Best portable power stations: rated watts, watt-hours and switchover time

Compare rated watts, watt-hours and switchover time on the same basis

Start with rated watts; surge and boost figures are different numbers. EcoFlow's DELTA 3 manual rates AC output at 1,800 W with a 3,600 W surge, and its X-Boost table shows 2,600 W at 120 V, while EcoFlow's page gives 2,200 W with X-Boost in its spec table and over 2,600 W in its copy.

The RIVER 3 is rated 300 W, or 600 W with X-Boost, and the 550 W in Amazon's title is the manual's total across all ports. BLUETTI rates the AC180 at 1,800 W and lets it run pure heating-element loads up to 2,700 W in Power Lifting mode.

Watt-hours are the rated capacity, not what reaches your plug. BLUETTI's manuals estimate runtime as capacity times depth of discharge times inverter efficiency, divided by the load plus the unit's own draw: 90 percent, over 85 percent and about 15 W for the AC180 (own draw added for small loads only), and 95 percent, over 90 percent and about 20 W for the Apex 300. The table below lists all 24 models, each with its own guide.

Cycle ratings are each maker's claim, on its own basis. EcoFlow's manuals give 80 percent or more after 3,000 cycles at 0.5C and 77 °F for the RIVER 3, and after 4,000 cycles with no conditions printed for the DELTA 3. BLUETTI's pages, not its manuals, give more than 3,500 cycles for the AC180 and up to 6,000 for the Apex 300, both to 80 percent.

Planning refrigerator backup? Use our refrigerator power-station worksheet to separate compressor starting requirements, energy over cooling cycles and AC idle shutoff. A battery capacity figure alone does not settle those three checks.

Planning an evening of TV? Our TV power-station worksheet includes the screen, source, network and audio, then shows why model-specific inverter overhead and standby settings affect a runtime estimate.

For an e-bike charging stop, use our e-bike power-station checklist to separate the approved charger’s AC input, the station’s output limit and the energy needed for the session. Bike motor watts alone do not size that charging setup.

A compact camping unit: EcoFlow RIVER 3

EcoFlow's manual lists 245 Wh of LFP, 300 W AC, up to 320 W wall charging, 110 W solar input and 7.72 lb. Its transfer time is 20 ms as an emergency power supply, and EcoFlow says not to connect devices that need an uninterrupted supply, such as desktops, NAS servers, data servers or workstations; a separate 10 ms UPS version shares the manual and the EFR705 code. EcoFlow's warranty table gives the RIVER 3 24 months, against five years for the RIVER 3 Plus.

Read the RIVER 3 guide · Check the RIVER 3 on Amazon

A 1 kWh unit that expands: EcoFlow DELTA 3

EcoFlow lists 1,024 Wh of LFP and a battery that expands to 5 kWh with EcoFlow extra batteries. The manual calls it a standby UPS with a 10 ms transfer time, but only while grid input exceeds what the loads draw. EcoFlow's warranty table gives five years, and the manual says leaving the unit uncharged or unused for more than six months voids the warranty.

Read the DELTA 3 guide · Check the DELTA 3 on Amazon

A 1.15 kWh LFP unit for indoor use: BLUETTI AC180

BLUETTI's manual lists 1,152 Wh of LiFePO4, 1,800 W and a UPS switching time of 20 ms or less, to be tested before use. Its safety page says the device is intended for indoor use only, and the manual says not to use it in the rain, although BLUETTI's page and Amazon's bullets pitch it for outdoor use too. BLUETTI's warranty-period table gives 60 months.

Read the AC180 guide · Check the AC180 on Amazon

A 240 V home-backup unit: BLUETTI Apex 300

BLUETTI's manual lists 2,764.8 Wh, 3,840 W maximum, a 120 V or 240 V selector and 83.78 lb. The 0 ms UPS switchover applies only at 240 V, with grid input through the 15 A inlet and loads on the two left outlets; at 120 V it is 20 ms, and the manual says it is not for data servers or workstations that need a high-performance UPS. It is rated IP20. ECO mode is on by default and shuts off AC output after four hours of low load, 10 W by default. BLUETTI's warranty-period table gives 60 months.

Read the Apex 300 guide · Check the Apex 300 on Amazon

Before you buy or use

• Indoors, rain and water. BLUETTI's AC180 manual says indoors only, and its Apex 300 manual says not to use the product in rain or high humidity. Both EcoFlow manuals say not to get the product wet or immerse it, although Amazon's bullets call the RIVER 3 waterproof and the DELTA 3 battery pack IP65.
• Cold, heat and air. The EcoFlow manuals list charging at 32 to 113 °F and the Apex 300 manual at 32 to 104 °F; the AC180 manual gives 32 to 104 °F in its spec table but -4 to 104 °F on its storage page. BLUETTI says to charge the Apex 300 in a well-ventilated area and not to cover the AC180's vents.
• Air travel. EcoFlow's manuals say not to carry either unit onto a plane. The BLUETTI manuals read do not mention air travel, so ask the airline first.
• Medical loads. Both EcoFlow manuals say the product is not intended for life-sustaining medical equipment, and the AC180 manual rules out equipment that involves personal safety and depends on reliable power, such as medical equipment.
• Fridges and idle shut-off. EcoFlow says the AC output can switch off when idle, so a refrigerator needs the AC timeout set to never in its app. BLUETTI's Apex 300 manual says to turn ECO mode off for refrigerators and lights.
• Home wiring. None of the four manuals explains connecting to a home electrical panel. BLUETTI's page sells a transfer-switch route, and the Apex 300 manual recommends a licensed electrician to confirm the home circuit for its high-current grid input. Have a licensed electrician do any panel work; this guide is not electrical advice.
• Storage. EcoFlow's online manuals say to fully charge, then discharge to 60 percent, every three months; the RIVER 3's 2024 PDF says to discharge to 0 percent, then charge to 60, and EcoFlow's manual notice says the online version carries the latest updates. BLUETTI's AC180 manual says in one place to fully cycle it every 6 months and in another to discharge and charge it every 3 months, so use the shorter interval; its Apex 300 manual says to fully cycle it every 3 months.
• Who sold it. EcoFlow's warranty covers units bought from EcoFlow or an authorized seller, and BLUETTI's excludes unauthorized resellers. Ask each maker whether your Amazon seller qualifies before you order.

Based on published specifications, manuals and warranty terms, not power or runtime tests. Sources checked September 29, 2026: EcoFlow RIVER 3 (ecoflow.com) and its manual (manuals.ecoflow.com), EcoFlow DELTA 3 (us.ecoflow.com) and its manual (manuals.ecoflow.com), EcoFlow warranty policy (us.ecoflow.com), BLUETTI AC180 (bluettipower.com) and its manual (cdn.shopify.com), BLUETTI Apex 300 (bluettipower.com) and its manual (s4.bluettipower.com), BLUETTI warranty policy (bluettipower.com) and warranty periods (bluettipower.com). Amazon links are affiliate links.