The portable solar market is robust with a lot of models today. Along with the heavy-duty and home backup power stations, all the key brands sell a portfolio of mid-range as well as compact models. Here, we have three popular compact power stations from three top brands; Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Anker in our take on Bluetti EB70S, EcoFlow River Pro, and Anker Powerhouse II 800.
EcoFlow River Pro and Anker Powerhouse II 800 are two compact lithium power stations. The River is a modular variant so that you can expand its storage capacity with its smart extra battery module. It is when Bluetti EB70S is one of the coolest compact solar power stations with a LifePO4 battery under the hood.
The LFP battery gives some edge to the Bluetti device with longer cycles and ultra-safety. However, the EcoFlow and Anker power stations also have their places in the market with a lot of takers. In this article, we would like to have a detailed take on each product to help you find the best models for your needs.
| Update: Anker has launched a bigger variant of its PowerHouse series. The Anker 757 PowerHouse is a 1229Wh LifePO4 power station with a 1500W inverter and it competes with the mid-range models from Bluetti and EcoFlow with a more efficient and long-life battery pack. Buy it here. |
THE BEST COMPACT SOLAR POWER STATIONS
Bluetti EB70S
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Pros
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Cons
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EcoFlow River Pro
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Pros
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Cons
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Anker Powerhouse II 800
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Pros
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Cons
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Table of Contents
Bluetti EB70S, EcoFlow River Pro, and Powerhouse II 800
If you want more powerful compact power stations at a budget price, these three models are fine choices. They can offer a decent storage capacity and output to support a variety of your essential gadgets and appliances on the move. They are also amazing with better portability and enough power.
The lovely thing about these power stations is their portability. You can take the handy and lite devices on your trips and travels easily. Though appearing in the same segment, each of the Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Anker power stations enjoys many special things. Stay tuned for our detailed takes on the machines below.
Battery and Storage Capacity
First, let us explore the storage options of the three power stations. As you see, all the devices have nearly the same specs in storage capacities, and that is how we have classified them into a single segment.
With its 716Wh battery pack, Bluetti EB70S has indeed the lowest storage capacity. The EcoFlow and Anker alternatives have slightly better options, respectively with 720Wh and 777Wh batteries.
Coming to the detailed specs, EB70S packs up a good quality 32,000mAh @ 22.4V LiFePO4 battery with an amazing 2500+ charging cycles before the 80% capacity.
Meanwhile, River Pro has got a 720Wh (28.8V) lithium-ion battery with a life of 800+ charging cycles. It is when Powerhouse sports a 36000mAh @ 21.6V lithium battery, and the data on its life is not available.
Winner: Not easy to identify a winner quickly. Anker Powerhouse has the biggest battery, but EB70S has a more safe and more long-lasting one with more charging cycles.
Inverter Power and Output
The Bluetti power station has the most powerful inverter of all. That is a 700W pure sine wave unit with a surge of 1400 watts. Along with its four 110V AC sockets, EB70S can run multiple appliances at a time.
Meanwhile, EcoFlow River Pro has a special inverter power.
That is, its built-in 600W pure sine inverter can even power an appliance up to 1800W, thanks to its X-Boost mode. However, its normal surge power is 1200W and it features three AC sockets.
Powerhouse II 800 has the smallest inverter of the trio. That is a 500W unit with a surge of 1000 watts and the device equips two AC sockets only.
Winner: Bluetti EB70S. It has a clear edge over both its rivaling products with a 700W continuous output with 1400W surge power and four AC sockets.
Charging Outlets
Next, in our Bluetti EB70S, EcoFlow River Pro, and Powerhouse II 800 comparison article, we would like to check out the charging points of each model in detail. Basically, all the devices feature essential charging options.
Coming to the Bluetti EB70S, it integrates a total of 12 charging outlets, including the four AC sockets.
The other charging options the device features include two 100W Type-C PD ports, USB-A 3A ports, and 12V/10A regulated DC outlets. A 12V/10A car socket and 15W wireless chargers are other attractions.
When it comes to River Pro, it can charge up to 10 electronics at a time, including three AC appliances.
The other outlets include a 12V car socket, two regular DC barrel ports, one Type-C 100W PD port, two USB-A 3A ports, and finally one USB 3.0 Fast-Charge outlet.
Finally, we have the Anker power station. It has also got a rich number of outlets, including two AC sockets. Further, it sports a 12V carport, two 12V DC ports, two Type-C 60W PD ports, and four USB-A 30W ports.
Winner: Bluetti EB70S. A clear winner with more charging options that include more AC outlets. A wireless charger and dual Type-C 100W ports add to its score.
Charging Input Options
Including solar options, all three power stations have multiple ways of charging.
For EB70S, it comes up with a 12-28V, 200W solar inlet, which means you can charge it fully within five hours coupled with a reliable 200W solar panel, thanks to its advanced MPPT charger.
From a wall socket, it will take four to five hours, and seven to eight hours from a carport for a full charge.
At the same time, River Pro has also got a reliable 200W 10-25Vdc 12A Max solar charging inlet. As per the brand, with a pair of its 110W solar panels in parallel, it will need below five hours of full charge.
It has got fast charging speeds from an AC and carport, respectively two and seven hours on average.
Anker Powerhouse features a max solar input of only 120W and it equips an MPPT controller under the hood. The device works with most solar panels as it sports DC and Anderson power pole ports.
By the way, with a combination of DC and USB-C ports, you can get it charged fully in five hours with a power flow of 240 watts.
Winner: Bluetti EB70S and River Pro. Both devices integrate almost the same recharging options with faster charging speeds and performance.
Compatible Solar Chargers
Except for Anker, all the brands offer compatible solar chargers for their power stations. Anker doesn’t have a suitable model for its Powerhouse II 800, but you can use any third-party unit, for sure.
Anyway, here we bring to you the best solar chargers for all the models on our Bluetti EB70S, EcoFlow River Pro, and Anker Powerhouse II 800 comparison article.
As you know, both the Bluetti and EcoFlow devices support a solar input of up to 200 watts, while the Anker has a maximum of 120V solar input. So, you can go for the suitable models for the best results, or you can pair multiple units to ensure the maximum solar input.
Bluetti PV200 200W Solar Panel for EB70S
It is a 200W solar panel the brand offers for its compact and mid-range solar power stations. Of course, it is a fine choice for EB70S. With a higher conversion efficiency, it can keep your power station fully charged in a few hours. For better charging speeds, you can indeed pair multiple units.
It is a highly durable and long-lasting four-fold solar charger. Having ETFE coating on its mono solar cells, you get the charger with a durable profile. It can survive scratches, water, and rough weather conditions.
Bluetti has made it for all its power stations like the flagship AC200P, EB240, EP500, and more. With an apt adapter, it will also work with products from other brands like Jackery, Rockpals, FlashFish, and more.
The solar charger has a folded size of 23.2 × 24.8 in and it weighs just 16.1 lbs. Once folded, you get it in a handy briefcase-like form and so its transportation goes a breeze. Meanwhile, the built-in kickstands help you place it anywhere neatly and get access to unlimited solar power.
EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel for River Pro
It is the solar charger we recommend for EcoFlow River Pro. As you see, it is a 110W solar panel, which can render a better conversion rate to power up your River Pro in eight to nine hours under an optimal sun.
Well, if you can afford two of the same, you can bring down the charging speeds to almost half. Thanks to the included different sizes of connectors, you can use the solar charger to juice up all the power stations on the market, apart from the EcoFlow variants. Check out its latest price on the link below.
This is a very durable, waterproof, and ultra-portable solar charger. Thanks to its strong rubber handle and foldable design, you can easily handle it outdoors. It can be placed anywhere irrespective of the weather on its solid kickstands for better exposure to the sunlight.
It has a weight of just 8.8 lbs and an ultra-thin profile for handy use. The brand also avails a 160W variant of the charger, which will also work with your power station. In that case, a single unit can recharge your device in around 10 hours under an optimal sun.
Powkey 60W Solar Panel for Powerhouse II 800
Here, we have a cool solar charger for the Anker power station. Anker offers a 21W folding solar panel, but that is obviously too small to charge the powerful Powerhouse II 800 in some hours. Hence, we have a 60W folding solar panel from Powkey for you today.
Of course, you can go for any other solar charger for the Anker device, but make sure you get one with the required connectors and cables. This one has got a 10-in-1 versatile connector kit, which will surely help you charge not only the Anker but any other power station on the market.
It is a 22% high-conversion mono solar charger. It can produce enough power even in low-light conditions to charge your power stations, phones, and other devices. Along with the 12-18V DC socket, it also features multiple USB ports so that you can use it to directly charge your handsets.
The USB outlets include one USB-C and two USB 3.0 Quick Charge ports. The inbuilt TIR-C intelligent chips make the USB ports safe for charging your devices with no concerns. The charger has a folded size of 18.1 x 14.2 x 2 .2in and it weighs 6.6 lbs.
Winner: Bluetti EB70S and River Pro. Both products have got exclusive solar chargers with the required specs and features. Powerhouse II 800 doesn’t have one from its maker.
Size, Weight, and Portability
When it comes to the overall size, all the devices have nearly the same specs. There are actually slighter differences between the models, with all having handy and ultra-portable profiles.
River Pro has a size of 11.4 x 7.3 x 9.3 inches and it has got a rather boxy profile being the smallest one in height and width. Meanwhile, with a size of 12.6 X 8.5 x 8.7 inches, Bluetti EB70S is the longest one.
Powerhouse II 800 has an ideal size of 11.81 x 8.03 x 7.28 inches. That is how it becomes the sleekest of the group with a width of just 7.28 inches.
Regarding weight, River Pro has an edge with 16.8 lbs., while the Anker weighs a little more at 18.3 lbs. The Bluetti is the bulkiest of all with more than 21 lbs.
Of course, all the models feature strong and durable carrying handles that make them easy for moving on your trips and travels. Also, they all tout strong builds with quality plastic and other materials.
Final Thoughts
That has been our Bluetti EB70S, EcoFlow River Pro, and Anker Powerhouse II 800 comparison.
We have analyzed all the key aspects of the power stations. It is not easy to identify one as an overall winner. All the models have very competitive features to become the best in their capacities. Share your thoughts about the article in the comments below.
Vahid Vee is a full-time blogger who is highly passionate about portable and off-grid power backup systems. As a keen observer of the global portable power market, he is really excited to share with you the latest trends, new products, and other developments in the market. #Contact Email @ veevahid@gmail.com – LinkedIn – Full blog profile.