Quick answer
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is the best portable power station for camping — 288Wh of LiFePO4 at just 8.3 lb, enough to run phones, lights, a camera, and a CPAP for multiple nights on one charge. The EcoFlow River 3 Plus matches that capacity with a 600W inverter (double the Jackery’s) for a few dollars less, and the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the step-up pick for van life or running a 12V fridge. For camping specifically, weight and simplicity matter more than raw watt-hours — the 250-500Wh class is the sweet spot for most trips.
For camping, the best power station isn’t the biggest one — it’s the one light enough to actually pack that still covers your phones, lights, camera batteries, and a CPAP for the trip. The 250-500Wh class hits that balance, and modern LiFePO4 cells mean these little units survive years of hot, cold, dusty weekends. Here are the five we’d throw in the car, plus one bigger pick for van and overland setups.
Our top picks at a glance
| Model | Best for | Capacity | Weight | AC output | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 300 Plus | Best overall camping | 288Wh | ~8.3 lb | 300W | ~$249 | ★★★★★ |
| EcoFlow River 3 Plus | Best value | 286Wh | ~9.9 lb | 600W | ~$269-299 | ★★★★½ |
| Anker SOLIX C300 | Best for long trips | 288Wh | ~9.3 lb | 300W (600W surge) | ~$199 | ★★★★½ |
| Bluetti EB3A | Best budget | 268Wh | ~10.1 lb | 600W | ~$179 | ★★★★☆ |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | Best for van / overland | 1,070Wh | ~23.8 lb | 1,500W | ~$799 | ★★★★½ |
Camping power by the numbers
- ~10Wh per phone charge, ~30-60Wh per CPAP night, ~5Wh per camp lantern night: the small draws that a 288Wh station covers for days.
- 288Wh: the capacity sweet spot — big enough for a weekend of devices, small enough to carry one-handed.
- Turn the CPAP humidifier OFF: it can triple the machine’s draw. Off, a 288Wh unit runs most CPAPs 3-5 nights.
- ~8-10 lb: the weight of a 300Wh-class station — light enough that the extra capacity is worth it over a bulky power bank.
1. Jackery Explorer 300 Plus — Best Overall for Camping
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh)
- Just 8.3 lb with a proper carry handle — the easiest of the group to pack and move around camp.
- LiFePO4 cells and a clear, simple display; pairs plug-and-play with a Jackery SolarSaga panel.
- Runs phones, a fan, lights, and a CPAP for multiple nights on one charge.
A folding solar panel, spare USB-C cables, and a padded carry case make camping with one of these far nicer — Amazon Prime ships them free in two days, so you can try it free for 30 days before a trip.
The Explorer 300 Plus is the best all-round camping station because it gets the basics exactly right: light, simple, LiFePO4, and easy to recharge from the sun. It’s not the cheapest, but the low weight and Jackery’s foolproof interface make it the one you’ll actually enjoy using. For a weekend of tent or car camping it covers everything short of a fridge.
Editor’s note: Jackery’s own U.S. site no longer lists the Explorer 300 Plus among its current products — it’s been replaced by the Explorer 300 v2, which recharges faster but carries a shorter warranty. The Plus remains in active stock through Amazon and other retailers. See our full Jackery Explorer 300 Plus review for the complete generation comparison before you buy.
2. EcoFlow River 3 Plus — Best Value
EcoFlow River 3 Plus (286Wh)
- A full 600W inverter (1,200W X-Boost) — double the Jackery's, so it runs more demanding gear.
- Expandable to 572Wh with a bolt-on battery for longer trips.
- Fast recharge and a slick app for the money.
The River 3 Plus matches the Jackery on capacity while doubling the AC output and adding expandability, all for a couple of dollars less. It’s slightly heavier and its interface is a touch busier, but on value it’s hard to beat — the best pick if you want the most capability per dollar in the compact class. Read our full EcoFlow River 3 Plus review for the complete breakdown. If 286Wh is still more than you need, the smaller EcoFlow River 3 drops to 245Wh and 300W for around $70-80 less.
3. Anker SOLIX C300 — Best for Long Trips
Anker SOLIX C300 (288Wh)
- A clever retractable LED lantern and dual USB-C ports make it a genuine multi-day camp companion.
- Fast USB-C recharge and Anker's 5-year warranty.
- Often the cheapest 288Wh LiFePO4 unit you can buy.
The C300’s built-in lantern and strong port selection make it the most trip-friendly of the small units, and Anker’s 5-year warranty is the longest here. It’s the pick for longer stretches off-grid where the integrated light and reliable USB-C fast charging earn their keep.
4. Bluetti EB3A — Best Budget
Bluetti EB3A (268Wh)
- The cheapest way into a real LiFePO4 camping station, often under $180 on sale.
- 600W inverter (1,200W Power Lifting) despite the low price.
- Fast wall recharge for a budget unit.
If you just want a dependable little power station for occasional camping and don’t want to spend much, the EB3A is the value floor. It gives up some polish and its app is basic, but you get LiFePO4 chemistry and a 600W inverter for budget-power-bank money. Outgrowing the EB3A’s 268Wh on longer trips? Bluetti’s own AC70 nearly triples that capacity to 768Wh with a faster 1,000W inverter, for a mid-size step up before jumping to a full 1kWh station. Want a wider comparison of every real-LiFePO4 unit under $300, not just this one? See our best budget portable power station picks.
5. Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 — Best for Van / Overland
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1,070Wh)
- Enough capacity to run a 12V fridge, fans, and devices for a full day of van life.
- 1,500W inverter (3,000W surge) covers small appliances a camp unit can't.
- Still portable at ~23.8 lb and pairs with SolarSaga panels for a solar generator.
When a 288Wh unit isn’t enough — a 12V fridge, longer stays, or running an appliance — step up to the Explorer 1000 v2. It’s our overall best power station runner-up, and for van and overland setups the extra capacity is transformative. Add a solar panel and it becomes a true off-grid solar generator.
How to choose a camping power station
- Weight matters more than capacity: for tent/car camping, pick the lightest unit that covers your devices — a 288Wh station you’ll actually carry beats a 1kWh one that stays in the trunk.
- Match output to your gear: phones and lights need almost nothing; a small appliance needs a 600W+ inverter and a surge headroom check.
- Get LiFePO4: it survives temperature swings and years of trips.
- Plan for solar: a small folding panel turns a weekend unit into unlimited off-grid power.
- Van/RV? Go bigger: running a 12V fridge means 1,000Wh and up.
Not sure which capacity tier fits your gear list? Our power station sizing guide walks through the watt-hour math device by device. Living in an RV full-time or need shore-power backup rather than a grab-and-go unit? See our dedicated best RV power station picks instead.
The bottom line
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is the best camping power station for most people — light, simple, and long-lived. The EcoFlow River 3 Plus is the value pick, the Anker SOLIX C300 is best for long trips thanks to its lantern and warranty, the Bluetti EB3A is the budget floor, and the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the one for van and overland life. Curious how that Jackery stacks up against a rugged rival? See our Goal Zero vs Jackery breakdown.