Is the Cheapest Jackery from Harbor Freight any good?

Is the Cheapest Jackery from Harbor Freight any good?

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Why I Bought the Jackery 290 from Harbor Freight
3. Testing the Jackery 290
   • Powering the Diesel Heater
   • Running a Laptop for Gaming
   • Comparing it to the Blue Eddy
4. Features of the Jackery 290
5. Pros and Cons of the Jackery 290
6. Charging Times
7. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the Jackery 290, a portable power station that can be purchased from Harbor Freight. I recently bought this power station and wanted to share my experience with you. We will cover the reasons behind my purchase, various tests I conducted to evaluate its performance, a comparison with another popular power station, and an overview of its features. Additionally, we will discuss the pros and cons of the Jackery 290 and examine its charging times. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of whether the Jackery 290 is worth considering for your power needs during camping trips or other outdoor activities.

Why I Bought the Jackery 290 from Harbor Freight

The main reason I purchased the Jackery 290 was because it is the cheapest power station available at Harbor Freight. I initially had some reservations about buying it, assuming that I was only paying for the brand name. However, after conducting thorough research and considering my specific requirements, I decided to give it a try. I already owned a different power station, the Blue Eddy, which turned out to be a disappointment. The Blue Eddy couldn't power my devices effectively, which led me to search for a reliable alternative. The Jackery 290 caught my attention, and I wanted to test its performance and see if it would meet my power needs.

Testing the Jackery 290

Powering the Diesel Heater

One of the primary reasons I needed a power station was to power my diesel heater during camping trips. I had recently made a camping trip video where I used the Jackery 290 to power the heater along with other devices. The power station performed exceptionally well, impressing me at every step. I had the heater running at high power for approximately 12 hours, and the Jackery 290 still had around 55% battery left. This was much higher than my initial expectations and proved that the Jackery 290 was more than capable of handling the power requirements of my diesel heater.

Running a Laptop for Gaming

To further test the capabilities of the Jackery 290, I decided to compare its performance with the Blue Eddy while running my laptop for gaming. I ran the same test on both power stations and observed significant differences in the results. The Blue Eddy lasted only four hours, whereas the Jackery 290 lasted for an impressive seven hours with just one percent battery remaining. This stark contrast in performance clearly demonstrated that the Jackery 290 outperformed the Blue Eddy in terms of battery life and power output. This was a pleasant surprise for me, as I had initially doubted the capabilities of the Jackery 290 due to its affordability.

Comparing it to the Blue Eddy

Having tested both the Jackery 290 and the Blue Eddy side by side, there were a few discrepancies that caught my attention. The Blue Eddy claimed to provide higher power output, drawing around 72 watts to power my laptop during the gaming test. However, the Jackery 290 consistently drew between 35 and 45 watts, which was significantly less. This difference in power consumption might explain why the Blue Eddy had a shorter battery life. Despite having some missing features compared to the Blue Eddy, the Jackery 290 still proved to be a reliable and efficient power station. It performed exceptionally well in real-life scenarios and delivered on its promises.

Features of the Jackery 290

The Jackery 290 offers a range of features that make it a suitable choice for outdoor power needs. It comes with one AC outlet, providing 200 watts of power, making it capable of powering small appliances and devices. The power station also has two USB ports, which are useful for charging smartphones, tablets, or other USB-powered devices. However, it lacks a USB-C port, which may be a downside for those with USB-C devices. In terms of charging capacity, the Jackery 290 has a 290 watt-hour battery, which is slightly lower than some high-end alternatives. Despite this, during my tests, its performance was more than satisfactory for the price.

Pros and Cons of the Jackery 290

Pros:

• Affordable price and value for money
• Reliable power output for various devices
• Suitable for camping and outdoor activities
• Impressive battery life in real-life scenarios
• Decent number of power outlets and USB ports

Cons:

• Lacks some features found in higher-end models
• Charging speed could be faster
• No USB-C port for newer devices

Charging Times

One area where the Jackery 290 falls short is its charging times. During my charging test, it took nearly six hours for the power station to charge from one percent to fully charged. With an input of only 57 watts, it is considerably slower than other power stations in its price range. While this may be disappointing for those looking for a quick charge, it should be noted that the Jackery 290 is designed as a budget option. As such, some compromises were made to keep the price low. If charging speed is not a significant concern for you, the Jackery 290 still delivers reliable performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Jackery 290 from Harbor Freight is a budget-friendly power station that offers impressive performance for its price. Despite not having all the advanced features found in higher-end models, it is a reliable and efficient option for powering devices during camping trips or other outdoor activities. Through various tests, the Jackery 290 proved its capability to effectively power appliances like diesel heaters and laptops for extended periods. It outperformed another popular power station, the Blue Eddy, in terms of battery life and power output. While the charging times may be slower compared to some competitors, the Jackery 290 remains a highly recommended product, especially for those on a budget.