Portable Power Station Review: Upusa SDM-3790

Portable power stations have become increasingly popular in recent years as reliable backup power sources for camping, emergencies, and outdoor activities. Also known as solar generators, these devices allow you to store electricity from the power grid or solar panels in an integrated battery and convert it into standard AC power for charging phones, running small appliances, and powering lights when you're off the grid. With power outages and natural disasters on the rise, portable power stations provide peace of mind by ensuring you have access to electricity if the power goes out at home. They can also replace noisy, gas-powered generators in many situations.

The Upusa SDM-3790 is one of the latest models aiming to provide versatile, high-capacity power for a variety of needs. This review will examine its design, features, performance, and overall value as a solar generator option.

Overview

The Upusa SDM-3790 is a portable power station made by Upusa, a battery and solar panel company. The SDM-3790 model is designed to be a compact yet powerful source of portable power for camping, emergencies, and outdoor activities.

The power station has a capacity of 3790Wh, thanks to its high-capacity lithium-ion battery. It has multiple output ports to charge and power various devices. Key specs and features include:

• 3790 watt-hour lithium-ion battery
• 1000W AC output with 3 AC outlets
• 60W Type-C PD output
• 2 USB outputs
• 12V car outlet
• Wireless charging pad
• Multiple charging methods including solar, AC, and car charging
• LED flashlights and displays
• Sturdy handles and compact size (14.6 x 7.9 x 11.2 inches)

With its powerful lithium-ion battery and multiple output ports, the SDM-3790 aims to provide an all-in-one portable power solution for a variety of needs. Its compact size makes it easy to transport as well.

Design

The Upusa SDM-3790 portable power station has a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to transport and use on the go. The exterior casing is made of durable plastic that protects the internal components from bumps or drops while traveling. Despite its compact size, the power station feels sturdy and well-built.

The control panel is neatly organized with clear labels for each output port and power button. There is a backlit LCD screen that displays the battery level, input/output power, and operating status. The screen is bright and easy to read.

The power station has an integrated top handle and side grooves for conveniently picking it up or carrying it around. The corners are rounded and smooth. Overall, the design focuses on portability and usability while maintaining a sturdy construction.

Performance

The Upusa SDM-3790 portable power station offers excellent performance that makes it suitable for a wide range of uses.

• Runtime: The 3790Wh lithium battery provides enough power to keep appliances and devices running for extended periods. On a single charge, it can power a mini fridge for up to 12 hours, run a CPAP machine for 2 nights, or keep phones/tablets charged for multiple days. The long runtime makes it great for camping, emergencies, and outdoor adventures where you need power for hours.

• Power Output: With a 600W continuous output (1200W surge), this station can handle powering most devices, appliances, and tools designed to plug into a standard wall outlet. It has a variety of output ports including AC, USB-C, USB-A, and dual 12V DC. The multiple outputs allow you to efficiently charge or run several devices simultaneously.

• Recharge Time: The SDM-3790 can be recharged from 0 to 80% in around 3-4 hours by connecting it to solar panels or AC power. This quick recharge time minimizes downtime. For solar charging, 2 100W panels can fully recharge in 6-8 hours depending on sunlight. The fast solar recharge makes the station ideal for off-grid use.

Features

The Upusa 3,790Wh portable power station comes packed with features to provide reliable power on the go.

A key highlight is the built-in solar charging capability. The power station has a 200W foldable solar panel that allows you to recharge the battery through solar energy. This makes the power station completely renewable and ideal for off-grid use such as camping trips, outdoor events, or emergency power outages where access to an electrical outlet may be limited.

Another useful feature is Bluetooth connectivity and a companion app. You can monitor real-time power consumption, track remaining battery level, and turn ports on/off remotely using the app. Advanced protections like over current, short circuit, and over temperature are also displayed on the app.

Additional features include multiple charging methods (AC, solar, car), 10 charging ports to power devices simultaneously, built-in LED light and flashlight, and LCD display showing battery level, input/output status, and error alerts.

With its solar charging capability, smartphone app control, abundance of ports and display readouts, the Upusa portable station is packed with features to deliver versatile performance.

Portability

The Upusa SDM-3790 portable power station is designed for easy transport thanks to its compact size and lightweight build. Despite packing 288Wh of power capacity, the unit measures just 7.5 x 5.8 x 6.3 inches and weighs only 6.61 lbs. This makes it easy to stash the power station in a backpack, carry-on, or car trunk for power on the go.

The compact rectangular design features an integrated handle, allowing you to comfortably carry the unit like a briefcase. The power station also comes with a custom storage bag that has a shoulder strap for even easier portability. With such a lightweight and compact design, you can take the Upusa power station camping, hiking, tailgating, or keep it in your vehicle for emergency power needs. The portable size means you can take it virtually anywhere you need power access.

Usability

The Upusa portable power station is designed to be very user-friendly. The large LCD display is bright and easy to read, showing the remaining battery percentage, output wattage, and any error messages. The controls are straightforward with simple buttons to turn the device on/off, select the output mode, and activate charging.

Operation is very intuitive. Plugging devices into the AC outlets, USB ports, or 12V DC port automatically turns on the power output to supply electricity. The fan assists with cooling and only runs when needed so it doesn't create unnecessary noise. Built-in flashlights and an SOS mode provide additional functionality for emergency situations.

The compact, briefcase-style design makes the power station highly portable. The extendable handle and smooth rolling wheels allow you to maneuver it like wheeled luggage. The Upusa is lightweight enough to carry by hand using the side handles. This combination of portability and usability makes the power station easy to use for powering devices both indoors and outdoors.

Price

The Upusa SDM-3790 portable power station currently retails for around $369 on Amazon. This puts it in the mid-range pricing tier for portable power stations of this size and capacity.

When you consider the features, performance, and quality that the Upusa provides, it offers very good value for money. The 3000 watt power output capacity, 3790 watt hour battery capacity, and multiple charging options make it comparable to more premium models that can cost $100-200 more.

While not the cheapest option, the Upusa hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance. For most users looking for a solid all-around portable power station in this size range, the price represents an attractive balance of value and quality. You get capabilities on par with top brands without paying a huge premium.

Some buyers may want to spend a little more for extra battery capacity or outlets. But for many, the Upusa SDM-3790 represents a great middle ground that delivers premium performance and reliability at a reasonable price point. Overall it provides excellent value for a mid-tier portable power station.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact design makes it highly portable. Can easily fit in a backpack or car trunk.

• Decent capacity of 3790Wh provides enough power to charge phones, laptops, small appliances, etc while camping or during power outages.

• Includes a variety of output ports like AC, DC, USB-A, USB-C, and car outlet to charge wide range of devices.

• Features a car charger port so it can be recharged from a car battery if AC power is not available.

• Comes with cables for charging devices directly from the power station.

• LCD display shows current battery level and power usage statistics.

• Provides pure sine wave AC output which is safer for sensitive electronics.

• Offers fast charging with a max 500W input. Can be fully recharged in about 2.5 hours.

• Reliable LiFePO4 battery is safer and more durable than cheaper lead-acid batteries.

• 3 year warranty provides peace of mind.

Cons:

• Relatively heavy at around 22 lbs. Not ideal for frequent transport over long distances.

• Capacity may be insufficient for high power appliances like refrigerators or electric stoves. Better suited for smaller electronics.

• No built-in wireless connectivity or app control.

• Solar charging requires buying separate solar panels which adds to cost.

• Only weather resistant, not fully waterproof. Not suitable for very wet conditions.

• Fan noise may be distracting in quiet environments.

Conclusion

The Upusa SDM-3790 portable power station is a robust choice for anyone looking for a versatile yet compact off-grid power solution. Its 600W continuous power output and 3792Wh capacity allow it to power everything from mini fridges, small TVs, and laptops to outdoor tools, smartphones and drones. For most portable requirements using small appliances or devices for camping, RVing or emergencies, the Upusa can handle it without breaking a sweat.

The lithium-ion battery has an impressive long life cycle and is highly efficient at holding charge over extended durations. While there are smaller portable power stations available, the Upusa strikes a sweet spot between power, capacity and portability. At 23 pounds it is light enough to easily carry or keep in the car for mobile charging on the go.

For small outdoor events or extended off-grid power usage, the Upusa SDM-3790 is a recommended choice. It provides ample capacity for short term use without access to shore power or generator charging. The three 400W AC outlets and multiple DC charging outputs allow you to run or charge several items at once. With its advanced pure sine wave inverter, the Upusa delivers clean and stable power quality for any electronics or appliances that are plugged in.

While more expensive than many brands, the durable and high quality engineering of the Upusa makes it a worthwhile investment for regular users. It's an ideal alternative to noisy, polluting gas generators for many applications. For heavier duty or stationary off-grid power, a larger solar generator may better serve your needs. But for portable medium power requirements, the Upusa SDM-3790 strikes an optimal balance.