Comparison BLUETTI PowerOak EB55 vs EcoFlow RIVER Pro

Power that a device can consistently produce for an indefinitely long time without any unpleasant consequences. For normal operation of the charging station, the rated power must be at least 15 - 20% higher than the total power of all devices simultaneously connected to it.

Some electrical appliances (in particular, units with electric motors - refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) consume significantly more energy at startup than after reaching the operating mode. For such a load, the peak power of the charging station must be taken into account - its indicator must be higher than the starting power of the load.

Charging stations with UPS function switch consumers to backup power from their own battery, acting as an uninterruptible power supply. In comparison with full-fledged UPSs, switching does not occur instantly, but with a certain delay (about 10-30 ms). To use this function correctly, you must first study the instructions for the charging station, which often describes the correct procedure for connecting the intended consumer devices.

The delay (usually in milliseconds) between the power going out from the outlet and the moment when the station starts feeding connected devices from its battery, maintaining "pass-through" power. The shorter this time, the higher the chance that devices won't notice the drop at all: for routers, cameras, NAS, and PCs, this is critical because a long pause can cause a reboot, loss of connection, or even filesystem errors. Essentially, this is the same parameter as in a classic UPS, but for charging stations, it greatly depends on implementation: models with a more "UPS-like" switching scheme switch considerably faster, while some stations formally have a UPS mode but actually create a noticeable break or activate the output only after "realizing" the network's loss. In practice, this point helps distinguish a charging station that is truly suitable as a UPS for sensitive electronics from an option "for lights and charging": for example, for home internet and video surveillance, minimal switching time is important, while for lamps, charging phones, or a heater, a brief pause is typically not critical.

Full-size USB-A connectors are popular in computer technology, commonly used in charging adapters for 230 V household networks and 12 V car sockets. These outputs have become widespread in charging stations for charging gadgets.

— The total number of such ports can be quite varied (1 USB, 2 connectors, 3 ports, and even 4), as they allow for charging and, in some cases, powering various low-power devices — smartphones, tablets, power banks, lamps, and more.

— Current Strength. The maximum current delivered through the USB-A connector to the charging device. Note that different ports of the charging station may output different currents (for example, 1.5 A and 2.1 A). In such cases, the highest current strength is usually specified.

— Power. The maximum output power in watts (W) that the charging station is capable of delivering through the USB-A connector to a single charging gadget.

Full-sized USB-A ports with fast charging support. This feature allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet, or other connected devices much more quickly. The charging process occurs at increased power, with current and voltage regulated at each stage to stay within optimal values. However, keep in mind that there are many fast-charging technologies today, and not all of them are compatible with each other.

— Current strength. The current parameters delivered through USB-A fast charging ports. Note that different ports of the charging station may output different voltage and current parameters. This section specifies the current strength values at a certain voltage (for example, 5V / 3A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A).

— Power. The maximum power in watts (W) that the charging station can deliver through the USB-A fast charging port to a single charging gadget. High output power allows for faster charging. However, the charging device must support the corresponding power; otherwise, the speed will be limited by the gadget's characteristics.

In wireless charging mode, energy is transferred to the gadget being charged through an inductive surface, which is usually built into the upper plane of the charging station case. There can be one slot for wireless charging or several of them are provided. The range of this technology does not exceed a few centimeters. However, this method of charging eliminates the fuss with wires and reduces wear on the connectors. One of the key disadvantages of this format is considered to be low power and, accordingly, slow charging speed.

The presence of a DC connector (or several such outputs) in the device to power external gadgets with direct current. The standard DC jack is round and has a pin in the center. However, its dimensions may differ in depth and diameter. The voltage output to the DC output may be different. The most popular options are 18 - 20 V for powering laptops, 12 V for various specialized devices and automotive electrical accessories.

Ability to connect an external battery to the charging station to increase the overall energy consumption and, as a result, extend the battery life. This connection is fast and convenient. On the other hand, the battery takes up extra space on the outside, making the whole structure more cumbersome.