The best cheap portable power stations of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

1 week ago 4

I remember when power banks were new, and we thought they were an amazing development, freeing us from the tyranny of having to be near an AC outlet to charge out gadgets. Next came the power stations, and they packed even more power into an admittedly bigger space, but again, we were freed from needing to be near to AC outlets or use extension cables when working outside, or in the RV or camping.

But power stations were big and expensive, so the next logical development was for manufacturers to come up with smaller, more affordable power stations. Here we have a selection of excellent power stations available for when your budget doesn't stretch to four digits.

Also: 12 rules to follow when using and maintaining power stations - from an expert

What's the best cheap portable power station right now?

I've put over 120 portable power stations to the test to discover the absolute best. My top pick for an affordable option is the EcoFlow River 2 — right now priced at the crazy low price of $157, it delivers an impressive 600W of power. Plus, it easily connects to a budget-friendly solar panel, transforming it into a cost-effective solar generator. Keep reading to explore my other top-tested selections for the best cheap power stations.

The best cheap portable power stations of 2025

While there's a time and place for massive power stations, sometimes I just want something portable-something I can grab and go, toss into a car or truck, and take with me camping or to job sites.

The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid, well-built (as I've come to expect from EcoFlow), and ideal for situations where you need power but don't require a large amount of it.

Review: The EcoFlow River 2 is a truly portable power station

This has become my go-to portable power station. It's compact enough to fit into the footwell of a vehicle, functioning like an oversized power bank. Reviewers on Amazon also praise this model for its portability and affordability, calling it the perfect entry-level power station.

EcoFlow River 2 tech specs: Capacity: 256Wh | Power: 300 watts/600 watts surge | Weight: 7.7 pounds | Connectivity: 6 outlets

Outputs

AC Output
2x USB-A
12V Output

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Portable power stations can get expensive, but this model from Bluetti is a fantastic budget-friendly option, currently retailing for $399. Despite its lower price, it's a powerful unit capable of delivering 1,000W output for regular loads and up to 2,000W for resistive loads like heaters or hair dryers. I took this unit on a road trip and found it had more than enough capacity to meet the needs of a small group for several days. It handled charging my smartphone, cameras, drones, and laptops with ease and efficiency.

Review: I tested one of the cheapest portable power stations and it made road-tripping a breeze

One of its standout features is how quickly it charges, especially with its turbocharging function. In our lab tests, the AC70 charged a device to 80% in just 33 minutes using turbocharging, which is remarkably fast.
Charging the station from a car's 12V outlet is also highly efficient, as long as the battery isn't too drained. This makes it easy to keep the unit powered up during long trips.

Verified customers on Bluetti's website have praised the AC70, with most reviewers highlighting its reliability for camping trips. Many noted that it exceeded their expectations and provided a great overall experience for outdoor use.

Bluetti AC70 tech specs: Capacity: 768Wh | Power: 1000 watts/2000 watts surge | Weight: 22.5 pounds | Connectivity: 7 outlets

Outputs

2x AC Output
2x USB-A
2x USB-C
12V Output

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Jackery has been a trusted name in the portable power station industry for over a decade, and after testing many of the company's products, I can confidently recommend them.

The Jackery Explorer 500 is an excellent choice for road trips where you need reliable AC power. Compact and lightweight, it's about the size of a basketball and weighs just over 13 pounds, making it easy to carry without straining your back. It can also be conveniently charged from a car's 12V outlet, adding to its versatility for on-the-go use.

Whether you're powering small appliances, charging devices, or simply need a portable power solution for your adventures, the Jackery Explorer 500 delivers dependable performance in a compact package.

Jackery Explorer 500 tech specs: Capacity: 518Wh | Power: 500 watts/1000 watts surge | Weight: 13.3 pounds | Connectivity: 7 outlets

Outputs

AC Output
3x USB-A
2x DC output
12V Output

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Anker has been a leader in the power bank market since the early days of portable charging, so it's no surprise that the company also produces high-quality power stations.

If you're looking for a compact, easy-to-carry power station to run low-current devices-such as laptops, chargers, CPAP machines, and more-the Anker 521 is an excellent choice.

This power station is lightweight, affordable, and built with the durability and reliability Anker is known for. One of its standout features is the ability to recharge using USB-C, which adds a layer of convenience that's hard to beat.

Whether you're powering essential devices on the go or need a reliable backup for small appliances, the Anker 521 delivers exceptional performance in a portable package.

Anker 521 tech specs: Capacity: 256Wh | Power: 300 watts/600 watts surge | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Connectivity: 6 outlets

Outputs

2x AC Output
2x USB-A
USB-C
12V Output

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What are the tariffs in the US?

The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what's next. Here's what we know

Consumers may also experience notable price increases on power stations. Manufacturers are exploring options such as relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such transitions are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for power stations due to these trade policies.

Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.

Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long

Any of these portable power stations are great options to provide you with power when you need it -- it ultimately comes down to the power output you need, how many and which ports you prefer, and what price you're willing to spend.

Choose this cheap portable power station…	If you want…
EcoFlow River 2	A cheap, super-portable power station. This one has everything you need, and comes in at $157.
Bluetti AC70	A big power station available for a low price. If you want a lot of battery capacity, this is the one for you.
Jackery Explorer 500	A power station that's no bigger than a basketball and ideal for road trips. It's small enough to seatbelt into a spare seat or put in the trunk with the rest of your camping gear.
Anker 521	A great power station for those who want to charge their laptop when out and about. It's small, lightweight, can be charged using USB-C, and is highly portable.

Even less expensive power stations are still an investment, both in money and in the physical space they take up, so you need to be sure that you're buying something that works for you. This means juggling a number of factors.

Weight: Bigger isn't always better here. Is the portable power station going to be wheeled from room to room are you going to be moving it from your vehicle to your camp? Do you want something that you cold carry in a backpack for a day?
Battery capacity: If you plan of powering a home from your power station then you want as much battery capacity as you can afford, but for off-grid adventures it's important to bear in mind that there's a penalty here that comes in the form of weight.
Cost: Some of units cost several thousand dollars, while others are a couple of hundred.
Charging: How do you plan on charging your power station? Are you mostly going to be using AC power from an outlet or do you want the independence of solar?
Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the traditional battery technology, but the newer lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) are safer and have a much longer lifespan.
Warranty: Portable power stations are expensive, so I want manufactures to back their products with multi-year warranties.
Safety: Every unit I've tested has been subjected to numerous tests, from running for extended periods to check thermal management, to overloading them to see how they handle loads that are too much for them.

At the core of this list is a lot of extensive testing of dozens of power stations. I regularly undertake trips that see me off-grid, either for camping or to carry out photography, videography, and drone work, and at these times, I rely on having access to a reliable power source. This is a great opportunity to test power stations under real-world conditions.

I also test them at home, both using them to run household appliances, and carry out testing on battery capacity, charge and discharge times, and how they handle overloading. Finally, every unit is safety tested to make sure that it is safe for prolonged, heavy use.

Find out more about how we test portable power stations at ZDNET.

Finding a balance between affordability and quality in power stations can be challenging, especially with some models priced significantly above $500. However, setting a budget around the $500 mark is a reasonable starting point for those looking to invest in a portable power station without stretching their finances too thin.

Some of these power stations are brought down below that $500 mark thanks to deals -- but be aware that these deals come and go, so if you're interested in a particular power station, grab it sooner rather than later.

Manufacturers typically offer different runtimes for things like lamps, refrigerators, CPAP machines and so on, but if you want to work this out for yourself you can need two figures.

First, you need the power rating of the device you plan on running, which can usually be found on a label on the device, and is measured in Watts (W). You also need to know the capacity of the power station, measured in Watt hours (Wh), which should be printed somewhere on the device.

Let's say you have a device that consumes 300W and a power station that has a capacity of 768Wh, you can get a ballpark runtime for the device using the following equation:

(768 x 0.85)/300 = 2.2 hours

Note that the capacity of the power station is multiplied by 0.85 to account for efficiency losses.

Four main things separate portable power stations and power banks:

Capacity: While power banks are perfect for topping up a smartphone or tablet, a power station can be used to charge up devices multiple times because of the vastly bigger battery capacity.
Size and weight: Power banks are something you can normally slip into a pocket, while power stations are things you lug about or wheel about from room to room.
Outlets: While power banks feature USB ports, most power stations also have AC outlets for powering powered devices.
Charging: While power banks are normally charged using a USB charger, power stations can be charged from a number of sources, such as main power, solar, and vehicle 12V outlets.