Grecell’s Compact Power Station Proves You Don’t Need a Tent to Appreciate Reliable Backup Energy

Portable power stations were once marketed primarily to outdoor enthusiasts, but Grecell’s 240W model, priced at $59.99 for Prime members (was $109.99), has reversed that trend. Weighing in at roughly four pounds, the little battery has a good 154 watt-hour capacity, which is a lot of power for its size. But forget about the great outdoors for a while; anyone living in a city apartment or simply working out of the house in a coffee shop, coping with regular power outages, or always on the move would find a lot of value here.

So, how about we start with the basics? This power station is based around lithium iron phosphate cells, which can withstand thousands of charge cycles without losing their edge and remain safe in the process. Grecell also included the standard protections against overvoltage, short circuits, and overloads, so you may connect in your favorite laptop or medical gadget without anxiety.

The front display is clear and easy to see, showing you how much charge is left and what the output is at any given time. The port selection appears to be robust, with a 240 watt pure sine wave power outlet suitable for small equipment such as fans and compact fridges. There’s also a 100W USB-C port with rapid charging capability in both directions, as well as USB-A slots for quicker charging and dc outputs, including a cigarette lighter converter, so pretty much everything is covered. You get seven ports in all, so you can charge your phone, tablet, and laptop all at once without becoming caught in cables.


It’s small enough to fit in a bag or under a desk, but there are a few pleasant extras, such as a fold-out stand for propping it up on a table and an adjustable LED light that can be used for either steady illumination or sending out an emergency signal. Grecell hasn’t forgotten about flexibility when it comes to recharging; you can use a separate 100w charger, connect it to a car connection, or couple it with a compatible solar panel for off-grid use.


It’s not all about long trips and the great outdoors, because the reality is that this thing just works in real life. For example, if the power goes out at home, you’ve got a reliable source to keep the lights on and the internet up, or to keep a cpap machine running through the night so you can sleep. Remote workers have discovered that charging their laptops at a park or at an outdoor meeting can increase their productivity by several hours. Families on lengthy road trips have been pleased to be able to charge their gadgets without draining the car battery, and in the event of a roadside emergency, the built-in light and jump-start capabilities are a true life saver.


In terms of battery life, 154 watt-hours is equivalent to approximately eight phone charges, several hours for a laptop, and, of course, longer battery life for low drain devices such as LED lamps. When running at full output, however, it only lasts around 40 minutes, thus it is not designed for heavy loads all day. In real-world tests, efficiency hovers around 85 percent, which is not terrible considering the rated specifications.