Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Power Station

Power stations are fantastic ways to condense power and keep all of your electronics charged up. Whether you are on the go or just lounging around, power stations can bring the power to you in the most convenient way possible. However, not all power stations are created equally, so knowing how to pick out the best ones is very valuable.

A portable power station isn't a whole-house power solution, but it will make your next blackout a lot more comfortable. We've put together 5 key factors to consider when buying a portable power station. Here are five things to consider when buying a power station. When you shop around, paying close attention to these features will help you choose the product that best meets your needs. 

 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Power Station

► Choose the Right Capacity

When looking for a portable power station, battery capacity is the most important specification you should look for. The larger the battery capacity, the longer you can run the device per charge. So, in general, buy the largest capacity battery possible.
However, given the size, weight and cost, you may want to take a more appropriate approach when considering battery capacity for your portable power station.
Electronic devices typically indicate their maximum power consumption in watt-hours, which you can find on various types of power supplies. If a power supply indicates its power rating in watts, remember that one watt equals one watt-hour.
For long trips like a weekend getaway where you want to cook and make coffee in addition to using your personal equipment, getting a portable power supply of about 1000Wh or more would be ideal.

 

► Choose a More Durable Battery

A long-lasting power station is important because it can power your essentials during long trips or power outages. The first thing to look at is the battery, which is the core component of the portable power station. 

You need to make sure its core is equipped with LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate or LFP) batteries for longer life and improved safety. They are typically used in high-power applications such as electric cars, power tools and radio-controlled (RC) vehicles.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a significantly longer life than the NMC batteries typically used in portable power stations. They are capable of delivering 3,000 charge cycles, compared to the industry average of 500. This means your power station can last for years without losing its capacity. Ever have a phone that dies shortly after a full charge? That's because its battery has aged and lost capacity. You never want your power source to run out in the middle of a trip or during a power outage. 

Another advantage of LiFePO4 batteries is that they are super safe to use because of their better thermal and structural stability. This means that LiFePO4 batteries are non-flammable and can withstand high temperatures without decomposing. This is something that lead acid and other battery types do not have.