OUPES Mega 1 Review - Affordable and Powerful or Too Good to Be True?
If you’re searching for an affordable yet capable portable power station, the OUPES Mega 1 might just be what you need. As the smallest, lightest, and most budget-friendly model in the OUPES Mega lineup, we assumed that this unit would have a lot to offer.
While it shares the “Mega” name with its larger siblings, it’s always important to remember that not all power stations are created equally. So, to find out if this little unit is as impressive as the other OUPES power stations, we ran the Mega 1 through some serious testing.
Not only will this article cover the results of our tests, we’re going to break down what we liked about it, where we think it’s lacking, and whether or not we think it’s a budget-friendly gem or a complete dud.
Overview of the Specs
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of our review, let’s take a look at some the Mega 1’s key specifications:
Battery Capacity: Despite its small size, it packs a 1,024Wh battery, which is expandable to 5.12 kWh with two additional OUPES expansion batteries.
Output Power: 2,000W via its pure sine wave inverter.
Charging Options:
Standard 120V AC wall charging input.
Up to 800 watts of solar input for rapid solar charging.
Output Ports:
Four 120V AC outlets.
Two 12V barrel connectors and a 12V car socket.
Two USB-C ports.
Four USB-A ports.
Weight: At just 28 pounds, this thing easily passes the Tiny Baby Lift Test. In fact, it might be the first power station that we have ever reviewed where it actually feels lighter than the advertised weight. Whether they under-quoted the weight or the handles just make it really easy to lift, this thing is definitely portable.
Price: While it is listed with a regular price of $699, we have already seen it listed on sale for as low as $439. This is a ridiculous deal for a power station with an output and storage capacity this high.
While it’s worth noting that this power station also supports app control, it’s nothing to write home about because the app feels incredibly outdated, especially compared to what you get with some of the other brands that are competing with OUPES. Still, it works and that’s something.
Testing the OUPES Mega 1
While we have no reason to believe that OUPES lied about the Mega 1’s specifications, especially given the previous units we have reviewed from them were so solid, it’s still important for us to make sure every power station actually delivers.
To do so, we ran this unit through a variety of real-world tests, starting with our all-important efficiency test.
Efficiency Testing:
Understanding a unit’s efficiency is crucial for assessing the quality of any portable power station. This is particularly true for the more portable units that are meant to be relied on through long camping trips, blackouts, and emergency situations.
To test its efficiency, we fully charged the Mega 1’s battery and then ran a sustained 1,779W load, which is close to the unit’s maximum 2,000W output. We wanted to run a demanding load because this forces the inverter and cooling fans to work hard, making the unit its least efficient.
With its fully charged 1,024Wh battery, the unit would have to be capable of running this load for roughly 34 minutes in order to be anywhere near 100% efficient. The actual runtime was 27 minutes, equating to a 79% efficiency rating.
While this is solid, it’s nothing exceptional. In fact, we’d probably rank that somewhere between a B+ and an A-. Usually, we’re pretty psyched if a power station delivers an 85% or higher efficiency rating, so we’ll take 79% for a budget-friendly option.
Interestingly, we discovered that the Mega 1 shuts off when the battery reaches 2%.
This allows its cooling fans to run briefly after it has been heavily used, a feature designed to prevent the unit from overheating when it shuts down.
While some users might prefer squeezing every last drop of battery life out of their power station, we actually think this is a really smart design choice that will help with the overall longevity of the unit. It’s a pretty thoughtful feature that we rarely see, even in the more “name brand” power stations.
Testing the Noise:
Just like we found with the Mega 1’s big brothers, the Mega 2 and the Mega 3, a glaring downside is the insanely loud noise generated by the unit’s built-in cooling fans.
Almost every power station is going to produce some level of noise, especially when they’re running under heavy load or being charged; however, the Mega 1’s fans are very, very loud. We’re talking noise like an old-school ‘90s desktop computer trying to mine Bitcoin.
While it’s not the end of the world, it could be a distraction and pretty annoying around the campsite, or if you are using the Mega 1 in your living room during a blackout.
Pass-Through Charging Tests:
We also wanted to test if the unit could support pass-through charging, which allows you to use it to power devices while simultaneously charging the unit itself.
Not only does the Mega 1 support pass-through charging for both its AC and solar inputs, it performs really well in both regards, effectively delivering power to connected devices without any noticeable interruptions.
This is a really useful feature for scenarios where you need continuous power delivery while continuing to top up the battery, like if you’re fully off-grid and have your power station connected to solar panels.
What We Liked and Disliked About the OUPES Mega 1
Now that we’ve run you through some of our testing, let’s discuss where it shines, as well as some of the areas where we think it could use some improvement.
Things We Love About the OUPES Mega 1
Let’s start on a positive note by reviewing the Mega 1’s highlights:
The Compact Yet Powerful Design:
One standout feature is its 2,000W inverter, which pairs impressively with the 1,024Wh battery. Many power stations in this size class include a smaller inverter to extend their relatively small battery’s runtime, but OUPES took the opposite approach. This means you can run power-hungry appliances like a fridge, coffee maker, or even a toaster in an emergency—something many similarly priced units cannot handle.
The High Solar Input:
With an 800W solar input, the OUPES Mega 1 can be charged with solar much faster than most units in its class. Many comparable models offer a solar input closer to 500W or even less, leading to longer recharge times. With this unit, you can top it up in just over an hour using solar power alone, making it really convenient for off-grid use.
The solar input also just works really well. While we weren’t able to test it with perfect sun exposure because we got our hands on the Mega 1 in the middle of the winter, it still seemed to accept a solar input really well. It is also compatible with every type of solar panel we used, which is worth noting given that some companies force you to buy their own branded panels.
The Versatile Port Options:
The inclusion of a 12V car socket and barrel connectors is a major plus. Many brands have started phasing these out, especially in smaller units, but with how many camping appliances run on DC power, these ports are essential for campers and RV enthusiasts.
Whether you’re powering a portable fridge or other 12V accessories, the Mega 1 has you covered, and that’s something we love to see in a low-cost, compact power station.
The Affordable Price Point:
At its regular price of $699—and ridiculously low discounted of just $439—it’s hard to go wrong with the OUPES Mega 1. This wasn’t overly surprising, as we have been recommending both the Mega 2 and Mega 3 as some of our favorite budget-friendly power stations, but it’s also nice to see the same can be said for the Mega 1.
The company also stands out for its American-based customer support and commitment to charitable initiatives, donating a portion of revenue to provide power stations to those in need. Again, this is really nice to see, especially when you’re talking about a budget-friendly brand. Usually, when you order an affordable power station from a lesser-known, you’re getting next to no support.
Where the Mega 1 Falls Short
Now that we have sung its praises, let’s discuss some of the things we didn’t like about this unit. Don’t worry, they’re pretty minor gripes.
No Built-In Light:
It’s no secret that we’re firm believers that every portable power station should include a built-in light. It may seem like a small feature, but it’s one that we think is incredibly useful, especially when camping or facing a power outage. Unfortunately, the Mega 1 doesn’t have one, which we feel is a missed opportunity.
The Display Screen is Difficult to Read:
The display on the Mega 1 can be pretty difficult to see from certain angles. At some points, we thought the screen had automatically shut off to conserve power, only to realize it was working fine once we were standing directly in front of it.
This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it was a little gripe we had. It’s also a weird issue given the display screens on the Mega 2 and Mega 3 were easy to read from all angles.
Voltage Drops During Surges:
Here’s where things get tricky. Most power stations handle brief surges above their rated output to accommodate appliances that have high start-up power demands, like vacuums or power tools. However, the OUPES Mega 1 pulls voltage during these types of surges—reducing power delivery instead of momentarily exceeding its 2,000W rating.
While this is something that protects the unit, it’s less than ideal for voltage-sensitive electronics like computers, which could suffer damage from these types of fluctuations. Again, not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
Our Final Verdict: Should You Buy the OUPES Mega 1?
The OUPES Mega 1 doesn’t boast any flashy or cutting-edge features, but it delivers where it counts: affordability, versatility, and reliability.
While its lack of a built-in light and occasional voltage drops during surges are minor drawbacks, the unit’s incredibly high solar input to storage capacity ratio, solid output rating, and the brand’s American-based, customer-friendly support system make it a strong contender in the budget power station market.
If you can pick one up for anywhere near that sale price of $439, it’s an excellent option, especially for those in need of a small, reliable power station for camping and power outages.
Once again, OUPES has dropped a hit, rather than an “oops”!
🛒 Shop the OUPES Mega 1:
OUPES: https://shrsl.com/4sq7m
Use Code: THESOLARLAB for 5% Off Your Order
🛒 We Also Recommend Shopping at Signature Solar:
Current Deals: https://signaturesolar.com/promotions...
Use Code: THESOLARLAB50 for $50 Off Your Order
🛒 We Also Recommend Shopping at Shop Solar:
Current Deals: https://shopsolarkits.com/collections...
Use Code THESOLARLAB for $101 Off Your Order