If you are an adventurer, camperor gear head, then you have probably come across it BioLite products. The brand is known for outdoor and sustainable energy solutions, such as its wood stove which generates electricity from its own heat, allowing you to cook off-grid and charge appliances.
Since its founding in 2006, BioLite has continued to expand its product line with helpful technology, high-quality camping gear and essential emergency preparedness. It was only a matter of time before the brand created a high-capacity power plant, and that’s where the BioLite BaseCharge 1500+ comes into the picture. This is available on the BioLite site, bundled with a solar panel, too sold separately at other retailers.
BioLite BioLite BaseCharge 1500+ One color, one size
I was very grateful to have the BaseCharge during a five-day camping music festival in September. Without access to cell phone internet, electricity, or running water, I needed a way to keep my phone charged, power portable fans, and even prepare meals. With three power outlets, two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, plus three DC ports and a wireless charger, there are plenty of ways to power devices.
Trevor Raab
The BaseCharge has a 1521 Wh Li-Ion NMC battery that I charged before I left, and it took about 12 hours to reach full capacity with the AC adapter. It didn’t need another boost even with continuous use throughout the festival. The kit comes with solar panels, but even in full sun every day it didn’t really increase the battery level, it just maintained it. Yet the panels ensured that I no longer had a power station for more than five days.
I used one portable electric grill three times with the BaseCharge, and that was the only device that significantly reduced battery levels, about 15 to 20 percent with each use. When I had multiple phones charged at the same time, plus portable power banks and small camping enthusiasts, the power station lost only a few percent of the battery.
The high capacity of the power plant was a big advantage even after I got home from the festival, because to my surprise the power went out at my house after a tree fell and hit power lines. I was still able to use the BaseCharge during the two-hour outage after the single charge five days earlier, and over multiple days of use.
In terms of build quality and interface, there’s a lot to like about this portable power station. It’s a bit bulky and quite heavy (weighing in at over 25 pounds), but there are two yellow handles on the sides for easy transport. Since the top of the battery is a wireless charging pad, don’t stack items on it during storage.
Trevor Raab
The front LCD panel is easy to read and shows you the battery level and how many hours of charge you have left. It also shows up in the input and output levels, and all sockets have green indicator lights to show they are on and in use. It can be useful to have an app companion to delve deeper into the specs, but the panel tells you all the basic information you need to know.
Overall, the BaseCharge 1500+ is a good choice if you’re camping or want a reliable source of electricity in an emergency. There are plenty of electrical outlets available to charge your devices, and being able to power kitchen appliances like air fryers and refrigerators during power outages is a major benefit. It is expensive, but after our experience in the field, it is well worth the investment.
Amber is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on home, appliances, technology and gaming. She also occasionally contributes lifestyle content to Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling. In her free time, you can probably find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, watching bad reality TV shows, or cuddling with her two cats.