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When it comes to charging up on the go, Anker is a brand that knows its stuff. From pocket power banks for topping up smartphones, to big power stations that can run household appliances with ease, Anker has a product to suit.
But this is the big one. It’s the new Anker Powerhouse 767, sporting a massive 2,048wh capacity, and a set of three-pin outlets that can punch out a hefty 2,400 watts.
It’s so big, in fact, that it comes with a set of wheels to help you roll around its 30kg bulk, and that is only part of the visual clues to its power output.
The versatility of big power stations like these gives the potential for true off-grid living. Coupled with Anker’s excellent solar panels, it becomes a complete solar generator. Pair up two 200w solar panels, which come as part of a solar generator package, and you can hurl up to 400w of recharging power into the main unit. And that’s enough to keep it running for days on end, if you get enough sunlight.
In the UK, at this time of year, it’s hard to draw in much power from solar panels, but they’re among the best-designed panels I’ve tested, with a wide surface area despite their compact size when folded. So you can certainly use them to top it up.
In the summer, the panels will create a brilliant outdoor setup which is perfect for camping, working outdoors, or even living remotely.
A solar generator is also, as I found out one stormy Saturday, brilliant for providing backup power at home if your electricity is cut off. I didn’t get much input from the panels, but the unit itself gave me plenty of charge to keep vital things running.
And the Powerhouse 767 comes with some proud boasts. Anker says it’s their most efficient, longest-lasting and most portable power station, and it’s said to be more durable than its competitors, too. And that’s a good thing, because it does have some stiff competition.
But Anker wades into battle with the other big names with a GaNPrime system, which cleverly manages the amount of energy lost in heat while you’re using the power station. This can often be the Achilles heel of in-built inverters, and it can see battery life drastically reduced under heavy loads. But the system claims to be 96% efficient compared to around 90% in other models.
In use, during some heavy-duty testing, I found the 767 was more than capable of carrying out beefy tasks such as running a kettle, or powering a fan heater.
As with rival units you have a clear display giving you an indication of the current input and output, along with an estimation of how long the battery will last under the current load. And how long it will take to charge. And, it has to be said, it’s pretty much the best display on the market in terms of simplicity and clarity.
As well as the three-pin sockets, the 767 has an impressive suite of 12V sockets, too. There’s three USB-C sockets, two USB-A sockets and two cigarette-lighter sockets.
It all couples up with an exellent app, which extends your level of control and allows you to remotely monitor the status of charge and discharge.
Lifespan is another important consideration when buying a power station like this, and Anker says that’s another trump card. The lithium LiFePO4 batteries are said to be good for more than 10 years of constant use, capable of maintaining 100% capacity for up to 3,000 charging cycles. It’s far better than the industry average, and peace of mind for anyone prepared to stump up the £2,199 for the main unit, or £3,099 for the complete solar generator setup.
The solar panels, incidentally, are priced at £549 per 200w panel, or £329 for a 100w panel.
Thankfully, it feels brilliantly put together. Anker’s build quality is always top-notch, but the 767 feels so rugged and durable, and I love the chunky, grippy wheels which make it easy to roll over grass or gravel on campsites.
There’s other details I’m a fan of, too. I like the fact the power sockets automatically power down when they detect a plug has been removed. That’s good for reducing phantom load from the inverter. And, just in case your 2kw of power isn’t enough, it can be expanded by linking an Anker battery pack to it.
So it truly is a device that you could use for a variety of applications. It’s so powerful there’s little in the average house that could push it beyond its capabilities and, trust me, I have tried. And it might be expensive, but for many people it’s an investment worth making.
Portable electric generators were huge news in 2022 and it looks like Anker is going to shake up the market even more this year, because the Powerhouse 767 is one of the best big units I’ve tested.
