A portable power station is undoubtedly the best solution for mobile power. This power source is relied on worldwide as a backup power source during an emergency and serves as a vital camping necessity. You will come across various power stations on the market with different features. You will then be indecisive about choosing your desired portable power station.
Therefore, the first question you will ask yourself about portable power stations is: What size do I need to fulfill my power requirements? Then, from here, follow your decision-making process. Read on to find out your perfect fit and buy it.
Why Do You Need a Portable Power Station?
Emergency Backup
Natural disasters like storms, torrential rains, and floods may lead to extensive long-term power interruptions. Getting a portable power station for such situations guarantees that you will have power.
Outdoor Adventures
A portable power station is necessary if you are into outdoor recreational activities. It ensures that your gadgets are juiced up, your campsite is illuminated, and your appliances are running.
Alternative Home Power
The best choice for home backup power is a portable power station. Thus, you can use the internet and your appliances even in an adverse power interruption.
Factors To Consider When Selecting A Portable Power Station
Power Capacity
When choosing a portable power station, capacity is one of the significant considerations. Power capacity is measured in watt hours (Wh), which shows how much power the power station's battery can hold. Start by signing up gadgets and appliances that need to be charged or powered. Add up their demands in wattage and buy a power station energy big enough to handle the entire load.
Power Delivery
So, in effect, this means that the power station has enough voltage and amperage to supply your appliances. The power consumption of each device varies. For this reason, you should know how much power your devices consume so they won't become dead stations.
Solar Charging
Power stations running on solar energy ensure a solid electricity supply for outdoor activities or during power outages. Solar energy is a clean, abundant, and environmentally friendly power source that will allow you to lower your CO2 emissions. The solar generators are, obviously, far smaller than the old kinds. Power output can be set to drive small electronics or run large appliances.
Portability
If you utilize the power station for outdoor activities, portability is critical. The ease of transport, lightweight, and compact designs with detachable handles should be remembered. On the other hand, if you need a power station for your house, then portability is optional.
Type Of Battery
Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries are two prime options of the several batteries that can power the power storage devices found in portable power stations. Given the affordable price of battery cells, high energy density, and compact construction, lithium-ion batteries are the favored option. Meanwhile, lead-acid batteries have a lower energy density and are more extensive. They are still in use in a few mobile power plants.
How Do I Know What Size Portable Power Station I Need?
Calculating the right size of the power station will involve a bit of math. Assess the power requirements of your devices first. To get watts, multiply the amps listed on the device by the voltage. Determine how long you plan on using the equipment. Multiply the device's wattage by the number of hours to obtain the watt-hours. To compensate for energy inefficiencies, divide the total watt-hours by 0.85. This reflects the minimal amount of power your power plant can produce.Ensure that the particular power station is capable of handling varying power demands.
Related articles: Is a Portable Power Station Better Than a Generator?
How Do I Choose a Portable Power Station for Camping?
What Is the Difference Between a Power Bank and a Portable Power Station?
Tips for Choosing a Portable Power Station
Determine The Total Power You Need
Each device has a tag marked with the wattage on its back or underneath. If you cannot find the proper wattage, use an internet calculator for a rough estimate. Add up the total wattage of all these appliances so that it doesn't exceed what your power station is capable of. This will be the total number of watts needed.
Consider The Portable Power Station Capacity
After calculating the the watts that your devices require, you can determine the power station's capacity. If all you need is some phones charged up or want to light most lamps with LED bulbs for 3-4 hours max, then one small power station of not more than 150 Wh will be suitable. Plus, If you need to run heavier appliances, power stations ranging from 4000-5000Wh would fulfill your requirements. However, the ideal spot is 500-2000Wh where you get enough power from portable power station.
Check The Output Power Of The Portable Power Station
Its output power represents the most power a portable generator can produce. Make sure that the output power exceeds any of those used devices. But remember that such power stations require a jolt of power to get them started.
Consider Portability and Other Features
Among the power stations, some are lightweight and portable. Some power stations have solar panel capability, USB connectors, and AC ports. Therefore, choosing an easy-to-carry power station is recommended if you like to travel and go camping. A multiport power station is the best way to charge several devices simultaneously.
Compare Power Station Options On The Market
The market is crowded, and you have to weigh up options. Knowing what's available can make you more likely to find a good fit. Some brand names like BLUETTI are known for producing excellent portable power stations. Checking these out would save you a lot of time and effort in making your choice.
Always pay attention to user reviews, the manufacturer's warranty and customer support, the cost of alternatives, and the convenience of obtaining replacement components without any inconvenience.
3 Top Rated Portable Power Station in 2024
BLUETTI AC180P
BLUETTI AC180P is a powerful, portable power station for indoor/outdoor use. It is best suited for different needs due to its quick charging. This product gives out over 1800W continuous load and 2700 W Power Lifting mode for high-powered ones. This features DC, USB-A, USB-C, and 12V outlets, as well as a wireless charging pad. It is small and portable; thus, ideal for outdoor adventures and only takes three hours to charge using solar power, thus helping you save cash. It also has an additional feature of a remote control via the BLUETTI app.
BLUETTI AC200L
BLUETTI AC200L, the supercharged power hero! This is a superhero to your electricity requirements. It charges your machines silently and quickly with the use of super-fast charge.Forget about blackouts because it has a 20ms uninterrupted power supply (UPS).
Its additional expansion battery makes the AC200L like having an extra powerful muscle. It is similar to a shield that protects you from unwarranted failures, enabling you to work with your items for an extended period. Safety first! The best part is it's got this super advanced battery and awesome BMS to ensure nothing fails. The AC200L loves the sun! It draws as much as 1,200W of sunlight.
BLUETTI AC200P
BLUETTI AC200P boasts an insane, monster-size capacity of 2000Wh! In addition, this camper is designed with a special Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) high-performance battery that provides up to 10 years of service before being replaced.
Smart BMS in AC200P ensures constant check-up of your device and maintains its safety. It's a superpower for your gadgets that can keep them away from any threat. And guess what? The power does not stop here. We have a USB-A/USB-C with a cigarette lighter port and a 12V/3A DC port. But wait, there's more! The 12/25RV ports and 15W wireless charger give you many options as you charge up your items during camping.
How Long Can A Power Station Power My Device?
Portable power station runtime depends on its power capacity, the amount of power in demand by the devices, and the consumption level of these powered devices. Mobile power stations come in various capacities expressed in Watt hours (Wh) or Ampere hours (Ah). To determine the duration of the electricity supply, divide the power capacity of the power station by the power demand of appliances. A case in point is a 200W portable power station with a capacity of 500Wh, which will support the power requirements of devices consuming 200W for approximately 2.5 hours. Nevertheless, the runtime will depend on other components, such as power failure during the conversion process and the power station efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Having a portable power station at home and for your camping kit is a blessing. These power units come in different sizes, but you should understand their relationship with the amount of load they shall power. As for domestic applications, you should remember that power stations cannot run homes for an entire week. They make one of the best portable solutions for short-term power needs, particularly while road-tripping or camping. So, in accordance with the intended use, use your portable power station.
