Portable outdoor power supply with five sockets

While you will find certain ports across the board with portable power stations, from AC outlets to USB-A, it is crucial to check the maximum charging rate and supported charging standards to avoid disappointment. You might find USB-C ports, car ports, barrel ports, and maybe inputs for solar, but assume nothing. Check the specs before you buy.

The Jackery has five power ports, including a DC input, AC three-prong outlet, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A port, which is similar to other portable power stations of this size. While I liked the variety, I had mixed feelings about their max wattage output.

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.

By far the most portable power station in our guide, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro weighs just 17 pounds and has a large handle along the back. The LiFeP04 battery inside is good for 768 watt-hours, and I managed to squeeze a little more out of it in my tests. The ports are great for camping trips, with everything you need to charge small gadgets.

A diverse range of ports, such as AC, USB-A, USB-C, and DC, enhances versatility, letting you power everything from small electronics to larger appliances. Multiple AC outlets, often equipped with surge capabilities, allow you to operate several high-wattage devices simultaneously—perfect for running refrigerators or power tools.

These days most portable power stations, including all those we recommend here, use LiFePO4 batteries, which are capable of holding far more cycles, which is the number of times a battery goes through a complete discharge and recharge, than older lithium-ion batteries while also being less likely to combust.