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Exploring remote campsites no longer has to leave you feeling powerless! With the right portable power supply, all of your electronics will stay charged on the go.
These portable power stations, also known as rechargeable battery-powered generator will allows you to use your gears in the backcountry, without the fear of running into a power shortage.
Plus, some with a higher battery capacity can even allow you to run small electronics like a fan to keep cool or even a portable heater for winter camping.
As a remote worker living full-time in my truck camper, I would be lost without my Goal Zero power station (more on that later!).
I can keep my phone, computer, Kindle, and even battery packs for tools fully charged for days and even weeks both while I am driving and in camp.
Now that I’ve left behind the days of relying on a traditional DC-to-AC power inverter running off my truck battery, I can’t imagine going back.
Today, I am honored to share my knowledge of these portable power systems and help you find the portable power supply for your camping setup.
Fortunately, I have years of experience using portable batteries for backpacking, multi-day kayaking adventures, and, of course, truck camping. So feel free to ask questions if anything isn’t perfectly clear!
8 Best Portable Power Supply Options For Camping in 2022
In addition to camping, these portable batteries and power banks are great for off-grid Airbnb stays or even extended off-grid living.
So check out my favorite portable power supply options for off-grid camping and boondocking:
The Goal Zero Yeti 200X is hands down my favorite portable power station for camping.
I’m currently rocking it in my truck camping setup. It stays perfectly in the footwell of my passenger seat so that I can plug it right into my cigarette lighter when it needs to be recharged.
In fact, they recommend keeping this charger plugged in because it will naturally lose charge over time if left unplugged.
So I will allow it to trickle charge from my battery whether it is at 98% or down to 50% capacity.
The great part about the Yeti 200X is that it displays the remaining charge clearly on the front.
So you always know how much charge you have and you can easily monitor how quickly different devices drain the battery.
This portable power station has a 12-volt port, a 120-watt AC port, two 2.4-amp USB-A ports, an 18-watt USB-C port, and a 60-watt USB-C PD port.
It can be recharged via your cigarette lighter or by plugging into an AC wall outlet.
On a single charge, Goal Zero Yeti 200X will be able to charge your phone up to 16 times, your computer up to four times, and run LED camping lights for up to 48 hours before it needs to be recharged.
It also has a built-in fan to keep it cool when you are traveling in hot climates, but I would still recommend insulating it against both hot and cold extremes.
I do love the small size and have found that it provides me with plenty of charge capacity as a single traveler.
If you are going to remain off-grid for an extended period, the Yeti 200X is also compatible with Goal Zero’s solar panels.
Jackery has a pretty stellar reputation in the portable power supply world and I know several van lifers that swear by their Jackery setup.
The Explorer 300 is very similar to the Yeti 200X, but it has a slightly higher output wattage.
When Jackery Explorer 300 is fully charged it provide up to 20 to 25 cell phone charges, and 2 laptop charges before it needs to be plugged in. You can even run a mini-fridge for 4 hours or more.
It has a total of six ports for you to use: two 110-volt AC ports, one 60-watt PD USB-C port, a 12-volt cigarette lighter port, one USB-A port, and one quick-charge 3.0 port.
In terms of recharging the Explorer 300, you can use a wall outlet, car charger, or solar panel.
The fastest way to recharge is by plugging into a wall outlet and USB-C PD port at the same time.
But it will still recharge in about four hours if plugged into your carport.
While it is slightly heavier than the Yeti 200X, the two-pound difference really isn’t enough to significantly impact the portability of this model.
Plus, it gives you that slightly higher wattage you might need to power some small electronics.
The first thing that stood out to me about the River Pro is its incredibly fast recharge time.
That is based on being plugged into a wall outlet and it is stated to achieve 80% charge in less than one hour.
This is also a great portable power station if you need to power larger AC appliances like, mini-fridge or a portable heater during off-grid camping.
It is equipped with an X-Boost mode that activates a built-in 600-watt inverter.
In theory, that inverter will allow you to plug devices that require up to 1800 watts into the River Pro without overload issues.
This includes many “glamping” appliances like an electric kettle, rice cooker, and coffee maker.
That said, the company does recommend conducting a thorough test on a case-by-case basis to make sure the X-Boost mode will sufficiently power your appliances before you arrive at your campsite.
In addition to the ability to power up to 10 devices at once, this rechargeable camping battery can work in parallel with a second River Pro power supply.
By running them in parallel (like some portable generators), you can enjoy up to 1440 watts of power output, which will allow you to run most RV appliances.
So we are stepping up here to a battery with a higher charge capacity for bigger families or longer camping trips.
This portable power supply for camping is a good option if you don’t quite have the budget to go for one of the higher-priced models out there.
This camping solar generator is priced more economically and still provides plenty of charge capacity for your small electronics.
It has a bright LCD display on the front to help you monitor the remaining charge and it offers a total of nine outlets: two 110-volt AC outlets, three 12-volt DC outlets, two 5-volt USB outlets, one 18-watt PD USB port, and a 12-volt DC cigarette lighter.
You can also use it as a centerpiece on your camping table because it has a vertical LED light on one side.
The other side has a built-in cooling fan to keep the unit cool when you have it charging for long periods.
The only downside of the Newpowa camping battery is its relatively long recharge time.
The lithium ion battery in this Newpowa generator takes 5-6 hours to recharge via either a wall outlet or car charger. It is compatible with solar panels as well, but it will need 9-10 hours to achieve a full recharge if you go that route.
If you are just looking for something small to complement an existing battery bank or to use for weekend camping getaways, you may only require the services of a smaller power bank like the Venture 30.
This is also compatible with some of Goal Zero’s solar panels for recharging purposes.
It comes with a built-in USB plug so you don’t need any additional cables to plug it into a solar panel or any other USB port to boost its charge.
It also has a built-in micro USB tip so you can charge electronics without additional cables.
It can actually charge two devices at once and includes an integrated flood charge to optimize your charging time.
On a full charge, you should be able to charge your smartphone two or three times and smaller tablets once.
Once its capacity is depleted, it needs four hours to recharge when plugged into a standard USB port and 9 hours to recharge if plugged into solar panels.
This rechargeable camping battery is also great for water-based camping trips because it is fully waterproof.
It boasts an IPx6 weatherproof rating and a durable body to protect it from the rigors of camping.
The Anker Powerhouse II is a larger portable power solution that can provide more charges before it needs to be recharged.
Because it is larger in size in and of itself, you will need to carve out a little more space in your camper for it to have a secure home.
The Anker portable power station can charge an iPhone II 23 times before needing to be recharged.
As for other devices, it will also be able to charge a MacBook Air five times, an iPad Air 11 times, or a camera battery up to 20 times.
It gives you the freedom to charge up to eight devices simultaneously.
That includes one 300-watt AC outlet, a 60-watt USB-C port, three USB-A ports, a 12-volt car charger, and two DC ports.
You will also be able to enjoy fast charging with this power supply.
For example, it can charge your Macbook Air 2020 to 50% in under 40 minutes, which is two times faster than the Macbook charger that came with your computer!
As an added benefit for camping, it also provides stable output to be able to power small appliances like a mini-fridge, small portable fan, and even a WiFi router or cell phone signal booster.
The Yeti 3000X is a high-performing portable power supply that is meant for full-time, off-grid camping.
It has the highest output wattage and charge capacity of any of the portable power stations on our list.
That means it also has the largest dimensions and the heaviest weight.
So Goal Zero did us all a solid by mounting it on a set of sturdy wheels with a suitcase-style handle to help you move it around more easily.
There are seven different output ports to utilize and they can be plugged into simultaneously.
They include two USB-A ports, one 18-watt USB-C port, one 60-watt USB-C port, a 12-volt output port, two 6-millimeter output ports, and two 120-volt AC outlets.
On the front of the charging station, there is an interactive LED display to help you monitor the remaining charge and other vital statistics.
That includes input and output (in wattage) and the number of hours remaining until it achieves a full charge.
In addition to being rated for 2,000 watts, it also provides surge protection for up to 3,500 watts.
That is enough to power most of the large and small appliances in RVs and travel trailers, but you should always test before relying on this power supply for all of your needs.
This thing really is a beast though. It can power your blender for up to eight hours so that you don’t have to alter your morning smoothie routine.
And it can even power a circular saw for up to two hours if you need to make some construction improvements inside your camper.
For your smaller electronics, you will be able to get up to 253 phone recharges on a single battery charge with the Yeti 3000X.
It can also run a full-size fridge for up to 55 hours before it needs to be plugged in.
Speaking of plugging it in, it is compatible with two different AC wall chargers (230-watt and 600-watt respectively), as well as a 12-volt car charger and up to 600 watts of solar panel charging.
From one of the biggest portable power supplies to another handheld power bank, the PowerCore Slim is perfect for bringing along on your camping hikes.
It is lightweight enough to carry in even a small hydration pack but still provides enough charge to keep your phone powered up for a day or two.
On a full charge, it can provide 2.25 charges for your iPhone, 1.6 charges for your Samsung Galaxy S20, or 1.2 charges for an iPad Mini 5.
Once it is depleted, you will need to use a USB-C wall charger to replenish it and it will take about 4.5 hours to be full again.
As an alternative, you can also recharge it with a USB-A charger and cable, but this will take slightly more than 10 hours.
Because it is built to be an on-the-go power supply, it is built with a fireproof casing and an advanced temperature control interface.
It also includes overload and overcharge protection to prevent damage to your phone or iPad.
Although it won’t be able to charge laptops, tablets, or larger appliances, this PowerCore Slim is a perfect supplement to one of the larger power stations.
It even comes with a small travel pouch to keep dust and debris out when you are using it in your next campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
With any electronic camping equipment, a basic understanding of electrons is helpful.
So here are some of the most frequently asked questions about these portable power supplies.
By including them, I hope it helps you use your new camping battery safely so that it will keep running for years!
What devices can I charge with my portable power supply?
A high-end portable power station with larger batteries allow you to charge just about anything. They will have plugs for USB cables, 120-volt AC chargers, and even 12-volt cigarette-lighter plug-ins.
The smaller models usually just have a USB port. So you will only be able to charge your USB-rechargeable electronics with them.
Whether or not your battery will be able to fully recharge things like larger battery packs for tools, however, will depend on the total size and battery capacity of the power supply you choose.
My Yeti 200X, for example, fully charges my Milwaukee M18 Battery in under an hour and still has more than 50% of its capacity remaining.
What does mAh capacity mean?
The capacity of the best power banks is rated based on milliamp-hours (mAh).
It is a measurement that tells you the amount of electric charge that can be stored within the power supply.
A portable power supply with a larger mAh rating will be able to provide more charges before it needs to be recharged.
The larger the devices you are charging, however, the more frequently you will probably need to plug in and recharge.
How long will my portable power supply last?
You will need to treat your portable battery right if you want it to last for years. Over time, its ability to provide a sufficient charge in a timely fashion will gradually decrease.
This is natural, but keeping your power supply in a cool, ventilated place will help it perform efficiently for several years.
Avoiding extreme temperatures (hot and cold) by insulating the entire unit in a cooler is also a great way to maximize its lifespan.
Can you charge multiple devices at once?
Yes, if the power supply you choose supports that capability. The smaller power banks usually have just one or two USB ports for charging a couple of phones at the same time.
The larger portable battery banks will have multiple USB ports, an AC port, and even a 12-volt port as well. Some have more.
So you can absolutely charge multiple devices at once. Just keep in mind that doing so will drain your battery charge more quickly.
How do you recharge a portable power station?
Most need to be plugged into an AC wall outlet to be recharged. Some can either be recharged via an AC outlet or a 12-volt cigarette lighter.
If you are traveling frequently or living out of a camper full-time choose a battery bank that gives you both options.
With my Yeti 200X, for example, I can plug it into the cigarette lighter so that it recharges while I’m driving.
In this way, I barely ever have to take it out of my truck to plug it into a wall outlet or run an extension cord from a campground power station.
Conclusion
Nowadays, we use our technology to navigate, capture and share our adventures, keep up with friends and family, and so much more.
So the need for a portable power supply for camping is evident.
I hope that you now have plenty of options to add more power storage to your camping setup.
As always, please feel free to drop a comment below if you have experience with any of these power banks that you would like to share!