The best power station in test 2024 - for camping, road trips and power outages.

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👉 The key facts from this guide

The battery life of our devices is always a topic, and it's not just a problem for smartphones.

If you go camping or on a road trip, your devices need to be charged. And what happens when the power goes out at home?

With good power stations, you no longer have to worry about charging your devices when you need them most.

The best power stations provide sufficient power for multiple devices at once and can also be used as a backup power source during power outages.

With this small but powerful device, you are ready for the day.

Let's now take a look at the best power stations, and surely, you will find a device that suits your needs.

Power Station Comparison - Quick Overview

Let's get straight to my best power stations that I have had in my hands and was able to test.

The table gives you a quick overview to find the right power station for camping.

Power Station Test - The 8 Best Devices at a Glance

Power Station	Battery	Charge Cycles	Battery Technology	Weight	Max. Input Power	Outputs	Price
Jackery Explorer 500 - Best Entry-Level Power Station for Camping	518 Wh / 500 Watt	2500	Li-Ion	6 kg	100 W	1x 230V/500 W Socket, 3x USB-A Output	$
Bluetti EB70 PowerOak - A Mega-Team with Solar Power	716 Wh / 1000 Watt	2500	LiFePO4	9.3 kg	200 W	2x 1000 W AC Output, 1x 100W PD Output, 1x USB-A Output, 1x DC 5521/Car Interface, 1x Wireless 15W Charging Pad	$
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X - Self-Sufficient Power Supply for Emergencies	1045 Wh / 1500 W	500	LiNMC	17.2 kg	300 W	2x 2.4 A USB-A Output, 1x 60 W USB-C PD Port (Input/Output), 18 W USB-C Output	$$$
EcoFlow DELTA mini - Best Camping Power Station	882 Wh / 1400 Watt	800	Li-Ion	10.7 kg	900 W AC / Solar 300 W	2x AC Socket Output, 2x USB-A Output, 1x USB-C Output	$$
EcoFlow RIVER Pro - Expandable for Full Power	720 Wh / 600 Watt	800	Li-Ion	7.5 kg	500 W AC / Solar 200 W	2x AC Socket Output, 1x Car Charging Socket, 1x USB-C 100 W Output, 2x USB-A Output	$$
Anker 757 Powerhouse - Ample Power for Emergency Preparedness and as UPS	1229 Wh / 1500 Watt	3000	LiFePO4	19.9 kg	1000 W	2x AC Output, 4x USB-A Output, 2x USB-C Output	$$$
Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro - The Best Jackery Yet	2160 Wh / 2200 Watt	1000	LiNMC	19.5 kg	1800 W AC / 1400 W Solar	2x AC Output, 2x USB-A Output, 2x USB-C Output	$$$$
Zendure SBP2000 Solar - The Newcomer	2096 Wh / 3000 Watt	3000	LiNMC	21.2 kg	1800 W AC / 2400 W Solar	4x AC Output, 4x USB-C Output	$$

Below, I will now go into detail, and you will learn what power stations are and who uses them.

Afterward, you will see what the advantages and disadvantages of the individual power stations are.

At the end, an in-depth power station buying guide awaits you, which will help you find the best power station for your needs.

Short and sweet: What is a power station?

A power station is a large portable battery that has various connections, such as USB ports and standard electrical outlets. A portable power station can light up a room by powering a lamp or, in some cases, keep a mini fridge running during a power outage.

Power stations are a great convenience on camping trips or a tool for a movie night in the backyard when a projector and speakers are running.

Especially great is that you can charge most power stations with a solar panel. With the mobile power supply, you can also charge and operate your devices in the wilderness.

Furthermore, a power station with a solar panel is the perfect backup for emergency preparedness, such as during a blackout or during flooding.

However, if you are only looking for a smaller power source - one that only charges your smartphone - check out my summary of the best power banks in this category.

Who needs a mobile power station?

A mobile power station is particularly interesting for those who want to be self-sufficient on the go. So for those who do not have or have too little self-sufficient electrical installation in their vehicle.

Here are some examples:

• Permanent campers: A power station for camping is ideal for those who travel with a tent but still want to charge cameras, smartphones, and computers. Devices can only be charged and operated to a limited extent in the car.
• Occasional campers: Campers who are on the road with a sparsely equipped bus or other vehicle for camping, a portable battery is a comfortable solution that is not permanently installed.
• Caravan campers who do not have a 12V installation but still want to be self-sufficient occasionally without having to modify the electrical installation can be more independent on the road with a power station without installation.
• Crisis prevention: Those who are concerned that they may be affected by a power outage or blackout can stock up on a power station.
• Owners of older buses who do not want to modernize the technology but still want to carry modern electrical devices can also have a convenient retrofit option with a power station.
• Travelers who need to operate medical devices. Patients can operate the corresponding devices, for example, with a power station.
• Anglers who want to prepare coffee, tea, or food have a virtually noiseless power plant with them.

Quick Overview: What to Consider When Buying a Power Station

Mobile power stations provide electricity where and when you need it, whether during a power outage, on a camping weekend with the family, or elsewhere.

I have examined dozens of power stations, from large solar generators to ultraportable power banks, and have examined key factors such as battery capacity, output power, size and portability, as well as functionality to find out which ones stand out.

My favorite power stations currently are the Anker 757 Powerhouse and the Bluetti EB70

I particularly like the Anker 757 Powerhouse for its powerful performance. It's great for emergency preparedness, but unfortunately heavy and large. A true powerhouse with well-thought-out technology and fantastic connections for my devices (available here in the Anker shop). To complement it, I also own the Anker 625 Solar Panel with 100 watts (available here in the Anker shop). You can also find everything in a set in the Anker shop.

For camping, I take the Bluetti EB70 with the PV200 Solar Panel. This power station is much lighter and more mobile than the Anker 757. Additionally, I only need to power my MacBook Pro at most while camping, and that works wonderfully with the EB70 due to its two 100-watt USB-C ports (buy here at Bluetti, buy the 200W solar panel here, or buy as a set).

If the Anker 757 Powerhouse is not available (because it is borrowed), then I turn to the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Powerstation. It offers sufficient battery capacity, can power almost any device, and is compact enough to transport or store. You can buy it on the Jackery website, where you will receive a +1-year warranty.

Now here are my best portable power stations and afterward you will find a detailed buying guide where I go into more detail about battery capacity and output wattage.

Power Station Test - My 8 Best Devices

Buying Guide: How to Find the Right Power Station for You?

In my Power Stations test, I have now introduced you to a range of great power plants, and of course, there are other Power Stations on the market.

Perhaps you have already discovered your desired device in the list, but are still unsure? Then read my buying guide, and it will be easier for you to find the right power station for camping, motor home or car.

Size and Portability

Mobile power stations are all quite portable, but some are decidedly easier to carry than others. The size of the battery largely determines the overall size and mobility.

Portable power stations with large battery capacities will always be physically large, and there is not much room for innovation. Some manufacturers manage to make their mobile power plants slightly smaller than others or design them to be easier to carry or store.

But first, you should always consider battery capacity and performance oversize.

If a power station does not have enough energy to keep it running, or is unable to power your devices, it doesn't matter how small, light, or mobile it is.

Battery Capacity

The battery capacity refers to the amount of energy that the mobile power station can store. The capacity strongly depends on the scenario in which you will use the power station, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

If you are currently looking for something to use in case of a power outage, then you need a battery with a higher capacity. For camping, a power station with a lower capacity may be sufficient. Of course, this also depends on your needs.

Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours. One watt-hour (1 Wh) means that a power of one watt is delivered for one hour.

If you connect a television that consumes 60 watts to a mobile power station with 600 watts of power, the battery would be empty after ten hours of watching TV.

However, also keep in mind that you will lose some power due to inefficiency, heat, and other factors. So, never expect a mobile power station to run as long as you have calculated mathematically under perfect conditions.

Output

The performance of the mobile power station is measured in watts, and there are two numbers that you need to pay attention to.

1. Continuous power: This is the wattage that the power station can continuously deliver.
2. Peak power: This is the wattage that the power station can deliver briefly - also known as peak power.

Some devices, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, consume much more electricity when first turned on than during normal operation, so you can safely connect such a device with a high peak power in watts.

It is essential to check the wattage of each device you want to connect to your mobile power station. Accordingly, you must then purchase the right device.

Tip: If you assume that you need to connect two or more devices at the same time, add up this wattage and add another 10 to 20 percent for safety reasons and use this as a basis.

Charging Speed and Options

The primary methods for charging a power station are by connecting:

• to a wall socket
• of a solar module
• to the cigarette lighter of a vehicle

Charging via a power outlet is usually the fastest and most widely used method. For example, the Anker 757 Powerhouse Powerstation can be charged in 1.5 hours when charged via a 230V power outlet - but it can take eight hours or more when charged via the 12V cigarette lighter in a car.

Charging via the cigarette lighter in the car can be a useful option, but it is also very slow. The most important thing is to look at how much input power the power station has. The higher it is, the faster you can charge.

My wall socket in my apartment provides me with up to 3000 watts, but most small power stations can only handle a maximum of 100 (like the Jackery Explorer 500) to 300 (like the Bluetti EB70 PowerOak) watts - that's why charging takes a long time.

Other devices, such as the Anker 757 Powerhouse, can handle up to 1000 watts of input power, and the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro can even handle up to 1800 watts. These devices are usually fully charged in one to two hours.

The speed of charging via solar panels varies:

• depending on the wattage of the solar panel
• the local conditions
• the maximum input wattage

The great thing about solar panels is that you can use them anywhere. Even when it's cloudy, you can easily charge your smartphone with a 200 W solar panel (such as the Bluetti PV200 solar panel or the Jackery SolarSaga 200). For me, this is perfect, especially for powering up while camping.

Solar panels are brilliant for use in areas where there is no access to the grid or where only a low-power socket is available. Power outage? This is where the power station comes into play or when you have to stay disconnected from the grid for a longer period of time.

Good to know: Powerful solar chargers are faster than connecting to your car, but slower than connecting to a 230-volt outlet in your home.

Outputs and Inputs

Portable power stations include a variety of ports, including 230-volt outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt accessory ports, and 12-volt DC jacks.

Some include one or more of these options, while others only have USB ports, 230-volt sockets, or various combinations.

If you expect to have to connect two or three 230-volt devices at the same time, choose a portable power station with at least as many sockets.

If you own devices such as smartphones and laptops that can be quickly charged via USB-C, make sure that your power station has at least one USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port.

Where should you store your portable power station?

Your power station should be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use. Do not keep it in a place where it gets hot or where moisture or wetness occurs.

It's okay to store the power station in your car or RV during a trip, but if you keep it there permanently, the battery life will be shortened.

In addition to storing the power station in a climate-controlled room, it is also a good idea to store it with about 40 to 50 percent charge. This is better for the battery life of the power station than storing it with a full charge.

Attention, there is one exception, of course. If you live in an area where you expect power outages, then you always charge your power station to the brim. It is more important to have your power station ready for emergencies than to maximize battery life.

Who is a mobile power station not suitable for?

For people who are satisfied with the electrical installation in their motor home, a power station is not necessary. If you only want to use electricity inside the camper, a portable battery does not provide any added value.

And if you buy inverters, solar charge controllers, and batteries as individual components, you can choose the specifications for each component individually.

With a power station, the device is only available as offered by the manufacturer. 600 Wh is sufficient, but if you want a 2000-watt inverter with it? Sorry, that's not available as a package.

Furthermore, a mobile power station for camping without a car is far too heavy. For backpackers or trekking enthusiasts, it will hardly be the right choice. You simply don't want to carry a 6 kg battery over many kilometers. So, for a power station, you need a car to be able to transport it comfortably.

If you don't own a car but still want to charge your devices, it's better to grab a power bank. I've created a list of the best power banks that I was able to test.

The capacity of the power station compared to the onboard battery in the motor home

How much is 600 Wh actually? Well, to give you a sense, let's compare it to a typical onboard battery in a motor home.

However, comparing it to the battery in a motor home is not as simple, as the capacity is given in Ah (ampere-hour).

So, you have to do some calculations. The capacity of the onboard battery in the motor home must be converted into watt-hours. You do this by multiplying the ampere-hours by the voltage. The voltage in a motor home is usually 12.7 V.

To simplify the calculation, I assume a battery with 100 Ah. You multiply these 100 Ah by 12.7 V. The result: 1270 Wh.

That sounds like a lot, but you should check what type of battery you have. If your camper does not have a lithium or LiFePO4 battery installed, then you should only use half of that as a guideline. This increases the lifespan of the battery.

So, you can effectively use 635 Wh here. Some power stations fall exactly in this range, offering as much capacity as a typical battery in a motor home. And there are some additional advantages: a power station is mobile and often has additional features such as wireless charging, flashlight, or USB-C ports.

Powerbank vs. Powerstation - What's the difference?

A power bank is a small, handy battery that is perfect for on-the-go use. The power bank doesn't weigh much and can easily fit in a backpack or suitcase.

The Powerstation, on the other hand, is a large device that usually does not fit in a backpack and cannot be carried on the back. Small devices weigh around 5 kilograms and larger devices, with more than 1500 watts, weigh over 20 kg.

However, this is only one of the differences between the two devices. Another important factor is the capacity. Most power banks have a battery with 5,000 to 20,000 mAh, while power stations can have up to 100,000 mAh.

This means that you can charge your smartphone hundreds of times – much more than any normal power bank. Additionally, you can connect regular household appliances to power stations.

What is the difference between a solar generator (power station + solar panel) and a fuel generator?

Basically, the difference is that portable power stations use rechargeable batteries instead of gasoline. What power stations lack in power compared to generators, they make up for in portability and easy recharging instead of refueling.

Generators are usually used to restore the power supply to your entire home or at least the majority of your home. A generator is powered by fuel, such as diesel, and is quite loud.

A solar generator often does not have the same energy capacity as a diesel generator and is best used to keep important medical and household devices running until power is restored.

Solar generators do not require diesel or gasoline to operate, making them much safer for indoor use. This also means that you don't have to worry about maintaining the engine.

Additionally, you can charge a power station at any time using a solar panel that you can attach to your balcony or place in the garden.

What is the best power station for me?

This is the big question that I try to answer for you in the guide.

If you're spending a weekend camping and only want to have a tablet charged for watching movies, something lightweight and with not much capacity is fine. For that, I would even just bring a power bank, like the Anker PowerCore II Powerbank with 20000 mAh.

More serious off-roaders or those who spend long periods of time off the grid will need something heavier, preferably 1000 watts or more. Owners of motor homes may fall somewhere in between.

Think about what you want to use a power station for. And consider the specific amounts of power you may need to make the best choice.

Questions and Answers about the Best Power Stations

How does a power station with a solar panel work?

Solar technology converts sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) modules or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used for electricity generation or stored in batteries or thermal storage systems.

How do I best charge my power station?

In most cases, the battery of a portable power station is charged fastest using a standard AC outlet. Solar panels can be connected to many power stations, but generally, they charge slowly, with some exceptions for higher-end power stations. In case of emergency, some power stations have a port that allows charging through a 12-volt cigarette lighter, but this takes some time.

How long do 500 watts last on a power station?

If you connect a device that consumes 500 watts, the power station will last for one hour. However, if you connect a smartphone that consumes 5 watts, you can charge your smartphone 100 times with the power station.

Can my mobile power station power all of my devices?

When making a purchase, the maximum wattage of a portable power station may be the most relevant value to consider, based on the facts and figures. If you have specific devices in mind, make sure that the maximum wattage of a power station covers them. Otherwise, you risk damaging both the device and the power station.

Which power station to use for a blackout?

For a blackout, you should go for a powerful power station. Anything from 1000 watts upwards is good. The higher the battery power, the longer you can supply your devices, such as a refrigerator or your smartphones, with electricity.

Can mobile power stations charge and recharge at the same time?

All modern power stations can charge and recharge simultaneously, which is a great advantage over smaller power banks.

Do power stations for camping have 230 V connections?

Most mobile power stations for camping have 230V connections. This is the standard voltage in Europe and many other parts of the world.

Is a power station useful for camping?

A mobile power station can be useful when camping if you don't have access to a power outlet on the go. These devices can charge various electrical devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Additionally, charging via a solar panel is possible.

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