What’s the Best Portable Power Station Under $200 in 2024?
Hoping to find the best portable power station under $200? Or is reliable portable power not possible?
It certainly is! In this guide our experts of POG have selected the best portable power stations on the market today.
However, just to manage expectations, for a budget of $200 it’s not realistic to find a model with a 1000Wh battery capacity.
We’ve selected high quality models that have good specs for a low price.
Read our other Portable Power Station Reviews or learn what the TOP performers are for different occasions: TOP 10 BEST Portable Power Stations, BEST Portable Power Stations for Camping, BEST Portable Power Stations for Power Outage, BEST Portable Power Station for Refrigerator.
What is a Portable Power Station?
A portable power station is like a power bank on steroids. It has a larger capacity than a regular power bank and has more power outage as well.
This means you can use it for a wider range of appliances and charge for instance your phone or laptop multiple times.
It however all depends on the model you choose and what their features are.
Let’s have a look at the best portable power stations under $200.
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Top 3 Best Portable Power Stations Under $200
1. TOP PICK: BLUETTI EB3A (286Wh)
BLUETTI EB3A Review score: 4.3/5 stars
The Bluetti EB3A has a lot of features packed in a small portable power station. It’s therefore that our POG experts pointed out this model for the best portable power station under $200.
Best Deal Check Amazon PriceBattery Capacity and Power
The Bluetti EB3A earned by far its top spot in our “best under $200” list.
It comes with a lot of specs and features that you see on the heavier models but has of course less capacity and power than those heavier ones.
Nonetheless, the EB3A has a battery capacity of 286Wh and a max power output of 600W. These are impressive numbers for a portable power station in this price range. It can even give up to 1200W in surge.
It has a pure sine wave inverter which means that it’s safe to use with your fine electronics.
It has 9 outlets in total including 2 AC outlets, a USB-C outlet, and a wireless charging pad.
These features make it ideal to charger or power also mid-range appliances.
However, we must mention that powering a 600W device wont run that long with a 286Wh battery.
Charging Time
The Bluetti EB3A can be charged through an AC outlet in 2 modes: Standard Mode (268W) and Turbo Mode (350W).
It can also be recharged using solar panels with a max input of 200W.
Finally, you can also use the car input via the 12/24 cigarette lighter port.
You can combine AC and solar charging simultaneously with a max input power of 430W.
In just 30 minutes you can charge the EB3A to 80%. It takes approximately 2 hours to charge the unit via solar panels.
Weight and Portability
This Bluetti is lightweight with only 10.14lbs / 4.6kg. Its size is also very compact with the following dimensions: 10.04*7.09*7.20in / 255*180*183mm
It has a nice design which makes it possible to stack in the trunk of your car or camper during a trip.
There is a foldable top handle that increases its portability but doesn’t hinders to stack it.
Our experts also liked that all the ports were at the front of the device (except the AC input). This makes it easier to use it in your car on a road trip for instance when the trunk is full of other luggage.
Durability
The EB3A has a LFP battery which makes it very durable. It can last 2500 life cycles until the battery capacity depreciates to 80%.
2. RUNNER UP: EcoFlow RIVER 2 (256Wh)
EcoFlow RIVER 2 (256Wh) Review score: 3.8/5 stars
Just priced above $200 but nevertheless it deserves a second spot in the list.
Best DealBattery Capacity and Power
The EcoFlow River 2 has a 256Wh battery, making it a compact yet capable option for essential devices.
It can easily power phones, laptops, lights, and small appliances, and can handle up to 300W of output with a surge capacity of 600W.
This makes it ideal for light-duty, everyday use and outdoor activities.
Charging Time
EcoFlow’s X-Stream fast charging technology allows the River 2 to recharge from 0 to 100% in only about an hour when connected to AC power, a standout speed in its category.
It also supports solar charging up to 110W, allowing for renewable energy input in optimal sunlight conditions.
Weight and Portability
Weighing in at just 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg), the River 2 is exceptionally lightweight and compact.
Its design makes it easy to carry, fitting well in vehicles, small spaces, and camp setups, catering to users who prioritize mobility and convenience.
Durability
With a durable LFP (LiFePO4) battery, the River 2 can handle up to 3,000 cycles, maintaining 80% capacity throughout its lifespan.
This longevity, paired with EcoFlow’s robust build quality, makes it a reliable choice for frequent use, even in off-grid conditions.
3. BEST VALUE: BLUETTI AC2A (204Wh)
Bluetti AC2A Review Score: 3.5/5 Stars
The Bluetti AC2A is a good portable power station for a very low budget.
Best Deal Check Amazon PriceBattery Capacity and Power
Consider the Bluetti AC2A as the smaller brother of our top pick. It comes with the same quality but has a bit less features compared to the EB3A.
However, it’s also available for a lower budget.
It has a 204.8Wh battery and can power devices up to 300W. That’s a bit less energy capacity but also half the power output compared to the Bluetti EB3A.
It features 6 output ports compared to 9 on the bigger brother.
Charging Time
You can also charge the AC2A through an AC outlet, solar energy or car cigarette lighter.
The max AC input is only 270W compared to 430W for the Bluetti EB3A. This means that is will charge a little slower via AC. It will charge to 80% in 45 min.
The solar values are the same as for the EB3A.
Weight and Portability
The Bluetti AC2A and EB3A are both similar in terms of size. However, the AC2A is a little bit lighter weighing 7.9 lbs.
Durability
The AC2A is very durable as well because it features an LFP battery that is will run through 3000 cycles before it depreciates to 80% capacity.
How we test
We have tested portable power stations using a protocol that includes several important factors. These factors helped us evaluate the quality and performance of the power stations, and enable us to compare different models. Our product tests were either done in the “lab” or in the field to gain real life user experience. Here’s what we did:
- Battery Capacity: We fully charged the power station and then discharged it by running various appliances to determine how long it lasts. This enabled us to measure the battery capacity and how long the power station can last on a single charge.
- Power Output: During our moderate and heavy load tests we connected various appliances to the power station and measured the power output. This helped us determine how much power the station can deliver to devices.
- Charging Time: We connected the power station to various charging sources, such as wall outlets and solar panels, and measured the time it took to fully charge. This helped us determine the charging time of the power station.
- Weight and Portability: We carried the power station for a period and evaluated how easy it is to transport. This helped us determine the weight and portability of the power station.
By following this testing protocol we were able to evaluate and compare different portable power stations, and choose the best ones that suited our needs.
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