9 Best Portable Power Stations For Camping & Emergencies

Do you want to stay connected and have some luxuries while out in the wilderness? Well then, you need a portable power station.

If you are an outdoor junkie like me, you love being in the bush, whether it’s:

Hiking
Camping
RVing
Hunting
Fishing
ATVing
Rock Crawling
Etc.

Because spending time outdoors is a fantastic experience.

OR perhaps like me, you’re ALSO preparing for the next disaster by looking for a bug out location.

Such a survival plan takes time to build infrastructure and will likely be off-grid.

It takes time to build a shelter or more permanent housing. So in the meantime, you need a power source to run tools and stay connected to the world.

Charging your smartphone is a must as well.

So what do you do? It’s time to invest in a high-quality portable power station.

Today we’re going to cover everything I know about portable power stations, specifically:

**Note: If you just want our top recommendations, feel free to SKIP AHEAD HERE.

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WHAT IS A PORTABLE POWER STATION?

A portable power station is a large efficient portable battery. And it’s capable of recharging via electricity or solar.

That means you don’t require any fuel.

A portable power station is what you need for temporary off-grid locations. Why? Because it provides mobile AC outlets and USB charging ports.

You can charge laptops, tablets, gaming devices, and smartphones. Some power stations can also power some larger appliances such as:

refrigerators
coolers/tent ac units
electric blankets/tent heaters
fans

It’s essentially an inverter that converts voltage from direct current to alternating current.

You charge it up before heading out, and you’re good to go.

Some portable solar power stations can attach a solar panel to charge it up while you’re off-grid.

These incredible units are perfect for power outages as well as camping or hunting trips.

You can go adventuring anywhere and bring an available power source with you. That way, all your devices are fully charged when you need them.

Now that’s plain awesome!

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WHO SHOULD OWN A PORTABLE SOLAR POWER STATION?

The REAL question is, who shouldn’t own one?

Think about it. How many times have you been out and your phone dies? It’s an inconvenience when you are around town, but it could mean life or death in the wilderness.

Here are just a few examples of when a portable power station would come in handy.

Camping

When you plan a camping trip for the family, most people will bring their smartphones.

If kids are coming, they will have tablets and portable gamers too.

The whole idea of getting outdoors is to get away from all those electronics, but we live in the real world.

Those devices are coming along. That’s why it’s becoming necessary to bring along a portable power station for camping.

Power Outages

Even when you are around home, having a reliable power source is a great idea.

When power is out, you have to fumble around to find flashlights and candles, and even those don’t give good light.

If the electricity is off for extended periods (due to a storm or EMP), you want to be able to keep your phone charged.

Every home should have a portable power station for unexpected emergencies, like those times when a storm blows through and knocks out the grid.

Survival Situations

If a crisis happens, you want to be ready to bug out quickly. Maybe you have a remote location to head to so you can keep your family safe.

What if an accident happens while out in the wilderness and you need to get help?

Phones don’t stay charged forever, so it’s vital to have a way to recharge them for the long term.

A solar-capable power station allows you to recharge the unit while charging your devices.

Harness the power of the sun to provide you with reliable electricity where there is none.

Hunting

Your hunting trips can be for several days.

Sometimes you extend the trip on the fly, so it’s essential to keep your smartphone charged up.

The ability to power coolers means you can store food longer for the trip.

Running a tent heater or hand warmer in your shelter is a lifesaver too.

Most power stations work in all weather conditions. So if you bring one with you, there’s power on hand when you need it.

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BEST FEATURES OF QUALITY PORTABLE POWER STATIONS

Let’s go over some standard features you’ll find in a portable power station generator. We’ll also talk about some extra add ons you can get too.

Your power station will come with a variety of plugs and ports for multiple devices.

Electronic devices are with us everywhere we go, and you need a station that can charge them all.

You can power up smaller devices such as:

phones
emergency radios
c-pap machines
walkie talkies
tablets/laptops

As well as larger items like:

mini-fridges
electric grills

Some have LED screens that display the charging and discharging status.

That’s a handy feature to see what juice you have left in the unit. You can also get built-in LED flashlights.

To keep your power unit charged itself, you can attach a compatible solar panel kit.

There’s nothing quite like tapping into the free energy from the sky.

There can be multiple AC plugins to run several items at once. AC plugs are a required feature because we all still use standard plugs besides USB.

Although it’s in the name, I have to mention it again; it’s portable!

There’s no running a power cord to make it work. You just charge it up and take it with you.

Depending on the size you get, you can carry it by yourself. It may take a few people to lug it around for the bigger units, but it’s worth it. And best of all, you have options for recharging.

The best units will allow you to recharge from a generator, battery, AC outlet, and solar panel.

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GAS POWERED GENERATORS VS. PORTABLE SOLAR POWER STATIONS

While these portable power stations may be new to you, we all know about standard generators.

These are the ones that run on fuel.

Gas-powered camping generators produce carbon monoxide and must run outside for safety. They are noisy and bulky. They also require regular maintenance to keep operating.

Generators will run for a long as you need them, providing you keep putting in gas.

This hassle means you must bring lots of gas along wherever you need power.

It’s not very practical to take one of these on a camping trip with smelly gas in your vehicle.

A portable solar power station doesn’t need regular fuel.

All you need to do is fully charge it before you go on your adventure and when you need it, just plug in your devices.

It will drain the battery, but that’s where the magic happens.

These units can recharge using the sun. Just plug in compatible solar panels, and you have free, off-grid electricity.

Think about what is the best option for your situation.

Do you want to haul around a gas-powered generator that is loud and requires you to bring fuel?

It’s stinky and noisy, and it spews out pollution. Compare that with a solar-powered power station that doesn’t make a peep.

Just plug your stuff into it and enjoy toxic-free power. And recharge it for free when the sun is shining.

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9 BEST PORTABLE POWER STATIONS ON THE MARKET TODAY

Now let’s check out some of the portable power stations on the market.

There are several to choose from, and it’s nice to have options.

These are my portable power station reviews on the best units out there.

1 – Bluetti Portable Power Station

Bluetti Portable Power Station

With almost twice the capacity as its competitors, the Bluetti is the Alpha.

This unit has all the features you want with lots of output options.

There’s no doubt that it’s bulky.

The Bluetti portable power generator weighs in at just over 60 lbs. And it measures 16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches, so it will take some effort to haul it around, but boy is it worth it.

This unit has no problems running larger items, such as:

fridges
air conditioners
electric grills
microwave
power tools
etc.

Heck, you can even give a Tesla a bit of a charge if you have one.

There are 17 options for plugging your devices in with USB-A and C and several AC ports. It also has wireless charging on the top, which is handy.

There’s an LCD touch screen that shows current, power temp, voltage, and charging status. It can be a little hard to read outdoors in the sun as it isn’t that bright.

This portable power station includes handlebars mounted on the sides to help carry it around. But you’re NOT lugging this unit on your trail walks. You bring it to your campsite or an off-grid cabin.

That’s where you will be recharging and powering most of your items.

Now let’s talk about its recharging options. You have 5; the unit can recharge with:

Battery
Generator
Car
AC plugin
Solar

Having all these options is great because you’re not out of luck if it’s a cloudy day.

PROS

Incredible 2000WH battery capacity
Several recharging options
17 output charging ports plus wireless charging

CONS

Heavy as it weighs in over 60 lbs
LCD isn’t bright enough for outdoors

It’s a vast capacity portable power station for all your extended trips or blackouts.

Make sure to put this model on the top of your wish list.

2 – Jackery Portable Power Station

Jackery Portable Power Station

This first Jackery pumps out 240Wh and is excellent for camping and hunting.

Digital Trends names it “Best Portable Power Station for use in the outdoors,” and it’s no wonder.

At only 6.6 lbs, it’s easy to take it with you wherever you’re going.

You can recharge it by solar, AC outlet, and your car so you never run out of electricity in remote locations.

There are several power plugins to charge your electronics, including:

smartphones
tablet and laptops
small appliances like lights, drones, and heaters

For such a small size, it has a large capacity.

Most users were thrilled with its performance and mobility. The bottom line is this is a great entry-level portable power station.

PROS

Lightweight and easy to carry with you
Multiple options for recharging unit

CONS

Will only power small items
Not too many charging ports

3 – **Jackery Explorer 160 Solar Generator (with 60W Solar Panel)**

Jackery Explorer 160 Solar Generator (with 60W Solar Panel)

Here we have an incredible bundle from Jackery.

You get the Jackery Explorer 160 that provides 167WH for your portable power needs.

Ideal for camping trips and hikes, this unit will power all your small electronic devices.

You get 3 USB ports and an AC outlet as well as a standard DC 12V port.

You can simply recharge your power station with the use of solar panels.

This combo pack gives you the Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel to team up with your Explorer 160.

It makes outdoor life so much easier when you can harness the sun to recharge your power station.

Perfect when you are deep in the outdoors, this solar panel is portable and folds up for easy carrying.

It only weighs 3.3lbs, so it’s effortless to bring along on your hikes. You can even charge devices directly from it with 2 USB outputs.

Both these units provide the perfect portable solar power station bundle for your next outdoor adventure.

PROS

Easy to pack on short trips and hikes
The ideal combo for portable power and recharging capabilities

CONS

Won’t power any significant devices

4 – Goal Zero Portable Power Stations

Goal Zero Portable Power Stations

This Goal Zero Portable Power Station has some real umpf!

The Yeti 400 can give you a portable power source for all your needs, big or small.

Its energy is stored in a 12V lead-acid battery and can recharge with ease from any AC outlet in around 5 hours.

When you use a solar panel for recharging, it will take 8 hours.

Do you want multiple outlets? The Yeti has lots, and you can charge seven devices at once with USB, AC, and 12V.

This unit can power up your handheld devices and also handle small appliances like:

mini-fridges
lights
cameras
and laptops too

It’s not too bulky either, weighing in at only 29 lbs and measuring 8 x 10.25 x 8 inches.

Some users have said solar charging takes a lot longer than specified.

It’s a terrific gas-free alternative when you need reliable power in the backwoods.

PROS

Lots of charging options for small and large electronics
Informative LCD display showing real-time input and output

CONS

Recharging with solar can take extra time

5 – Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station

Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station

The Yeti 3000X is a big boy like the Bluetti. What can the Yeti 3000 do? What can’t it?

At home, it can power:

Fridges
Internet modems
Medical devices
Lights
All small electronics

Out in the wilderness, it can power:

Mini appliances
Drones
Laptops
Handheld devices
Lights

Just about anything that needs charging will get charged with this unit.

That kind of power comes with some weight, though.

It’s 78 lbs and is 25 x 23 x 19 inches. You aren’t going to pack this along a game trail, but back at camp, there’s power to spare.

It includes lots of USB, AC, and 12V plugins for everything you need to charge.

Most users love this portable power unit, but it is cumbersome to take on every trip.

PROS

Charges everything you take along with you
Long-lasting capacity for extended trips

CONS

Heavy to pack but does come with wheels
More than you need for most shorter trips

6 – EGO Power+ PST3040 3000W Nexus Portable Power Station

EGO Power+ PST3040 3000W Nexus Portable Power Station

The EGO Power+ is a unique portable power station that might be your favorite.

The EGO Power+ PST3000W can do lots of things. Like the other units above, you can charge all your handheld devices and mini appliances.

That’s great for camping and hunting. What about your off-grid homestead?

If you’re working around a bug-out location and have EGO tools, this unit can charge the cordless batteries!

There are four battery stations for charging. So you can have power to your EGO lawnmower, chainsaw, blower, trimmer, and more.

There are several ports for charging with 4 USB and three 120VAC outlets.

Also, there is a nice LED display that shows running time. It’s weather-resistant and has strong steel handles too.

At 34 lbs, it lands somewhere in the middle of these power units.

There are some limitations, like not being able to recharge with solar panels.

PROS

Great for job sites with cordless battery charging docks
Long-lasting power for camping and hunting

CONS

Users report slow charging
Doesn’t come with EGO batteries
Is not solar panel adaptive

7 – SG SUNGZU 1000 Watt Portable Power Station

SG SUNGZU 1000 Watt Portable Power Station

The SUNGZU 1000 is an impressive portable power station generator on the market.

It looks like a big lunch kit, but inside there’s no food, just a 1000W capacity power supply when you need it.

Great for camping and traveling well as in emergencies when the power is out.

There are lots of plugins here for all your devices, big and small. And an OLED display screen, showing charging and discharging as well as battery life.

You can recharge this unit by AC wall socket or solar panels, and SUNGZU makes its own solar panel for this unit.

Some users have mentioned that the fan is loud on the power station.

PROS