It’s always a refreshing change to spend time off the grid—where the temptations of digital life can be left behind and you can reconnect with real life. But there’s no shame when you just can’t do it. There are valid needs for having access to a power source, whether for safety or comfort.
The BioLite BaseCharge 600 gives you the opportunity to have home-grade power wherever you can carry the portable power station. It measures 12.2 inches by 7.9 inches by 7.9 inches and weighs 13 pounds, counting it out of the equation for serious backpacking, but the BaseCharge’s handles make it easy to transport for shorter journeys, like picnics, camping, or even using at home as a back-up power source when the grid goes down due to Mother Nature or manmade errors.
The 622 Wh Li-Ion battery can be charged up from your wall outlet in as little as 3.5 hours, and can also be charged via solar (note that the BioLite SolarPanel 100 is sold separately), or USB-C. It carries a maximum output of 600 W and 1200 W Surge (outputs are DC, USB-A, and USB-C), and can power a number of devices—from smartphones to laptops, DSLR cameras to electric coolers, CPAP machines to cordless tools. There’s an easy-to-read smart dashboard that clues you in to how much power you’re using and how much time the battery has left.
The top deck of the battery is wireless-charging enabled, so for those devices that can charge wirelessly, save the charging cable for something else and just set the device on top of the battery.
My local kayak shop, which is off the grid, has also tested the BaseCharge 600 recently. Employees there have found it extremely easy to use, and can power the business’ electronics (3 iPads, 2-3 phones, stereo and speakers) for four days before needing to recharge.
The BaseCharge 600 power station lists for $699 on the BioLite site. If you need more power, consider the BaseCharge 1500.