Anker new Powerhouse II 300 is a small, portable but potent addition to the company’s power station lineup. It’s a convenient device to have on had. It’ll keep your gadgets going if you end up off the grid, whether because of a power outage or a camping trip.
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Powerhouse II 300: Small but fast
Anker designed the Powerhouse II 300 — which weighs about 10 pounds and runs about 10 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches in size — to charge small-ish devices.
The $359.99 power bank is intended to charge gadgets and appliances rated to receive 300 watts of power or less. Microwaves, toasters, hair dryers and electric cars are out. But your iPhone, iPad, Apple laptops and various accessories will be fine.
The power station comes with eight ports to connect a variety of devices. That includes a 60W USB-C port with Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 technology to charge mobile devices fast. Anker said you can charge a 2020 MacBook Air to 50% capacity in just over 40 minutes, or charge an iPhone 12 to half capacity in half an hour.
The unit also packs an AC outlet, three USB-A ports, a car socket and two DC ports.
Easy to read
A large, clear LED panel shows remaining battery capacity, current input and output status, and estimated recharge time.
The power station also features two built-in lights. One is an LED flashlight you can set to low, full or SOS modes. The other is an ambient light with three intensity levels, allowing you to set the mood of your campsite.
Recharging the Powerhouse
Anker said the Powerhouse II 300 can charge a 2020 MacBook Air three to four times, an iPad Air seven times or a digital camera up to 16 times. But then the Powerhouse will need some power.
Anker noted you can connect the included power adapter to the power station’s DC input port and a 60W Power Delivery wall charger (not included) to the USB-C port to fully recharge the unit in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Recharging with just the included power adapter takes about 6.5 hours.
The DC input port supports recharging via solar panels — not included — so you can recharge the PowerHouse with sunlight for a truly off-grid experience. It also supports maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for efficient power transfer.
Where to buy: Amazon
