DBPower 250W Portable Power Station
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DBPower portable power station
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The DBPower Portable Power Station is not a perfect product, but it gets the job done in a small footprint and at a relatively low price.
If someone mentions a portable power station, people will most likely immediately think of those 30-pound boxes with loads of outlets. But portable batteries come in all shapes and sizes, and the DBPower 250W station may have found its best place.
The DBPower 250W battery is a portable power station in miniature, but still larger than products in the battery category. It can charge an iPhone about 25 times or a MacBook Pro twice.
This is not an emergency backup power tool like other portable power stations. It can power some light sources for 24 hours, but its power is not enough to power a refrigerator or other large loads.
What it lacks in useful ports and low-power output, it makes up for with bright flashlights and one universal outlet. It's a good companion for a weekend hike when you're expecting minimal vehicle use but wanting battery backup.
DBPower portable power station features and design < /h2>
The DBPower portable power station is small in size: 7.16 by 5.39 by 5.04 inches. It weighs 4.4 pounds and has a foldable carrying handle that looks like a small lunch box.
The capacity of the lithium-ion battery is 250 Wh or 67,200 mAh. This capacity is enough to fully charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro twice.
The body is made of soft-touch plastic with ventilation holes on both sides. The fans are switched on after reaching a certain internal temperature, which can be due to heavy loads or switching on the lights.
Like other power stations, this one is not waterproof and should not be used in wet or rainy environments. Extreme heat or cold can also reduce efficiency or interfere with expected performance.
Ports, Controls, and Lights
The small size and low price of this battery pack means that the interface is quite simple. There are buttons on the top of the device to power on the device, ports, and indicators.
There are three USB-A ports, a DC port and an AC outlet for entry
One large lamp emits a flashlight-like beam on the left side devices, and two light strips on the front create diffused light. Both flashlights are controlled by one button with a single or double click.
Single press toggles on, strobe and SOS for side lights, double press to turn headlights on and off.
The battery power button is turned on by pressing and turned off by a long press. Switches for AC power or DC/USB ports are also on the top and are controlled with a single push.
There are three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, a DC charging port, and a DC output port. Below is a large AC outlet that works with several types of outlets.
The first USB-A port is a smart port that can output up to 18W. The other two USB-A ports are rated at 10W and 5W. The USB-C port is an input port and can only provide up to 15W to the battery.
The DC port can work from 9V to 12V at 10A, which is used for some kinds of DC lamps and other products. The AC outlet is rated for 250W with a surge of 350W.
Charging the power station can take up to 6 hours when using the built-in power supply. There is no way to speed this up and big power supplies won't help.
Using DBPower portable power station
To be frank, the port situation at the DBPower portable power plant is terrible for 2022. What saves this product, however, is the AC outlet, which is much more versatile than any single USB port.
The bulbs on the DBPower portable power station are useful
Three low-power USB-A ports can come in handy in some cases, but they at least offer some versatility. The addition of a USB-C port that is only used for power is confusing, especially since it will only charge it at a trickle of 15W.
At the same time, having a tiny portable battery pack with an AC outlet is very useful. It doesn't matter that the USB ports are terrible as long as users can quickly charge their 16-inch MacBook Pro from a wall outlet.
We tested several portable power supplies, from tiny MagSafe batteries to massive aluminum blocks, with a total power output of 190W. The DBPower Portable Power Plant found itself in a strange place outside of that spectrum — too big for a backpack, but too small for serious power needs. It is even difficult to qualify as a “power plant”.
What you get with this DBPower 250W battery is something with a lot of capacity that doesn't break the bank. Its size and weight are directly related to the lithium-ion battery inside, and you won't find a more compact version with the same technology.
We have three main complaints. First, don't underestimate the terrible power of USB. Three USB-A ports, and all of them are not capable of quickly charging a modern iPhone.
Secondly, the fans are audible when they turn on. It doesn't seem to take long for the fans to run, especially if lighting is used.
Finally, this power plant does not recommend the use of power pass-through, as this can lead to faster battery drain. Also, the transit does not work with an AC outlet, only with USB ports.
Should I buy a DBPower portable power station< /h2>
The DBPower portable power station seems like the perfect camping companion. Other short-term outdoor activities come to mind, such as fishing or cooking in the park.
The AC connector is the only particularly useful port on the device
Situations where an extra connector would be handy, but something bigger would require a larger connector . battery.
Added light sources reinforce this impression. This is a portable flashlight that simply charges your iPhone.
If a four-pound battery with a built-in flashlight sounds good, you can't go wrong if you get it for less than $200. We can recommend this product although it is not for everyone. Most people would be better off with a battery that fits in a bag.
DBPower Pros Portable Power Stations
- Power 250Wh – excellent value for money.
- Small size and weight make it a convenient travel companion.
- Built-in lighting is a useful touch
DBPower portable power station cons
- Inconvenient product — too small to be a powerhouse, too big to be carried in a backpack.
- USB-A ports provide minimal charging speeds.
- Six hours of charging is not ideal, especially since it doesn't have good support for pass-through charging.
- The fans in such a small product are loud. Slightly smaller batteries do not require fans.
Rating: 3 of 5
If this product had a 30W USB-C output, we would rate this battery much better. However, the USB ports we were given would probably be better if they weren't there.
This is a good product. It does what it sets out to do at a low price and offers decent capacity. The 250W AC outlet power output is also very useful.
So this product sits right in the middle of — a 3.
Where to Buy DBPower Portable Power Station
Buy DBPower Portable Power Station directly from DBPower website for $179.99. It's on sale at the time of this writing, with a regular retail price of $219.99.
Amazon is offering a $50 off coupon for a limited time. Its listed price is $179.99 but can be purchased for $129.99 with coupon — excellent value for money.
