Anker's Most Affordable Portable Power Station Is 'Truly Impressive' and Now It's Less Than $175

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Portable power stations have become a regular piece of camping gear, allowing people to be in nature without totally sacrificing technology. Because they’re battery-powered, they're also a great alternative to noisy, polluting gas generators commonly used during power outages. Brands like Jackery, Bluetti, and Ecoflow have become primary players during the tool's rise to regularity, as has Anker, a renowned maker of charging products whose most affordable power station recently dropped to less than $175.

Typically $220, you can get Anker’s 521 portable power station on sale right now for just $170 after a $30 on-page coupon—a total discount of 23%. This portable power station has earned over 1,400 five-star ratings from shoppers who say they "absolutely love it." It's a compact option designed to recharge personal electronics like laptops, phones, and camera batteries for campsite use, but the brand also makes larger models capable of powering much more energy-hungry machines.

Anker 521 Portable Power Station, $170 (was $220) at Amazon

The 521 portable power station is Anker’s most compact and economical option, meaning there are some trade-offs. It’s not designed to power large appliances, and Anker specifies that it’s not intended to be used with equipment like CPAP machines, air compressors, or microwaves and toasters. That said, it weighs less than 10 pounds and can keep laptops, lights, fans, and phones charged, making it a great option for weekend car camping trips or keeping the lights on during an outage. It can keep a WiFi router charged for up to 15.5 hours and a light charged for up to 16 hours, ensuring you are connected and out of the dark. 

There are plenty of outlets and ports to easily top off multiple devices at once, including two AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C outlet. There’s even a car socket, adding to its utility for road trips. Plus, the built-in light adds extra visibility during outages or at night at the campsite. The display panel shows the remaining battery and charge time, giving you a quick estimate of how much juice is left.

Shoppers were impressed with this device's utility and power. “The Anker power station is a lifesaver," one shopper wrote. "It's compact, portable, and has a robust power output capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously. The battery life is impressive, and the LED display is extremely handy for monitoring battery levels.”

Another shopper called it a “game changer,” writing, “This portable power station has quickly become an indispensable part of my daily life, whether I'm on the go, camping, or dealing with unexpected power outages.” They added, “The 256Wh capacity of this power station is truly impressive. It's like having a compact powerhouse at your disposal. I've been able to charge my smartphones and laptops, and even run small appliances with ease. The peace of mind knowing that I have a reliable power source is invaluable.”

Whether you’re trying to get through short outages or you’re looking to keep your devices charged at the campsite, consider Anker’s 521 Portable Power Station—now under $175—a steal.