I tested the Acer APS322 - and this portable power station might have done well two years ago, but it lacks the sophistication of an EcoFlow and Jackery unit

Date:
Sat, 08 Nov 2025 14:01:00 +0000

Description:
The Acer APS322 uses LiFePO4 chemistry to provide limited powering of mains
AC appliances while away from the grid

FULL STORY ======================================================================Acer APS322: 30-second review

Better known for laptops and monitors, Acer has recently thrust a toe into
the Arctic waters of Power Station products. The first two of these are a
600W unit and a larger 1800W option, the APC322, which Im reviewing here.

This power station uses LiFePO4 technology to deliver a 1229 Wh battery in a 19.5 kg package that can be charged from multiple sources, including solar panels that Acer also makes.

At nearly 20kg with a power cable, this isnt the lightest portable battery, but for those travelling in a vehicle, it provides enough power to run basic appliances away from mains power and recharge everyday items like phones and laptops.

If anyone is thinking of an adventure holiday or a building site backup, the APC322 fits those agendas and will also function as a UPS to keep power available in the event of a blackout.

The problem for Acer is that this is already a highly competitive market, and with DJI Power recently adding to the product ranges of Anker, EcoFlow, Jackery and VTOMAN.

Many of them have equivalent products that cost less than the 900 asking
price of the APC322, and can output more watts when required.

But the biggest drawback of this compared to the better EcoFlow and Jackery options is that there is no phone app for this Acer Power Station. Therefore, if you dont keep checking the battery and the display, you will be unaware that the power is about to be cut.

Thats a problem if you want to use it as a UPS, and it also makes it impossible to integrate it into a smart home with automated discharge and recharge.

Because of these limitations, the APC322 is better suited to adventure
camping and off-grid use than to powering a home or business for backup.

Without a smartphone app, WiFi or USB connectivity, it cannot signal to a connected system that power is about to be cut, making it unsuitable for inclusion in our best UPS collection . Acer APS322: Price & availability (Image credit: Mark Pickavance) How much does it cost? 900 When is it out? Available now in the UK Where can you get it? Direct from online retailers like Currys.

My research revealed that Acer planned to produce five versions of this Power Station for specific regions.

The APS320 was designed for South Africa, the APS321 for the EU, the APS322 for the UK (reviewed here), the APS323 for Australia, and finally, the USA
has the APS324.

With the exception of the American APCS24, all the others have the same specifications, but with AC outlets appropriate to the specific locale. The
US version has four AC outlets, but thats mostly because its only outputting 110V, and not the 230V thats standard elsewhere.

The direct competitor to the product is the EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic, which
has a 1024Wh battery but many other features that this Acer model can't
match. That costs $409 from Amazon.com.

A similar offering from Anker is the Solix C1000 , which costs 650 in the UK, but doesn't seem to be available in the USA right now.

If the budget isn't an issue, Jackery has the 2042Wh Explorer 2000 v2 for
only $799/899 via Amazon, and again, that option has remote control by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Based on these prices, for what Acer is offering, the APS32X range is substantially above a price that's competitive on features or capacity.
Value: 3 / 5 Acer APS322: Specs

Hardware

Acer APS322

Battery Capacity

1229 Wh

Output Waveform

Sinewave

Internal Voltage

51.2V

Voltage Inputs

AC 220-240 V/ DC 13-45/12/24 V

Max Solar Charge rate

400W

Voltage Output

AC 220-240/ DC 5 / 9/ 12/ 12.6/ 15/ 20 V

Max current

10A

Outlets

2x USB-A (18W), 2x USB-A (12W), 2 x USB-C (65 W), 3 x power Type G, 1 x automobile cigarette lighter (126W), 2 x DC5521

Size

43.2 cm x 27 cm x 30 cm (W x D x H)

Weight

?19.5kg

Accessories

Car charging cable

Warranty

2-year warranty

Extended battery

No

Recharge Cycles

3000

Protection

Overload protection, solar panel compatible, LCD display, overheat
protection, overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, short-circuit protection.

Min Operating Temp

-10C

Max Operating Temp

45C Acer APS322: Design (Image credit: Mark Pickavance) Heavy and big Lots of outputs Can charge in three ways Limited accessories

Ill start this section by noting that I own an EcoFlow Delta 2, which has served as my reference point for evaluating the Acer APS322.

If you take the specification of the APS322, its obvious that the inclusion
of the extra cells required to achieve the 1229 Wh, another 20% more than the Delta 2, has made this design less portable. But its nearly double the mass
of the Delta 2, which is only 12kg, versus the 22kg of the APS322.

Its generally a terrible plan to dismantle power stations unless youre a trained electrician, so why this power station turned up so heavy, Im unsure.

It has recesses on the sides that make it easier to carry, but this isnt something a child could easily move, and equally, you wouldnt want to move this any great distance, even as a healthy adult.

Where the APS322 outshines the Delta 2 is in respect of outputs. There are thirteen in total that include three AC, six USB and a collection of more esoteric choices.

Charging can use standard AC, a 12V car socket or DC inputs from Solar
Panels. That last choice would require buying some portable panels for use in the great outdoors, but under the right conditions, the entire capacity can
be charged in 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. The maximum input is 400W, so you
need to be careful about what the panels are outputting, especially if you
are running multiple panels in series.

Many Power Stations put the AC outlets and inputs on the rear, leaving the front for USB and other connections. The APS322 has all the outputs on the front, and the inputs are split between the back and the right side, thats
the face with the camping light.

Both the input locations have covers and use a flexible material as hinges, which means they dont stay open unless theyre held or forced by a cable.

On the side is the Cigarette lighter socket, two DC 5521 outputs and a switch to activate the DC output. The rear features the AC inlet, a button that toggles between slow and fast charging, a single solar/vehicle charging
inlet, and a reset for overload protection.

Considering how some of the cheaper Power Stations dont offer the protections that are genuinely needed, and therefore could create an electrical fire in the wrong circumstances, the APS322 has all the protections you reasonably might expect.

For controlling the battery, there is a simple display that shows the charge level, the output level, and how long the battery will last based on current consumption.

A single button powers on the battery, and another brings all the AC outlets online, but all the USB ports remain active when the unit is powered on. A third button makes the display active, as it will automatically turn off
after a short period of time.

And there is also a camping light that could be useful if you need illumination while you determine the reason you have lost power or are attempting to restore it using the APS322. (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

What it lacks is any means to connect additional capacity, something that can expand the Delta 2 to a total capacity of 3040 Wh. That makes the APS322 less attractive for home users wanting to avoid peak period power costs.

Included with the battery is a 2M-long power cable, and another that uses the Car Lighter 12V DC output to provide jump-starts, presumably intended to get
a vehicle with a dead battery started. That second car charging cable is also about 2M and has two large crocodile clips meant for car battery terminals, making it long enough to sit the APS322 on the ground while charging the vehicle battery in the engine bay.

It seems mildly odd to include this without a cable to convert an MC4 solar connection to the phono inputs on the APS322. Without that solar cable, you will need to source it from Acer if you wish to connect solar panels, even if they are not Acer-branded.

The maximum input from solar panels is only 400W, which, depending on the panel used, might be exceeded by a single panel. Therefore, those wanting to connect panels should be careful about their maximum rated output, and, if using multiple panels, ensure the total amperage doesnt exceed 10A.

Overall, the extra capacity in the APS322 is useful over a standard 1024Wh battery, but it seems to lack the features and polish that more experienced brands now provide as standard. Design: 4 / 5 Acer APS322: User experience No mobile App or USB control Recharge prediction is poor

There are different applications for a product like the APS322: one is using AC appliances away from mains power, and the other is as an add-on to mains power in the event of a power loss.

In the first scenario, the APS322 is charged from the mains, using solar or from a vehicle and then taken away from civilisation, where you can plug appliances and mobile devices into it to either recharge or directly power them. And, given the sheer number of outputs, its generally well placed to do that job.

However, the one major limitation of this device for that use is the cap of 1800W of output. Thats not an issue if you are charging laptops and mobile phones, but some commonly used appliances will exceed that level, such as the humble electric kettle. And, if you are renovating a cottage, many power tools, such as chop saws and heavy-duty drills, exceed the 1800W limit.

Its interesting to note that many power station brands offer a peak value of at least 2400W, mostly to allow some of the more common appliances to work,
if briefly. And, it goes without saying that if you do have a device that pulls the full 1800W connected, the capacity of the battery could be
exhausted in as little as 40 minutes of use. And, should the device exceed
the 1800W limit, then overload projections will kick in and cut the power.

Operating near the limit of a battery is never a strategic idea, as its most likely to cause failure of any component that isnt to spec.

The alternative use model is one where you have this connected to equipment that you need to protect from power failure, where the power station effectively operates as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

To this objective, the APS322 has a sensor that can detect the falling
voltage when the power is pulled and respond rapidly enough to keep power on even with connected computers without causing a reset.

Thats great, but I would never use this product for that purpose. Why?
Because when the power goes out, there is no audible warning, no phone message, and no means to use a USB to talk to a connected system and warn it to shut down in a proper manner before the battery is exhausted. Thats poor, and because of the lack of any network capability, it cant be integrated into a smart home scheme to charge when power is cheapest, and discharge when its at its most expensive. EcoFlow and Jackery are offering these things, and
were when Acer was designing this product. So, how did it get to market without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

The quoted charge time is 90 minutes for full capacity, but my testing told a slightly different story. When the charge cycle started, the display read 00% capacity, and it predicted a fill charge pulling 1284W in just 56 minutes.
But soon it had forgotten that prediction and changed it to another of 2
hours and 28 minutes when it hit 69%.

As the charge progressed, the wattage was lowered to around 300W, which is something you come to expect from this type of device.

In the end, it took from 9:21 am to 11:07 am to reach 100%, for a total of 1 hour and 46 minutes. Thats not terrible, but its also not 90 minutes, and
that was on fast charge mode using mains power. As a comparison, the EcoFlow Delta 2 has 20% less battery but only takes 80 minutes to hit full power from empty, which is marginally faster per Wh recovered.

More of a concern for Acer is the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, which can recover its full capacity in just 56 minutes for its 1024Wh of battery, and is rated for 4000 cycles, not the 3000 of the APS322.

Its clear from these numbers that the APS322 was made to compete with the Delta 2 and similar products, and not what is available now. One telling aspect is that the maximum charge level is roughly 1200W, and that doesnt change if the unit is simultaneously connected to solar and AC.

Also, when its charging, the displays predictions are all over the place. But surely the logic inside is driving the reduction in wattage to top off the cells, so why isnt that same information used to calculate more accurately
how long it will take to charge? (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The display is also super-annoying because it stays on for only 2 minutes before turning off, regardless of whether the battery is charging or in battery mode. There is no beep it makes when it hits 100%, so you end up
using the last guess the system had about being done and then pushing the button to see how its doing, which is usually the wrong answer.

Obviously, the display when charging should be on all the time, and Im sure that the rubbish recharge calculations could be fixed with a firmware update. Assuming there is any way to deploy that fix.

For those reasons, and its unsophisticated nature, the Acer APS322 probably isnt the best investment at this time. User experience: 2.5 / 5 (Image
credit: Mark Pickavance) Acer APS322: Final verdict

Im curious how much research Acer did before launching this product, since
the market is awash with 1024Wh LFP batteries with sophisticated networking and apps for around 500.

And for those who just want a battery to power AC appliances, ones with twice that capacity can be found for less than the APS322s asking price.

Therefore, as nicely made as this product is, its priced way above where it should be, since it lacks the sophistication weve come to expect from DJI, EcoFlow, Jackery, and others. If it could match the EcoFlow Delta 2 price of 390, and give its buyers 20% more capacity without app connectivity, then it might find a market. But there is plenty of choice and some bargains to be
had for Power Station buyers.

However, at its current price and with only a 2-year warranty, the APS322 seems out of its depth. Acer APS322: Report card

Value

Expensive for a Power Station without any remote control

3 / 5

Design

Nicely made, plenty of outputs, but heavy to carry

4 / 5

User experience

No app, no USB UPS control, no power loss warning

2.5 / 5

Overall

Lacks features that all EcoFlow and recent Jackery products have, and it's excessively heavy

3.5 / 5 Should I buy a Acer APS322? (Image credit: Mark Pickavance) Buy it if...

You need portable power
The APS322 provides a means to run some less demanding mains appliances off-grid, and it can be recharged with a vehicle or solar panels when away from civilisation.
Its easy to use, and if you have a vehicle to transport.

You need to charge many devices
The large number of outputs allows this power station to charge at least six phones simultaneously, along with laptops and other mobile devices. If you want something to keep all other devices working, then the APS322 might be
for you. Don't buy it if...

You want a UPS
While this power station can be used as a UPS, automatically delivering battery power if the mains is disconnected, you wont get any warning from it that the power has been cut.

Also, if you plug in more equipment than the 1800W limit allows, when the power goes out, it will not protect those systems from immediate power loss.

You run a smart home system
Without any wireless networking or even a mobile app, its impossible to connect this battery to any Home Assistant or similar system, and manage its recharge and discharge remotely.

Both EcoFlow and Jackery has this technology, but sadly not Acer. Also Consider

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus provides a balanced combination of power, portability, and versatility. An excellent choice for emergencies, outdoor use, or professional needs, thanks to its size, capacity, ease of charging, and available ports.

And, it has two features missing from the APC322. It can be expanded to 5Kwh, and it has a mobile application and API that allows it to be integrated into
a Smart Home solution. One of EcoFlows best sellers for a reason.

Check out our EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus review

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2
As the name suggests, this is the second generation of the Jackery Explorer, and it offers 1070Wh of capacity in a reasonably portable 10.9kg package. The only limitation is that the maximum output is only 1500W, less than what the APC322 offers. But it has smart app control via WiFi or Bluetooth.

Costly less than 450, this device offers great value.

Check out our Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 review



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/acer-aps322-portable-power-station-review


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