Today, I’ve got some new tech to share that’s critical for survival…
A Complete Guide to Finding (& Using) A Portable Power Station For Emergencies & Camping
Because portable power stations are the best way to add a few luxuries while on the go, right?
And if you are an outdoor junkie, like me, you love spending time camping, hiking, RVing, etc.
Because the more time I spend outdoors adventuring, the happier I become.
Heck, I tend to stay even longer when I have a few of my favorite amenities.
So, let’s look at a few of the best ones on the market today…
TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
- Best Power Stations Today
- What Is a Portable Power Station?
- Who Should Invest In One?
- Best Power Station Features
- Gas Powered Vs. Solar Power
This Nearly Endless Energy Source Could Save Your Life →
This Solar Generator is “Worth Its Weight in Gold" — Safe to Use Inside & Never Needs Gas... Ever!Best Portable Power Stations On The Market Today
Based upon my extensive research, these are currently the best units out there:
With almost twice the capacity of its competitors, the Bluetti is the Alpha.
This unit has all the features you want, with lots of output options.
There's no doubt that it's bulky.
The Bluetti portable power generator weighs in at just over 60 lbs.
And it measures 16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches, so it will take some effort to haul it around, but boy, is it worth it.
This unit has no problems running larger items, such as:
- fridges
- air conditioners
- electric grills
- microwave
- power tools
- etc.
Heck, you can even give a Tesla a bit of a charge if you have one.
There are 17 options for plugging your devices in with USB-A and C and several AC ports.
It also has wireless charging on the top, which is handy.
An LCD touchscreen shows the current, power temp, voltage, and charging status.
It can be a little hard to read outdoors in the sun as it isn't that bright.
This portable power station includes handlebars mounted on the sides to help carry it around.
But you're NOT lugging this unit on your trail walks.
You bring it to your campsite or an off-grid cabin.
That's where you will be recharging and powering most of your items.
Now let's talk about its recharging options. You have 5; the unit can recharge with:
- Battery
- Generator
- Car
- AC plugin
- Solar
Having all these options is great because you're not out of luck if it's a cloudy day.
PROS
- Incredible 2000WH battery capacity
- Several recharging options
- 17 output charging ports plus wireless charging
CONS
- Heavy as it weighs over 60 lbs
- LCD isn't bright enough for outdoors
It's a vast-capacity portable power station for all your extended trips or blackouts.
Make sure to put this model on the top of your wish list.
↓ Bluetti AC200P Power Station Review (Solar Generator)
This first Jackery pumps out 240Wh and is excellent for camping and hunting.
Digital Trends names it the "Best Portable Power Station for use in the outdoors," and it's no wonder.
At only 6.6 lbs, it's easy to take it with you wherever you're going.
You can recharge it by solar, AC outlet, and your car so you never run out of electricity in remote locations.
There are several power plugins to charge your electronics, including:
- Smartphones
- Tablet and laptops
- Small appliances like lights, drones, and heaters
For such a small size, it has a large capacity.
Most users were thrilled with its performance and mobility.
The bottom line is:
This is a great entry-level portable power station.
PROS
- Lightweight and easy to carry with you
- Multiple options for recharging unit
CONS
- Will only power small items
- Not too many charging ports
↓ Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station Review
Here we have an incredible bundle from Jackery.
You get the Jackery Explorer 300 that provides for your portable power needs.
Ideal for camping trips and hikes, this unit will power all your small electronic devices.
You get 3 USB ports, an AC outlet, and a standard DC 12V port.
You can recharge your power station with the use of solar panels.
This combo pack gives you the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel to team up with your Explorer 300.
It makes outdoor life so much easier when you can harness the sun to recharge your power station.
Perfect when you are deep in the outdoors, this solar panel is portable and folds up for easy carrying.
It only weighs 7.1 lbs, so it's effortless to bring along on your hikes.
You can even charge devices directly from it with 2 USB outputs.
Both these units provide the perfect portable solar power station bundle for your next outdoor adventure.
PROS
- Easy to pack on short trips and hikes
- The ideal combo for portable power and recharging capabilities
CONS
- Won't power any significant devices
↓ New Jackery SolarSaga 60 Wal Panel
The EGO Power+ is a unique portable power station that might be your favorite.
The EGO Power+ PST3000W can do lots of things.
Like the other units above, you can charge all your handheld devices and mini appliances.
That's great for camping and hunting.
What about your off-grid homestead?
If you're working around a bug-out location and have EGO tools, this unit can charge the cordless batteries!
There are four battery stations for charging.
So you can have power to your EGO lawnmower, chainsaw, blower, trimmer, and more.
There are several ports for charging with 4 USBs and three 120VAC outlets.
Also, a nice LED display shows the remaining running time.
It's weather-resistant and has strong steel handles too.
At 34 lbs, it lands somewhere in the middle of these power units.
There are some limitations, like not being able to recharge with solar panels.
PROS
- Great for job sites with cordless battery charging docks
- Long-lasting power for camping and hunting
CONS
- Users report slow charging
- It doesn't come with EGO batteries
- Is not solar panel adaptive
↓ EGO Nexux Power Station Review
The Yeti 3000X is a big boy like the Bluetti. What can the Yeti 3000 do? What can't it?
At home, it can power:
- Fridges
- Internet modems
- Medical devices
- Lights
- All small electronics
Out in the wilderness, it can power:
- Mini appliances
- Drones
- Laptops
- Handheld devices
- Lights
Just about anything that needs charging will get charged with this unit.
That kind of power comes with some weight, though.
It's 78 lbs and is 25 x 23 x 19 inches. You aren't going to pack this along a game trail, but back at camp, there's power to spare.
It includes lots of USB, AC, and 12V plugins for everything you need to charge.
Most users love this portable power unit, but it is cumbersome to take on every trip.
PROS
- Charges everything you take along with you
- Long-lasting capacity for extended trips
CONS
- Heavy to pack but does come with wheels
- More than you need for most shorter trips
↓ Goal Zero Yeti 3000 X Buyers Review
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Decibels: 0dB
- Wattage: 600 Watts
- Charging Type: Solar photovoltaic cells, wall A.C. outlet, or vehicle D.C. outlet
- Capacity: 33Ah
- Plugs/Connectors: 120V Outlets (2), 5V USB Outlets (2), 12V "cigarette lighter" Outlet (1), 12V Accessory Outlets (2)
In recent years, solar charging systems have made an enormous impact.
They've shown up for small direct changing panels to large battery banks.
And Goal Zero may be the most recognized brand out there.
The Yeti 400 is a mid-range battery bank of 33Ah.
This power capacity is large enough to keep small electronics running (up to laptops).
And even run larger appliances for a few hours.
This seems like a small amount of power compared with traditional generators.
And you'd be right, but it also comes with ZERO noise and can be charged via solar panels.
When quiet is at a premium, solar and battery bank systems like the Yeti 400 make an attractive option.
PROS
- Silent
- Charges from solar panels
- Compact
- Lots of plug options
CONS
- Can't run large appliances or vehicles/home
- Expensive
↓ Off Grid Power – Goal Zero Yeti 400 & Boulder 50 Solar Panel
What Is A Power Station Anyway?
A portable power station is a large, efficient, portable battery.
And it’s capable of being recharged via electricity or solar energy.
That means you don’t require any fuel.
It’s what you need to provide power while on the go.
Why? Because it provides mobile AC outlets and USB charging ports.
You can charge laptops, tablets, gaming devices, and smartphones.
Some units can even power appliances, such as:
- Small refrigerators
- Coolers/tent ac units
- Electric blankets/tent heaters
- Small Fans
- Portable toaster ovens
It’s essentially an inverter that converts voltage from direct current to alternating current.
You charge it up before heading out, and you’re good to go.
Most are built to attach a solar panel to charge it while you’re off-grid.
These incredible units are perfect for power outages as well as camping or hunting trips.
You can go adventuring anywhere and bring an available power source with you.
That way, all your devices are fully charged when you need them.
Now that’s plain awesome!
This Nearly Endless Energy Source Could Save Your Life →
This Solar Generator is “Worth Its Weight in Gold" — Safe to Use Inside & Never Needs Gas... Ever!
Who Should Invest In One?
The REAL question is, who shouldn’t own one?
Think about it.
How many times have you been out and your phone died?
It’s inconvenient when you are around town, but it could mean life or death in the wilderness.
Here are just a few examples:
Camping
Most people will bring their smartphones when planning a camping trip for the family.
If kids are coming, they will have tablets and portable gamers, too.
The idea of getting outdoors is to get away from all those electronics, but we live in the real world.
Those devices are coming along.
That’s why bringing one along for camping is quickly becoming a “necessity.”
Power Outages
Even when you are around home, having a reliable power source is a great idea.
When the power is out, you have to fumble around for flashlights and candles, and even those don’t provide enough light.
If the electricity is off for extended periods (due to a storm or EMP), you want to be able to keep your phone charged.
Every home should have backup power for unexpected emergencies, such as when a storm blows through and knocks out the grid.
Survival Situations
If a crisis happens, you must be ready to bug out quickly.
Maybe you have a remote location to head to to keep your family safe.
What if an accident happens in the wilderness, and you need help?
Phones don’t stay charged forever, so it’s vital to have a way to recharge them for the long term.
Solar-capable ones allow you to recharge the unit while charging your devices.
Harness the sun’s power to provide reliable electricity where there is none.
Hunting
Your hunting trips can be for several days.
Sometimes, you extend the trip on the fly, so keeping your smartphone charged up is essential.
The ability to power coolers means you can store food longer for the trip.
Running a tent heater or hand warmer in your shelter is a lifesaver, too.
Most will work in all weather conditions.
So if you bring one with you, there’s power on hand when you need it.
Best Power Station Features To Look For
Let’s review some standard features and extra add-ons you should also get.
A Large Variety of Plugs and Ports
Your power station will come with various plugs and ports for multiple devices.
Electronic devices are with us everywhere we go, and you need a station that can charge them all.
There can be multiple AC plugins to run several items at once.
AC plugs are required because we all still use standard plugs besides USB.
You can power up smaller devices such as:
- phones
- emergency radios
- c-pap machines
- walkie talkies
- tablets/laptops
As well as larger items like:
- mini-fridges
- electric grills
LED Status Screens
Some have LED screens that display the charging and discharging status.
That’s a handy feature to see what juice you have left in the unit.
You can also get built-in LED flashlights.
Solar Panel Compatable
You can attach a compatible solar panel kit to charge your power unit.
There’s nothing quite like tapping into the free energy from the sky.
Portable
Although it’s in the name, I must mention it again: it’s portable!
There’s no running a power cord to make it work.
You charge it up and take it with you.
Depending on the size you get, you can carry it by yourself.
It may take a few people to lug it around for the bigger units, but it’s worth it.
And best of all, you have options for recharging.
The best units will allow you to recharge from a generator, battery, AC outlet, and solar panel.
This Nearly Endless Energy Source Could Save Your Life →
This Solar Generator is “Worth Its Weight in Gold" — Safe to Use Inside & Never Needs Gas... Ever!
Gas-Powered Generators Vs. Solar Ones
We all know about standard generators.
These are the ones that run on fuel.
Gas-powered camping generators produce carbon monoxide and must run outside for safety.
They are noisy and bulky.
They also require regular maintenance to keep operating.
Generators will run for as long as needed, provided you keep putting in gas.
This hassle means you must bring lots of gas wherever you need power.
Taking one of these on a camping trip with smelly gas in your vehicle is impractical.
A portable solar power station doesn’t need regular fuel.
You can fully charge your device before you go on your adventure and plug in your devices when needed.
It will drain the battery, but that’s where the magic happens.
These units can recharge using the sun.
You can plug in compatible solar panels and have free, off-grid electricity.
Think about what is the best option for your situation.
Do you want to haul around a loud gas-powered generator that requires you to bring fuel?
It’s stinky and noisy, and it spews out pollution.
Compare that with a power station that doesn’t make a peep.
Just plug your stuff into it and enjoy toxic-free power.
And recharge it for free when the sun is shining.
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If you are worried about losing power at home or want power on the go, get one of these power stations.
Sure, we “think” we’d like to disconnect from society and go off-grid.
But most of us still need some connection to the real world for:
- news updates
- your smartphone’s camera
- and some modern comforts only a reliable power source can supply
Add one of these portable power stations to your emergency survival plans.
You’ll feel more powerful having one!
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