Best Large Portable Battery - ECOFLOW DELTA Max Portable Power Station

How we selected the EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station as our top choice

Large portable power stations offer a reliable power supply whether you're on a camping trip, in your RV, or even at home during an unexpected power outage.

There are 6 key elements we used when judging large portable batteries: Capacity, Charging and Recharging Speed, Solar Charging Capability, Portability, Output Ports, Ease of use.  

The DELTA Max line has all the right attributes to be your go-to large portable power source.

1. Capacity 

Capacity is arguably the most crucial aspect to consider when choosing a portable power station. You need to assess how much power you will require for your devices and appliances. The EcoFlow DELTA Max line has incredible capacity and can power large appliances and even hanlde the startup amperage that many batteries struggle with.

Specs

DELTA>DELTA Max (1600)	DELTA Max (2000)
Capacity 1612Wh	Capacity 2016Wh
Total Outlets 15	Total Outlets 15
AC Output 20A outlets, 2000W total (5000W surge)	AC Output 20A outlets, 2400W total (5000W surge)
AC Charging 1800W Max, 120V AC, 15A; 3000W Max, 240V AC, 12.5A	AC Charging 1800W Max, 120V AC, 15A; 3000W Max, 240V AC, 12.5A
X-Boost Output 2800W	X-Boost Output 3400W
Net Weight (kg) 22kg	Net Weight (kg) 22kg

2. Charging and Recharging Speed 

One of the features that sets EcoFlow products apart is their fast charging speed. This can be a significant factor if you need to use the power station continuously.

The DELTA Max can recharge to full capacity when plugged in to the wall in ~1.8hours!

This means you are ready if the power goes out or if you would like to take it camping or to a location where you need power.

The time to charge from solar panels is quite a bit different and dependent on the size of the solar array you have. With 400W of solar input you can charge to full capacity in as little as 3.2 hours but may take as long as 6.3 hours.

3. Solar Charging Capability 

EcoFlow's DELTA Max has solar charging capabilities, making them a resilient choice when the power goes out. If you plan to use your power station outdoors extensively, this feature is a must-have.

Just remember that solar charging speed will depend on the weather and the solar panel's size and efficiency. So it's always a good idea to have a backup charging plan in case the sun isn’t shining brightly. 

Most importanly, you can use your DELTA Max while it’s being charged. The charging speed will slow but you are still powered!

4. Portability 

Remember, it's a "portable" power station for a reason! The DELTA Max weighs in at 22kg (~48lbs). It is not light, however it is quite portable. A small wagon makes this a go anywhere do anything. For its power output, this is as good as it gets when it comes to weight.

5. Output Ports 

The amount of outputs is more than enough for your needs!

The DELTA Max has:

• 6 AC Outlets

• 2 USB A

• 2 USB C

• 1 Car Power Output

• 1 DC 5521 Output

With plenty of ports and the ability to charge and power multiple items at once, it does all we could want.

6. Ease of Use 

This may seem strange, but we have found that using these large portable batteries isn’t as simple as it seems.

The DELTA Max makes it easy to charge either by power cord or solar panels. Plug in the desired power source and the DELTA Max starts charging!

Using the ports is just as easy. There’s a button to activate the ports. Once pushed, plug in your items and they receive power immediately. To deactiviate the ports, push the button and the ports are turned off.

Here’s the big one, and where a lot of other batteries struggled…

Powering off the unit.

When you turn the power off to the DELTA Max, it really does shut it off! This is SO IMPORTANT! This means that the battery isn’t being discharged. We have powered off the unit, come back a week later and the unit is almost at the same charge percentage when we turned it off. This, unfortunately, is not the case with other batteries. There is nothing worse than having the power go out and thinking that your large portable battery is ready to go only to find it at 0%.

Conclusion

The EcoFLow DELTA Max is our top pick in the Large Portable Battery category for many reasons. From it’s recharge speed, capacity, portabality, and ease of use, you should add this to your Power Outage Supply emergency preparedness kit!