Anker Power House II 800
MSRP $700.00
“The PowerHouse II 800 excels at keeping multiple small devices charged for short trips off the grid. ”
Average
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Suitable for solar energy.
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Additional built-in LED lighting
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Lots of USB ports
Against
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Strong but uncomfortable handle.
Anker is well established in the field of phone battery backups and I have enjoyed some of their models for years. However, after a few camping trips loaded with a dozen portable packs to keep my phones (and friends) well charged, I was eager to keep things simple with a bulky powerhouse like the Anker PowerHouse II 800.
Outside the Box
This 777 watt-hour battery has enough ports to charge multiple devices at the same time. Two AC outlets are available to handle larger devices, while four USB-A ports and two 60W USB-C ports can handle your phones and tablets. There is also a car DC plug, which you could eventually use as an air mattress pump.
In terms of charging input, the PowerHouse II 800 supports solar panels producing up to 120W. It also benefits from maximum power point tracking, which dynamically optimizes the battery to make the most of the variable incoming power from the solar panels. I was able to plug an old Goal Zero Nomad 13 solar panel into the DC slot and it charged fine, but after sitting on my balcony for two and a half sunny days, the PowerHouse was barely at 3%. You’ll probably need large solar panels to charge this bad boy in a reasonable amount of time.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
You can always charge the PowerHouse II 800 the old-fashioned way using a wall plug. If you want to put a little more power into it, you can also plug the included USB-C cables into the wall at the same time.
Shape
PowerHouse II 800 is positioned as a resistant product thanks to its reinforced corners. We’re in the electronics business, so generally speaking, you don’t want to be standing in the rain with your phone charging, but when it comes to water protection, car AC and DC plugs have it. covered. The only complaint is that the connections are not well placed for the plugs that rotate 90 degrees to the ground wire. Instead, securing the silicone flaps over the plug would prevent additional wear.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
The handle placed on the top is solid, rigid and has an excellent grip. For something that weighs 18 pounds, it’s a must. However, the handle breaks the box’s profile, making packing it a challenge. So if you put something on it while traveling or storing it in the closet in the off-season, you’re putting extra pressure on the handle and generally making storage awkward. You also lose prime real estate for your devices. Many other power stations in this category have their handles built into the corners of the case to prevent problems like this.
The front LCD screen gives you all the relevant information you need, including full charge, estimated life remaining, time required to fully charge, current frequency and power, and temperature alerts. Below are three hardware buttons that allow you to independently activate each of the main sections. Unfortunately, there is no companion app to track these things.
power functions
It’s probably a mistake to view the PowerHouse II 800 as a true home backup solution. It is specifically rated not to support devices over 500W, such as microwave ovens, toasters, or hair dryers. The most aggressive test I put this battery through was turning on my desktop computer and plasma TV to watch some YouTube videos.
The PowerHouse II 800 seems to be for a weekend camping trip with several people who need to charge their phones.
The consumption jumped between 460W and 500W, which allowed me just over an hour of charging. My dreams of offline badass individualism were dashed, the next day I went for a more modest test. This time I just plugged in my laptop and an external monitor and they were perfectly fine all day. Anker estimates that you can get 55 phone charges, 19 tablet charges, or 10 laptop charges with a fully charged PowerHouse II 800.
The maximum power output of 60 W on USB-C plugs is not as high as it could be. Many power stations have a more powerful USB outlet that can keep more powerful laptops running. As it is, you’ll have to make do with one of the standard AC slots. You’ll also see more and more wireless charging power stations on top for added convenience. In fact, Anker uses its PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology over USB-C, which is compatible with fast charging standards from Apple, Samsung, and Qualcomm.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
The perfect use for the PowerHouse II 800 seems to be a weekend camping trip with several people who need to charge their phones. If something really bothers the house for its exterior use, it is not one, but two built-in LED lights. A small guy can provide a focused beam, while the wide back has a nice diffused light that would fill a tent perfectly. The little light includes an SOS mode, which can come in handy when you find yourself stranded on an island late at night without beer and need to alert your friends across the lake.
Our opinion
The expectations I had for my first power plant were a bit ambitious. I was hoping this was something that would keep my cooler running in the event of a failure, but I would have known if I had looked a little closer at the box. The $700 PowerHouse II 800 excels at keeping multiple small devices charged for short trips off the grid.
A few minor design complaints aside, the PowerHouse II 800 is small and light enough to throw in your trunk for the weekend. Even if you don’t have the ability to keep appliances running, having a power supply like this in the closet could certainly help keep your personal electronics powered up during extended power outages. Good connectivity for the solar panels and additional built-in lighting make it a natural for the outdoors.
Is there a better alternative?
The market for medium-scale power plants is huge. The last power plant we looked at was the Jackery Explorer 1000. It has multiple USB slots for an extra AC plug and has a larger capacity, which is perfect for its higher price point. EcoFlow’s products in the $700 price range include add-on apps and expandable capabilities, which may be a gimmick, but it certainly turns heads.
How long will it last?
The useful life of lithium ion batteries is around 3 to 5 years, although this may depend on usage. For something this season, I would expect it to last a bit longer. Anker suggests charging the PowerHouse II 800 every 3 months to maintain its life.
Should you buy it?
If you’re looking for something that’s a step up from your everyday mobile battery, the PowerHouse II 800 is a good choice. It lacks some of the advantages you’ll find in other power plants in its class, but nothing significant.
editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn