Takki B88 Portable Power Station: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

Portable power stations have become increasingly popular in recent years as reliable sources of power for off-grid activities and emergency backup. Also commonly known as solar generators, these devices come equipped with a built-in battery that can be recharged through wall outlets, car chargers, or solar panels. The integrated inverter allows you to power appliances and electronics on-the-go by transforming the DC power from the battery into standard AC outlets.

With capacities ranging anywhere from 200Wh to over 2000Wh, portable power stations provide a versatile power source for camping trips, RV adventures, outdoor events, home emergency preparedness, and more. They allow you to run small appliances like mini-fridges, fans, CPAP machines, and laptops without needing to connect to the electrical grid. Features like multiple outlets, wireless charging, and app connectivity provide convenience and prevent you from being left in the dark during power failures.

A quality portable power station can serve as a complete off-grid power solution or vital backup energy source during emergencies when the power goes out. This review will provide an in-depth look at the Takki B88 and how it compares to competitors on metrics like portability, features, runtime, and overall value.

Overview

The Takki B88 is a 800W/150 amp hour lithium-ion portable power station designed for emergency power and off-grid use. It features an 800 watt AC inverter allowing you to power most small appliances and electronics.

Key features and specs:

• 800 watt continuous power, 1000 watt surge power
• 150Wh lithium-ion battery
• Pure sine wave AC outlet
• Can be recharged by AC wall outlet, car outlet, or solar panel
• LED display shows battery percentage and power usage
• Includes a variety of USB ports, 12V DC ports, and AC outlets
• Comes with a 18W USB-C PD port and 60W USB-C port for fast device charging
• Built-in wireless charging pad
• Under 10 pounds for easy portability

The B88's decent power output capacity combined with the compact size makes it a versatile power station for camping, RVing, emergency backup, and off-grid use. It provides sufficient power to run small appliances, charge devices, and power lighting.

Design

The Takki B88 portable power station features a solid and compact design. The unit measures 10.4 x 9.2 x 6.4 inches and weighs approximately 13 pounds. This makes the station portable enough to carry in one hand or fit into a backpack.

The power station has a durable plastic exterior that can withstand some bumps and drops. The outer shell seems thick and sturdy but still remains lightweight. There are integrated handles on the top and sides for easy lifting and carrying.

The overall build quality appears good. The plastic casing feels solid with no creaking or weak points when handled. The power buttons have a smooth and responsive click. The buttons and ports are also securely mounted.

Inside, the power station contains advanced LG lithium-ion battery packs rather than cheaper lead-acid batteries. This improves the durability, performance, and lifespan of the unit.

In summary, the Takki B88 has a thoughtfully designed compact size, protective casing, and quality construction. This makes the power station resilient for portable use and travel. The choice of advanced lithium-ion batteries also enhances reliability.

Portability

The Takki B88 is a highly portable power station thanks to its compact size and lightweight build. Though it packs a large 800Wh capacity battery, the unit measures just 11.2 x 6.9 x 13.4 inches (LxWxH) and weighs only around 17.2 pounds. This makes it easy to carry by hand using the built-in handle on the top of the unit.

Despite the compact size, the handle is sturdy enough to securely lift and transport the power station. Some users may find the rectangular design makes it slightly awkward to carry long distances by hand. But the relatively light weight mitigates this. The lack of any wheels or extendable handle does limit portability over longer distances or rough terrain compared to some competing models.

Overall, the Takki B88 strikes a good balance between battery capacity and portable size. The compact rectangular form factor and light weight design make it feasible to transport short distances by hand. Just don't expect to roll it around like wheeled luggage over long trips. For most users needing an emergency power supply at home or for short camping trips, the portability is sufficient.

Output Ports

The Takki B88 portable power station includes several output ports to power various devices:

• 1 x 110V AC outlet (600W max): The standard 3-prong AC outlet provides up to 600W continuous power, allowing you to run AC devices like laptops, small appliances, and power tools. It delivers a pure sine wave for safe operation of sensitive electronics.

• 2 x USB-A ports (18W max each): The dual USB-A ports can be used to charge smartphones, tablets, headphones, and other USB mobile devices up to 18W. Both ports can be used simultaneously.

• 1 x 60W USB-C PD port: The high-power USB-C port supports up to 60W output for rapid charging of larger USB-C laptops, tablets, and portable devices. It takes advantage of Power Delivery for efficient charging.

• 1 x 12V DC port (10A, 120W max): The 12V DC outlet is suitable for powering and charging DC devices like car refrigerators, emergency lights, and other specialty gear. It delivers up to 10 amps and 120 watts of power.

• 1 x Cigarette Lighter port (120W max): The cigarette lighter socket can power DC gear designed for car and automotive use, like mini coolers, tire inflators, and car vacuums.

The versatile selection of output ports makes the Takki B88 well-suited for powering a wide variety of electronics, appliances, and devices when AC power is not available.

Display & Interface

The Takki B88 features an easy-to-read LCD display that shows key information like battery percentage, output wattage, and fault warnings. The display has a backlight that makes it visible even in low-light conditions.

Below the display are four buttons that allow you to turn the power station on/off, choose the output mode, and activate the flashlight built into the device. The simple button interface makes it easy to control the Takki B88's functions.

The power station has built-in short circuit and low-voltage protection. If there is a fault, it will show up as an error code on the LCD display so you can quickly identify the issue. This helps prevent damage to the device.

Overall, the display and interface allow you to monitor the power station status and control the output with just a few button presses. The inclusion of error messaging is also helpful for diagnosing any problems.

Battery & Runtime

The Takki B88 portable power station comes equipped with a 388Wh lithium-ion battery. This gives it an impressive battery capacity for a compact unit like this.

According to the manufacturer, the B88 can power a 45W laptop for up to 8 hours on a single charge. For smaller devices like phones and tablets, it has enough capacity to charge them multiple times over before needing to be recharged itself.

When powering small appliances and tools, runtimes will vary depending on the wattage. But as an example, the B88 can provide approximately 2 hours of power to a 120W microwave oven. For lower-powered CPAP machines, mini-fridges, and other appliances, you can expect significantly longer runtimes.

The B88 battery is designed to retain 80% of its capacity even after 500 charge/discharge cycles. This gives the unit an impressive lifespan compared to some cheaper alternative power stations. Just be aware that allowing the battery to fully discharge too often can shorten its usable lifetime.

Charging

The B88 can be charged in three different ways - through the included AC adapter, with solar panels (sold separately), or by plugging into a car's 12V outlet using the included car charger.

Charging with the included 120W AC adapter is the fastest method, allowing the B88 to recharge from empty to full in just 8 hours. This makes it easy to fully recharge overnight. The AC adapter plugs into the power station's 15V/8A input port.

While slower, charging via the car outlet or solar panels offers more flexibility if AC power is not available. Using the 10W solar panels sold separately, the B88 can fully recharge in approximately 20 hours under ideal sunlight conditions. The solar charging port is designed for 18V solar input. Charging via a 12V car outlet is also quite slow, requiring about 15 hours for a full charge.

The B88 battery itself is a 512Wh lithium-ion battery. It includes 9 layers of smart safety protections to prevent over-charging and ensure safe operation. With any charging method, the LCD screen displays the current battery percentage and charging status.

Safety Features

The Takki B88 portable power station has robust safety features to prevent damage to the device and protect users. Some of the key safety mechanisms include:

• Overload protection - The power station will automatically shut down if too much power is drawn, preventing damage from overloading the system. This protects both the internal electronics as well as any devices connected to the AC outlets or USB ports.

• Short circuit protection - If a short circuit occurs, the power station will cut power to prevent the short from damaging the system or causing unsafe conditions like overheating or sparks. This helps safeguard your devices.

• Overheating protection - Internal temperature sensors monitor heat levels inside the power station. If it starts getting too hot, the fans will automatically turn on to provide cooling. If overheating persists, the system will shut down to prevent damage. This prevents fire risks.

• Low/High voltage protection - Voltage levels are continuously monitored. If the incoming voltage from the rechargeable battery drops too low or exceeds safety thresholds, the power station will cut off output power to protect itself and connected devices.

• Fault indication - Status lights on the display panel indicate different fault conditions like overheating, low battery, overload, etc. This allows you to quickly identify and resolve any issues.

• Rugged enclosure - The durable case helps protect the internal components from drops, bumps, liquid splashes, and other environmental risks. This improves safety and reliability.

The multiple protective measures give peace of mind that the Takki B88 power station will safely supply power without risk of damage. The safety features make it suitable for home, outdoor, emergency and portable use.

Pros & Cons

• Pros - Compact and portable design makes it easy to transport and use on the go - Multiple output ports allow you to charge several devices at once - Good battery capacity provides decent runtime for smaller devices - Bright LED display shows remaining battery percentage - Features like auto shut-off and short circuit protection for safety

• Cons
  - Longer recharge time compared to similar models - No way to turn off the always-on display - Fans can get loud when the unit is under heavy load - Not powerful enough to run high-draw appliances like full mini-fridges