For the avid outdoor tech enthusiast, staying connected and powered up is essential. Here at the lab, we regularly use portable power stations both in and out of the lab. On the bench today, we have the Hiker U500 Power Station and S120 solar panel. It is a versatile and portable solution designed to meet the demands of your outdoor adventures. With a 515Wh capacity and a built-in 500W inverter, the U500 can run most essential appliances and electronics, making it the perfect companion for your next trip.
For the avid outdoor tech enthusiast, staying connected and powered up is essential. Here at the lab, we regularly use portable power stations both in and out of the lab. On the bench today, we have the Hiker U500 Power Station and S120 solar panel. It is a versatile and portable solution designed to meet the demands of your outdoor adventures. With a 515Wh capacity and a built-in 500W inverter, the U500 can run most essential appliances and electronics, making it the perfect companion for your next trip.
The U500 unit goes for $299 at Amazon after a $100 off coupon.
Design for Convenience
The Hiker U500 Power Station boasts a sturdy design and meets all of our preferred criteria, except the LED light on the front, which can be harsh on the eyes. It would be preferable if the LED light were located on the side or back of the device.
Its foldable handle allows for easy storage and transport, has a sturdy feel, and is sized just right to fit nicely in the hand while carrying the unit. Its compact size (260x173x170mm) and relatively lightweight build (5.2 KG) make it easy to carry and set up wherever you need power. The wireless charging top adds further ease of use, enabling a quick, cable-free charging solution for compatible devices.
The Hiker U500’s Battery Management System (BMS) ensures your safety by monitoring and protecting your devices from potential risks. With dedicated chips monitoring current, voltage, and temperature in real time, you can trust that the U500 will provide the best performance possible while keeping you and those crucial devices safe.
Build Your Own Solar Power Solution
The Hiker U500 can be connected with solar panels to create a mini solar power station, giving you access to electricity even in off-grid areas. This flexibility frees you from location constraints and allows you to harness the sun’s power to keep your devices charged and ready for use.
The Hiker U500 offers multiple ways to recharge, making it easy to prepare for your outdoor trip. Options include an AC adaptor, solar panel, and car charger, providing versatility to suit your needs.
The front panel of the Hiker U500 features a wide range of outputs to accommodate various charging needs, such as laptops, drones, mini freezers, and more. With multiple AC, DC, and USB ports, as well as a wireless charging pad, the U500 has you covered for almost any charging requirement.
Testing
In the field lab, we tested the Powerness specifications. The charge time of 9-10 hours can be a challenge, especially if you’re used to units with fast charging. One way to improve the charging speed is by utilizing the 75-watt AC adapter and supplying the device with an additional 60 watts via the TypeC connection.
| Tested Capacity | 402Wh |
| Tested Charge Power | 571Wh |
| Specifications | |
| Inverter | Pure sine wave |
| Weight | 5.2kg/11.4lbs |
| Dimensions |
260*173*170mm
|
| Recharging Temperature |
0° to 45°C (32° to 113°F)
|
| Discharging Temperature |
-20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F)
|
| Battery Spec’s | |
| Rated Capacity |
34.8Ah 14.8V/515Wh
|
| Battery Type | Li-ion NMC |
| Life Cycles |
1000 cycles to 80% capacity
|
| Inputs | |
| DC Input |
1* 4mm DC 19V/3.78A (AC Adaptor 72W / Solar Panel up to 120W / Car Charger 45W)
|
| Type-C In/Output |
Bidirectional PD 60W
|
| Maximum Input |
Adaptor 72W + PD 60W
|
| Outputs | |
| AC Output |
2*AC 120V 60Hz (US) Total 500W, Peak Power 1000W
|
| DC Output |
2*12V/5A, Total 10A
|
| USB-A Output |
1*USB-A QC3.0, 3* USB-A 5V/2.4A
|
| USB-C In/Output |
Bidirectional PD 60W
|
| Wireless Charging | 10W |
| Car Output | 12V/10A |
The SolarX S120 Solar Panel: A Perfect Companion for the Hiker U500 Power Station
The SolarX S120 Solar Panel is designed to work seamlessly with the Hiker U500 Power Station, providing a reliable and efficient solar charging option. With 120W of power and a cell efficiency of 23 percent, the SolarX S120 harnesses the sun’s energy to quickly recharge your power station when you’re off-grid. The solar panel has an operating temperature range of -10 to 65°C.
Its compact and lightweight design, weighing just 4.7 kg, makes it easy to carry and set up. The folding design is well thought out and convenient. When folded, it measures 450mm x 530mm x 42mm, and when unfolded, it expands to 1612mm x 530mm x 7mm.
The SolarX S120 comes equipped with a 2M cable and a versatile 3-in-1 DC connector (with 4mm, 6.3mm, and 8mm connectors) as well as a USB-A and USB-C port, offering multiple charging options. Thanks to all these options for charging and the USB ports, SolarX S120 is a reliable and powerful addition to your outdoor power setup, even if you don’t have a Powerness battery.
The solar panel carries a reatil price of $169 after coupon at Amazon.
Closing Thoughts
The Hiker U500 Power Station is an impressive piece of equipment for outdoor enthusiasts who require a reliable and versatile power solution. Our extended testing has shown Powerness to be a leader in this segment, not falling short of any of its claims and being reliable in storage. Its convenient design, safety features, and multiple recharge options make it an excellent choice in this segment.
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