Living in a small apartment or studio can have its perks, but it also comes with some challenges. One of them is how to deal with power outages, blackouts, or emergencies that can leave you without electricity for hours or days. You don’t have enough space or ventilation for a gas generator, and you don’t want to rely on candles or flashlights for your lighting and entertainment needs.
That’s where a portable power station comes in handy. A portable power station is a device that can store and supply electricity for various devices and appliances. Unlike a gas generator, it doesn’t produce noise, fumes, or emissions, and it can be used safely indoors. Plus, it can be recharged with solar panels, wall outlets, or car ports.
In this article, we’ll review three of the best portable power stations for small apartments and studios. We’ll compare their features, pros, and cons, and help you choose the one that suits your needs and budget. Let’s get started!
EcoFlow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station – Best Value
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is a great value portable power station that offers a lot of features and performance for its price. It has a capacity of 720Wh, which can run a mini-fridge for 10 hours, a TV for 6 hours, or charge a smartphone 50 times. It also has six AC outlets, two car sockets, four USB-A ports, two USB-C ports with PD technology, one USB-C port with QC technology, one DC port with regulated output.
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is compact (11 lbs) and portable, with an ergonomic handle and sturdy design. It also has an LCD display that shows the battery level, input wattage, output wattage, and time to empty/full. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 1.6 hours, or with a compatible solar panel in about 3 hours.
Pros
- Affordable price
- High capacity and output
- Multiple ports and outlets
- Fast charging and recharging
Cons
- No built-in light
- Solar panel sold separately
- No wireless charging
Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station – Best Compact
The Jackery Explorer 240 is a compact and lightweight power station that can still deliver enough juice for your small apartment or studio. It has a capacity of 240Wh, which can run a fan for 5 hours, a laptop for 3 hours, or charge a smartphone 18 times. It also has one AC outlet, one car socket, two USB-A ports.
The Jackery Explorer 240 is very portable (6.6 lbs) and easy to carry around, with an ergonomic handle and sleek design. It also has an LED display that shows the battery level, input wattage, and output wattage. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 7 hours, or with a compatible solar panel in about 10 hours.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Enough ports and outlets
- LED display
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited capacity and output
- No built-in light
- No USB-C port
- Solar panel sold separately
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station – Best Versatile
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X is a versatile power station that can adapt to different scenarios and needs. It has a capacity of 1516Wh, which can run a fridge for 28 hours, a TV for 14 hours, or charge a laptop 23 times. It also has two AC outlets, one car socket, four USB-A ports (two with QC technology), two USB-C ports (one with PD technology), one DC port with regulated output.
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X is durable and reliable, with an advanced battery management system that protects it from overcharging, overloading, or short-circuiting. It also has an informative LCD display that shows the battery level, input wattage, output wattage, and time to empty/full. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 14 hours (or faster with the optional fast charger), or with a compatible solar panel in about 6 hours.
Pros
- Versatile ports and outlets
- Durable and reliable
- Informative LCD display
- Fast solar charging
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy (45 lbs)
- No built-in light
- Solar panel sold separately
Conclusion
A portable power station is a great solution for anyone who lives in a small apartment or studio and wants to have backup power for their devices and appliances. It can keep you connected, entertained, and comfortable without noise, fumes, or emissions. Plus, it can be recharged with solar panels for eco-friendly energy.
We hope this article helped you find the best portable power station for your needs and budget. Whether you choose the EcoFlow River 2 Pro for value, the Jackery Explorer 240 for compactness, or the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X for versatility, you’ll be able to enjoy your small space with peace of mind. Stay safe and powered!
