Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station Review

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station in its base stand
Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station in its base stand

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station in its base stand

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station - A USB-C & AC outlet power station

Summary

The Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station offers USB-C PD, Quick Charge, and a 90W AC outlet. Not as travel friendly as a power bank. But it can fly. And powers non-USB devices.

Overall
4
  • Performance
    (3.5)
  • Design
    (4)
  • Safety
    (4)
  • Recharge Time
    (4.5)
Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Pros

  • Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, LG, and Motorola phones
  • Charges Switch in both handheld and TV mode
  • Can be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
  • Charges a 12 to 15-inch laptop
  • AC output acts like a wall outlet, good for most laptop wall chargers
  • Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable
  • Charge up to three devices at once, but only with specific port combinations
  • Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights

Cons

  • Won’t fast charge Google Pixel or other USB PD Android phones
  • Power profiles don’t meet USB-IF standards
  • Cannot use AC outlet and USB-C port at the same time
  • May be too big for some international airlines, check before you fly
  • Not a travel friendly design

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Omars provided the product in this review.

Model: OMESS099WBK
Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station specs

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station specs

Tech Specs:
  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A x2, AC Output, DC Input
  • USB-C Output:
    • 29W USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V/3A, 12V/2A, 14.5V/2A, 20V/1.45A)
  • USB-A Output
    • Quick Charge 3.0
    • Huawei FCP
    • Apple 2.4A
  • 90W AC Outlet, 110V only
  • Input:
    • 36W DC (using included AC/DC adapter)
    • 29W USB-C PD
  • Capacity: 26,800mAh | 96.48Wh
  • Size: 7.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches | 186 x 162 x 40 mm
  • Weight: 2.4 lbs | 1.09 kg

Learn more aboutFast Charging.

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station box and contents

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station box and contents

Included In Box:
  • Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station
  • AC/DC power adapter
  • USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable, 3.3 feet
Good For:
  • Portable charging station anywhere
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • Nintendo Switch (handheld, docked with AC)
  • iPad Pro
  • 12-inch laptop (USB-C or AC)
  • 13-inch/14-inch laptop (AC)
  • 15-inch laptop (AC)
  • Most any other gadget with its own AC power plug

First Impression

The Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station, also known as the Omars Beast, is a medium sized power station. Power stations offer an AC outlet, while power banks are USB output only. The AC outlet is like the wall outlets in your home. Though with output limits. The inclusion of a base stand makes it at home on a desk or a workstation. It isn’t what I would call a travel friendly design, given its size and weight. But at 26,800mAh it would be allowed on any USA flight. While in a standing position I had a hard time seeing the four, tiny LED indicators on the top/front side. Looking at them from most angles I couldn’t see anything. When looking straight on they were visible.

 

Compared To Similar Power Stations

ChargerOmars 26800 Portable Energy Storage StationAnker PowerHouse 200Jackery PowerBar 20800 ACNovoo 85W AC Portable Power Station

Review
PortsUSB-C, USB-A x2, ACUSB-C, USB-A x2, ACUSB-C, USB-A x2, ACUSB-C, USB-A, AC
Output29W USB-C

Quick Charge 3.0

90W AC
30W USB-C

100W AC
15W USB-C

Quick Charge 3.0

85W AC
15W USB-C

Quick Charge 3.0

85W AC
Capacity26,800mAh57,600mAh20,800mAh22,500mAh
FeaturesUSB ports auto shut offUSB-C or solar power input options

Not allowed on flights
Includes 15W USB-C wall charger and cable to rechargeUSB ports auto shut off
CableUSB-C to USB-C cableNo cableUSB-C to USB-C cableNo cable
Dimensions 7.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 in
2.4 pounds
7.5 x 5.5 x 4.7 in
6 pounds
6.3 x 2.6 x 2.6 in
1.5 pounds
5.9 x 3.2 x 3.2 in
1.7 pounds
PricePrice not availablePrice not availablePrice not availablePrice not available

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-03-28.

 

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

  • Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS
  • Essential Phone
  • Google Pixel
  • LG ThinQ/V30
  • Razer
  • Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
  • Xiaomi Mi 8/9
  • ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find it will fast charge over the USB-C port. But not at the usual 9V, as that is missing from the charger. Luckily the iPhone supports 12V, and uses that instead. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included.

For iPhones the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Android phones that support USB PD may not fair as well. If they only support 9V they will not get fast charging out of the USB-C port.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

  • HTC
  • LG
  • Motorola
  • Nokia
  • Samsung Galaxy
  • Sony
  • Xiaomi Mi 5/6
  • ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we see Quick Charge will fast charge over the USB-A port. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable.

Nintendo Switch

 

The Nintendo Switch charges at its max rate, up to 18W. It’ll fast charge while you play. Its charge rate while sleeping is normal. But it won’t power a docked Switch. That requires a higher 15V output than this charger offers.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

You can also use the AC outlet to power the Switch. By using a dock supporting USB-C PD wall charger you could then power a docked Switch with this power station.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 27W from the USB-C port. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 29W charger can support 12-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

For larger laptops you’ll be better off using the AC outlet. With the laptop’s own charger attached you’ll get up to 90W, depending on your laptop’s specs.

MacBook Pro Run Time

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station with Apple 61W USB-C power adapter

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station with Apple 61W USB-C power adapter

How long the power station will last while using the AC outlet is impossible to say for every case. I recommend you test your own use case before depending on it away from any wall outlets. That said, I did test it using my MacBook Pro (13-inch) and Apple 61W USB-C power adapter. The Mac was under a normal workload. Most of the time was working on this review and other Internet apps. An hour of the time the Mac was on, but idle. Both Mac and power station where at 100% charge. Having the Mac at 100% reduces its power draw and maximizes the uptime the power station can offer.

  • Power station duration: 4 hours
  • Power draw ranged from 15-30W

Going by this test I would expect most 13-inch laptops on light/normal workloads would gain an extra 3+ hours of runtime. A 12-inch laptop would do as well or better. Larger laptops would see less time. Plugging in with the laptop below 80% will reduce runtime. As will playing video games or using resource intense apps.

AC Output

The AC outlet is the center piece of any power station. It allows a wider range of devices to take advantage of portable battery power. For this review I used the same devices I always use when testing USB-C power sources. But any device you own with its own power adapter and which uses 90W or less of power will work with this power station.

Please note the AC output supports 110V. That’s the same as US wall outlets. Most modern electronics support 100-240V. But if you aren’t sure look at your device’s AC adapter to make sure it includes 110V support.

To use the AC outlet you need to slide the power button next to it to on. A green light will appear. Otherwise the outlet remains turned off, just plugging in will not turn it on. The USB ports work as soon as they are connected.

Docked Nintendo Switch
Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station with Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station with Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

The USB-C port doesn’t have the power output required to power the Nintendo Switch’s dock. But the AC outlet does. But you also need to use a wall charger that supports the dock. The most obvious one being the Switch’s own AC adapter.

Once plugged in it is like being in your living room, power wise. With a portable display or projector you could run a docked Switch anywhere. For ~4-5 hours. And you’d need a second power station for the display.

USB Ports & AC Outlet

Both USB-A ports continue to offer power, even Quick Charge rates, while using the AC outlet. But USB-C port will not power up if the AC outlet is in use. Likewise the AC outlet won’t turn on (no green light, no power) if the USB-C port is already in use.

On the bright side you aren’t going to block the working USB-A ports with a power brick plugged into the AC outlet. It is on the side of the power station and at most you might cover a bit of the USB-C port. Which won’t work at the same time anyway.

DC & USB-C Input

You can recharge the Omars power station using either the included AC/DC adapter. Or the included USB-C cable and a USB-C PD charger. The AC/DC adapter will work faster, but either will get the job overnight.

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station ports and AC open

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station ports and AC open

You cannot use the power station to charge another device while it is being charged. You also connect connect both input devices to charge faster.

The power adapter is a basic wall wart design. The prongs don’t fold and it has a built-in cable. The kind you don’t mind plugged in behind the furniture, but not the best design for travel. For that you may want to use a USB-C PD wall charger if one is available.

The power adapter offers up to 36W, while USB-C only offers up to 29W. A 30W USB-C PD power banks of equal capacity would recharge at the same or slower rate. For most use cases you should plan to have the full capacity of the power station once a day. With an overnight recharge required.

Power Profiles Go Against USB Specifications

The power profiles on the USB-C port go against USB standards for Power Delivery. As such this power station wouldn’t receive USB-IF certification.

Over USB-C it offers 5V/3A, 12V/2A, 14.5V/2A, and 20V/1.45A via USB Power Delivery 2.0. There are two violations present.

  1. It is missing 9V/3A, given the presence of higher voltages.
  2. The use of 14.5V rather than 15V is against Power Delivery 2.0 specs.

Under Power Delivery 1.0 you could have 14.5V. But it was removed from PD 2.0 and 3.0 specs. It was only included with PD 1.0 because Apple and others had 14.5V USB-C chargers already on the market.

The lack of 9V support limits fast charging USB PD phones. The iPhone 8 I tested supports 12V, so it could still fast charge. But not all Android USB PD phones will. Certain models may only receive a normal charge rate.

The use of 14.5V over 15V means some Chromebooks and Levono laptops won’t charge using the USB-C port. If you own one you can still use the AC outlet and the laptop’s own charger. If your USB-C laptop uses 20V to charge then it will bypass the 14.5V shenanigans.

If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. I do wish it supported 9V and 15V. But if you don’t own a device that would miss those voltages it works well enough.

Summary

The Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station offers charge flexibility. More so than a regular power bank. USB Power Delivery and Quick Charge. And the AC outlet handles larger devices, even if they don’t use USB-C. But I wish it had more standard power profiles on the USB-C port.

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station

Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station

The USB-C port supports 29W output. That’s enough for 12-inch laptops and most smaller USB-C devices. Lack of 9V output means it won’t fast charge every USB PD using phone. And using 14.5V over 15V means you should only connect a Chromebook to the AC outlet. Otherwise it charges the Nintendo Switch as you play. And it can fast charge newer iPhones.

The USB-A port supports 18W Quick Charge 3.0. It provided over 16W to a Moto G6. And would perform the same for Samsung and Quick Charge supporting Android phones. Other small devices connecting to USB-A would see their normal charge rate.

The USB-C and USB-A ports can charge at the same time. And both will turn off once the device stops drawing current.

With the AC outlet any device with a power plug that draws 90W or less can get power. If using a non-US power adapter be sure it supports 110V. You can use the AC outlet and USB-A ports together. But you can’t use the AC outlet and USB-C port together. And of course the more devices connected, the sooner the power station will run out of juice.

It within the FAA’s limits for flights within the United States. Many other power stations do not.

About Omars

Omars has U.S. based support (web, email) and a 12 month warranty on both Omars and Novoo branded products.

Bottom Line

The Omars 26800 Portable Energy Storage Station offers a wider range of charge options compared to a power bank. The AC outlet covers devices without USB-C. But the usage of 14.5V instead of 15V is a let down. At 26,800mAh it can even fly in the US. But treat it more as a big battery than a power bank.

Buy if you:
  • Need a portable charger in a remote workspace or the outdoors
  • Want to charge a laptop without USB-C, or one that requires up to 90W
  • Are looking for an emergency power source
Don’t buy if you:
  • Want to only charge devices smaller than a laptop
  • Need to fast charge a Google Pixel, Essential, or Razer phone
  • Aren’t comfortable with the USB-C spec violation

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.