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Portable Power Stations
A battery big enough to matter, in a box you can carry. Here is how the four brands that count actually compare — capacity, output, and what you pay per watt-hour.
Start here: what size do you actually need?
Almost everyone buys the wrong size, and it is nearly always too small. The mistake is shopping by price instead of by load. Work out what you want to run and for how long, then buy to that number.
| What you want to run | Rough draw | Capacity to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Phones, laptop, lights, router | 50–150W | 300–500Wh |
| CPAP overnight | 30–60W | 500–1,000Wh |
| Full-size fridge, 24 hours | 100–200W avg | 1,500–2,500Wh |
| RV or van, weekend off-grid | variable | 1,000–2,000Wh |
| Essential circuits, short outage | 1,000W+ | 2,000–5,000Wh |
The number that is not on the box. Advertised capacity is the cell rating. Inverter losses mean you will typically see 80–90% of it in real use, and less in cold weather. Size up rather than down.
The models worth comparing
These are the units that show up repeatedly in this category. Specs are manufacturer figures, gathered here so you can read them side by side.
Want a direct head-to-head? The comparison tool holds every model we track across 11 brands — pick any two and read capacity, output, cell chemistry, cycle life, weight and price side by side, with the stronger figure marked.
Bluetti Apex 300
Expandable, high-output, aimed at home backup rather than camping. The strongest all-rounder if you want one unit to grow with.
Bluetti AC200L
The workhorse most people should buy. Enough to carry a fridge overnight without paying whole-home money.
EcoFlow Delta 2
The best-selling mid-size station. Charges dramatically faster than its rivals, with a smaller battery behind it.
How the brands differ
Bluetti
Tends to give you more watt-hours for the money, with expandable systems that let you add batteries later. Charging is slower than EcoFlow. Best if capacity matters more than speed.
EcoFlow
Built around fast charging and a genuinely good app. Usually less capacity per dollar, but you get back to full in a fraction of the time. Best if you recharge often and quickly.
Anker SOLIX
Strong build quality and sensible thermal design, positioned between the two on price. The F3800 is a credible whole-home option.
Jackery
The most recognisable name and the easiest to live with, but usually the least capacity per dollar. Aimed at camping more than backup.
Still deciding? Our Bluetti vs EcoFlow comparison puts the two head to head on the three numbers that actually decide it.
Common questions
How long will a power station run a fridge?
A modern full-size fridge averages 100–200W once you account for the compressor cycling rather than running constantly. A 2,000Wh station will typically carry one for somewhere between 10 and 20 hours. See how many watts a refrigerator uses.
Is LiFePO4 worth paying for?
Yes, for anything you intend to keep. LiFePO4 cells typically last several times longer than older lithium-ion NMC packs and tolerate heat far better. Nearly every unit worth buying now uses it — see LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion.
Can I charge one from solar?
Yes, and that is the point of the bundles. A station plus panels is sold as a solar generator. Whether the bundle saves money depends on the panel price.