Why should you buy a portable power station?

Bring big backup power with you with these expert-recommended portable power stations, which can store enough power to charge electronics, appliances, and more.

Do portable power stations make camping better?

A good portable power station makes camping better. These devices power lights, phones, and small appliances when you’re outdoors. We spent three months testing power stations to find the best portable power stations for camping. We tested 30 portable power stations over 12 camping trips.

What is the best portable power station?

Editor’s Note: We updated our Portable Power Stations guide on June 6, 2025, to add the EcoFlow River 3 Plus, our new best budget choice; the Anker C300 DC, our choice for best backpack power station; the workhorse Bluetti Elite 200 V2; Bluetti’s pro-photographer-centric Handsfree 2 Backpack, and the extra-portable Bouge RV JuiceGo.

What accessories do you need for a portable power station?

One of the most common accessories is going to be a cord to connect to similar power stations in series, often times doubling your power output. Some portable power stations have a light bar built into the housing, which is useful for seeing at night. Anker’s Solix C300 also includes a pop-up camping light.

Are portable power stations safe?

Portable power stations offer a safe, quiet, and eco-friendly alternative to gas generators. They’re invaluable during blackouts, natural disasters, or off-grid adventures. With multiple output types, they charge everything from smartphones to refrigerators. Are portable power stations a good choice for solar panels? Yes.

Are portable power stations expensive?

Updated June 2025: We’ve added a Bluetti model, honorable mentions from EcoFlow and Acer, and a testing and FAQ section. Portable power stations can be very expensive, but discounts, sales, and deals are common. If you can afford to wait, you can likely get your chosen power station for less than the listed MSRP. Figure out how much power you need.