What to Look for in a Portable Power Station
Energy for our laptops, cameras, drones, lights, and car fridges
If you search online for a portable power station, you’ll be deluged with a landslide of options, most of which you’ve never heard of. How do you choose the right one for you?
After years of testing different units from different brands, I’ve learned that a handful of features make these devices far more useful on the road and at home. Today, I’m going to share those tips with you to simplify the selection process.
Determine How Much Energy You Need
This is easier than you may think. The short answer for most outdoor enthusiasts who travel light is a 300 watt unit. It can recharge your mirrorless camera battery (9 watts), run your laptop (40-80 watts), refuel your iPhone (10 watts), keep your mini-fridge cooling (35 watts) and provide lighting in the evening.
For more demanding situations, such as powering televisions and home backup when the grid falters, I like 1000 watt units. They pack enough punch to keep things going, but aren’t so heavy that you can’t transport them.
How Often Are You Going to Use the Power Stations?
I ask, because battery chemistry determines the number of charging cycles over the life of the device. If your needs are primarily for home backup with the occasional camping trip, Lithium Ion units are a bit cheaper these days.
For more regular use, I recommend Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry that quadruples available charging cycles for the life of the battery.
Recharging Your Power Station
Green energy is always my first choice, but you’ll want other options as well when solar isn’t available.
Make sure there’s a DC Input jack to plug in a solar panel. Then check the features list for other options such as via the 12-volt car port outlet, and good old-fashioned AC current from a wall outlet.
The Right Outlets for Your Devices
You’ll need at least one of the following output connections on the power station: USB-C, USB-A, and three-prong AC. I prefer multiples for any of these, plus a 12 volt car port outlet. Since my laptops can be charged via USB-C, I like having two of those.
Additional Handy Features
Bluetooth and WiFi with a companion mobile app are very handy. You can monitor input and output without having to stand in front of the device. Plus you can usually configure your power station with these apps.
A built-in LED light is very convenient for camping and emergency situations. Not only as a steady light source, but often they have the option to flash a SOS signal too.
A comprehenisve LCD display that shows input and output levels, remaining charge, high temperature warning, and more. I prefer LCDs that I can configure to stay on for a couple hours so I don’t have to press a button every time I want an update.
Safety Is Important
Pay attention to safety mechanisms built-in to your power station. Look for certifications by UL. Note how prominate safety is emphasized on the product feature page.
Power Stations That I Recommend
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus - The 300 series has always been popular for Jackery because of its 288 Wh capacity in a compact package that weighs just a little over 8 pounds. The current Plus model features LiFePO4 chemistry with 3000+ cycles. It includes both Bluetooth and WiFi with an excellent companion mobile app. $299 before discounts.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Solar Generator - Powerful 1264.64 Wh capacity using LiFePO4 cell chemistry with 4,000 cycle lifespan. Includes the latest WiFi and Bluetooth features, twin DC inputs on the back for dual solar panels, and super-fast 1.7 hour charging via AC. $1,199 before discounts.
Additional Resources
I’ve published a review of the Explorer 300 Plus on TheDigitalStory, titled: Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Review - Power Your Roadtrips. The article has lots of pictures and additional real world use information.
The latest TDS Podcast, Getting Serious About Portable Power, also goes into more depth about robust generators that you can use at home or on the road.
Having one or two of these around the house inspires great confidence if the lights go out. Plus they are a lot easier to move around than fiddling with extension cords and outlets that never seem to be in the right place. And if you’re on the road, they’re a godsend.
Author’s Note:
All pictures in this newsletter are by Derrick Story, using gear in real life situations. The links to Jackery products are affiliate. You can receive a 10 percent discount using code: JADEAL - Thanks for supporting my research and writing.