If you often go on long car journeys where access to power stations can be dicey, or you’re prepping for an emergency because of an incoming hurricane, a portable power station can save the day. Something like Edge GO 1500 by Luminous can keep your electronic gear running for hours — or even days — at a time. Plug in three or four phones, a couple of laptops, and even a charging brick; this hunk of a power station has enough juice to keep the whole gang happy.


Roughly the size and weight of a small toaster oven, it provides a steady stream of power without the noise, fumes, or awkward stares that come with a gas-powered portable generator.
There are two parts to the power station — the first obviously involves what it promises, and the second part is an unexpected booming speaker.

Power up

Luminous is a well-known provider of power and solar solutions with an extensive catalogue. The review device is a powerful 1200W portable power station with a LiFePO4 core that claims to deliver 10x faster charging and 3x longer life.
Weighing around 15kg, unless you’re a regular at the gym, it’s recommended that you use both hands to carry the power station, which thankfully comes with two strong metal handles.

The portable power station has multiple charging options.

In fact, the entire construction is rock-solid. It outweighs my cat, whom I also carry with both hands, just to be safe.
The dimensions are just right to fit in the trunk, or it can sit comfortably in the middle of a car’s backseat, so everyone can fight over who gets to plug in first.
The power station is particularly helpful for content creators, say an automobile journalist who travels long distances to review cars.

Shoots usually begin by 5am and end around midnight. The pursuit involves heaps of 4K footage and then frantic editing on the go. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to dump all the content from a micro SD card to your computer ASAP, because defective storage units are as common as traffic jams.

Shooting in 4K drains cameras and phones within hours, which means a quick top-up is mandatory between destinations. This is where the power station flexes its muscles.


The obvious question is, how much power does this generate? That’s like asking about the range of an electric car compared to a petrol one. You don’t fret about “range” when driving a diesel truck because filling up is easy. Power stations, however, do have a limit.
This one delivers 1200W output and has a 1120Wh battery capacity to handle appliances like smartphones, drones, gaming consoles, and even a mini fridge — for when you simply can’t live without cold soda in the wilderness.


Forget the math on how long the battery lasts and look at real-world usage. If you’ve got a brawny 100W laptop charger from the Stone Age, you can still get several full charges. Attach a 20W light source and it will glow for ages.

It will charge your smartphone so many times you’ll lose count — but you won’t buy this beast just for phones. And that’s where the outlets matter.
There are plenty of modern ports to accommodate all your devices: two USB-C, two USB-A output ports, plus a 12V car lighter and two AC outputs.

There’s also a solar input and an AC input.
Charging is flexible. You can juice it up via AC outlet, car charger, or solar panel (11V–50V / 5A, up to 200W), or fast charge in 90 minutes. It all depends on what’s available. If you’re camping, solar makes sense. If you’re near civilisation, plug it into the wall for 90 minutes. Or go with the car socket, which is basically the slow cooker of charging options.

Dance to the music

It would be a shame if it couldn’t do more than power your gadgets. So why not play music?
There’s a display on top that tells you how much juice is left, how much your devices are drinking, and how long before the station itself recharges. It even shows volume levels and other fun bits while you’re blasting tunes.


The device also has ambient light, which is particularly handy when camping — or when you’re pretending to camp in your living room.
And then there’s the music.

It also has a built-in 90W audio system. Picture: Mathures Paul

A built-in 90W audio system with powerful bass can accommodate two karaoke microphones. It boasts immersive 97dB bass and 101dB treble with a 6” woofer and dual 2” drivers. Naturally, it has Bluetooth. But wait, there’s more: you can plug in your guitar and play Stairway to Heaven in the middle of nowhere, which is probably where your audience will wish they were.


Are the speakers any good? Yes. They’re excellent and even beat some respected Bluetooth speakers on the market. It’s a no-nonsense addition that makes camping feel less like survival training and more like a festival.

Make the call


The lithium-ion technology here offers over 3,000 charge cycles. That’s plenty before the battery starts to fade — like your motivation at the gym. The capacity is so large, it’s genuinely tough to wear it out.
Given its weight, you won’t be carrying this around in a backpack unless you’re auditioning for a strongman competition. But charge it overnight, toss it in the trunk with your gear, and it’ll keep your phone, laptop, camera, projector, drone, or whatever else powered for days at a stretch.


The box includes two microphones for karaoke sessions.

Edge GO 1500 by Luminous is a smart buy if you’re often on long car journeys or enjoy the occasional camping trip. There’s no such thing as the “perfect” power station for everyone, but this one makes for excellent company if you often go off-grid — and frankly, it parties harder than most.

Mathures Paul

At a glance

Device: Edge GO 1500 by Luminous

Price: ₹114,999

• High notes
• Well-designed, with several ports
• It takes only 90 minutes to charge the device
• Can work as a Bluetooth speaker
• Comes with karaoke microphones
• Muffled note
• Some degree of waterproofing would have been a bonus