Portable Power Station Models

Portable Power Stations – Overview

Portable power stations perform a similar function to portable generators to the extent that they both provide you with a means of access to electric power on the move or when for whatever reason you have no access to the grid.

UPDATE: Though nothing is yet certain as of 24 September 2021, it looks like there is an attempt to try to introduce a bill in California that would ban machinery using small engines, and that includes gas-powered portable generators. If signed into law by Governor Newson, the ban on these generators could come into effect from 1 January 2024. The reason for the ban is that this type of machinery emits more pollution than cars, and that consumers should move more towards units such as portable power stations.

FOX26NEWS has more information on this topic

How are portable power stations different to portable generators?

Portable power stations use rechargeable (lithium) batteries in which they store electrical energy as a result of charging, for example from a wall outlet or with the aid of solar panels. A portable generator, on the other hand, uses an engine powered by gasoline, propane and sometimes diesel to generate and output electrical energy on the fly, and continues to do so as long as the engine is running.

There are of course other differences: power stations are very limited in what they can power when compared to a portable generator; watt for watt, they are more expensive than portable generators; they are to all intents and purposes silent; they can lay much more claim to the definition of “portable”; and they can be safely used indoors because they do not produce dangerous carbon monoxide that portable generators emit when they are running.

What are the pros and cons of portable power stations?

First let us look at the negatives of a portable generator.

Quite a lot of people who live in areas prone to blackouts and who need a substitute source of electrical power find it difficult to handle portable generators, sometimes because of their size and weight, and other times because they may be hard to get going. They may also be worried about the dangers of storing gasoline, as well as the legal requirements for doing so safely.

Those who live in apartments will generally not be able to operate a portable generator, not only because of the risks of fire but also because of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

On the other hand, portable power stations are small and take up little space for storage. They are basically maintenance-free, deliver clean power, and are relatively light so moving them around is easy. And they are virtually silent with perhaps just a cooling fan being the only audible sound.

These positive aspects may mean that one or more portable power stations are a more appropriate option for some people who need to ensure they have a means of, admittedly very limited, backup power available during times of emergency or power outages.

Where they apparently shine most is in the field of recreation for the most part as a result of their reduced size and weight and enhanced by their ability to be recharged (slowly) by your vehicle or a solar panel when out on the road. Extra batteries can, of course, be carried too.

Among their less positive points are that the more “powerful” models can be quite to very expensive. They need to be kept charged up and last for only a relatively short period of time as the batteries discharge at a rate related to what is connected. However, this can be partially offset by using a solar panel to extend the available time.

Where portable power stations cannot compete with portable generators is in their power outputs. While some of the bigger ones have a peak (surge) power of over 4000 watts, their continuous (running) power output will rarely be above 2000 watts. That said, for some people unable to use a portable generator, it may be the only viable alternative to having at least some electrical power on hand when the grid is down. Furthermore, there is evidence to strongly suggest that most people change their normal behavior when faced with an emergency and prioritize their use of equipment to essential needs only.

For those wondering whether they can take their portable power stations on a plane, the answer is most likely no because they contain lithium batteries.  If you want to learn more about this subject, the passage of lithium batteries is governed in the US by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), about which you can read here.

Portable power station technology – clean energy

Portable power stations rely on lithium batteries and a technology (MMPT or PWM) that uses a mix of software and electronic hardware to maximize the use of energy. Some of these batteries are based on lithium-ion technology, which has an advantage of being energy dense, and others LiFePO4.

LiFePO4 is just another type of lithium-ion, but because of its chemical composition it has a lower energy density. The term energy density is the technical term which refers to the amount of energy that can be stored in a given space.

However, while it may be less energy dense, LiFePO4 has an advantage in that it is made from lithium iron phosphate which is acknowledged to be much safer than lithium-ion. Lithium-ion came more to the public’s attention, and gained notoriety, as a result of the exploding batteries in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, mentioned in this article from 2016.

Batteries containing LiFePO4 technology also has a greater life cycle in terms of the number of times it can be charged.

Who makes portable power stations and where are they made?

There is a multitude of brands on the market today, but not many of them seem to be involved in the manufacture of portable generators. As is the case with portable generators, it’s not easy to discover where different brands of portable power stations are made. But it looks like a lot of the models are actually made in China, which is not necessarily a bad thing. To take just one example, EcoFlow, which distributes some high end power stations, appears have its models made by Shenzen Ecofow Technology of China. Other than that, the relationship is unclear. For example, although the Chinese company doesn’t appear to have a website, company information on the web rather oddly doesn’t list the US as one of its markets. Another popular brand, Jackery, also appears to have its power stations made in China, as is the case of the successful start-up Bluetti.

Energy storage technology

Although the energy capture and storage technology is in its relative infancy, there are strong signals that it will play an increasingly important role in the future of electrical energy distribution up to and including towns and cities. As of now, Tesla and other big names are investing huge amounts in new technologies because they know the payoff will be enormous for whoever is the first to develop the best and most commercially viable product.

We have written a bit more about the subject of energy capture here if you are interested.

A selection of some of the best portable power stations currently on the market

Given that people have different power needs, portable power stations do have a significant place in the market. Because they are so popular we think it’s worth including them and referring you some of the best portable power stations you can get your hands on which you can also see on our sister site. And don’t forget that most of the power stations can also be charged using solar panels allowing them to extend what is a relatively short time they are able to operate, plus in some cases you can hot swap the batteries. For those unable to operate a portable generator, these benefits may present a very attractive option.

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