Inverters and portable power stations are for anyone who needs 230 V power away from a wall socket: at a campsite, a summer house, a building site or during a power cut at home. Our range includes over 150 inverters and portable power stations. ECOFLOW, GREEN CELL, JACKERY and BLUETTI have the most models.
How to choose a portable power station or inverter
Capacity and output. Capacity (Wh) tells you how much energy is stored, while output power (W) decides which devices you can run. A phone and a laptop need only a few hundred Wh, but a kettle, a power tool or a fridge demands far more output. Add up the wattage of everything you plan to connect and leave some headroom, because devices with motors briefly draw more than their rating when they start.
Battery type. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries generally survive many more charge cycles than standard lithium-ion cells, so they suit frequent use or home backup. Lithium-ion models are often lighter, which helps for travel. Check the manufacturer's specification for the exact cycle life.
Output waveform. A pure sine wave inverter or power station suits computers, heating circulation pumps and other sensitive electronics. Modified sine wave units are simpler in design, but some appliances hum, run hot or do not work with them at all.
Sockets and ports. Check how many 230 V sockets there are, and whether you get USB-C with Power Delivery (useful for laptops), USB-A and a 12 V car socket. With a car inverter, look at how it connects: a cigarette lighter socket normally supports only low-power devices, and higher loads need clamps connected directly to the battery terminals.
Charging and weight. Portable power stations can be charged from the mains, a car socket and solar panels, and charging speed varies a great deal between models. Weight ranges from a few kilograms to several dozen, so decide beforehand whether you will carry the unit around or leave it in one place.
Brands we carry
- ECOFLOW: known for portable power stations with fast mains charging, and some series can be expanded with extra batteries and solar panels.
- JACKERY: one of the companies that popularised portable power stations, and it also offers its own solar panels.
- BLUETTI: puts a strong focus on LiFePO4 batteries and modular systems that also work for home backup power.
- ANKER: better known for chargers and power banks, and makes portable power stations in its SOLIX line.
- GREEN CELL: a Polish manufacturer specialising in batteries, chargers and car inverters.
- VOLTCRAFT: the in-house brand of the Conrad retailer, known for measuring and power equipment, including inverters.
Also in our range: KEMOT, REBEL, LOGILINK, S CONN MAXIMUM CONNECTIVITY, REALPOWER and QOLTEC.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an inverter and a portable power station?
An inverter converts direct current, for example from a car battery, into 230 V alternating current, but it stores no energy itself. A portable power station combines a battery, an inverter and a charge controller in one case, so it works on its own. An inverter is the cheaper route if you already have a suitable battery.
What capacity of portable power station do I need?
Start with a list of your devices: add up their wattage (W) and multiply by the hours you want to run them. Add roughly a fifth on top, because some energy is lost in conversion. A phone and a laptop are fine on a smaller unit, while power tools or a fridge call for higher capacity and output.
Can a portable power station be used as a UPS?
Some models can, but not all of them. The unit needs a UPS or EPS mode and a switchover time short enough that a computer does not shut down. You will find this in the specification, and if it is not listed, a dedicated UPS is the safer choice.
Can I charge a portable power station with solar panels?
Most modern power stations can, provided they have a solar input with an MPPT controller. Before buying a panel, check the maximum input voltage and power the station accepts, as well as the connector type. These determine whether the panel will work and how quickly the station recharges.
