The Mango Power E is the newest portable power station from Mango Power that supports an additional battery pack. With an astounding 3kW AC output and 3.53kWh battery storage, the base unit is user-upgradable to 14kWh to guard against extended blackout periods. It comes with a 30A RV socket, super-fast charging, and provides user data through a color display.

The Mango Power E incorporates a retractable handle and two back wheels. Four 20A AC sockets take full advantage of the 3kW inverter. The Mango Power E integrates the best in battery technology with the use of LFP cells made by CATL. Finally, it is a connected station thanks to integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a mobile app.

Mango Power E: Pricing and availability

The base unit supports up to 3kW of AC output with a battery capacity of 3.53kWh, for an MSRP of $4000. An extra 3.53kWh battery will add $2800 to the base price. A package including two Mango Power E, two extra batteries, and a mSocket pro that generates a two-phase output is just below fourteen grand. That is expensive for a consumer-grade power station, resulting in $1/Wh, an above-average price for LFP-type technology. A five-year warranty backs all Mango Power E products.

Mango Power E: Design

The Mango Power E power station is in a class of its own. It is heavy at 45.4kg and measures 45.2cm x 34.5cm x 49.4cm. Two handles molded into the plastic case help to carry the case, supported by two wheels at the back. Along with a retractable handle, the Power E looks like a small fridge on wheels. Air vents on the left and right sides provide continuous airflow with the help of fans which can be loud at times. The unit ships with two cables for AC and solar charging.

The front panel has a vibrant 4.3” color graphic LCD that supports touch. Various soft buttons help navigate the main menu. Information about the remaining charge, input, and output power, is displayed clearly. The left of the display also contains status icons indicating when the station connects to the companion mobile application through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The Mango Power E does not lack output sockets. Some, such as the 30A RV TT-30P port, are rarely found on residential power stations, and Mango Power has the luxury to include one partly because of the station’s size. Five high-voltage and eleven low-voltage sockets available to the user are all activated through the LCD menu. The only push button used to turn on the unit requires some practice to get used to. A long press turns the station on, while a short press will turn it off.

Four AC outputs next to the RV socket are rated 20A each and can output 3kW. Six USB-A with a combined power of 27W are also present in the low voltage section, while the customary Type-Cs, a 100W and another 65W, are included. Two DC5521 barrel-type ports are capable of 60W each, and one 120W regulated cigar port completes the list of output sockets.

Mango Power E: In use

The Mango Power E uses high-quality LFP cells made by CATL that lose less than 30% capacity after 6000 cycles, resulting in 16 years of use if charged daily. The cells pack more power density than standard NMC lithium technology, making the Power E lighter than other 3.53kWh power stations. Finally, thanks to their robustness, the cells can be charged at a higher current, yielding faster charging times.

The inverter's efficiency is 88% which is expected for this product type. The Mango Power E is quiet when unused but will get noisy under full load at 51dB. The station's output power can exceed the nominal 3kW for short periods, the highest amount being 4.8kW for less than 40ms, helping kickstart high-power motors without any issue.

Charging the station is fuss-free and fast, with three kinds of input supported. On top of having AC and Solar types, the user can also charge the station with an EV charger through the E+ Port. The same port can connect to an extra 3.53kWh battery pack. The AC input supports a maximum of 3kW, giving a charge time from 0 to 80% in less than one hour, something unseen in similar models.

The solar input supports a maximum voltage of 150V at up to 2kW. The recommended configuration is five 400W 12V panels in series, giving a total voltage well below the 150V limit. The user can access the station remotely through the mobile application. It replicates all functionalities available on the base unit, including input and output power consumption and battery capacity. The app promises connectivity either using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Mango Power E: The competition

Power stations have evolved from units capable of powering small appliances to systems that can power an entire home, also called microgrids. Mango Power has settled for the latter, with the E being their second edition. Few manufacturers are selling microgrids, and Bluetti is one of them.

The Bluetti AC300 inverter's external B300 battery offers similar AC output performance and battery autonomy to the Mango Power E. The latter is unique because the battery type is a better LFP grade. The E offers a much higher charging rate than Bluetti, translating to faster charging times. The dual system from Bluetti is also bulkier and more prone to failures since the two units are connected using a cable.

Mango Power E: Final verdict

Mango Power brings best-in-class battery technology, ease of use, and versatility to its new E model. The battery offers more than 6000 charge cycles which, even when used daily, should be among the last thing to fail. The power station supports sixteen output ports with six distinct outlets and an AC RV power port, making the E ideal on the road.

The Mango Power E can turn into a high-capacity power generator with the help of solar arrays and an additional battery pack. The 150V DC input for charging isn't the highest on the market but should cover many combinations of solar panels and give decent charge times. There are only a few drawbacks to the Mango Power E, one being that the app needs some polishing.

We've rated the best UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

GoTrax Apex LE: Two-minute review

The GoTrax Apex LE is a surprising entry in the budget electric scooters range. Cheap e-scooters tend to be low-quality, and not as reliable as riders would like, but GoTrax seems to have gone out of its way to make this one an exception – and that’s coming from someone who’s ridden a whole lot of them.

This impressive e-scooter may not be as powerful or have as long a range as the best electric scooters on the market, but it punches above its sub-$400/£400 weight in terms of performance, build quality, and design. This makes it a shoo-in for the above best list, as well as among the best electric scooter for students.

As with most GoTrax electric scooters I’ve tested, there is some initial assembly required. You still have to mount and secure the handlebar, and attach the break cord to the handbrake, which might take a bit of force or finagling, depending on your upper body strength. But beginners, fear not; the included manual does an excellent job of guiding you through the process, and it shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to assemble.

The GoTrax Apex LE is on the smaller end as well, so despite being on the heavier side at 32 lbs (14.5kg), it should be easy to manage. It helps that its folding mechanism is just as easy to use – you simply pull the pin then the lever to fold or pull the pin then click in place to unfold. To secure that stem when folded, there’s a hook that attaches it to the rear bumper, the same one that moonlights as a hook for your bag when riding.

Its size isn’t its only cute factor. The first thing that attracted me to it is the fact that it comes in four different colorways, including pink and white. A lot of people do not mind the black-on-black aesthetic that many e-scooters have adopted, but I’m tired of it, which makes the Apex LE all the more appealing to me.

Being a budget model, it does have a back-to-basics approach. There aren’t a lot of special features here – though it does have cruise control, which is very easy to toggle on/off (hold the throttle to activate, double press it to deactivate). But, even the LED dash has limited functionality – it won’t, for example, let you access different riding modes or levels, and it’s not quite as visible in full sunlight. In addition, it only has an IPX4 rating so I wouldn’t take this out on a rainy day or ride it over puddles.

But while it compromises on features, it doesn’t compromise on build quality. I’ve tested several budget electric scooters that are almost embarrassing to ride because of their rattling parts, but the Apex LE feels robust and well-made inside and out. It even has a maximum load limit of 220 lbs (99.8kg). Not too shabby for something smaller than other models.

If you are on the bigger side, especially if you’ve got big feet, I would test that deck out first before committing. It’s slimmer and narrower, and therefore, not very spacious, and it doesn’t help that the deck surface doesn’t really offer a lot of grippage. At least, it helps keep you safe with its bright enough headlight and reactive tail light – though I would still practice riding an e-scooter safely because there aren’t any advanced safety features on it.

The good news is that the GoTrax Apex LE’s braking system is impressive, and that’s another thing you don’t always see on electric scooters in this price range. Comprised of a front electromagnetic brake and a rear disk brake, the braking system is very responsive, and it feels robust. More importantly, it offers a lot of control, and it made me feel safe to go down the hill on a narrow, single-lane road that gets a lot of vehicular traffic.

Though GoTrax calls it a kick scooter, you don’t need to kick off that hard to get it started. Its throttle does take a second to start something, which is weird. However, the 250w motor, which by the way is bizarrely powerful enough to get a heavy rider on a 10-degree incline, is incredibly snappy. During testing, it pushed its way up the incline while maintaining a decent speed even with a 170-pound (77kg) rider, though obviously not at its top speed of 15.5mph (25kmh).

As it did when I rode it on gravel and dirt (read: rough) terrain. It has virtually no shock absorption – I felt every single pebble whilst riding it on unpaved roads and was rewarded with a massive headache for my efforts – but its motor handled those roads pretty well, and its 8.5-inch tires had more than enough traction to prevent me from slipping on loose dirt and going off course.

You might hesitate at that max speed, by the way, but at this price point, you’re not going to get anything faster than 18mph (29kmh). Besides, most e-scooter-friendly cities have a speed limit so it’s not like you can fully utilize a model that can do 35mph (56kmh) during your daily commutes anyway.

Speaking of daily commutes, its battery life of up to 12 miles (29km) per full charge means that you do have to charge it every day or every other day depending on the length of your trips. Unfortunately, there are compromises to be made at this price point, and here’s one of them. On the upside, I have noticed that the battery keeps its juice fairly well when not in use, so if you need to run errands now and then, you don’t have to worry about charging as often.

[Product]: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $349 / £291 / $525
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The GoTrax Apex LE is cheap as chips at only $349 / £291 / $525 in the US, the UK and Australia respectively. Though there are other electric scooters in this price range, I have yet to see something this cheap that’s as robust or as capable. Because of that, I’m giving it a five out of five.

If you’re a bit more flexible with your budget, however, I would recommend getting the NIU KQi3 Pro, which is probably my favorite electric scooter due to its impressive shock absorption, spacious deck, powerful performance, and affordable price. Or if you want something with a much longer range, the TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery is a good affordable alternative as well. Neither of them, however, is as cheap as the Apex LE.

•  Value: 5 / 5 

GoTrax Apex LE: Specs

Should you buy the GoTrax Apex LE?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

GoTrax Apex LE: Also consider

How I tested the GoTrax Apex LE

• I spent a couple of weeks riding the GoTrax Apex LE
• I rode it on paved paths as well as rougher trails and hilly roads
• I tested its performance and features in real-world scenarios

After realizing that the GoTrax Apex LE is more capable that it looks, having ridden it around a massive parking lot the first time, I really pushed it to see how it handles different road conditions. 

I rode it up and down the hill, testing its brakes in the process, and on gravel and loose dirt roads, seeing if its tires are able to offer enough traction and how good (or bad) its ability is to absorb shock. Of course, I tested its battery life as well. And, while there aren't a lot of features here, but I made sure to test the basic ones that it does have on offer. 

I've been a regular electric scooter user for years and have tested and reviewed many of the top models on the market.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2023