Travel & EDC
Best Portable Power Stations for Camping and Travel
We tested three portable power stations for real-world runtime, charging speed, and weight to find the best option for camping and travel.
Written by Laura Bennett
Home & Travel Reviewer
Portable power stations have become a genuinely useful category for both camping and travel — far more capable than a basic power bank, without needing a generator’s noise or fumes. We tested three popular models on real-world runtime against a standardized load.
Testing methodology
Each unit was charged to 100% and then discharged using an identical load profile: a phone charging cycle every 3 hours, a small fan running continuously, and a headlamp charge once daily. We logged actual runtime against the manufacturer’s claimed capacity.
1. Jackery Explorer 300 Plus — Best for weekend trips
The Explorer 300 Plus delivered close to its rated 288Wh capacity in our load test — about 94% of claimed capacity, which is better than average for the category. At 7.6 lbs it’s genuinely portable for car camping or a tailgate setup.
Pros
- Close to claimed capacity in real testing
- Compact and genuinely portable
- Simple, reliable interface
Cons
- No wireless charging pad
- Limited to lighter loads given its size
2. EcoFlow River 2 — Best for fast recharging
The River 2’s standout feature is recharge speed — it went from empty to 80% in just under an hour on wall power in our test, roughly twice as fast as the Jackery. For trips where you recharge overnight at a campground hookup or in a vehicle between stops, this matters more than raw capacity.
Comparison table
| Model | Capacity (claimed) | Weight | 0-80% recharge time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 300 Plus | 288Wh | 7.6 lb | ~2 hrs (wall) | Weekend trips, simplicity |
| EcoFlow River 2 | 256Wh | 7.7 lb | ~1 hr (wall) | Fast turnaround between trips |
How to size a power station for your trip
| Use case | Recommended capacity |
|---|---|
| Phone/headlamp charging, weekend | 200-300Wh |
| Small fan, lights, multi-day | 300-500Wh |
| CPAP, mini fridge, extended off-grid | 500Wh+ |
Frequently asked questions
How big a power station do I actually need for camping? 250-300Wh covers phones, headlamps, and small electronics over a weekend; go 500Wh+ for CPAP or fridge use.
Can I recharge with a solar panel? Most support solar input, but real-world recharge rates are slower than idealized box ratings.
Pair a power station with the rest of your kit using our car camping checklist.
Related reading
Best Camping Gear of 2026: 25+ Tested Essentials
Our editors' picks for the best camping gear in 2026, covering tents, sleep systems, cooking, and lighting — tested across multi-night trips.
Best Everyday Carry (EDC) Gear for Daily Life and Travel
The everyday carry essentials our editors actually use daily — bags, water bottles, multitools, and organizers tested for months, not days.
The Complete Car Camping Checklist (Printable)
A category-by-category car camping checklist covering shelter, kitchen, comfort, and safety gear so nothing gets left behind.