Anker has revealed a significant issue with portable power stations.

      Anker

      When looking for a portable power station, one figure stands out: battery capacity. A 2 kWh battery ought to deliver around 2 kWh of usable power, correct? Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. Anker SOLIX has released new efficiency data regarding its S Series portable power stations, highlighting an aspect that often receives less focus than capacity: the actual energy that reaches your devices from the battery.

      Anker explains that portable power stations are often promoted with efficiency ratings measured under heavier loads, where they achieve about 89% to 92% efficiency. Yet, this isn’t typically how most users utilize these stations during a power outage. Consider what you would actually connect. A Wi-Fi router can use power continuously, a refrigerator toggles its compressor on and off throughout the day, and a CPAP machine may operate overnight. Combined, these devices likely draw a small fraction of what a large power station can deliver, leading to potential efficiency losses.

      Your 2 kWh battery may not truly provide you with 2 kWh.

      Anker indicates that discharge efficiency for regular portable power stations can fall to around 70% to 80% with lighter loads. Therefore, a significant portion of the energy you’ve paid to store could be lost due to conversion inefficiencies and the power station’s own usage before it powers your fridge or router. The company claims its OptiSave 2.0 technology aims to minimize these losses by adapting the operation of the power station based on what devices are connected.

      Instead of always operating the inverter at full power, the system tracks demand and adjusts as needed. A high-demand appliance like a microwave receives maximum output when necessary, while lower-demand gadgets such as a router or CPAP machine allow the inverter to lower its operating frequency and energy usage. There’s also a Smart Standby Mode for devices that don’t continuously use power. For instance, when a refrigerator’s compressor turns off, the power station can significantly lower its standby energy draw. When the fridge requires power again, Anker notes that the system can respond within milliseconds. These minor savings can add up significantly during a prolonged outage.

      Anker provides some surprisingly detailed data.

      Notably, Anker goes beyond just presenting an ideal efficiency figure. The company states that its S Series achieves 88% discharge efficiency at a moderate 100W load and 96% at 400W. In contrast, it claims that similar portable power stations typically struggle to exceed 80% efficiency at 100W and maintain around 89% at 400W. Anker has reduced idle power consumption by up to 50% compared to rival products. For example, the S2000 consumes about 6W when idle, while Anker claims competitors for other 2 kWh stations average 15W to 20W.

      Putting it all together, Anker asserts that OptiSave 2.0 can extend the runtime of its S Series by up to 20% compared to similar power stations with the same stated battery capacity. Additionally, the S2000 has earned TÜV SÜD’s A+ energy-efficiency certification under the relevant 2026 portable power standard, adding credibility to its efficiency claims. Ultimately, the actual runtime will depend on what devices you connect, their operational frequency, and environmental conditions. The key takeaway isn’t merely that one battery lasts longer than another, but that judging portable power stations solely by capacity might overlook a critical metric. If other brands adopt Anker’s approach and begin to disclose efficiency metrics across various loads, selecting a power station could shift from focusing on which unit has the largest battery number to a more comprehensive understanding of performance.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech field.

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