My partner and I were camping on a friend’s land when he rolled up and found us testing the Yoshino Power B4000 SST. Like us, he’s a connoisseur of portable power stations, and I could tell from his inquisitive grin that he was already plotting ways to convince us to part with it.
He was initially enamored because it doesn’t sport the same utilitarian motif as other power stations. But what he didn’t yet know is that it’s also the only portable power station (at least that I’ve heard of) using solid-state batteries. That means it’s safer, lighter, and more compact than the competition. The B4000 SST also has a few other tricks under the hood, including an oversized inverter and GaN technology.
After we’d had our fun testing it, we happily agreed to leave Yoshi, as we now affectionately refer to it, with our friend so he could give us his testing impressions as well. Here’s what we’ve all learned so far after nearly a year in the field.
In short: With advanced solid-state battery technology, Yoshino Power’s B4000 SST ($2,299) is light relative to its capacity, safe from thermal runaways, and arguably the coolest station on the block. It’s ideal for everything from car and truck camping, and if you’re after one of the most high-tech portable power stations out there, this is the one to snag.
To see where the Yoshino B4000 SST stacks up in the larger power station market, check out GearJunkie’s Best Portable Power Station Buyer’s Guide.
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Solid-state battery -
High inverter output -
GaN technology -
Lightweight, stylish -
Wireless phone charging pads
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Not expandable -
No wheels -
No car (12V) port
Yoshino Power B4000 SST Portable Power Station: Review
First Impressions of the Yoshino
I was pretty stoked to get our mitts on a Yoshino for testing because, as far as I know, it’s the only company using solid-state battery technology (SST). That means it’s significantly lighter per watt-hour than LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries, currently the gold standard for power stations.
It’s also very safe since it’s immune to thermal runaways. It’s such a great technology that rumor has it that the EV market is poised to switch over to it in the next few years, doubling vehicle ranges while also allowing for faster charging.
The Yoshino Power B4000 SST portable power station showed up with three 200W solar panels, so it took some unboxing to get the show on the road. But once it was freed from its cardboard shackles, Yoshi immediately started to shine.
First of all, it is a literal work of art. Its nature-inspired exoskeleton was created by Swiss-born designer Yves Béhar and his FuseProject design firm. Yeah, OK; when I first read about his vision of crafting “a symbol of nature” with honeycomb accents emphasizing the hard work and nonstop energy of bees, I laughed. I mean, really?
But while I’m always far more concerned with functionality than aesthetics, the Yoshi is exceptionally elegant. And why not add a little extra grace to an otherwise pragmatic product? I hereby formally retract my mockery and give it kudos for being cutting-edge on the beauty side as well.
Solid and Safe Power in the Field
Our first stop on our field tests of the B4000 SST was, actually, a field. Before heading to our favorite alpine nook, we had to stop to mow a vacant lot. Yoshi powered our corded electric lawnmower without a hitch. That was no surprise, as it punches well above its weight in output capacity. Its 4,000W inverter tops nearly every power station out there, even those with nearly twice the watt-hours.
Once we settled at the campsite, we put it to work powering the electric cooler and other accessories. On that trip, the station delivered as promised and then some. It’s also compact for the number of watt-hours it holds and not top-heavy like many competitor models, which means it rests securely on the floor of the van while we’re driving.
Our friend ended up using the B4000 SST for a couple of months, running a water pump for his trees and powering his entire camper. He recharged it daily with solar panels. He has other power stations that can do all of those things, too. So, while he won’t admit it, I’m pretty sure he chose Yoshi for the tasks because he likes being the only kid on the block with solid-state battery tech.
GaN Chips and a Fast Charger
Yoshino Power debuted its four-model line of portable power stations in 2023. The B4000 SST is its largest offering, but all four have a huge plus under the hood: GaN transistor technology. GaN is more efficient than silicon, which means it loses less energy through heat loss and, therefore, keeps the internals cooler.
In your life, that translates to a longer life for internal electronic components and the fan running less. This produces less background whirr, so you can enjoy more birdsongs. Anker is the only other brand we’ve seen touting this technology.
The B4000 SST also has a fast wall-charging rate of 1,800W and goes from zero to full in less than 2 hours. Two wireless charging pads on top are particularly convenient, especially when your smartphone port is all gummed up with lint. It also includes a TT-30 RV plug, LED light bar, and water-resistant, shatterproof interface (though no formal IP weatherproof rating).
As for using it as a solar generator, the short answer is yes; it’s decent for that. Its 600W solar input capability is a little low compared to the competition, but lugging around more panels than that is tedious and unnecessary. Plus, Yoshino Power’s solar panels have high-quality circuitry, which allows them to work efficiently even if part of the panel is shaded.
Room for Improvement: Paying for Tomorrow’s Tech, Today
Overall, the Yoshino Power B4000 SST is a truly excellent beast (or bee, as the designer envisioned). The biggest downsides are that you have to pay a bit extra to get tomorrow’s technology today, and expansion batteries are not available. But I heard a rumor that they may be coming out with them this year.
Other small quirks: at 53 pounds, wheels would be helpful, but the ergonomic handles mostly make up for that. There’s no 12V car port, but few people actually need that. And the name is misleading. Typically, the number in a power station name refers to the watt-hours, but in B4000 SST, the 4000 refers to the inverter size.
Their solar panels also have a design flaw. The cables are too short, so when you hook three of them together, the front panels partially block the sun from the back ones. This is not an issue if you lay them flat, and you can fix this issue with a cable extender.
Yoshino Power B4000 SST: A Class of Its Own
With solid-state battery technology, GaN transistors, and an oversized inverter, Yoshino Power’s B4000 SST is in a class of its own. It’s lightweight for its size, is very safe, and recharges quickly. This is tomorrow’s portable power station.
With 2,600 Wh, it’s ideal for van and truck campers who want to run an electric cooler overnight or keep cameras and laptops charged for days. Its shatterproof faceplate and tough casing also make it a good choice for off-road and overlanding adventures.
The B4000 SST is more expensive per watt-hour than most other portable power stations, and its lack of expandability is limiting, but if you have the cash, appreciate quality, and want to make the Joneses jealous, congratulations — you’ve found your perfect power station match.
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