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Power station guides 17 articles
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At a campsite, a power station replaces the noisy generator and the dead-phone anxiety. The right one depends on two things: how long you stay out, and whether you need to run anything with a heating element or a compressor. Here’s how to pick, and the models we’d shortlist.
Quick picks for camping
- Weekend tent camping (phones, lights, a CPAP): EcoFlow RIVER 3 (245Wh, 7.8 lb) or Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh, 8.27 lb).
- Car camping with a 12V fridge: Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1,070Wh, 24 lb).
- Overlanding and van life with solar: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus (1,024Wh, 1,000W solar input).
- Cooking with a kettle or induction plate: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 (2,000W continuous).
What you can run at camp
| Device | Typical draw | Hours on 288Wh* | Hours on 1,024Wh* |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED lantern or string lights | 5–15W | 16–49 | 58–174 |
| Phone charging | 10–20W | 12–24 | 43–87 |
| Laptop | 45–90W | 2.7–5.4 | 9.7–19 |
| CPAP without humidifier | 30–60W | 4–8 | 14–29 |
| 12V compressor cooler (average) | 15–25W | 10–16 | 35–58 |
| Starlink Mini | 25–40W | 6–10 | 22–35 |
| Electric kettle | 1,000–1,500W | Too much for 300W units | About 3–5 boils |
*Estimates using runtime ≈ capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts. A compressor cooler’s average draw is lower than its running draw because it cycles on and off; hot weather raises it.
Sizing for your trip
- One night, light use: 200–300Wh is plenty.
- A weekend with a CPAP or a cooler: 500Wh–1,000Wh, or a small unit plus a 100W solar panel.
- A week off-grid: 1,000Wh+ with 200–400W of solar. On a sunny day, 200W of panels typically puts back 600–1,000Wh.
For a precise number, use our size guide.
Our camping picks
EcoFlow RIVER 3 — Best for tent camping
245Wh · 300W (600W X-Boost) · 7.8 lb · 110W solar · under 30dB · 5-year warranty. Light enough to carry from the car, quiet enough for a tent, and it recharges from the wall in about an hour before you leave.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus — Best budget pick
288Wh · 300W (600W peak) · 8.27 lb · 100W solar. Slightly more capacity than the RIVER 3 and often cheaper. The single AC outlet is the main limitation — use USB-C for phones and laptops.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 — Best for car camping
1,070Wh · 1,500W (3,000W surge) · 24 lb · 400W solar. Enough to run a 12V fridge for a long weekend, charge everyone’s devices, and power a CPAP every night.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus — Best for overlanding and van life
1,024Wh · 1,800W · 27.6 lb · 1,000W solar via two inputs. If your rig has roof panels, this is the unit that can make the most of them, and you can add capacity later.
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 — Best for camp cooking
1,024Wh · 2,000W continuous · 24.9 lb. The 2,000W output can handle most electric kettles, small induction cooktops, and coffee makers that smaller units can’t start.
Camping tips that save battery
- Use DC outputs when you can. USB-C and the 12V car port skip the inverter, so they waste less energy than plugging a charger into AC.
- Turn the AC inverter off when idle. An inverter left on with nothing plugged in still drains the battery slowly.
- Keep it in the shade. Heat makes the fans run and shortens battery life.
- Don’t charge below freezing. Most LiFePO4 units won’t charge below about 32°F. Keep it in the car or tent overnight in winter.
- Pre-chill your cooler at home so the compressor runs less at camp.
Common camping questions
What size power station do I need for camping?
For a weekend of phones, lights, and a laptop, 250–300Wh is enough. Add a CPAP or a 12V cooler and step up to 500–1,000Wh, or pair a small unit with a 100W solar panel. For a week off-grid, plan on 1,000Wh+ with 200–400W of solar.
Can a power station run an electric blanket at camp?
Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to use one in cold weather. Electric blankets typically draw about 50–100W on high and less on low settings, so a 1kWh unit can run one through a long night. Check the blanket’s label for its exact wattage.
Can I run a coffee maker or kettle?
Only on a unit with enough output. Most drip coffee makers and kettles draw 800–1,500W. A 300W unit can’t start them; a 1,800–2,000W unit like the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 or EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus can. Each 1,500W boil of a few minutes uses roughly 75–150Wh.
Can I charge a power station from my car while driving?
Yes. Most units include a 12V car charging cable. A car’s 12V outlet typically supplies about 100–120W, so it adds roughly 100Wh per hour of driving — enough to top up a small unit on the way to camp, but slow for a 1kWh battery.
Is it safe in a tent?
Yes. A power station produces no fumes, so it’s safe inside a tent, camper, or car — unlike a gas generator. Keep it dry and off wet ground, and don’t block its vents.
How do I keep a fridge cold at camp?
Use a 12V compressor cooler plugged into the station’s car port. It’s far more efficient than a mini-fridge on AC. Pre-chill it at home and keep it in the shade. See power stations and refrigerators.