Best 5 Power Banks for Camping

Nearly every gadget — from smartphones to headlamps — comes with a built-in rechargeable battery. For this reason, they are easier to charge using solar generators or power banks for camping. When traveling, these portable power stations or banks offer an on-the-go charging experience that eliminates the worry of hunting for electrical outlets.

Jackery offers lightweight, durable, and easy-to-use power stations available in different sizes and capacities. Jackery Explorer 500, for example, has a battery capacity of 518Wh to charge small camping appliances like camping lights, smart speakers, drones, cameras, smartphones, and more when you stay away from the grid.

Products	Image	Capacity	Rated/Peak Power	Noise Level	Size
Explorer 500		518Wh	500W Inverter (1000W Surge)	37.9dB	11.8 x 7.6 x 9.5in (13.3lbs)
Explorer 300		293Wh	300W Inverter (500W Surge)	36.4dB	9.1 × 5.2 × 7.8in (7.1lbs)
Explorer 300 Plus		288Wh	300W (600W Peak)	Less than 45dB	9.1 × 6.1 × 6.6in (8.27lbs)
Explorer 1000		1002Wh	1000W (2000W Surge Power)	46.5dB	13.1 × 9.2 × 11.1in (22.04lbs)
Explorer 240		240Wh	200W (400W Surge Power)	N/A	9.05 × 5.24 × 7.87in (6.6lbs)

What Is Power Bank for Camping?

The core aim of a power bank for camping is to recharge battery-powered electronics when you're away from the electrical supply. It is small enough to fit in your backpack and charge various appliances like cell phones, tablets, etc. They are available in multiple sizes and shapes, ideal for traveling, off-grid trips, and other outdoor activities.

While power banks are great for camping, solar chargers are becoming widely popular among campers. They can be charged using solar panels to keep devices powered throughout the trip. While power banks and solar chargers do the same thing, many campers prefer the latter — due to its versatility and high capacity.

Why You Need A Power Bank for Camping?

You'll carry some electrical appliances while camping, and the power required to charge them can be a paramount concern. Luckily, power banks for camping are designed to supply necessary off-grid energy to the appliances.

Convenience: A portable power station lets you conveniently charge most camping appliances without worrying about finding electrical outlets. It's lightweight in nature, making it much easier when living off-grid.

Versatility: Investing in a small capacity power station not only helps you power smaller appliances like lights and fans but also acts as a backup energy when the main grid fails.

Economical: Power stations are available in different sizes, making them affordable for people with varying budgets. They are also durable and highly efficient, ensuring you can keep powering devices for years to come.

How Does A Power Bank for Camping Work?

A portable power station typically consists of a built-in battery, input and output ports, and control circuits for regulating electricity flow. You can charge the power bank camping using the electricity outlet and then use the stored power for appliance charging.

If you have a solar power station, it generally combines solar panels and a power station. The electricity generated using the solar panels is stored in the battery backup to supply stable electricity to the electrical devices.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Camping

When it comes to generating safe and stable electricity for outdoor camping appliances, you can rely on Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations. You can plug devices into the output ports to charge appliances anytime and anywhere. Connecting them with foldable Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels allows you to recharge these lightweight batteries and start powering devices again.

Jackery Explorer 500

Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station can charge low to high-power-consuming appliances with its 518Wh battery capacity. It has a foldable handle and an ergonomic design, which makes the power station ideal for outdoor adventures like camping.

The compact and lightweight portable power station features 1*AC outlet, 1*carport, 2*DC ports, and 3*USB-A ports to charge mini refrigerators, TV, CPAP machines, and other small electrical devices. With Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can fully charge the power station in only 9 hours.

Customer Review

Really impressed with this unit. Can run LED lights in the tent all night and only drain a few percent. Take power tools out in the bush. It held up well in cold weather as well. — Tim.

Jackery Explorer 300

Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station comes with a 293Wh battery capacity. It features a pure sine wave inverter along with a built-in BMS (Battery Management System) to protect sensitive devices while charging.

The multiple input and output ports allow you to plug and charge up to six smart appliances at once.

This power station weighs only 7.1 lbs, making it a great charging solution for camping trips or other off-grid adventures. With Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can charge the lithium-ion power bank within 5 hours.

Customer Review

This summer, I added 100 solar panels to my Jackery 300, and I'm so glad I did!! I was in the outer woods of Montana all summer, and I had no problems running my Iceco fridge and charging various lights and phones without having to use my vehicle battery. You can say that I am a huge fan of Jackery. — Susan Bearer.

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus features a battery capacity of 288Wh and weighs only 8.27 lbs. The power station is compatible with Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels to power most camping appliances efficiently.

Jackery Explorer 1000

Jackery Explorer 1000 has a large battery capacity of 1002Wh and multiple output ports that can charge 8 devices simultaneously. The industrial-grade quiet power station is lightweight and compact in nature, which makes it an optimum choice for outdoor activities like camping.

Customer Review

I picked up the Explorer 1000 to use camping, and it’s delivered on 12+ Weekend trips. Paired with a 175w flex panel, I am able to power a 35 L cooler nonstop, Joolca hot tap system (water pump), charge several phones, and power market lights in the evening. After 24 hours, I can keep the explorer between 50 and 80% without running the car to charge it. This thing is legit. — Christian.

Jackery Explorer 240

Jackery's smallest Explorer 240 Portable Power Station can supply safe electricity to small appliances like smartphones. It has a weight of only 6.6 lbs, so you can easily carry the power station on hikes, camping, parks, or wherever the outdoor adventure takes you. This solar solution can be powered with a generator, a wall outlet, solar panels, and a car outlet.

Customer Review

I was really surprised with this unit. Being the smaller of the lineup, I was worried about the performance, but it was the only one in my price range, and it has performed well. I mainly use it for charging phones, laptops, flashlights, etc., and I can use it for a week before having to recharge the unit. — Josh McDonald.

Besides larger capacities like Explorer 500 and 1000, Jackery offers Jackery Explorer 240, 300, and 300 Plus Portable Power Stations. They are lightweight and can be carried out without any hassle. Below, we will reveal the battery capacity, noise level, lifespan, and working hours of different Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations.

How to Choose The Power Bank for Camping?

Portable camping power banks allow you to stay off the grid for longer and more comfortably. However, there are a lot of power banks available in the market, making it challenging to pick the best power bank for camping. Here are a few important factors you'll need to check before finalizing the right solar power bank.

Power Output

The factor will directly affect the size of the solar generator. If you want a power station to charge smaller appliances like GPS devices, laptops, tablets, and cell phones, a less-capacity battery backup will work great. Alternatively, those wanting to charge larger appliances like TVs, coolers, or fans need a battery backup with a larger power output.

Battery Capacity

The more devices you want to charge simultaneously or the longer you're planning to stay, the higher the battery capacity you'll need. For shorter camping trips, you can consider smaller power stations like Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. For multi-day trips or to charge power-consuming appliances, the Jackery Explorer 1000 might make more sense.

Size & Weight

The size and weight will typically vary depending on how much power output or battery capacity you choose. If a battery pack is smaller, it probably has less power capacity and produces low output. If you want to select a lightweight solar charger with high power capacity, you may consider Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations.

Power Bank for Camping FAQs

How big of a power bank do I need for camping?

Many portable and small power banks are available in different sizes to meet the requirements of various campers. Jackery offers a wide range of solar power stations that combine utility and portability.

Here is an example to calculate the working hours of the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station, assuming your camping power requirements are around 200 watts.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Operating wattage of the camping devices = 1002Wh * 0.85 / 200W = 4.2H.

If you want a lower-capacity power bank, Jackery offers lighter charging solutions — Explorer 300 Plus and Explorer 500.

How do you charge electronics while camping?

If you need to charge electronics during camping, it's best to take a battery backup, a small solar generator, or a power bank. The best among them is a solar generator that combines a power station and a few solar panels to collect, convert, and store energy for later use.

How long does a camping power bank last?

The lifespan of a camping power bank will depend on the battery type, manufacturer, materials used, and more. Jackery is a renowned solar brand that manufactures high-quality, long-lasting lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries. The smallest Jackery Explorer 300 Plus has a LiFePO4 battery with a durable 10-year lifespan.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning to head on a backpacking or camping trip with multiple electrical gadgets, a power bank for camping is all you need. It's a small, lightweight, and portable solar charging solution to charge your camping devices for long hours.

Campers looking to enjoy their camping trip without giving up on essential appliances might benefit from Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. It weighs only 8.27 lbs and is compatible with book-sized, foldable Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels.