Anker 521 Portable Power Station

Portable power in a compact package

- HOLLIN JONES

Anker has used Lithium batteries in its 521 power station to create the most portable model in its series. At just under 10lb in weight, it nonetheless has a cell capacity of 256Wh and is convenient enough to take on a trip without it feeling like too much of a burden. Its body is plastic but sturdy, with grilles on either end. It charges from the mains via the bundled 65W power supply or through its USB-C port at 60W, and you can connect solar panels or a car battery for input to the rear socket by adding adapters.

The front panel contains a USB-C port providing up to 60W of output, two USB-A ports sending 2.4 amps each, a 12V car charger, and two AC sockets running at 110V and up to 200W of power. It's designed for smaller appliances so if you plug in something requiring more than 200W, the charger will switch itself off. So laptops, fans, and mini fridges are good, but high-draw things like electric grills won't work.