Countryside living means countryside infrastructure and therefore a squirrel’s sneeze can result in a power cut. The Vtoman FlashSpeed 1000 Portable Power Station could be a handy back up plan as a solid all-in-one energy solution. It sits in the mid-range category of portable power stations and packs a good mix of capacity, output and flexibility without being overly complicated.
At its heart the FlashSpeed 1000 has an 828 Wh lithium iron phosphate battery, which offers a cycle life of over 3000 charges with around 80 per cent capacity retained, meaning it should last for years with regular use. It delivers a 1000 W continuous output with a peak of up to 2000 W, so it can run multiple everyday devices like laptops, kitchen appliances, small tools or lights during a power cut or while camping.
The unit supports fast AC charging from zero to 100 per cent in about 70 minutes, which is faster than many rivals in this class. You can also recharge via solar panels (more on that in a bit) or through a car charger, which adds flexibility if you are off grid or on a long trip.
There is a wide range of output ports including multiple AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C (with up to 100 W output), DC ports and even a car-style output, so, you can power several devices at once, from phones and tablets to fridges or power tools. A small front display makes it simple to check remaining power and how much you are using at a glance.
The UPS mode will keeps critical equipment running without interruption if your mains power fails, really useful if you have medical appliances or other important devices. The unit also doubles as a jump starter for vehicles with a compatible cable, for another useful emergency feature.
On the downside some users note that, like many battery power stations, it can be bulky and heavy to move around regularly, yes, it is portable, but you won’t want to be lugging it too far to the campsite.
Along with the FlashSpeed we received the 200W Pro Portable Solar Panel as a mains free power supply. It uses monocrystalline solar cells with up to about 25 per cent conversion efficiency, which helps turn sunlight into usable electricity effectively even when conditions are less than perfect.
This panel is designed to fold up neatly for portability and relatively easy to carry, it comes with built-in kickstands so you can angle it towards the sun for better output.
You get a universal MC4 connector and a three-in-one adapter for compatibility with many power stations, and it is water resistant with an IP67 rating, so it can handle light rain or splashes. The panel feels sturdy and well built, and folding it up for transport is straightforward. As with all solar panels, the actual output will vary with the angle of the sun and weather, but this model generally delivers solid performance for charging power stations or 12 V batteries while you are off grid.
The combination of the FlashSpeed 1000 and Solar Panel is a practical and versatile portable power supply that is a capable and versatile. It is comforting to always have a backup supply when the mains is unreliable plus it’s handy for campers or anywhere outdoor energy is needed. RRP £799
- Good 828 Wh capacity with 1000 W continuous output and 2000 W peak power for many devices.
- Lithium iron phosphate battery with long cycle life and robust safety protections.
- Very fast mains recharge in around 70 minutes.
- Wide range of ports including USB-C, USB-A and AC sockets.
- Solar and car charging options add flexibility for outdoor use.
- Quite heavy to carry around for frequent trips.
- 1000 W output may not run very high-power appliances for long.
- Recharge via DC can be slow compared with mains.
