Who this review is for
This page is for living in a van. The station stays inside, and a solar panel can refill it later. Panels are a separate purchase. This is not a weekend camping list, and these models are not sized to run a coach air conditioner. A car-charge wattage appears only when the brand lists one.
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2
A size you can keep in a van, for lights and a laptop in a van.
Who it's for
- Lights and a laptop inside a van.
- Charging from a solar panel later.
Who it's not for
- A weekend tent trip.
- A coach air conditioner.
Pros
- UPS switchover is about 10 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 1,000 W.
Cons
- 25.35 lb. It takes two hands.
- You can't add another battery later.
Key specs
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 1,800 W |
| Weight | 25.35 lb · 11.5 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 4, USB-C x 2, USB-A x 2, 12V car outlet |
| Dimensions | 12.6 × 8.5 × 9.8 in (320 × 215 × 250 mm) |
| Solar voltage | 12–60V (1000W max, 20A) |
| Noise | 30 dB · BLUETTI |
| Battery test | 890 Wh via OutdoorGearLab |
DJI Power 500
The lowest price that still covers lights and a laptop in a van.
Who it's for
- Lights and a laptop inside a van.
- A lower price, if those devices are enough.
Who it's not for
- A weekend tent trip.
- A longer outage, or more devices at once.
Pros
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 300 W.
- The easiest of these picks to carry.
- The lowest list price of these picks.
Cons
- Continuous output is under 1,500 W.
- 16.1 lb. It takes two hands.
- You can't add another battery later.
Key specs
| Capacity | 512 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 16.1 lb · 7.3 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 2, USB-C x 2, USB-A x 2 |
| Dimensions | 305 × 207 × 177 mm (L×W×H) |
| Solar voltage | 12–30V via MPPT module (max 300W total for Power 500) |
| Noise | 23 dB · DJI Power |
| Battery test | No published battery test. |
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus
Enough stored energy for lights and a laptop in a van.
Who it's for
- Lights and a laptop inside a van.
- More than one device at the same time.
Who it's not for
- A weekend tent trip.
- A whole-house backup.
Pros
- The battery can take an add-on pack.
- UPS switchover is about 20 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 800 W.
Cons
- 32 lb. Too heavy to carry far.
Key specs
| Capacity | 1,264 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 2,000 W |
| Weight | 32 lb · 14.51 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 3, USB-C x 2, USB-A x 2 |
| Dimensions | 35.6 × 26.0 × 28.3 cm (≈14.02 × 10.24 × 11.14 in) |
| Solar voltage | 12–60V (dual DC8020; 400W/port, 800W dual) |
| Noise | 45 dB · Jackery |
| Battery test | 1,068 Wh via ComputerBase |
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Light enough for one person to lift, for lights and a laptop in a van.
Who it's for
- Getting it in and out of a car by yourself.
- Lights and a laptop inside a van.
Who it's not for
- A weekend tent trip.
- A long outing with several devices.
Pros
- UPS switchover is about 10 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 600 W.
- Quieter than the other picks here.
Cons
- OutdoorGearLab lists 1,800 W AC. The brand lists 2,000 W continuous.
- 24.9 lb. It takes two hands.
- You can't add another battery later.
Key specs
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 2,000 W |
| Weight | 24.9 lb · 11.29 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 6, USB-C x 2, USB-A x 2, 12V car outlet |
| Dimensions | 15.12 × 8.19 × 9.61 in |
| Solar voltage | 11–60V (XT60i; 600W max) |
| Noise | 20 dB · Anker SOLIX |
| Battery test | 890 Wh via OutdoorGearLab |
Compare the specs
Our best picks come first. The Also worth a look models follow.
| Model | Role | List price | Capacity | Battery test | Output | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | Best overall | $489.00 | 1,024 Wh | 890 Wh | 1,800 W | 25.35 lb · 11.5 kg |
| DJI Power 500 | Best budget | $299.00 | 512 Wh | No published battery test. | 1,000 W | 16.1 lb · 7.3 kg |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | Best for backup | $619.00 | 1,264 Wh | 1,068 Wh | 2,000 W | 32 lb · 14.51 kg |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | Lightest | $699.99 | 1,024 Wh | 890 Wh | 2,000 W | 24.9 lb · 11.29 kg |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Also worth a look | $719.00 | 1,024 Wh | No published battery test. | 1,800 W | 27.6 lb · 12.52 kg |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 | Also worth a look | $629.00 | 1,024 Wh | 870 Wh | 1,800 W | 27.6 lb · 12.52 kg |
| DJI Power 1000 | Also worth a look | $699.00 | 1,024 Wh | No published battery test. | 2,200 W | 28.7 lb · 13.02 kg |
| DJI Power 1000 V2 | Also worth a look | $699.00 | 1,024 Wh | 880 Wh | 2,600 W | 31.5 lb · 14.29 kg |
| Pecron E1000LFP | Also worth a look | $399.00 | 1,024 Wh | No published battery test. | 1,800 W | 29 lb · 13.5 kg |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1000 | Also worth a look | $1,199.95 | 998 Wh | No published battery test. | 2,000 W | 35.3 lb · 16.01 kg |
Pick by size
Start with the size. The link is the pick in that range.
| Size | Capacity | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 500 Wh | No pick in this range. |
| Mid | 500–999 Wh | DJI Power 500 · Best budget |
| Large | 1,000–1,999 Wh | BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 · Best overall |
| XL | 2,000 Wh and up | No pick in this range. |
Runtime estimates
About how long these picks run common devices. Estimate, not a measurement: rated watt-hours × 85% ÷ the device's watts. Temperature, startup, and conversion loss change the real time.
| Device | BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | DJI Power 500 | Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small fan (10 W) | About 87 hours | About 43.5 hours | About 107.4 hours | About 87 hours |
| Phone fast charge (15 W) | About 58 hours | About 29 hours | About 71.6 hours | About 58 hours |
| CPAP (40 W) | About 21.8 hours | About 10.9 hours | About 26.9 hours | About 21.8 hours |
| Car fridge (60 W) | About 14.5 hours | About 7.3 hours | About 17.9 hours | About 14.5 hours |
| Laptop (65 W) | About 13.4 hours | About 6.7 hours | About 16.5 hours | About 13.4 hours |
| Electric kettle (1,000 W) | About 0.9 hours | About 0.4 hours | About 1.1 hours | About 0.9 hours |
Also worth a look
Other models close to these picks.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus
$719.00 · 1,024 Wh · 1,800 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a higher list price.
See all the specs
EcoFlow DELTA 3
$629.00 · 1,024 Wh · 1,800 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
DJI Power 1000
$699.00 · 1,024 Wh · 2,200 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
DJI Power 1000 V2
$699.00 · 1,024 Wh · 2,600 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
Pecron E1000LFP
$399.00 · 1,024 Wh · 1,800 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
Goal Zero Yeti 1000
$1,199.95 · 998 Wh · 2,000 WLess rated capacity than Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, at a higher list price.
See all the specsHow we picked
Every model is compared on the same six checks. The numbers are the brand's specs and the list price on the day we checked. A battery test appears only when another site has published one. The full rules are on How we review.
Questions
Why do some models have no price?
We only show a price after we've checked it on the brand's site and noted the date. No price means we haven't confirmed one. It doesn't mean the station is free.
Did you test the watt-hours?
No. The watt-hour number in the specs is the brand's rating. When another site has published a usable watt-hour test and a link, that row is separate. Two labs can list different numbers.
Is there a score?
Each model page shows a spec index from 7.0 to 10. It weights capacity, continuous output, weight, and the US list price per watt-hour. The formula is on How we review.
Do these buttons earn a commission?
Some View on Amazon and View official site buttons may be affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
What does Not listed mean?
That detail wasn't published, so it isn't filled in.
Disclosure
Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
The score rules are on How we review. Independence rules are on the Editorial policy.