BioLite swings big with its debut power station, aiming to provide the most wattage per dollar.
I’ve actually spent quite a bit of time (excluding camping outdoors for fun) with no running water or no electricity. I’m talking years of hurricanes and power outages growing up in Florida, as well as outages from unexpected blizzards here in Colorado.
Sometimes, life knocks you off-grid. Or, sometimes many of us choose to go there, be it dry camping in a cabin, in a vehicle, or in the rugged outdoors. And unless you are traveling with all solar-powered electronics, power stations can quite literally provide a solution to sitting in the dark.
At the very least, they provide a way to charge a headlamp, flashlight, or phone. At the higher level of functionality, they provide a source for continuous power (running a drill or appliance), and so much more. With a trusty power station, my “mobile office,” when I’m not at work or home, can be virtually anywhere.
Goal Zero, EcoFlow, Jackery, Anker, and Geneverse — there are a slew of power bank and power station options on the market. Launched in August, the BioLite BaseCharge power station establishes its own niche in the backcountry energy game.
In short: The BaseCharge 600 (622wH battery for $699) and 1500 (1,521wH battery for $1,699) are both stellar options for those in need of power off-grid, or in emergency use cases. The 1500 carries the same price and watts as the Jackery 1500, but with more ports, less weight, and wireless charging on top. And compared to the big competition, BaseCharge wins also with more ports and less weight than the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 — for $100 less.
- Watt Hours: 1,521
- Output: 1,200 W (2,400 W surge)
- Battery Composition: Lithium Ion NMC
- Max Solar/AC Input: 400 W/100 W
- Ports: 3 AC, 1 car, 1 USB-C PD, 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A
- Dimensions: 14.4” x 12.2” x 8.2”
- Weight: 26 lbs., 8 oz.
Pros
- Lightweight for its class
- Compact design
- Wireless cell phone charging
- Compact solar panels
Cons
- NMC battery technology
- Very slow wall charging (AC input)
- 2-year warranty
BioLite BaseCharge 1500 Review
![biolite unit arrival and AC adapter](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-unit-arrival-and-AC-adapter-e1662647960145.jpg)
![readout biolite LED display](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/readout-biolite-LED-display.jpg)
![biolite phone wireless charging](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-phone-wireless-charging.jpg)
![biolite turn usb on](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-turn-usb-on.jpg)
![biolite solar panel](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-solar-panel.jpg)
How We Tested the BioLite BaseCharge Off-Grid
![biolite power station at night](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-nighttime-%40authenticasheville.jpg)
BioLite BaseCharge: Conclusion
![biolite at camp](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/09/biolite-at-camp.jpg)