6 Best Camping Power Supply Options for Portable Power

22 Aug.,2022

 

outdoor power station

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Just because you’re roughing it in the outdoors doesn’t mean you have to be without power.

Here at Territory Supply, we’re all about getting off the grid and reconnecting with nature. That said, the ability to have power in the backcountry can also come in handy.

Thanks to portable power options, you can have some juice to charge up all your tech gadgets, lights, and even some small appliances (tent heaters anyone?) when you’re chilling around camp. That means you can look up your trail maps on Gaia, check the weather report, and plug in your speakers to get the campsite party going.

Best of all, you won’t have to worry about lugging around massive, bulky gear from campsite to campsite when you’ve got portable, compact power sources. These also work well for treehouse Airbnbs or fire lookout rentals where you have a nice cozy place to stay but electricity can be limited.

If you love camping but prefer to keep your electronics online, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our list of the best portable power options for camping.

1. Jackery Explorer 240

The best portable power chargers for camping have ample power, several charging ports, multiple charging options, and are durable enough for the outdoors while being comfortable enough to carry with one hand. The Jackery Explorer 240 checks all those boxes.

Unlike your typical generator, the Jackery Explorer 240 supplies all the power you need without the noise and gas. This rechargeable lithium power pack offers 240Wh of power to charge and recharge your devices via two USB ports, a 12V car port, and an AC outlet.

When it’s time to recharge the power supply, you’ll have three options. You can either plug in into an ordinary wall outlet, use your car port, or let a 50w solar panel do all the work. Whichever method you choose, the charge time is about 7-10 hours.

The Explorer 240 is equipped with an LCD screen to monitor battery levels, and turns off automatically after 6 hours when drawing in 10W or less.

Light and compact, this generator weighs 6.6 pounds and is small enough to cart around with a single hand. It’s also modestly priced, so you won’t have to spend a fortune as you would with other portable power sources.

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2. EcoFlow River

New to the scene in 2017, EcoFlow was founded by a group of drone developers who made it their mission to produce clean, quiet, and sustainable power for outdoor enthusiasts. Backed by a crowdfunding campaign, they released their flagship product and exceptional power source — the EcoFlow River.

Doing away with bulky, fuel powered generators, the EcoFlow River is a smarter way to power up outdoors. Rugged and efficient, this portable power supply was made for camping.

Designed with a built-in handle, the River is easy to transport and can be charged via car port, wall outlet, or solar power. Clocking in at 11-pounds, this portable power device offers a plethora of charging ports (11 to be exact). That includes USB, AC, DC, and a 12V car port.

With power and port options like this, the River can supply enough juice for a mini-fridge, drone, GoPro, lights, laptops, phones, and even an electric guitar — so you can really amp up the Kumbaya.

While we’re digging all that, what we really appreciate about this power source is its durability. Camp in the rain, snow, or summer heat and you’ll still be able to power up your electronics because the River works in -4 to 140 degrees.

The only drawback is the lofty price point isn’t within everyone’s budget. However, if you plan on powering up an RV or want a source of energy for the whole family, you may find the price point is just right.

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3. Goal Zero Yeti 1400

Long camping trips require some serious juice, and the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 has what it takes to go the distance.

With the ability to charge all the devices you could possibly want in your outdoor home, the lithium Yeti 1400 offers up to 1425Wh of power after receiving a full 25-hour charge. There’s also the option of charging via solar panel should your camping excursion take you on a wild adventure.

The Yeti 1400 is equipped with an AC inverter, 60W USB ports, 12V car port, and 12V Power Pole. With all those options, you can choose up to ten devices to charge at a single time. Download the app and control the device remotely while also monitoring battery levels.

Did we mention this rechargeable portable power supply also has wifi? That’s right. You can get work done, look up your next campsite, find directions to a trailhead, or surf the web whenever you like.

The Goal Zero Yeti 1400 is certainly not the most inexpensive option out there, but it’s definitely one of the more powerful ones. If you’re taking the family on a cross country camping trip or living the van life, you may find it worth the lofty price point.

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4. Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus

Goal Zero is a leader in producing portable solar power products. For a sustainable and reliable portable power camping option, we recommend the Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus.

With an output of 7W and a USB port, the Nomad 7 Plus is good for charging phones, GPS devices, headlamps, and other small devices. Pull out the kickstand, place it in full sunlight, and in two hours your phone will be charged.

This solar charger features an intelligent auto-restart that tracks the power flow. If your device stops charging due to lack of sunlight or another environmental cause, it will automatically reconnect. The Nomad 7 Plus is also waterproof and has a vented pocket for temperature control.

Compact and lightweight, the Nomad 7 Plus is an excellent option for both hanging around camp and backcountry trips. Weighing 12.8 ounces, you won’t mind moving it around camp when the shade creeps in or carrying it around in your backpacking pack.

Keep in mind, the Nomad 7 Plus is fully powered by the sun so there’s no backup battery or any other power source option.

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5. Anker Powerhouse

Noisy generators and quiet hours don’t mix. That’s why we recommend the Anker Powerhouse. With the Anker Powerhouse, you can power your electronics without all the loud commotion.

This 434Wh portable power option has multiple outlets that work with a range of devices. It features a 12V car socket, 110V AC outlet, and four USB ports.

That means you can supply power for pretty much all your devices including phones (up to 40 charges), laptops (up to 15 charges), tablets, TV, and even a mini-fridge. Basically, it’s like you never left home. Speaking of which, once you do get home, plug it into an outlet and give it 10 hours to fully recharge.

While all that may sound like this is some monstrous sized power source, it’s surprisingly portable. The Powerhouse weighs less than ten pounds and is smaller than most two-slotted toasters.

If you’re looking for maximum power without disturbing the campsites next to you, this is an excellent option to consider.

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6. Goal Zero Venture 30

If you like the compact design of the Jackery Mini but have a few other electronics in need of a boost, check out the Goal Zero Venture 30. Rugged, highly portable, and waterproof, the Goal Zero Venture 30 was designed for camping.

This 7,800mAh portable power bank is a terrific tool to charge some of your smaller electronics such as phones, tablets, and cameras. It comes equipped with 2 USB ports so you can charge two devices at once.

When you find this recharger is in need of a charge itself, you can plug it into a USB port or a solar panel and have it back at 100% in as little as 5 hours.

If you happen to be camping near a lake or accidentally leave it out in the rain, don’t worry — the handheld charger is fully waterproof.

The Goal Zero Venture 30 is about the size of your phone and weighs 8.8 ounces, making it versatile enough for backpacking and weekend car camping alike.

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For more camping gear recommendations, take a look at the best camping cots, the best camping stoves, and the best camping lanterns.