11 Amazing Uses of a Portable Power Station You May Not Know About

So, you’re interested in exploring the benefits of a portable power station, but maybe you haven’t considered just how many ways one can improve your quality of life.

Many people decide to purchase a portable power station based on one or two uses, but oftentimes they will discover an entire realm of unexpected possibilities once they actually own one. For a better understanding of these many advantages, here are just some of the creative and resourceful ways people are using a portable power station.

Your limitless journey begins now!

1. Emergency Backup Power

OK, this is probably one of the most obvious reasons you're interested in a portable power station: backup power.

If you live in a residential area that's prone to frequent blackouts, a region that's especially vulnerable to storms, or if you just want peace of mind for emergencies, then a portable power station is a wise investment for your home.

The higher capacity you choose, the more power you'll have on reserve. The Anker 521 offers enough juice to charge your phone and laptop continuously for dozens of hours, making it perfect for short-term use.

Need even more backup power? Step up to the Anker 757; its 1229Wh capacity and ability to charge 13 devices simultaneously makes it great for power-hungry appliances like full-size refrigerators, coffee makers, microwaves, TVs, tea kettles, lamps, and more.

2. Convenience on Camping Trips

Camping is a wonderful opportunity to unplug and unwind from our daily routines – but it's also nice to bring some of the comforts of modern living with us.

The ability to stay connected at all times to our careers or online life can be a luxury or a burden, depending on how you look at it. One thing is for certain: having reliable access to power anywhere on Earth is a present-day miracle for convenience.

No longer do we need to return home in order to fully access our technology. In fact, with the benefits of a portable power station, you’ll likely want to extend your camping trip for even more time spent in nature.

3. Source of Renewable, Clean Energy

Not to sound overly dramatic, but the future of our planet is dependent on us turning away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable sources of energy. You can do your part in this movement (and save money!) by utilizing solar panels to recharge your portable power station.

With the Anker 625 Solar Panel, you can efficiently capture the sun's rays at an optimal angle throughout the entire day, delivering renewable energy to your PowerHouse's battery through its USB-C port.

Either let your portable power station recharge outside during downtime, or charge it next to you while in use for a constant source of power. With the right planning and setup, you could realistically stay charged all day and also remain completely free from the fuel-burning power grid.

4. Less Reliance on the Power Grid

Speaking of the power grid: I'm sure we would all love to become less dependent on it, particularly for financial reasons.

Some power companies will charge higher rates for energy usage depending on the time of day. Peak hours typically fall between 8 am–10 pm, when the power grid is more burdened and therefore more expensive to use. If it’s feasible, you could offset some of this cost by choosing when you’re connected to the grid.

Plug into your portable power station during the day when electricity is at peak hours, then switch back to the power grid at night for cheaper usage. Though the monetary benefit may be relatively small, the satisfaction of circumventing the power grid might make the adjustment worth it to you.

5. Better Alternative to Gas Generators

Gas generators certainly have their uses and benefits—but they come with some serious drawbacks, due to the obnoxious sound and noxious fumes they emit. Not to mention their big, bulky design makes them a pain to lug around.

Alternatively, portable power stations can offer enough power for many of your home appliances – and without the need to stockpile gasoline to keep them running. Better still, you can use them indoors for much easier access to your essential devices. Gas generators, meanwhile, are outdoors only.

6. Expandable Power for RVs

While many of today’s RVs feature multiple AC outlets, they do not have an unlimited supply of power.

Whenever you have lots of appliances plugged in at once, you run the risk of blowing a fuse. To prevent this, give your RV's battery a break by transferring some of those devices to a portable power station.

This energy-saving use is reason enough to have one for your mobile lifestyle, particularly on hot summer days with the air conditioner blasting.

7. Peacekeeper on Family Road Trips

When you’ve had enough of staring out the window or playing games of “I spy”, our phones, tablets, and laptops are there to keep our sanity on long car rides. As such, everyone’s going to be fighting over the limited (if any) outlets available to keep their chosen device powered.

Thankfully, a lightweight portable power station like the Anker 521 is there to keep the peace! Just set it somewhere in the middle of the car for easy access, and everyone’s devices will stay charged long enough for even the most prolonged family road trip.

8. Vehicle Survival Gear

Whether you’re on long treks or not, it’s wise to always keep essential survival gear in your car in case of roadside emergencies. Consider adding a portable power station to that safety kit.

In addition to keeping your phone charged, the Anker PowerHouse 521, 535, and 757 models all come equipped with a built-in LED flashlight, which can emit an eye-catching SOS signal to oncoming traffic.

And in the unfortunate predicament where your car battery has died and no one’s around for miles, don't fret! While the Anker PowerHouse models cannot immediately jumpstart your car, they can gradually restore energy to the battery. With a little patience, you'll be back on the road without the need for jumper cables and a Good Samaritan nearby.

9. Gateway to an Outdoor Office

Your co-workers think they've got it made with a desk next to the window. So don't be surprised by their jealous looks when the next Zoom call you take is from a recliner on the beach.

The future of outdoor work is here! Just grab your Anker PowerHouse of choice, and head out to the park, a scenic overlook, or a nice spot under the shade for a refreshing workday in nature.

Your laptop, phone, monitor, and WiFi extender will stay powered for the full day, allowing you to escape the stifling fluorescent lighting of the office and still be productive.

10. A Dream for Content Creators

If you’re a videographer, photographer, or content creator, then a portable power station is essential gear to maintain an uninterrupted workflow for outdoor location shoots.

Power-hungry cameras, monitors, and LED lighting kits can stay powered without the need for noisy generators. Now you can capture those impressive time-lapse shots without fear of the battery cutting out.

Even in the most remote locations, power is always with you. Imagine the possibilities!

11. Secret Asset for Outdoor Parties

Here's an important life goal: throw the most legendary outdoor party that makes you the talk of the neighborhood.

A portable power station can supply plenty of entertainment for your next outdoor shindig. Whether it’s for tailgating, block parties, or an outdoor wedding – now you can crank up those high-watt speakers without the risk of tripping over extension cords.

Or you could invite your friends over for the ultimate outdoor movie night. Grab a Nebula projector and plug it in, and you'll be able to extend its playtime far beyond what batteries would allow, making it perfect for a double feature.