Portable power stations can be incredibly helpful in a pinch. They keep your devices going for longer even when you’re way off-grid, which is especially handy if you’re into camping. They can also be helpful during power outages or similar emergencies.
To get the most out of your station, you need to know what you’re looking for in a portable power station. We’ve listed some key features you should pay attention to before making a purchase.
1. Power Capacity
When it comes to the best portable power station, the capacity it can hold is a substantial contributing factor. Portable power stations can’t generate the same energy as a static one fitted into your home, but that shouldn’t mean you have to compromise!
The total charge capacity of a portable power station is usually measured in watt-hours (Wh). The higher the Wh of a power station, the greater its capacity. Consider how much you need before making your first purchase.
2. Portability
Of course, this is a pretty important factor when considering your portable power station. Sure, it might have an enormous Wh rating, but if you can’t move it around easily, it defeats the purpose.
Of course, this depends on what you intend to use it for and where. If you need it for camping or any instance where you’re going to be moving around a lot, then yes, portability is a priority.
However, if you only plan to use it outside the home in a stationary position, you could benefit from greater capacity at the sacrifice of portability. It all depends on what you need.
3. Output Power
Different appliances require different output powers. A laptop requires a different charging capacity than a refrigerator, for instance, and this becomes even more relevant if you’re planning on charging multiple devices or appliances at once.
It can also get a little complicated as some devices require large amounts of power to get started but require much lower amounts after the fact. You can often find the wattage required to charge your devices in the accompanying manual.
4. Charging Speed
Like any portable device, power stations require time to recharge. Depending on how much juice the station contains, this can vary widely.
Many power stations charge just by plugging them into an outlet in your home, but some can use solar energy. These varieties ordinarily have panels along their body to absorb solar light and convert it into energy, allowing the station to keep going for longer.
5. Noise Level
It’s easy to assume that a portable electronic device wouldn’t make that much noise, but you could be surprised. Power stations have a lot of work to do converting all of that energy from input to output, which means they generate a lot of heat.
The device usually requires an internal fan, and that can get noisy. The bigger the generator is, the more noise. Keep that in mind if noise pollution is an important factor for you.
Don’t Invest in Anything Less!
The last thing you want to do is pay for a portable power station that isn’t good enough. If you keep an eye on the criteria we’ve listed, you can’t go wrong. Remember, evaluate what you need, and you won’t spend more than you need to, either. There are plenty of options out there!
