The best portable power stations for 2026, tested and reviewed

Portable power stations have become increasingly capable and can be a game-changer, whether you’re camping, in need of backup electricity, or simply want a convenient, mobile power source. But they certainly aren’t cheap, so you want to make sure you choose a model you can count on. We named the Bluetti Elite 200v2 our best overall because it’s such a well-rounded, versatile unit, but there are several other great options out there depending on your needs. Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2 Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300 Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000 Best budget: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Best for high capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na Best for rugged use: Generac GB2000 How we selected the best portable power stations We’ve been using portable solar gear since the 1990s, when it was just barely usable. But over the past decade, the tech has progressed by leaps and bounds. Today, we regularly use portable power stations for a wide range of purposes, from camping to home backup to powering work devices on the go, so we know what makes one model stand out from another. This firsthand experience has informed over a decade of reviewing power stations and solar equipment for top consumer guides like Popular Science. For this list, we tested dozens of units from top brands as well as many up-and-coming ones, checking how they performed for tasks such as charging a laptop, powering lights, using a portable fridge in a van conversion, and operating power tools off the grid. These first-hand impressions were bolstered by input from Popular Science editors, as well as reviews from actual customers. The models below were selected based on factors such as capacity, performance, features, portability, and durability, and are the best portable power stations across various categories. The best portable power stations: Reviews & Recommendations The power stations included on this list span a wide range of budgets, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. We have picks to suit a variety of scenarios, from charging a few devices to off-grid camping to emergency home backup. Based on extensive testing, we are confident that these are the best portable power stations for 2026. Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2 Nick Hilden See It Pros Exceptionally portable High output Ports a'plenty Compact design Excellent build quality One of the most usable apps out there Cons Not large enough for RV or whole home backup A few pounds heavy for its size Specs Storage capacity 2,073Wh Input capacity 1,800W Output capacity 2,600W (3,900W surge) Dimensions 13.8 × 9.8 × 12.7 in Weight 53.4 pounds Price $1,699 Why it made the cut: Small but powerful, the Bluetti Elite 200v2 delivers the capability and versatility to suit just about any mobile power need. Bluetti has been among the leaders of the portable power space for a while now, but with the Elite 200v2 they’ve surged to the head of the pack, providing a station that is about as well-rounded as it gets. In terms of performance, the Elite 200v2 is impressively cutting-edge. Its 2,073Wh LiFePO4 battery offers plenty of capacity for general use, from charging a few devices to keeping a high-draw appliance going for impressively long: it kept my electric grill going for about an hour. It provides ample output, and its TurboBoost fast charge will have it from flat to 100% in a little over 90 minutes via wall socket. Bluetti’s new Charger 1 DC adapter makes car port charging far faster and more effective than with most competitors, charging the unit over 4 hours of driving. And 1000W solar input capacity means it can handle as large a solar array as you’re likely to throw at it. I’m also a big fan of its compact, perfectly boxed design. It’s easy to fit into a trunk or van conversion, and while it is surprisingly heavy for its size, sturdy integrated handles make it easy to move around. App control allows for monitoring and adjustment from afar, and it has no shortage of ports spanning AC, USBs A and C, and a 120W car port. This is a real “no notes” situation. The vast majority of people looking for a reliable, intuitive, and moderately capable power station will be more than satisfied with the performance and portability of the Elite 200v2. Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus Nick Hilden See It Pros Very compact Good capacity and output Variable-setting camp lamp Cons Way too small for RV needs Specs Storage capacity 768Wh Input capacity 1,440W Output capacity 1,200W (1,600W surge) Dimensions 14.61 x 8.07 x 9.96 in Weight 24 lbs Price $649.99 Why it made the cut: Compact and lightweight with a decent capacity and a unique lantern, the Anker Solix C800 Plus is perfect for camping. If you’re looking for a decent-sized solar power bank that will keep a few devices going while venturing into the great outdoors, the Anker Solix C800 Plus offers an excellent balance between portability and capacity, along with some camp-friendly features. Its shoebox size and slight 24-pound weight make it easy to pack along, yet its 768Wh capacity is plenty to keep a few devices charged and your camp lit. Speaking of which, its nifty collapsible lantern makes for a great addition to your campsite. Multi-setting and stored in the station body, it's a smart feature we haven’t seen anywhere else. With good port offerings, a quality app for remote control, and relatively high input and output rates, it checks pretty much all the boxes. You’ll need to look for something larger if you’re hoping to power an RV, but for general camping purposes, it’s a very well-thought-out power box. Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300 Nick Hilden See It Pros About as expandable as it gets Massive input/output rates SolarX accessory is a solar game-changer Cons Very expensive Very heavy Specs Storage capacity 5,529.6Wh (expandable up to 58KWh) Input capacity 1,800W (expandable up to 30KW) Output capacity 3,800W (expandable up to 11.5KW) Dimensions Inverter 20.67 × 12.87 × 12.6 in / Battery 20.67 x 12.87 x 8.23 in Weight Inverter 83.78lbs / Battery 65.4 lbs Price: $3,499 Why it made the cut: Big expandability, reliable performance, and uber-massive solar capability make the Bluetti Apex 300 perfect for going off-grid. Most portable power stations are designed for short-term, low-wattage use and don’t offer the capacity, output, and solar gathering capability to go truly off-grid. The Bluetti Apex 300 goes hard the other direction, allowing you to expand capacity to as much as a massive 58,000Wh, and its 5,529.6Wh standalone capacity is pretty huge to begin with. The output wattage starts at 3,800W and expands up to 11,500W. And the solar input can expand up to a wild 30,000W, meaning it can handle an off-grid-level solar array. To achieve that solar expansion, you must install the company’s new SolarX 4K charge controller, which boosts the Apex 300’s solar input up to 4,000W. That by itself is impressive, but if you are aiming for full solar electrification, multiple Apex, SolarX, and batteries can be chained to reach the 30,000W input threshold, which is plenty to power a whole home. And even without the SolarX, the Apex’s standard dual 1,200W solar input is already excellent. If you’re looking to go off-grid, some combination of Apex units and accessories will certainly get the job done. Still worth considering: EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra Nick Hilden See It Pros Super expandable Huge input/output rates Fits into wider EcoFlow ecosystem Cons Very, very expensive Specs Storage capacity 6,144Wh (expandable up to 90kWh) Input capacity 5,600W (expandable up to 16.8kW) Output capacity 7,200W (expandable up to 21.6kW) Dimensions Inverter 27.2 × 18.9 × 8.4 in / Battery 26 × 18 × 8 in Weight Inverter 70 lbs / Battery 111.8 lbs Price $6,299 Why it made the cut: With massively expandable capacity, the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra is for serious off-grid living. While portable power stations have been marketed as a renewable electricity alternative for a while now, their ability to truly power an off-grid lifestyle was largely overhyped—they simply didn’t offer the performance necessary for reliable long-term electrification. The EcoFlow Delta Flow Ultra, however, is more than capable of delivering on the promise. Expandable up to a whopping 90kWh capacity with input rates of up to 16.8kW and outputs up to 21.6kW, it can gobble up as much solar as you can throw at it, power appliances of any draw, and provide backup power for over a month to the average-sized household. It also integrates into the wider EcoFlow smart home, off-grid ecosystem, which can allow you to build an off-grid setup of unrivaled capability. But none of that comes cheap. The base inverter/battery combo starts out with a high price tag, and expanding it to its full potential will make costs soar. But if you’re serious about building a reliable, capable off-grid system, it’s a worthwhile investment. Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000 Nick Hilden See It Pros ZeroDrain ensures it works when you need it Excellent capacity Very compact Cons Pricey Somewhat heavy Specs Storage capacity 3,072Wh Input capacity 1440W Output capacity 3,600W (7,200W surge) Dimensions 16.4×12.8×12 in Weight 59.52lbs Price $2,499 Why it made the cut: The Jackery HomePower 3000 has all-around solid numbers, but ZeroDrain tech makes it an especially reliable backup. When the lights go out and you’re expecting your power station to pick up the slack, there’s nothing more disappointing than pulling it out only to find that it’s drained while in storage. This was especially common with older models. But Jackery’s new HomePower 3000 avoids this issue via its ZeroDrain tech, which ensures it will hold a charge while sitting for long periods. It also offers excellent performance specs, especially for its size and weight. For example, it’s smaller and lighter than Jackery’s 2000 Plus while the capacity is 1000Wh higher, and offers similar specs as the 3000 Pro in a noticeably smaller, lighter package. Its squared-off design makes it easy to store, sturdy handles make its heft easier to lug around, and ZeroDrain ensures it’s ready when you are. Capable of powering a fridge for up to two days, it’s the perfect backup when you need to weather the storm. Best budget: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Nick Hilden See It Pros Surprisingly good specs for the price Compact and lightweight Fast charging Cons Not for powering an RV or large appliances Specs Storage capacity 1,024Wh Input capacity 1,600W Output capacity 2,000W (3,000W surge) Dimensions 15.1 × 8.2 × 9.6 in Weight 24.9 lbs Price $799 Why it made the cut: The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 delivers performance and portability that’s hard to beat for the price. The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is a solid small-mid-sized power station by any right, but when you factor in its sub-$400 price, it’s a bargain too good to pass up. Its 1,024Wh capacity will keep the fridge, lights, and devices in a small van conversion powered for a full day between charges, or will power a few essentials if the lights go out at home. The 2,000W running/3,000W surge output is surprisingly hefty for its size, and will power several devices at once and even some larger appliances. And it charges super quick, going from zero to full in about 50 minutes. I also like how portable it is. About the size of a shoebox and the weight of a jug of laundry detergent, it’s easy to fit into a truck or closet, and just as easy to move. It has 10ms UPS, allowing it to kick on automatically in the event of a power outage without interrupting the flow of electricity to essential equipment, which is rare in a unit this size and price and potentially vital if you need reliable power for a computer or medical equipment. Great power station, great price—what more is there to say? Best for high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus Nick Hilden See It Pros High capacity and expandable Expandable up to 11KWh Great output specs Super fast charging Love the smart design features Cons Heavy Pricey, especially with expansion batteries Specs Storage capacity 3,072Wh (expandable up to 11KWh) Input capacity 1,800W Output capacity 3,600W (4,600W X-Boost, 7,200W surge) Dimensions 24.14 x 12.9 x 15.5 in Weight 74.2 pounds Price $1.599 Why it made the cut: The EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus is not only high-capacity but also one of the best power stations out there. I would potentially declare the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus “best overall” if it weren’t for the fact that most people don’t need a power station this big. If you do need a station this big, however, it is excellent. The unit itself offers a substantial 3,072Wh capacity, which can expand up to a huge 11,000Wh. Its outstanding output specs, ranging from 3,600-7,200W, will run pretty much anything you need it to, including appliances, power tools, or an air conditioner. And its zippy charging is a great touch. Storm Guard Mode monitors weather forecasts and charges the unit automatically in the event of severe weather, and it can charge in as few as 89 minutes if a storm is coming in fast. Beyond all that, the Delta 3 Ultra Plus boasts a lot of smart little touches. It’s a big, heavy unit, but the telescoping handle and wheels make it easy to move. And I love that the rear port doors slide into protective slots—I’ve lost many of such little doors and covers in the past. If you need a big, reliable, high-spec power station, EcoFlow’s latest is exceptional. Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na Nick Hilden See It Pros Sub-zero cold performance and storage Quick charging Decent output wattage Cons Sodium chemistry means it's slightly larger and heavier than its lithium counterparts Specs Storage capacity 900Wh Input capacity 1,900W Output capacity 1,500W (2,500W surge) Dimensions 13.4 x 10 x 12.5 in Weight 35.3 lbs Price $1,299 Why it made the cut: As the first sodium-ion power station, the Bluetti Pioneer Na can operate and store energy at colder temperatures than any other. One key flaw with portable power stations involves their inability to operate and store in temperatures below 5 degrees. Bluetti has solved this issue with the new Pioneer Na, which charges in as low as 5 degrees, discharges as low as -13, and stores as low as -20. If you live or camp somewhere where you expect to deal with extreme cold, that can make a major difference. What’s more, the overall performance and portability are above average. Keep in mind that sodium-ion technology is inherently heavier than lithium-ion, so Bluetti has struck a nice balance by offering 900Wh capacity and 1,500W output—not the highest specs, but not the lowest either, but a good Goldilocks zone for most users—in a package that is compact and easy to move around. It’s powerful enough to keep essentials like a fridge, router, TV, and laptop going for several hours, and it charges in a quick 45 minutes. That’s great, no matter the temperature, and if things get especially cold, the Pioneer Na can be a must. Best for rugged use: Generac GB2000 Nick Hilden See It Pros Rugged durability Sturdy grab handle Wireless charging pad Cons Slow charging Specs Storage capacity 2,106Wh Input capacity 468W Output capacity 1,600W (3,200W surge) Dimensions 16.8 x 15.1 x 10.4 in Weight 43 lbs Price $1,599 Why it made the cut: The Generac GB2000 is plenty burly for the great outdoors. Generac has long been known for crafting rugged gas generators, and they’ve applied that same dedication to durability with their new line of portable power stations. With a solid exterior and sturdy lunchbox-style handle, it feels more like a substantial power tool than a piece of electronic equipment. This makes it ideal for the great outdoors, whether you’re camping or working with power tools. Its 2,106Wh capacity is more than enough for most day-to-day uses, and its high output rate means it will power most devices, tools, and small appliances. Its only glaring issue is its relatively slow charging speed: Four hours when plugged into a wall outlet is fairly sluggish these days. But beyond that, it’s perfect if you need a power station that can take some bumps around the campsite. Things to consider before buying a portable power station There are a lot of portable power stations and solar power generators on the market right now, and while they tend to look fairly similar at a glance, they vary wildly in terms of quality and capability. When making such a high-value purchase, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the best unit for your situation. How much power can it store? Above all else, a portable power station must offer enough capacity to meet your mobile power needs. This is measured in Watt-hours (Wh), with one watt-hour being the equivalent of one watt flowing over the course of an hour. Most people will likely want a station that holds several thousand Wh, but that doesn’t mean the unit will provide power for several thousand hours. You’ll likely need to use far more watts than one an hour, so ultimately, how long your station’s charge will last will be determined by what you plug into it. It’s easy to predict how long a generator will last when you use it to power one thing. For example, if you were to power a 100-watt bulb using a power station with a capacity of 500 watt-hours (Wh), it would stay lit for five continuous hours. Add a portable fridge that requires 50 watts per hour, your phone, which uses 18 watts, a mini-fan that uses three … you get the picture. Typically speaking, the more capacity, the better. A growing number of brands also offer expandable models, which can be stacked and daisy-chained to add-on batteries that can increase their capacity to well over 10,000Wh. These are usually geared toward home backup power. Charging capability Most portable power stations can be recharged via solar, a wall or car socket, or in some cases, a combination of both. Solar allows you to top off when off the grid, but tends to charge somewhat slowly, especially in subpar sun conditions. Plugging directly into the wall will give you the fastest power-up. We’ve found that car sockets, however, are unreliable and often outright useless. Whichever method you choose, a particular model’s recharging speed will be throttled by its input capacity, which is measured in Watts (W). A power station with a max input of 100W, for example, can take in a continuous flow of up to 100 watts. Most of the models included below offer well over 1000W. Output capability Any portable power station worth your money will have a high output capacity so you can charge many devices, even if they require a lot of juice. A generator’s maximum output should be much higher than its max input. While a particular model might only be capable of taking in a few hundred watts at any given moment, it will usually put out exponentially more. At a minimum, you’re going to want a generator that can put out several hundred watts, though we typically recommend looking above 1000. Most of the models below produce several thousand. The best portable power stations should also offer a variety of output plugs, including AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and even 12-volt DC outlets like the one in your vehicle's dash. This ensures that you can charge several devices at once, no matter what plug they use. The number of ports you’ll need will vary depending on how many devices you need to power, but it should have at least a couple of AC outlets and a few USB-A ports. Portability The larger the capacity, the heavier the unit. What is or isn’t portable depends largely on how you plan to use it, but you can expect to find a model that is well-suited to your situation, as they come in all sizes these days. If you’re camping, converting a van, or otherwise on the go, you’re probably going to want to compromise some capacity in favor of portability. That means looking in the 800-3000Wh range, which with current technology will weigh somewhere between 10 and 60 pounds and will be no larger than 2-3 stacked shoeboxes. Larger models will often have handles or wheels to help with moving around. On the other hand, if you expect to use your power station closer to home and will either never move it or only move it occasionally, portability becomes less of an issue. In that case, you can look for a higher capacity battery that is heavier and harder to move. These can weigh as much as 140 pounds, but they usually have wheels and handles. Durability As with any product you expect to last, durability and all-around quality craftsmanship are essential. This is especially true if you plan on lugging your generator around on camping and road trips. A lot of subpar power stations are made from cheap components and flimsy plastic that doesn’t feel like it will hold up under the rigors of the road. Durability isn’t something you can determine by reading a spec sheet off the internet. You actually have to take the generator out, use it a lot, and see how it holds up. We’ve verified the durability of these recommendations via a combination of actual field tests and reviews culled from countless real product owners. FAQs Q: What size solar generator should I get? It’s easy to underestimate how much capacity you need. A thousand watt-hours might sound like a lot, but if you’re going to, say, power a converted van with a portable fridge, lights, and occasional phone and laptop top-off, that thousand watt-hours will go faster than you expect. I used a setup like this and know from personal experience that you should always overestimate how much power you’ll need.A generator with a capacity under 1,000 Wh can keep electronics charged. A larger one with 1000-1500Wh should be the minimum for road trips where you’ll need it to last multiple days between full charges. For a house or worksite where you expect to use some serious energy—like a full-sized refrigerator or power tools—you’re going to want to start looking at the biggest possible power stations that can be daisy-chained to external batteries.If you want to get precise, there is an equation:1. Estimate how many hours you’ll need to power various devices. For example, if you want to power two light bulbs for two hours, you need four hours of operation.2. Add up the total wattage necessary: The two bulbs are 60 watts each, so you need 120 watts.3. Multiply these together to find the total watt-hours needed: 4 x 120 = 480. So, in this, you’d need at least a 500Wh solar generator. That might sound like a lot for two lightbulbs, but keep in mind that in most situations, you won’t realistically be powering 60-watt light bulbs for hours on end. You’ll be charging phones and laptops for an hour here or there, cooling a fridge that kicks on and off every once in a while, using power tools in short bursts, and whatnot. Q: How many years will a solar generator last? Most modern generators are rated to last upwards of 25 years. The best-designed power stations are quite sturdy, with few to no moving parts, so they should likely last for a long time, provided you care for them properly. I’ve been pretty rough with a few of mine, and they show no signs of stopping. Q: Can I run my house on solar power only? These days, absolutely. Just a few years ago, I would have said such capabilities were severely limited, but the latest generation of whole-home power stations can provide enough storage to power your home for as long as a month. This typically requires installing a form of integration unit in your home that plugs into the power station and can even switch power automatically in the event of a blackout. Final thoughts on the best portable power stations Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2 Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300 Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000 Best budget: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Best for high capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na Best for rugged use: Generac GB2000 We’re living in a “golden age” for portable solar-friendly power stations. When we were kids and the family was playing around with solar gear while camping in the ‘90s, the technology wasn’t capable of charging many devices, so it wasn’t all that practical. By contrast, the solar generators we’ve recommended here are incredibly useful. We’ve relied on them to power work and day-to-day needs while road-tripping all over the country. They’re also great when the power goes out. When a windstorm cut the power at the house for a couple of days, we were still working, watching our stories, and keeping the lights on. We haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of the potential offered by portable, reliable, renewable, relatively affordable power. What we can do now is already incredible. The potential for what may come, though, is truly mind-blowing. The post The best portable power stations for 2026, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.