How to choose a portable power station
Power Stations & Solar Panels

How to Choose a Portable Power Station

Portable Power Stations are increasingly popular for their portability and practicality in scenarios such as outdoor camping, emergency backup, and power supply for small appliances. This article will provide you with a guide to selecting portable power stations with a capacity of 999 watts or less, helping you make a wise choice.

  • Determine the purpose and power requirements

Before selecting a portable power station, it is essential to clarify your purpose and power requirements. Portable power stations with a capacity of 999 watts or less are suitable for lightweight outdoor activities and power supply for small appliances. For example, mobile phones, tablets, small fans, lighting equipment, etc. If you need to power large appliances such as refrigerators or air conditioners, you may need a power station with a higher capacity.

  • Consider the battery capacity

Battery capacity determines how much electrical energy a portable power station can store, usually measured in watt-hours (Wh). The larger the capacity, the more devices it can support and the longer the usage time. Choose the appropriate battery capacity based on your power needs. For example, if you are only engaged in outdoor activities for a day, a power station with a capacity of 300-500Wh may be sufficient; if you need to stay overnight, you may need a power station with a capacity of more than 500Wh.

  • Check the output interfaces

Different devices require different types of charging interfaces. Ensure that the portable power station you choose has enough output interfaces to meet your charging needs. Common output interfaces include AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C (PD), and car charging ports. Some high-end portable power stations also offer wireless charging capabilities.

  • Evaluate the charging methods

The charging method of a portable power station is also an important consideration. Some portable power stations support various charging methods, such as mains charging, solar charging, and car charging. Choose a power station that supports the appropriate charging method based on your usage environment and conditions.

  • Consider portability

When using outdoors, portability is an essential factor. The size and weight of the portable power station affects its portability. Choose a power station that is small in volume and light in weight for easy carrying and storage.

  • Safety and durability

Safety and durability are two key characteristics of portable power stations. Ensure that the power station you choose has good overcharge, over-discharge, and overheating protection functions, as well as shockproof and waterproof casing designs.

  • Brand and after-sales service

Choose portable power stations from well-known brands, which usually offer better product quality and after-sales service. Before purchasing, understand the brand’s market reputation and after-sales service policies.

  • Budget

Choose a cost-effective portable power station based on your budget. Price does not always represent quality, but generally speaking, power stations with higher prices have better performance and durability.

POWER
Application
Output Interface
Additional Features
999W and Below
Suitable for outdoor offices or photography, powering small power appliances such as mobile phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, etc.
Make sure there are enough USB and possibly DC-out ports to be compatible with multiple devices.
1000W -2000W
Suitable for outdoor camping and self-driving tours, and can power electrical appliances such as kettles, rice cookers, electric cookers, and car refrigerators.
Make sure the rated power and peak power of the power supply can meet the starting power and running power of your equipment.
Consider whether fast charging is supported to reduce charging time.
2000W-3999W
Suitable for household appliances that require continuous power supply, such as refrigerators, induction cookers, air conditioners, etc.
There need to be enough AC output ports, and possibly DC and USB ports, to be compatible with a variety of devices.
Consider support for solar charging to provide an additional charging option in outdoor environments.
4000W-6000W
Suitable for situations where high power output is required, such as home emergency backup power or large outdoor equipment.
Ensure that the continuous output power and peak power of the power supply can meet the needs of high-power devices.
Make sure the power supply has safety protection functions such as overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, and short-circuit protection.

999W and Below Portable Power Stations

999W and Below Portable Power Stations

Images
FOSSiBOT F800 Portable Power Station FlashFish A501 Portable Power Station DaranEner NEOZ Portable Power Station
Product name
Power
800W
500W
300W
Battery Capacity
512Wh
540Wh
179.2Wh
Output Interface
800W AC
2 x 20W TYPE-C
1 x 100W TYPE-C
18W USB-A
MAX 120W Car charger
12V/10A DC6530
USB-A *3
Type-C *2
MAX 60W USB-C*1
MAX 18W USB-A*2
MAX 120W (12V/10A) Car charger
300W 120V-60Hz AC
Charging Method
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Mains charging, solar
charging
Weight
6.5kg (14.3 lbs)
6.4kg(14 lbs)
2.75kg (6 lbs)

FOSSiBOT F800–800W Powerful Output

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FOSSiBOT F800 with 800W Powerful Output

  • Brand: FOSSiBOT
  • Power: 800W
  • Battery Capacity: 512Wh
  • Output Interface: 8
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 6.5kg (14.3 lbs)

Review

St**V

I think the FOSSiBOT F800 finally strikes the perfect balance between portability and functionality. I have several power stations from different companies, but this is definitely my newest and most beloved.
It has a storage capacity of 512Wh, uses bi-directional inverter technology, and can be fully charged in just 1.5 hours with an AC charging cable. A long-lasting lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery can withstand 3,500 cycles up to a depth of discharge of 80%. This is a true uninterruptible power supply (UPS). It runs very quietly and weighs only 6.5kg. It is the perfect new camping partner for me. When I drive my RV to the beach, it runs like shore power. Everything works except the air conditioner. It has two large solar inputs and can be fully charged with solar in just over 2 hours. It also supports simultaneous input, so if the sun starts to set and I haven’t charged it yet, I can run the gas generator with both AC and DC inputs for a short time before sunset and quiet periods to fully charge it. It’s also pretty cool from the outside.

CTECHi GT600–Cost-Effective Choice

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CTECHi GT600 Portable Power Station

  • Brand: FlashFish
  • Power: 500W
  • Battery Capacity: 540Wh
  • Output Interface: 5
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 6.4kg (14 lbs)

Review

Al**M

My husband and I bought this product mainly because it is extremely compact, lightweight, and portable. We have been wanting a gadget that we could take with us on our hikes for a long time, and this one is perfect for that. It is quite powerful and has enough power to power similar sized and wattage devices like hair dryers. We took it with us on our hike for Labor Day and the experience of using it was simply amazing! It had no issues the entire time and was very easy to use. It has several different types of USB and DC ports, so it can be used for a wide variety of devices that need to be charged. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a practical and compact generator for travel. We are very happy with our purchase.

DaranEner NEOZ–Small and Portable

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DaranEner NEOZ Portable Power Station

  • Brand: DaranEner
  • Power: 300W
  • Battery Capacity: 179.2Wh
  • Output Interface: 5
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging
  • Weight: 2.75kg (6 lbs)

Review

Ma**d

Just recently, having experienced a hurricane where I live and knowing more storms are coming, it will be very severe, I compromised this time and decided to do whatever I could to prepare for the long power outages that are coming. The size and weight of this portable power station is amazing, especially when you compare it to the noisy and gas-guzzling generators that have been pulled off the shelves. For me, the biggest problem with these storms is lack of sleep, so having it running at night without having to empty and refill my fridge and freezer would be beneficial. Speaking of storage, I mean, this air cooler would be perfect if you have space in your closet, haha.

Power Between 1000W-1999W

1000W-2000W Portable Power Stations

Images
VTOMAN Flashspeed 1000 Portable Power Stations OUKITEL P1201 Portable Power Stations DaranEner NEO1500Pro Portable Power Stations
Product name
Power
1000W
1200W
1800W
Battery Capacity
828Wh
960Wh
1382Wh
Output Interface
USB-A Output: 3*12W, 1*18W
USB-C Output: 2*100W
DC Output: 2*120W
Car Input Recharge: 200W Max
AC Input Recharge: 700W Max
2 x AC: 1200W (200-240V), 2400 Surge
2 x USB-A: 5V/2.4A
1 x USB-C: PD-100W
3 x USB-C: PD-20W
2 x Output: 12V/3A
1 x Cigar lighter: 12V/10A
USB-A*4: MAX. 24W
USB-C*2: Max.100W
Car socket output: Max. 120W (12V⎓8A)
AC output: 1800W (Max. 3000W) 230V 50Hz/60Hz
Charging Method
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Mains charging, solar charging
Weight
17kg(37.4 lbs)
12.5kg(27.6 lbs)
18.66kg (41 lbs)

VTOMAN Flashspeed 1000–High Cost Performance

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VTOMAN Flashspeed 1000 Portable Power Station

  • Brand: VTOMAN
  • Power: 1000W
  • Battery Capacity: 828Wh
  • Output Interface: 12
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 17kg (37.4 lbs)

Review

J**b

We have experienced many severe storms. These experiences have taught us the importance of being prepared, where we should focus on essentials rather than luxuries. Also, having a diverse power supply is crucial.
In the event of a brief power outage, our most important needs are lighting, ventilation, and ensuring safety. This product plays a good role in this regard and can effectively meet these needs. It can power LED lights, base fans, and doorbell alarm base stations, eliminating the need to use gasoline generators in this situation.
Despite these devices, we prioritize energy conservation during power outages. Since internet service is unreliable during power outages, powering home routers is often inefficient.
When cooking, we use a single-burner propane stove. Our food storage strategy focuses on non-perishable items like real food and canned goods, while also maintaining a supply of bottled water. I highly recommend this product.

OUKITEL P1201–Small and Portable

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OUKITEL P1201 Portable Power Station

  • Brand: OUKITEL
  • Power: 1200W
  • Battery Capacity: 960Wh
  • Output Interface: 11
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 12.5kg(27.6 lbs)

Review

Tr**r

So far this product has been a great replacement for my small unit. I needed a unit that would provide enough backup power to my servers so that if the power went out I wouldn’t have to get up in the middle of the night to fix the problem. So far this unit has been used without any issues. It has a large battery that lasts long enough to get me through a normal night’s sleep. So even if the power went out I could wait until morning to use the generator to fix the power problem (if needed).

DaranEner NEO1500Pro–1800W POWER

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DaranEner NEO1500Pro Portable Power Station

  • Brand: DaranEner
  • Power: 1200W
  • Battery Capacity: 1382Wh
  • Output Interface: 11
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging
  • Weight: 18.66kg (41 lbs)

Review

S**A

I went on this one-day camping trip. During this trip, the air conditioner was used very little. It still had a decent battery charge and worked as expected with the limited use of the air conditioner. The fan was not used during the camping trip (it was placed in the shade and kept on), so I cannot comment on its noise profile. This unit connects to all accessories in good condition and the plugs are securely attached. I continue to trust this generator.

2000W-3999W Portable Power Stations

2000W-3999W Portable Power Stations

Images
Product name
Power
2500W
Battery Capacity
2304Wh
Output Interface
2*AC
2*DC
1*XT60
1*vehicle ignition
2*QC3.0
3*PD20w
1*PD100w
Charging Method
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Weight
21.8kg (48 lbs)

SolarPlay Q2402M–2304Wh Battery Capacity

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SolarPlay Q2402M Portable Power Station

  • Brand: SolarPlay
  • Power: 2500W
  • Battery Capacity: 2304Wh
  • Output Interface: 12
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 21.8kg (48 lbs)

Review

T**ck

I used a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, and with the help of this power bank, I slept continuously for 7 hours. During the use of the CPAP device, this power bank acts as a stable power supply, ensuring the normal operation of the device, allowing me to sleep continuously and peacefully for 7 hours at night. These 7 hours of sleep are very important to me. They make me feel energetic when I wake up, and I am not tired due to frequent sleep interruptions due to breathing problems during sleep.

4000W-6000W Portable Power Stations

4000W-6000W Portable Power Stations

Images
OUKITEL P5000 Pro Portable Power Stations Blackview Oscal PowerMax Portable Power Stations
Product name
Power
4000W
6000W
Battery Capacity
5120Wh
3600Wh
Output Interface
2 x USB-A 12W,
2 x USB-A QC3.0 fast charge 18W,
2 x USB-C 100W PD,
2 x 12V/3A
USB-C port: USB-C 100W x2
USB-A port: USB-A 12W x1, USB-A 18W x3
DC output: Anderson 378W x1, DC 5521 36W x2
Cigarette lighter 120W x1
Charging Method
Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
Mains charging, solar charging
Weight
53kg (116.8 lbs)
44.5kg (98 lbs)

OUKITEL P5000 Pro

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OUKITEL P5000 Pro Power Stations

  • Brand: OUKITEL
  • Power: 4000W
  • Battery Capacity: 5120Wh
  • Output Interface: 15
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging, car charging
  • Weight: 53kg (116.8 lbs)

Review

B**ch21

I bought this power station to charge my laptop outdoors or away from the office while powering cameras and access points to broadcast Little League sports events. I’m happy to say that, so far, this power station has worked exactly as advertised. I compared it with other similar-specs charging stations from the competition and found that this power station is better in most respects. For now… it’s really good!

Blackview Oscal PowerMax–3600Wh Battery Capacity

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Blackview Oscal PowerMax Power Stations

  • Brand: Blackview
  • Power: 3600W
  • Battery Capacity: 3600Wh
  • Output Interface: 10
  • Charging Method: Mains charging, solar charging
  • Weight: 44.5kg (98 lbs)

Review

C**G

I am an electrical engineer and I bought this generator because of the need for emergency power.
The design of this generator is very beautiful, the size is very small and the weight is relatively light. Its front panel is very beautiful through which data such as charge level, load and input power can be clearly seen.
I also have an identity as a ham radio operator. I use this generator to power my radio station in case of power outage. When I first got this generator, it was 30% charged, then I plugged it into an outlet, and after just a few hours, it was 100% charged. I once had an 1800 watt heater running, and the generator maintained this load without any pressure. However, after all, this load is designed with a high power, so it will not last long.
I charge my battery using a solar panel. On some cloudy days, it takes about 3-4 hours a day to fully charge. On sunny days, charging is faster.
This solar panel works very well but needs to be moved regularly to maximize solar input.
I am particularly pleased with this generator and will likely purchase another one.

Conclusion

When selecting a portable power station with a capacity of 999 watts or less, you need to consider multiple factors such as purpose, power requirements, battery capacity, output interfaces, charging methods, portability, safety, durability, brand, and budget. By following this guide, you can choose a power station that suits your needs scientifically, ensuring that the power supply for outdoor activities is both safe and reliable.

What’s the difference between lithium-ion battery and lithium iron phosphate battery?

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