Powerstation Test: The best for camping & power outages

Power station comparison – the quick overview

Let’s get straight to the best power stations that I had in my hand and could 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

Powerstation	Battery	The charging cycle	battery technology	weight	Max. input power	exits	Price
Jackery Explorer 500 – Best entry-level power station for camping	518 Wh / 500 Watt	2500	Li-Ionene	6 kg	100 W.	1x 230V/500W socket, 3x USB-A output	$
Bluetti EB70 PowerOak – In Combi with Solarpower ein Mega-Team	716 Wh / 1000 Watt	2500	LiFePO4	9,3 kg	200 W.	2x 1000W AC output, 1x 100W PD output, 1x USB-A output, 1x DC 5521/car interface, 1x 15W wireless charging pad	$
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X – Self- sufficient power supply for the crisis	1045 Wh / 1500 W	500	LiNMC	17,2 kg	300 W.	2x 2.4 A USB-A Ausgang, 1x 60 W USB-C PD Port (input/output), 18 W USB-C Ausgang	$$$
EcoFlow DELTA mini – Best Camping Powerstation	882 Wh / 1400 Watt	800	Li-Ionene	10,7 kg	900 W AC / Solar 300 W	2 x power outlet output, 2x USB-A output, 1x USB-C output	$$
EcoFlow RIVER Pro – expandable for full power	720 Wh / 600 Watt	800	Li-Ionene	7,5 kg	500 W AC / Solar 200 W	2x mains socket output, 1x car charging socket, 1x USB-C 100 W output, 2x USB-A output	$$
Anker 757 Powerhouse – Full power for crisis management and as a UPS	1229 Wh / 1500 Watt	3000	LiFePO4	19,9 kg	1000 watts	2x AC output, 4x USB-A output, 2x USB-C output	$$$
Jackety Explorer 2000 Pro – The best jackety 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	$$$$
Zendure SBP2000 Solar – There Newcomer	2096 Wh / 3000 Watt	3000	LiNMC	21,2 kg	1800 W AC / 2400 W Solar	4x AC output, 4x USB-C output, 4x DC output	$$$$

In the following, I will now go into detail and you will find out what power stations are and who uses them. if you are in a hurry please check out Amazon, as they offer some great power stations.

After that, you will see what the advantages and disadvantages of each power station are.

In the end, a detailed power station buying guide awaits you to help you find the best power station for your needs.

In a nutshell: what is a power station?

A power station is a large portable battery that has various connectors, such as USB ports and regular Schuko sockets. 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 backyard movie night aid when a projector and speakers are running.

What’s particularly great is that you charge most power stations via 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 crisis prevention, such as a blackout or floods.

Who needs a mobile power station?

Of course, a mobile power station is particularly interesting for everyone who wants to be self-sufficient on the road. So for those who have little or no self-sufficient electrical installation in their vehicle.

Here are some examples:

• • Long-term campers: A camping power station is ideal for anyone who travels with a tent but still wants to charge cameras, smartphones and computers. Because devices can only be charged and operated in the car to a limited extent.

• • Occasional campers: For campers who, for example, go camping with a sparsely equipped bus or another vehicle, a portable battery is a convenient solution that is not permanently installed.

• • Caravan campers who do not have a 12V installation at all, but still want to be self-sufficient occasionally without having to convert the electrical installation, can be more independent with a power station without assembly.

• • Crisis prevention: If you are worried about being affected by a power outage or blackout, stock up on a power station.

• • Owners of older buses who do not feel like modernizing the technology but still want to carry modern electronic devices with them also have a convenient retrofit option with a power station.

• • Travellers who need to operate medical equipment. Patients can operate the corresponding devices with a power station, for example.

• • Anglers who want to prepare coffee, tea or food have a nearly silent power plant with them.

Quick overview: What you should look out for when buying a power station

Mobile power stations deliver power where and when you need it, whether it’s during a power outage, on a family weekend camping trip, or anywhere else.

I’ve examined dozens of power stations, from large solar generators to ultra-portable power banks, examining key factors like battery capacity, output power, size and portability, and feature sets to see which ones stand out.

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

I particularly like the Anker 757 Powerhouse because of its full power. It is ingenious for crisis prevention – but unfortunately heavy and large. A real powerhouse with well-thought-out technology and fantastic connections for my devices. Matching this, I own the Anker 625 solar panel with 100 watts.

For camping, I use the Bluetti EB70 with the PV200 solar panel. This power station is a lot lighter and more mobile than the Anker 757. In addition, I only need to supply my MacBook Pro when camping and that works wonderfully with the EB70 due to the two 100 watt USB-C ports.

When the Anker 757 Powerhouse isn’t available (because it’s on loan), I reach for the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Powerstation. It offers sufficient battery capacity, can power almost any device and is compact enough to carry or store. You can buy them on the Jackery website, where you get a +1 year guarantee.

Now for my best portable power stations, and then you’ll find an in-depth buying guide where I go into more detail on battery capacity and output wattage.

Powerstation test – my 8 best devices

Buying guide: How do you find the right power station for you?

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

Maybe you’ve already found your dream device in the list, but you’re still unsure. Then read my buying guide and it will be easier for you to find the right power station for camping, mobile home or car.

In the buying guide for power stations, you will find out which facts are important if you want to buy a power station

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 portability.

Portable power stations with large battery capacities will always be physically large, and there isn’t much room for innovation. Some manufacturers manage to make their mobile power stations a little smaller than others or design them to be easier to carry or store.

But first and foremost, you should always consider battery capacity and performance over size.

If a power station doesn’t have enough power to keep it going or isn’t able to run your devices, it doesn’t matter how small, light or portable it is.

Battery capacity

The battery capacity refers to the amount of energy that the mobile power station can store. Capacity is highly dependent on the scenario you will be using the power station in, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Now if you’re looking for something to use in an emergency power outage, then you need a higher-capacity battery. A power station with a lower capacity may be sufficient for camping. Of course, this also depends on your needs.

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

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

But also note that you still lose some performance due to inefficiency, heat and other factors. So never expect a mobile power station to run for as long as you have mathematically calculated it under perfect conditions.

Output

Mobile power station output is measured in watts, and there are two numbers to look out for.

1. • Continuous power: This is the wattage that the power station can deliver continuously.

1. • Peak power: This is the wattage that the power station can deliver for a short time – also known as peak power.

Some devices, like air conditioners and refrigerators, draw much more power when first turned on than when they are running, so with a high peak wattage rating, you can safely plug in such a device.

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

Tip: If you anticipate plugging in two or more devices at the same time, add those wattages plus another 10 to 20 percent for safety and use that as a baseline.

Loading speed and options

The primary methods of charging a power station are to connect:

• • to a wall outlet

• • a solar module

• • to the cigarette lighter of a vehicle

Charging from a wall socket is usually the fastest and also the most common. For example, the Anker 757 Powerhouse power station can be charged in 1.5 hours when charging from a 230V socket – but takes eight hours and more when charging from a 12V car cigarette lighter socket.

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

My wall outlet in my apartment supplies me with up to 3000 watts, but most small power stations can 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 even up to 1800 watts. These devices are then 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 good thing about solar panels is that you can use them anywhere. Even if it’s cloudy, you can easily charge your smartphone with a 200 W solar panel (e.g. with the solar panel PV200 from Bluetti or the Jackery SolarSaga 200 ). For me, this is perfect, especially for camping power supplies.

Solar panels are ingenious for use in areas where there is no grid access or where only a low-wattage outlet is available. Power failure? This is where the power station comes into play or when you need to stay off the grid for a long period of time.

Good to know: Powerful solar chargers are faster than plugging into your car, but slower than plugging into a 230 volt socket in your house.E

Exits and entrances

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

Some include one or more of these options, while others only have USB ports, 230 volt outlets, 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 have devices like smartphones and laptops that can be quickly charged via USB-C, make sure your power station has at least one USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port.

If you have to connect certain devices, find out beforehand which connection options the power station has.

Where should you store your portable power station?

Your power station should be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use. Don’t keep them in a place that will get hot or get damp or wet.

It’s okay to keep the Powerstation in your car or RV while travelling, but leaving it there permanently will shorten battery life.

In addition to storing the power station in an air-conditioned space, it’s also a good idea to store it with about 40 to 50 percent charge. This is better for the power station’s battery life than storing it with a full charge.

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

For whom is a mobile power station not suitable?

A power station is not necessary for people for whom the electrical installation in their mobile home is sufficient. If you only want to use electricity inside the RV, a portable battery offers no added value.

And if you buy the inverter, solar charge controller and battery as individual parts, you can choose the specification for each component individually.

With a power station, the device is of course only available as it is offered by the manufacturer. 600 Wh is enough, but do you want a 2000 watt inverter to go with it? I’m sorry, that’s not available as a package.

In addition, a mobile power station for camping without a car is far too heavy. So it will hardly be the right choice for backpackers or trekking enthusiasts. You just don’t want to drag a 6 kg battery over many kilometres. So you need a car for a power station in order to be able to transport it comfortably.

The capacity of the power station compared to the on-board battery in the mobile home

How much is 600 Wh? Well, to give you a feeling, let’s compare it to a typical onboard battery in an RV.

However, the comparison with the battery in the mobile home is not so easy, since the capacity is given in Ah (ampere hour).

So you have to do some math. The capacity of the onboard battery in the mobile home must be converted into watt hours. You do this by multiplying the ampere-hours by the voltage. The voltage in an RV is typically 12.7V.

To make the calculation easier, I assume a battery with 100 Ah. You multiply this 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 them as a guideline. This increases the life of the battery.

So I get 635 Wh here, which you can use effectively. Some power stations level off exactly in this range and therefore offer just 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 functions such as wireless charging, a flashlight or USB-C connections.

Powerbank vs. Powerstation –Where is the difference?

A power bank is a small, handy battery that is ideal for on-the-go. The power bank does not weigh much and finds its place in a backpack or suitcase.

The power station, 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, that is just one of the differences between the two devices. Another important factor is capacity. Most power banks have a 5,000 to 20,000 mAh battery, while power stations can have up to 100,000 mAh.

That means you’ll be able to charge your smartphone hundreds of times – way more than any regular power bank. You can also connect normal 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 more than make up for in portability and the ease of charging rather than refuelling.

Generators are typically used to restore power to your entire home, or at least most of your home. A generator runs on fuel, such as diesel, and is quite noisy.

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

Solar generators do not require diesel or gasoline to operate, making them much safer to use indoors. It also means you don’t have to worry about engine maintenance.

In addition, you can charge a power station at any time via a solar panel, which you can place on your balcony or in the garden, for example.

What is the best power station for me?

That’s the big question I’m trying to answer for you in this guide.

If you’re going camping for a weekend and just want to keep a tablet charged for watching movies, something light and without a lot of capacity is fine. I would even only take a power bank with me, such as the Anker PowerCore II Powerbank with 20000 mAh.

More serious off-roaders, or anyone spending long periods off the grid, will need something heavier, preferably from 1000 watts upwards. RV owners may find themselves somewhere in between.

Think about what you want to use a power station for. And if possible, consider the specific amounts of electricity 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 to generate electricity or stored in batteries or heat storage.

What is the best way to charge my power station?

In most cases, the quickest way to charge a portable power station battery is to plug it into a standard AC outlet. Solar panels can be plugged into many power stations, but generally, they charge slowly, with some exceptions from higher-end power stations. In a pinch, some power stations have a port that allows charging from a 12-volt cigarette lighter, but this takes some time.

How long will 500 watts last on a power station?

If you connect a device that consumes 500 watts, the power station lasts 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 my devices?

With the facts and figures to consider when making your purchase, the maximum wattage of a portable power station is perhaps the most relevant value. If you have specific devices in mind, make sure the maximum wattage of a power station covers them. Otherwise, you risk damaging the device and the power station.

Which power station to use for the blackout?

For a blackout, you should use a powerful power station. Anything above 1000 watts is fine. The higher the battery performance, the longer you can power your devices, such as a refrigerator or your smartphone.

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

All modern power stations can charge and charge at the same time, which is a big advantage over the smaller power banks.

Do camping power stations have 230 V connections?

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

Does a power station also make sense when 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. They can also be charged via a solar panel.