Winner in the power station test: Anker 757 PowerHouse
With a full 20 kilograms, the anchor solar generator is a real heavyweight – but it also packs a lot of power. The lithium-iron battery has a capacity of 1.01 kWh and supplies consumers with a continuous load of up to 1500 watts. In addition to its two 230-volt sockets, there are various USB ports, including USB-C. Anker promises 3000 charging cycles, and the 757 Powerhouse is charged in a slim 84 minutes at a household socket. The matching Anker 625 solar module with 100 watts achieves at least 0.68 kWh on sunny days. In the test, the Anker 757 PowerHouse achieved a grade of 1.8 (good).
Price-performance winner: Ecoflow Delta Mini
The price-performance winner Ecoflow is almost a lightweight compared to the test winner Delta Mini. The power station, which is very compact at less than 38 centimeters on its longest side, only weighs a good ten kilograms and offers all the important connections. However, the USB sockets could be a bit more powerful. The lithium-ion battery has 800 watt hours of energy and can be fully charged from a socket in 125 minutes; the associated solar panel Ecoflow 160 W delivers a maximum of 0.57 kWh. Interesting: The Delta Mini is the only power station with an app to display the most important data. In the test, the Ecoflow scored Delta Mini the grade 2.0 (good).
Almost a flyweight: The small Ecoflow only weighs ten kilos. Test winner Anker is twice as heavy.
How AUTO BILD REISEMOBIL and COMPUTER BILD tested
In order to evaluate the performance of the power stations, the four competitors were tested in different categories in a test laboratory.
battery capacity: The decisive factor for performance is the amount of energy that can be drawn from the fully charged batteries. In the test setup, a conventional light bulb with a classic filament served as the consumer, and a measuring device recorded the energy emitted. The measured values were compared with the manufacturer’s information and also set in relation to the price in order not to disadvantage smaller models.
Load: The power stations were charged in two different ways. On the one hand at a 230 volt socket, on the other hand by means of a solar panel. This test was carried out on a house roof without shading on a sunny day. The charge status of the power stations was then measured.
Connections: All power station and solar panel connections have been checked. The 230-volt socket also had to deliver the maximum power specified by the manufacturer for 15 minutes without switching off.
Suitability for everyday use: In this category, the dimensions and weight of the devices come into play. In addition, scope of delivery, noise development, display and the impression of quality were evaluated.
Extensive: all power stations have two 230-volt sockets. There are also various USB ports for mobile phones and the like.
The test results at a glance
All power stations can be charged in three ways. In addition to the classic socket and the solar panel, they can also be charged via the “cigarette lighter” of the car. However, the latter should only be done while driving, otherwise there is a risk of an empty vehicle battery.
All devices are supplied with a charging cable for the socket – here, the Anker and Ecoflow show the best values in terms of speed. The Anker battery goes from zero to 100 percent in 84 minutes, Ecoflow needs 125 minutes for the same discipline. The other two candidates, with their rather sluggish power supply, are clearly lagging behind: Jackery’s device took 477 minutes, Bosswerk’s model 622 minutes.
The two show significantly more efficiency when charging using a solar panel. On a sunny day, they completely recharge their batteries. Bosswerk managed 0.97 kWh, Jackery: 0.89 kWh, while Anker could refuel 0.68 kWh and Ecoflow only 0.57 kWh. Striking and annoying: the anchor 757 sometimes only started solar charging after pressing a button or after a short connection to the house socket.
The sometimes high weight of the small power storage devices is remarkable. The Anker 757 is right at the front here with 19.85 kilograms. The other three test candidates are downright lightweights in comparison: Bosswerk weighs 13.15 kg, Ecoflow 10.55 kg and Jackery a slim 9.9 kg.
What surprised the testers: none of the four power stations is waterproof. If you want to use them when camping or at a festival, you definitely need effective weather protection for the devices.
Conclusion of the power station test
If you are thinking about buying a power station to save electricity, you are wrong. Unlike a balcony power station, the device consists of an expensive storage tank, which is optionally (and usefully) supplemented with a solar panel. A solar generator makes it possible to produce electricity independently, away from shore power or in the event of a power failure. It works sustainably with solar energy and is not dependent on diesel fuel, for example. Such devices are useful, for example, when camping.
If you want to charge many devices, you need a larger battery, which is heavy and expensive. The Anker 757 PowerHouse, which is also the most expensive product, performed best in the test. The price-performance tip goes to the light Ecoflow model, which is likely to be less durable due to the lithium-ion technology.
Useful knowledge: mobile power stations with solar modules
Which power station is the best?
With a grade of 1.8 (good), the winner of the AUTO BILD Powerstation test was the Anker brand’s 757 PowerHouse mobile power station. The lithium-iron battery has a capacity of 1.01 kWh and supplies consumers with a continuous load of up to 1500 watts. In addition to its two 230-volt sockets, the PowerHouse has various USB ports, including one USB-C. The power station is charged at the house socket in 87 minutes. The matching solar module Anker 625 with 100 watts still manages 0.68 kWh on sunny days.
Does a power station make sense?
Whether camping in remote locations, at a festival, at a garden party or even as an emergency generator in the event of a power failure – a power station can bring light into the dark or supply devices everywhere. Solar generators are of course particularly useful. These are power stations that can be used independently in connection with a solar panel. This also applies to the Anker 757 PowerHouse, the test winner in the AUTO BILD Powerstation test.
How long does a power station run?
The lithium-iron battery in the Anker 757 PowerHouse, the test winner of the AUTO BILD power station test, has a capacity of 1.01 kWh and supplies consumers with a continuous load of up to 1500 watts. In addition, Anker promises 3000 charging cycles. The lithium-ion battery of the price-performance winner Ecoflow Delta Mini contains 800 watt hours of energy – it can be fully charged in 125 minutes at a socket.
