Gadgets: You'll get amped up about this power station

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It might be hard to get excited about a portable power station since they're no longer a new or exclusive product category. But Anker's new Solix S2000 defies that expectation.

If I had to describe it in just two words, they'd be "necessary" and "efficient." But limiting it to two words hardly does it justice. I'd also call it user-friendly, portable, powerful, rugged, fast-charging and versatile -- all qualities that make it perfect for use at home, on a job site, at a campsite or as a reliable backup during a power outage.

The compact 2 kWh portable power station is part of Anker's new S-Series line of products designed for home backup. It can power most portable devices that need a boost, as well as some larger appliances.

Anker designed the S2000 with versatility in mind, ensuring it stays charged while not in use so it's ready at a moment's notice. It's also built to withstand years of frequent charging and use. They tout the Solix S2000 as the longest-lasting 2kWh power station in the world, and it is built on runtime and the number of real hours it will deliver power.

For example, Anker testing showed it will power a standard 70W refrigerator for up to 35 hours on a single charge. Anker stated the 35-hour runtime is based on internal testing using a 700L (24.7 cubic feet) fridge with an ambient room temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the refrigerator set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They noted that actual runtime may vary depending on fridge model, usage and environmental factors.

When I say it's portable, I mean it's not something you’ll carry around to charge cell phones and other portable devices, though it does a great job for that. Instead, the 35.7 pound, 8.19-by-11.1-by-12.7-inch power pack can be carried to where it's needed. Consider the S2000 a home backup when power goes out, or an essential accessory for powering the things you need in powerless areas. You could power an appliance during a blackout, power a TV while sitting poolside or take it on a camping trip.

It’s recharged with the included AC power cord; a 1.2-hour fast charge will get you to 80%. Or purchase a solar panel; with 400 watts of solar input, the S2000 can be charged to 80% on a decently sunny day. A 400-watt solar panel will charge the S2000 to about 80% in about 4.5 hours of direct sun. A 120-watt car outlet will charge it to 80% in 18 hours. Or combine the AC cord and solar for an 80% charge in an hour.

Anker states that the Solix S2000 uses only about 6 W of idle power, which is substantially lower than that of many competing power stations. Inside the S2000 is Anker’s proprietary OptiSave Technology, a system-level approach that reduces idle power consumption by 40% to 70%.

Aside from charging, there’s no setup. The Solix S2000 has three front-facing AC ports, one USB-A (12 watts) and two USB-C ports (100/15 watts). There is a front-facing LCD screen, which is read-only. Controls and settings are adjusting in the companion app. The internal batteries are 314Ah LFP Cells. The back features an AC charging input for the power pack and two AC ports.

Once it's plugged in and charged, it's ready to go. It goes on or off with the press of a button. Anything from smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming units, coffee pots or digital cameras can be charged. Whatever needs a charge, plug it in.

I used it for over a month for charging, along with portable power outside my house, and it never failed, including a septic pump (yes, I tried it). A nice feature is how quiet it is, with sound levels of just 30 dB while powering up to 600 watts. You’ll get about 10,000 charge cycles up to 60% capacity over the life of the battery, which Anker states is a 15-year service life that doubles the industry average.

Anker's companion app lets you monitor the S2000 with smart power management, ensuring it's ready to go in the event of a power outage. Among the features on the user-friendly dashboard is a display showing how much power remains in the pack and the ability to set up custom charging schedules.

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/s2000-portable-power-station $699.99