HOWEASY H260 260W Portable Power Station: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Howeazy H260 is a mid-sized portable power station designed for powering devices and appliances on the go. With a 260Wh lithium-ion battery capacity, it's able to charge phones, tablets, laptops, small appliances, and more. The compact size and carrying handle make it easy to take anywhere you need power, from camping trips to backyard parties.

The H260 features a pure sine wave AC outlet for safely charging sensitive devices, as well as multiple USB ports, a car outlet, and DC ports. Recharging the built-in battery is done via the included AC and DC adapters. With its versatile power outputs and decent capacity, the H260 is a solid choice for a portable power station.

Design

The H260 portable power station has a compact, slim design that makes it easy to transport and store. It measures 7.28 x 5.12 x 7.09 inches and weighs just 4.19 pounds. The outer shell is made of durable plastic that protects the internal components while keeping the overall weight light.

Despite its small size, the H260 doesn't feel flimsy or cheaply made. The plastic exterior feels sturdy with a matte texture that resists scratches and fingerprints. The power button, ports, and display are securely integrated into the design. Carry handles on both sides allow you to easily lift and move the station.

At just over 4 pounds, the H260 strikes a nice balance between portability and durability. It's small enough to fit into a backpack or the trunk of your car, yet doesn't feel like a toy. The matte plastic shell can likely withstand normal bumps, drops, and scrapes during transport or use. Overall, the H260 has a well-built, travel-friendly design perfect for using your tech devices on the go.

Battery Capacity

The HOWEASY H260 comes with a 178Wh lithium battery, which is a decent capacity for a portable power station in this price range. The 178Wh rating means the battery has enough capacity to charge smartphones over 20 times from 0 to 100%. You could also charge a laptop 3-5 times or run small appliances and devices like mini-fridges, fans, and lights for several hours on a single charge.

The lithium battery technology makes the H260 lightweight at just under 5 lbs. Lithium batteries also tend to hold their charge well when not in use, so you don't have to worry as much about the battery slowly draining itself when sitting idle. Just be aware that lithium batteries prefer to be charged regularly rather than letting them sit at low capacity for extended periods.

178Wh is not a huge battery capacity compared to higher-end portable power stations, but it provides a useful amount of power for short outages, camping trips, or charging devices on-the-go. The H260 targets more budget-focused consumers who want backup power without spending a fortune.

Outputs

The H260 features multiple outlets to power your devices. You get:

• 2 AC outlets capable of providing 260W max / 110V
• 2 USB-A ports that can charge phones, tablets etc at up to 2.4A per port
• 1 USB-C port with 60W Power Delivery for laptops
• 1 DC port that outputs 12V/10A, good for things like cameras, lights etc.

With this versatile selection of outputs, the H260 can power and charge most electronics you would need for travel, camping or emergency power outage situations. The 260W AC inverter delivers plenty of juice for things like your laptop, mini fridge, CPAP machine, and other medium-draw appliances.

The USB-A and USB-C ports allow simultaneous quick charging of multiple mobile devices like your smartphone, tablet, e-reader, Bluetooth speaker etc. And the 12V DC output gives you flexibility to directly run things like cameras off the built-in battery.

Overall the H260's outputs provide you with a lot of options in a portable package. You get sufficient wattage and the right plugs to keep your gear powered up on the go.

Charging

The HOWEASY H260 battery can be recharged in a few different ways:

• It comes with an included 65W AC adapter that plugs into the wall. This will fully recharge the 260Wh battery from 0-100% in around 4 hours.

• There is a 12V car charging port that allows you to recharge from your car or boat battery. This is a slower charge taking around 8 hours to fully recharge.

• Finally, the portable power station can be charged by connecting solar panels (sold separately) to the charging port. Depending on the wattage of the solar panel setup, this can fully recharge in 5-8 hours typically.

The different charging methods make the H260 very versatile. You can keep it topped up through a wall outlet at home, charge from your car when on road trips, or even utilize solar power when camping or off-grid. The relatively fast recharge times are an advantage over some competing models.

Display

The HOWEASY portable power station comes with a high-definition LCD display. The informative display shows you key data like the battery percentage, input power, and output power. It makes it easy to monitor the status of the power station.

Below the display are four simple buttons to turn the device on/off, choose the output mode, and check the battery level. The minimalist button layout helps avoid accidentally pressing the wrong one. Overall, the intuitive display and straightforward buttons add to the user-friendliness of this portable power station.

Pros

• Lightweight and Portable: The H260 weighs only 4.4 pounds, making it easy to take with you on camping trips, to the beach, or on road trips. Its compact size means it won't take up much space in your car or bag.

• Good Battery Life: The 260Wh lithium-ion battery provides enough power to charge smartphones multiple times or run small appliances. For a portable power station of this size, the battery life is impressive. You can expect to get several full charges for phones or several hours of run time for mini coolers, speakers, or lights.

Cons

One downside of the H260 is that it lacks wireless charging capabilities. You must plug devices directly into the AC, DC, or USB ports to charge them. There is no Qi wireless charging pad built into the device. This can make charging less convenient compared to power stations with wireless functionality.

You have to be positioned right next to the H260 to charge devices, rather than being able to place them on a wireless pad from across the room. The lack of wireless charging also means one less way to charge the power station itself. You must use the charging cables rather than having the option to rest it on a wireless charger.

Overall, the lack of wireless charging on the H260 portable power station makes charging devices and the unit itself slightly less convenient. But it may not be a dealbreaker for some users, especially if you don't mind plugging devices directly into the ample ports provided.

Verdict

The HOWEASY H260 260W Portable Power Station is a solid mid-range option for powering small appliances and electronics on-the-go. With a 178Wh capacity and 260W AC output, it can easily handle phones, laptops, small medical devices, and camping basics.

The simple one-button control and clear LCD display make it very user-friendly. Standard outputs like AC, USB-A, USB-C and a car socket provide flexibility. Fast charging in around 3 hours from wall outlets and solar compatibility add to the convenience.

At 5 lbs, the compact size is reasonable for travel use. The neutral black design looks fairly stylish. Build quality seems decent though long-term durability is uncertain.

For light to medium power needs, the HOWEASY H260 offers reliable performance at an affordable budget-friendly price point. It's a practical portable station for road trips, outdoor adventures, power outages or everyday use. While not the most compact, it provides ample capacity in a lightweight and functional design.

Overall, the HOWEASY H260 is an impressive value portable power station that delivers on key functionality for off-grid power. It's easy to use and has versatile outputs to handle small electronics and appliances on-the-go. For mobile charging needs, it's a recommended option in the mid-price range.

Alternatives

There are a few other portable power stations that are similar to the HOWEASY H260 in the 200-300 watt range. Here are some alternatives to consider:

• Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 - This is one of the most popular models with a 246Wh lithium-ion battery capacity and 200W AC output. It's lightweight at only 6.6 lbs and features a simple one-button start. The Explorer 240 retails for around $200.

• Bluetti EB240 - This option from Bluetti packs a 268Wh battery capacity and 600W peak AC output. It includes a variety of output ports and can be charged from 0-80% in just over an hour. The EB240 costs around $299.

• Anker PowerHouse 200 - Anker's option offers a 201Wh capacity and a 200W AC outlet. It's one of the lightest models at 4.5 lbs and features Anker's PowerIQ technology for fast charging. The PowerHouse 200 costs roughly $250.

• Goal Zero Yeti 200X - With a rugged design, the Yeti 200X has a 216Wh lithium battery capacity and 200W AC output. It can power up to 7 devices simultaneously. Expect to pay around $250 for this portable power station.