During our hands-on testing of the Bluetti Apex 300, we were impressed by its versatility. It works as a standalone power source or the base of a larger home backup system that’s expandedable and customizeable, including integration into a large home solar array.

Alone, it delivers up to 3,840 watts and handles up to 7,680 watts of surge power. Capacity is a solid 2,764.8 watt-hours, and it also powers 240-volt appliances or circuits with the help of 30- and 50-amp outputs.

It’s also possible to level up the Apex 300’s power by adding up to six additional batteries for a very high capacity of 19,353.6 watt-hours. Or, scale that up even higher, connecting up to two other Apex 300 units and running them in parallel, giving you up to 58,060.8 watt-hours of capacity if you added batteries to those, as well.

The station offers recharging through AC power (including a 240-volt turbo option), but it’s serious about solar recharging, too. There are two ports for connecting solar panels up to 1,200 watts each, which is impressive. Having the option of up to 2,400 watts of solar input is uncommon in a station of this size and price point.

Plus, even higher input is possible by pairing with a Bluetti SolarX 4K voltage regulator, which is designed for connection to larger solar arrays. We only tested it with a 350-watt panel, which worked well, but honestly, it would take over 24 hours of unobstructed full sun to fully charge it with that panel. Knowing that it could adapt it to a much larger array in the future is a major bonus.

Another special feature in the Apex 300 is the use of two inverters as opposed to one, giving you two banks of 120-volt 1,920-watt output (two outlets in each bank). In our tests, this enabled us to easily run two high-powered appliances at the same time, including a space heater and a toaster, with no issues at all.

There’s also a built-in UPS feature that switches to battery power in the event of a blackout. Our only disappointment was the lack of DC output, such as USB or 12-volt; you need an optional hub for that. At 84 pounds, it’s also quite heavy to lug around.

If you’ve been eyeing power stations but aren’t sure if you want one more for portable power or more for home backup power, this is the model for you. And if you’re keen on solar, the Apex 300 gives you more options for connecting panels, both large and small, than most power stations in this size range.

Full review of the Bluetti Apex 300 Review

Key Specs

This model replaces the original Jackery 1000, but many of the same observations made of the first model still apply. The new version has a slightly higher capacity of 1,070 watt-hours and uses a newer lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, which is a newer battery technology that offers a longer lifespan (4,000 cycles vs. 500 cycles for this model) and better performance in extreme temperatures.

Expert Maggie Slepian used the previous model on a media trip where she had to keep multiple camera batteries charged during a week-long outing. She found that while the capacity was lower than you'll find with others on this list, it could actually power items for longer than some higher-capacity models. She also charged her photographer’s camera batteries while charging the power bank on solar power (it was a very sunny winter day), which proved effective and efficient.

The newer V2 model has seven ports, including three AC outlets, two USB-C ports (one 30-watt and one 100-watt), a 12-volt car port, and one standard 18-watt USB-A outlet. It charges a typical laptop eight times or power a small refrigerator or a powered cooler for over 15 hours.

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 charges with a 200-watt or a 12-volt outlet in your vehicle while you’re on the move. It has fairly standard charging times, with 11.5 hours in a car outlet, 6.5 hours for solar panels, and just 5.5 hours to fully charge in a wall outlet. This won’t be your best bet for powering larger appliances, but it’s an ideal power station for smaller items and off-grid camping.

Key Specs

We had the opportunity to do some hands-on testing of Goal Zero’s newest Yeti 1500, which impressed us with its reliable performance and durable build. This 2,000-Watt power station is weatherproof with an IPX4 rating and features outlet shields that cover the ports and inputs. Each section is also well-lit by an LED light that’s individually turned on or off using a manual button or the mobile app (and will shut off if not used after a certain period).

There’s a healthy number of outputs on the Yeti1500, including four 120-volt AC outlets, four (two are high-powered) USB-A ports, and four 12-volt connections. We simulated an emergency blackout, and managed to run a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router, a lamp, a TV, and a tower fan, while also charging a phone and a laptop through the USB-C ports. Given the station’s output and capacity, there was enough power for over two days of use (conveniently shown on the main display), and there was plenty of room to spare for a few more devices.

To test its solar capabilities, we paired the Yeti 1500 with a Nomad 200-watt portable solar panel and connected it using the high-voltage DC input, which accepts up to 600 watts; however, it also features a low-voltage input that accepts up to 300 watts for smaller panel arrays. Because both inputs can be used simultaneously, you could theoretically pair with two arrays for up to 900 watts.

Of course, no portable panel operates at 100 percent efficiency. Even on a sunny, cloudless day with no shade-causing obstructions, the input readings showed anywhere from 125 to 145 watts. After initiating a recharge with only 5 percent capacity left, it would take at least 10.5 hours in those conditions to recharge. That’s actually not bad. An average of about 70 percent efficiency for a portable panel is good.

The mobile app was easy to use and chock full of great information on energy consumption. The only problem we had was maintaining a stable Bluetooth connection. It needed to be manually paired every time we went to use it, which was annoying. That aside, the 2026 Yeti 1500 is a well-designed power station that’s ideal for off-grid camping situations where dust, wind, and potentially wet conditions are always on the table.

Full Goal Zero Yeti 1500 Review

Key Specs

The EcoFlow Delta Pro is a large portable power station with an output that rivals some gas portable generators. When sold in a bundle with solar panels, like the package with two 220-watt portable panels we tested, it becomes a powerful solar generator. With an output of 3,600 watts, the Delta Pro handles multiple appliances, and the output has the ability to bump up to 4,500 watts with its built-in X-Boost technology if more power is needed.

To get an idea of the run time, we used the Delta Pro to power a full-size, 25-cubic-foot refrigerator—which it did for a remarkable 51 hours and 24 minutes. When recharged from a standard outlet, it took only 2 hours and 36 minutes. But, it also charges with the included adapter, at EV charging stations, with a DC car adapter, or with the solar panels that come with the unit.

The combined potential of the two panels is 440 watts, but as we’ve mentioned before, that number is a maximum output, in optimal conditions. In bright mid-day sun, in Pennsylvania’s late spring weather, we typically hit the high 300’s, and maintaining that requires frequent repositioning.

With the Delta Pro’s large capacity, it generally takes longer to charge than most portable power stations, including the models we’ve tested. The good news is the Delta Pro accepts up to 1,600 watts of solar input, so it charges more quickly by connecting more panels.

In practice, with only the two 220-watt panels, you likely won’t be able to recharge fully in one day. Under significant loads, your panels will merely extend their already considerable run time. However, if you need to power a camper, off-grid cabin, or even critical systems in your home during power outages, you probably have the room to install/set up more portable or rigid panels to get to the max 1,600-watt input limit, which will reduce charge times nearly fourfold.

Key Specs

The heavy-duty wheels and telescoping handle on Anker’s Solix F2000 are easy to use, allow you to stand upright when pulling, and are a dream for people who regularly find themselves moving their power station around, whether it’s at a campsite or to different parts of the house during a power outage.

Along with convenience, this generator is a powerhouse with the capacity to easily run your refrigerator or a greenhouse heater (yes, we received questions about this), or keep your RV bright and warm.

We’re also impressed with Anker’s app, which allows us to check the charging status or power being generated without continually going outside to check. The app also lets you turn power to the AC and USB ports on and off remotely, keeping tabs on how much energy is being utilized.

The Solix F2000 has 12 ports, including two car ports, an RV-specific outlet, four AC ports, three USB-C charging ports, and two USB-A. In sunny conditions and moderate temperatures, it recharge with a 200-watt solar panel in just a few hours and supports up to 1,000 watts of solar input.

Key Specs

While smaller power stations may be able to power devices like mini-fridges, they can't do it for very long. That's why some excursions require a more powerful option. Sitting nicely in the mid-range for power capacity is this 1,152-watt-hour station, the Bluetti AC180. This offers 1800-watts of output (2,700 peak) with four outlets of AC power. That's enough to run a refrigerator for up to 17 hours, even longer for an electric cooler.

What also makes this model stand out are the charging features. It supports a solar panel array of up to 500 watts, which is a bit higher than you sometimes find in power stations of this size. It also offers a fast charging mode that recharges the station 80 percent in 45 minutes (though you should use fast-charge modes sparingly as they can shorten the life of the battery).

Beyond AC power, there are a good number of outputs, including five USB—though only one is USB-C (but at least 100-watt)—and a 15-watt wireless charging pad on the top of the unit. There's also built-in Bluetooth for controlling and monitoring the station using a mobile app. That can be very useful for keeping track and being notified when power levels are low.

For even more power (at a higher price point) we recommend the AC200L, which is a step up across the board and a good choice for RVs.

Key Specs