Are portable power stations worth it?

Portable power stations are more powerful and cost effective than ever before. And, thanks to advances in lithium-ion battery technology, they’re also lighter and more compact. Whether you’ve been dreaming of van life or are building out your emergency kit in advance of that next blackout, there is a power station that will meet your needs.

What are the best portable power stations?

To help you decide, I tested the efficiency, in a variety of scenarios, of the best portable power stations from Jackery, Oupes, EcoFlow, Anker, Goal Zero, Grecell, Bluetti, Dakota Lithium, Lion Energy, Vtoman, and Oupes. ↓ Jump to the Rest of the Field ↓ What to Know Before Purchasing a Portable Power Station

Why do power stations have more ports?

More ports also can mean more ambient power loss from the power station itself, so there is economy in having less rather than more. However, if those specifications are particularly important to you, here is a rundown of the products included in this story.

What spec should you consider when buying a power station?

Whatever the reason you are purchasing a power station, the most important spec to pay attention to is watt hours, which is a measurement of how much energy the power station can hold. While a particular power station might claim to hold 1,000 watt hours, the actual amount of usable power you can get out of it is a different story.

How much power can a portable power station hold?

While a particular power station might claim to hold 1,000 watt hours, the actual amount of usable power you can get out of it is a different story. The best portable power stations also have an onboard computer that shows you how much energy is left in your unit, as well as how much power it’s currently using.

Do portable power stations lose charge over time?

However, portable power stations will slowly lose their charge over time, a phenomenon referred to as “self-discharge.” That can be a problem if you haven’t recharged your power station in six months when a snowstorm knocks out the electricity.