Portable Power Station Generator

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

A portable power station is essentially a big rechargeable battery that you carry around. Deplete it, and it's useless until you can recharge. A generator, by definition, is a device that actually converts some type of energy to usable electricity in whatever circuitry you have it connected to.

Is a portable power station a good alternative to a generator?

If you find yourself in need of power and away from a usable source, a portable power station is an inexpensive alternative to a generator. However, not all power stations are created equal.

What is a portable power station?

Portable power stations are generally designed to power smaller electronic devices and appliances, from phones and table fans to heavy-duty work lights and CPAP machines. Pay attention to the estimated watt-hours each brand provides in its specs to determine which model makes the most sense for what you'd like to power.

What is a solar generator?

A solar generator is a subcategory of portable power stations. Basically, solar generators are portable power stations that can be recharged through solar energy via portable solar panels. Almost every portable power station on the market today feature solar charging. In our top 10 list below every portable power station offers solar charging.

How do I choose a portable power station?

Output is the other piece of the puzzle here. You'll want to consider what you need to run. If you simply top-up some phones and laptops, the smaller portable power stations that have just one or two AC outlets and a handful of USB-C and USB-A ports should be enough for you.

What devices can a portable power station run?

So long as your portable power station has the right ports and enough capacity, it can run a massive range of devices, including phones, laptops, and desktops. Higher capacity units will also let you power appliances and charge electric vehicles. Check which ports your preferred model has, including USB Type-A and Type-C, AC and mains sockets.