Portable mobile power cost performance

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 are the performance metrics for portable power stations?

Currently, we look at two main performance metrics for portable power stations: charge time and discharge capacity. Every company that sells portable power stations provides the expected number of watt-hours its products are supposed to last. That can vary from as low as 240 watt hours to as many as 2,000 watt hours for a larger power station.

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.

How long does a portable power station last?

A portable power station’s lifespan depends on the type of battery inside. Most new portable power stations, including all the models we recommend here, feature LiFePO4 battery technology, which lasts far longer than older lithium-ion technology. How much more? LiFePo4 power stations will last for more than 3,000 charge cycles, or about 10 years.

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.

What is a portable power station?

A truly portable power station will be light and small, but it won’t be able to do as much as the huge ones. It all depends on what you need. The smaller power stations are usually great at charging phones, tablets, powering small appliances, etc.