Anker 521 Portable Power Station Offers Reliable Safety Net in a Storm or Just Everyday Life

Winter storms (or just everyday life) arrive unexpectedly, leaving homes in darkness. That’s when the Anker 521 Portable Power Station, priced at $129.99 (was $199.99), comes to the rescue as a portable power station that keeps the essentials running without taking up a lot of room.

The compact design makes it super easy to tote around, thanks to the built-in handle that allows you to swing it in one hand. It weighs about 8 pounds, so it’s still manageable, plus the matte black finish resists scratches, and the build is rugged enough to withstand bumps and drops during those frantic power setups in bad weather. You don’t have to haul around a hefty generator; this small unit simply tucks away in the closet or car trunk until you need it.

The 521 has enough juice to charge a smartphone dozens of times or keep a laptop running for hours, using its 256 watt-hour battery. It also has two AC outlets that can give up to 300 watts of continuous power, with an additional boost up to 600 watts if you need to draw a little more quickly. So, basically, you can plug in a lamp to light up the night, run a small fan to circulate air, turn on a portable heater on low to warm up a room, or keep a little fridge running for many hours to preserve food from deteriorating when the main fridge goes out of power.

The ports cover all bases, with two USB-A ports, a USB-C port that can charge phones, tablets, and newer laptops at up to 60 watts, and a car plug that works with 12-volt equipment such as air pumps or coolers. You can even charge up to 6 devices at once without needing to search for adapters.

LiFePO4 batteries are what power it, and they’re recognized for being extremely long-lasting and safe, with estimates that they’ll survive over 3000 cycles and retain the majority of its oomph, which means you could pretty much use it every day for ten years. It also includes temperature monitoring, impact resistance, and a 5-year Anker warranty, which is longer than most of the competition.

Recharging is quick and easy, as you can simply plug it into a wall and have it fully charged in less than 3 hours, or you can use it in the car while driving, and if you want to get really adventurous, there are compatible solar panels that can help keep you off the grid – assuming you have them.