbye to the smelly, noisy, and potentially hazardous gasoline generators and welcome the 21st century with a battery-packed power station. These modern solutions are not only quiet and odor-free but also activate with a simple press of a button. Available in a variety of sizes and price ranges, they can be recharged using multiple power sources—from AC mains to solar energy—and typically last for years with minimal maintenance required.
However, with the recent surge in the availability of power stations, choosing the right one has become a complex task. Sorting through the vast options to find a high-quality power station that suits your needs can be challenging, especially considering the price range, with some high-end models costing thousands of dollars. Don't worry though, not all are this expensive!
Also: Best rechargeable batteries
What is the best portable power station right now?
Over the past few years I've tested well over 100 different portable power stations to find out which are the best of the best. My pick for the best portable power station overall right now is the Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000, which is a huge behemoth that holds an enormous amount of power and can potentially be used to power your home for up to two weeks (plus, it's currently on sale at Amazon for $700 off). Read on for the rest of our picks for the best portable power stations you can buy.
Best portable power stations of 2024
- Clean, easy-to-read LCD display
- Expansion battery modules
- Solar panels are durable and highly efficient
- Wheels make moving it a lot easier
- Expensive
- Huge
Jackery, a familiar name in the power station game for over a decade now, has a new power station called the Explorer 2000 Plus, and this thing is a total game changer. You can scale it up from a single unit that's good for a day or two of camping to an array of batteries and solar panels that can power your home for two weeks.
You read that right: two weeks.
But you might notice that something is sitting atop my Explorer 2000 Plus. That's an add-on PackPlus E2000 Plus battery pack that adds an additional 2042.8 Wh of electrical storage capacity to the system. A single PackPlus E2000 Plus weighs in at 41.9 lbs (19 kg), so the two units combined come in at over 100 lbs (46.9 kg). That's quite a lot of weight, but in my experience everything slots together well and the unit is surprisingly portable.
Review: This portable battery station can power your home for 2 weeks
This is a really big setup, so while it's not for everyone, it without a doubt represents the ultimate in portable power storage.
The reviews of this setup from buyers on Amazon reflect my feelings -- that this is a solid, well-made system that delivers on the marketing claims it makes.
Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 tech specs: Power: 3000 watts/6000 watts surge | Weight: 61.5 | Connectivity: 10 ports
- Compact design
- 1,600W peak
- Tons of outlets
- Rechargeable lights and a telescopic pole for attachment
- Some advanced features only accessible from the app
Portable power stations have gotten good. We've gotten to the point where there's not much that sets one apart from another these days. That is, of course until one manufacturer decides to shake things up. Anker did exactly that with the Solix C800 Plus, the first portable power station with detachable 3-mode camping lights.
The Solix C800 Plus, at its heart, is a power beast, stuffed with durable LiFePO4 batteries that can stash a whopping 768Wh of power. Plus, it's got ten ports ready to charge up all your gadgets. It's like the Goldilocks of power stations; it's just the perfect size, packing plenty of punch without being a hassle to lug around.
Review: This portable power station has a standout feature that makes camping safer than ever
The unit is also incredibly well-built. Anker has housed the Solix C800 Plus' industrial-grade components and advanced circuitry in a tough, drop-proof, unibody construction shell. I can stand and jump on this unit and it doesn't flex or creak or seem like it's going to implode, which is good.
But this is all pretty standard for a good-quality power station. Where the Solix C800 Plus shines are the accessories hidden inside a flip-top compartment on the top of the unit. Inside this compartment are two battery-powered LED lights and a telescopic pole.
Reviewers on Amazon and Reddit agree that this is a perfect portable power station, that it delivers the power that Anker claims, and that it's ideal for camping.
Anker Solix C800 Plus tech specs: Power: 1200 watts/1,600 watts surge) | Weight: 24 pounds | Connectivity: 8 outlets
- Most inexpensive option
- Lightweight
- LCD screen
- Buttons a little small for gloved use
While there's a time and a place for massive power stations, sometimes I want something I can grab and go, throw into a car or truck, and take with me camping or on jobs.
The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid and well made, as I've come to expect from EcoFlow, and it's perfect for those times when you want power but don't want a huge amount of it!
Review: The EcoFlow River 2 is a truly portable power station
This has been my go-to portable power station, as it's great to throw into the footwell of a vehicle to act like a rather big power bank.
Reviewers on Amazon say they love this model for its portability and low price -- it's the perfect entry-level power station available.
EcoFlow River 2 tech specs: Power: 300 watts/600 watts surge | Weight: 7.7 pounds | Connectivity: 6 outlets
- IP65 rated for dust-proofing and water resistance
- Nicely portable
- Enough power for a weekend
- Long warranty
- The 600W output (even with 1,200W surge) is not enough for some high-powered devices such as microwave ovens.
When it comes to power stations, the AC60P -- a follow-up to Bluetti's earlier AC60 -- is as close to perfection as you can get. As I would expect from a prestigious brand like Bluetti, the unit lives up to all the claims made on the spec sheet.
On the front of the unit are most of the ports, three gently glowing buttons for turning the unit on and controlling the AC and DC outputs, and a bright, feature-packed yet easy-to-read display that shows all the important information at-a-glance.
The wireless charging mat on the top also offers added flexibility. Just pop your phone on the top to get an instant, no-fuss top-up. No cables are required. Oh, and it also has a built-in light for even more accessibility when you're out in the field.
Review: The most durable power station I've tested dares Mother Nature to do her worst
As you might imagine, I was somewhat hesitant to test out the dust and water resistance of this unit -- it is, after all, a box filled with electricity -- but that didn't stop me taking it out in some of the dampest, dirtiest environments that I could find, and I was blown away by how well this unit shrugged off the elements. It's certainly my first choice of portable power stations for use in inclement weather.
Internet reviews suggest that this unit is a popular choice among campers, photographer and videographers, and others that need power in harsh conditions.
Bluetti AC60P tech specs: Power: 600 watts/1200 watts surge | Weight: 20.06 pounds | Connectivity: 7 outlets
- Solar and battery power
- Heavy-duty use
- Bright, responsive touch screen display
- Heavy
- Can be noisy when charging
Sometimes I need a lot of power, and this is where the AC200MAX shines. At 62 pounds, this is at the upper end of portability without wheels. It's portable, yes, but long distances start to turn into cardio training, so it's best suited to base camp use where you can take a vehicle.
The handles and good weight distribution do make this package easier to handle (deliberate pun there), but it's still a weight that you're going to notice.
On the front is a touchscreen panel that is the command center for the AC200MAX, handling everything from the data and time, power outputs, and controlling the many features of the unit. It's clear and bright enough to be used in sunlight, can be dimmed if used at night or indoors. It's also very responsive to touch inputs.
I also love how the touch screen is recessed to reduce the risk of it getting broken.
Review: Need backup power for when the lights go out? Check out the Bluetti AC200MAX
All the ports are covered by rubber seals, and while these seals are not waterproof, they do add weatherproofing to the unit, resisting moisture and dust when the unit is being used outdoors. I've had no problems using this unit in tents and in the back of vehicles in some horribly wet conditions.
The user reviews are pretty much what I'd expect to read after using this for a few months. It's a solid unit, a great performer, but heavy and can be noisy when charging at full power.
Bluetti AC200MAX tech specs: Power: 2,200 watts/4,800 watts surge | Weight: 62 pounds | Connectivity: 14 outlets
- Fast charging feature
- Solar panels available
- Enough power to run fridges, microwaves, dryer, and more
- Bulky
If fast charging is you priority, then the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 has to be on your list as one of the fastest-charging home battery backups on the market. When charged from a standard wall outlet, you'll get it from zero to 80 percent battery in just 65 minutes, and taking it to a full charge can be done in under 2 hours.
I like this a lot because there are plenty of times when I'm relying on my portable power station and only have access to power -- perhaps from a gasoline generator or a wall outlet -- for a limited period. This feature allows me to top it up quickly whenever the opportunity arises.
Review: Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 can get you through most power outages
One feature that I love on this unit are the handles on either end. They remind me of handles on ammo boxes and they're great when you need to lug the close to 50 pounds of weight that this unit has. Handles on power stations are often overlooked but if you're relying on it being portable, they can make or break a portable power station.
And reviewer on Amazon agree. Along with being impressed by the quality and its ability to run large appliances, there are quite a few comments on about how portable this device is.
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 tech specs: Power: 2400 watts/3000 watts surge | Weight: 48 pounds | Connectivity: 13 outlets
What is the best portable power station?
The best portable power station is the Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000. It has a 3000-watt output, enough power to charge your mobile devices, run a mini-fridge, or essential medical equipment during a camping trip or power outage. It also features solar panels for continuous power when a wall outlet isn't available.
In my opinion it is about as close to perfect as a portable power station setup can get.
Which portable power station is right for you?
Any of these portable power stations are great options to provide you with power when you need it -- it ultimately comes down to the wattage you need, how many ports you prefer, and what price you're willing to spend.
Choose this portable power station... | If you want... |
Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 | The best overall option and a huge amount of power. |
Anker SOLIX C800 Plus | A high-power output portable power station with separate rechargeable lights. |
EcoFlow River 2 | A compact, grab-and-go portable power station. |
Bluetti AC60P | The perfect companion for adventures where the power station might get wet. |
Bluetti AC200MAX | You want one of the biggest "portable" power stations that you can carry and move about. |
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 | A fast-charging portable power station. |
Factors to consider when choosing the best portable power station
Power stations are a big investment, both money and the physical space they take up, so you need to be sure that you're buying something that works for you. This means juggling a number of factors.
- Weight: Bigger isn't always better here. Is the portable power station going to be wheeled from room to room are you going to be moving it from your vehicle to your camp? Do you want something that you cold carry in a backpack for a day?
- Battery capacity: If you plan of powering a home from your power station then you want as much battery capacity as you can afford, but for off-grid adventures it's important to bear in mind that there's a penalty here that comes in the form of weight.
- Cost: Some of these units cost several thousand dollars, while others are a couple of hundred.
- Charging: How do you plan on charging your power station? Are you mostly going to be using AC power from an outlet or do you want the independence of solar?
- Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the traditional battery technology, but the newer lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) are safer and have a much longer lifespan.
- Warranty: Portable power stations are expensive, so I want manufactures to back their products with multi-year warranties.
- Safety: Every unit I've tested has been subjected to numerous tests, from running for extended periods to check thermal management, to overloading them to see how they handle loads that are too much for them.
How we test portable power stations
At the core of this list is a lot of extensive testing of dozens of power stations. I regularly undertake trips that see me off-grid, either for camping or to carry out photography, videography, and drone work, and at these times, I rely on having access to a reliable power source. This is a great opportunity to test power stations under real-world conditions.
I also test them at home, both using them to run household appliances, and also carry out testing on battery capacity, charge and discharge times, and how they handle overloading.
Finally, every unit is safety tested to make sure that it is safe for prolonged, heavy use.
What's the difference between a portable power station and a generator?
The main difference is that a portable power station has batteries that are "filled" with electricity prior to being used, while a gasoline generator is filled with gasoline, and then an engine burns that to generate electricity.
Gasoline generators, by virtue of the fact that they burn gasoline, cannot be used indoors because of the risk of suffocation from carbon monoxide and the risk of fire, not to mention the fact that they are noisy and smelly.
Portable power stations on the other hand are quiet, emit no fumes or heat, and need little or no maintenance other than checking their charge levels.
How long will a portable power station last?
Manufacturers typically offer different runtimes for things like lamps, refrigerators, CPAP machines and so on, but if you want to work this out for yourself you can need two figures.
First, you need the power rating of the device you plan on running, which can usually be found on a label on the device, and is measured in Watts (W). You also need to know the capacity of the power station, measured in Watt hours (Wh), which should be printed somewhere on the device.
Let's say you have a device that consumes 200W and a power station that has a capacity of 2048Wh, you can get a ballpark runtime for the device using the following equation:
(2048 x 0.85)/200 = 8.7 hours
Note that the capacity of the power station is multiplied by 0.85 to account for efficiency losses.
What is the difference between a power bank and a portable power station?
Four main things separate portable power stations and power banks:
- Capacity: While power banks are perfect for topping up a smartphone or tablet, a power station can be used to charge up devices multiple times because of the vastly bigger battery capacity.
- Size and weight: Power banks are something you can normally slip into a pocket, while power stations are things you lug about or wheel about from room to room.
- Outlets: While power banks feature USB ports, power stations also have AC outlets for powering powered devices.
- Charging: While power banks are normally charged using a USB charger, power stations can be charged from a number of sources, such as main power, solar, and vehicle 12V outlets.
Are there other portable power stations worth considering?
There are plenty of other options when it comes to portable power stations available on the market. You'll find most at stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and others, and I recommend checking out these models.