Evolving technology has significantly improved portable power stations making them less bulky and offering simple operations with all the essential outlets. If you are an adventurer and a camper, this article is for you as it reviews the best portable power stations for camping.
Since our lives rely on several electronic and smart devices, you need a reliable power station for outdoor adventures. As the name suggests, you can carry a portable power station on your RV to different camping sites, and it’s lightweight and manageable compared to a power generator.
Keep reading to learn more about the features of the best portable power stations for camping trips.
Our Selection Process
The advanced power station for camping includes several features, such as a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and solar panel inputs. Also, the high-end portable power stations support the daisy chain to enhance the power output.
However, the million-dollar question is how do you select an appropriate power station for camping. Don’t worry; we have chosen the top-rated portable power stations for camping based on the following criteria.
The first consideration is the offered power and capacity. For instance, if a power station offers 200-watt-hours, the unit can power a device with a one-watt output power for 200 hours.
A good-quality power station offers a 500-cycle lifespan, which is decent. One cycle accounts for the power station usage from 100 percent charge to zero charges or at least 80 percent.
If you use a portable power station several times a week, the unit will last a year or two. However, a well-maintained unit will go a long way if you only use the power station for camping purposes.
The good news is that the shortlisted portable power stations include all kinds of valuable ports, such as standard wall plugs, USB-C ports, and USB-A ports.
Let’s discuss the specifications of the best portable power stations for camping without further ado.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
Best Overall Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
Why You Should Buy It
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station is an eco-friendly unit that uses 100 percent green and clean solar energy. Courtesy of the two Jackery SolarSaga 100-watt solar panels, you can charge the power station fully in six hours.
One of the most significant advantages of buying this power station is its ease of use. The one-touch operations allow you to set up the power station quickly. Also, the handles offer a firm grip allowing you to transport the power station to the camping site.
The Jackery Explorer power station has industry-leading secure cylindrical batteries that comply with safety standards. Also, the power station is certified with the impact-resistance class 9 after passing a drop test.
You don’t have to worry about over-charging or overheating the connected electronics as the power station offers a clean and pure sine wave to provide constant power voltage.
The power station has one car charger cable, an AC adapter, and one SolarSage Parallel adapter cable. You can refer to the user manual for the initial setup and other operations.
What to Look Out For
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station offers an output wattage of 1000 watts and weighs around 22 pounds. It features two AC outlets, one USB-A, one USB-C PD, one car, and one USB-A quick charge outlet.
On the other hand, you need to buy solar panels separately, which means additional monetary investment. However, charging using the AC wall outlet means increased electricity bills. Nonetheless, solar panels are a one-time investment if you camp for weeks without access to the AC outlet.
EF Ecoflow Portable Power Station
Why You Should Buy It
The EF Ecoflow Portable Power Station is one of the most lightweight and portable power stations, thanks to its 3.5 kilograms. It features state-of-the-art EcoFlow X-Stream fast charging technology which fully charges the power station within an hour using an AC outlet, which is excellent.
The Ecoflow power station offers a whooping output power of 600 watts that can run six appliances simultaneously. Additionally, the power station features 300-watt AC and USB-C outlets to charge all kinds of smart devices.
Another distinctive feature of the EF Ecoflow portable power station is the integration of reliable LFP battery cells that can recharge the power station 300 times before 80 percent usage. It means you can use this sturdy power station regularly for ten years.
The power station comes equipped with BMS protection to monitor current, voltage, and temperature to guarantee the longevity of the LFP battery.
What to Look Out For
The EF Ecoflow Portable Power Station includes a car charging cable, an AC charging cable, and a user manual to assist with the operations. Also, the power station has a five-year warranty to ensure a long-term safe investment.
On the other hand, the power station doesn’t include a solar panel and a solar charging cable. However, if you buy a solar panel, you can use renewable energy to recharge the power station within three hours using 110-watt solar power.
Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station
Why You Should Buy It
The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station is a heavy-duty power station offering a 2982Wh lithium battery making it one of the most efficient portable power stations. In case of a prolonged outage in your area, you can keep the refrigerator running for 43 hours or light bulbs for 276 hours.
Besides charging the power station with an AC outlet, you can also recharge with solar energy. Not only that, but you can use Goal Zero’s Maximum Power Point Tracking to maximize the solar input by 30 percent.
The Goal Zero Yeti power station is one of the safest and most durable, featuring a professional-grade exterior made of an anodized aluminum enclosure. Also, the battery unit is sealed separately, which ensures the longevity of the unit.
Finally, the two-year warranty ensures a safe investment while customer support is always available to assist you with the power station operations.
What to Look Out For
The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station is a high-capacity power station with a relatively heavy weight of 78 pounds. Nonetheless, the unit has a sturdy handle and wheels for convenient transportation.
Besides using the power station for camping, you can integrate it with the home circuit for continuous backup power. However, you need to buy the Home Integration Kit separately.
Takki 300W Portable Power Station
Why You Should Buy It
If you are on a budget and don’t want to compromise on the features of the portable power station, we have great news.
The Takki 300W Portable Power Station is an affordable yet sturdy power station offering a capacity of 240Wh battery. This way, you can charge up to nine devices simultaneously within 300 watts.
One of the most significant advantages of buying this power station is convenient charging. Hence, you can recharge using AC, a 12V car charger, or sunlight using 15-25 volts solar panels. You can easily transport this 6.2 pounds lightweight power station to a high-altitude camping site.
The Takki 300W power station features an ergonomic design, dual cooling vents, and a state-of-the-art safe battery management system.
Finally, you can have peace of mind with the offered 24-month product service. The power station has a power adapter, a cigarette lighter adapter, and a helpful user manual.
What to Look Out For
Whether you want to charge the phone, CPAP machine, iPad, drone, mini fridge, laptop, or LED lights, the Takki 300W Portable Power Station has covered everything.
This best-budget power station has two 110-volt AC outlets, two DC outlets, two PD 18-watts Type-C outlets, and three USB ports to charge all your smart electronics while camping trip.
On the other hand, the power station offers less charging time due to less power capacity. For instance, it can charge a portable freezer for more than five hours and a portable 60-watt TV for four hours.
Portable Power Station FAQs
After reading the above reviews, you can now make a well-informed decision about buying a portable power station for a camping trip.
Unlike a gas-powered generator, portable power stations also serve as a safe and secure home power backup.
Is It Worth Getting a Portable Power Station?
Of course. A portable power station is a long-term investment if you are an outdoor enthusiast on RV or camper van around the country.
Also, a portable power station is handy in a natural disaster or an emergency power outage. Lastly, a power station is necessary on remote construction sites.
You can run almost all electronic devices and appliances on a power station, including table fans, phones, work lights, and CPAP machines.
How Long Can a Portable Power Station Run?
The power ratio determines the total running hours of a power station. For instance, for a power station offering 1,000 watt-hours, you can run a TV of 100 watts for 10 hours (1000/100 = 10 hours).
However, the above is a theoretical mathematical calculation that isn’t true in reality. According to the industry standard, you should consider 80 percent of the power station’s battery capacity to do the maths, which makes the total running hours 8.5 hours in the earlier example.
What to look for when buying a portable power station?
When buying a portable power station, it is important to consider the battery capacity, the number of ports and outlets, the weight and size of the unit, and the type of charging capabilities.
Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh) and determines how much power the station can store and deliver. The number of ports and outlets will determine how many devices you can charge at once.
The weight and size of the unit will determine how portable it is.
Lastly, the type of charging capabilities will determine the types of devices you can charge.
Can you overcharge a portable power station?
No, you cannot overcharge a portable power station.
Portable power stations are designed to safely shut off when the battery is full. This prevents the battery from being overcharged, which can cause damage to the battery and reduce its lifespan.
Final Thoughts On Best Portable Power Station for Camping Trip
One of the most significant advantages of investing in a portable power station is to keep your power devices charged while camping.
You don’t have to worry about your safety and security since you don’t have to carry diesel, gas, or kerosene to run a power station. Finally, it’s straightforward to maintain and store a power station when not in use.
Whichever portable power station you select from the above list, you won’t be disappointed.
