A portable power station is a wise investment these days due to its varying applications. But how long does a portable power station last anyway, and what performance could you expect from it?
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In a nutshell, the advantages of portable energy storage systems are that they can supply your electronics and equipment with electricity is essential, even if you are in areas or situations where no traditional power sources are available. Portable power stations are oversized batteries that can help you do this.
What Is A Portable Power Station?
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Portable power station, also called battery-powered inverter generators, are devices that store electrical energy and can be used to provide power to electronic devices and appliances when there is no other source of power available.
Portable power stations are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to power their devices without being tied to a wall outlet. But what can you actually power with a portable power station?
What Can I Run on a Portable Power Station
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They are often used by people who live in remote areas or who frequently travel, as they can be easily transported and do not require a mains electricity supply. Portable power stations can be used to charge different electronics, including laptops, phones, torches, and other small electronic devices.
These inverter batteries can power small to medium size devices, such as smartphones and laptops. In some cases, these power stations can run coffee makers, electric grills, and coolers. Due to their limited capacity, however, you can’t expect that all of them can power large refrigerators and AC units.
What Size Portable Power Station Do I Need
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Portable power generators are equipped with three primary parts: an inverter, a charge controller, and a lithium battery. The size of the inverter tells you the maximum power that it can generate on a single occasion.
For instance, if your laptop has an 800-watt charger, the maximum output of the portable power generator should be 800 watts. If you are going to plug two 800-watt laptop chargers simultaneously, the generator should have a max power of 1,600 watts.
However, the portable power station should still vary brand by brand.
Best Portable Power Station Brands 2022
Based on the trusted media Nytimes review, below are the best brands of portable power stations in 2022.
Jackery
Jackery is a notable brand of portable power stations, solar generators, and similar accessories. Its portable power stations are used for various applications, such as workshops and off-grid activities. They are also brought for camping and emergencies.
EcoFlow
EcoFlow was established in 2017 as a form of a commercial manufacturer of alternative sources of energy. It supplies solar panels, but it also has portable power stations equipped with environmentally-friendly technologies and long-lasting batteries. These aspects enable these generators to reduce harmful emissions and waste.
Bluetti
Bluetti is another notable brand of portable power stations. It is a relatively new company established by James Ray and Wondar Law. Its first products were released in 2019 on Amazon. Since then, it has slowly been gaining traction in the power generation market.
Portable Power Station for a Low Daily Usage
If you are looking for a portable power station that can sustain low usage and small electronics, the following options should be considered. In this application, the ideal power station should match the wattage of the devices you need to plug.\
| Product Name | Inverter Size | Watt Hours Per Day | Surge | Battery Life Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetti Poweroak AC50S Portable Power Station | 300 watts | 500 Wh | 450 watts | 1000+ cycles |
| ECOFLOW River Mini Powerstation | 300 watts | 210 Wh | 600 watts | 500 cycles |
| Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station | 300 watts | 293 Wh | 500 watts | 500 cycles |
Portable Power Station for a Moderate Daily Usage
For moderate daily usage, we recommend that you get 500-watt to 800-watt power stations. These generators should be able to meet your demands. They can power several electronics at the same time, such as laptops, smartphones, and small electric grills. Check the following power stations as a reference.
| Product Name | Inverter Size | Watt Hours Per Day | Surge | Battery Life Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station | 500 watts | 518 Wh | 1000 watts | 500 cycles |
| EcoFlow RIVER 600 Portable Power Station | 600 watts | 288 Wh | 1200 watts | 500 cycles |
| Bluetti EB70S Portable Power Station | 800 watts | 716 Wh | 1400 watts | 2500+ cycles |
Portable Power Station for a High Daily Usage
For extensive daily use, more robust power stations are needed. You should get at least a 1,000-watt generator to ensure that it can handle all your demands without its battery being drained entirely. With a 1,000-watt generator, you would be able to operate dishwashers, slow cookers, coffee makers, and power tools.
| Product Name | Inverter Size | Watt Hours Per Day | Surge | Battery Life Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station | 1,000 watts | 1,002 Wh | 2,000 watts | 1000 cycles |
| EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Station | 1,600 watts | 1,008 Wh | 3,300 watts | 1000 cycles |
| Bluetti EB150 Portable Power Station | 1,000 watts | 1,500 Wh | 1,200 watts | 2500+ cycles |
Portable Power Station for a Extra High Daily Usage
You will need the service of a heavy-duty portable power station if you are planning to operate high-demand appliances. This is where the portable power stations for refrigerators and portable power stations for camping come in. In these applications, we suggest that you consider acquiring portable power stations with a maximum capacity of 2,000 watts or more.
| Product Name | Inverter Size | Watt Hours Per Day | Surge | Battery Life Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetti AC200P Portable Power Station | 2,000 watts | 2,000 Wh | 4,800 watts | 3,500+ cycles |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station | 3,600 watts | 3,600 Wh | 7,200 watts | 6,500 cycles |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station | 2,000 watts | 2,160 Wh | 4,400 watts | 1,000 cycles |
How Long Does Jackery Batteries Last?
Each of these power stations has varying runtimes. Check the table below for reference. There, you will see the estimated runtime of three Jackery power stations, namely: Explorer 2000, Explorer 1500, and Explorer 1000.
Sources: https://www.jackery.com
Jackery 240 Portable Power Station
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The Jackery 240 is one of the entry-level portable power stations of Jackery. It has a 200-watt capacity and a surge capacity of 400 watts. Meanwhile, it has a 240 watt-hour lithium-ion battery. For small electronics like smart phones, its battery could last for 24 hours or more.
How long does Jackery 240 last? Specifically, its battery has a lifespan of two to three years, depending on how rigid you use the power station.
Jackery 500 Portable Power Station
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How long does Jackery 500 last? This portable power station has a 518-Wh lithium-ion NMC. Its output is at 500 watt while its surge output is 1,000 watts.
It is estimated that its battery can reach 500 cycles if the generator has optimal use. Hence, its battery lifespan should still be two to three years. If you plug it with a coffee maker, this generator could run for at least two hours straight.
Jackery 1000 Portable Power Station
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The durability of the Jackery Explorer 1000 is a step higher than the previous Jackery power stations we’ve mentioned. But how long does Jackery 1000 last? Its 1,002-Wh lithium-ion battery offers at least 1,000 cycles, or a lifespan of four to six years.
If you power a 900-watt rice cooker on this 1000-watt portable power station, its battery can sustain a runtime of roughly an hour.
Jackery 1500 Portable Power Station
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The Jackery Explorer 1500 boasts a lithium-ion battery that has a 1,534 watt-hour capacity. Its AC output is rated at 1,500 watts, with a peak output of 3,600 watts. It can power an air conditioner for 80 minutes straight.
How long does Jackery 500 last? Interestingly, the lithium-ion battery used in the Explorer 1500 is similar to the batteries used in the Jackery Explorer 240 and Explorer 500. Therefore, its battery lifespan could last for two to three years, as well.
How Long Does the EcoFlow Last
EcoFlow released different series of portable power stations over the years. Some of them are the following:
EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Station
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The EcoFlow has an impressive 1,260-watt-hour capacity, coupled with a total AC output of 1,800 watts and surge output of 3,300 watts. It can power a microwave for 0.9 hours and a small 120-watt refrigerator for 2.1 hours.
How long does EcoFlow Delta last? Well, its lithium-ion battery offers 800 cycles. Hence, we can estimate that its battery lifespan is at least three years.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station
Image Source: EcoFlow
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is a step-up version of the standard EcoFlow DELTA. It has upgraded specs, as proven by its 3,6000-watt-hour capacity. Notably, its five AC outlets can boast a total of 3,600-watt output and a 7,200-watt surge output. It can power a 120-watt refrigerator for at least 24 hours and a 1,300-watt microwave for 2.5 hours.
How long does EcoFlow DELTA Pro last? With an average battery cycle of 3,500 cycles (80 percent capacity), this generator should be able to endure at least five years.
EcoFlow RIVER Portable Power Station
Image Source: EcoFlow
The EcoFlow RIVER includes several models, such as the RIVER 2 and RIVER PRO. Here, we have the RIVER PRO. It has a capacity of 720 watts per hour and a total AC output of 600 watts (1,200 watts for surge). This power station can light up a 10-watt bulb for 22 hours straight. Meanwhile, it can power a 1,000-watt coffee maker for 0.7 hours.
How long does EcoFlow RIVER last? If we take into account its 800-cycle lithium-ion battery, this generator should be able to last for three years.
Are Portable Power Stations Safe
Yes. Most of the time, these portable power stations are equipped with a myriad of safety mechanisms, such as anti-overload parameters.
But can you leave a portable power station plugged in all the time? You’d better not since lithium batteries leak sometimes if you put it aside for a long while.
Below are the correct steps for battery charging :
- Plug the power station into the appropriate outlet, and don’t remove it until it is fully charged. Place it somewhere dry.
- Once you are going to use the power station, unplug it from the outlet.
- Next, plug your essential electronics into the power station. Make sure that you only plug the essential ones to fully conserve the battery of the generator.
- After you are finished charging your electronics, unplug them from the power station.
- Finally, plug the power station into the outlet again so that it can charge its battery.
Why Do You Need a Portable Power Station
In recent years, portable power stations have become increasingly popular. Specifically, these power stations are excellent equipment to keep your electronics charged even if there are no existing traditional outlets and power sources.
For instance, if you reside in an area that is experiencing frequent power outages, a portable power station can be a lifesaver.
In choosing a portable power station, make sure that it has sufficient capacity to charge all of the electronics that you typically use. Make sure that they have safety parameters to protect them from internal damage.
Portable Power Stations Are Worth It
Of course, these portable power stations are great investments if you are experiencing power outages or if you are into camping and off-grid activities. Just make sure that you get the correct power station based on your existing needs. If you are going to buy a portable power station, we recommend you to consider Sunly(www.sunlypower.com) as it is a professional power station manufacturer that serves a lot of lithium-ion battery brands worldwide.
