Dabbsson Portable Power Station Review: A Versatile and Expandable Solution for the Home and Campsite
If you’ve shopped for portable power solutions for use at home and the campsite, you’ve probably heard of companies like Jackery, EcoFlow, and Goal Zero. But unless you follow the industry closely, there is a good chance you’ve never heard of Dabbsson. This relative newcomer to the market is looking to shake things up with an impressive new power station that is incredibly versatile and expandable. The system is so good, in fact, that it just might be the new high-water mark for everyone else to aspire to.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
First Impressions
The Dabbsson DBS2300 power station makes a great impression straight out of the box. The unit’s outstanding build quality matches or exceeds anything else we’ve seen from competing brands. Grab handles on either end make it easy to pick up and move around, and the device’s charging ports are accessible from the front and sides. It even has a flat top and bottom, making it easy to store and improving stability when stacked on top of Dabbsson’s DBS3000B expandable battery pack. (More on that below.)
The other thing that is noticeable immediately is the power station’s weight. One of the few drawbacks of this unit is that it tips the scales at 54.2 pounds, making it heavier than most of the competition. Much of that weight is attributable to the power station’s high-quality components, including a semi-solid state LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 2300 watt-hours, which is enough to recharge a smartphone 175 times or power a portable refrigerator for 30+ hours.
The DBS2300 produces a sustained power output of 2200 watts with a peak surge of up to 4400W. That’s powerful enough to run most home appliances, including an electric grill, blender, microwave oven, or refrigerator. It can also be used as a power source for an RV, providing clean, quiet, and emission-free power on the road and at the campground. When combined with the battery capacity, this unit provides a surprising amount of portable power.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Modular Expandability
One of the key features of the Dabbsson power station is its modularity. The device has the ability to connect to two DBS3000B external battery packs, expanding its capacity significantly. Each of those batteries has a 3000Wh capacity, which is added to the pool of available power when working in conjunction with the DBS2300.
Our review unit came with a single DBS3000B battery pack, which gave us a chance to test this feature in the field. The power station and add-on battery connect via a single heavy-duty cable that allows them to effectively share their power cells. When fully charged, our test system had a combined capacity of 5330Wh, which could increase to 8330Wh with a second external battery.
The ease of expandability has the potential to be a major asset for Dabbson’s power station. It allows owners to add capacity as needed, significantly increasing the versatility of the device. For example, RVers could purchase the unit for use in their rig and have plenty of capacity while on the road. But since the system can also serve as a home backup power solution, adding additional capacity could prove useful during unexpected power outages.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
All the Ports You Need
Most modern power stations have a good selection of charging ports, although we usually find that they’re missing one or two that we’d like to see included. That isn’t the case with the DBS2300, which pretty much has the perfect lineup. Most notably, the unit has three USB-C ports, including one 100W PD (Power Delivery) option. Most smartphones, tablets, and other small devices are converting to this standard, and it’s great to see Dabbsson supporting it so well with this model.
The power station also has three USB-A ports, one of which adheres to the USB 3.0 QC (quick-charging) standard. The unit also includes five 120V AC wall outlets, one 12V DC car charging port, and two 12V DC5521 “barrel-style” ports. It even has a 12V Anderson Output that can power a towable at the campsite. That port can be especially helpful for RVers and it is rare to find one on a portable power station.
All of the ports allow the DBS2300 to provide power to up to 14 devices simultaneously, although, in real-world use, it would be rare to have so many things plugged in at the same time. In reality, you’ll likely use the device to recharge your smartphone and laptop overnight and power lights in and around your RV. The 120V AC outlets are perfect for running small appliances as needed, particularly while camping, tailgating, or hosting a gathering in the backyard.
Photo Credit: Dabbsson
Recharging the Power Station
As with most power stations, the DBS2300 can recharge its batteries using a wall outlet at home, the 12V port in a vehicle, or a solar panel in the field. Charging at home is the fastest way to top off the battery, requiring about two hours to reach 100% capacity using the “standard” charging mode. The device also has an “eco” mode that draws less energy and takes longer to recharge but goes easier on the power grid. This is a great option when you aren’t in a hurry and don’t need to replenish the batteries quickly.
The DBS2300 is incredibly efficient when recharging via solar. The unit can accept up to 3000W of power from connected solar panels, which is significantly higher than most other models. Of course, most of us don’t have that much solar capacity available to us, but we were able to test using Dabbsson’s 200W foldable solar cell. When placed in direct sunlight, it recharged the unit in about 6.5 hours. As always, speeds will vary based on cloud cover, shade, the movement of the sun, and other factors.
One of our favorite things about this power station is how quiet it is even when charging; as with similar products, the internal fans turn on to help keep the batteries and other components cool during the charging process. For some models, those fans can sound a bit like a jet engine during takeoff. But the DBS2300 was surprisingly quiet, particularly in eco mode. Don’t get me wrong, you will hear the fans whirring away while in use, but they are not distracting or overly annoying in any way and far less obnoxious than some other models we’ve reviewed.
Photo Credit: Dabbsson
Recharging the Expandable Battery
There aren’t as many options for recharging the DBS3000B add-on battery, but it is very easy to accomplish. The battery pack charges automatically when plugged into the power station, accumulating energy at a similar pace. This makes the process incredibly simple and keeps both devices at similar charge levels. That said, It would be nice to have the option to charge the battery independently using an AC outlet. And while we’re at it, having a few onboard USB ports to charge other devices independently of the power station would be a nice touch too.
The battery pack can recharge on its own using solar panels, however, which is handy when using it at the campsite. The unit can accept a 1200W charge, which can take it from zero to 100% power in just 2.5 hours under optimal conditions. The device can also be charged using a 12V vehicle port using an Anderson power pole connector. This allows it to replenish the battery while driving.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Other Features
The Dabbsson DBS2300 is a well-equipped power station with plenty of capacity and power output, but it does have a few additional features that help it stand out from the crowd. For instance, users can connect to the device using a smartphone app that allows them to adjust settings and monitor the current charge levels. This is also found on some competing products, but it is extremely well executed here, providing data on power flow in and out and current charge levels. Users can even activate or deactivate specifc charging ports, check the health of the battery, and switch between charging modes.
The power station also comes with a built-in LED light that is surprisingly bright, even on its lowest setting. When turned on, the light illuminates a large space, such as a room, campsite, or the interior of an RV. This is another feature that is common on smaller units but not always on devices of the size and capacity of the DBS2300. And unlike a flashlight or headlamp, the batteries probably won’t unexpectedly run out of juice just when you need it most.
The other feature of note is the DBS2300’s semi-solid state battery. This type of power cell is common in the electric vehicle space but hasn’t found its way into many portable power stations just yet. The added benefits of using these types of cells include increased energy density—more power in a smaller space—and longer life. Dabbsson says its batteries are viable for 4500+ charge cycles and have a 15-year lifespan. Those are impressive numbers, meaning customers are getting a product that will continue to function for quite a long while.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
A Versatile Power System for Your Active Life
As you can tell, we’re very impressed with the DBS2300. It offers the best mix of charging ports we’ve found on a device of this kind and has plenty of capacity and power output to keep your favorite devices and appliances running. Add in the ability to expand the capacity as needed, and you end up with not just a portable power station but a versatile power system for all aspects of your life.
We love that this power station and its battery packs can serve as an emergency backup system for your home, but is still portable enough to accompany you on your outdoor adventures. Yes, we wish it were a bit lighter, but that would compromise some of the unit’s rugged design and overall capabilities. Besides, with the built-in grab handles, it is easy to move the DBS2300 from your house to the backyard or RV, even if it is a little heavier than we’d like.
The Dabbsson DBS2300 also offers excellent value. Priced at $1,799, it delivers features typically only found on larger, more expensive models. Those features include fast-charging capabilities, efficient batteries, and easy expandability. The add-on battery pack will set you back an additional $1,599, but since it is optional, it also presents good value for those who need the extra capacity.
Dabbsson had done a remarkable job bringing its expandable power ecosystem to market. It is a very impressive first offering from this newcomer to the portable power station space. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next from this promising brand, which has hit a home run with its first time at bat.
Find out more about the DBS2300 power station and DBS3000B expandable battery on the Dabbsson website.
The post Dabbsson Portable Power Station Review: A Versatile and Expandable Solution for the Home and Campsite appeared first on RV.com.
