The Anker 757 Powerhouse is a portable power station designed to provide backup power for various needs like camping, outdoor activities, and emergency power outages. Despite its large battery capacity, the Anker 757 strikes a nice balance between portability and power capabilities.
Weighing in at 44 pounds with a size comparable to a small cooler, the Anker 757 is reasonably portable while still packing a hefty 1,229 watt hours of capacity from lithium iron phosphate batteries. It’s not a tiny power bank you’d throw in your backpack, but the Anker 757 provides a realistic level of portable power for running small appliances, laptops, fans, lights, and more while camping or during emergencies.
With a variety of output ports like AC, USB-A, USB-C, and a car socket, the Anker 757 aims to power your essential devices when off-grid. Its capabilities make it suitable for camping weekends, RV vacations, outdoor events, or emergency power when the lights go out.
Unboxing
After removing the Anker 757 Powerhouse from its box, the first thing that stands out is the exceptional build quality. Despite weighing in at 44 lbs, the unit feels sturdy thanks to its aluminum inner casing that protects the internal components.
Inside the box, Anker includes several handy accessories:
- Car adapter cable for charging from your vehicle’s 12V outlet
- Standard grounded AC adapter for connecting to a wall outlet
- Solar charging cable that combines 3 solar panel connections into 1 plug
- Dust cover to keep the unit clean during storage
- User manual and quick start guide
The included cables and adapters appear durable and well-made. The solar cable in particular has thick, high-quality insulation around the wires.
Overall, the unboxing experience matches the premium feel of the Powerhouse itself. Anker packs everything you need to get started charging the unit via solar, AC, and DC sources.
Display and Controls
The Anker 757 Powerhouse has a useful display and controls for managing the battery’s power.
Flashlight
One of the handy features is the built-in flashlight located along the top of the unit. This white strip can turn on and off or strobe at different brightness levels – off, low, medium, and high. The light is a nice warm amber color rather than a harsh bright white, making it good for outdoor use or power outages where you want a soft glow.
LCD Display
Below the flashlight is a LCD display that shows the battery’s charge level with an animated battery icon, the estimated hours of runtime when something is plugged into the AC inverter, and the wattage going into or out of the Powerhouse. This gives you all the key info about power status at a glance.
Power Saver Mode
To the left of the display is a switch to enable Power Saver mode. When this is turned on, the Powerhouse will automatically shut down when no devices are drawing power, preventing unnecessary battery drain. This can be useful when charging is spotty or you want to conserve as much power as possible.
Ports and Connectivity
The Anker 757 Powerhouse has a variety of ports and connectivity options to charge devices as well as recharge itself.
DC Port
On the front of the unit, there is a standard 12V DC car charger port that you would find in a vehicle. This allows you to directly power or charge DC devices like car vacuums, tire inflators, mini-fridges and other accessories commonly used in vehicles.
AC Port
The Anker 757 also has a pure sine wave 1500W AC inverter with 6 AC outlets. This inverter can provide up to 2400W surge power, allowing you to run appliances and tools like blenders, power tools, small refrigerators, and more. The AC inverter needs to be turned on to provide power to connected devices.
USB Ports
For charging smaller devices like phones, tablets and laptops, the Anker 757 Powerhouse has several USB ports. There are 2 USB-C ports with up to 100W and 60W output, as well as 4 USB-A ports capable of 12W charging.
Solar Charging
The Powerhouse can be recharged via optional Anker solar panels (like the 625W model) using the Solar Input port in the back. It’s compatible with up to 300W of solar input.
Wall Charging
Using the included AC charger, the Anker 757 can recharge from 0-100% in just 90 minutes from any wall outlet. The maximum input from an AC source is 1000W.
Power Capabilities
The Anker 757 Powerhouse packs quite an impressive power punch despite its relatively compact size. It features a beefy 1500W AC inverter with pure sine wave output. This means it can comfortably power most household appliances and tools that require up to 1500W.
I put the 757’s power capabilities to the test by plugging in some high-draw appliances. The first was my Breville drip coffee maker which draws nearly 1200W while brewing. The 757 handled this with no issues and brewed a perfect cup of coffee. Next up was my Hamilton Beach stainless steel toaster which maxes out around 1100W. Again, the 757 powered it without breaking a sweat.
For an even more demanding test, I plugged in my heat gun set on high. This tool can draw over 1000W on its hottest setting. The 757 averaged 950-980W while running the heat gun on high for several minutes. Impressively, it maintained this high wattage output without the internal fan even kicking on.
The ultimate appliance test was charging my Greenworks electric riding lawn mower. The included 1440W charger is the largest power draw in my house. Though it was already charged, the 757 was able to deliver the full 1440W to the mower’s charger when tested.
Based on these tests, the Anker 757 Powerhouse can reliably power most appliances, power tools or medical devices you would need to run off-grid or in a power outage. Its pure sine wave inverter ensures clean, stable power delivery as well. This level of robust power in a portable package makes the 757 Powerhouse a versatile power solution for RVs, events, construction sites and emergency preparedness.
Solar Charging
One of the main benefits of the Anker 757 Powerhouse is that it can be charged via solar power, making it completely renewable and ideal for off-grid use. Anker offers the 625 solar panel as a recommended add-on, providing 100W of solar charging capacity.
The 625 solar panel is thoughtfully designed for portable use. It features a rugged canvas exterior with handles and magnets to keep it closed during transport. Inside, the solar cells are protected by a clear covering.
Setting up the solar panel is straightforward. Simply unfold it and adjust the two side kickstands and middle zip pouch to achieve the optimal angle. The panel has an angled indicator that shows you when the panel is positioned for maximum sunlight exposure.
In testing, the 625 solar panel performed well, delivering 80-85W in mid-day sunlight. This is strong performance from a 100W panel. The included 10 ft cable allows you to easily connect the panel to the Powerhouse 757’s input while positioning the panel in the sun.
With a full day of strong sunlight, the solar panel can effectively recharge the Powerhouse from empty to full in around 12-15 hours. This makes the solar panel an excellent companion for off-grid power needs. Even a few hours of solar charging can help substantially extend the battery life of the Powerhouse.
Battery and Lifespan
The Anker 757 Powerhouse has an impressive battery capacity of 1229Wh. This allows the power station to deliver ample power for extended periods of time.
The battery itself uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry. Compared to standard lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 offers improved safety, reliability, and longevity. These batteries are commonly found in electric vehicles due to their stable chemical composition.
LiFePO4 batteries have a typical lifespan of over 3000 charge cycles. This translates to over 10 years of use for a typical consumer. While the capacity does decline over time, the reduction is gradual. Even after significant aging, the Anker power station will continue to deliver backup power as needed.
The combination of high capacity and resilient battery technology makes the Anker 757 Powerhouse a long-term investment. For consumers seeking reliable portable power, this unit delivers the endurance needed for years of service. Both occasional and regular users will appreciate the long-lasting battery design.
Additional Features
The Anker 757 Powerhouse comes with some handy additional features beyond just power output.
- The included Anker 625 solar panel has a few nice design elements. There are kickstands on the back to prop it up towards the sun, including a velcro pouch in the middle that serves as an extra kickstand when opened. This offers flexibility in positioning.
- There is also an angled indicator on the solar panel to help you optimize the angle for maximum sunlight exposure and charging speed. When you line up the shadows properly, you know the angle is ideal.
- The fan inside the Powerhouse itself is quiet but does kick on as needed when under heavy power draw. You’ll hear it turn on when taxing the inverter, but it’s not overly loud or distracting. Just something to note if you need silent operation.
- The top of the Powerhouse unit features an integrated flashlight with variable brightness levels. It provides a nice warm light that would be perfect for camping or emergency use during a power outage.
- There are zippered mesh storage pockets on the Powerhouse unit and solar panel for keeping cables and accessories secure and organized.
Overall, Anker put thought into some of the secondary aspects of the 757 Powerhouse to enhance real-world usability. The solar panel design, quiet fan, and built-in light add worthwhile functionality.
Pricing and Availability
The Anker 757 Powerhouse has an MSRP of $1399, but is frequently available at a discounted price directly from Anker. At the time of writing, it’s priced at $1049 on the Anker website.
Bundling the Powerhouse 757 with Anker’s compatible solar panels can also offer additional savings. A bundle with one 100W 625 Solar panel is $1248, a $200 savings over buying separately. You can also bundle with up to 3 solar panels for additional savings – a bundle with 3 solar panels is $1898, a $500 discount compared to purchasing individually.
So while the 757 Powerhouse itself is a significant investment for consumers, Anker does offer opportunities to save money when purchasing direct, especially when bundling with solar panels. The current pricing makes the 757 Powerhouse competitive with similar offerings from other brands in terms of upfront cost.
Comparison to Other Models
The Anker 757 Powerhouse strikes a nice balance in size and weight compared to other power stations on the market. At 44 lbs, it’s lighter and smaller than Anker’s larger 2,000 watt-hour model, the 767 Powerhouse. The 767 is an absolute beast in terms of capacity and power output, but its massive size and weight make it impractical for many use cases like camping or keeping in your vehicle.
While the 757 doesn’t have quite the marathon runtime of the 767, its 1,200+ watt-hour capacity still dwarfs smaller power banks from competitors like Jackery. For instance, the popular Jackery 500 only provides 500 watt-hours, less than half of the Anker 757. So the 757 can keep multiple laptops, drones, cameras, and other gadgets charged for longer off-grid adventures.
The 757 hits a sweet spot between raw power and portable practicality. You sacrifice some runtime versus the 767, but gain much easier portability. And while it can’t slide into a backpack like a Jackery 500, it can run high-draw devices for far longer. The 757 brings substantial capacity without being a back-breaking beast to haul around.
Ideal Uses
The Anker 757 PowerHouse is ideal for a variety of situations where you need portable power.
Camping, RVing, and Road Trips
With 1229Wh of capacity, the PowerHouse 757 can easily keep all your devices charged when camping or RVing off-grid. Charge phones, tablets, laptops, lights, portable speakers, fans, and more. The AC output allows you to power appliances and tools like blenders and power drills. The 757 provides versatile power for any type of camping trip.
The 757 is also great for road trips. Keep it charged via solar during the day, then use it overnight at campsites to power anything you need. The compact size allows it to fit easily in your vehicle.
Outdoor Activities
Hikers, cyclists, kayakers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the 757 for keeping essential gear charged. It’s lightweight enough to carry in a backpack and provides more than enough juice to charge phones, GPS devices, cameras, headlamps, and more during long days outside.
Emergency Preparedness
Natural disasters and power outages make the Anker 757 a wise addition to any emergency kit. Keep your phone charged to stay in touch with loved ones. Power medical devices if needed. Run small appliances to keep food fresh. With the 757, you’ll be fully prepared during emergencies.
Final Verdict
After unboxing and testing the Anker 757 Powerhouse, it’s clear this is a well-made and durable portable power station. The construction feels very solid with an aluminum enclosure protecting the internal components. Even with its large capacity battery, the Powerhouse isn’t overly heavy at 44 lbs, making it portable enough for camping, road trips, or work sites.
The built-in flashlight on top is a handy unique feature, providing a warm glow that’s perfect for outdoor use. The variety of output ports allows you to power or charge almost anything, thanks to the powerful pure sine wave inverter that can output up to 2400W. Despite the high power output, the fan stays quiet during operation.
For those needing robust off-grid power without a noisy gas generator, the Anker 757 hits a nice balance of power and portability. It charges quickly when plugged into AC power, and can even recharge from the sun with add-on solar panels. The 757 isn’t the cheapest option, but provides reliable power for many situations with special features lacking in more basic models. For these reasons, the Anker Powerhouse 757 earns my recommendation as a versatile power station.