Wagan Power Dome
vs.
Duracell Powerpack 600

Using the sliders, set the importance of each aspect.
Choozza will then find the best product for you.

Wagan Power Dome

2
Low Cost
2
Reliability
2
Portability
2
Safety Features
2
Power Output
2
Emergency Jump Start
2
Add Ons

Duracell Powerpack 600

Wagan Power Dome

The Power Dome boasts a 600 cranking amp auto jump starter bundled together with a 260 PSI high power motor air compressor. It has a 400 watt AC power inverter, a high intensity LED light, a built-in AM/FM radio with iPod input, two AC (100 volt) outlets and one DC (12 volt) outlet. With all these outlets, you may connect computers, TVs, fans, etc.

Duracell Powerpack 600

The Duracell Powerpack 600 can be safely and conveniently recharged from any household AC outlet or DC cigarette-lighter outlet. This robust battery is tied to a power inverter that provides 600 watts of power, and has three grounded AC outlets (100 volt) and one DC socket (12 volt). This is good for all your TVs, fans, etc. The Powerpack also has an AM/FM radio.

Low Cost

The Wagon Power Dome is normally a little cheaper than the Powerpack.
The Duracell Powerpack is usually a little more expensive than the Power Dome.

Reliability

The overall build quality is average. There are no major problems but someof the units presented small inconsistencies that, while minor and not interfering with the ability to provide power, may point to some problems with quality assurance. The jumper cables are not very heavy duty.
The device quality is not as good as you would expect. Some users noted that they receievd units with faulty components, and a few even complained that the device they bought stopped working soon after they bought it. Many commented that the power meter display does not work well. Problems were reported when the internal battery power was allowed to run too low.

Portability

The Wagan Power Dome measures 8 x 12 x 11 inches and weighs 25 pounds. This is 20.3 x 30.5 x 28 cm and 11.3 kg. This makes the Power Dome considerably smaller and lighter than the Powerpack.
The Duracell Powerpack measures 14 x 22 x 9.2 inches and weighs 29 pounds. This is 35.5 x 55.9 x 23.4 cm and 13.1kg. It basically weighs like a toddler.

Safety Features

The Power Dome has overload and short circuit protection mechanisms.
The Duracell Powerpack has surge protector so appliances that need too much juice will not come on. Additionally, there is a reverse charge flow protection to protect you against connecting the jumper cables the wrong way around.

Power Output

The Wagan Power Dome will suit you well for those camping trips when you need it to recharge cell phones, music players and portable DVD players. It will also provide a good light that will last for a few days, and jump start your car when required. Additionally, you can use it to inflate matresses, tires, etc. It is important to note that the Power Dome can not be used as a heavy-duty emergency power source, since it is not a fully powered generator.
Duracell Powerpack 600 provides ample power to recharge cordless and cellular telephones while operating emergency lights, televisions and a wide range of DC-powered products. The smaller appliances, portable coolers, laptops, televisions and gaming consoles will run for hours. However, it is limited in the number of amps that you can pull. As a rule of thumb only low powered appliances can be plugged in. This is acceptable, as it is not a fully powered generator. One user reported that the Powerpack was able to start his car four consecutive times, and that he was then able to use it to power the car for a little longer. The unit will power a laptop for up to four hours between charges, and a CPAP machine for about 20 hours.

Emergency Jump Start

The jump start feature is able to start most engines, although some users found some difficulties with 8 cylinders. The Jumper cables are not very heavy duty and you may want a higher gauge cables.
Duracell Powerpack contains a powerful 28-amp battery, which can be used to jump start most 8-cylinder engines. It also has a nice reverse polarity detector, which ensures your safety in the event that the jumper cables are connected to the incorrect battery terminals.

Add Ons

The Wagan Power Dome has a radio, air compressor, a LED light, and of course � it can jump start your car. The FM/AM radio has an auxiliary audio input jack (so you can attach your MP3 player) and a USB power supply port. This is excellent for those players that require a USB for recharging. The radio speaker is average and there is no audio out. The air compressor goes up to 260PSI, and is equipped with a good length hose and a set of tips for different balls, and of course, you can inflate camping mattresses or car tires. In some cases the air compressor gets hot really fast, and some users commented that it just burns after using it for a short while. The compressor is not very powerful and inflating tires can be a time consuming process. The LED light is quite bright, and the included jump cables are good , but you need to ensure that the Power Dome is adequate for your car, as the more power consuming engines (such as 8 cylinders) may not be able to get enough power from it, especially when the battery is completely flat. You can purchase a solar panel separately for recharging the Power Dome when you are away from civilization and don't want to start your engine.
The Duracell Powerpack comes with built-in AM/FM radio and emergency light. The jumper cables let you jump start your vehicle, and the unit also ships with an AC adapter )to recharge it from a wall outlet) and a DC charging cable that can be inserted into any standard cigarette-lighter outlet, allowing you to recharge it from any car, boat etc. You also get an accessory bag is for storage.
The unit has a power meter. Some users complained that the power meter is inaccurate and hence useless. The flash light and radio are not considered top quality but are adequate for most situations. You can purchase a solar panel separately for recharging the Power Dome when you are away from civilization and don't want to start your engine.

Wagan Power Dome

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Duracell Powerpack 600

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Wagan Power Dome

Average rating: 4 / 5
based on 37 customer reviews
Feel factor: 0


can't stop the alarm-costly to return

(Score 2/5)

I purchased this 12 months ago, and I have just watched my second one die a similar death to the first. For some unknown reason, the inverter alarm would go off (and never ever stop until you remove the fuse) after inlfating the tires. It was under warranty, but returning it requires shipping the heavy thing at your own cost.

It just happened again to the replacement unit, and I'm not planning to return it. My advice would be to buy it from a local dealer so you can hand return it when it dies on you.

It was perfect for our tailgates when it worked.

Posted on: 2010-09-23
By Lee Mikles



somewhat impressed

(Score 3/5)

First I did read everyone elses review so I new what I was getting into. Yes the radio could have a better sound, but it works. Compressor works good, jumper box, light...all good. The big reason I bought it was for the power inverter. It says to 14 amps and I have a recipocating saw and a circular saw that are both 13 amps and it won't operate them. I'm a handyman and sometimes for a short period need to have something like this for little remote jobs and it wont do it. I did you it with some hedge clippers and it worked great. Note the accessories that you plan to use it for and there amperages. Apperance wise I like it, it seems very sturdy and durable, noting the black sides on it are rubber so it can take some bumping around.

Posted on: 2010-09-16
By maitai92



Need to return the first unit

(Score 2/5)

Got the unit. Charged as directed. Put it in my car and needed to use it a couple weeks later. Connected it to my battery and it did not have enough of a charge to start the car.

Fully charged it again and put it back in my car. Checked a week or so later with a meter and the voltage had already dropped below 12V (believe around 10-11V). Fully charged again and then left it in my garage to see if the hot car was the issue. Even inside the garage, after a week or so the unit was dropping in voltage.

Contacted the company and they sent me a RMA, no questions asked. Now I have to pay to ship the unit back to them for replacement . . .

Posted on: 2010-09-15
By Brian



Great product

(Score 5/5)

Received two of these. One for each vehicle. One would not charge right out of the box. Called Amazon expecting a fight. I was wrong, a new one was sent immediately at no additional charge and no need to return the defective unit.

Have used both units to inflate bike tires, balls and to power 12VDC items. Unit works exactly as advertised. Do not use it to inflate an air mattress. It's not designed for that type of work - ask me how I know ;)

This will be the standard gift to relatives, especially those living in the North where a dead car battery makes for a really bad day.

Posted on: 2010-09-10
By W. Wood



Useful in a pinch for AC/DC power but came d

(Score 3/5)

Unit has most of the options one needs but came cracked and broken due to minimal packing material. The product box is thin and the shipping box had only one piece of bunched up brown paper. So of course this heavy item was damaged in shipping. Amazon will replace, lets see if that one is packed to survive shipping. By contrast an Energizer All in One came well packed in sturdy boxes and arrived alive.

Posted on: 2010-09-09
By Kevin C Wise

Duracell Powerpack 600

Average rating: 4 / 5
based on 169 customer reviews
Feel factor: 2


Starts Anything!

(Score 4/5)

So far this unit has not let me down, it jump starts multiple vehicles effortlessly. Loads of power and holds it's charge for a commendably long period of time. I have not been in a situation of using it as an inverter or AC power source yet. The only downsides to this product are that it's a bit heavy, and most inconvenient of all, the jump cables really need be double their length. Aside from that, I think it's a great product and overall I've been very satisfied.

Posted on: 2010-09-16
By Mike Deni



need ac charger

(Score 5/5)

I have this powerpack and it is great. somehow we have misplaced the AC charger. Does anyone know where I can get one?
Thanks.

Posted on: 2010-09-10
By J. Barnes



life saver

(Score 5/5)

this thing is so good i bougth it to use it on our camping trips. we went on a 5 day camping trip this summer and we used the powerpack every day for charging our 3 cellphones more then twice our 2 cameras more then twice and we used it for lighting at night i bought two 12 volt neon lights i placed one outside where we sit and the other in the tent.we were using the light at least for 3/4 hours every night and this thig never died for 5 days i couldnt belive that it was still working perfectly and it was showing 100% on the screen.it is a very good product and it definatly does more then the job. i highly recommend.

Posted on: 2010-09-02
By greg



Works GREAT!!

(Score 5/5)

Works as advertised... I had a power outage 3 days after I received my powerpack.. I'm glad I bought it, it can in handy. I bought a second one.

Posted on: 2010-09-01
By E. WEBB



won't charge

(Score 1/5)

We only used this twice. It won't charge any more. I gave it more than ample time to charge. It just won't hold a charge so is useless.

Posted on: 2010-08-28
By sheriebear

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