UGREEN PowerRoam Power Station Review – Unleashing Portable Power for Emergencies, Fun, and Beyond

Power outages, however brief, can send jolts of inconvenience through our daily lives, disrupting not just our routines but also leaving us wondering about the safety of our families and if we are prepared for more extended “power events.” Recently, I found myself in the throes of a couple of short-lived power outages, each lasting just long enough to render my home temporarily offline. As I reset blinking clocks and rebooted my WiFi router, I started thinking about a more formidable scenario – what if the power outage extended beyond a few minutes into hours or even days? These power events reminded me of the importance of having a reliable backup power solution at home. And I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to review the UGREEN PowerRoam Power Station – a potential lifeline during more prolonged power outages or unexpected disruptions. (*Disclosure below.)

Power outages are not just inconveniences; they are unwelcome disruptions that affect our interconnected lives. Beyond the annoyance of resetting blinking clocks, the actual impact becomes evident when essential services like WiFi routers go offline. Or worse yet, when the power goes out, you lose the ability to keep your food cold or frozen or keep medical devices like CPAP machines powered. In a digitally dependent age, where remote work, online learning, and smart home devices are the norm, a prolonged power outage can lead to significant inconveniences and losses. The UGREEN PowerRoam steps into this void as a safeguard, ensuring that crucial devices stay powered, allowing uninterrupted connectivity and functionality even during extended outages.

The UGREEN PowerRoam isn’t just a device for occasional power blips; it’s a versatile powerhouse designed to meet the diverse needs of modern households. Imagine the scenario of a prolonged power outage due to severe weather conditions or an overloaded energy grid. In such situations, having a reliable backup power source becomes paramount. The PowerRoam isn’t limited to emergencies alone; its applications extend to outdoor adventures, DIY projects, and even enhancing the social aspects of life. Whether it’s keeping a camping fridge running or powering tools during a home improvement project, the UGREEN PowerRoam emerges as a multifaceted solution that adapts to various use cases, making it an indispensable asset for the modern home.

A 20+ minute video walkthrough & review of the UGREEN PowerRoam

Having a reliable backup power solution is essential. Because of my recent short (5-minute long) power outages, I started considering my options for a more extended blackout. So, I decided to open up the UGREEN PowerRoam box, see what was inside, and then start testing it out. The result is a 20+ minute long review (also available on YouTube) where I delve into the PowerRoam’s enhanced features, test its performance, and talk through its use cases, including its ultra-fast recharging and intelligent control options.

Get out your popcorn!

Most of what appears in this article is covered in the video. Please feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 arrives meticulously packaged, showcasing the company’s commitment to protecting its valuable cargo. The contents include:

• The power station itself
• A comprehensive set of cables
• A user-friendly manual
• A zippered bag for tidy cable storage

The PowerRoam weighs 25.4 pounds, making it a “somewhat” portable power solution, all while definitely being a potential savior during emergencies or for those who enjoy off-grid adventures.

The solar panel (it’s actually just one 200W panel) weighs 18 pounds – you could get a nice upper-body workout carrying both of these devices around! The solar panels measure 93.7″ x 21.3″ x 1.2″ unfolded and 25.2″ x 21.2″ x 2.7″ folded. The PowerRoam measures 13.4″ x 8.7″ x 10.6″, which is fairly compact given the capacity.

Both units come securely packaged inside their respective boxes. The units (PowerRoam and Solar Panel) do ship separately. Both include all of the required cables for connecting the solar panel to the PowerRoam, plugging the PowerRoam into the wall, and connecting to your car for charging as well. As an added bonus, the solar panels include other cables to connect with other portable power stations potentially.

Technical Specifications and Design

The PowerRoam 1200 boasts an impressive one-kilowatt-hour energy storage potential, translating to 1024 watt-hours. With a robust output of 1200 watts, this portable station can handle a variety of devices, from smartphones to power-hungry tools like drills and saws. The design is well-thought-out, featuring an informative LCD panel on the front displaying input and output metrics, along with multiple charging ports and outlets.

One side of the UGREEN PowerRoam has all the charging (inbound) ports – one for the wall plug and one to connect a 12V DC car plug or to the solar panel. Also on that side is the fuse and a grounding screw.

On the other side are the AC plugs. There are six in total; three are two-prong, and three are three-prong (grounded) plugs. There is also a button that you need to press to activate the DC ports. The total combined output for the AC outlets is 1200W!

The front of the PowerRoam has an LED light that has low/high, strobe, and SOS settings. It uses minimal energy when on. Also on the front are the USB ports – two USB-C and two USB-A. The USB-C ports are rated 100W each, and the USB-A ports are 22.5W each. Next to those ports are the car/DC outlets rated at 120W total.

Lastly and most importantly, a color display is in the center of the panel. This display shows the current battery charge percentage, the real-time input and output wattage (on different ends of the display), and the total time to discharge and recharge. Also shown are the active ports (e.g., USB or AC, for example).

The body of the PowerRoam is made up of hard plastic, which seems quite durable. It’s got a sturdy handle at the top for easier carrying.

Regarding the solar panel, the important thing to note is that this is a 200W panel. Other power stations I have tested often come with one or two 100W panels. This does mean that the UGREEN 200W panel is quite a bit wider (and heavier) than 100W panels when open. Fully extended, there are four panels that fold up. The panels are held together with magnets, and there is a carrying handle.

One nifty design feature that I didn’t talk about in my video but wanted to mention is a solar positioning helper. As you align the panels to point towards the sun, you need to be sure they are facing the proper direction and have the correct angle towards the sun. With this helper, you simply try to get the dot shadow into the circle’s center, and then you are correctly aligned.

Ultra-Fast Recharging and Charging Options

One standout feature of the PowerRoam 1200 is its ultra-fast recharging capabilities. Charging from 0 to 80% in just 50 minutes and fully charging in 1.5 hours by AC input with PowerZip technology is a game-changer. UGREEN does recommend that you charge it all up before using it the first time. Luckily, that initial charging process took me less than an hour as the PowerRoam came partially charged. During my testing, the wall charging proved impressively quick, taking less than an hour to move from 30% to a full 100% charge.

Additionally, users can charge the PowerRoam in 3-4 hours with 2x 200W solar panels, offering versatile charging options for different scenarios. The model I received came with a single 200W Solar Panel, so I’m assuming it would take about double the amount of time.

You can also use a car 12V port to charge the PowerRoam. An important thing to note when using your automobile to charge this (or any) portable power station is that you will want to do all of the charging while the engine is running. Otherwise, you will drain your vehicle’s battery. Charge while you are driving to your off-the-grid location!

When using the super quick charging, an internal fan does turn on to ensure that the PowerRoam does not overheat. While the fan is not loud at all, there is a setting to enable “quiet mode,” which makes the fan noise even lower (and almost imperceptible). Remember, Quiet Mode does slow down the re-charging speed a bit.

Power Devices Up to 2500W at once and Battery Longevity

The U-Turbo technology powers up the solar generator, allowing support for high-wattage appliances of up to a total of 2500W. This ensures users can power most essential appliances with no worry. Now, this doesn’t mean you can plug in a high-energy-demanding device and just go crazy with it. It does mean, however, that you can plug in multiple 120W devices and run them simultaneously, assuming the total wattage output doesn’t exceed the 2500W total.

Some technology that UGREEN calls U-Turbo allows for quick bursts of higher wattage. However, if the continued load is too high for a single plug, the safety protocols built into the PowerRoam will kick in and automatically shut off the DC panel to prevent overloading and overheating. I tested this with a Dyson Vacuum that I know consumes high wattage, and while it ran for about a second, the PowerRoam sensed the high demand (too high for safe sustainability) and shut down the DC port with an alarm.

What’s even more impressive is the 10-year battery life, thanks to the advanced LiFePO4 EV-rated batteries. This longevity provides a 6X longer service life compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, ensuring preparedness for unforeseen events, now or ten years from now. So, I guess you can just charge up the PowerRoam to full capacity and just forget about it. Having the display makes it nice to quickly see the battery charge percentage in case you need to top it off periodically.

Extreme Portability and Intelligent Control

The PowerRoam 1200 lives up to its name with extreme portability. Weighing only 25.4 lbs, it becomes an effortless companion for camping or other outdoor activities. The built-in 13 output ports make the power station easier to use, catering to various devices simultaneously.

But, as an added bonus, the PowerRoam also has a mobile app that allows you to get visibility into the status and settings of the PowerRoam when you aren’t close to it. I tested the iOS app, and it is great to use and relatively easy to set up. You can connect to the PowerRoam either via Bluetooth or WiFi. Use a Bluetooth connection when you are off the grid and don’t have access to WiFi. You will be limited to the capabilities of the Bluetooth range, but if you are in your tent, for example, and your PowerRoam is elsewhere on your campsite, perhaps getting charged up via solar, you can quickly check the status of the charge.

At home, you can connect via WiFi, which allows you to be away from the battery and access all the status and settings information remotely.

With either connection, you can access functions like Quiet Mode, Power-Saving Mode, Child Safety Lock, and more, providing a tailored and user-friendly experience. In my video review, I give a quick walkthrough of the smartphone app – jump to that part of the video here.

Quick Positives and Negatives of the UGREEN PowerRoam

On the positive side, the UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 excels in ultra-fast recharging capabilities, diverse charging options, and robust design. Including U-Turbo technology and a 10-year battery life elevates its performance and longevity. The extreme portability and intelligent control options add significant value to its overall appeal.

On the downside, the size and weight might be considered a drawback for those prioritizing extreme portability. The initial cost might also be a barrier for some users, but the long-term benefits and lifespan make it a worthwhile investment.

Regarding the price, the UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 Power Station is definitely an investment. But if you think of it as an emergency power device or something that can make your camping or off-the-grid experience even better, it’s worth the investment. On the UGREEN site, the PowerRoam and Solar panel combo currently retails for $1,249.00. As of this writing, it is currently out of stock on Amazon, but I expect it would be priced similarly there.

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The UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 Portable Power Station is a versatile and robust solution for powering our devices during emergencies, outdoor adventures, or DIY projects. Its one-kilowatt-hour capacity, ultra-fast recharging, and intelligent control options make it a standout in the portable power station market. Integrating the UGREEN app adds a layer of convenience, allowing users to monitor and control the device remotely. While the size, weight, and price may be a consideration for some, the PowerRoam 1200’s performance, safety features, and impressive battery life make it a valuable addition to any home or outdoor enthusiast’s toolkit.

The UGREEN PowerRoam Power Station emerges as a versatile and indispensable solution for the modern home, addressing the pressing need for a reliable and portable backup power source. Its significance goes beyond being a mere convenience; it is a strategic investment in preparedness for the uncertainties of power outages. Quick wall charging, solar, and car charging options make it quite flexible, and the variety of outputs with varying wattages coupled with the smartphone app that reflects the front-screen display are fantastic.

Disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a sample of a product for consideration in preparing to review the product and write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item after my review period. All opinions within this article are my own and are typically not subject to editorial review from any 3rd party. Also, some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate” or “advertising” links. These may be automatically created or placed by me manually. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item (sometimes but not necessarily the product or service being reviewed), I will receive a small affiliate or advertising commission. More information can be found on my About page.

HTD says: The UGREEN PowerRoam Power Station not only ensures that you can power up or charge your essential devices during emergencies but it also becomes a valuable electricity source in diverse scenarios, from outdoor adventures to DIY projects, amplifying its utility in our energy-dependent lifestyles.