Portable power has become an increasingly important aspect for adventure travel, camping, and even at-home use in case of power outages.
Having power when you need it most, whether you’re on an extended road trip or even a simple weekend getaway, can prove to be vital. With more and more people hitting the road for vacation, work, or life on the road, having access to power is key. Most people have experienced losing power on their devices when they may need it most, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with a portable power solution.
BioLite has addressed this issue with the launch of their high-capacity portable power station, the BaseCharge 600 (and available BaseCharge 1500). Designed for life on the go, this versatile lithium-ion power station is the perfect solution to keep your devices charged no matter where you find yourself.
The BaseCharge 600 provides fast and convenient charging with inverters to convert DC to AC power, three AC 12V ports, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, and one 400W input port for solar charging, ideal for laptops and other power-hungry devices. Additionally, the top of the power station has a built-in wireless charging surface that doubles as a 10W charger for Qi-enabled devices such as smartphones or Apple Airpods.
Charge times range from seven hours via wall charger, three and a half hours with both wall and USB-C PD charging, and six hours using a SolarPanel 100 at peak sunlight.
We spent some time with the BaseCharge 600 and found it to be a powerhouse when we were on the move. Compared to other power stations on the market, this is one of the lightest, weighing a mere 13 pounds and easy enough to carry with one hand using the integrated grab handle. The overall design is sleek, and functionally the power station is easy to use.
The digital display provides plenty of information—perhaps more info that the normal user would need. The LCD dashboard covers the bases with a very easy-to-read display, so you’ll always know how much power is being used and how much time is left until the power station is drained, but it also has the ability to provide further insight with temperature alerts, system notifications, and more.One highlight is the 12-point safety checkpoint system that prevents circuit overload and thus keeping your devices safe.
What makes the BaseCharge stand apart is the number of ports, which provides many options for charging. Every device and electronic gadget we use had a home. We used the AC port to charge a Dometic CFX45 cooler, camera battery, and an electric kettle to boil water quickly.
USB-C and USB-C PD ports helped to charge a MacBook Pro, iPad, and to recharge a portable speaker. The top deck charges a smartphone conveniently, although you need to find just the right spot to get it working. We also found it worked with our Airpods.
The SolarPanel 100 pairs well with the BaseCharge 600, ensuring the power station has a constant charge. The solar panels themselves have the ability to charge devices directly with USB-C and USB-A ports. The panel folds up nicely and neatly, making it both easy to carry and store. A built-in water-resistant storage pouch helps keep the cables dry and organized. Setup is simple and it takes less than a minute to start gathering power from the sun.
Overall, the BioLite BaseCharge 600 is a well-designed, high-quality power station that is versatile and reliable enough for work, play, and travel. Its small and compact size makes it easy to take just about anywhere. While the power station is meant to be used for adventures, you’ll want to keep it free from water and avoid any drops, as the casing is not particularly heavy duty or durable.
If you require more power for more devices or longer stretches of time, the BaseCharge 1500 may be a better option. This is also a competitive option that is very user-friendly and functional. If you plan on adding both units to your camping or overlanding setup, the BaseCharge 600 and SolarPanel 100 are available as a bundled kit at a discount.
BioLite
BaseCharge 600
Dimensions: 12.2 x 7.9 x 7.9 in.
Weight: 13 lbs.
Ports: (2) AC, 110V/600W
12V Carport Output, 120W
12V DC Barrel Ports, 120W
Wall/Solar Input (HPP), 400W
USB-C PD, 100W
USB-A, 5V/3.0A
USB-C, 5V/3.0A
BioLite
SolarPanel 100
Power Output: 100W in peak sunshine
Dimensions Folded: 20.1 x 14.25 x 1.5 in.
Dimensions Unfolded: 20.1 x 57.5 x 1 in.
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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 02. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here.
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