EnginStar R150 150W Portable Power Station: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The EnginStar R150 is a compact, versatile portable power station designed for camping, emergency preparedness, and other applications requiring an off-grid power supply. This 150-watt lithium ion power station features a generous 42,000mAh capacity battery, multiple output ports, and a built-in LED flashlight. With a lightweight, rugged design and handy carrying handle, the EnginStar R150 aims to provide reliable power on the go.

The EnginStar can power and charge a wide range of devices thanks to its pure sine wave AC outlet, three USB ports, a 12V DC car outlet, and dual DC outputs. Recharging the unit is simple with multiple options including solar panels, wall outlets, and car charger. The integrated LCD display allows users to monitor power consumption, battery life, and output.

Overall, the EnginStar R150 portable power station provides a versatile power source with decent capacity at an affordable price point compared to similar products. This review will take a closer look at the performance, features, and real-world usability of the EnginStar R150 for travel, outdoor recreation, emergency backup power, and off-grid applications.

Design & Build Quality

The EnginStar R150 has a durable and compact design made for portability. The power station has an IP65 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand dust, sprays, and jets of water.

The outer housing is made of fire retardant ABS plastic which gives it some impact resistance. Despite the durable materials, the unit weighs only 5.5 pounds making it easy to transport.

With dimensions of 7.3 x 5.2 x 6.2 inches, the power station can fit into backpacks or small spaces when not in use. The compact size paired with the light weight make the R150 a highly portable power solution.

The handle on top allows you to easily carry the unit like a briefcase. Overall, the durable yet lightweight and compact design enables mobility and makes the EnginStar R150 well-suited for use on the go.

Battery Capacity

The Enginstar R150 portable power station has a total battery capacity of 42,000mAh. This lithium-ion battery pack is rated to provide approximately 9-10 full charges for a smartphone, around 5 charges for a tablet, and 1-2 charges for a laptop depending on the size of the laptop battery.

With its substantial 42000mAh capacity, the R150 can keep multiple devices powered while camping or during a power outage. It's a good balance of compact portability with ample runtime. The battery capacity is comparable to similar products in this price range like the Anker Powerhouse II 400 and Jackery Explorer 240.

Overall the battery size is sufficient for keeping smartphones, tablets, and other small devices charged while on the go or when wall power is not available. Just don't expect to get a full week's worth of laptop charging from it. But the R150 can certainly get you through a weekend camping trip while keeping phones and other gadgets powered on.

Output Ports

The EnginStar R150 portable power station comes equipped with a variety of output ports to power and charge a range of devices. It features:

• 1x 100W USB-C PD port
• 2x 5V/2.4A USB-A ports
• 1x 12V/10A cigarette lighter port
• 1x DC output port
• 2x 110V AC outlets (pure sine wave)

The USB-C PD port provides up to 100W power delivery for charging laptops, tablets, and phones at high speeds. The two USB-A ports allow you to charge mobile devices like smartphones, Bluetooth speakers, and action cameras.

The cigarette lighter port can be used to power and charge 12V devices commonly used in automobiles, RVs, or boats. This includes mini coolers, vacuum cleaners, air pumps, and more. The DC output port gives you another 12V option for powering or charging devices.

Finally, the two 110V AC outlets provide standard wall outlet power to operate and recharge any AC-powered appliances and electronics. With a 150W inverter this can power smaller appliances like CPAP machines, mini-fridges, blenders and more. The pure sine wave output ensures safe charging and operation without damage to sensitive devices.

Overall the inclusion of multiple USB ports, 12V DC outlets, and AC power gives you tons of flexibility to power and charge a wide variety of electronics and appliances in your home, car, boat, campsite or off-grid location.

Display & Controls

The EnginStar R150 features an LCD display that shows key information about the power station's status. It displays the percentage of remaining battery capacity, the voltage, and the wattage being used.

The display is bright and easy to read in various lighting conditions. All the metrics are clearly labeled, so you can quickly see the current power draw and how much longer the battery will last before needing a recharge.

The controls consist of power and selection buttons to turn the unit on/off, choose which output to use, and view the LCD info. The buttons have a nice tactile feedback and are simple to operate even while wearing gloves or in the dark.

Overall, the display and controls are well-designed for convenience and ease of use during outdoor activities and emergencies. The key metrics are quickly accessible, so you can monitor the power station's status at a glance. The intuitive buttons also make it straightforward to control the R150's functions.

Charging Options

The EnginStar R150 can be charged via AC wall outlet, solar panel, or car cigarette lighter.

• AC Charging: The included charging cable connects to an AC outlet and provides a full charge in about 3.5-4 hours. This is the fastest charging method.

• Solar Charging: Using a compatible 30W solar panel (sold separately), the power station can be fully charged in approximately 8 hours of direct sunlight. Charging time will vary depending on solar intensity.

• Car Charging: Connecting to a car's 12V cigarette lighter outlet for charging takes around 10-11 hours for a full charge. The lower wattage of a car outlet accounts for the longer charge time.

Intended Uses

The EnginStar R150 portable power station is well-suited for a variety of uses including camping, emergencies, and travel.

Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to transport to a campsite or take along on road trips. The 150 watt power capacity provides enough power to charge smartphones, tablets, mini coolers, small appliances like blenders, and other electronics. This makes it convenient for powering devices on weekend getaways or extended camping trips off the grid. With 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and a car port, there are enough options to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

The EnginStar R150 could also come in handy during emergencies when the power goes out at home. It can help keep your essentials charged like phones, laptops, and medical devices during blackouts. The 42000mAh capacity provides decent emergency power, though higher capacity options are available.

Overall, the portability and power performance of the EnginStar R150 make it a versatile power station suitable for camping, emergency preparedness, and other travel needs. It provides a good balance of compact size and capacity.

Pros

• Long battery life - The R150 has a large 42000mAh capacity battery which provides a very impressive backup time. Users report getting multiple charges for laptops, phones, tablets etc. Some even use it for powering TVs, mini-fridges and other appliances for hours.

• Versatile charging options - It can be charged by AC outlet, car charger or solar panel (sold separately). This makes it easy to top up no matter where you are - at home, in the car or off-grid. The solar charging capability is a big plus for using it outdoors.

• Good value for money - For the price, you get an excellent quality lithium battery based power station with plenty of ports and power output. Many users mention the R150 provides great value compared to other similar capacity power stations which can cost almost twice as much.

Cons

• The battery drains slowly, even when the power station is turned off completely. This can be frustrating if you need a fully charged battery but haven't used the power station in a few weeks.

• With only 150W of power output, this model struggles to power high-draw appliances like blenders or coffee makers. Don't expect to run anything over 150 watts for more than a few minutes.

• The display screen doesn't stay on continuously. It goes to sleep after a short time to save power. This means you have to press a button to wake it up each time you want to check the remaining battery percentage.

Conclusion

The EnginStar R150 portable power station is a compact and versatile device for powering small electronics and appliances on the go. Its 42000mAh battery offers enough capacity to charge most smartphones over 10 times, providing plenty of off-grid power for camping trips or emergency backup.

The variety of output ports allows you to charge or run multiple devices simultaneously like laptops, drones, electric pumps and other low-power tools. While it doesn't have a huge capacity for high-draw items, overall it's great value for a portable power station under $150. The simple one-touch operation and helpful LCD display make it convenient and easy to use.

In summary, the EnginStar R150 can be a handy gadget for road trips, outdoor adventures or as an emergency power backup at home. It provides portable power on demand with decent capacity at an affordable price point. If you need basic off-grid power for small devices and don't require high wattage output, it's a compact and practical portable power station.