Power Your Weekend with Durable, Smart Energy
The Anker 521 Portable Power Station (PowerHouse 256Wh) is your compact, long-lasting solution for off-grid power. Featuring Anker’s proprietary InfiniPower™ technology, this LiFePO4 battery station provides reliable power for 10+ years of everyday use.
Key Features
- Long-Lasting Battery: Equipped with a 256Wh LiFePO4 battery and InfiniPower™ tech, designed for 3,000+ charging cycles.
- High Output: 300W rated AC output with SurgePower up to 600W for powering small appliances and electronics.
- USB-C Fast Charging: 60W USB-C PD port enables direct charging for laptops and tablets—no bulky bricks required.
- Versatile Charging: 6 ports include 2×AC outlets, 2×USB-A ports, 1×USB-C port, and 1×car outlet.
- Ultra-Portable: Lightweight and compact, perfect for camping, road trips, or home emergency kits.
Technical Specifications
| Battery Type | LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) |
| Battery Capacity | 256Wh / 80,000mAh |
| AC Output | 300W (600W Surge) |
| USB-C PD Output | 60W |
| Total Ports | 6 (2×AC, 2×USB-A, 1×USB-C, 1×Car Socket) |
| Weight | Approx. 8.2 lbs |
| Color | Black |
| Charging Methods | Wall Outlet or Solar Panel (sold separately) |
| Connector Type | USB Type-C |
What’s in the Box?
- 1 × Anker 521 Portable Power Station (256Wh)
- 1 × DC Adapter
- 1 × Car Charging Cable
- 1 × User Guide
- 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Ideal For: Weekend camping, off-grid travel, emergency backup, CPAP machines, outdoor events, and powering sensitive electronics safely.
It’s a great little machine but don’t trust the indicator, it’s 40% off.
⚡ What Makes It Great:
Built to Last: With InfiniPower technology and LiFePO4 batteries, this thing is made for longevity. Knowing it’s built to last over a decade with daily use gives me peace of mind. You can feel the quality in the build too—it’s rugged, impact-resistant, and clearly designed for the long haul.
Perfect for Weekend Trips: The 256Wh capacity is ideal for recharging phones, tablets, portable lights, and even a mini fan or camera setup. I took it on a two-day trip and still had juice to spare.
USB-C Port is a Game Changer: The 60W PD USB-C port means no more bulky adapters for your laptop or other devices. Just plug and go. I use it for both my MacBook and my Switch—no problems whatsoever.
SurgePower Up to 600W: This was a pleasant surprise. The 300W rating with 600W peak support let me power a mini-fridge and an electric kettle (separately, of course) without issue.
6-Port Convenience: The mix of 2 AC ports, 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, and a car outlet makes this incredibly versatile. Whether I’m charging a phone, running lights, or plugging in my camera gear, I’ve got plenty of options.
🔋 Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a true energy backup solution that’s also perfect for travel, camping, or emergencies, this is it. Anker knocked it out of the park with this one. I can’t imagine not having it now—it’s one of those purchases that feels instantly worth it.
Highly recommend it—no regrets whatsoever.
To spend even _less_ on this type of power bank, I would actually suggest considering a power station without a 120v inverter, like the C300DC or C200DC, which right now are $50 and $70 less than the 521, respectively.
At best, power inverters are around 90% efficient, meaning you waste 10% of your power converting from DC to AC. So you're much better off getting USB-C or 12V car adapters for all your stuff, you'll get longer use of your electronics, and a lighter power bank without a noisy inverter.
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Original: After about 10 uses, no ports output power. The only thing that works is the flashlight, the LCD display, and you charging port on the back.
I mainly use this for car camping. I’ve hooked up portable fans, multiple cell phones and lights with it and it works great.
I have yet to see it go below 70% capacity on most of my overnight trips.
So far so good and I highly recommend it especially when it’s on sale!
1 night of use put me down to 60% battery. Keep in mind i turned off the humidifier and heat features. So i can easily get 2 nights out of this battery.
Its also super portable and easy use! This device did not get hot at all. I bought it on sale so theres that too. I would totally buy another!
La estoy probando, conectando diferentes aparatos eléctricos, más que todo para revisar el tiempo de duración
Pros
• Its size is ideal, and it’s super portable, so I could easily take it with me on my next camping trip.
• The battery capacity is perfect for keeping my laptop running and charging phones. It has also been useful for powering fans, lamps, and even the TV.
• The ports allow multiple devices to charge simultaneously, and the screen displays the estimated remaining runtime.
• One feature I didn’t initially pay attention to is the built-in light, which has been handy for placing it on the nightstand during power outages.
Cons
• It would be a great addition to have an app to monitor energy consumption per outlet.
Overall, I’ve had an excellent experience, and although Anker can be a bit pricier than other brands, the quality of their products is worth it. I’d even consider buying a higher-capacity power station if needed.
256Wh capacity and 300W output is perfect to power some lights around the campsite when it gets dark, charge phones at night for the next day and fill up an air mattress.
Now do I expect it to power a kettle or a coffee maker? No, but that was not my intentions when purchasing this power station, just enough power to bridge the gap but not too much power to "ruin" the tent camping experience.
Personally I opted for a 50W panel and it pairs nicely for the intentions I had for this set up.
During Milton I used all of my smaller battery backups and had to sit in my SUV to charge my phone. Too dang hot to do that, so i ordered this unit. I will add a solar panel so it can be charged after the storms pass but power has not been restored.
Yes, I would recommend this item.
NIce window dsiplay show current power % and back up power also .
I recomend it works ok.
It was sent in two boxes. I did not know that at first, but once I contacted customer service, they were able to give me tracking information for the second box. This is on Amazon, not Anker.
Highly recommend this system if you're looking for a good solar power bank!
Love the built in flashlight/lantern, and the size is perfect for camping or carrying about.
It is still working, mainly charging it via adapter to the wall.
Was charging via solar panel but panel stopped working.
Bought a solar saga 100 Jackery to charge it but sadly the dc7909 of the solar is too short, not long enough to make a connection with the pin. Think it’s half an inch long vs 3/4 of an inch that is required.
The power station itself is a solid buy. Lightweight, gives out a bright light if needed. Only has one USB-C but that is ok as majority of items are still usb. Just have to keep buying older phone charging cables.
Taken it camping for emergency charging. Great help during power outage(rare but it happens)
I would buy an upgraded version if this ever breaks down.
Tonight I heard a whirring noise from one of the boxes. When I picked it up, the box was warm. I took the power station out of the box and turned the "plug" button on and off a few times. As soon as the station was out of the box, it cooled quickly and the fan turned off automatically. But for a little while, whenever the plug button was "on", the fan started running again.
Apparently the automatic cooling fan had turned on while the station was inside the box. Since the packing material is a closed-cell foam material and it completely blocks the fan vent, running the fan just created more heat. The station tried to cool itself, and instead it made itself hotter.
I'm not sure why the cooling fan turned on. It was about 80 degrees in that room this afternoon. Maybe when I boxed it up last night I accidentally pressed a button, and the 80 degree room plus the warmth from the "on" plugs triggered the fan to run, which made the box even warmer, etc.? The station's power had dropped from 100% yesterday to 37% today so it must have been running for a while. Last night I thought I had all buttons turned off, but I could have possibly have bumped a button while packing up.
Long story short-- next time I'm double-checking that all buttons are off before closing the lid. I'll update this if it happens again, but wanted to take a moment to warn everyone else that this can happen.
It works great and based on the amount of battery capacity used, I should be able to get 4 nights of use from a single charge with either my AirMini or my AirSense 11 with heated tubing and humidifier off. Most importantly, with the low power draw powering these machines, the fan doesn't run. The fan will run occasionally when using the AC inverter, but it seemed quieter than the other power station I tried.
I read that the smoker uses about 300W for 4 minutes, then 50W after that. The page for this battery shows it can handle 300W, but I read further in the user manual and found that the AC ports only support 200W and would power off if they exceed that.
In powering on the smoker, the display showed it was pulling 257W initially and about 45W after a few minutes. I ran it for about 40 minutes as a test and the battery finished with 85% remaining.
This past Sunday I smoked some turkey sausages for 2 hours (plus 20 minutes for preheat and shutdown cycle) and the battery had 45% remaining at the end. The display said it could have kept going for about 2.5 hours. It lasts long enough for our uses (sausage, burgers, hot dogs, chicken), but for something like a brisket or ribs it probably won't last long enough.
Build on the battery seems good, great user manual. Would buy again!
CPAP Compatibility: The power capacity should translate to several nights of worry-free sleep. Anker's InfiniPower technology claims a 10-year lifespan, further boosting its long-term appeal.
Minor Murmurs: The single USB-C port might be limiting for multi-device charging, and the built-in flashlight, while handy, feels like a missed opportunity for another USB port.
Verdict: For reliable CPAP backup power, the Anker 521 shines. Its technical prowess, long-lasting battery, and safety features make it a sleep tech's dream. Just remember, like any CPAP setup, travel regulations, and battery degradation might require adjustments. Overall, it is highly recommended for a restful recharge, whether without power or off the grid.
This unit is basically a large power bank that will recharge a lot of smaller stuff. Great for that.
But….if you want to do more you might want to think about exactly what you might want. Some of the lower ratings I saw complained about battery life. Huh!? You bought a small battery and that’s what you got.
This guy has two main claims to fame. First, portability. Second, a reliable company that you can actually
contact if issues arise. Not the cheapest, but with these you get what you pay for.
The packaging of the 521 is ideal, although I wish the two 120V outlets had "real" 3-prong outlets. The size is perfect when a vehicle is loaded up--it uses little space.
I ran two tests with the refrigerator connected to the 12 volt outlet. The refrigerator operates in both ECO and MAX modes. The ECO mode draws 30-35 watts while operating, while the MAX runs at anywhere from 40-50 watts. I ran the refrigerator indoors somewhat near a heat outlet, to simulate being inside a warm vehicle. The refrigerator is rated to deliver 256Wh of power, so I calculated that worst case would be the refrigerator running constantly for 5.5 hours. Turns out that with the refrigerator cycling on and off, it ran over 20 hours before the battery was down to about 2-4% capacity.
EDIT: I had a charging issue that was partly my own misunderstanding and partly my car's wiring. I was at first unsuccessful in getting the 521 to charge from both inputs.
First, I had to use a USB-C PD charger, which provides higher voltages than standard USB chargers. This allowed a full 65 watts on the USB-C input for charging. But I would add the 120 volt charger that came with the 521 in tandem with the USB-C charger wasn't getting the ~120 watts of charging. I later realized that for battery health, the 120 watt charging through both DC inputs only happens when the battery's state of charge is lower. If it's nearly fully charged, it cuts back to only a single DC input.
Yet, I still could not get both to work in the car. I have a 150 watt 120-volt inverter in the car, which plugs into a rear accessory outlet using a lighter plug. It turns out that if I have both the 521's 120 volt charger and a USB-C PD charger plugged into the inverter, the inverter stops working. Likewise, if I use a separate USB-C charger that plugs into the accessory outlet (I have a 1:3 adapter with a voltage readout), the inverter cuts out. It seems the inverter is cutting out when voltage drops below a nominal value like 12.8 volts. In essence, the wiring from the fuse box to the accessory outlet cannot provide full wattage without voltage sag. When I plug the USB-C PD adapter into an accessory outlet in the center console (which is on its own 15 amp circuit), I can get 120 watts of charging to the 521.
I will wire up my own circuit with 6-gauge wire to run a 300 or 400 watt inverter and a pair of accessory outlets, as this will eliminate the voltage drop.
With ~120 watts, this provides a quicker recovery for the battery while the refrigerator is operating, which is exactly what I needed.
**Battery Capacity:** The 256Wh capacity of this power station is truly impressive. It's like having a compact powerhouse at your disposal. I've been able to charge my smartphones, laptops, and even run small appliances with ease. The peace of mind knowing that I have a reliable power source is invaluable.
**LiFePO4 Battery:** Anker's decision to upgrade to a LiFePO4 battery is a significant enhancement. LiFePO4 batteries are renowned for their durability and safety features. This upgrade ensures the power station's longevity, and I appreciate the added peace of mind it brings.
**Portability:** The compact design and integrated handle make it incredibly easy to carry this power station wherever I need it. Whether I'm taking it on a camping trip or simply moving it around the house during a blackout, its portability is a huge advantage.
**Multi-Port Design:** The inclusion of six ports is a lifesaver. I can charge multiple devices simultaneously, which is incredibly convenient. It's particularly useful when I'm traveling with family or friends, as we can all keep our devices powered up without any hassle.
**Build Quality:** Anker has a reputation for producing top-notch products, and this power station is no exception. It feels solid and well-constructed, giving me confidence in its reliability and durability for the long term.
**Applications:** The versatility of the Anker 521 is exceptional. From charging smartphones and laptops to powering small appliances and even some power tools, this power station handles it all. It's become an essential part of my emergency preparedness kit and outdoor adventures.
**Price:** While prices may vary, I believe the Anker 521 Portable Power Station offers excellent value for what it delivers. It's an investment that pays off in convenience and peace of mind, especially in situations where reliable power is essential.
In conclusion, the Anker 521 Portable Power Station with the upgraded LiFePO4 battery is a standout product. Its impressive battery capacity, durable build, and versatility make it a must-have for anyone on the move or looking to be prepared for emergencies. It's a reliable and efficient power source that has quickly become an integral part of my daily life. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in need of a dependable portable power solution.
I love the fact that it shows current power consumption (in amps) and an estimate of how long the battery will last. It will also let you simultaneously charge while using it. So it can act as a battery back-up / uninterruptable power supply. Very handy!
This arrived quickly and securely packed in the original, Anker packaging though the amount of material seemed a bit excessive. The manual is simple and straightforward, doing a quality job of concisely conveying what a user needs to know. The handle is solid and the weight, not high, is well balanced. The plastics fit well, the buttons inspire confidence in their durability, and the display is bright and clear. Additionally, the light on the front appears well thought out for the intended use case.
If I camped routinely, or otherwise spent long periods without a grid connection, I think I would want the next size up but this unit is quite satisfactory for backup home use.
Also, there is no power switch to let you know the unit is on or off. There is a switch to turn on and off the display, however it's not always functional, as i far as i can tell, once the unit has been sitting inert for a while. This is puzzling to me why this function was omitted. You can't tell if it's working sometimes or what the charge level is. Could be I'm confused, but that itself is a condition that may be noteworthy. It's not obvious or intuitive how to tell if the unit is functioning or charged unless you insert a plug into it, then notice the display. The instructions do not mention an on and off switch.
Keep in mind the corresponding carrying bag, a bit pricey for it's size, does not have room to accommodate the AC power adapter for charging the unit, and from pictures, it seems to have barely enough room to store the cables, much less any AC pigtails or AC adapters or 12V DC extension cables. I used a Canon DG200 gadget bag for cartage and storage. Works fine. Many are available as used on eBay as i write this review for less cost than the Anker bag.
Overall, i think it's a good unit, so i'm keeping it.
Now on to the design of this wonder. First, the cooling fan is pretty loud when it runs, but even worse it's inconsistent. Imagine watching a movie and it's silent, but then wrrrrrrrrr. A cheap 80mm computer fan would run off the native voltage and do a better job at cooling and being functionally silent, since you could easily tune it out.
Love the standard socket for 10 amps of 12v and the USB-C for 12 amps of 5v. Paired with the AC, this thing can be used with adapters galore to power practically anything on the go. But the 7909, Anker? Its a niche barrel adapter at best, and it's hard to find specific adapters that convert to it. The included socket to 7909 adapter means you can jury rig some charger out of the panel you have, but a banana plug, standard 5mm barrel, or even an SAE adapter would be so much more compatible with adapters and panels already on the market, especially at the simple 65w charging speed this model is limited to.
Other than those 2 design gripes, the rest is very easy to love. The thing looks amazing and sleek. It's got well more than enough power to do practically anything you like for a night or 2 of light glamping, or for a night of watching movies in a power outage. It's light enough to put in a backpack and not overall bulky for its power density. You could probably do a solid week of work on a modern laptop before needing to recharge this thing.
I'm right now cycling it once every day and let's see if it lasts 10 years!
PREVIOUS REVIEW
Manufacturer customer support told me the AC outlet has a 10W penalty draw.
My real-world experience: by plugging a fan to AC outlet drawing 20W, my battery goes from 100% to 1% in 7 hours. That is (20+10)*7=210 Wh. Still much smaller than stated 256Wh capacity. And a pity for just 140Wh actually usable.
I wonder how the competitor products fare in this fashion.
I bought the Anker solar panel as well thinking I'd need it, but so far I haven't been out long enough. Based on my testing, the solar panel will take a couple days to charge this up from zero, but will work perfectly to keep it topped off when you are just using it to keep your devices charged. So unless you're draining the battery heavily, you could probably stay off grid and use your phone/tablet and even some laptop use pretty much indefinitely.
The light on the front is also a VERY nice design feature at the camp site allowing us to leave the lantern at home. Bright enough to read by if your eyes are in good shape.
Very happy.
I got it to run my pellet stove during power outages, stove was rated at 15 watt so assumed it should. Was 80% charged when arrived, I topped it off using the ac charge cord in about 15 min. Display read 100% which I saw some reviews stating it only would go to 99%. I tried it on my pellet stove and it ran through the reset cycle just fine which had me excited. Then it would start but then shut off and start again over and over. Evidently the stove draws more on start than the 521 can handle, the stove didn't have any start up specs. I'm sure it would run it if it would start.
It's a well built, very portable battery pack so I figured I would keep it for internet/wifi backup and device charging as a ups taking advantage of the ability to charge while in use. Will update on how that works seeing some found issues with shut down while using it this way. If it does work I will probably purchase the anker solar panel for charging also which at this point is needed even though they say any panel can be used. You can if you can find the adapter to fit the 521 which it doesn't look available except with the anker panel at this point. I have looked some and so far only found the 8 mm which people say does not work.
Awesome for charging devices and running low Amp ac gadgets or lights for the price, runs a small fan fine.
Could stand faster charging in both ac and solar. Advertising is a little misleading as to what it will run which can make it a disappointing purchase. Will update on how it runs my gateway/wifi.
Update. It keeps shutting off when trying to run home wifi. Basically only good to charge devices and run lights.
Contacted Anker support since the battery still under warranty, they replaced a unit for me and the new one seems working fine without any failure. I changed my review to 5 stars due to great customer service.
Old reviews
I just checked some 1 star ratings, I had same issue. I charge the unit one night before camping trip. I was pretty sure it was fully charged. When we arrived the destination and plug my cellphone. It showed 0% left! The battery somehow completely drained itself during the trip. We had 20amp RV plug so did not pay much attention. When I came back, I plugged into wall, and it did charged back to 100%. So I thought it might be my problem somehow did not fully plugged in. But about couple of months later, it happened again. Just completed drained itself within one night. Then I checked back Amazon review and some people had the same issues. Contacted warranty and waiting for the replacement to come in. Let’s see.
"For your information first: The power saving mode is mainly for the AC outlets and the car socket. It will not control the USB ports.
The AC outlets on the 521 Powerhouse will turn off automatically in power-saving mode when the output from the AC port is continuously less than 10W within an hour. So the threshold for "lower power" is less than 10W."
I like the display which shows power input or output in watts, the percentage of battery remaining, and the time to charge/discharge.
I bought this unit based on Anker's reputation and my satisfaction with many of its other products. My primary use will be to power my fiber gateway during power outages (a recent three-day outage prompted my purchase), but I'm sure it will be used often for other portable power needs.
I have been looking for a smaller "solar generator" that will be used daily to transfer solar power from my big, fixed, LFP battery - the later sits in my basement connected to panels on the side of my house.
Key features needed were easy to carry, relatively fast charging, pass-through charging, PD output - plus the standard AC, 12V, and USB outputs. The Anker fit all of these plus the LFP battery is an advantage for a unit that will get cycled many times a week.
I've had it for a week now, and it does basically do what I want, but it has limitations. The biggest is the lack of a real "off" mode: if I fully charge it and leave it in economy mode with all ports off it still uses 1 to 2% per day. My EcoFlow units and Jackery units have a true off and drop by less than that in a week. For that alone it drops 2 stars.
More minor concerns:
1. Max AC ouput is only 200W, so I can't run anything needing more than that. Many units, even with the relatively small battery in this unit, can put out more than that.
2. The max power input is about 65W (by solar, AC, or PD); yes, I can get around that by combining solar/AC with PD input, but I wish I could use higher solar input so I could get full advantage from at least a 100W panel.
Note that when looking at the solar input side I couldn't find anything about the max input voltage - while you can use a panel providing more current than the max input (it will only take what it can use) excess voltage can fry a unit. I looked in the manual and on the Web site and couldn't find anything. I sent an email to support, asking for the max VOC allowed, and their response was I could use a "any (12V-28V) solar charger with DC 7909 Male connector" - not a great response as a solar charger typically has a controller, which would conflict with the one in the unit, and there are lots of MC4 to DC7909 adapters available (and no mention that the voltage that matters is the VOC). Still, it means I can use my "12V" panels that have VOCs from 18V to 25V (a have a few panels) without problem.
So, for my purpose the unit is fine for what I paid ($209) but others may be better for your needs.
Final note: many focus on the 3000 cycles of the LFP over the 500+ cycles of a typical NMC unit, but for most this is irrelevant. Few will go through a charge cycle more than twice a week, which means 104 cycles a year or 5+ years to reach that 500 cycles, and even then, the battery doesn't die at 500 cycles, it just drops to 80% of the original capacity. Don't buy one just because it has LFP unless you charge through a cycle more than twice a week.
Update: I tried to charge it by solar for the first time today. I tried two different panels, both of which work with my Jackery 240, and neither worked with this unit. In one case, the jack that was tight in the Jacker wobbled in the Anker, so it may be a connector issue with both. I've contacted tech support.
I also saw some odd behavior with AC output yesterday: I tried to top up my EcoFlow unit from 75% to 80% for storage, plugging it in to the Anker. The EcoFlow was set to slow charge mode, so it should have pulled well under 200W, yet it just sat there clicking, unable to pull enough power to start. I was able to charge it with the 12V outlet from the Anker, but need to test the AC output more; maybe the EcoFlow pulled more than expected to start charging by AC.
Update 5/21. I can't charge this with solar. Tech support said I need a 7909 connector, not the 8mm one which is pretty standard - and they don't sell a cable for solar charging or have one to recommend. I bought an 8mm to 7909 adapter and tried that today: doesn't fit. So, the Anker is going back.
So much potential here, from a company that is normally great, but this one product is flawed.
Update 5/30. After a lot of communication with Anker tech support, they provided one of their solar panels to try. It is a nice panel and works well with their unit and with my EcoFlow unit. I think that the solar charging issue I have comes down to an oddity with the connector, and if you have the right adapter the unit charges well with solar (within the limits of the 65W max input). Their panel comes with the adapter, and I assume that such adapters will be more readily available soon.
So, if you don't need solar charging or either buy their panel or find the right adapter, it is a good unit. Not perfect because of the 65W solar limit and 200W max output, but pretty good, and it comes with great tech support. So my, my review goes up to 4 stars.
Update Sept 19, 2022: The unit has been in use daily, primarily to top up my phone, tablet, and similar things, plus to top up tool batteries by DC or AC output. Working fine. I did some capacity tests with a 70W bulb and was pleased to see that it has a pretty efficient AC inverter, with low power loss. Another positive: with the right adapter cable, I can reliably charge this at 65W by solar, in addition to DC and AC.
But a big negative: the display cannot track low power/USB usage. If all I do is use it for topping up phones and tablets by USB all week, it will stay at 99% and then switch off at zero. I don't see the same with problem with AC usage. (Recalibrating by a full charge, drain until power off, and a full charge, makes no difference.) Not a huge issue for me: when it dies unexpectedly from USB use I'll just use another battery unit while this one is being charged, but it is a problem.
And this powers my CPAP beautifully overnight! It takes about 30% of it's capacity each night for 8 hours of sleep. So I assume I can get 3 nights of CPAP use from the unit, though I haven't tried yet since I just recharge it the next day.
Really happy with the construction, it feels great, and the display is beautiful. My only very minor quibble is that I wish I could dim the light on the front a bit maybe with a long press of the button or by pressing it multiple times. But that's pretty minor.
I'm excited to try charging it with an old 12v 120 watt solar panel I have lying around. From researching their plug on the back of the unit is a slightly non standard size, people report that this works well:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BKKK89V/
I'll be splicing off the Anderson connector and splicing it onto my solar panel.
All in all a great unit, and it makes me want to try more of these LiFePO4 solar generators.
My testing at home, using the regular Airmini AC adapter (not the DC adapter for Airmini, I haven’t bought one of those yet) resulted in 66% of charge left after one 8 hour night of use.
My CPAP pressure is between 8 and 9. I recently used the Anker 521 for two nights while camping, again with the standard AC Airmini adapter. I used the built in light for about 10 mins, but didn’t charge any phones or other devices. I only plugged in the AC adapter when I was going to use the Airmini, and unplugged it when I got up in the morning.
The first night was 6hrs 45 min of Airmini CPAP use, the second night 9 hours 20 min. After both nights, the charge was 38%. The temp the first night was in the high 20s F, and the second night, low 30s F. So I didn’t experience any loss of capacity due to the lower temperatures than my at home testing.
Right now I’m very pleased with the Anker box. Next trip I will use the built in light longer and probably charge my phone a few times.
Things I really like about the Anker 521, and why I chose it for my Airmini power supply:
Can turn on or off different sections of the power box, to save power when not using the other types of power (12v, USB, AC, etc)
Has a trickle charge (regular) and eco mode (my terms, can’t remember the actual Anker terms) for power output modes. In regular, even if your device doesn’t draw much power, the Anker stays on. I wanted this, as many battery boxes would turn off after 3-4 hours because someone’s CPAP didn’t draw enough current, and the battery box then turned off. I wanted it on, when I told it to be on!
LiFePo4 battery is supposedly safer than standard Li batteries.
Built in light was plenty to see inside my tent.
Weight and size I considered to be great given the power output.
I believe the unit can be plugged into the wall and also powering devices, performing like an UPS. I don’t need this currently, so didn’t test it, so can’t say for sure.
Cons: none yet!
I’d love to try this with a solar panel, but don’t have one yet.
Conclusion: I’d buy it again!
So I really needed a lightweight, portable, but durable and reliable battery that can power my gear. In context, I’ve experience with a Jackery borrowed from a friend. This Anker power station is an upgrade to me, with an extra USB-C port and a bunch of other add-ons. It fits in my pack and doesn’t add a crazy amount of weight. The handle is comfortable in my hand and makes carrying it easy. Once I set up camp, it’s easy to use. Probably my biggest requirement was being able to charge multiple batteries at once, my drone’s spare battery charger, my DSLR, phone, galaxy buds.
A major factor in my choosing the Anker 521 was its USB-C port. A while back I borrowed my friend’s Jackery which ended up being dead weight in my pack because it doesn’t have a USB-C. I didn’t bring any adapter as I expected the power station to have a C port for charging laptops and drones. So I paid special attention before placing the order. This Anker station has the USB-C built-in, also 2 AC ports to support both my camping light and one other device at the same time - another plus over my friend’s Jackery.
One thing to note is the build quality on this thing. I had set up camp in a nook by some ledges beside a cliff and had put the Anker 521 on a boulder. I camp with my dog, who is a complete spaz, and he was sprinting around and knocked which caused it to slide off and fall maybe 3-4 feet onto solid rock. After inspection there wasn’t any visible damage and it still worked completely fine.
In sum, the Anker 521 is excellent if you need a power station that is:
Lightweight
Has USB-C
Can charge multiple devices at once
Super durable
Sleek design. Easy to use.