Doesn't the powerhouse suck compared to the Goal Zero Yeti?

#1

Standard price for goal zero yeti is $40 cheaper, same capacity (https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Portable-Station-Generator/dp/B00D5RVMAM)
It’s sold by Amazon, so it comes with free returns/replacements by Amazon’s customer service, which is much more flexible when selling first party. It has a 2nd AC output, and has been on sale twice at $300 in the past year (https://camelcamelcamel.com/Goal-Zero-Portable-Station-Generator/product/B00D5RVMAM) The Yeti also has expandability with the optional solar panels that you can add on to charge it with + the build quality just seems much more durable.

Meanwhile, the Powerhouse as a single AC output, less info on the display, only 1 AC output, a higher price, and doesn’t come with Amazon’s customer service/ease of returns and a free snack. To be fair, the powerhouse did drop to $329.99 for a day in May of this year.

TL;DR Anker needs to step up its game to be competitive and make the powerhouse appealing in any way at all.

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#2

“suck” is somewhat unfair.

I would agree the Anker Powerhouse has room for improvement. Many of your points have been made before here.

To counter your argument, I’d say the Yeti you mentioned is 29Lbs. The Anker Powerhouse is 9.3Lbs.

The Yeti is 396Wh, the Powerhouse is 434Wh.

The lowest price for the Powerhouse has been $330 as you said, its more common discount has been $370.

So in summary:

  • 10% more stored energy
  • 32% of the weight
  • 20% cheaper often

I agree that the Powerhouse can be improved, but so can the Yeti.

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#3

I think you’re going to have better luck with Anker’s support team if it’s outside of that one month-ish Amazon return window… Also, you can buy the PowerHouse on [Amazon](Anker PowerHouse, Compact 400Wh / 120,000mAh Portable Outlet, Generator Alternative Rechargeable Power Source with Silent DC/AC Inverter, 12V Car/AC/USB Outputs for Camping, CPAP or Emergency Backup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0196GQAKM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_dSnNzbV461NM6).

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#4

I would take the Anker over the Yeti.

#5

I would not invest in an ultra high capacity power bank unless I could have a solar input. That doesn’t mean I’m buying the yeti, but it would have to be a powerhouse feature before I would invest. @nigelhealy makes a great point about weight as well.

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#6

Any specific reasoning?

#7

USB input 100Wh portable charger is easily got $60 each, so equivalent of 400Wh like Yeti or Powerhouse for $240. With patience for even less. You can connect these to solar.

AC to DC of the device you’d charge from Powerhouse is less effectient than DC to DC of using USB.

I also don’t see the logic argument for such a weight. If you’re human powered moving then you’d not want to lug either of these and whatever it powers. If you’re using a car it has 120W DC output. A solution for typically less than $100 and less than 3Lb exists now.

A $100-$200 tablet for device is just fine.

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#8

Portability its a third of the weight

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#9

I agree that the Anker Powerhouse wins on density / weight relative to the Yeti.

But if you compare with Powercore, it is still 2x-3x worse in weight and volume.

I’d throw any quantity of Powercore into bag or store around the house more than a Powerhouse, it is denser, lighter and harder to break than a Powerhouse and it is significantly lower cost.