Best Power Stations with 500-1,000 Watt (Top 5 Choices) [May 2023]

If you are looking for a mid-range power station with 500 to 1,000 watts, you may find that there are quite a few options from many different brands. But which one is right for you? This guide will help you pick the right power station that fits your needs and has your back at all times!

If you just want a fast answer, our top pick is the EcoFlow River 2 Pro because of its high power output and capacity, advanced technology and battery management app, and versatile options to expand the capacity with both solar panels and an external battery.

Our runner-up is the Anker PowerHouse 535, which is more suitable for outdoor use thanks to the built-in handle and drop-proof design. For camping, RVs, and even just outdoor events, this power station is a solid choice that will power many smaller devices for a while.

Factors to Consider

When shopping for a power station, it’s important to know what to look for. For this guide, we have focused on the typical requirements, which include the power output (including surge power), capacity, portability, and available ports.

Power & Capacity

In most cases, you could argue that when it comes to the power and capacity of power stations, more is simply better. While this is usually true, both come at a price: Not only a higher price, but also more weight, which can make a real difference if you want to use your power station outdoors, for camping, or while on the road.

Ask yourself this: What is the biggest/most power-hungry device you want to power? Make sure to pick a power station that has enough power output to run this device, ideally about 20-30% more to be safe.

Important: Don’t forget to consider surge power! Many larger devices and appliances like portable fridges have a higher power demand when you first switch them on. Even though this brief surge of demand may only last for a second, it will trigger an immediate shutdown of your power station if it can’t handle it.

Always make sure to check both the regular and surge power requirements of any device you want to use with a power station!

Ports & Charging

Most power stations made by trustworthy brands come with about the same ports and number of ports nowadays. Usually, larger power stations come with more ports, but you can also often expand the number of ports using hubs – just make sure to consider the maximum power output of the power station’s port!

The innovations of the last few years have led to power stations being incredibly versatile in terms of charging as well, usually supporting not only 4-6 different ways to charge them, but even the option of using multiple options simultaneously to charge even faster.

Typical charging options include charging via AC plugs, the DC port in your car, and charging it anywhere on the go using solar panels. Unless you have very specific requirements, the charging options will likely not be a concern.

Ask yourself this: What devices will you need to charge or power simultaneously? How many and which ports will that need?

Independence

For some use cases, complete energy independence may be necessary. For example, for long camping trips or if you have to work in remote locations, you may need to be able to charge your power station with portable solar panels.

If this is the case, the most important factor will be the total power requirement per day, and the available sunlight.

A 200W solar panel, under good conditions, can be enough to comfortably charge your power station (at around 500 Wh) on a single day. With less sunlight or time, more powerful solar panels are needed. However, power stations have limits on how much input they can receive from these panels, so make sure you check these numbers.

Ask yourself this: Do you need to self-sustain power indefinitely while away from any power grid? If so, figure out how many watt-hours you need per day, and get a solar panel that can easily generate this amount.

Keep in mind that a 200W solar panel won’t produce 200W per hour, but usually between 50 and 100W per hour, depending on the conditions.

Portability

If you plan on using the power station in your own home only, as a backup power source, for example, you can ignore this factor.

But if you plan on bringing your new toy along on any kind of trip or for outdoor activities, make sure you’re prepared to haul 10-20 lb of power around and that you have the space available to store it safely.

Durability & Longevity

As with any bigger investment, you probably want to make sure that it’s one that lasts for many years. While all big brands produce high-quality power stations, the battery type plays an important role in the longevity of your investment: While LiFePO4 batteries can usually withstand around 3,000 charge cycles until they start losing maximum capacity, older Li-Ion batteries only take about 500 charges until they start getting worse.

You probably know that from smartphones – they start off with a solid 2-3 days of operation on a single charge, but within a year or two, they can barely make it for more than a day until they need to be recharged. The same is true for power stations, even though much less noticeable.

In the same way, you should consider the wear and tear that you will expect: As an emergency backup, your power station might be collecting dust most of the time, but if you are using it for camping, it will be used under rough conditions all the time.

Ask yourself this: How often will you use the power station, and in what kind of conditions? How durable and tough do you need the device to be?

Making the Choice

With all these factors in mind, let’s go through the top choices for small power stations with around 500 watts, and check out all the options you have, including solar power and possible upgrades for each.

Pick #1: EcoFlow River 2 Pro

While relatively new, EcoFlow has shaken up the power station industry with their powerful and stylish models, and the River 2 Pro is no exception: With lots of power and capacity at a very fair price point, this power station is a trustworthy choice for mobile power or as an emergency backup battery.

Expand it with an external battery pack, or recharge it quickly with a portable solar panel for energy independence wherever you go.

For a smaller option, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max comes with only 500W but is 4 lb lighter and a bit cheaper as well.

Pick #2: Anker PowerHouse 535

The Anker PowerHouse 535 may be the best option for outdoor use, featuring a drop-proof interior design, a complete battery- and temperature control system, and integrated lighting for those dark nights in the outdoors. While you can power up to four devices via AC at the same time, keep in mind that this model only has 500W with a 750W surge limit.

Get twice as much power and capacity if you buy the PowerHouse 555 instead – for more power-hungry devices, this model can provide up to 1,500 watts of surge power.

Pick #3: Jackery Explorer 500

Jackery is a well-known brand for portable power solutions, and while the Explorer range is not as powerful as EcoFlow’s models, they are made with the great outdoors in mind. For camping, RVs, and even just a BBQ, these power stations are light-weight, easy to carry, and weather-resistant.

Looking for more power on your adventure? Get the Explorer 1000 for twice the power and capacity!

Pick #4: BLUETTI EB55

If you are looking for a small portable power station that can still power energy-intensive appliances, the BLUETTI EB55 is your best choice: With 700W power output and a surge power of 1,400, it can power most devices you may need during both blackouts and camping trips. The DC5521 ports are a nice addition for the few devices that use these.

Pick #5: Togo Power A650

If you are looking for a cheap option, the big brands will likely disappoint – but there are still many decent brands on Amazon that deliver good quality at lower prices. While the customer service and technology might not be able to keep up with more professional brands, these power stations will still do their job just fine. For occasional use, this is a solid choice that balances quality and price.

Conclusion

If you are shopping around for a 500W power station, all big brands have something that might be just right for you. The differences are in the details, though, so make sure to think about your own unique requirements before deciding on any particular model. Also make sure to check out each power station on the official website, as you may be able to get a good deal – we’ve seen discounts of up to $150 that might make the decision easier for you.

If you are thinking about getting a power station for camping, make sure to read our guide on figuring out your requirements so you don’t end up buying one that doesn’t fit your needs!