Oupes' new Mega 2 portable power station, with a 2048Wh battery capacity and 2500W AC power inverter, brings affordable rechargeable power to the masses.

Based on the proven LiFePo4 Lithium chemistry, the station will provide over 3500 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% drop in battery capacity. The design allows for future battery expansion, enabling up to two additional power packs for a total capacity of over 10kWh.

The unit can fast charge at 1600W, resulting in a full charge in less than two hours. Charging through solar panels yields an even higher rate at 2100W. The Mega 2 has fifteen low-power outputs to accommodate many home uses, and a TT30 socket is an excellent addition for road trips. A snappy mobile app available for Apple and Android allows complete control of the unit while providing helpful insight into output power consumption and the overall health of the station.

Oupes Mega 2: Pricing and Availability

Oupes’ Mega 2 has an MSRP of $1500 and is available at a special price of $1039 for a limited time, about 2WHr per dollar. Oupes also offers other stations with smaller and larger power capacities. The Mega 3 and 5 offer 3000Wh and 5000Wh, respectively, although they cost more, at $2240 and $3500. The Mega 1, the smallest in the family, offers only a 1kWh battery for $700.

Oupes Mega 2: Design

The Mega 2 ships with four Anderson cables, allowing the station to be used on the road or with solar panels, one AC charging cable, and a user manual. It measures 46cm x 27cm x 31cm and weighs 22kg. The plastic case has two handles on each side, allowing the unit to be moved rapidly from one place to another. Two large fans on the left bring decent airflow to the battery charger and AC inverter.

The Oupes Mega 2 has a powerful battery charger that supports up to 2100W through the solar DC input. With a maximum voltage of 150V, the unit can connect to ten 200W 12V panels, completing a charge cycle in less than two hours. The same input is used to charge the battery with the supplied car cable, but it will take much longer since the power is limited to 100W.

Like other power stations, the front panel hosts a large display and buttons to control the outputs. The LCD is bright and shows the percentage of the battery remaining. Input and output power are also shown but in smaller characters. Protections when the output power exceeds the maximum allowed also appear on the display.

The Mega 2 offers plenty of output options to the user. The low-voltage DC sockets include 12V outputs and the ubiquitous USB Type-A and Type-C. Both USB sockets support quick charge through a higher power profile. The Type-C can output a maximum of 100W, while the Type-A can only output 18W. Two 12V high-power outputs are also available, one supporting an Anderson connector that can output 360W, while the other is a cigar plug capable of 120W.

Oupes Mega 2: In Use

The AC output is more than capable of powering even the most demanding of household appliances. Rated at 2500W with short bursts of 5400W, the Mega 2 can give 120V at 1500W off four regular AC sockets. A fifth socket provides 2500W of power in a TT30 format, which is convenient on road trips to power a trailer's main electrical outlets.

Oupes has been generous with the charging options available in the Mega 2. Surprisingly, with its 1600W input power, the AC input is not the fastest way. The Anderson DC input supports 2100W and, with appropriate solar panels, can recharge the batteries in less than one hour. The DC input tolerates up to 150V, conveniently accepting ten 12V solar panels in series. The Mega 2 has an extra DC port, which can take an additional 2kWh battery.

Oupes’ mobile app replicates the power station's display functionality. The app initially pairs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and requires entering a QR code. The Mega 2 also includes a Wi-Fi interface, eventually becoming the main communication channel once the Bluetooth step is over. This means user data are transferred to Oupes’ cloud services, and the power station becomes accessible worldwide.

The Mega 2 features several protection mechanisms to prevent battery failures and damage to the station or connected equipment. Over ten error codes can be displayed on the front screen, each with a clear description in the user manual. As with any device that generates a lot of heat, it is recommended that the Mega 2 be kept in a well-ventilated area. With an efficiency of 86%, the unit is in the ballpark for this class of power stations.

Oupes Mega 2: The competition

Oupes' Mega 2 falls into the medium-sized power station with combined output power, AC, and DC, approaching 3kW. The 2kWh LiFePo4 battery brings it to the same level as the Bluetti and Ecoflow flagships. The volume taken by the station is about 26L, a smaller amount compared to the Mega 2’s two main competitors. Similar products have fast charging capabilities, which the Mega 2 excels at with its 2100W DC charge.

The Bluetti AC200L has battery capacity and output power similar to the Mega 2. The Bluetti and Ecoflow brands carry an MSRP higher than an Oupes station since they were the first to use LiFePo4 and have an established brand. Compared to the AC200L, the Mega 2 is also 25% smaller and weighs 22kg compared to the AC200L’s 28kg.

Oupes Mega 2: Final verdict

The Mega 2 power station from Oupes offers solid competition to Ecoflow and Bluetti products in terms of output power and battery capacity. Being a cheaper solution with similar battery technology, the Mega 2 is a more compact and lighter unit that packs as many, if not more, power outlets. It offers a battery expansion that can reach 10 kWh and is remotely controlled through a mobile app. What is missing is the brand recognition and community support the more well-known brands enjoy.

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Portable power stations have become an essential item for homes and businesses, providing a back-up power solution for charging and powering a massive range of devices. 

The Bluetti AC70 is a smart portable power station chiefly designed for homes, home offices, and on the road. This model boasts a 1000W pure sine wave inverter, making it better suited to lower-powered devices - think laptops, phones, other home office essentials - with a 2000W Power Lifting Mode for higher-powered household appliances. 

We’ve tested out a number of the best portable power stations, and having been impressed with previous Bluetti models, we were keen to see how the new AC70 compares.  

Bluetti AC70: Pricing & availability

The Bluetti AC70 is available worldwide, with an RRP of $699 / £699. However, at the time of review, it was on sale for $499 / £649. This does place the AC70 at the mid-to-high end of the spectrum for a power station of this type. 

You can find the AC70 on the official Bluetti site, Amazon, and most electrical retailers. 

Bluetti AC70: Design & features

The AC70 is a compact but weighty little box (it clocks in at 22.5lb / 10.2kg) - although transportation is made easier with the built-in handle. It’s all part of the same casing as the rest of the unit, and feels firm during transit. However, we were glad to set it down after a while. 

Soft, curved edges and a dark gray coloring makes this feel smart and accessible - its presence not dominating, but subtle, suitable for a range of locations. Driving the unit is a 768Wh LiFePO battery, which is relatively small when it comes to power stations, but does keep things more portable. 

On the front of the power station, you’ll find a bright, clear LCD screen and buttons for powering on the device and switching between AC and DC outputs. Pressing these together lets you access and navigate the settings menu. It’s simple enough, after some trial and plenty of error, although we recommend using the Bluetti app for managing the power station, especially if you’re in and out of settings. For example, by default the unit is set to the power-saving eco mode. According to the manual, this mode is best turned off when charging smaller devices like phones. We found it far quicker to hop into the app and make that change than fiddle in the on-device menus. 

When it comes to connections, the Bluetti AC70 is well-rounded for general use. Beneath the power button are two USB-A and two USB-C ports. A DC output and cigarette lighter port, letting you charge up the power station from your vehicle, sit to the left. On the right are two AC outputs. Around the side, a grounding pole and an AC input to recharge the unit via mains. A solar panel charging cable is included in the box to draw power from Earth’s yellow sun, with solar panels available separately. 

Bluetti AC70: Performance

In use, the Bluetti AC70 portable power station works exactly as intended. Quietly powering our devices, turning the screen off after a minute, and generally being as unobtrusive as possible through our testing process. It’s worth checking the specs for any high-energy device you connect here. For example, our standard UK kettle (average 3000W) wouldn’t work even in Power Lifting Mode, which increases the power station’s reach to 2000W. Impressive technology, but hardly a game-changer compared to many we’ve tried. 

That makes it a fairly low-level portable power station for more casual everyday use. In this regard, we had no issues at all, with the AC70 easily handling all devices within the 1000W range without any issue at all. Phones, battery chargers, laptops, lamps all worked instantly via AC and USB (DC) connections. However, if you use this for camping trips, you’ll want to store it somewhere safe and dry - keep it in the van. While the sockets do have rubber caps to protect from water and dust, the unit itself has no MIL-STD or IP ratings to complement the lifestyle of more rugged adventurers and road warriors. 

For extra utility, the AC70 also boasts turbo charging when plugged into the mains. Documentation states the unit charges to 80% in forty-five minutes, and full charge in 1.5 hours in this mode. In our own tests, this was broadly accurate. You can switch between Standard, Turbo, and Silent charging modes in the app, and even charging on standard mode, it took the device from 33% to 75% in forty-five minutes. So, you won’t have to wait long to put the power station to use, whatever charging mode you use. We checked and the AC70 also supports pass-through charging, powering devices while you charge or run the unit off the mains.

You control this, and much more, within a beautifully designed app. It's incredibly easy to navigate and find what you need, with a series of taps and toggles for controlling pretty much every feature, from Power Lifting and Eco Mode to Grid Self-adaption, an option that lets you continue a steady charging rate even during electrical spikes and volatility. Connecting the device to the app took us seconds after signing up, with any changes made in the app immediately reflected on the AC70’s screen.

Bluetti AC70: Final verdict

The Bluetti AC70 is a solid portable power station ideal for household use and the van-life - although in this regard, it’s likely best as a secondary or tertiary back-up unit, given its lower wattage output. Capable of powering most everyday devices, such as laptops and phones, it works very well, with a range of charging options and minimal fuss for those who just want to charge up devices on the go. For us, the companion app was a real highlight. Using this was absolutely seamless, giving you as much (or as little) control over the AC70 as you need. 

It’s not perfect - what is? - and certain users are going to find the power output simply too low, the battery too small for their needs. But then, this isn’t designed for high-capacity or industrial use. If your needs are smaller, then it's a very nice unit, with a pleasing design and construction that, while heavy, remains highly portable for solo users.  

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The Ugreen PowerRoam GS1200 power station packs the latest rechargeable Lithium technology in a compact format. 

The 1024Wh battery offers over 3000 charge cycles, while the built-in AC charger can top the unit in less than one hour. With a total of fourteen ports, including six 10A 120V AC outlets and eight low-voltage DC ports, the GS1200 can power appliances such as microwave ovens while simultaneously charging a gaming laptop.

The user can proudly display the sleek GS1200 on an office table, where it can also serve as a UPS. Dedicated on/off switches make using the station straightforward. The large segmented LCD offers excellent contrast, being readable from several meters. If that’s not enough, a mobile app brings all controls to the owner’s fingertips. With two cooling fans, the GS1200 is quiet enough to be used in a room at night.

Ugreen offers several options when purchasing a GS1200. A single unit costs $999, while two costs under $1900. That is cheap for a LiFePo4 battery type at $0.97 per Wh. The station is also available with one or two 200W solar panels for $1247 and $1749, respectively.

Is it one of the best portable power stations? Read on to find out.

Ugreen PowerRoam GS1200: Design

UGreen’s PowerRoam GS1200 station measures 34 cm x 22 cm x 27cm for 11.5kg. The grey plastic shell feels tough and will easily withstand knocks. A non-retractable handle located at the top helps to carry the unit effortlessly. Two fans provide adequate airflow to cool internal components while charging the battery, along with air vents on both sides.

A large segmented LCD sits on the front panel, showing battery capacity and input/output power consumption. In addition, various icons show which outputs are enabled or if issues are present while operating the station. The display’s white color segments on a dark background offer excellent contrast and are readable in bright sunlight, even from a few meters away.

Push buttons control output sections with a single click. A faint white LED embedded in each button indicates whether the output is activated or not. An IoT button enables the unit's Bluetooth and WiFi capability and helps connect to the companion mobile App. The station also includes a multifunction LED flashlight that supports two intensity levels and a strobe mode.

The GS1200 integrates a 1024Whr LiFePo4 battery pack, which should provide over five years of usage when recharged daily before experiencing an 80% capacity drop. The built-in 1200W AC inverter can supply 2500W for short periods through six AC sockets located on the right. The low-voltage DC section comprises two Type-C 100W and two Type-A 22.5W sockets. The Ugreen power station also incorporates three regulated 12V output sockets, two DC5521, and one cigarette carport. Output sections can provide a maximum of 1565W combined under normal usage.

Ugreen PowerRoam GS1200: In Use

The GS1200 includes 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth radios to connect to a smartphone running either Android or iOS. Setting up the app is straightforward; on-screen instructions guide the user and require only a few steps. We noted that WiFi is disabled after some time to save power.

The mobile app contains elements available on the station’s front panel. The user can remotely turn output sections on and off while displaying real-time battery capacity and power consumption or adjusting settings that include power-saving or always-on mode.

The station guards against output short-circuits by shutting them down and displaying an error code. In addition, the GS1200 supports an Uninterruptible Power Supply mode or UPS capable of instantly switching power from the grid to the inverter and battery in case of a blackout.

Charging the GS1200 can be done in several ways, the most practical being using the embedded 1200W power adapter. A full charge usually takes under one hour. Solar charging is also available, but with the station capable of a maximum of 400W, it is the slowest charging mean. The solar input offers a wide voltage range from 12V to 48V, thus allowing panels in different configurations.

The 1200W AC inverter found in the station is about 85% efficient. Power loss through heat dissipates with the help of the fan, which generates less than 50dB of noise at one meter. The WiFi module has a good range, covering a radius of 10 meters. The testing unit shows some functional hiccups, as AC outputs are turned off even with the power-saving feature disabled, making the unit unusable with a PC in sleep mode.

Ugreen PowerRoam GS1200: The competition

Ugreen’s GS1200 compact power station offers features such as long battery life, WiFi connectivity, and a UPS mode. Stations with similar characteristics sell at a price premium and are only available with higher power and battery capacity.

The EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station is bigger and heavier than the GS1200. It possesses an 1800W AC inverter and a 1024Wh LiFePo4 battery, the same battery chemistry used in Ugreen’s station. Still, with a higher price tag, the Delta 2 lacks an emergency light, making it less practical on the road.

Ugreen PowerRoam GS1200: Final verdict

The GS1200 is a proper portable power station at a low price point. It is surprisingly compact for the LiFePo4 battery chemistry and AC inverter offered. Built-in WiFi coupled with UGreen’s mobile app makes life easier, allowing remote connection to the station. The unit supports popular DC sockets, from the ubiquitous Type-C and barrel-type DC5521 to the 12V car cigar socket. Six AC outlets capable of 1200W should be enough to power all common household appliances.

The Ugreen GS1200 is far from perfect; the station’s firmware requires some additional work to be great. The WiFi connection is lost after a while, making the unit unreachable. The unit also turns off AC outputs if it thinks no electrical loads are connected. A small load, such as a PC in sleep mode, will get powered off.

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