Why should you buy a portable power station?

Bring big backup power with you with these expert-recommended portable power stations, which can store enough power to charge electronics, appliances, and more.

What can a portable power station charge?

All portable power stations can charge up small gadgets like phones and laptops or be used to power lighting. Most can handle small appliances like mini-fridges or TVs. If you want to use power tools, an AC unit, or in the UK, a kettle, you need to be able to draw thousands of watts.

Are portable power stations expensive?

Updated June 2025: We’ve added a Bluetti model, honorable mentions from EcoFlow and Acer, and a testing and FAQ section. Portable power stations can be very expensive, but discounts, sales, and deals are common. If you can afford to wait, you can likely get your chosen power station for less than the listed MSRP.

What is the best portable power station?

With a great power-to-weight ratio, the latest version of the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is a great portable power station for powering a camper or providing backup power for the essentials. With its tremendous capacity, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is truly capable of providing a whole-home backup without gas or solar panels.

Do portable power stations need a wall outlet?

Portable power stations typically come equipped with lithium-ion batteries that hold a significant amount of stored electrical energy. Most power stations plug directly into a standard electrical outlet, but many models don’t require access to a wall outlet.

What is the difference between a power bank and a portable power station?

Size is the main difference between the best power banks and the best portable power stations. Power banks are typically compact with small capacities designed to charge smartphones and other small gadgets. Power stations have far larger capacities and can potentially run small appliances and larger gadgets.