Stations 300/500/700 Wh : quel choix ?

300/500/700 Wh stations: which one to choose?

Comparison of 300/500/700 Wh power stations : real autonomy, LiFePO4 , AC 230 V pure sine , USB-C PD 60–100 W , MPPT solar & UPS - which model to choose for home, van, photo/video & CPAP

Are you hesitating between a 300 Wh, 500 Wh or 700 Wh energy station (also called power stations / solar generators )? Here is the most concrete 2025 comparison : real autonomy (usable Wh), inverter power (continuous/peak W), chemistry (LiFePO4 vs Li-ion), ports (AC 230 V pure sine, USB-C PD 60–100 W, 12 V), charging (mains, car, MPPT solar ), noise/weight , UPS mode , autonomy calculations by use (home, van , photo/video , CPAP , teleworking). We finish with tables , a checklist and our LymobileShop selection .

See all our energy stations | Foldable panels 60–200 W

1) Method: Useful Wh , continuous & peak W

  • Capacity (Wh) = tank size. “Useful” Wh depends on efficiency (AC/USB-C/12V) & heat. Take ~0.85 as an average factor in AC.
  • Inverter power ( continuous W) = maximum continuous flow. The peak (often 1.5–2×) absorbs motor starts (fridge, pump).
  • Formula : Autonomie ≈ Capacité(Wh) × 0,85 / Charge(W) in AC (better in direct USB-C).
  • Chemistry : LiFePO4 = longevity & thermal stability (regular use). Li-ion = a little lighter/compact (budget).

2) Usage profiles & typical needs

  • Home/UPS : Box (8–12 W), Laptop (30–65 W), LED lamps (5–10 W). Need: 300–700 Wh depending on the target duration.
  • Vanlife/camping : 12V fridge (40–60W average), inflator, smartphone/laptop charger. Requirement: 500–700 Wh + 160–200W panel .
  • Photo/video : 100W USB-C laptop, camera chargers, SSD/hub. Requirement: 300–500 Wh (nomad) → 700 Wh (basecamp).
  • CPAP : 25–45 W (without humidifier). Need: 300–500 Wh for a peaceful night's sleep.
  • Teleworking : 24″ screen (20–30 W), router, laptop (35–65 W). Need: 500–700 Wh to last a mixed day.

3) 300 Wh station: for whom?

  • Ideal : pure mobility (light photography, van hike), CPAP one night, occasional emergency box + LED .
  • Power : aim for a 300–500 W inverter (pure sine) to keep some margin.
  • Ports : USB-C PD 60 W minimum (100 W if possible) + AC 230 V + 12 V.
  • Typical autonomy : CPAP 35 W → 300 × 0.85 / 35 ≈ ~7.3 h . Laptop 60 W → ~4.2 h .
  • Weight/noise : lightweight, quiet fans. Recommended in LiFePO4 for frequent use.

See stations ~300 Wh

4) 500 Wh station: the “all-purpose” balance

  • Ideal : teleworking (mixed day), camping with 120–160 W panel , intensive photo/video, home UPS .
  • Power : 500–700 W inverter (peak ≥ 900 W) to tolerate peaks.
  • Ports : favors USB-C PD 100W (laptop charging without AC).
  • Typical autonomy : 10 W box + 45 W laptop + 2 × 10 W LED = 75 W → 500 × 0.85 / 75 ≈ ~5.7 h .
  • Weight : still transportable (5–8 kg). Best mobility/use ratio.

See stations ~500 Wh

5) 700 Wh station: advanced versatility

  • Ideal : vanlife (12V fridge + daily charging), heavy teleworking, home base (long breakdowns), light tools.
  • Power : inverter 700–1000 W , peak 1200–2000 W depending on model.
  • Solar : Aim for 160–200W foldable for charging during the day.
  • Typical autonomy : average load 120 W (fridge + miscellaneous) → 700 × 0.85 / 120 ≈ ~5 h (excluding solar input during the day).
  • Weight : 7–10 kg. Consider the fixed location (van/house).

See stations ~700 Wh

6) Actual autonomy per device (order of magnitude)

CPAP 35 W (without humidification)

  • 300 Wh → ~7–8 h
  • 500 Wh → ~12 h
  • 700 Wh → ~17 h

Laptop 60 W (assembly/development)

  • 300 Wh → ~4–4.5 h
  • 500 Wh → ~7 h
  • 700 Wh → ~10 h

Box 10 W + LED 20 W + tel

  • 300 Wh → ~10–12 h
  • 500 Wh → ~17–20 h
  • 700 Wh → ~24–28 h

12V fridge (average 50W)

  • 300 Wh → ~5 h
  • 500 Wh → ~8.5 h
  • 700 Wh → ~12 h

Notes : AC values ​​with 0.85 efficiency. With direct USB-C PD , battery life increases slightly.

7) Solar & MPPT: what panel sizes should you choose?

  • 300 Wh : 100–120 W panel → ~3–5 h charging in good sunlight.
  • 500 Wh : 120–160 W panel → ~4–6 h.
  • 700 Wh : 160–200 W panel → ~4–7 h.
  • MPPT : favors a station with MPPT controller for +15–30% energy harvested vs PWM.

Choosing a 60–200 W foldable panel

8) Quick decision tree

  1. Main use ? (CPAP / Telework / Van / Photo)
  2. Average load (W) ? Adds devices (and keeps 20–30% margin).
  3. Target duration ? (hours/day). Calculate Wh useful = W × h ÷ 0.85.
  4. Mobility ? (weight). 300 < 500 < 700 Wh.
  5. Solar ? Adds 120/160/200 W depending on the capacity chosen.

9) Comparative tables

9.1 Capacities × uses

Ability Strong uses Boundaries Solar recommended
300 Wh CPAP, light photo, emergency box/LED Not suitable for heavy multi-devices 100–120 W
500 Wh Teleworking, camping, mobile video 12V fridge limited without solar 120–160 W
700 Wh Van + fridge, full working day Higher weight/volume 160–200 W

9.2 Recommended ports

Ability AC 230 V USB-C 12 V UPS
300 Wh 300–500 W pure sine PD 60–100 W Cigarette lighter 10–15 A Optional
500 Wh 500–700 W PD 100 W (C1) 12V stable Recommended
700 Wh 700–1000 W PD 100W + multi-ports Powerful 12V Recommended

10) Express shopping checklist

  1. Inverter power : covers your sum of W + peak margin.
  2. Capacity : calculates useful Wh = W × h ÷ 0.85 (AC).
  3. Chemistry : LiFePO4 if regular/long term use.
  4. Ports : USB-C PD 60–100 W , pure sine AC, 12 V stable.
  5. MPPT : essential if you rely on solar.
  6. UPS : useful for box/PC (micro-cuts).
  7. Noise/weight : ventilated surface, solid handle.
  8. Cables : USB-C 100W (5A e-marker) , decent AC extension cords.

11) LymobileShop Selection (300/500/700 Wh)

Stations ~300 Wh (compact)

  • For : CPAP, photo, emergency box/LED.
  • Pros : Lightweight, USB-C PD 60–100W , AC 300–500W.

See ~300 Wh

Stations ~500 Wh (balance)

  • For : teleworking, camping, mobile video.
  • Advantages : PD 100 W , inverter 500–700 W, MPPT .

See ~500 Wh

Stations ~700 Wh (multipurpose)

  • For : van + 12V fridge, home base, light tools.
  • Advantages : 700–1000 W inverter, high peak, multi-port.

See ~700 Wh

60–200 W foldable panels

  • Torques : 300 Wh → 100–120 W | 500 Wh → 120–160 W | 700 Wh → 160–200 W.

See the signs

12) FAQ

300 vs 500 Wh: the real difference?

~66% more energy. In mixed teleworking (~75 W), you go from ~4–6 h to ~6–8 h depending on ports/usage.

500 vs 700 Wh: useful?

Yes, if you have a 12V fridge/multi-appliance use or if you want to be less dependent on the mains. With MPPT + 160–200W , you can complete the day in a van.

LiFePO4 mandatory?

Not mandatory, but recommended if you cycle often (longevity, thermal stability). Li-ion is suitable for occasional/budget use.

What does USB-C 100W change?

You charge a laptop/hub without going through the AC → better performance, less noise (fans), increased battery life.

UPS: Do all stations have it?

No. If you want to protect your box/PC , choose a model with UPS switching (short transfer time).

13) Trust & Services LymobileShop

  • Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
  • Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
  • After-sales service : team in France, W/Wh/ sizing
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