Having power sources for camping when you are off-grid can be priceless. what if I told you there is a portable power supply that could be recharged and used over and over? This is where a quality power station like the Anker 757 comes into play.
In this article, we are going to show what a power station is, how it works, its uses, its pros & cons, and what to look for in a new unit. Our team also has put the Anker 757 Power Station to the test and we will give you our honest opinion below.
Jump directly to our product review
Table of Contents
- What is a Power Station?
- How does a Power Station work?
- What can I use a Power Station for?
- How much do power stations cost?
- Anker 757 Power Station Review
- Anker 757 Power Station Pros
- Anker 757 Power Station Cons
- What to look for when shopping for a Power Station
What is a Power Station?
A power station is a portable device used to provide power when a standard power source is unavailable. This power source can help run radios, lights, a fan, small appliances, and cell phone charging. Most power stations have both standard AC outlets and USB ports for powering multiple types of devices at once.
This portable power device is perfect for emergencies at home, and day trips on the river and they are especially useful for RV enthusiasts.
How does a Power Station work?
A power station works with the use of a DC battery bank that has stored energy from either plugging into an AC power source or the use of solar energy. This portable DC energy can then be used by funneling power through a built-in inverter and converting power to AC.
The simple answer is to think of a power station as a large rechargeable battery to use in a pinch.
Remember that the more of a draw on the power station, the quicker the battery will become depleted.
Why do I need a Power Station?
- A Power source for picnics or BBQs.
- Emergency power during outages due to weather.
- Perfect for tailgating – radio, electric warmers, phone chargers, and fans.
- Running backyard electric power tools
- Camping off-grid.
- Use at night during generator quiet times at campgrounds.
How much do power stations cost?
A portable power station for camping can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000 depending on your needs. A smaller unit at the low end of the spectrum is only providing minimal power of around 215Wh and that is not going to last long for some of us. The larger more common units like the Anker 757 power stations provide 1229Wh and a max 1500W output. Some of the more expensive ones can give you 2000Wh plus.
Our review and findings from the Anker 757 Portable Power Station
Accurate meters and gauges:
- Power being input
- Output power
- Time left on the battery with the current discharge rate
- How long to recharge
- Battery level percentage
Anker 757 Power Station Pros and Cons
Pros
- Instant power: ready when you are if the station is charged.
- Quiet: Low noise when using input and output modes, (small fan sound).
- Extend off-grid adventures: Boondocking could be much simpler, use small devices at night, and recharge by solar during the day.
- AC outlets and USB ports handle almost all small devices.
- Great emergency power – Lights, fans, radios, and phone chargers.
- Use and recharge simultaneously.
Cons
- Price
- A limited-time power source – 1500W for only an hour.
- Weight: can be difficult to move at times.
- Needs frequent recharging: Daily use, means daily recharging, from some kind of power source.
- Smell: there was a slight odor from the battery occasionally.
Verdict
The Anker 757 power station definitely performs as advertised.
- The battery quickly charges using the AC 110v power cord to 100% in less than an hour. Solar and car auxiliary power has not been tested.
- Nice 3 degrees of brightness light bar to see at the campground.
- Loved the gauges with all the information needed for smooth operation.
There was a slight odor from the battery when I first charged it. I suggest charging the first couple of times outdoors or with ventilation.
My decision came down to 2 things, price and need. I spend most of my time in RV parks with a 30-amp power pedestal at my disposal. Just plug my RV in and I have outlets everywhere with an unlimited supply for the most part.
But,
We have recently entertained the idea of more off-grid boondocking situations and this power station combined with 2 or 3 solar panels would be the perfect addition.
So yes, I would recommend the Anker 757 Power Station unless you never expect AC 110V to be out of reach.
Bonus findings
Over the last couple of days, I have found a few extra uses for this power station and I am sure there are plenty more.
I used it at a tailgate party to power my electric grill and boombox and kept my phone charged all afternoon. Another time I was in the back acreage of our yard and needed a weedeater. Electric was all I had available but running a 300-foot extension cord seems a little much.
Do you know what worked like a dream? Yeppers! That new power station that I had in the back of my truck.
I can only imagine the uses this power station might have. I will update this article over the next 6 months to a year with further use ideas and performance results.
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Power sources for camping: Things to look for when shopping for a Power Station
Charging Capacity
I am not saying it is impossible to run your heat and air from a power station, but it is definitely not practical.
Watt-hour
What is a Watt-hour (Wh)?
A watt-hour, which is symbolized by Wh, is a unit of energy equivalent to one watt of power expended for one hour of time. This is not a standard unit in any formal system, but it is commonly used in electrical applications.
Watts
What is Watt power (W)?
The amount of power that a power station can produce is rated in watts (power). For Example, an Anker 757 produces a MAXIMUM of 1500 watts of power. This means the Anker 757 could provide power to 15 one-hundred-watt light bulbs at the same time.
| APPLIANCE | POWER CONSUMPTION (watts) | DAILY HOURS OF USE | DAILY POWER CONSUMPTION (watt hours) |
| cell phone charge | 6 watts | 3 | 18-watt hours |
| light bulb | 60 W | 6 | 360-watt hours |
| TV | 100 W | 3 | 300-watt hours |
| coffee maker | 700 W | .5 | 350-watt hours |
Imagine, the sun going down, and you end your day with 1200Wh in your power station to use. The coffee maker for 1/2, 3 hours of TV, 6 hours of lights, and 3 hours of charging your cellphone. That is a total of 1028Wh give or take, removed from your end-of-day total giving you, 172Wh to play with.
It goes quickly!
Methods for recharging
Most modern power stations give you multiple options for recharging the unit. Anker 757 Power station lets you plug into 110V for best recharging, but you can also use solar power or the vehicle alternator for recharging.
Recharge speed
Getting your power station recharged and ready for action could be the difference between lights, entertainment, and communication or sitting quietly in the dark till morning. Power station batteries can take up to 8 hours to get a complete charge. If you are recharging with solar power it could take even longer.
Durability
Make sure it has sturdy housing to handle any rough use. The interior components of the power station need to stay protected and water free. Research several different brands and read their reviews.
Standard Accessories & Available options – Ports and Outlets
Check to see what the power station can do for you.
- How many ports and outlets are available to power or charge devices?
- See if there are any charging or power cords provided.
- Solar power compatible connections.
- Owner guides or protective cases.
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*NEW*
Recently released Anker 767 with almost twice the power that can greatly extend your off-grid lifestyle
- Long-Lasting Portable Power Station With a 10-Year Lifespan: With our proprietary long-lasting technology InfiniPower™, combined with LiFePO4 batteries, ultra-durable electronic components, a smart temperature control system that monitors temperature up to 100 times per second, and impact-resistant structural design, Anker PowerHouse 767 is built to last over a decade, even with everyday use.
- Rapid Recharge: Thanks to our proprietary HyperFlash technology, Anker PowerHouse 767 can be charged from 0 to 80% in just 1.4 hours. Recharge under direct sunlight within 2.5 hours using five 200W solar panels.
- 2400W to Power 12 Devices: An exclusive RV port, 4 AC ports with a wattage of up to 2400W, 3 USB-C charging ports, 2 USB-A ports, and 2 car outlets power almost all your devices at once.
- 5-Year Full-Device Warranty: Instead of the average 2 years, Anker PowerHouse 767 is designed to reliably power your devices every day for 10 years. Additionally, it offers a superior 5-year full-device warranty for a guaranteed, worry-free experience.
- What You Get: Anker 767 Portable Power Station (GaNPrime PowerHouse 2048Wh), 5-year warranty, AC charging cable, car charging cable, solar charging cable, accessories bag, user manual, and our friendly customer service.
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