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Have you ever wished you could camp in the middle of nowhere and still be able to use electricity? Have you ever experienced a power outage in the middle of doing laundry? Or maybe you keep tripping a breaker in your house because you’re trying to pull too much power at once. Did you know that there’s one product that could eliminate all of these problems?
What you need is a portable power station. They’re essentially massive batteries that can provide power for your phone and laptop, coffee machine, hair dryer, and even appliances as large as washers and dryers. They can save the day in the event of a power outage and can keep the energy flowing when you don’t have access to a wired outlet.
If a portable power station sounds like the kind of thing you’d like to have around, we don’t blame you. But we do want to make sure you get the right fit for your needs. And that’s why we strongly encourage you to think about all of the potential factors affecting its usefulness and compatibility with your home — things like price, battery capacity, port number, port types…the list goes on!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best portable power stations in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Maximum Power Pick: Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 Portable Power Station
Camping Pick: Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station
Budget Pick: Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station
Also Great: Anker 521 Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is one of the most well-rounded options you can find right now. That’s part of the reason we love it so much. It has three different output port options to make sure you can connect all of your devices and appliances to it, and they’ll be kept safe by 52 protective mechanisms, 12 BMS algorithms, and four types of physical protection! Unheard of!
The housing of this power station is also incredibly durable, and it's even waterproof and dustproof to make sure you never run into problems with the ports being difficult. It can also charge and dispense power in temps as high as 45 degrees Celsius. You won’t find reliability like that very often. This one is also the most compact and lightweight option around (perfect for long treks). It even has a built-in flashlight.
While we’d love to continue to rave about this power option, we do have to share its limitations with you as well. We hate this part too. But you need to know that it can’t compete with the highest-end options in battery capacity or port versatility. As a result, this option is best for small devices/appliances and shorter trips.
Overall, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is our favourite all-around option right now. With an incredibly durable build, tons of safety precautions, and a reliable power output, you’ll always have access to energy when you need it.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a great opinion of the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. It holds its charge incredibly well and provides plenty of power for charging phones and laptops or running lamps, blenders, and other small appliances. They love its compact and lightweight design (perfect for canoe trips) and its affordable price tag. They couldn’t be happier with it.
Buy If…
Portability is a top priority
A built-in flashlight is something you’ll use
You’re safety conscious
You’d like it to be useable in all weather conditions and terrain types
Don’t Buy If…
You want it to do more than charge small devices
Dimensions: 9.1” x 6.1” x 6.6”
Weight: 8.3 lbs
Number of Ports: 5
Port Types: USB-A, USB-C, AC outlet, car outlet
Battery Capacity: 288 Wh
Max Appliance Energy Use: 300 W
Recharge Time: 1.35 hours for 80% capacity
Warranty: 5 years
We like basically everything about the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 Portable Power Station. Odds are, you will too. It has a whopping 15 ports (including fast-charge USBs!) to make sure that every single device can be powered up when it needs to be. This makes it perfect for extended camping trips as well as a source of power for your entire home during grid outages.
The battery capacity of 2016 Wh makes it one of the largest of its kind, and if you’re only using it for smaller devices, you’ll almost forget that it isn’t limitless. You’ll also be able to use it for your extra-large appliances like televisions, refrigerators, and even your heaters or air conditioning units. It even has a companion app that lets you monitor your energy usage and make changes to the charging settings.
The only problem we have with this power station is the price. While it’s more than reasonable considering its capabilities and reliability, it can feel excessive. And we get that. While we strongly believe that it provides enough value to back up the high price tag, we also get that it won’t be a feasible option for everybody.
All in all, the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 Portable Power Station is a pretty flawless option. Of course, the high price tag won’t be worth it unless you’re going to take advantage of all of its advanced features, but it truly is the best choice if you’re looking for maximum power.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are blown away by the quality of the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 Portable Power Station. It charges very quickly considering the size of the battery, and so far, they haven’t run into a device/appliance that it couldn’t power with ease. Some of them use it to run their house during a power outage, others use it to power entire RVs while out camping.
Buy If…
You won’t be able to recharge the power station very often
You have large appliances to power
You’d like to use it as a backup for power outages
You’d like to monitor your energy use in real-time
Don’t Buy If…
Affordability is a priority
Dimensions: 19.6” x 9.5” x 12”
Weight: 48 lbs
Number of Ports: 15
Port Types: AC outlet, USB-A, USB-C, fast-charge USB, DC outlet, car outlet
Battery Capacity: 2016 Wh
Max Appliance Energy Use: 3400 W
Recharge Time: 65 mins for 80% capacity
Warranty: 2 years (3 with registration)
We admire many, many things offered by the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station. It has nine output ports (four AC, four USB-A, and one USB-C) plus a wireless charging pad! Can you believe that? One of its input options is a car outlet, so you’ll be able to recharge without needing access to the grid. This, plus a high battery capacity of 1152 Wh, means this thing is designed for long trips and multiple devices/appliances.
We’re also really happy with how quiet it is when charging overnight. If you’re able to take advantage of grid charging while you’re enjoying a camping trip, it won’t disrupt your sleep — it produces less than 45 dB. All thanks to fan-free charging. You can count on the internal battery to last for at least 10 years, so the higher price tag really is worth it.
Honestly, there aren’t any true flaws with this power station. The price tag might be a bit much for some people, especially if you won’t be able to take advantage of the high battery capacity and variety of charging ports. Also, it’s pretty heavy and doesn’t have a bucket-style handle (just small, recessed ones on each side) so it isn’t the easiest or most comfortable thing to carry over long distances. Just a heads up.
Overall, the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station is our favourite for camping. With nearly a dozen ports and an exceptional battery capacity, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favourite devices and appliances while you’re off the grid.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station. Some people use it as a power backup for their home, but most have been enjoying it while out on remote beach or camping trips. The long battery life gives them a lot of peace of mind, and they’re able to keep a ton of devices charged at the same time, which they love.
Buy If…
You need to charge/power a lot of devices at once
Longevity is important to you
You enjoy longer trips to remote areas
You’d like to charge it overnight without any sleep disruptions
Don’t Buy If…
You want/need something affordable
You’ll need to carry it around frequently or for long distances
Dimensions: 13.4” x 9.7” x 12.5”
Weight: 35.3 lbs
Number of Ports: 11
Port Types: Car outlet, AC outlet, USB-C, USB-A, wireless charging
Battery Capacity: 1152 Wh
Max Appliance Energy Use: 2700 W
Recharge Time: 45 mins for 80% capacity
Warranty: 5 years
The Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station has a lot of great features. One of the features we appreciate most is that it automatically kicks in to protect your sensitive devices in the event of a power outage. You can trust this thing to keep your devices safe when the grid goes down. We’re also really happy with the built-in LED light. You’ll never kick yourself for forgetting your flashlight again. Hallelujah.
Another feature we absolutely love is its fast charging. It can reach 80% battery capacity in as little as 30 minutes when you combine power inputs — this is perfect for last-minute trips. You’ll also love the versatility of the output ports. With nine total ports of six varieties, there’s no device or appliance that you won’t be able to charge with this power station.
One of the only things we don’t like about this option is how quickly it draws power when not in use. If you’ll be giving it a lot of downtime in between device charges, you’ll want to fully power it down with the companion app to make sure your battery lasts as long as expected. Also, since the battery capacity is pretty small, you’ll want to make sure you can easily recharge it if you need it for more than two days.
Overall, the Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station is our favourite option right now for budget-conscious shoppers. It can’t compete with the top guns in terms of battery capacity or meeting high wattage demands, but it works perfectly for small devices and is the one you want for power outage protection.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers are quite happy with the Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station considering its low price tag. The battery longevity (2500+ charges) is admirable for the price, and it provides a reliable charging experience for all kinds of devices. It can’t sustain the 1200W demand for very long, though, and it can be a bit annoying remembering to fully turn off the power station when it’s not actively being used.
Buy If…
A fast charging time is a must-have
Versatile output types are important to you
You’d like to use it as a backup for sensitive devices in power outages
A built-in LED light sounds like a useful addition
Don’t Buy If…
You like to enjoy remote areas for 3+ days at a time
You’ll forget to fully power it down when you’re not using it
Dimensions: 10” x 7.1” x 7.2”
Weight: 10.1 lbs
Number of Ports: 9
Port Types: Car outlet, AC outlet, wireless charger, DC5521, USB-A, USB-C
Battery Capacity: 268 Wh
Max Appliance Energy Use: 1200 W
Recharge Time: 30 mins for 80% capacity
Warranty: 2 years
The Anker 521 Portable Power Station is a pretty well-rounded choice. One of the reasons we love it so much is its durability. Since the battery is isolated from the rest of the internal mechanisms, and its housing is extra-durable, there’s no risk of damage if you drop it. Even if you drop it every day. (We don’t recommend that though.) It’s also super affordable, and we love that for you.
This is truly the best option if its main job will be charging phones, laptops, and other small devices — you’ll end up with the best value for your money since you aren’t in need of any advanced tech. It can charge devices in all weather conditions (between -20 and 40 degrees Celsius) and has an awesome carry handle to make transport a breeze. And with six charging ports, you can keep everything powered up at once.
There are a couple of situations this option is just not suitable for, and it’s important that you’re aware of them. Since it can only power devices demanding 600W of power or less, you won’t be able to use this one for larger appliances like washing machines or fridges. Also, since its battery capacity is fairly low, you’ll need to be able to recharge it if you’re using it for more than a couple of days.
Overall, the Anker 521 Portable Power Station is one of our favourite options for people who are resistant to change and are prone to dropping things. With a damage-resistant design and a battery that’ll recharge for at least 10 years, nothing is stopping you from enjoying this for years to come.
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers really enjoy using their Anker 521 Portable Power Stations. They get a lot of peace of mind from its drop-proof design, and they’re really happy with its usefulness considering the price. It offers the perfect amount of charging time for weekend trips to a campsite or cottage, and the recharge time is great. Even in extreme heat and cold, it charges their devices without a hitch.
Buy If…
You’ll be using it around rugged terrain (or you’re just clumsy)
You’ll mostly be powering small appliances like phones, laptops, lamps, etc.
Affordability is a priority
You’d like to use it in all weather conditions
Don’t Buy If…
You take long trips or need to power heavy-duty appliances
Dimensions: 8.5” x 5.7” x 8.3”
Weight: 8.2 lbs
Number of Ports: 6
Port Types: Car outlet, USB-A, USB-C, AC outlet
Battery Capacity: 256 Wh
Max Appliance Energy Use: 600 W
Recharge Time: 1.5 hrs for 80% capacity
Warranty: 5 years
Portable power stations will range in price between a few hundred dollars and a couple thousand. In general, more expensive models will have a larger battery capacity, can power larger appliances with higher energy demands, and will have a wider variety of port types.
Every portable power station should offer AC outlets and USB-C and USB-A ports. More advanced options might also offer fast-charging USB ports or even a wireless charging pad. Input ports can include DC ports and car outlets among other things.
The most basic portable power stations will have between three and five ports of various types, but the more sophisticated models can offer between 10 and 15. If you’ll be powering a lot of devices/appliances at once, you’ll want to spend the money on extra ports.
The battery capacity of portable power stations is measured in watt-hours and will range between a couple hundred and a couple thousand. If you’re planning more than a weekend away, you’ll want at least 500 Wh or more.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.