Are Portable Batteries Worth It and Should You Buy One?

I walked through the aisles of my local Costco recently and was surprised to see not one but two portable batteries for sale. Something that was a niche, luxury item in recent years has seemingly become mainstream and on sale at a wholesale warehouse. I’m no stranger to the technology as I own one myself. With all the hype and sometimes the hefty price tag, we’ll explore the purpose and use cases of portable batteries and determine whether one should be added to your Christmas list.

What is a portable battery, and how does it differ from other portable generators?

Summer afternoons at the beach were topped off with a cold drink from a sand-covered esky, back in my day. I had a friend who wowed us all with her portable fridge that plugged into the 12V cigarette lighter port in her car. The fridge was fantastic, but failed to keep the drinks in an ice-cold state after sitting powerless in the hot car during our hours-long hikes. The esky was definitely the better bet.

Aussies have been looking for ways to power everyday items whilst on the move for years. Some would use the 12V port in their cars, deep-cycle batteries for caravans, or lug around a noisy diesel generator for trips that required that little extra power. All options have their places, but also their drawbacks. As small portable batteries started popping up and providing that much-needed power boost for your phone, it was only a matter of time before larger, more powerful counterparts would be available for the average person.

Enter stage left: Portable battery power stations.

Batteries of all types and sizes are now available and are as portable as they are handy and easy to use. Zero operational noise and the ability to top up at a regular power point or with solar panels make for an all-in-one solution to keep your items powered with minimal setup required.

What can you use a portable battery for?

Before my husband brought home our present portable battery, I really couldn’t think of its use beyond charging my phone during camping trips. It seemed like an expensive way to add a few hours of scroll time to my life.

Unboxing our Alpha ESS AP1000 Portable Power Station brought back that feeling I had as a 9-year-old at Christmas. It was fancy and appeared powerful. I plugged it in to charge and hurriedly plugged my phone into the USB charging point, then the 230V port, and finally the wireless charging pad. I was impressed but also left wondering where I could possibly use the thing.

Then came the day that made a portable battery spruiker out of me.

I moonlight as a wedding videographer on occasion. I had prepped everything the night before and was ready for my early morning wakeup and drive to the first shooting location. Popping my batteries into the camera bag, I thought I’d do a quick test (which I never do) and found that two of my four batteries did not charge. They didn’t charge, and they would not charge – I was down to two batteries for the entire day of shooting. Panic set in as I had no way of purchasing another at 6am on a Saturday. My portable battery popped into mind, and I devised a cunning plan: I would tag-team the batteries and have the second one charging whilst using the first. I said my prayers and hoped for the best. 

The battery top-up in my car worked perfectly, and I was able to shoot the entire day. The remaining capacity of my portable power station was 98% after a day of charging.

This is where portable batteries shine. Almost anything you have plugged into a power outlet at home can be powered by the battery. This has meant that I could take my huge speaker to a party at a park whilst charging my workbeast of a laptop to do a spot of work (you’re probably wondering what type of party I was attending!). I’ve not bothered with a flask when bringing the kettle has been a breeze. 

Powering on through blackouts

A planned power outage would ordinarily see me driving to my parents’ house to leech off their power. The last outage we had saw my essentials plugged into the battery, and I barely felt the impact (except for when visiting the fridge). While my battery is small at 1.036kWh, I could technically run my 1.2 kWh/day fridge for around 20 hours with ease. This could mean the difference between keeping the contents of your fridge and chucking it out in a two-day outage. I would recommend a larger battery, should you wish to have a sufficient backup for extended blackouts. 

Size matters, depending on how you use it

The portable batteries available today can range from Camry-esque to the Lamborghini of portable power stations. My Alpha ESS is sufficient for my family’s needs, but you’ll need to assess your own to determine what kind of features and size you’re after.

Some of the common features available in portable batteries

• Lithium battery chemistry: Most stations use lithium-ion (NMC) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄). LiFePO₄ is now the standard for longevity and safety.
• Multiple output ports: USB-A, USB-C (PD), 12V car sockets, and AC outlets are standard. Larger models have 4–6 AC plugs.
• Pure sine wave inverter: Almost all quality units now output pure sine wave AC for safe use with laptops, fridges, or sensitive gear.
• Recharge methods: Mains AC, car charging, and solar input (with MC4 connectors) are universal. Most also support combined charging (AC + solar).
• BMS safety features: Built-in Battery Management Systems handle over-voltage, short circuit, overheating, and low-voltage cut-offs.
• LCD/LED displays: Real-time readouts for input/output watts, percentage remaining, and estimated runtime are standard.
• App control: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth apps to monitor charge and adjust settings are increasingly expected.
• Pass-through charging: Can power devices while charging the station itself. Handy for camping or when topping up with solar.

Less common/premium features

• Expandable capacity: Some models (EcoFlow Delta Pro, BLUETTI AC200Max) allow you to add external batteries for more storage.
• UPS function: Acts as an uninterruptible power supply, instantly switching over if mains power drops out.
• Dual/rapid charging: High-end units support 1,000W+ recharge rates from AC or dual inputs, cutting recharge times to under two hours.
• 240V/15A outlets: Rare in smaller units, but some larger stations include 15A sockets to run heavy appliances.
• EV charging capability: A few stations can act as emergency EV chargers (e.g. EcoFlow Delta Pro).
• Modular inverters: Certain brands let you stack inverter modules to increase output capacity beyond the base unit.
• Advanced chemistry (semi-solid state): Starting to appear globally, offering higher energy density and longer life, but still rare in Australia.
• Ruggedised/off-road builds: Shockproof cases, IP65 water resistance, and reinforced handles, great for tradies and 4WD trips.
• Renewable add-ons: Foldable solar blankets are common, but some brands now offer wind or pedal generator compatibility.
• 12V regulated DC outputs: Useful for fridges and CPAP machines. Not every brand provides stable, regulated output.
• Wireless charging pads: Some stations now include Qi pads on the top, convenient for phones and accessories.

Rare but exciting features

• Vehicle integration kits: Linking to car alternators for faster charge while driving.
• Smart home integration: Some BLUETTI and EcoFlow units integrate with home circuits.
• App-enabled energy scheduling: Charge/discharge based on solar or off-peak tariffs.
• Bi-directional capability: Future units may export to the grid (V2H/V2G style).

Sizing for your needs

Step 1: Understand the numbers

• Capacity is in watt-hours (Wh). This tells you how much energy the battery stores.
• Appliances use watts (W). To estimate runtime:

Runtime (hours) = Battery capacity (Wh) ÷ Appliance power draw (W)

Example: A 1,000 Wh station running a 100 W fridge = ~10 hours (before inverter losses).

Step 2: match size to use case

Small stations (150–500 Wh)

• Good for: Phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, and LED lights.
• Audience: Solo travellers, photographers, students.
• Example: Weekend camping to keep essentials topped up.

Medium stations (500–1,500 Wh)

• Good for: CPAP machines, TVs, portable fridges, routers, multiple laptops.
• Audience: Couples camping, tradies needing on-site power, backup for blackouts.
• Example: Runs a 60 W fridge for ~12–18 hours.

Large stations (1,500–3,000 Wh)

• Good for: Power tools, microwaves, coffee machines, larger fridges, and small heaters.
• Audience: Families, off-grid cabins, serious campers.
• Example: Powers a 600 W appliance for ~2–3 hours.

Extra-large stations (3,000+ Wh, often expandable)

• Good for: Whole-home backup, caravans, EV emergency charging.
• Audience: Families in blackout-prone areas, digital nomads, and off-grid living.
• Example: Can keep critical home loads (fridge, lights, Wi-Fi) running for a day or two.

Step 3: factor in other considerations

• Appliance type: Fridges and compressors cycle on and off, so real draw is lower than the peak rating.
• Recharge options: If you’ve got solar panels, you can get away with a smaller unit since you’re topping up daily.
• Weight and portability: Bigger batteries are heavier. A 2,000 Wh unit can weigh 20–30 kg, not ideal if you’re lugging it around camp.
• Budget: Expect to pay about $1–2 per Wh in Australia for quality units.

To summarise, you should size your station by listing devices, checking wattage, and multiplying by the runtime needed. A family should size up, add a buffer (20–30%), and consider expandability if they want to future-proof.

Brands of portable power stations available in Australia

Let’s look at the top brands of portable batteries in Australia and one of their best-selling products.

1. EcoFlow – Delta 3 Plus:  A versatile all-rounder with fast charging, UPS function, and expandable capacity. View the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus in our Marketplace.
2. Jackery – Explorer 1000 V2:  Lightweight and reliable with a broad range of ports, ideal for camping and worksites.
3. BLUETTI – Handsfree 2:  Backpack-friendly design, portable and practical for camping. View the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 in our Marketplace.
4. Anker SOLIX – Solix F3800:  Heavy-duty station with 3.8 kWh capacity, suited for RVs and home backup.
5. Goal Zero (Yeti) – Yeti 500X:  Compact and dependable, perfect for mid-tier camping or emergency use.
6. Alpha ESS – BlackBee 2000: High-capacity LiFePO₄ portable station with 2 kWh storage, 2.2 kW output, solar compatibility, and strong Aussie presence.
7. BLUETTI (premium pick) – AC180:  Premium model with higher power output, long battery life, and fast charging. View the BLUETTI AC180 in our Marketplace.
8. Kogan – Portable Power Station 500W:  Budget-friendly starter unit for basic power needs.
9. iTechWorld – PS2000:  Large-capacity, high-output model considered one of the best overall for Aussies.
10. NRG Vault – PV1500:  Rugged, camping-focused station designed for Australian outdoor use.

The bottom line

While portable batteries rest firmly in the ‘nice-to-have’ category, they certainly serve a purpose and can even be a lifesaver when the situation calls for it. If you camp often, experience blackouts frequently, or simply want that peace of mind that you’ll always have power, then consider adding a portable power station to your shopping list. 

Check out the portable power stations available through the Energy Matters Marketplace.