Gadgets: Portable power

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

The newly released Anker Solix S5000 shows how far portable power has come. The high-capacity power pack is touted by Anker as the longest-lasting 5kWh portable power station for home backup in the event of power outages.

For a portable battery (10.6 by 22 by 15.2 inches), the specifications are impressive, including about 5kWh of capacity, dual voltage connections for 120 and 240 volts, and a continuous output of 4,500 watts. When not in use, it has an idle standby time of 21 days.

The side of the pack has all the ports and controls. This includes one USB-A port, two USB-C ports, four standard AC output ports, and one NEMA TT-30R AC output port. On the opposite side are the inputs for charging the S5000, including AC, solar, and generator connections, all with protective rubber flaps.

With all these features, the battery is impressively versatile. It can keep home essentials running for up to 48 hours during an outage, though the exact time depends on what you plug in. Thanks to its 120-volt and 240-volt ports, it can handle appliances like refrigerators, freezers, stoves, water heaters, ovens and microwaves. Anker states it will work with 99% of home appliances.

The S5000 weighs 97 pounds, but it’s still easy to move. It has sturdy wheels and a telescoping handle, so you can roll it like a suitcase. Anker says the S5000 is 28% lighter and 45% smaller by volume than some other 5kWh models.

Anker-supplied test results showed the Solix S5000 powered a combination of a refrigerator, Wi-Fi router, coffee maker, lights and a mobile phone for 48 hours. Tested individually, the S5000 powered a refrigerator alone for up to 86 hours and a window air conditioner for up to 25 hours.

During my testing, I plugged in our refrigerator, TV, air fryer and charged our smartphones — even while my wife was cooking dinner. Everything worked smoothly, and moving the unit around was easy, as detailed above.

Inside, the S5000 has next-generation 314Ah lithium iron phosphate cells rated for up to 10,000 charging cycles and an estimated service life of up to 15 years. A five-year warranty is included. It is also expandable with up to five additional compatible expansion batteries (sold separately), bringing total capacity to up to 30 kWh.

During extended outages, it accepts solar input of up to 3,000 watts or connects to an Anker SOLIX Smart Generator (or third-party generators) to extend battery life. It’s also quiet, operating at a whisper-quiet voice level of 30 dB.

Charging the S5000 from empty to full takes 3.1 hours with an 1800-watt AC input (cable included). Using a 3,000-watt solar input (sold separately), it charges in 2.1 hours. With an 800-watt alternator charger in a vehicle, it takes 7.3 hours.

With all its advanced features, the Solix S5000 is hassle-free and plug-and-play. Keep it charged so it’s ready to go in the event of a blackout, or whatever use you need it for. Then plug in what’s needed.

You can also use the Anker Power companion app to manage the power pack. In the app, you can update firmware, monitor power and set schedules from your smartphone. In my case, it even alerted me to a user error: I hadn’t fully inserted the AC plug for charging.

To keep the battery ready, a reader once suggested setting a calendar reminder every few months to check the charge level on this and any other backup batteries. It’s an easy step you can take, unlike predicting when a power outage will happen.

Anker states the S5000 is UL 9540 and 9540A certified, meeting the highest safety standards in the energy storage industry.

https://www.ankersolix.com/s5000 The Anker SOLIX S5000 is available at AnkerSolix.com and Amazon for a launch price of $2,499.99, MSRP is $3,599.99.