VTOMAN FlashSpeed 600 Portable Power Station Review

If you are shopping for a portable power station that doesn’t cost a fortune, the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 600 could be a good option. After testing it out for the last few weeks, here are my thoughts on the product.

Disclosure: We received the power station as a courtesy for review purposes. However, the review is intended to provide honest, unbiased insights about the product, based on personal experiences and observations.

Specifications

Battery Capacity	499Wh
Battery Type	LiFePO4
Dimensions (L×W×H)	316×202.5×243 mm (12.4×7.9×9.5 inches)
Weight	7.2 kg (15.9 lbs)
Operating Temperature	-4°F to 131°F
Charging Temperature	32°F to 131°F
Storage Temperature	13°F to 131°F
Working Humidity	10-90%
AC OUTPUT
Continuous Power	2×600W, total 600W
Peak Power	1,200W
Voltage	110V
Frequency	60Hz
DC OUTPUT
USB-A Output	2×18W Max (QC3.0)
USB-C PD Output	2×100W Max (Output only)
DC5521 Output	12V/10A
Cigarette Lighter Port	12V/10A
INPUT
AC Input	100-130V, up to 400W
DC & Anderson Input	12-50V, up to 200W
SPECIAL FEATURES
UPS Functionality	Supported
Expansion Capabilities	Compatible with FlashSpeed 1500 extra battery

Design & Build Quality

When I unboxed the product, I was quite surprised because the FlashSpeed 600 looks like a mini version of the FlashSpeed 1500 that I tested not long ago. It’s 12.4 x 9.5 x 7.9 inches and weighs 15.9 lbs – not super lightweight, but the handles on 2 sides make it easy to carry around. The front has a clear display and all the ports, while the top has a nice cable storage box that keeps my cords from turning into a mess. On the back, there’s an LED light with 5 modes: low, medium, high, blinking, and SOS. The light is quite useful, especially during power outages or camping trips.

I wanted something I could toss in the car for a camping weekend or rely on when the power goes out – especially when it is expected that we’ll have more storms and hurricanes coming this year.

In terms of connectivities, the FlashSpeed offers enough ports to charge up to 8 devices at once. There are 2 AC outlets, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a DC552 port, and a car outlet. I tried using the USB-C port to charge my iPhone but the output was stuck at around 12W; When I switched to the AC outlet, the charging speed increased to over 22W. So you might still need to bring your phone charger if you want to charge faster.

Another limitation of the power station is that there is no obvious On button. So when the display is dim, there is no way to wake it up when you want to read the display clearer. You have to press one of the output buttons (like AC or USB) to wake it up, which is very inconvenient, especially when you use the station outdoors.

Performance

I tested it out at home first. The station, with its 499Wh capacity and 600W output, is not really powerful but it could handle my essentials like a laptop, a fan, or charging all of my mobile devices. I connected it to my workstation with a MacBook and a 27-inch screen; The battery could easily last around 5 hours. Besides, I love how fast it charges – 80% in an hour with the AC adapter is impressive. If you have a 200W solar panel, you can fully recharge the battery within a few hours of decent sunlight.

It’s not meant for heavy-duty appliances like power tools, a full-size fridge, a portable induction cooktop or even an electric kettle but for medium-power needs like a mini fridge, lights, or a CPAP machine during a blackout, it’s more than capable.

The FlashSpeed has a cooling fan that kicks in every 10-15 minutes, even under moderate loads. It was pretty noticeable in a silent room but less of an issue outdoors with ambient noise.

The LiFePO4 battery feels like a smart choice – over 3000 cycles means it’ll last me years if I don’t abuse it. The safety system, with its overcharge and short-circuit protections, puts my mind at ease. I’ve read too many horror stories about lithium batteries going haywire, so this was a big plus for me.

Another nice feature of the power station is the expandability. I don’t need 2,047Wh right now, but I can add an extra battery later for bigger capacity. Unfortunately, the setup just increases the total energy storage capacity, not the total power output.

Conclusion

Pros

Fast charging
Multiple output ports
Expandable capacity up to 2,047Wh
Cable storage compartment

Cons

No power button
Power output limitation

The VTOMAN FlashSpeed 600 is not as beefy as the FlashSpeed 1500, but if you don’t need that much power, it is still a decent option. If I can only buy one power station, I still prefer the FlashSpeed 1500 because its price per kWh is more reasonable and I won’t have to worry about paying extra when I need upgrades in the future.