ROCKSOLAR Ready 200W vs ROCKSOLAR Utility 300W vs ROCKSOLAR Nomad 400W Review
The ROCKSOLAR Ready 200W, Utility 300W, and Nomad 400W are aimed at regular travelers. All three portable power stations offer just about enough juice to keep your gadgets charged for a multi-day trip to the woods. Plus, they are all available at pocket-friendly prices.
In summary, the ROCKSOLAR Nomad 400W might be a better option if you have multiple devices that would need recharging during the trip. This model outputs more juice than the other two, comes with a more powerful battery and offers a higher peak wattage rating. However, it’s also heavier than the Utility 300W and the Ready 200W. Both the Utility and the Ready power stations are also cheaper than Nomad 400W.
Before reading this detailed guide, you might want to know that these three aren’t the most powerful power stations on the market. If sheer power is what you are after, check out my comprehensive comparison of Jackery Explorer 500 vs 1000 instead.
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Let’s take a closer look at all three portable power stations.
ROCKSOLAR Ready 200W vs Utility 300W vs Nomad 400W – Comparison
Here’s how these three portable power stations compare with each other.
ROCKSOLAR Ready 200W
Specs
Capacity: 222Wh
Weight: 5.1 lb
Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.0 x 4.9 in
Recharge times: AC Adapter – 6-7h
Price: $299.99
Reviews
Rocksolar: 5.0/5⭐ out of 85 reviews
Amazon: 4.6/5⭐ out of 141 reviews
ROCKSOLAR Utility 300W
Specs
Capacity: 333 Wh
Weight: 8.3 lb
Dimensions: 11.3 x 5.1 x 5.1 in
Recharge times: AC Adapter – 7-8h
Price: $499.99
Reviews
Rocksolar: 4.9/5⭐ out of 16 reviews
Amazon: 4.6/5⭐ out of 45 reviews
ROCKSOLAR Nomad 400W
Specs
Capacity: 444Wh
Weight: 11 lb
Dimensions: 11.9 x 5.3 x 7.2 in
Recharge times: AC Adapter – 7-8h
Price: $699.99
Reviews
Rocksolar: 4.9/5⭐ out of 53 reviews
Amazon: 4.4/5⭐ out of 172 reviews
Design and Weight
Winner: Rocksolar Ready 200W (LED display; lightweight)
The Rocksolar Ready 200W weighs 5.1 lb with the battery pack. It has a roof-facing display surrounded by four yellow-colored buttons and two handles. The LED display showcases the remaining battery life (in bars), which ports are in use at that time, and other helpful info.
Speaking of ports, the 1x AC port is on one of this unit’s sides, with the other side occupied by a grille and cooling fan. All the USB ports are located right behind the display, just above the ROCKSOLAR logo, with the double handles nestling on the casing on top of the USB ports.
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The Utility 300W weighs slightly more (8.1 lb) than the Ready 200W. What is surprising, however, is that this model doesn’t come with an LED display. Four icons on the left side, just above the solitary AC port, offer information about AC, DC, power, and the remaining battery.
All the ports are on the left side of this device. What I particularly like about the ports is their placement. No two ports are placed so close to each other that one of them will be blocked while the other is in use. As such, you can connect maximum devices to this unit at one time.
The Nomad 400W doesn’t have an LED display, either. This unit features 3x AC ports, 3x USB-QC, and 1x DC ports on one side. All the AC outlets are customizable for different markets. Plus, you can turn their power output on/off with an AC switch located just above them.
The ROCKSOLAR Nomad 400W is also the heaviest out of the three; it weighs 11 lb, making it less portable than the Utility 300W and Ready 200W.
ROCKSOLAR Ready
Rating: 5.0/5⭐
ROCKSOLAR Utility
Rating: 4.9/5⭐
ROCKSOLAR Nomad
Rating: 4.9/5⭐
Compatible Solar Panels
Winner: Rocksolar Ready 200W (wider compatibility)
Rocksolar offers three solar panels under its brand name. These include Rocksolar 30W, 60W, and 100W. All three are foldable to allow easy transport and carrying. They also come with all accessories (connectors, carabiners, cables, etc.) you’d ever need to hook them up.
Rocksolar states that you can use any of the three for juicing up Rocksolar Ready 200W. Under full sunlight, any of these solar panels won’t need more than 12 hours to fully charge this device. Bear in mind, though, that this charge time is 6 hours longer than that of the AC adapter.
Both the Utility 300W and Nomad 400W can be juiced up with the Rocksolar 60W and 100W solar panels, meaning the 30W solar panel won’t come in handy here. This shouldn’t be a surprise since both these models have higher normal and peak wattage than the Ready 200W.
Battery
Winner: Rocksolar Nomad 400W (much bigger battery)
The ROCKSOLAR Ready 200W comes with a 6,000mAH battery. One that can be recharged 1,000+ times while retaining a battery capacity of over 80%. A battery management system (BMS) protects this device and all those connected with it against various unwanted scenarios.
As you might guess, the Utility 300W has a slightly bigger battery. This power station’s battery can hold up to 9,000mAH of power right from the word go. This means that at least in theory, if not in practice, the Utility 300W would keep on going for one-and-a-half-times longer.
The same could be said about the ROCKSOLAR Nomad 400W, given that it boasts a 12,000mAH battery. This means you can count on this unit to juice up an iPad Mini up to 19 times. In addition, the battery can keep a 25W electric fan or a 20W LED bulb running for 15 and 18 hours, respectively.
Surge Capacity
Winner: Nomad 400 (higher surge capacity)
A surge capacity indicates the maximum power any electric appliance can output for a few seconds. It comes in handy for portable power stations that can charge heavy-duty applications. That is because such appliances need more power at startup than when they’re up and running.
Rocksolar has been quite clear about the surge capacities of all three devices. The numbers it has given for the Ready 200W, Utility 300W, and Nomad 400W are 500W, 600W, and 700W, respectively. These numbers indicate that the Nomad 400W can bring more powerful appliances to life.
How much more powerful? Think of devices such as a 300W printer, 200W electric refrigerator, and 150W juicer. Rocksolar even claims that the Nomad 400W has enough juice for an electric drill. Still, since it would be your money on the line, I recommend keeping a drill off of this device.
Charging Options and Time
Winner: Rocksolar Ready 200W (one extra charging option)
The Rocksolar Ready 200W offers three charging options. These include an AC wall outlet, Rocksolar solar panels, and a 12 V car adapter. Here are the charging times for each option. You might want to note that the estimated time for solar panel charging is based on the assumption of max sunlight.
- AC Adaptor: 6 – 7 hours
- Solar Panel: 11 – 12 hours
- 12 V Car Adapter: 8 – 9 hours
While the Utility 300W offers the same number of charging options, it would take this unit slightly more time to go from 0 to 100 percent than the Ready 200W. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that this unit can output as well as store more power.
- AC Adaptor: ~ 8 hours
- Solar Panel: 13 – 14 hours
- 12 V Car Adapter: ~ 9 hours
Even though it’s the more powerful unit of the three, the Nomad 400W takes much less time to go from dead to fully alive than the Utility 300W when hooked to an AC outlet. However, its charging times are quite like the above two power stations when connected to solar panels or car adapters.
- AC Adaptor: 7 – 8 hours
- Solar Panel: 12 – 13 hours
- 12 V Car Adapter: ~ 9 hours
Number of Output Ports
Winner: Rocksolar Utility 300W (more output ports)
The number of output ports any power station may have determines how many devices it can charge at the same time. While in most cases, any unit with more power tends to have more output ports, that is certainly not the case with these three models.
For instance, the Nomad 400W comes with 7 output ports (3x USB-QC, 1xDC, 3x AC), one less than the Utility 300W (1x DC, 2x AC, 1x QC USB, 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C). That is despite the fact that the Nomad 400W outputs more power than the Utility 300W.
Guess what? Despite supplying less power than the other two, the Rocksolar Ready 200W offers the same number of output ports as the Nomad 400W. This lightweight power station comes with 1x DC, 1xAC, 1x QC USB, 2x USB 3.0, and 2x-USB-C ports.
Warranty
Winner: It’s a tie
All three power stations are warrantied for one year. This number is as average in real life as it looks on paper. That is because most other power stations (Jackery, Goal Zero, etc.) are backed with at least 2-year warranties, making these units’ warranties look downright minuscule.
Price
Winner: Rocksolar Ready 200W
On Rocksolar’s official website, the Ready 200W, Utility 300W, and Nomad 400W are available for $277.99, $419.99, and $644.99, respectively.
Rocksolar Ready 200W vs Utility 300W vs Nomad 400W – Final Verdict
In conclusion, here’s how these three portable power stations stack up against each other:
- Weight and build: Rocksolar Ready 200W is the lighter of the two
- Number of Ports: Rocksolar Utility 300W has more ports
- Battery and Surge Capacity: Rocksolar Nomad 400W has a bigger surge capacity
- Warranty: Tie.
- Price: All things considered, the Utility 300W is a more cost-effective option
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you charge a Rocksolar portable power station?
All Rocksolar portable power stations offer three charging options. These include an AC wall outlet, car charger, and solar panel. The AC wall outlet is generally the quickest option for getting these devices up from 0 to 100% charging.
Are Rocksolar portable power stations expensive?
Rocksolar portable power stations are available in different price ranges. For instance, the Ready 200W is for those buyers who are available on a budget. The Rocksolar Utility 300W is for mid-range buyers, whereas the Nomad 400W might suit those with slightly deeper pockets.
How long will a Rocksolar portable power station last?
According to Rocksolar, its power stations’ batteries have a lifecycle of 1,000 cycles. That means these units’ batteries can retain up to 80% of their battery for the first 1,000 charging cycles. Based on these numbers, one can confidently say that a Rocksolar power station should last at least 5 or 6 years.
Can a Rocksolar portable power station run a refrigerator?
The Rocksolar Nomad 400W can run a 200W refrigerator for more than 4 hours on one single charge. This unit can also charge an iPhone 5s 50 times in one go. You can also count on it to keep a 25W electric fan and 20W LED light bulb running for 15 and 18 hours, respectively.
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Rocksolar Comparison Table
| Capacity | Weight | Dimensions (mm) LxWxH | AC recharge time | Solar Recharge Time | Compatible Solar Panel | |
| Rocksolar Ready 200W | 60,000mAH | 5.1 lb | 241 x 128 x 125 | 6-7 hours | 11-12 hours | Rocksolar 30W, 60W and 100W |
| Rocksolar Utility 300W | 90,000mAH | 8.3 lb | 288 x 130 x 130 | 7-8 hours | 13-14 hours | Rocksolar 60W and 100W |
| Rocksolar Nomad 400W | 120,000mAH | 11 lb | 303 x 134 x 184 | 7-8 hours | 12-13 hours | Rocksolar 60W and 100W |
Portable power station guides
Use this table to find out all the reviews I made about the best portable power stations in the industry.
