powkey HP500S 65W Portable Power Station: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The powkey HP500S is a portable power station designed to provide reliable power on the go. This compact unit packs a large 24000mAh li-ion battery and multiple output ports to charge phones, tablets, and other small devices.

Key features of the powkey HP500S include:

• 500W/600W peak power
• 65W USB-C Power Delivery port
• AC outlet with 500W max
• 24000mAh capacity li-ion battery
• Multiple USB ports
• LED flashlight
• Digital display of battery level and power usage

With its high capacity battery and assortment of outputs, the powkey HP500S aims to be a versatile power companion for camping, outdoor activities, power outages, and more. Its compact size makes it easy to take anywhere you need portable power.

Design

The HP500S has a rugged and durable design suitable for outdoor use and travel. It features an impact resistant plastic housing that seems capable of withstanding bumps and drops.

Despite the large 65Wh capacity, the power station remains surprisingly compact at 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches. It tips the scales at just 2.19 lbs, making it easy to toss in a backpack and carry around. The rectangular shape and rounded corners allow it to slide neatly into tight spaces in luggage.

With an IP65 rating, the HP500S is rain and dust resistant. The durable casing gives peace of mind when using the device outdoors while camping or during power outages. Overall, the thoughtful design emphasizes portability and resilience for an on-the-go power solution.

Power & Battery

The HP500S Portable Power Station offers 65W of power, providing enough capacity to charge phones, laptops, drones, mini fridges, and other small electronic devices.

The lithium-ion battery has a large 24000mAh capacity. This corresponds to about 88.8Wh, which POWKEY estimates provides around 6 phone charges or 1.5 laptop charges. While not as large as higher-capacity portable power stations, the 24000mAh battery capacity is sufficient for camping trips, picnics, power outages, and other short-term uses.

The battery has a rated voltage of 12V. Using the included 65W AC power adapter, the HP500S can recharge from 0% to 80% in around 3 hours. The battery also supports 12V/10A car charging as well as 18W USB-C PD fast charging. These versatile recharge options make it easy to top up the battery while on the go.

Overall, the 65W power output, 24000mAh lithium-ion battery, fast recharge capabilities, and 12V rated voltage provide reliable portable power for small devices. The battery capacity is large enough for short-term use cases without being excessively heavy or expensive compared to larger power stations.

Outputs & Charging

The HP500S portable power station includes a variety of outputs to charge devices. It has:

• 2x USB-A ports for charging mobile phones, tablets, cameras etc. The USB ports can deliver up to 65W combined.

• 1x 60W USB-C PD port for charging laptops, tablets and other USB-C devices.

• 1x DC output for powering 12V appliances like mini coolers, car vacuums etc. The DC port can supply up to 10A.

• 1x AC outlet for powering small appliances below 400W like mini-fridges, drones, monitors etc.

• Wireless charging pad on the top for charging Qi wireless compatible devices like smartphones.

The multiple outputs allow you to charge up to 5-6 devices simultaneously. With 500Wh capacity, the HP500S can charge a smartphone over 20 times, a laptop 3-5 times and even run small appliances. The 65W USB-C PD port ensures fast charging for compatible laptops like MacBooks and Dell XPS.

Display & Interface

The HP500S has a small 1.3 inch LCD display that shows key information like battery percentage, wattage, and voltage. It's bright and easy to read in various lighting conditions.

There are 4 buttons below the display - power, battery indicator, AC/DC mode, and LED flashlight. The buttons have a nice tactile click and make navigating the interface straightforward.

The simple display and buttons make the HP500S easy to use right out of the box. You don't have to dig through complex menus or settings. Just plug in your devices or turn on the AC outlet, and it's ready to go.

The no-frills interface means you spend more time using the power station and less time figuring out the controls. Overall, the display and buttons are functional and intuitive for a portable power station in this price range.

Special Features

The powkey HP500S portable power station comes with several handy special features that add to its versatility and convenience.

Flashlight

It has an integrated LED flashlight with three brightness modes - low, medium and high. The flashlight is quite powerful on the highest setting, able to illuminate a large area. It can come in handy during power outages or when camping outdoors.

Wireless Charging

There is a 5W wireless charging pad built into the top of the power station. This allows you to charge compatible Qi-enabled phones and earbuds without plugging them in. It's a very convenient feature to have when traveling or on the go.

App Connectivity

The powkey power station connects to your phone via Bluetooth. You can then monitor current power consumption, remaining battery percentage, and other stats through the companion app. The app also allows you to turn the flashlight on and off remotely. This gives you more control and insight into the power station's operation.

Pros

Compact and Portable - The Powkey HP500S is extremely compact and portable at just 6.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 inches and 1.76 pounds. It's about the size of a small book and easy to slip into any bag or pack. The compact form factor makes it very convenient for travel, camping, or as an emergency backup power supply at home.

Fast Charging Speed - The HP500S supports a max 60W output through the USB-C port, allowing you to quickly charge laptops, phones, tablets, and other USB devices. It can charge a MacBook Pro 13" to 50% in just over 30 minutes. The 18W USB-A ports also provide decently fast phone and tablet charging.

Helpful Digital Display - There is a small monochrome LCD display that shows remaining battery percentage, input/output status, and power usage. This gives you an idea of charging speeds and remaining runtime at a glance without having to guess.

Cons

• The Power Station only supports 65W total output, which limits charging larger devices like laptops to slower speeds. You may need to wait several hours to fully charge a laptop.

• There is no wireless or app connectivity. You have to monitor the charge level directly on the small LCD screen. Some competing models offer Bluetooth support and smartphone apps.

• At nearly 3 pounds, this isn't the most portable option for a battery bank. The rectangular shape and hard plastic body also limit where you can pack it. Ultra-slim power banks with rounded edges can fit into more bag pockets and compartments.

Verdict

The HP500S portable power station from powkey is a solid option for portable power needs while camping or during power outages. With a 65W solar input and 24000mAh capacity, it can charge small devices like phones multiple times and even run small appliances.

The simple LCD display provides key info like remaining battery percentage and output wattage. While it lacks advanced features like wireless charging or app connectivity, the HP500S delivers on the core functions of a portable power station. It charges reasonably fast from both AC and solar sources, and provides 3 useful output ports.

Build quality is decent though mainly plastic. The compact rectangular design and extending handle enhance portability. Cooling fan noise is minimal. Safety features like overload and short circuit protection are included.

Overall the HP500S portable power station is easy to use, reliable for emergency backup power needs, and fairly affordable. It lacks some of the premium features of higher-end models, but gets the job done for basic portable power applications. For those needing a straightforward solar generator for occasional use, the HP500S is a good value purchase.

Alternatives Worth Considering

When looking for a portable power station similar to the powkey HP500S, here are two alternatives worth considering:

Anker 521 PowerHouse

The Anker 521 PowerHouse is a portable power station with a 512Wh capacity powered by a lithium-ion battery. It features a variety of output ports including 1 AC outlet, 2 USB-A ports, a 60W USB-C port, and a 12V car outlet.

The PowerHouse can power small appliances like mini-fridges and CPAP machines. It has an easy-to-read digital display showing the remaining battery percentage. The compact design and carry handle make it portable for camping, emergencies, and outdoor use.

Jackery Explorer 500

The Jackery Explorer 500 is another good alternative with a 518Wh lithium-ion battery capacity. It has 1 AC outlet, 2 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, 1 DC car port, and 2 DC ports.

This portable power station can power most small appliances and electronic devices. It features an LCD screen displaying remaining battery life. The Explorer 500 comes with a car charger and solar panel compatibility for recharging the battery.

The sturdy handle and compact size make it easy to take on the go for outdoor adventures and emergency power outage situations. It's a bit more affordable than the Anker option.