Anker A1721 300W Portable Power Station: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Anker PowerHouse 300 portable power station is a versatile power supply device that provides 300 watts of power for charging and operating devices when you're on the go. Whether you're camping outdoors, traveling in an RV, tailgating for a sporting event, or simply looking for emergency backup power at home, the Anker PowerHouse 300 can quickly become an indispensable tool.

It's a portable lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged from a wall outlet at home or from a solar panel while out and about. This PowerHouse packs plenty of ports and outlets in a compact, rugged case so you can power up just about anything. With fast-charging USB ports, outlets compatible with a range of plug types, and convenient built-in features like a flashlight, the Anker PowerHouse 300 aims to be the only power station you need.

This review takes a detailed look at the design, features, performance and overall value of the Anker PowerHouse 300 to help you determine if it should earn a place in your gear bag. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of this versatile portable power station.

Design

The Anker Portable Power Station has a sleek yet sturdy design. It measures 6.73 x 6.73 x 5.28 inches and weighs 10.14 pounds. The compact size and integrated handle make it easy to carry the power station around or store it away when not in use.

The casing is made of durable plastic and has a matte black finish. There are vents at the top, bottom, and sides to help regulate the internal temperature. The power station feels sturdy and well-built. The hard plastic shell protects the internals while the rubber feet keep it from sliding around.

The built-in foldable handle provides a secure grip when carrying the unit. Just pull up on the handle to reveal it. The handle makes the power station easy to take with you whether going camping or on any other excursion. Overall, the design is functional and portable.

Battery & Power

The Anker PowerHouse 300 portable power station features a 300Wh lithium-ion battery capacity, which is decent but lower than some competing models. The pure sine wave inverter allows you to safely run sensitive electronics without worry.

There are several ports built into this power station:

• 1x 60W USB-C PD port
• 2x 12W USB-A ports
• 1x DC car port
• 2x AC outlets (300W combined output)

The variety of USB and AC outlets provide flexibility in what you can power. Note that the 300W AC max output limits high-draw devices like induction cooktops or power tools, but it's suitable for smaller appliances, lights, fans, etc. The USB ports let you charge phones, tablets, speakers, and other USB-powered gadgets.

Charging

The Anker 757 PowerHouse charges up fully in about 2-3 hours. It can be charged using the included 65W AC adapter or powered using a car charger or solar panel.

Charging happens rapidly thanks to the inclusion of PowerIQ 3.0 technology and high-speed charging capabilities. You can recharge from 0 to 80% capacity in around 1.5 hours. This makes the 757 ready for action in a short amount of time when you need portable power quickly.

Some key charging specs:

• Recharge to full in 2-3 hours with 65W adapter
• Recharge 0-80% in 1.5 hours
• Compatible with solar charger and car charger
• Uses PowerIQ 3.0 and high-speed charging

The variety of charging options makes the Anker 757 flexible for on-the-go charging needs. Whether you have access to AC power, solar energy, or a car, you'll be able to juice up the 757 efficiently.

Outputs

The Anker 300W PowerHouse has a versatile range of output options to power and charge most devices.

• It has three 110V AC outlets with 300W inverters, allowing you to operate small appliances and household electronics. The pure sine wave AC power is clean and stable for sensitive devices.

• There are two 5V/3A USB-A ports and one 45W USB-C Power Delivery port. The USB ports allow you to charge smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered gadgets.

• It also has a 12V car lighter socket so you can charge your PowerHouse from your vehicle's 12V outlet, or charge your car accessories like tire inflators directly from the PowerHouse.

• With this good mix of AC and various DC outputs, the Anker 300W Power Station can power and recharge most electronics, appliances, and mobile devices when you're off-grid or during power outages. The 45W USB-PD port can even charge more powerful laptops like MacBooks.

Display & Interface

The Anker PowerHouse 300 has a simple monochrome LCD display that provides key information about the power station's status. It displays the current percentage of battery capacity remaining, output wattage, and input/output status.

Below the display are four buttons that allow you to turn the unit on/off, choose the voltage, and activate/deactivate the outlets. The power button turns the unit on and off. The voltage button toggles between AC and DC output. There are two output buttons that turn on/off the AC and DC outlets independently.

There are also several LED indicator lights on the top panel. These display the status of battery life, input charging, AC output, DC output, and errors. It's easy to check the condition of the PowerHouse 300 with a quick glance at the informative display and LED lights. The simple interface makes the unit easy to operate even for beginners.

Features

The Anker 300 PowerHouse packs several useful features that make it a versatile portable power station.

Built-In Flashlight

The Anker 300 has a built-in LED flashlight located on the top panel. This flashlight has a max output of 300 lumens, making it bright enough for lighting up a campsite or workspace. The flashlight has multiple brightness levels so you can adjust the light as needed. It's a handy feature to have when you need portable illumination.

MPPT Solar Charging

This power station utilizes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller for solar charging. MPPT allows the solar panels to operate at peak efficiency for faster solar charging. With compatible 100W solar panels, the Anker 300 can charge from 0-80% in about 3-4 hours. MPPT solar charging makes the Anker 300 ideal for off-grid use and emergency power.

Performance

The Anker A1721 PowerHouse Portable Power Station's performance is arguably its crowning achievement. With 300W, this compact portable power station effortlessly powers essential devices such as lights, tablets, smartphones, laptops, mini-fridges and more. The PowerHouse offers 297Wh of energy storage with a 288.6Wh rated capacity. This provides ample power for small appliances and electronics during power outages or adventures off the grid.

An impressive feature is the PowerHouse's ability to power devices and recharge its internal battery simultaneously via passthrough charging. This allows you to continue powering devices without interruption while connected to a power source. Say you're charging your smartphone but the PowerHouse battery is getting low. Simply plug the PowerHouse into an AC outlet to recharge, but your phone will stay powered on thanks to passthrough charging. This gives users peace of mind.

Overall the Anker PowerHouse A1721 provides reliable power whenever and wherever users may need it. The 300W power supply is more than enough for most small devices and appliances. Features like passthrough charging enhance the utility and performance of this impressive portable power station.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Compact, portable size at only 7.7 pounds makes it easy to transport
• 300 watt-hours of battery capacity provides decent power output
• Can charge laptops, phones, cameras, small appliances, and more
• Features a variety of output ports: AC outlet, 60W USB-C PD, dual 2.4A USB-A ports
• Recharges quickly in just 1.6 hours with the 90W AC adapter
• LED display shows remaining battery percentage and estimated runtime
• Handles most essentials for short power outages or camping/tailgating

Cons:

• Only 300 watt-hours limits high-power devices like hair dryers or microwaves
• No wireless charging capabilities
• No integrated light or SOS features
• No built-in AC/solar recharging, requires separate adapter
• Smaller capacity than similar models like Jackery 300 or Bluetti EB70
• Can't connect multiple units together for more power

Conclusion

The Anker A1721 300W portable power station is a robust and versatile option for on-the-go power needs. With a 297Wh lithium-ion battery, 300W AC outlet, 60W USB-C port, 3 USB ports, a car outlet, and wireless charging - it can power and charge a wide range of devices and appliances.

The built-in MPPT solar charge controller allows you to recharge the battery using solar panels for sustainable off-grid use. It only takes about 3.5 hours to fully recharge with optional 100W foldable solar panels.

At 6.4 pounds, the A1721 is lightweight and portable compared to similar power stations. The handle and compact design make it easy to carry around. With pass-through charging, you can power devices directly while recharging the power station.

Overall, the Anker 300W portable power station is a reliable and versatile power source with ample capacity and output to meet various off-grid and emergency power needs. It's a great balance of performance, features, portability, and price. For anyone needing portable power for camping, RV travel, outdoor events, emergencies or even regular use at home - the Anker A1721 is easy to recommend.