If you are looking for a portable power bank/power station with AC outputs, we recommend this one by Suaoki.
There are plenty of good quality compact power stations for camping and road trips. The problem with most of them is that they are designed for small gadgets like smartphones and tablets.
If you want a power bank you can use to power a small appliance like a fan or a mini fridge, you have to spring for a bigger and much more expensive power station.
The Suaoki portable power station gives you the flexibility you need to meet all your powering and charging needs whether it’s your gadgets (4 USB ports), an air mattress inflator (4 DC ports) or small appliances (2 AC outlets).
Read on for our full review.
If the Suaoki solar generator doesn’t quite meet your needs, we have more recommendation in our in-depth buying guide where we review the best solar generators for camping, boating and RVs.
Quick Summary
Generator Applications | |
|---|---|
Off-grid living | - |
Whole-house backup | - |
Large appliances | - |
Small appliances | + |
Camping/outdoors | + |
RV/boating | + |
Cell phones | + |
Features | |
|---|---|
Battery Capacity: | 150Wh |
Power Output: | AC (2 outlets), USB (4 ports), DC (4 outlets) |
Power Input: | Solar panel (not included), AC adapter (included), Car charger (included) |
Dimensions: | 7.3 x 4.3 x 4.7 inches |
Weight: | 2.9lbs |
Best Features of the Suaoki Camping Generator
Powerful Enough for Campers
At 150Wh, the Suaoki solar generator is a bit under powered for use with large appliances or as a full home backup system.
But that’s not what it is designed for. This power station is for camping and road trips. It’s mean to power up gadgets and small appliances.
For that, it provides plenty of power.
The AC outlets have a power output of 100W with peak output at 150W. The DC ports are rated slightly higher at 180W.
Combined with the 10.5W USB ports, all your power needs are covered including lighting, charging your smartphone and powering small appliances.
You can also charge a drone, plug in your laptop and power your air mattress inflator.
Versatile Output Options
The Suaoki generator has more output options than other power stations that are bigger and more powerful.
Many campers will especially appreciate the AC outlets, which are almost impossible to find in solar generators of this size.
Here’s the full array of output ports.
2 AC outlets(100W power, 150W peak power)– good for powering small appliances
4 DC ports(180W/15A) – good for powering certain gadgets such as air mattress pump and tire compressor
4 USB ports–three of them are normal 10.5W ports and one is an 18W QC3.0 fast charging USB port.
Multiple Input Options
You also get the same great versatility when it comes to charging the 40500mAh battery. When you need to charge it, here are your options.
1. Plug it into a wall outlet using the included AC adapter. This is the fastest method of charging.
2. Plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter using the included car charger. This is handy when you need to charge the battery on the go.
3. Connect it to a solar panel using the included MC4 cable. This is great when you are out camping or hiking. Note that the solar panel is not included.
Battery Management System
An integrated battery management system provides voltage and temperature control as well as various other safety monitoring features to protect your devices.
Lightweight and Compact
Unless you plan to go and live off the grid for several months (or forever), a heavy and powerful power stations is not worth the hassle.
Even if you are driving to your camping site, you’ll still appreciate a light and compact generator you can easily carry from your car to the site.
The Suaoki power station is perfect for camping and hiking thanks to its compact and lightweight design.
It weighs only 2.9lbs and it’s small enough to fit inside a rucksack.
It’s exactly the kind of solar generator you want to have when you are already struggling to find space for your tent and other camping gear.
Limitations of the Suaoki Portable Power Station
Not Ideal for Large Appliances
The Suaoki solar generator is designed for gadgets and small appliances.
If you try to connect anything with a power rating of more than 150W, the battery management system will automatically shut the station down.
Same goes for small appliances that have a huge power draw such as a coffee machine. As long as the power demand is greater than the peak power, it won’t work.
Limited Information on Display
The display is not very helpful. It consists of bars that light up to indicate how much power you have left.
It doesn’t provide any other details such as discharge rate and estimated time remaining before you need to recharge.
Conclusion
It may not be a beast of a power station but it’s perfect for those who want something small, light and versatile they can take on camping adventures and road trips.
