REVIEW – In our modern world, it seems we cannot get by without a battery charger for very long. Whether it’s for your smartphone, camera, GPS unit, or a CPAP unit to treat your sleep apnea, most of us need power in order to live our lives, even if we’re “roughing it” on a camping trip. Portable power stations are designed to fit right into this niche, but they are usually very heavy and very large. And very expensive. I was sent one recently, the Grecell T300 portable power station, that is designed to hit the lower part of that range. Let’s see how it does.
What is it?
The Grecell T300 portable power station is a small rechargeable power station with multiple recharging capabilities.
What’s in the box?
- Grecell 300W power station itself
- AC charging unit
- DC charging cable for auto/boat outlet
- DC charging cable for solar panel
- Literature
Hardware specs
Click to expand
- PD60W fast charging for Android, iPhone, tablets, and laptops, along with QuickCharge 3.0 support on all USB-A ports
- Can be charged via an AC outlet, a solar panel, or a car/boat 12V outlet.
- Battery Management System provides built-in overload, overcharge, and short-circuit protection.
- Multiple fans to keep the station’s temperature safe.
- Main power off button to turn off all outputs simultaneously
Design and features
The Grecell T300 portable power station is a black box measuring 6.375” deep x 8.875” wide and 7” high. There are orange soft-touch cushions on every corner and a nicely sized flip-up handle on the top. All the ports are on the front face, along with buttons to turn on any of the charging systems or the light on the side. There’s also a main on/off switch to turn off all ports at once.
There are three charging systems: AC (a single outlet), DC (a “cigarette lighter” port, plus two smaller cylindrical ports.), and DC through USB, with three QC 3.0 ports wired as USB-A and one PD 60W wired as USB-C. The ports are grouped together, and can be controlled independently. The entire unit output can also be shut down with a single button.
On the left side (as you’re looking at the front face with all the ports) there is a work light, controlled by a button on the front. The LED screen will tell you which systems are active, and how much power each is drawing, in addition to the total charge available on the battery.
There are connections for charging via solar panel, with the cables provided to use their panels (sold separately) or those from other manufacturers.
Setup
None, really. Charge it up and it’s ready to go.
Performance
I tested the Grecell T300 portable power station in several scenarios. I put it in my bicycle basket and went on a long-ish ride with my phone and iPad charging. After a half hour, both devices were fully charged from about 50%. If you’re going on a long camping trip, you can charge the Grecell T300 in the car on the way, or set up solar cells once you’re at your destination.
Depending on what you need when you get there, you should be well-suited to power a fridge/refrigerated cooler, a drone, cameras, laptop, or your GPS/Phone. The unit charges quickly from the DC power port in my Prius and can charge other devices while it’s being charged itself. You can think of it as a power distribution system for your vehicle. It was easy to charge my iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch while driving, since I wasn’t going to be using them while driving. (Well, the iPhone was in the cradle doing entertainment and navigational duties, but plugged in and charging.) Then, on arrival, they are ready for business. The Grecell T300 is not overly bulky, as some larger wattage units can be, and gave a fast charge to anything I threw at it.
What I like about the Grecell T300 portable power station
- Versatile outputs
- Easy charging via AC, Car/boat/RV or solar
- Nicely arranged ports with clear markings
What I’d change
- USB-A ports outnumbering USB-C ports in 2024?
Final thoughts
Most Gadgeteers who need them have portable chargers of some sort that can do multiple recharges of our most necessary gear. Whether it’s a long road trip, a camping trip, or a power outage/emergency, we want to be prepared. TheGrecell T300 portable power station is a bare minimum for keeping your phone and tablet/laptop going during a time away from main grid power. The ease of charging while you’re driving to your next destination is so easy to do even your parents can be taught how to use it!
The only drawback to me is the overabundance of USB-A ports. Why this is coming out in 2024, when the EU has mandated that all new devices must use USB-C ports is a bit odd to me. Yes, there is a lot of legacy tech still using the older USB-A wiring, but most folks who would invest in a portable power station are going to be those who have already moved beyond this older wiring protocol. But the features are nice for the price, and if you have drones or flashlights that come with a USB-A<=>USB-C charging cable, they are expecting the Power Delivery ports in this configuration. It just looks odd to see 75% of the USB connectivity offered with USB-A, when I have no main devices (iPhones, iPads, laptops) that can use this type of port.
Price: Normally $259.99, currently on sale for $169.99
Where to buy: Company webstore and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Grecell. Grecell did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
