Everything to Know About Portable Power Stations

We’ve come a long way in recent years in our fight for renewables, but we still have ways to go. Luckily, there’s good news! Believe it or not, recent polls show that 79% of Americans want to transition to clean and renewable energy.

Well, one of the easiest ways to get started and to prepare for future gas generator bans (like in California) is to upgrade your portable power solution! However, you may have some questions about that. Let’s talk about portable power stations before you buy one for yourself!

1. All Shapes and Sizes

Let’s say you have an iPhone to charge or a 30-watt CPAP machine to power for your 3-day backpacking trip. In that case, size may work against you. Having a small battery with a small solar panel should be more than enough to fulfill your needs.

Now, let’s say you need to back up your freezer full of meat in your basement in case of an outage. In that case, you’ll need something that can last for a few thousand watt-hours to keep the system running for more than a day. The average person might need something between these two examples.

Fortunately, solar generators can come in all shapes, sizes, battery capacities, and prices for different needs. However, you get what you pay for. Spending some extra money upfront can be the difference between keeping your system for two years or ten years, so determine your needs and choose wisely!

2. Power Stations Have Multiple Charging Options

For both input and output, a typical portable power station will have various options to choose from. Although they’re often called “solar generators”, that’s far from their only option. Most will allow you to charge in the car or with an AC wall outlet, and some even allow for EV charging and wind turbines.

When charging other devices with your system, you can choose from USB ports, AC outlets, and sometimes other specialized outputs. Most battery generators will have a display screen or an app to tell you how much power is being drawn, where it’s being used, and how much capacity you have left.

3. They’ve Come a Long Way

The first solar-powered battery generator was introduced in 2012, and it was rather underwhelming. Sure, it could charge your phone and camera for a few nights, but it took a very long time to charge with its solar panels, the maximum output was low, and the battery only lasted for a few hundred lifecycles.

Today, some of the gasless power stations offer up to 3600Wh, can power a dryer for a full cycle, and last for over ten years of daily use. That’s a substantial difference for only ten years.

However, not all models are the same. Just because you’re buying a newer model does not mean that it’s better. Always look at reviews to see how long they hold a charge, if the battery capacity is what it says it is, and more.

4. They Take a While to Charge

One of the greatest challenges with solar generators is that, well, solar power isn’t enough to quickly charge your system. By using a wall outlet or an EV charger, you may be able to charge your system in under 2 hours, but with solar panels alone, it could take a full day of sunlight, and even more if you’re using the system during the day.

If you plan on using your system for work or for longer camping trips, we recommend charging it overnight with a wall outlet or in the car so you can start with a full charge. Even during cloudy conditions, the sunlight it’s able to take in will still dramatically improve your battery life. However, if you have to fully charge your system with only solar panels, expect to wait between 5 and 8 hours depending on the system.

5. Yes, They Can be Expensive

Gas-powered generators are much cheaper to buy upfront, but that doesn’t mean they are cheaper. Even if you’re plugging your system into the wall instead of using solar power, you’ll still save a lot of money on ongoing costs.

Believe it or not, a small gas-powered generator can cost up to $70 a day to run continuously, and their engines don’t last forever. How long would you expect your car engine to last if it were idling all the time?

This means that a solar generator would pay for itself after only two weeks of use if it costs $1,000 more to buy. Sure, some of them don’t offer the same amount of output as a gas generator, but some of the newer models come close! If you aren’t using a lot of power with each use, then a solar battery is the better option for your budget by far.

6. Choosing the Right Model Makes a Difference

Depending on your needs, we recommend doing your research on each product before making a decision, especially if you have higher energy needs. For an average person, you probably don’t need a lot of power unless it’s for home backup, so check out a thorough Duracell Powersource review and others for more information. Buying the wrong system could mean wasting your money.

Choose Wisely

Now that you know all about portable power stations, you can make an informed decision on whether or not they are the right investment for your needs. They’ve come a long way in the last decade, so if you’re looking to take some quiet, portable, and clean energy with you, then choose the system that best meets your needs, and stay up to date with our latest consumer tips!