As the nature of camping and exploration continue to evolve so does the gear needed to support it. One item that has enabled a more luxurious experience is the advent of the portable power station, also referred to as solar generators. These small boxes often pack some form of lithium battery and AC inverter into a self-contained and portable package. Naturally, there are models that range from basic to extravagant and come with a price spread to match.

While we’ve been enticed over the years by units WiFi connectivity and apps that allow access from around the globe, we more often find ourselves desiring a simpler (and affordable) solution. One that brings all the core functions of a high-end power station without the fluff. The VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 checks all those boxes.

The FlashSpeed 1500 is packed with a 1,548Wh LiFeP04 (LFP) battery and can power up to 12 devices simultaneously. Output options include a trio of 110-volt, 1,500-watt, AC outlets. For DC options there are two DC5521 ports, a standard barrel plug (cigarette lighter port), three standard USB-A ports, a single 18-watt quick-charge USB-A port, and two 100-watt USB-C ports. These are important specs to note as there aren’t many other units on the market in this size with as large of a battery. Typically, 1,500-watt units will offer a batter size of about 1,000Wh.

This unit features ultra-fast AC charging with its ability to consume up to 1,500 watts of power from a standard 120-volt outlet. At this rate the unit will recharge to full in about an hour. While most home wiring circuits should be able to handle 1,500 watts of draw, don’t be alarmed if this does trip a breaker in older homes. In our testing we found that this can also be a bit too fast for most consumer gas generators, even those with much higher overall ratings. The unit can also be recharged from solar with a 400-watt panel bringing it back to full in about 4 to 6 hours, depending on solar conditions. DC charging from a truck’s 12-volt/10-amp circuit is an option as well should the need arise. Naturally, we’d recommend only using this as a last resort and while the vehicle is running.

Controlling the FlashSpeed 1500 is the company’s SuperSafe LIFEBMS battery management system. This system protects against over-charge, over-current, short-circuit, over-discharge, over-voltage, reverse-polarity, and more.

A Lifesaver On The Trail

On the trail we’ve found portable power stations such as these to be an essential part of our overlanding kit. We don’t go anywhere without one and frequently use them to recharge cell phones, power lights, run our portable fridge/freezer, charge camera batteries, and much more. With 1,500 watts of power and about 1,500-watt-hours of reserve we’ve found this to be the perfect size for most adventures. VTOMAN claims the FlashSpeed 1500 can charge a cell phone 130 times (the reality is about 100 iPhone 16 Pro charges, but we’re splitting hairs), top-up a digital camera 86 times, or a drone 32 times. It can run LED camp lights for 24 hours (or more) or run a blender for an hour.

Having backup power available can be handy at home as well. The FlashSpeed 1500 can power a typical coffee maker, microwave, or electric skillet for about an hour. A 50-inch TV will run for about 16 hours. And a standard refrigerator can be run for between about 18 and 36 hours, depending on conditions (ambient temperature, size, fullness, etc.) When our power has been out at home we’ve had no trouble keeping the fridge cold, lights on, and phones topped-up.

Keep The Party Going With More Power

For those seeking a longer runtime from the power station, VTOMAN offers an expandable battery option for the FlashSpeed 1500. This extra battery brings an additional 1,548Wh of capacity and connects easily with a simple cable between the two units. This add-on battery comes with the same robust LIFEBMS management system, can recharge at the same rate as the FlashSpeed 1500, and features the same LFP battery chemistry. The only real downside is charging is that charging is performed through the FlashSpeed 1500 and can’t be done independently.

This Power Station Gets Powered Up By The Sun

As part of our kit, we opted to include the VTOMAN 400-watt solar panel as well. This foldable panel is constructed of monocrystalline silicon cells that offer an impressive 23-percent conversion efficiency. The panels come with DC5521, Anderson, XT60, and MC4 connectors that work with not only the FlashSpeed 1500 but just about any portable battery system on the market. The panels are IP67 waterproof and dustproof, which means while you shouldn’t leave it out in the pouring rain, a few sprinkles won’t harm it. The large 400-watt panels are a bit chonky at 38-pounds. However, the built-in carry handle makes moving them around a non-issue.

We Wanted No Fluff… There’s Fluff Anyway

The FlashSpeed 1500 has another interesting feature that we’re not quite as sold on. Part of what has made VTOMAN popular is the company’s inclusion of a vehicle jump-start function. With the included battery leads you can connect a dead car battery to the power station and, in theory, boost it back to life. It didn’t go as well in our testing. With a mostly flat truck battery the FlashSpeed 1500 could only muster up enough power to crank the starter a handful of times before overheating and shutting down. Subsequent tries yielded worse results. If you want to be a hero and jump a dead hatchback at the mall, it might do the trick. However, if you leave the dome light in your 4Runner on all night we wouldn’t rely on this to get you off the trail.

There’s also a bit of discrepancy between the sales literature online and what comes in the package regarding the whether the AC invertor is a pure sinewave unit. While the marketing material says it is, the owner’s manual differs. This matters when powering sensitive electronic devices such as laptop computers. So far, we’ve not gotten a square answer, so we remain cautious as to what we plug into the unit.

A Less Expensive Power Station Alternative

Pricing in this current global economic climate can be a bit of a moving target. However, the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 power station routinely sells for less than $600. Which is a bargain for a unit with these specs. The extra battery can be had for about the same cost and the 400-watt solar panel kit runs about $500. However, you can pair all three together for about $1,300.