Reviews
10 Best Portable Power Stations For The Apocalypse
It’s the end of the world and you’re packing your bags and preparing for the long journey ahead of you. Which portable battery pack would you take with you?
Without a doubt, a portable power station will be your best friend during the early days of the apocalypse. You have to keep moving and you need a pack that can power your laptops, phones, and portable electronics for days at a time. A reliable power station is an essential you won’t survive long without.
Think about it, how can you post your apocalyptic #OOTD on IG? You won’t be able to share how ‘bored’ you are on Facebook. Or worse, you can’t watch your favorite Netflix series. It can drive you nuts. So don’t let that happen by having a backup supply of power.
Kidding aside, with all the uncertainties the world is facing, getting the best portable power station isn’t such a bad idea.
What are Portable Power Stations?
Most of us are familiar with the traditional generator that runs on gas. It can supply power to different electronic devices such as television, refrigerators, and air conditioners. And then, of course, we have compact power banks. We commonly use it to ensure that our phones are charged almost all the time. Now, when it comes to portable power stations, it sits somewhere in the middle.
Portable power stations are rechargeable battery-powered generators. It’s a power supply more conservative than a monstrous gas-powered generator. but is extra powerful than a hand-held power bank.
It’s a great backup in case of unexpected power interruptions or if you just want to camp outdoors (but not go too primitive). Portable power stations are also ideal if you work from home because you certainly can’t just delay projects and reports.
The truth is, there are a lot of portable power stations to choose from. But if you are not familiar with the technology, it could be a challenge to pick the right one for your needs. And this is where we can help you.
10 Best Portable Power Stations 2020
Our team consists of in-born warriors and ‘worriers’. So we searched for the best portable power stations just in case a huge asteroid hits the planet, cuts the power line, and deliverables pile up!
1. Jackery Explorer 500
Jackery’s Explorer 500, a 518Wh lithium portable power station, is one of the best on the market today. What we love about this power station is its rugged, functional, and simplistic design. It has an easy-carry handle, which is a simple feature that has a maximum impact. That means you can easily transport it, just like how people used to carry their boombox in the 80s.
It also boasts multiple output ports for different devices and small appliances. You can charge your phone, laptops, and even power a small fridge. Plus, the digital display helps in identifying the status of your power station.
You can charge this in different ways. Either you use AC outlets, DC carport, and optional solar panels. The solar panels can be purchased separately. Though we highly recommend it if you wish to go off-grid. The Jackery Explorer 500 is available for $499.
2. ChargeTech 54K Dual AC Battery Pack
The Jackery is great, but it’s heavy. What if you’re looking for something a bit…lighter? Then look no further. Chargetech has just the device for you – the 54K Dual AC Battery Pack. Despite its size, this battery pack comes equipped with TWO AC outlets so you can keep your laptop powered. It also comes with USB and USB-C ports to replenish your smartphones, speakers, and anything under 250 watts.
Depending on your needs, you can either choose their PRO model for daily use and road trips, or the TRAVEL model for long haul flights and international trips.
This relatively tiny power station allows 30+ smartphone recharges or 5+ laptop recharges. It can even power up television for 3+ hours, and 7+ hours for your fridge. If you want, you can get accessories such as a wireless charger.
For $279, it’s a steal considering you get 54,000 mAH and dual AC outlets.
3. Sungzu SKA1000
Included in our list is Sungzu SKA1000. Like most portable power stations in this list, it can power up small appliances such as your coffee machine or your light bulbs. This makes it ideal even for outdoor activities like camping.
Got stuck in the middle of the forest? You don’t have to worry. Just charge your power station using solar panels and you can use your gadgets once again.
One of the best features of Sungzu SKA1000 is that it has multiple protection. You don’t have to worry about short-circuiting, overheating, overcharging, or over-discharging. That alone makes it more family-friendly.
The power station is at $799. It might look costly at face value but with its features and safety measures, we have to say it’s worth it.
4. GoalZero Yeti 1000
We’ve seen a lot of amazing reviews about the GoalZero Yeti 1000 and we were a bit skeptical. It just sounded too good to be true. We wanted to prove these people wrong. But we were surprised that GoalZero Yeti 1000 is indeed one of the best power stations in 2020.
It can charge and power a wide range of devices which makes it a crowd favorite. However, this isn’t as portable as we would want it to be. But for home use where you just need to transfer it from one room to another, it is the perfect buy.
If you are looking for a power station that is easy to use yet can house the maximum power, get GoalZero Yeti 1000 for $1,400.
5. Westinghouse iGen160s Portable Power Station
The compact yet rugged design of this power station has won a significant percentage of the market. In fact, this model is almost always unavailable due to high demand. That alone speaks a lot about the capacity.
Westinghouse’s portable power station is what you need for your sensitive electronics. So if you want to power up your GoPros or your smartphone, this is your best bet. And since it has a built-in flashlight, it’s one of the highly recommended power stations by travelers and campers. It’s also budget-friendly too for only $139.99.
6. MAXOAK Bluetti EB150
The Bluetti EB150 is easily one of the most powerful units on this list. It can power just about anything with its massive 1500wh lithium-ion battery. At 38lbs, it’s not light. But it’s not heavy if you consider how much power you’re getting. You get 4 USB ports, 1 USB-C port, and 2 A/C outlet on the rear. From cellphones, laptops, TVs, hairdryers, to microwaves, the Bluetti EB150 will keep everything powered through the night.
This backup power generator power station can be fully charged in 10 hours by using a wall outlet. You can also charge it with solar panels. But unlike their competitors, the EB150comes with an MPPT controller instead of the cheaper PWM alternative.
If you’re looking for something for a portable “power generator”, the EB150 offers the most bang for your bucks. At $1299 it’s actually an incredible deal considering many of its competitors charge $1600 – $2000 for the same power.
7. SUAOKI Ares G1000 Power Station
This power station is completely immune to power outages. It’s so powerful that it can power 4 laptops at the same time. Having said that, you better get one not just for your home, but for your small office as well. We need to hustle and no apocalypse should stop us from delivering to our clients.
With SUAOKI Ares G1000, you can use your electric fan for 16 hours, your sweeping robot for 13 hours, your coffee maker for 7 hours, and your CPAP for 3 nights. If that’s not good enough for you, we don’t know what is. But for a hefty price of $1,639.51, make sure that you have an extreme need for power backup.
8. NEXPOW Portable Power Station YP-150
You might want to consider NEXPOW’s portable power station if you are particular about the weight. This is extremely lightweight yet holds a decent power for its size of 48000 mAh.
Wondering if you can charge your MacBook pro? With NEXPOW, you don’t even need an adapter. Just plug it in and use your laptop to your heart’s content.
This amazing portable power station can be yours for only $125. It might be one of the cheapest power stations on the list, but it’s one of those gadgets that took us by surprise.
9. nrgGo 400 Portable Power Station
First off, the design is either you love it or you hate it. For others, the exterior looks ugly. But we guess it’s a personal preference so we can’t say the same. And besides, we are after the core functions and not the aesthetics. In that case, nrgGO 400 did not disappoint.
This portable power station uses battery cells made by a globally-trusted company. Safety definitely gets a big check for that alone. You can power an LCD monitor for at least 4 hours! And that’s good enough given its size. But you have to be careful when storing this power station as the power buttons can be accidentally turned on or off in just one light press.
This will not cost you to burn your savings. Get yours right now for only $449.99
10. EcoFlow River 370
EcoFlow River 370 has 9 outlets, but that’s not the main reason to be impressed. What makes this amazing is that you can use these outlets and charge 9 devices all at the same time.
You better get your hands on this, not just for camping or for leisure activities, but even for more harrowing events like a hurricane. And for only $549, it’s a mortal sin not to buy one right now.
Wrap Up
As crazy as it may sound, you have to be prepared for the worst. Aside from stacking canned goods, dried food, and toilet paper, the best portable power station should be included in your ‘doomsday prepper’s checklist’. After all, who wants to live in the dark?
The Suunto Baro 9 isn’t for everybody. It isn’t trying to beat Apple or Samsung or trying to replace your Fitbit. The smartwatch has a specific audience in mind – ultra athletes and those who need a reliable smartwatch when all else fails. The Suunto Baro 9 is the success of the Spartan and many considers it the Spartan V2. If you’re an athlete, an ultra-marathon runner, or an avid adventurer seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with insane battery performance and built like a tank, then continue reading.
What’s in the box?
The Suunto 9 comes in an all black paper box. It’s no frills packaging gets the job done and lets you access the watch without too much unpacking. Inside you’ll find the watch itself, a magnetic charging cable, sticker sheet, and a comprehensive manual covering multiple languages.
Overall, we appreciate the smaller footprint packaging. It is 2021 after all, and we’re glad brands are ditching cumbersome packaging to inflate the value of what’s inside.
Size & Weight
This is beefy watch without a doubt. Coming in at 50mm in diameter and 7mm deep, the size is noticeable especially on average to smaller wrists. The case and bezel are made of stainless steel and a composite materials. The watch feels sturdy and reliable in your hands. The weight is evenly distributed along all the surfaces making the overall feel of the watch actually light.
The Screen
The Suunto 9 sports a 320×300 pixel resolution touchscreen. The face is covered by sapphire glass making it resistant to scratches and normal wear and tear. The 3 buttons on the side lets you do all of the adjustments along with the touchscreen display. The display is a bit on the basic side. There aren’t many flash animations or even transitions. The background is black, I suspect that’s mainly to optimize for battery life.
Navigating the different features and functions of the watch is fairly easy and intuitive. Manual isn’t necessary so long as you put a bit of time into learning the different menus.
Navigation
One of the core selling features of the Suunto 9 is its accurate GPS that uses the United State’s GPS, Russian’s GLONASS, and the Japan’s QZSS satellites. Being capable of using all 3 makes this watch far more accurate and reliable than other smartwatches that can only use the United State’s GPS satellites.
The watch also comes with Fusedtrack, a proprietary feature developed by Suunto’s engineers to optimize performance by combining GPS signal and motion sensor data to give reading on your current location. This help reduce battery strain and keeps the GPS function running even when you have limited signals.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Suunto 9 outshines many of it’s competition. The Suunto 9 is built on the promise that this watch will be with you for the whole journey. Many of the built-in apps offer 3 different performance modes you can select from, letting you know roughly how much you can squeeze out of the battery.
Performance mode with everything turned on will get between 20 – 25 hours. Endurance mode will give you about 40 hours. Meanwhile, Ultra mode can go as far as 120 hours on a single charge. That’s impressive battery life.
During our testing, we had a hard time getting the watch down to 50 percent through our daily activities. Even on Performance mode with GPS on and screen brightness at 80%, the Suunto 9 easily survived 2-3 days on a single charge. This is easily one of the best battery life we’d ever tested in a smartwatch.
Final Verdict
We felt like we cheated on the review a bit. Testing the Suunto 9 during a pandemic lockdown while logging average workout activities seemed a bit underwhelming. It’s like reviewing a Ferrari while driving the 25mph speed limit.
However, even with our limited activities to test, the Suunto was impressive in everything that mattered. This is a high performance, accurate, and reliable smart watch built for the ultra athletes. The Fusedtrack technology can also be a lifesaver if you’re a runner who often explore areas with sketchy signals.
The Suunto 9 is an easy smartwatch to recommend to athletes given it’s capabilities, build quality, and extreme battery life. For the average consumer who’s afraid of the wild, $600 can be a tougher sell.
Courtesy: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Warning: Spoilers
Last year, Disney+ became available and promised a slew of original entertainment to its subscribers. While they have yet to follow through on the quantity, the quality of their material, namely The Mandalorian has surely delivered. The finale to the second season was released on Friday and the tale of the lone bounty hunter and ‘the child’ seemingly came to an end. Fans of the series are clamoring with excitement. All of them are asking the same question: what’s next?
Synopsis
In the finale episode of The Mandalorian, our hero must rescue the child from the clutches of the evil Moff Gideon. The Mandalorian recruits the help of fan favorite, Boba Fett along with Cara Dune, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan, and Koska Reeves – four of the gnarliest heroines the galaxy has ever seen.
Cut to action
The episode wastes no time as Mando and crew literally crash land onto an Imperial vessel and start blasting. They are met with the usual incompetent stormtroopers. At one point, Cara Dune’s machine gun/blaster jams. So, she uses it to bludgeon a whole squad of troopers without sustaining so much as a scratch. Seriously, where does the Empire find these guys? While the stormtroopers don’t provide much opposition, the darktrooper droids are a different story (cue the twisted dubstep). The Mandalorian faces off against one and barely escapes with his life.
Trouble strikes in the end when the child is safely in the Mandalorian’s arms and Moff Gideon is in cuffs. The darktroopers come back in higher numbers. Defeat is surely imminent.
Literally Everyone at 34:30 of season finale #mandalorianfinale #Mandalorian pic.twitter.com/WZ8ejfz4bY
— sravani somepalli (@sravani_s55) December 19, 2020
Guess who’s back
And that’s when the show delivers a surprise ending that had every viewer’s jaw on the floor. A young Luke Skywalker shows up to save the day. He arrives in an X-Wing donning his signature green lightsaber.
The show ended how we knew it always would: The Mandalorian rescued the child and finally delivered him to a Jedi. This was only after sharing a tear-inducing moment.
Please give me TISSSUE!!! 🥺🥺🥺😭😭 #mandalorian #mandalorianfinale pic.twitter.com/4IrxcuZzs3
— Not Ramen Gvrl (@Ramenburrito12) December 20, 2020
Me after the #Mandalorian finale. pic.twitter.com/fGJk5vKKvo
— Grogu (@aj_rusiana) December 19, 2020
We found out that some Imperial troopers could be dangerous. Perhaps the biggest takeaway was the scene after the credits where Boba Fett and Fennec Shand take over Jabba’s Palace with “The Book of Boba Fett Coming December 2021” flashing over the screen.
Series: Success!
The past two seasons of The Mandalorian have developed an aesthetic of simple storylines, dynamic action sequences, and memorable characters – all while staying true to the tropes that Star Wars fans have loved for decades. The series walked the line between a nostalgic tribute and a new approach to a universe beloved by sometimes overly critical fans. The finale was no different. Lightsabers and blasters, TIE Fighters and X Wings – the finale funneled Big Screen cinema into our living rooms. It can be difficult to execute the end of a story arc while keeping fans happy. For this, The Mandalorian busted out the big guns in a way only Star Wars could pull off – with Luke freaking Skywalker! Poor CGI notwithstanding, this made for a satisfying ending.
Many guys will keep their mouth shut on the things they want to receive as a gift. Either they are not sure what they need, or they want you to play a mean mind-reading game. Whatever their reason is, we have here the best gifts for him.
1. MoCuishle Shiatsu Back Shoulder and Neck Massager
This amazing back shoulder and neck massager has eight kneading massage nodes where your man can enjoy a deep massage to his muscles and tissues. It also uses infrared heating that gives that subtle warmness that can ease one’s tension. Because it’s compact, you can bring it anywhere you go.
Price: $49.98
2. YETI 14-oz. Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
If you want to give the best-engineered insulated mug to your guy friends, YETI has got you covered. It is also made for wider hands if you will give this to someone larger than most people. The best part is, it’s dishwasher safe – because we know guys don’t like washing dishes manually.
Price: $24.99
3. Coco & Breezy ZEN 103 Sunglasses
This classic pair of sunglasses is a must-have and could give any wardrobe that extra flavor. What’s good about the style is that it is timeless. And if you are a girlfriend or wife reading this, you can use it too. Now that’s a wise investment. This pair is not just fashionable, it’s intended to give your eyes optimal protection.
Price:$285
4. Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones
One of the best gifts for him is a pair of wireless earphones from Powerbeats. These are built for people with an active lifestyle – athletes to be specific. At least with this, they are able to workout without the uncomfortable wires distracting them. Take note that each earbud has nine hours of listening time. Now that’s what we call efficient.
Price: $199.95
5. Garmin Dash Cam Mini
If you will look at the photo, you can see how tiny this Garmin Dash Cam is. But don’t be fooled because it is jam-packed with great features. It’s a reliable camera that could go unnoticed if you place it in your windshield. It uses a 140-wide angle lens and captures 1080p HD videos. Just make sure that your jurisdiction will allow you to use this.
Price: $95
6. Great Useful Stuff Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station
Guys can be cluttered. So one of the best gifts for him if he has a lot of gadgets is this charging station. With this, they will never have to misplace their chargers and they will keep their cords as organized as possible. It is also durable and uses eco-friendly bamboo. Perhaps, this is the first step to influence him to make better choices in life.
Price: $44.99
7. YnM Weighted Blanket
No one is ever too old for a comfortable weighted blanket. This one from YnM is made from premium quality and it assures you that it will last for years. There are many colors and sizes to choose from. This blanket helps to calm one’s body which allows you to have a nice long rest at night. Thus, it is ideal for our hardworking partners.
Price: $64
8. Q Timex Reissue Watch
A classic watch is a no-fail gift for any man. This particular model mixes traditional and modern styles, making it the perfect present for all ages. It is made of stainless steel, has a day and date window, plus it is water-resistant to 50 meters.
Price: $179
9. Bombas Men’s Solid Calf
Maybe it’s high time that you get your man a new set of comfortable and durable socks. It’s practical, affordable, and what they badly need in their drawer. The Bombas Men’s Solid Calf has a cushioned footbed that provides extreme support and comfort. It has a seamless toe so your man won’t be annoyed with the bumps.
Price: $12
10. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fryer
Who says guys can’t cook good food? With this air fryer, they can roast, bake, and do some serious grilling indoors. The Ninja Foodi can certainly seal the flavors of your favorite meals. And you can even use it to defrost your dinner. It’s everything you need and cleaning this is a breeze.
Price: $199.99
11. A-Cold-Wall Black Stirling Card Holder
Get this matte leather card holder made in Portugal. You get two card slots and one note slot with this. Come to think of it – only a few carry a bulky wallet around. That’s not surprising because most of us are used to cashless transactions. Perhaps, it’s about time to introduce him to this.
Price: $160
12. ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat
If you know someone who loves to have an acupressure session, getting this ingenious acupressure mat is an outstanding choice. The mat and pillow set has 6,210 acupressure points that will help you relax. It also reduces stress and tension. As a result, you would feel more energized.
Price: $22
13. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Does your man enjoy the outdoors? If yes, then get him this LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. It is highly durable, lab tested, and is BPA-free. Cleaning it is easy too. Its membrane microfilter can last up to 1,000 gallons of water. That’s more than enough to last you for five years!
Price: $19.95
14. Mixology & Craft Whiskey Stones Gift Set
This gift set is perfect for whiskey lovers. You have whiskey glasses, a stone set, coasters, whiskey cards, and a vintage-looking gift box. We highly recommend this for fathers, husbands, and boyfriends. Their loyal customers can get a three-year warranty too. In addition, they have great customer support available 24/7.
Price: $39.97
15. Office Star Deluxe Breathable ProGrid Back FreeFlex Coal Seat Armless Folding Chair
As most people now are working from home, buying a good chair for work seems like a brilliant idea. It has a breathable back with built-in support. And according to its users, the chair is both comfortable and functional. It’s a good alternative for bulky office chairs.
Price: $194 (set of 2)
16. Soma Brew Bottle
The Soma Brew Bottle is one of the best ways to get your daily fix of coffee or tea, either at home or on the go. You don’t have to worry about getting burnt because the double-wall glass serves as your protection. And with the impeccable design, you are sure not to taste any sediment.
Price: $40
17. Matador Mini Pocket Blanket
We have never seen such a compact blanket like this one from Matador. Once again, this is perfect for adventurous guys who enjoy nature. This can sit two people comfortably and is water and puncture-resistant. And if you think this is hard to fold, you just need a few seconds to do so.
Price: $19.99
18. Red Wing 6-inch Classic Moc Boots
Get these classic Red Wing boots, and we guarantee you that it’s a wise investment. Red Wing is a brand known to withstand the test of time. Thus, farm and factory workers swear by this product. Don’t be surprised if these can be passed on to the next generation.
Price: $280
19. Bevel Shave Brush
Some men think they don’t need a shave brush, but of course, we know better. With the right priming oil, they are sure to avoid nicks and cuts. And because of this, they can also stay away from irritation. Trust us, they will thank you for this simple gift.
Price: $29.95
20. Dodow Sleep Aid Device
Do you know anyone having a hard time sleeping? Then give them this Dodow Sleep Aid Device. This device has over 500,000 users and most of them can testify how effective it is. Dodow is a metronome with a light system that naturally assists you to fall asleep. If it takes you an hour to sleep, using Dodow can trim it down to 25 minutes.
Price: $59.80
21. Garmin Forerunner 35
Many people are investing in a good running smartwatch. And if your man wants to have one, get him this Garmin Forerunner 35. It’s easy to use and connecting to the app is a no-brainer. With this watch, you can monitor your heart rate, track your run, and you can pair it with your smartphone to get notifications.
Price: $169.99
22. Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker
Who doesn’t love sandwiches? Instead of buying him one every day, give him this awesome breakfast sandwich maker. And yes, you can even prepare lunch and dinner with this too. In just four easy steps, you can have your own gourmet sandwiches. It also has easy-to-do recipes in store for you.
Price: $24.99
23. Nisolo Luis Weekender Duffle Bag
Everyone needs a good duffle bag. One of the best gifts for him is from Nisolo. It’s what they need for a quick weekend getaway. You might think it’s a bit costly. But take note that this duffle bag is handmade. Just imagine the craftsmanship put into this.
Price: $250
24. Lighting Ever WiFi Smart Table Lamp
This lamp works well with Alexa. So if someone wants to upgrade to a smart home, this could be a good start. You can go hands-free with its voice control too. This lamp is compatible with Alexa, Amazon, and Google Assistant. The Lighting Ever is so smart, it could remember your preferred settings. Lastly, this is also ideal if you want to get quality sleep.
Price: $38.99
25. Gilette Labs’ Heated Razor
Every man who shaves will adore this heated razor from Gilette. It has a warming bar that heats up in less than a second. You can also adjust the heat depending on your preference and is waterproof. Your guy will also enjoy using this because of the razor’s sleek handle.
Price: $199.99
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