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A curated list of the best power banks for camping, from small devices for day hikes to multi-plug charging stations for large groups
Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device.
On Denali last year, whenever we had a few hours of downtime, the whole team were stringing up their solar panels and power banks to make sure phones, cameras, radios, watches, headlamps, GPS devices and e-readers had enough juice for the next stage.
And recently, when I’ve been on climbs with larger base camps, I’ve noticed that noisy and smelly generators have now largely been replaced with quieter and cleaner portable power stations running off daisy-chains of foldable solar panels.
With that in mind, whether you’re looking for a lightweight power bank to keep your smartphone charged on the trail, or a power station big enough to run the fairy lights and fridge at base camp, we’ve put together a list of the best power banks for camping and hiking.
Best power bank for day hiking: Goal Zero Flip 24
Charge time: 4 hours
Battery capacity: 74 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 20,000 mAh
Size: 17 x 8 x 2.5 cm (6.7 x 3.2 x 1 in)
Price: $29.95
Buy on: REI, Amazon
If you’re just hitting the trail for a day, chances are your phone will probably last the hike. However, if you take a lot of photos and videos, or use a GPS device such as a Garmin inReach, then you should carry some back-up power. Likewise, navigation apps can also drain a smartphone’s power.
Goal Zero The Flip 24 is the best power bank for day hikesCompact and lightweight, the Goal Zero Flip 24 should reliably give two recharges on most smartphones as well as most GPS devices, headlamps and fitness trackers. It will also top up a tablet but won’t charge it completely.
Its size means it fits easily into a backpack, fanny pack, purse or even a pocket. No power buttons make it easy to use and the flip-out USB port makes for simple charging of the power bank in a wall charger or other power source. It will also recharge off most solar panels or any USB power source.
Best power bank for backpacking: BioLite Charge 80 PD
Charge time: 4 hours
Battery capacity: 74 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 20,000 mAh
Size: 17 x 8 x 2.5 cm (6.7 x 3.2 x 1 in)
Price: $79.95
Buy on: REI, Amazon, BioLite
This highly-rated device from BioLite will cover you for most trekking trips, especially if you couple it with a solar panel. The unit’s 20,000 mAh (74 Wh) capacity is enough to charge a 13-inch laptop or multiple smaller devices such as smartphones, GPS devices, headlamps and fitness trackers.
BioLite The BioLite is one of the best power banks for camping and hikingThe power bank charges to full in four hours via USB-C cable. It is certified FAA carry-on compliant and its compact size makes it an ideal travel companion. It has a hard plastic exterior with rounded edges and corners, meaning it’s durable and easy to slide into a backpack. Biolite is also a Climate Neutral Certified brand, making it a sustainable choice.
Best power station for Car Camping: Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station
Charge time: 4 hours
Battery capacity: 187 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 12,986 mAh
Size: 20 x 13 x 13 cm (7.95 x 5.1 x 5.1 in)
Price: $219.95
Buy on: REI
If you’re camping with a car, then the Yeti 200X Portable Power Station will have most bases covered. There are three ways to charge the unit, including plugging it into a wall at home before you leave, from your car via a 12V charging cable or by solar panels (sold separately). It has enough capacity to charge a smartphone up to 20 times.
Goal Zero The Yeti 200X is the best power bank for car campingIt comes equipped with a high-speed port capable of charging USB-C laptops, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras and smartphones quickly. The station can fully charge in as little as four hours, although naturally it takes longer using solar panels.
Best power system for base camps: Goal Zero Yeti 700 Power Station
Charge time: 1.4 hours via AC; 8 hours via 12V
Battery capacity: 677 watt hours
Size: 29 x 27 x 20 cm (11.3 x 10.7 x 7.7 in)
Price: $599.95
Buy on: REI, Amazon
For hosting larger groups, such as at a base camp, the Yeti 700 Power Station is portable, powerful and durable enough to deal with all the mud, dirt, dust and weather you should expect while camping in the wild.
Goal Zero The Yeti 700 is ideal for larger camping groupsThe 600W AC power output has 1,000W surge abilities, which can run large items such as portable fridges, power tools and barbecue grills. The power station has a long lifespan of up to 4,000+ cycles, which means you can, in theory, use it daily for over 10 years. It can fully charge in just 105 minutes off mains power, and longer via a car or solar panels (sold separately).
Best power station for long trips: BioLite BaseCharge 1500 Portable Power Station
Charge time: 4 hours
Battery capacity: 1,521 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 70,417 mAh (at 2.15v)
Size: 37 x 31 x 21 cm (14.4 x 12.2 x 8.2 in)
Price: $1,359.95
Buy on: REI, Amazon, BioLite
If you’re taking off for a year on the road or a season on the slopes, then the BaseCharge 1500 is outrageously powerful considering, at 12.7kg (28 lb), it is significantly lighter than comparable units. It is easy to carry and easy to use with an intuitive display showing statistics such as the time to empty or fully charged, as well as a useful watt-hour odometer that can be reset whenever needed to track and understand power usage over time.
BioLite The BaseCharge 1500 is great for long tripsThere are nine charging outputs, including five USB ports, a wide wireless charging platform on the top and a single high-power port input to recharge the device from a wall socket or by connecting it to solar panels (sold separately). BioLite claims it can charge a laptop 22 times, run a cooler for 37 hours and charge a corded drill in less than an hour.
For complete coverage, consider the Solar Generator 1500+ Bundle which includes a 100 Watt Folding Solar Panel and extension cable.
Best emergency back-up power station: EcoFlow DELTA Max Portable Power Station
Charge time: 1.8 hours
Battery capacity: 2,016 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 16,800 mAh
Size: 50 x 31 x 24 cm (19.6 x 12 x 9.5 in)
Price: $1,299
Buy on: REI, Amazon
If you’re looking for a reliable emergency back-up power station, in case of a power outage – home or away – the EcoFlow DELTA Max has enough capacity to power the vast majority of home appliances, lighting, power tools and electronic devices.
The unit’s most impressive feature is how quickly it charges – from zero to 80% in just an hour, and to completely full in 108 minutes off mains electricity. It can also charge off two 400W EcoFlow solar panels in three to six hours (sold separately). Once charged, it can power up to 15 devices simultaneously via six AC output ports and nine DC output ports, including four USB ports. If you know a storm is on its way, then you can quickly charge this unit and rest easy if a power outage strikes.
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Lead image: BioLite
About the author
Peter Watson is a writer, photographer and adventurer. He has been to 100 countries and climbed the highest mountains in Africa, Europe, South America and North America – four of the Seven Summits. peterjohnwatson.com
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