Our favourite portable power stations to use at home or on-the-go

This massive EcoFlow power station has the highest capacity of any model on our list at a colossal 882Wh, but it’s important to note that it’s also far heavier than most options, at 12 kilograms.

It’s also worth knowing that there are models that pack in far larger batteries and more power for a higher price and more weight – those heavy-duty stations can weigh more like 45kg and have wheels for moving them around, so they don't feel quite as “portable” to us!

We’re thankful that the Delta 2 has two sturdy handles for transporting, making it ideal if you’re taking it in a car or camper van. Its output from the four mains ports is enough to power fridges, wifi routers or circular saws, and it can recharge via a solar panel.

There are also enough ports to power up to 13 small appliances, and there are also quick-charge options, including two 100W USB-C ports and two fast USB-A ports. Overall, this is an excellent pick for backup power or for a big family camping trip.

EcoFlow's mid-range portable power station, the River 2 Max, is our favourite model overall. It has a two-tone colour scheme, and its handle has now been moved to the back so items can be stacked on top. In another upgrade over its predecessor, it now comes with "Lithium Iron Phosphate" (LiFePO4) batteries that claim a massive 10-year lifespan while boosting energy efficiency.

The 500W AC output easily fuels phones, tablets, laptops and even more power-hungry devices like hair dryers and mini-fridges. That makes it an ideal home and camping companion, and it’s now more than 1kg lighter than its predecessor.

In our tests, which started with the power station at full capacity, recharging a Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphone from empty to full took under two hours and used just 4% of the battery. Charging a Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i Windows laptop from empty took two hours, while a MacBook Air took the same amount of time to reach full charge from 25%. After all that, it still had 46% of its battery left.

We like that there’s a mobile app for checking and managing the power output and charging speeds in real-time, as well as downloading and applying any future software updates. This is a standout feature that you won't find on any other model in our list, and it’s compatible with the full River series.

We also love that the two AC ports, three USB-A ports, one 100W USB-C port and a DC port for in-car charging are easily accessible from the front of the device – and we found the backlit display ideal for night use.

We’re not all after a massive power station to fuel every gadget in the house in the event of a power cut, or to run a kettle, projector or an air fryer outdoors. For many of us, the goal with a portable power station is to have something convenient, lightweight, quiet and affordable. EcoFlow’s River 3 ticks all these boxes. It’s just about the smallest power station on the market, weighs 3.5kg and has a great built-in handle that’s easy to grab when you’re on the go.

It does have the lowest capacity of the models on our list, but you get a decent power output from its single mains plug and its batteries are the latest LiFePO4 tech, which should deliver a lifespan of around 10 years before it drops to 80% of its capacity. It can also recharge quickly, topping itself up from empty to 100% in an hour, plus it’s built for use outside with its IP54 waterproof rating, drop-resistance and a fire-retardant casing.

We tested it out by charging up our laptop and we were impressed by how quiet it was both when charging up the computer and then when recharging itself. Most other options we’ve tried have fans that turn on during these processes. While this will be ideal for smaller devices like laptops, lights and mini fridges, we wouldn't recommend it for powering desktop computers or kettles.

The size, portability, display and price are the selling points here, making this a great option for anyone looking for their first portable power station for camping or to keep in the car as a backup.

Picking a mid-range portable model for a weekend camping trip? The Jackery Explorer 500 is a sensible choice that has many features in common with the EcoFlow River 2 Max and Anker 535 while weighing in around a kilogram lighter than Anker and coming with a top handle rather than the EcoFlow's rear handle.

You miss out on USB-C ports with this option, but it gets you enough capacity to recharge a phone over 50 times and enough output to power devices like air pumps, mini-fridges and blenders. Jackery promises it will keep a laptop going for 30 hours or a TV on for over seven hours.

All things considered, that’s a lot of power to cram into a portable package that weighs as much as a bowling ball. Designed for the outdoors, it also has a bright torch light (that can blink as an SOS light too) and it offers solar recharging with a compatible panel.

We've selected this model as a top pick for value because it offers you many of the features we like from the bigger Delta 2 at a lower cost and weight. The capacity is also nearly as much as the Delta 2, and its AC output is more than enough for electric blankets, blenders and TVs.

You can recharge this using solar panels too, and its handle makes it just about as portable as others on our list, even if you may not want to lug it around for too long.

We love the port selection here, especially as it delivers three AC ports, and 10 ports overall, and EcoFlow also claims that it recharges from 0 to 100% in 70 minutes on mains power.

At its standard price of £209, this is the cheapest model in our roundup. For the relatively low price, you’re getting a compact and versatile power station that delivers many of the same features as the EcoFlow River models, just with an ever so slightly lower capacity.

We like the solid port selection here and Jackery promises that it can power a light bulb for 18 hours or recharge your laptop twice. This one doesn't come with a torch on the body, though, and it lacks a USB-C port, which is a shame. However, connect it up via the DC port and this one can also recharge quickly through a solar panel, making it ideal for use outdoors.