A newcomer to the large capacity battery market but can it make a difference?
The portable power storage scene has witnessed a mini-revolution since the beginning of the pandemic. The price per watt has fallen significantly thanks to fierce competition from many newcomers in the industry. Zendure, a company launched in 2013, is one of them and has recently introduced its first high-power battery-based generator. Their products are targeted towards an ecologically conscious younger audience on a tight budget. The 2000W SuperBase Pro is equipped with a 2kW inverter, a 2.1kW/hr battery capacity, and includes plenty of USB ports as well as DC and AC outputs. It is different from the competition by being a connected device thanks to 4G and Wi-Fi radios. The companion app also gives plenty of options not available through the front panel. Features such as a Power Factor indicator and lots of USB Type-C sockets make it stand out from the crowd. Zendure is running an IndieGogo campaign to launch this new power station in October. For the special price of $1299 which is one of the cheapest watts per dollar available right now, early birds can obtain their top configuration. An extra $448 gets you a high-efficient but compact 200W solar panel also available in the campaign. As with many heavy products that include batteries, shipping to most countries will be in the hundreds of dollars. The Zendure SuperBase Pro looks like a mini suitcase once unpacked. A retractable handle typically found in carry-on luggage is tucked at the back along with two wheels. The black plastic case measures about 45cm x 28cm x 36cm and at 21.2kg, the model has great power density making it easy to transport and store. A black accessory pouch containing three high-current charging cables and a USB Type-C to Type-A adapter is also included. The unit’s grey front panel sports a large and bright 6.1 inch LCD. Four push buttons located around the screen activate various functions of the generator. A green button on the top left turns it on while the remaining three enable the AC, DC, and Wi-Fi sections. Each button when pressed has a small LED that lights up while the LCD’s backlight remains on for as long as the unit is on. The well-designed display shows all essential information in one place. The customary battery capacity is there as well as the input and output aggregated power. Icons representing various features are located at the top and bottom of the screen. Last but not least is the power factor indicator which allows the user to see how well connected AC devices are performing compared to the inverter efficiency.
