Calculate Cost Per Watt-Hour
Total purchase price
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Understanding Cost Per Wh
Formula: Cost per Wh = Price ÷ Battery Capacity
Cost per watt-hour ($/Wh) is the best metric to compare value between different portable power stations. It normalizes price by capacity, letting you see which unit gives you the most energy storage per dollar.
Example: A $500 power station with 500Wh costs $1.00/Wh, while a $1000 power station with 1500Wh costs $0.67/Wh - the larger unit is better value.
Typical Cost Per Wh Ranges
Excellent Value: $0.40-$0.70/Wh - Premium brands offering great capacity at competitive prices
Good Value: $0.70-$1.00/Wh - Standard pricing for quality mid-range units
Fair Value: $1.00-$1.50/Wh - Acceptable for premium features or small capacity units
Poor Value: $1.50+/Wh - Overpriced or very small capacity units
Note: Smaller capacity units (under 300Wh) often have higher $/Wh due to fixed component costs. Extra features like fast charging, wireless charging, or premium LiFePO4 batteries may justify higher costs.
Other Factors to Consider
While cost per Wh is a great value metric, also consider:
- Battery chemistry: LiFePO4 lasts 3000+ cycles vs 800 cycles for standard lithium
- Output wattage: Higher wattage models can run more powerful devices
- Charging speed: Fast charging (1-2 hours) vs slow charging (6-8 hours)
- Ports and features: Wireless charging, USB-C PD, number of outlets
- Warranty: Longer warranties (3-5 years) indicate better quality
- Brand reputation: Established brands often have better customer support