
These were the best portable power stations that we tested. Any of these will power up many off-the-grid adventures. Photo: Steve Andrews

We live in a pretty amazing time. We have the world’s library of information at our fingertips and the ability to communicate with people across the world in real time thanks to some pretty awesome devices. But as cool as they are, those devices become useless without access to power. If you’re the type of person who likes to venture far from a wall outlet, finding a reliable power supply will enable new horizons of what it means to go off-the-grid.
Enter the portable power station, a glorified battery that can bring all the comforts of home to a campsite, or allow for remote work in very remote places. Portable power is booming, with a whole host of companies, both new and well-established, claiming that their products are the best deal, have the most reliable power, or the best features.
We went through the hard work of testing these units out to see if they actually perform as they claim to, and to find the best portable power stations for your budget, output, and other needs. Since there are so many models from each brand, we did our best to standardize testing, and test models in the 500 watt-hour range. The following guide is the result of our findings. For more information, check out the How We Tested section, or view all the best portable power stations side-by-side in our Comparison Table.
The Best Portable Power Stations
Best All-Around Portable Power Station: Ecoflow River 2 Pro
Best Value Portable Power Station: Bluetti EB55
Most Portable Power Station: GoalZero Yeti 500X
Best Heavy-Duty Power Station: Jackery Explorer 500
Best Power Station for Tight Spaces: Dometic PLB40
Honorable Mention: Anker Powerhouse 535
Honorable Mention: Biolite BaseCharge 600
Pros: Super fast charging time (70 min), 4 AC and 4 USB ports.
Cons: Extended handle makes for wasted space.
Models Available (Wh): 256, 512, 768 (River series), 1800, 2400, 3600 (Delta series)
Model Tested: River 2 Pro (768 Wh)
Ecoflow has quickly established themselves as a leader in portable power stations with their impressive lineup of offerings. The River series is the more portable class of power stations under 1000 Wh, and the Delta series offers some great large-scale options. With excellent stack-ability, the Ecoflow line would be best for those needing to transport and store many units at once. The River 2 Pro had the fastest charging time of all the units tested, so it’s an ideal option when needing a good portable unit that can be swapped out, such as a remote photoshoot. It also has the most ports in its class, with 4 AC, 3 USB-A, and a 100W USB-C. For the best combination of available ports, charging time, and portability and ability to stack, we couldn’t find much wrong with the EcoFlow River 2 Pro. If you want to keep it consistent with watt hours for the sake of this review, check out the River 2 Max, which has 512 Wh, but not what we tested.
Also worth noting is their larger-scale Delta 2 Max model which we did test. The 2000W literal powerhouse of a unit can recharge with up to 2400W when combining solar panels and AC. But off-grid is nothing to turn your head at either, with 1000W input allowed you can recharge it using only the sun in just over 2 hours, and have a good power source far off the grid that could power a pretty sweet home away from home, or be a good backup at home as well when the grid goes out.
Charge Time: 70 Min (!)
Capacity: 768Wh
Output: 800W
Chemistry: LFP
Cycles: 3000 to 80%
Ports: 4 AC, 3 USB-A, 1 USB-C
Weight: 17 lbs
Portability: Handle extends out the back from on top.
Operating Temp (Optimal): 68°-86°F
Noise: Minimal. Even when fast charging, the noise from the fan was never obtrusive.
Pros: The most outputs in its class. Wireless charging. Multiple DC input options (wall/solar).
Cons: AC charging adapter is bulky and noisy.
Models Available (Wh): 268, 537, 716, 2000, 5100.
Model Tested: EB55 (537 Wh)
If you have too many devices to keep track of and they all need to be recharged at once, Bluetti’s EB55 might be the clear winner for you. With 13 total outputs, it’s a power station that would suit a big family on a camp trip or a busy event situation where constant recharging is needed. The first situation that comes to mind is a large event with a comms squad needing to recharge radio batteries. For those who have done this and know the pain of getting remote power to an event, the more recharging options, the better. On top of that (literally), you can charge phones wirelessly by placing it on the top surface, saving valuable output space for other devices.
All of that would be enough to be in our good books, but add in the fact that this unit had the lowest price in its class. Thus, we consider this to be the best value portable power station, giving you incredible options at an impressive price.
Charge Time: 3 hours
Capacity: 537 Wh
Output: 700W
Chemistry: LFP
Cycles: 2,500
Ports: Output: 4 AC (2 3-prong, 2 2-prong), 4 USB-A, 1 USB-C, 3 DC, Wireless phone charging.
Weight: 16.5 lbs
Portability: Fold out top handle makes for easy transport and storage.
Operating Temp: -4°-104°F
Noise: AC adapter was noisy, but the unit itself had minimal fan noise.
Pros: Small and portable, solid reputation.
Cons: Charge time from the wall was significantly longer than other models.
Models Available (Wh): 187, 505, 983, 1516, 3032, 6071
Model Tested: Yeti 500x ( 505 Wh)
GoalZero is the O.G. of this scene. They have been doing it for much longer than the others, and have a range of products helping show that they are leaders in the field. That track record alone is worthy of attention, knowing that they are in it for the long haul with a genuine desire to make the world better. The name “Goal Zero” comes from their mission to help eradicate poverty by bringing sustainable power solutions to rural villages in developing countries: a noble cause, indeed. They are also the only company in our review to be born and bred in the USA.
Over those years of innovation they have come up with their Yeti line of power stations that is one of the best options, design wise. The Yeti 500x was the lightest and most compact unit and allows for easy stacking if wanting to join forces with other units. Having inputs on both sides also provides multiple options for storage and not needing to remove the unit from its chosen home to store. The interface is sleek and easy to read; and it was the only power station that allows you to cycle through different units such as volts and amps for those who want to know.
Everything about this power station was great, although it’s worth noting that the charge time using the wall adapter was significantly higher than other units in its class. Solar charging is another story; but to keep things consistent for our study we measured input from the wall and it took well over 6 hours to get a full charge. Also worth noting, is that the device is rated to 500 charge cycles, whereas some other brands in this review boast up to 6x the amount. But if portability is your main factor, you can’t go wrong with the sleek design and established “Born in the USA” reputation of the GoalZero line.
Charge Time: 6+ hours
Capacity: 505 Wh
Output: 300W, 1200W peak
Chemistry: Li-ion
Cycles: 500 to 80%
Ports: 2x USB A, 1 USB C, 1USB C pd (input/output), 2x 120V AC
Weight: 12.9 lbs
Portability: Folding top handle made for easy portability and stack-ability.
Operating Temp: 32°-104° F
Noise: Minimal fan noise when recharging
Pros: Durable casing, large operating temperature range.
Cons: Long Charge time for smaller units, only 1 AC output, no USB C on smaller models.
Models Available (in Wh): 240, 293, 518, 1002, 1512, 1534, 2160, 3024
Model Tested: Explorer 2000 Pro ($2100)
The Jackery line looks most at home on a job site with a color scheme that closely resembles a certain big-box hardware store. The unit we got our hands on was the 2160 Wh Explorer 2000 Pro. Although not in the same class as the others tested, we could still get a feel for the brand’s construction, layout, and interface. While aesthetic shouldn’t really be a deciding factor, the orange motif does have a benefit in helping people see the inputs in low-light situations. Speaking of low light, the Explorer 500 was the only model in it’s class with a side-facing flashlight—meaning you can illuminate a path while carrying it. This feature could come in handy on more than one occasion for power outages.
The drawbacks to the Jackery line are the lack of outputs. the Explorer 500 is the only device in its class without a USB C, and these days that’s kind of a big deal since most newer devices don’t have a USB A option. Furthermore, there is only one AC output. But what it lacks in output options it makes up for in output power – the single AC output can handle 500W consistently and surge up to 1000W. So for this reason we recommend this power station if you are just trying to power one device such as a power tool or a set of speakers.
The larger Explorer 2000 Pro was impressive in the power output, handling any household item including a vacuum cleaner with no apparent power weakness. Where the smaller models have a fixed handle, the larger units have a folding top handle to allow for better stacking and storage. It’s a great pick for more industrial uses.
Charge Time: 5.5 hrs (240 model), 7.5 Hrs (500 model) 2.4 hrs (3000 Model)
Capacity (Wh): 518
Output: 500W (100W Peak)
Chemistry: Li-ion
Cycles: 500 (models up to 1500) 1000 (pro models) to 80%
Ports: Input: DC Output: 1 AC, 3 USB A, 2 DC
Weight: 13 lbs
Portability: Fixed handle on top is good for carrying, bad for storage.
Operating Temp: 14°F-104°F
Noise: 38 dB
Pros: Small size, quiet.
Cons: DC Power only, need additional inverter for AC power. Not designed for direct sunlight.
Models Available: This is the only one in the Dometic line.
Model Tested: PLB40
Dometic doesn’t really market this as a “Portable Power Station” as other companies do, and perhaps that’s selling them a bit short. The “PLB” in the model name stands for “Portable Lithium Battery”, which is true to its claim. The PLB40 is intended to serve as a power source for Dometic’s wide range of powered coolers, but really it can power anything and everything one would need on a roadtrip or weekend away. Thanks to its sleek profile , cube-shaped design and easy carrying handle, it’s one of the best options for those with tight spaces like a car or overloaded RV. In fact, it was close to half the size of comparable models. Is the higher price tag worth saving space in your tiny home or van? For many folks, absolutely.
That said if you’re using multiple devices and can afford the extra volume of a larger power station, this wouldn’t be our first pick. The lack of output options means it’s best used for one larger device (such as a cooler/fridge), with a bonus USB output to charge a phone or other small device. The good news is that it does that job very well, so if that’s all you need, this unit is more than capable without any extra bells and whistles adding space and weight.
Charge Time: 6 hr to 100%, 4hr40 to 80%
Capacity: 480 Wh
Output: 180W
Chemistry: LFP
Cycles: 2000
Ports: DC in, DC out, USB out
Weight: 16 lbs
Portability: Handle extends easily, well weighted, easy to carry.
Noise: Quiet
Honorable Mentions

Pros: Switching to recycled and bio-based plastic.
Cons: Handle makes stacking difficult. Can only use half the AC outlets for 3 prong plugs at a time.
Models Available (in Wh): 256, 512, 1024, 1229, 2048
Model Tested: 521 Power Station (256 Wh)
Anker was founded by a former Google employee who wanted to make better batteries for laptops. Since then, the company has a vast quiver of power supply solutions and accessories. Their latest innovation is the Powerhouse line of power stations, and they continue to provide reliable power on-the-go. With a huge array of ports, this is a great option if you have a lot of small devices between several people. It’s rated to hold up for 3000 cycles, so it has great value that will last many years down the road.
Charge Time: 2.5 hours to 80% (Using AC and USB C together)
Capacity (Wh): 512
Output:500W
Chemistry:LFP
Cycles: 3000
Ports: Input: AC and USB C, Output: 4 AC (500W shared), 3 USB A, 1 USB C, 1 DC (120W)
Weight: 16.8 lbs
Portability: Fixed top handle makes for easy transport, not easy for stacking.
Operating Temp: 32°F-104°F
Pros: Clean design. Wireless phone charging on the top deck.
Cons: Side handles makes carrying it with other stuff awkward. Slow Charging time.
Models Available: 622Wh, 1521Wh
Model Tested: 622Wh
Biolite makes much more than power stations, from fire pits to camp stoves. But they see the future in combustion-free power and have come up with two power stations and the solar panels to charge them While not having as many models as the competition, they seem to have dialled in on two crowd-pleasing models to handle most people’s needs. The BaseCharge 600 was light and easy to carry, however the side handles made it awkward if you are loading up with other gear. It was also only one of two models tested that has wireless charging on the top deck – great for adding juice to the phone in a pinch without having to compromise a plug elsewhere.
It’s nice that they have the 30v DC solar panel input that is fairly standard these days. That means you can use either Biolite’s own panels to charge or any other panel with the two-prong +- input to charge the device, a feature that only the EcoFlow devices also had. There is also no app available at the time of writing.
Charge Time: 7 hours to 80% (AC) 3.5 hr (AC + USB C)
Capacity: 622 Wh
Output: 600W, 1000W Surge
Chemistry:Li-ion
Cycles: 1000 at 80%
Ports: 4 AC, 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 3 DC out, DC in (solar)
Weight: 14 lbs
Portability: Side handles – easy to carry but makes the weight distribution a tad awkward.
Noise: Fairly loud, actually. It was the only one in this range where the fan was noticeable both getting and giving juice.
Comparison Table
Category | Company | Price (Model) | Watt-Hours | Charge Time | Charge Cycles | Models Available (in Wh) |
Best All-Around Power Station | Ecoflow | $599 (River 2 Pro) | 768 Wh | 70 min | 3000 to 80% | 256, 512, 768, 1800, 2400, 3600 |
Best Value Power Station | Bluetti | $399 (EB55) | 537 Wh | 3 hr | 2500 | 268, 403, 537, 716, 2000, 5100. |
Best Heavy-Duty Power Station | Jackery | $499 (Explorer 500) | 518 Wh | 7.5 hr | 500 (standard models) 1000 (pro models) |
240, 293, 518, 1002, 1512, 1534, 2160, 3024 |
Most Portable Power Station | GoalZero | $549 (Yeti500x) | 505 Wh | 6+ hr | 500 to 80% | 187, 505, 983, 1516, 3032, 6071 |
Best Power Station for Tight Spaces | Dometic | $680 (PLB40) | 480 Wh | 4:40 hr to 80% | 2000 | 480 |
Honorable Mention | Anker | $499 (Powerhouse 535) | 512 Wh | 3.5 hr | 3000 | 256, 512, 1024, 1229, 2048 |
Honorable Mention | Biolite | $699 (BaseCharge 600) | 622 Wh | 7 hr (AC), 3.5 hr (AC + USB-C) | 1000 at 80 % | 622, 1521 |

The Bluetti was our pick for the best value portable power station, with an impressive array of outputs and an attractive price tag. Photo: Steve Andrews
How We Tested The Best Portable Power Stations
There are many different devices one can use to test these out, from cell phones to blenders and portable fans to AC units. I tried to test a range of everyday devices for the smaller models, from a phone, to a laptop, to lights, and a fan. For the larger models, I cranked up my Vitamix blender to see how it could hold up, as well as charged an e-bike battery. This part of the testing phase was fairly boring; as all the units were fairly true to their specs on power capacity and the displays being accurate. That’s good news to us consumers, as I found all the models tested to be fairly true to what they advertise.
Where we found differences was in the time to charge it up, the total battery cycles they guarantee, and its portability. Charge time is a fairly objective measurement; it’s easy enough to record how long it takes to fill up when plugged into the same outlet. Other factors, such as portability, are subjective in that I measured how easy the handle is designed for moving the power station amongst other gear, and how well it packs into a storage bin when on the go. Weight is also a factor, and the lighter units were favorable for obvious reasons. For charging cycles we will just have to take the manufacturer’s word for it, as charging and discharging for up to 3000 cycles (as Ecoflow claims) is next to impossible amongst all of life’s other demands.
How many ports is also a factor, or at least having different options. Some brands (such as Ecoflow) had plenty to choose from, while others (Dometic and Jackery) were limited. That’s not to say those didn’t have a purpose, so if you are just using the power station for one or two units it may not be as much of a deciding factor.
The other factor we included was whether or not the devices came with an app to control and monitor the power input and output, and how user-friendly it is. That info is noted in the descriptions for the respective companies.

The Ecoflow River 2 Pro has the best combo of available ports, fast charging time, and guarantees up to 3000 charge cycles to 80%. It’s our pick for the best all-around
Price: $599
Buy Now
What’s a Watt-Hour?
Energy comes in many forms throughout our daily lives. We even create energy just by being alive. But to measure capacity and what these portable power stations are capable of offering, we use the unit Watt-hours (Wh) to have a standard that is easy to communicate. But what exactly is a watt-hour?
Relating it into human terms, I like to think of hiking. Imagine our watt-hour is a mountain. Everyone will reach the summit at a different pace. Some people will sprint up and be there in a half hour, while others might take a more casual pace and take half a day. If you think of energy output at any given moment in watts, you have to expend a lot more energy to go fast, but it will require less time to do so. Same goes in these power stations – a 50 W device can run for 10 hours on a 500 Wh battery. But a 100 W device will only run for 5 hours on the same battery. You can mix and match any amount of wattage, and the capacity (Wh) divided by the total watts will tell you how long that battery can run on one charge. Yes, it’s not a totally apples to apples comparison, but hopefully it can paint a bit of a clearer picture if it otherwise seemed a bit confusing.
For us as consumers, the watt-hour is our best measure of a portable power device’s capacity, and translates (roughly) to certain dimensions, prices, and how big of an external device they’ll be able to power/charge. Portable power stations that have a 500 Wh capacity (or something similar) are about the size of 4-5 laptops, weigh about 12-15 lbs, and can usually charge devices as large as a portable fridge or CPAP device. Power stations with a 1000 Wh capacity can power devices as powerful as a full-sized fridge or microwave, are about the size of a small microwave, and weigh around 30 lbs.
What’s the Difference in Battery Chemistry?
Each of the power stations uses lithium as the primary ingredient for the rechargeable batteries. However, there are slightly different variations in the chemistry with different effects. It can seem confusing to those of us (like me) without a chemistry degree. But here’s how it breaks down:
Lithium-ion (Li-ion): These are a type of rechargeable battery that use lithium ions as their primary component. During discharge, lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. The reverse occurs during charging. Li-ion batteries have high energy density, little memory effect, and only a slow loss of charge when not in use. However, they can have safety concerns if not properly managed, as they may overheat and potentially explode – which is why batteries over 100Wh aren’t allowed on airplanes.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP): This is a specific type of lithium-ion battery that uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material. The advantages of LFP batteries include good thermal stability, safety features, long cycle life, and not containing any expensive or toxic metals. The energy density is somewhat lower compared to other lithium-ion chemistries, and the voltage is also lower, but they are widely used in applications where safety and lifecycle are more critical than energy density and initial cost.
Lithium Polymer (Li-Po): These are a type of rechargeable battery of lithium-ion technology using a polymer electrolyte instead of a liquid one. Li-Po batteries can be made thinner and lighter, and can be manufactured in different shapes and sizes. They also generally provide higher specific energy (more capacity for the same size), but can have shorter lifespans and less stable chemistry, potentially leading to safety issues if damaged or improperly charged or discharged.
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.