Mango Power E Review: What to Avoid When Buying a Power Station
The Mango Power E is a relatively new power station that managed to catch our eye with its sleek design and unique name.
However, after taking a closer look and running it through some serious testing, it left us feeling a little bit underwhelmed. Basically, it’s pretty much right in the sweet spot for what we’d consider to be an average power station. It works well, but it doesn’t have any extra features or anywhere close to an attractive price tag. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, there also isn’t anything to write home about it.
As always, we want to help you avoid overspending on solar gear and power stations, so here’s our full, in-depth review of the Mango Power E Power Station. We’ll break down the good, the bad, and some of this unit’s more perplexing issues. From there, we’ll also highlight a few alternatives that we would recommend over this particular power station.
So, let’s get down to it.
Our First Impressions and the Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Mango Power E gave us a bit of a mixed impression. On the one hand, it feels really sturdy and clearly has a robust build. On the other hand, it has some really noticeable quirks, which we will jump into at a later point. For now, let’s talk about the positives we noticed right away, starting with its user-friendly design.
The Mango Power E features an extendable, suitcase-style handle, as well as durable wheels, so you can easily pull it behind you if you need to transport it any distance. In addition to this extendable handle, you also have a variety of built-in grips and handles on the back and sides of the unit, which are really helpful if you need to lift it onto a table, shelf, or in and out of your vehicle. Given it weighs in at a pretty hefty 100 pounds, the fact that they designed the unit with these user-friendly extras is a really nice touch.
Another thing we really liked about the design was the clever layout for the input and output ports. All of the ports are located on either the front of the unit, or on one of the side panels. This means you have the option to position the Mango Power E in a corner, without sacrificing any accessibility. If you go with this configuration, you won’t have to reach around the back of the unit or worry about cords getting trapped on the side that is against the wall.
As for the small design quirks we noticed upon our first inspection, the Mango Power E has a few, including a door on the side panel that refuses to stay shut. These sorts of things may seem small, but they detract from the overall experience. Plus, we’re not talking about an inexpensive power station here, so you expect everything to perform well right away.
The Mango Power E also features a really eye-catching colored touchscreen, and, while it’s visually appealing, its functionality is minimal. In a sense, the screen just limits you to being able to toggle the AC input on and off, or access some of the other settings and modes, which are also lacking in variety. From our perspective, this touchscreen feels like a missed opportunity to enhance the unit’s overall usability.
In short, from a physical perspective, it’s a great looking and feeling unit; however, even from the very beginning, we found it limiting and the lack of extra features and settings pretty underwhelming. It does what it should do fairly well, but that’s about it.
Overview of the Specs for the Mango Power E
Now that we’ve taken you through our first impressions, let’s take a look at the performance specifications for this unit, starting with the built-in battery that is at the heart of the Mango Power E.
Battery Capacity:
The Mango Power E packs a really impressive 3,500Wh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with high-grade CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited) cells. These are the same types of high-grade batteries that are typically found in electric vehicles, so they can handle extreme temperatures and they deliver a high standard of reliability. For comparison, many competing power stations use standard-grade batteries, which don’t always fare well in cold temperatures, so Mango gets huge points for battery quality.
The unit’s storage capacity is also expandable up to 14kWh if you purchase the expansion batteries, so we like that it is adaptable and can be a practical option for those with much larger power storage needs.
While the battery quality and expandability are great, it only has a 3,000W inverter. It also only outputs 120 volts from a single unit, meaning you'll need a second unit and a 240 Volt Hub to double the inverter capacity to 6,000W and power 240V appliances. This adds to the complexity and cost, which might not appeal to everyone.
Inputs and Outputs:
One highlight of the Mango Power E is its impressive input capabilities:
AC Input: 3,000 watts, enabling fast charging.
Solar Input: 2,000 watts, allowing the unit to fully charge in about two hours under optimal conditions.
On the output side, the Mango Power E is also fairly well-equipped, as it features:
A true 30-amp plug for RV or trailer use.
Four 120-volt AC outlets.
Multiple USB ports, including two USB-A ports, and two USB-Cs (65W and 100W) for laptops, smartphones, cameras, and other electronic devices.
Two barrel connectors and a 12-volt car socket.
While the variety of output ports you get is pretty convenient, the input design introduces a glaring flaw: the unit requires a minimum solar input of 60 volts to begin charging.
This means you'll need at least four 18-volt solar panels connected in series to be able to charge the unit’s 3,500Wh battery with solar, making it less practical for portable use.
By contrast, other power stations that were actually designed for portable power applications, like the Jackery 1000 PLUS, only need a single solar panel to accept a solar input, making them far more versatile for camping or off-grid adventures.
The Price:
One of the most confusing things about the Mango Power E is the way it’s priced, which is just a confusing free-for-all.
According to Mango’s website, the unit is listed with an MSRP of $4,250, which is really pricey, but it often goes on sale for $3,199. Not only is there a huge disparity between the regular price and the fairly constant sale price, it’s also available through other retailers, like Shop Solar, for just $2,699.
Oddly, that’s not where the confusion stops, as adding solar panels and other accessories to the purchase on Mango’s website can actually drop the price even lower than ordering the unit on its own. For example, if you’re shopping through Mango themselves, bundling the Power E with solar panels and a 240-Volt Hub can bring the price down to $4,499 for the whole package, which is crazy given they list the unit at $4,250 on its own.
While this lack of consistent pricing might benefit shoppers who are willing to dig into the weeds and find the best deal, it’s also really confusing and makes it a bit difficult to determine what this unit is actually worth.
When you consider it’s also a fairly basic unit with few frills, that full price also feels way too expensive, which is never a good sign when you’re weighing up one power station over its competitors.
Performance Testing
When we actually started to test the unit, the Mango Power E performed pretty much as expected for a power station of its size.
The 2,000W solar input allowed for quick charging under ideal conditions, but its reliance on a high minimum input voltage meant we had to carefully configure our solar panel setup. As mentioned above, it worked well with a solar panel array that meets those minimum requirements, but that’s just not practical for most people.
Basically, you have to configure your solar panels to the exact specifications of the power station, which isn’t going to be practical for any sort of portable application, unless you wanted to fix a solar panel array to the roof of an RV, but even then, you might not have the sunlight exposure required to hit that minimum voltage.
When we tested the output, the unit’s 3,000W pure sine wave inverter provided reliable power for most household appliances, but the lack of 240-volt output from a single unit limits its versatility, especially when you compare it to alternatives, like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra.
Another thing that really had us scratching our heads when we tested it was the lack of AC pass-through charging. Basically, if you have the Mango Power E plugged into the wall, you can’t pull power from its own ports to charge or power your electronic devices. Put bluntly, this is ridiculous—pretty much every single power station we have ever tested offers pass-through charging, including some of the cheap, knock-off stations we picked up through Amazon.
What We Liked and Disliked About the Mango Power E
Let’s look at this unit’s most redeeming qualities before we jump into a breakdown of the things that we didn’t like about it.
What We Liked:
While we found the pricing really weird and the overall package fairly average, the Mango Power E actually has a few features that we really liked, including the following.
The High-Quality Batteries:
The CATL EV-grade battery cells offer reliability and excellent performance, even in more extreme temperatures. If you live in a cold climate, this is a hugely appealing attribute of the Power E, as some of the other power stations will charge and drain much faster if you’re using them in the cold.
The 10-Year Warranty:
The 10-year warranty is hugely impressive. We rarely mention warranties when assessing the quality of power stations, as most just have the same 3- to 5-year warranties that are typical in this market. Mango’s decision to back their product with a 10-year warranty and equip it with high-quality batteries goes a long way for peace of mind when you’re investing your hard-earned money into a high-capacity power station.
Quiet Cooling Fans:
Even when running at full tilt, the Mango Power E is much quieter than the competition, including models like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, making it suitable for indoor use. For a power station of this size, that’s another attractive feature.
The Clean Design:
The layout of the input and output ports helps to keep your cables and plugs tidy, which is ideal for home setups. As we mentioned earlier, it’s also nice that you can put this thing in a corner and everything will still remain perfectly accessible. The built-in handles and wheels are also a nice touch. Overall, it’s a great looking power station, which is another thing that shouldn’t be taken for granted (we’re looking at you, Mr. Pecky).
What We Didn't Like:
Unfortunately, the Mango Power E has a few more drawbacks than it has standout features, which is why we have summed it up as being a fairly average and unimpressive unit. While it’s definitely a respectable power station, here are a few of the drawbacks we noticed almost right away.
No AC Pass-Through Capabilities:
Shockingly, the Mango Power E doesn't support pass-through charging. This means you can't charge the unit while simultaneously powering devices—a feature even budget models support, including the really dirt-cheap VTOMAN Power Station, as well as other entry-level options, like the Anker C800X offer.
Minimum Solar Input Requirement:
The need for multiple panels makes it less user-friendly for casual or portable use. Basically, needing a 60-volt solar input is just impractical for something that is marketed as being a portable power solution.
The Mediocre App and Lack of Bluetooth Support:
While it technically does support Bluetooth, it’s only used to set up a Wi-Fi connection with the unit. Once you’re outside of Wi-Fi range, or if you just don’t have it at all, the app is completely non-functional.
Again, this is supposed to be a portable power station, so why do you need a Wi-Fi router to be able to control it remotely? Plus, even if you are connected to the app, the app itself offers minimal options for adjusting settings, making it feel pretty much pointless.
We already mentioned that the vibrant and seemingly impressive touchscreen display is also pretty limiting, so, once again, the Mango Power E is pretty low on frills. For its price, it should offer more. And speaking of its price…
The Wildly Confusing Pricing:
We just really hate how inconsistent the Mango Power E’s pricing structure is. It ranges from $4,250 on Mango's website to $2,699 through other retailers. Even the weird bundling discounts add to the confusion.
The Complete Lack of Standout Features or Extras:
This is a bit of a broad gripe, but we just don’t see anything about this power station that stands out. It doesn’t feature any lights or anything else that would help it stand apart from the crowd.
Plus, a few of the parts feel a bit flimsy, especially for a fairly expensive unit. As mentioned earlier, one of the side doors feels cheap and it won’t stay closed, which is pretty inexcusable for a brand-new power station that is supposedly worth as much as $4,250.
Put bluntly, we could pretty much sum up the entire Mango Power E experience with one word: “meh”.
How It Compares to the Competition
It may seem like it, but we aren’t just here to rag on the Mango Power E. With that said, we also can’t get around the fact that there are other power stations out there that we would recommend over it.
In fact, any of the following would probably offer you more bang-for-your-buck, even if you were able to grab the Mango Power E at a good price:
The Anker F3800:
The Anker F3800 might be fairly new, but it’s a standout unit in this class of power station. With its larger 3,800Wh battery and a much more powerful 6,000W inverter, it outperforms the Mango Power E in nearly every way.
It also offers 240V output from a single unit, boasts a robust app with extensive customization options, and just has a really solid build. While we do prefer the layout of the Mango’s ports, at an MSRP of $3,999 (often on sale for $2,999), the F3800 just delivers far better value and performance.
The Original EcoFlow DELTA Pro:
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro has been out for quite a few years at this point, but it is another unit that poses some stiff competition for the Mango Power E. Its 3,600Wh battery and 3,600W inverter are comparable to the Mango Power E’s specs, but the DELTA Pro offers better app functionality, seamless expandability, and broader compatibility with other components and panels, which is thanks to the way it fits into the EcoFlow EcoSystem.
Priced at $3,700 MSRP, but almost always much cheaper than that with sales and special offers, we’d say the O.G. EcoFlow DELTA Pro is a more versatile and practical choice.
The Zendure SuperBase V:
If you’re looking at the Mango Power E, chances are you’re not someone who would turn their nose up to a power station from a lesser-known brand, like Zendure and their SuperBase V.
This unit takes things to another level with its 4,600Wh battery and a 3,800W inverter. It’s loaded with unique features, including motorized wheels, a really fun app interface, a crazy number of built-in lights, and advanced expandability.
Basically, this thing is like the Tesla of power stations, which might make you think it’s going to be significantly more expensive than the Mango Power E. However, while its MSRP of $4,500 is far from cheap, it justifies this price over the Mango with its better performance and ridiculous number of innovative features.
Our Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Mango Power E?
The Mango Power E delivers fairly average performance with a few really nice touches, like its CATL batteries and 10-year warranty; however, its lack of AC pass-through charging, its high minimum solar input requirements, and overall lack of exciting features mean we’d probably overlook it in favor of something else.
If you find it at a steep discount or a good price for a bundle that contains a Mango Power E, it might be worth considering. But if you're looking for a more practical, hassle-free experience, there are better options available on the market right now, including the EcoFlow DELTA Pro and Anker F3800.
Hopefully, Mango steps up their game and drops something with a few more features and frills, or even drops the price on the Power E to make it more competitive, but until they do, we’re kind of just left shrugging our shoulders.
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