4 Best Camping Generators in 2024

What makes the best camping generator depends on how you plan to use it, how many people travel with you, how many appliances you want to run, what kind of power each one needs, and how long of a trip you like to go on.

So, to make it easy, we’ll explore the four best camping generators, including the best for hiking, weekend trips, essential device backup, and longer trips. 

EcoFlow’s Best Generators for Camping

Best for Backpacking or Hiking: EcoFlow RIVER 2

Best for Weekend Trips: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max

Best for Essential Device Backup: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro

Best for Longer Trips: EcoFlow DELTA 2 

Best for Backpacking or Hiking: EcoFlow RIVER 2

Your priority for hiking, backpacking, or even day trips to the beach will be size and weight; the smaller, the better. However, you also want a fair bit of power in that small size to make it worthwhile to carry it. 

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 offers just that. At only 3.5kg (7.7lbs), it’s light enough to carry with you, and thanks to its powerful LiFePO4 battery, it packs 300W of power in that small size.  

Their LiFePO4 are the best camping batteries because they are ultra-safe and not prone to thermal runaway like their predecessors, the lithium-ion batteries, making it plenty safe enough to put in your backpack and keep in your tent at night to listen to music or watch shows on your tablet.  With plenty of output options, including AC (household plugs), DC (12V car plugs), USB, and USB-C, you can run a wide range of devices with this little beauty. 

Thanks to its 600W of surge power, you can even run a mini blender that needs a little extra boost of starting watts to get it going. 

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 256Wh
• AC Output: 300W total (surge 600W)
• Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 11-30V, 8A, 110W Max
• Weight: 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
• Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7 in (245 x 214 x 142 mm)
• Operating Noise Level: ~60 decibels
• Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
• Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
• Depth of Discharge: 100%
• Warranty: 5 years
• App Monitoring and Control?: Yes

Pros

• Compact and lightweight enough for travel on foot
• LiFePO4 batteries are ultra-safe and will last about 10 years
• Multiple output options (AC, DC, USB, USB-C)
• Versatile recharge options with AC, DC, USB-C, and solar panels

Cons

• Limited capacity unsuitable for larger appliances

Best for Weekend Trips: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max

If you love the EcoFlow RIVER 2 but want more power to last the weekend, this is the one for you. It still doesn’t weigh much at only 6.1kg (13.4lbs), so it’s easy for a quick solo adventure in a car or even on a quad or a motorbike. But it has 500W of running power and 1000W of surge, allowing you to run that blender and your coffee maker, camping lights, electronic devices (phone, tablet, laptop, etc.), or a fan in your tent to help you beat the heat.

Since it has a bigger battery, it will last you longer, making it perfect for a solo or couple’s weekend getaway. You can always recharge it with your portable solar panels if you need more power.

Just like the EcoFlow RIVER 2, it uses ultra-safe and quiet LiFePO4 batteries so you can bring it inside your tent with you and never worry about toxic fumes or thermal runaway. 

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 512Wh
• AC Output: 500W (Surge 1000W)
• Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 11-50V 13A, 220W Max
• Weight: 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 in (270 x 260 x 196mm)
• Operating Noise Level: ~60 decibels
• Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
• Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
• Depth of Discharge: 100%
• Warranty: 5 years
• App Monitoring and Control?: Yes

Pros

• Larger capacity but still lightweight enough for a motorbike or quad
• Versatile output ports (AC, DC, USB, USB-C)
• Recharge it using wall plugs (AC), DC (car), USB-C, and solar panels
• Safe LiFePO4 battery will last about 10 years of use

Cons

• Still not large enough to run larger appliances like a microwave, heaters, or air conditioners

Best for Essential Device Back-Up:  EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro

If you want compact and lightweight but need more power, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the ultimate balance between portability and capacity. With 800W of running power and an impressive 1600W of surge power, it can run most small household appliances while also having plenty of power to recharge your essential devices. 

If you are one of those people who get to work on your laptop while camping in the great outdoors (lucky you!), then this will keep you working and having fun at the same time. It has enough power to last a weekend trip, and you can recharge it with solar in as little as 70 minutes when the sun is directly overhead. With that option, you may never want to go home again! 

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 768Wh
• AC Output: 800W total (surge 1600W)
• Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 11-50V 13A, 220W Max
• Weight: 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg )
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (270 x 260 x 226 mm)
• Operating Noise Level: ~60 decibels
• Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
• Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
• Depth of Discharge: 100%
• Warranty: 5 years
• App Monitoring and Control?: Yes

Pros

• Will keep all your essential electronic devices charged
• Can run almost any camping appliance, including fridges and most ACs
• Recharges in 70 minutes with solar power
• Lightweight enough for the car or quad

Cons

• Too heavy to pack on a hike
• Will not run larger air conditioners

Best for Longer Trips: EcoFlow DELTA 2

For those serious campers who like to be out in the bush for long periods, you’ll want more power. The EcoFlow DELTA 2 is the perfect model for longer journeys in your car or caravan. With its 1800W of running power, it will run virtually any appliance you could bring with you, 

Thanks to its ultra-safe LiFePO4 batteries, it only weighs 12kg (27 lbs), so it’s still light enough for camping in a car. Thanks to its quiet and ultra-safe LiFePO4 batteries, you can bring it right into the tent or caravan with you and never have to worry about noise or safety.

Be sure to bring your EcoFlow 220W Portable Solar Panel with you to recharge it whenever the sun shines. With this much power, you can stay out in the bush as long as you want! The only downfall with this model is that because it will run virtually anything, you have to decide which of your appliances you can fit in your car.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Specifications

• Storage Capacity (Minimum): 1024Wh
• Storage Capacity (Maximum): 3kWh
• AC Output (Maximum): 1.8kW continuous output (2.7kW Surge)
• Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 500W max (11-60V, 15A)
• Weight: 27 lbs (12 kg)
• Dimensions: 15.7 x 8.3 x 11.1 in (40 x 21.1 x 28.1 cm)
• Operating Noise Level: ~50 decibels
• Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car Charger
• Multicharge Options?: Yes
• Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
• Cycle Life: 3000 Cycles to +/-80% Capacity
• Depth of Discharge: 100%
• Warranty: Five years (no cycle life restrictions) 
• App Monitoring and Control?: Yes

Pros

• Large capacity to run any appliance or AC you bring camping
• Compact enough to easily travel in a car
• Ultra-safe LiFePO4 batteries
• Versatile recharging options with AC, DC, and solar panels

Cons

• Too big to hike with or carry on a motorbike

Types of Camping Generators

Here are the three main types of camping generators.

• Solar generators are the lightest, quietest, and safest models. Since they use no fossil fuels, they can be brought indoors. Then, recharge them with free, clean energy with your portable solar panels. 
• Diesel, petrol, or propane generators are traditional models that burn fossil fuels to generate power. They are notoriously noisy and dirty, and packing enough fuel to last your trip could be cumbersome. Due to the toxic gases they produce, they cannot be brought into your tent or caravan. 
• Inverter generators also use fossil fuels but are more efficient than traditional models since they run according to how much is plugged into them rather than always running at full. It makes them lighter and more compact. However, they are still noisy and unsafe for indoor use. 

How To Choose the Best Camping Generator

Consider the following factors when choosing the best camping generator for you. 

Capacity 

To help you choose the right capacity, consider how long you plan to camp, how many appliances or devices you want to run, and whether you will recharge them while camping. 

Size and Weight

If you are hiking, size and weight is everything, and you want to prioritise that. If you have a lot of appliances and don’t travel on foot, capacity will be more important. Still, be sure to check the weight and the dimensions to ensure it will fit where you want to put it. 

Output Options

No matter what model you get, you want versatile output options to run things that take USB, USB-C, wall plugs (AC, like household appliances), and a 12V DC port for anything you would plug into your car’s cigarette lighter. 

Recharge Options

Recharging options are arguably as important as output. When you are on the road, versatility is important. Look for one you can recharge at home with your household AC power before you leave, but also look for 12V DC recharging while driving. 

If you are going to be gone for more than a day or two, being able to recharge with solar panels is the best option so you don’t have to pack smelly and heavy fossil fuels.

Recharge Time

Speaking of recharging, you also want one that recharges quickly, so you won’t have to wait around for it. 

Battery Lifespan

Don’t simply get the cheapest lead acid batteries you can find. They weigh a ton! But also, they only have about 300-600 charge cycles, so they will only last you a few years. Quality LiFePO4 batteries should come with a five-year warranty, but with 3000+ charge cycles, the odds are they will last you ten or more years. 

So that little you might save on lead acid will cost you far more in the long run, considering you will have to replace it at least 2-3 times before you replace the LiFePO4 just once. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The old days of camping in the sweltering heat or cold and trying to cook with kerosene lanterns are gone. Now, you can travel in style and comfort at very little cost with the amazing convenience that camping generators provide. 

The best option is an EcoFlow Portable Power Station. They are ultra quiet and ultra-safe, so you can bring them into your tent or motorhome without worrying about safety. If you like to go on extended trips, bring your solar panels with you, and you can recharge them for free anywhere the sun is shining!