Mobile power station outdoor power supply

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

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.

If all you have is a basic wattage number, say for a light bulb, typically that can serve as the watt hour number. For instance, if you are trying to power a 40-watt light bulb for one hour, it will use 40 watt hours. When choosing the right portable power station size for your needs, tack about 30 percent on to account for power loss while in use.

This is because apps take up a surprising amount of energy from the power station, in my experience, as much as leaving the AC port on. Since this is a portable power station, you likely have it either with you in the room, or tent or campervan, and can access the main panel directly. I recommend not bothering with them.

With the new LiFePo4 battery chemistry, I personally found that units in the 1000 Wh range were fairly portable, while those that were closer to 1500 Wh were more of a chore to pick up and move around. Power stations that stood out as especially difficult or easy to move around have been noted in the individual reviews.

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.