Inclement weather, power rationing, camping, or national emergencies; there are a host of situations you might be in, either voluntarily or involuntarily, where getting easy access to electricity won’t be an option.
What will you do, and how will you charge your phones, stay warm, cool, or cook? An easy and compact solution is a portable power station. The best portable power stations are reasonably sized, easy to charge, and easy to use in an emergency. Let’s review how they work and why these small and versatile tools may be perfect for your family.
Table of Contents
What Are Portable Power Stations?
A portable power station is, quite simply, a manageable battery pack that can supply power to a variety of objects without extra hook-ups or extension cords. The outlets you need, for USB-c ports, three-pronged plugs, and other electronic items, are built into the pack itself. Just turn your portable power station on, plug in your devices, and you’ll get power.
One of the best things about these items is how easy they carry. These power stations come with convenient handles and are small enough to fit into a vehicle or an RV with ease. So, if you need to take your power station on the road, it’ll be easy to transport and manage.
They can supply an incredible amount of power to multiple items in a small size format, making them perfect for emergencies where you may not have much room but still need power. They are lightweight enough to be managed by one person and will save you room in your car, SUV, or camper in an emergency.
They’re also not very heavy, meaning people of both sexes and multiple ages can transport these items fairly easily and quickly, without struggling to manage a great deal of weight, saving strength and time in situations where getting power immediately is crucial.
Easy and Convenient to Use
Portable power stations are simple to set up and simple to use. The plug points on these devices are just like the ones you’d use at home. Just power on your station, plug your item in, and you’re getting power.
While adults should be setting them up, older children can use them easily with minimal supervision, just as they’d use a power outlet on the wall or a charging port in a vehicle. Convenient and easy-to-read displays tell you how much power you have left and display input vs. output. All information is displayed in the same place, and the controls are intuitive, simple, and will not overwhelm a novice user.
Three Ways to Charge
Your portable power station will not supply an infinite amount of power and, like any battery pack, will need to be recharged. Fortunately, there are three ways to do this. A portable power station can be charged using your home’s power outlets in normal circumstances. If your home has power, it can be used to keep your power station charged ahead of time before you need it.
Your portable power station can also be charged using your car, truck, or SUV. A 12 volt, 10 amp power plug is available to help supply power to the station when your car is turned on, making this a great resource to have with you on the road. So, if circumstances don’t allow you to stay in your home, bring the portable power pack with you, and you’ll have power no matter where you are.
Lastly, the portable power station can also be charged using solar power. Separate miniature solar panels can power the battery pack, allowing you to take this item on the road or even into the mountains. Anywhere you have sun, you can recharge your portable power station, making this piece of equipment useful and even indispensable in various circumstances.
Useful in a Variety of Situations
Another reason to own a portable power station is the wide variety of situations you may run into in which you need one. Are you camping out in a national park or backpacking? Its lightweight frame makes it easy to take along. Has a power outage due to a storm, hurricane, or fire? The portable power station can help keep your lights on and food edible. Has a national or local emergency led to power cuts or electricity rationing? A portable power station can help you get through this less stress and worry.
No matter what situation you may face, your need for communication, food, warmth, or climate control will put you in need of fast electricity. Without being dependent on the grid, government, power companies, or weather, you’ll be better able to stay comfortable and safe on your terms and can even save money in the process.
Economical
This brings me to another reason to buy a portable power station, money! While a portable power station requires an initial investment of $1,000-$4,000 on average, the money you can save by not being in as dire an emergency can be worth far more.
Consider the cost of spoiled food, the price to replace that food, medical bills due to spoiled medication, or personal injury due to heat or cold. Consider the possibility of lost wages due to the inability to get to work in an emergency. Having extra power on hand can allow you to come and go more readily and keep you able to work and commute.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of a situation you’re facing, whether camping, a hurricane, or a national emergency, having a portable power station on hand can be a life-saving choice. They can keep you informed, in touch with the world, warm, fed, and self-reliant in the worst of scenarios, as well as comfortable and safer when outdoors for recreation. They’re a wise and simple-to-use investment and can help your family stay safe and comfortable, no matter what you face together.
About the author:
Trevor Fenner is the owner of Solar Paradise, a one-stop shop for Solar kits, portable power stations, portable solar panels, solar generators, solar charge controllers, inverters, solar air conditioners & portable solar fridges freezers. Trevor built Solar Paradise to sell solar kits all over the USA. You can shop for the best solar kits at Solar Paradise.
