Camping is a great way to get out into nature and enjoy all it offers. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to be without some of the comforts of home while roughing it in the great outdoors. That’s where a portable power station for camping comes in handy.
A portable power station can provide you with all the electricity you need to keep your devices charged up and running, whether you’re sitting around the campfire or exploring the wilderness. But with so many different models available on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the best portable power stations for camping in 2024. We’ll look at some of the most popular models on the market and the factors to consider to determine which one is right for your needs.
3 Best Portable Power Stations for Camping in 2024 Reviewed
EcoFlow River 2 Pro
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro can power your camping appliances with a capacity of up to 1800W, making it perfect for camping essentials like a coffee maker or space heater. You’ll get up to 22.2 hours of charging or power time from its AC ports and up to 65.2 hours from DC ports, so you can charge or power your devices all night and throughout the day without recharging them.
When you need to recharge them, the River 2 Pro can supercharge from 0% to 80% in just one hour. Thanks to EcoFlow’s patented X-Stream Technology, it will reach full charge in just 1.6 hours. You won’t be without power for long when camping with the EcoFlow River 2 Pro.
Features
- Capacity: 768Wh; up to 1800W w/X-Stream Technology
- AC Input: 500W Max
- Output: 800W
- Run Time: 22.2 hours from AC ports, 65.2 hours from DC ports
- Weight and Size: 7.8 kg, 27.0 x 26.0 x 22.6 cm
- Recharge Time: Up to 80% in 1 hour with X-Stream Technology
Pros
- Reliable power for camping essentials and devices
- Easy to transport due to size and weight
- Recharge your power station quickly
- Expandable capacity as needed
Cons
- When not using X-Stream, expect lower capacity
EcoFlow DELTA
Do you need something that offers ample power in a compact build? The EcoFlow DELTA delivers with a 1008Wh capacity. It’s enough power for camping essentials and luxuries, capable of charging a phone 104 times, running a speaker for 36 hours, or keeping your electric grill going for almost one hour.
The DELTA also features X-Stream technology, the quickest portable power station charging technology available today. Just plug it into your car’s power outlet and let it charge right from your campsite whenever you need it.
Need to save space in the car or tent? This portable power station is petite, with dimensions of 15.7 x 8.3 x 10.6 in (40 x 21 x 27 cm) and just 30.9 pounds (14kg). But it’s not short on outlets, offering 6 AC outlets to charge whatever you need.
Features
- Capacity: 1260Wh
- AC Input: 1200W Max
- Output: 1800W (Surge 3300W)
- Run Time: 30 hours for a light, nearly 1 hour for an electric frying pan
- Weight and Size: 30.9 pounds (14kg), 15.7 x 8.3 x 10.6 inches (40 x 21 x 27 cm)
Pros
- Higher capacity makes it suitable for running a camping stove, speakers, etc.
- Lightweight enough to carry on hikes to get to a remote camping site
- Fast charging time
- Significant output for power-hungry camping items
Cons
- Run time limited for long camping trips
EcoFlow DELTA Pro
With the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, you can power high-wattage camping appliances or even an motorhome!
With a whopping 3.6KWh capacity, the DELTA Pro can charge a phone 313 times or a camping fridge for 57 hours. Thinking about winter camping? With the DELTA Pro, you can run an electric heater for 1.5 hours.
The DELTA Pro is also one of the few portable power stations with an expandable capacity. Combine it with Extra Batteries and Smart Generator and reach up to 25kWh capacity.
Need to recharge your power station after using all of its capacity? Recharge quickly using an AC outlet that many campsites provide to get a full battery in as little as 1.8 hours. Plus, you’ll get 6500 life cycles out of it, so you’ll be able to use it for years to come.
The DELTA Pro is a high-powered solution when your extended camping trip becomes an experiment in off-grid living.
Features
- Capacity: 3600Wh
- AC Input: 1800W Max, 120V~15A, 3000 Max, 240V~12.5A
- Output: 3600W (Surge 7200W)
- Run Time: Depends on what you’re powering, with a run time of 1.5 hours for heaters or 2.2 hours for an electric kettle, two everyday camping items
- Weight and Size: 99 lbs / 45kg, 25 x 16.4 x 16.4 in (63.5 x 28.4 x 42 cm)
- Recharge Time: 1.8 hours with AC outlet
Pros
- High-capacity suitable for extended camping adventures or off-grid living
- Optimise the time it takes to charge with Power Tracking (MPPT)
- Features wheels to transport to the campsite
- Expandable capacity is unmatched—up to 25kWh!
Cons
- Much heavier than the River 2 Max and Delta
What to Look For When Buying a Portable Power Station for Camping
Portable power stations are an essential piece of gear for any camping or motorhome enthusiast who wants to charge their devices even when off-grid. They provide a way to charge your devices, from phones to laptops and even small appliances. With so many different models on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a portable power station for camping:
Capacity
The first thing to consider is how much power you need, or capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). The capacity of a portable power station is the amount of electricity it can store for your use.
A lower-wattage option will suffice if you only need to charge devices like your phone and laptop while camping. But if you want to run a small appliance like a coffee maker or mini fridge to take your camping experience up a notch, you’ll need a higher-wattage option.
First, determine what you want to power using your portable power station, and then look up the amount of power it requires to ensure the power station you purchase has enough capacity to power it.
The camping appliances you might be bringing along that need the least power, like an iPad or cellphone charger, only need a capacity of around 20 watts. If you only use small appliances like a coffee maker or hot plate, you’ll need a slightly larger capacity between 750-1500 watts. And larger appliances, like an electric skillet, will need at least 1000 watts.
Input and Output Ports
The next thing to consider is the number and types of input and output ports available. Most portable power stations will have multiple USB ports for charging devices, but you’ll also want to make sure there are other options like AC and DC outlets.
You should also consider the number of ports available. A lower port count will suffice if you’re only planning on powering a few devices. But if you want to be able to charge multiple devices at once or power several appliances, look for a product with a higher port count.
Most portable power stations will have USB ports, but the number and types of ports vary. Some have standard USB ports, while others have USB-C ports. Any EcoFlow options will work if you only plan to use your power station to charge devices with a standard USB cable. But if you have devices that use USB-C, like a laptop, look closely at the product specs and get a portable power station with at least one USB-C port.
Run Time
The run time of a portable power station is how long it can provide power for your devices before needing to be recharged. The run time will vary depending on the devices you’re using and their wattage. If you’re only running small devices like phone chargers, you’ll have a longer run time than powering larger appliances like a coffee maker.
To determine the runtime you need, calculate the watt-hours of each device you want to run. To do this, multiply the device’s wattage by the number of hours you want to use it. Then, add up all the watt-hours for all the devices you want to run. This figure will give you the total watt-hours you need.
For example, if you want to run a lamp (about 40 watts) for 5 hours and a laptop (about 65 watts) for 2 hours, your calculation would look like this:
40 watts x 5 hours = 200 watt-hours
65 watts x 2 hours = 130 watt-hours
200 watt-hours + 130 watt-hours = 330 watt-hours total
Next, divide the total watt-hours by the capacity of the portable power station, measured in watt-hours, to determine how long it will last. In our example above, if we have a 1000-watt-hour portable power station like the DELTA, it will last for 3 hours (1000-watt-hours / 330-watt-hours = 3 hours).
If you want your portable power station to last longer, you can purchase a larger unit or use lower-wattage devices.
Weight and Size
Weight and size are also important factors to consider. Every pound counts if you plan to use it for camping or hiking. The weight might not matter if you’re using it to go car camping or sleep in your motorhome.
The size of the unit is also important. If you plan to pack it in a backpack, make sure it will fit. Some portable power stations, like the River 2 Pro, are compact and lightweight for portability, while others, like the DELTA Pro, are larger and have more features.
Recharge Time
The recharge time of a portable power station is how long it takes to charge back up after being used. It will vary depending on the unit’s capacity and the charging method used.
EcoFlow’s patented X-Stream technology offers the fastest recharge times on the market.
Solar Power
Some portable power stations come with portable solar panels or have the option to add them on, so you can recharge using solar power while you’re camping.
Solar power offers a reliable form of recharging your backup power source for those extended camping trips. And with more people who joined the camping boom looking to go off the grid, there’s never been a better time to invest in solar.
EcoFlow offers portable solar panels as an add-on option for any of their power stations.
Remember that it will take longer to recharge the unit with solar power than with a standard outlet. Still, you won’t need to use your car’s battery or a wall outlet to charge your power station — just the sun!
Final Thoughts
So, what is the best portable power station for camping?
It depends on your needs and your camping style. Several good options are available if you need a lightweight and compact unit, like the EcoFlow River 2 Pro or DELTA.
But if you need more features or want to run larger appliances, you’ll need to choose a unit with a higher wattage, like the EcoFLow DELTA Pro.
At EcoFlow, we’re committed to providing long-lasting portable power stations. Don’t let a lack of power cut your camping trip short — or make it less enjoyable!
Pick up a portable power station for camping from EcoFlow today and enjoy nature’s bounty in comfort.