GEAR | Anker 555 Portable Power Station Review

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We’ve been lucky enough to test a number of different power stations from various different brands over the last few years, and the Anker 555 is by far one of our favourite portable power stations. Read on for our full Anker 555 power station review…

Anker 555 Portable Power Station Review

What is it?

Anker 555 Portable Power Station PowerHouse 1024Wh RRP: £1,099.00

Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Stockists

Features

  • Battery Pack Rated Capacity: 25.6V/40000mAh 1024Wh
  • Charging Temperature: 32°F-104°F / 0°C-40°C
  • Discharging Temperature: -4°F-104°F / -20°C-40°C
  • AC Surge Power: 1500W
  • DC Output Port: 88%
  • USB-A/USB-C Output Port: 90%
  • AC Output Port: 85%
  • DC Input/DC: 120W Max
  • USB-C Input: 100W Max
  • USB-C1 Output: 100W Max
  • USB-C2 Output: 60W Max
  • AC Output: 230V~, 50Hz, 1000W
  • USB-A Output: 2.4A Max Per Port
  • Car Charger Output: 12V⎓10A
Everything you’ll find in the box

What we thought

We’ve been fortunate enough to test a variety of portable power stations with a similar capacity and spec over the last couple of years, so we’ve quickly learned about the various features that we like most and have a good basis for comparison.

Anker are well known for their reliable pocket USB power banks, the kind typically used to top up your mobile phone on days out and short weekend camping trips. Whilst these small power banks are undoubtedly useful, a larger, higher-capacity power bank provides far more versatility.

I’m always looking for a product that feels sturdy and well made because when you’re using a product like this, is likely going to be used in a van, whilst camping and around the home and garden.

Maplin Power Banks Charge Tech Electronics On The Go

The Anker 555 has a solid, weighty feel and comes in at around 12kg which is neither the lightest nor heaviest similar spec power station that we’ve tested. The heft is reassuring rather than cumbersome though and the product is well packaged and is supplied with a mains charger and 12v charging cable.

The mains power brick is chunky, but in use when charging it’s not noisy, and should you wish to, you can plug in a solar panel (available separately) and charge the power station that way.

Anker 555 power station review 2023
Powering my laptop and charging my Garmin watch

Pros

  • Bright and clear display which shows you how much time you can continue using the unit based on the current power usage
  • It charges in a few hours when plugged into the mains
  • Integrated fixed carry handle
  • The addition of 2 mains plug and 2 USB inputs, 3 USB C and 12V car socket mean you can power/charge multiple items at once
  • It charges external items like a smartphone quickly (similar to mains performance)
  • A solar panel can be used with the power station
  • The unit has a built-in light that I found very useful

Cons

  • It is quite heavy, so not something you’d want to be carrying a long distance
  • If you place a heavy load on the power station the internal fan does kick in, causing some noise

The verdict

Our Rating

Performance 4.5/5

Practicality 4/5

Features 5/5

Value 4/5

Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Once you start using power stations when camping and at home, you realise just how useful they are and wonder how you managed without one. As well as using it extensively around the home, on a recent camping trip, the power station was worth its weight in gold.

I realised moments before leaving that my eBike wasn’t charged and with an entire weekend of cycling planned I was in a panic, until I realised my Anker 555 was more than capable of charging my bike.

Anker 555 at the campsite

I packed the bike and the power station and charged my bike during my journey to the campsite and when I arrived a few hours later, the bike was fully charged and there was still enough power left to charge my phone a few times over the course of the camping trip.

Back at home, I do a lot of crafting and use numerous USB-powered tools. I also make a lot of short videos for social media and photograph products for the small handmade business that I run so am always needing to plug in various USB devices, often in odd locations!

Having the ability to make things, take photos anywhere and plug in my USB ring lights has proved invaluable. For DIY tasks around the house too, I’ve found it extremely useful, including using my electric screwdriver which has a short cable around the house without needing to use an extension cable.

I’ve recently completed a downstairs bathroom and hallway redesign which have both required me to put new shelves and various other things up, and anything I’ve plugged in (even our main TV) have all run perfectly from the Anker 555 PowerHouse.

Anker 555 powerhouse review UK 2023

Do be aware that whilst the Anker 555 portable power station is perfect for camping and is great to have in an emergency at home when there’s a power cut, if you want something capable of running high-draw appliances, you’ll probably want to look at something from higher up in the Anker range.

Anker 555 PowerHouse

This certainly isn’t the cheapest power station out there capable of delivering 1000W, but during the last 6 weeks of almost daily use and having taken it on a spring camping trip, the battery has lasts well and provides dependable, solid performance making this an excellent portable power station choice, just be aware that it is quite hefty!

DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Anker who supplied the featured product to us to test. We were not paid to write this review.

Where to next?

Shell Robshaw-Bryan
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