Portable power stations have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a reliable and convenient source of energy for outdoor activities, power outages, and emergencies. In this review, we look at the BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station, which features a 1120Wh LiFePO4 battery and a 1200W AC power inverter.
Portable power stations have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a reliable and convenient source of energy for outdoor activities, power outages, and emergencies. In this review, we look at the BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station, which features a 1120Wh LiFePO4 battery and a 1200W AC power inverter.
The BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station boasts a big capacity of 1120Wh, which easily puts this unit into the realm of other mid-sized units. The LiFePO4 battery is the key feature of this power station, as it offers a much safer and long-lasting option compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Rated with over 3500+ cycles to 80% capacity, BougeRV designed the FORT 1000 to offer reliable performance for a long period of time.
In addition to the LiFePO4 battery, the BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station is equipped with an advanced Battery Management System (BMS) that offers much-needed protection for your battery. The BMS system helps to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits, which can all cause damage to the battery and reduce its lifespan.
The BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station also offers a high-visibility, easy-to-read LED screen, which displays important information about the charging status, recharging status, battery capacity, and error information. In terms of capabilities, this unit is really aimed to be a simple-to-use and very basic platform, without frills such as wireless connectivity. This makes it less complex and may interest those who don’t want the hassle of another app.
At the time of this review, the BougeRV FORT 1000 has a street price of $799.
BougeRV FORT 1000 Specifications
| Battery | LiFePO4 Battery |
|---|---|
| Cycle Life | 3500+ Cycles to 80% Capacity |
| Capacity | 1120Wh |
| Product Warranty | 12-Months |
| DC5521 Recharge | 25V, 8A 200W Max |
| USB-A Output | 2 x 5V/2.4A, 12W |
| PV Solar Recharge | 12-30V,8A 200W Max |
| USB-A QC3.0 Output | 1 x 5V/3A, 15W; 9V/2A, 18W |
| USB-C Recharge | 20V, 3A 60W Max |
| USB-C Output | 1 x 5V 3A / 9V 3A / 12V 3A / 15V 3A /20V 3A, 60W Max |
| AC Output | 3 x 110V, 1200W (2000W Peak) Pure Sine Wave |
| Product Dimension | 12.59*9*11 Inch |
| Cigarette & DC5521 Output | 2 x DC5521, 1x Cigarette Port, 12V, 10A 120W Max Total |
Build and Design
The BougeRV FORT 1000 has a clean layout with a screen. It seems kind of funny that a screen would be called out as a key feature, but this unit has what might be the easiest-to-read screen on a portable power station we’ve reviewed to date. The LCD panel is large enough to read from a good distance away and very bright. It is illuminated by the characters themselves on a black background, giving it a nice high-contrast look. The front has all the connectivity and controls located on it.
As we mentioned above there is no app for the BougeRV FORT 1000, so all control is through the four buttons on the front. You have power as well as individual AC, DC, and USB controls. On the input side, the FORT 1000 supports three main charging modes all through DC inputs. The main charge port used for the charging adapter is a DC5521 jack, supporting a peak charge rate of 200W. There is also a PV solar port, which also peaks at 200W. A third option is the USB-C port can also be used the charge the unit at a slower 60W rate.
Input Ports:
- DC5521 Recharge (25V, 8A 200W Max)
- PV Solar Recharge (12-30V, 8A 200W Max)
- USB-C Recharge (20V, 3A 60W Max)
On the output side you had the traditional layout of three USB-A ports, two 12W and one QC3.0 10W port. The USB-C port for charging also supports 60W out as well. You then have a 12V car socket and two DC5521 jacks for 12V output, which are rated to offer 120W out combined. Finally, there are three ungrounded AC ports on the front which are rated for a 1200W combined output and 2000W peak draw.
Output Ports:
- USB-A Output (2 x 5V/2.4A, 12W)
- USB-A QC3.0 Output (1 x 5V/3A, 15W; 9V/2A, 18W)
- USB-C Output (1 x 5V 3A / 9V 3A / 12V 3A / 15V 3A / 20V 3A, 60W Max)
- AC Output (3 x 110V, 1200W (2000W Peak) Pure Sine Wave)
- Cigarette & DC5521 Output (2 x DC5521, 1x Cigarette Port, 12V, 10A 120W Max Total)
In Use
The BougeRV FORT 1000 is very basic, which makes it easy for anyone to use but also limits some of the more advanced features we like to see on a portable power station. These items would fall into the nice-to-have category but aren’t required for everyone.
The FORT 1000 requires an external charging adapter, which limits the charge rate to 200W max, removing quick-charge capabilities or things like UPS modes. Not all use cases require fast charging, although this is probably the largest portable power station you’d want to look at without an onboard charger.
In our testing, we measured the peak charge speed right at 200W. From a 0% charge to full, we needed around 1330Wh drawn from the wall, putting the unit in at over 6 hours of charge time. The 1120Wh LiFePO4 battery is nice for capacity, although will require that amount, and then some to fill back up.
Looking at the product portfolio from BougeRV, you can see items like the 200W solar panels we’ve reviewed prior as well as lower power draw devices like portable refrigerators. If you are more focused on the large battery versus the 1200W power output, lower-power devices will last quite a long time on this unit. It also supports pass-through charging to keep the battery topped off during use.
During our discharge test with a 350W load, we measured the battery capacity through the AC inverter at 970Wh. For remote use cases that intend to pair this unit with a solar panel, the lack of an on-board charger may not be a big deal. If you intend to drain the unit completely in a few hours with a large load though, this may not be the best fit.
Conclusion
The BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station offers a reliable and efficient source of power for outdoor activities, power outages, and emergencies. It has a large 1120Wh LiFePO4 battery paired with a 1200W inverter for powering moderate-sized devices offgrid. The local control is a nice perk for those that don’t want any app control, paired up with a nice high-visibility display. However, the lack of an onboard charger limits the charging rate to 200W max, removing quick-charge capabilities. This can present a challenge for those who might need to recharge the battery in a short period of time.
The power station has three USB-A ports, two 12W and one QC3.0 10W port, a 12V car socket, and two DC5521 jacks for 12V output. The three AC ports on the front are rated for a 1200W combined output and 2000W peak draw. The BougeRV FORT 1000 Portable Power Station is a good option for those who are looking for a no-frills, convenient source of power.
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