The Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is designed to power most of your essential devices and electronics with a 600W output rating. Equipped with a 538Wh LiFePO4 battery, the VITA 550 is designed to handle most medium-duty needs in the field, with a long-life battery supporting many charge cycles. With an onboard charger, users don’t need to carry any external charging bricks to charge the unit out in the field.
The Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is designed to power most of your essential devices and electronics with a 600W output rating. Equipped with a 538Wh LiFePO4 battery, the VITA 550 is designed to handle most medium-duty needs in the field, with a long-life battery supporting many charge cycles. With an onboard charger, users don’t need to carry any external charging bricks to charge the unit out in the field.
One of the key features of the Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is its durable LiFePO4 battery that can last up to 10 years of use with over 3000 life cycles. Unlike traditional lithium batteries which degrade after 800-1000 cycles, LiFePO4 batteries are more efficient, durable, and safer, with less risk of explosions or leaks. Moreover, LiFePO4 batteries have a wider temperature range and can perform well in extreme temperatures, making them ideal for outdoor use.
The Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is also fast and convenient to charge. You can charge it from 0% to 100% in 1.6 hours in a faster charge mode, or 3.5 hours at normal speed. Additionally, you can charge it using solar panels with a maximum input of 240W, and it takes only 2.5 hours to charge under full sunlight. The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology ensures maximum solar charging efficiency with up to 99% efficiency.
The Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is also equipped with a feature that allows it to drive a wider range of devices beyond 600W, up to 1050W. This feature can come in handy for using more power-hungry equipment or tools out in the field.
One minor drawback of the Growatt Vita 550 Portable Power Station is that it doesn’t offer a passthrough UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) capability. This means that if the power station is plugged in and charging, it cannot simultaneously power connected devices, and vice versa. While this may not be a significant issue for most users, it can be a limitation for those who require continuous power to their devices without interruption during charging.
The Growatt Vita 550 offers up to 11 versatile outlets to power most of your devices simultaneously. These outlets include 3 AC outlets(120V, 60Hz, 600W, surge 1200W), 1 car outlet (12V/10A, 132W max), 2 USB-A ports (5V/2.4A, 12W max), 1 quick charge USB-A port (5V/3.4A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A), 1 USB-C PD port (5V\9V\12V\20V, 5A, 100W max), 1 wireless charging pad (15W), and 2 DC 5521 ports (12V/3A, 36W max).
At the time of our review, the Growatt VITA 550 has a $410 street price, with the 200W solar panel listed at $349.
Growatt VITA 550 Specifications
| AC Output | 120V, 60Hz, 600W Surge 1200W |
|---|---|
| AC Charge | 120V/60Hz 500W for Fast Charge 300W for Normal Charge |
| Cell Chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Lifecycle | >3000 cycles |
| Capacity | 538Wh |
| USB A Quick Charge | 1 x 5V/3.4A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A |
| USB-C PD | 1 x 5V\9V\12V\20V, 5A, 100W Max |
| USB-A | 2 x 5V/2.4A, 12W Max |
| MPPT | Support solar power MPPT charging |
| MPPT Efficiency | 99% |
| Battery Management | Over/Under Temperature Protection, Under/Over Voltage Protection, Overcharging Protection, Over discharging Protection, Overload Protection, Short Circuit Protection. |
| Solar Charge | 2.5 Hours (Max Input under full sunlight) 12-24V, 10A, 240W Max |
| App Management | Yes (Support WiFi & Bluetooth Connection) |
| Vehicle Charge | 12/24V, 8A, 100W Max Adjustable |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 12.2 x 8.4 x 7.8in (310 x 213 x 197.5mm) |
| Car Outlet | 1 x 12V/10A, 132W Max |
| Net Weight | 17.82 Ibs/8.16Kg |
| Optimal Operating Temperature | 20°C~30°C / 68℉~86℉ |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Growatt VITA 550 App Control
The Growatt VITA 550 offers remote monitoring and control capabilities through an app called MyGro. The mobile app is compatible with iOS and Android and offers a range of functionalities allowing users to take full control of their power station from their phone or tablet. The app provides real-time information about the battery status, including the remaining capacity and estimated time to full charge, giving users a clear understanding of how much power they have left to work with.
Users are able to see charge levels and monitor the status of all input and output ports in real time. This is useful for keeping track of multiple units deployed in the field, or just turning off certain outputs if you aren’t right next to the unit itself.
The app also allows users to set customized charging profiles, including charging speed and discharge protection levels. These sorts of features come in handy for situations where a stock mode might not be beneficial (lowering the charge rate to not trip a circuit) or preventing the battery from going below a certain charge level.
In our testing, we found the app was simple to use and allowed for connectivity over both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. We did see some updates push through the app store during the time we tested the VITA 550, so it is updated regularly at this time for bugs.
Charge and Battery Capacity
The Growatt VITA 550 has a LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 538Wh. In our testing with a 350W load, we were able to measure an accumulative output of 440Wh before the unit turned off. Charging the VITA 550 from 0% we measured a 650Wh draw needed to bring the power station back to 100%. For charging speed the onboard charger has two speed settings, which in our testing measured 259W for the slow rate and 493W for the faster rate.
Growatt 200W Solar Panel
Growatt included their 200W solar panel along with the VITA 550 review sample. The Growatt 200W solar panel is foldable and offers a rugged design for outdoor charging. Its flexible design, along with the included protective case, makes it easy to carry and store. The sturdy kickstand allows for easy setup and aiming of the panels in the field without building anything on-site.
With a high 22% efficiency rating, the panels are geared to pull in a good deal of sunlight power. It also comes with an IP67 waterproof rating, which makes it resistant to inclement weather. In terms of output and connectivity, it uses universal MC4 connectors, making it compatible with most third-party devices. In terms of sizing, it pairs well with the VITA 550, which tops out at 240W for solar charging rates.
In our testing, we saw the performance on the high-end measuring 176W with sunlight right overhead the panels and them positioned flat on the ground. This would probably be up near the peak out of this panel in full sunlight, which would let you charge the VITA 550 easily on a sunny day.
With complete cloud cover, the panel’s output level dropped accordingly, but still had a useful output. Here we measured output levels around 30-50 watts, which is still better than nothing if you are out in the field with no other source of power.
Conclusion
The Growatt Vita 550 is a versatile and powerful portable power station with a wide range of output options, making it suitable for field use, camping, and power-outage situations. With a capacity of 538Wh and an output rating of 600W, the Vita 550 isn’t the biggest portable power station we’ve tested, but it will handle moderately sized workloads. The LiFePO4 battery pack lifespan of more than 3000 cycles should also hold up quite well over time.
The addition of the Growatt 200W solar panel pairs well with the Vita 550 for outdoor enthusiasts, as it provides a convenient way to charge the system out in the field. In terms of remote monitoring and management, an app is included that can interface over BT or Wi-Fi. The only knock really is the lack of a UPS-passthrough mode. Overall the Growatt Vita 550 is a pretty solid offering for those looking for an easy entry into the portable power space.
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