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The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus is the best portable power station for camping for most trips. It pairs 1,024 Wh with up to 1,000 W of solar input, so it refills at camp. For car camping with a kettle or cooker, pick the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2. For a weekend in a tent, the 9.5 lb Bluetti Elite 30 V2 covers phones, lights and small appliances.
| Spec | EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus | Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | Bluetti Elite 30 V2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh) | 1024 | 1024 | 1024 | 288 |
| AC output, continuous (W) | 1800 | 2000 | 1500 | 600 |
| AC charge time | 56 min | 49 min (UltraFast) | 50 min (Emergency, app) | About 70 min |
| Max solar input (W) | 1000 | 600 | 400 | 200 |
| Weight (lb) | 27.6 | 24.9 | 23.8 | 9.5 |
| Warranty (years) | 5 | 5 | 3 + 2 with registration | 5 |
| Price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
What you'll power at camp
Small loads, plus the odd big one
Most camping loads are small: phones, LED lights, a laptop, a fan or a CPAP. Cooking is the exception. A kettle, coffee maker or induction plate needs a station whose continuous output is above the appliance's rated watts.
| Load | Typical draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LED lights | About 10 W | String lights or a lantern |
| Laptop | About 60 W | Use USB-C where you can |
| CPAP, no humidifier | About 11 W | On DC |
| Kettle or cooker | Check the label | Needs high AC output |
Plug your own gear into the runtime calculator, or see watts vs watt-hours if the units are new.
How much capacity you need
Size for trip length and how far you carry it
- Weekend in a tent (about 300 Wh): phones, lights and a laptop charge or two.
- Car camping or a week (about 1 kWh): more devices, a CPAP, and short bursts of cooking.
- Longer stays: a 1 kWh station plus solar, so it refills each day.
| Station | Capacity | Weight | LED lights (10 W) | Laptop (60 W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh | 27.6 lb | About 94 hours | About 12.7 hours |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024 Wh | 24.9 lb | About 94 hours | About 12.7 hours |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,024 Wh | 23.8 lb | About 94 hours | About 12.7 hours |
| Bluetti Elite 30 V2 | 288 Wh | 9.5 lb | About 26 hours | About 3.5 hours |
Lights are on DC at 92% efficiency. The laptop is on AC at 85% efficiency plus 10 W of idle draw.
How we chose
Camping criteria, scored from published specs
We picked from stations we've reviewed in full. For camping, we weighted weight, capacity, solar input, AC output, battery chemistry and warranty. Each station has an OffGrid Current rating out of 10, computed from its specs. The weights are on how we test. We haven't tested these units hands-on, and we don't rank by price.
Best overall: EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
Fast solar refills for longer trips
Best overall
EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
The Delta 3 Plus is the pick if you stay out for days. Its solar input is the highest of the four, so a good panel setup can keep it topped up at camp.
Pros
- Up to 1,000 W solar input across two ports
- Recharges from the wall in about 56 minutes before you leave
- LiFePO4 battery, 4,000 cycles to 80%
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- 27.6 lb, the heaviest pick here
- 1,800 W continuous, less than the C1000 Gen 2
Best for car camping: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Enough output to cook, light enough to load
Best for car camping
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
The C1000 Gen 2 has the most output of the four, which matters if you want a kettle or cooker at camp. It's also lighter than the Delta 3 Plus.
Pros
- 2,000 W continuous, 3,000 W surge
- 24.9 lb
- About 49 minutes to recharge from the wall
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- 600 W solar input
- Not expandable
Lightest 1 kWh: Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
The lightest 1 kWh station we've reviewed
Lightest 1 kWh
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
If you carry your station any distance, every pound counts. The Explorer 1000 v2 trades solar input and output for the lowest weight at this size.
Pros
- 23.8 lb for 1,024 Wh
- 1,500 W continuous
- 10 ms switchover for home use too
Cons
- 400 W solar input
- Rated 5.7/10
- Warranty is 3 years, plus 2 with registration
Best for weekend trips: Bluetti Elite 30 V2
9.5 lb for a weekend in a tent
Best for weekend trips
Bluetti Elite 30 V2
For a weekend in a tent, the Elite 30 V2 covers the basics with more output and a longer-lasting battery than older small stations. It's quiet at night, rated under 30 dB.
Pros
- 9.5 lb
- 600 W runs small appliances
- Full recharge in about 70 minutes from the wall
- 200 W solar input
- LiFePO4, 5-year warranty
Cons
- 288 Wh won't run a kettle for long
- Can't take extra batteries
What to look for
The specs that matter at camp
- Weight: compare pounds per watt-hour if you carry it from the car.
- Solar input: decides how long you can stay out. See solar panel sizing and solar generator vs power station.
- AC output: must be above your cooking appliance's rated watts.
- Battery: LiFePO4 lasts more cycles. See LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion.
- Weather: keep the station dry and shaded. See how to store a power station between trips.
Also considered
Good stations that missed a top spot
- EcoFlow River 3 Plus: 286 Wh and 600 W in 10.4 lb, and it expands to 858 Wh, but it rates 7.1 against the Elite 30 V2's 7.8.
- EcoFlow Delta 3: same 1,024 Wh as the Delta 3 Plus, with 500 W solar input.
- Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus: 1,264 Wh, but 32 lb.
- Bluetti AC180: 1,152 Wh, but 35.3 lb.
- Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 and Bluetti Elite 200 V2: about 2 kWh for group or base camps, but 41.5 lb and 53.4 lb.
- Jackery Explorer 300: 7.1 lb for phones and lights, but 300 W and an older NMC battery.
- Anker SOLIX C300 DC: USB-C and 12 V only, for laptops and phones.
Want the lightest options? See the best small portable power stations. Camping with a CPAP? See the best portable power station for CPAP. Travelling by RV or van? See the best portable power station for RV.
For every use, see our best portable power stations overview.
FAQ
What size power station do I need for camping?
About 300 Wh covers a weekend of phones and lights. About 1 kWh covers a week of small loads, a CPAP or some cooking.
Can a power station run a kettle or coffee maker?
Yes, if its continuous AC output is above the appliance's rated watts. The C1000 Gen 2's 2,000 W covers more appliances than the others here.
How long will a power station run LED lights?
A 1,024 Wh station runs 10 W of LED lights for about 94 hours on DC. A 293 Wh station runs them for about 27 hours.
Can I recharge a power station with solar at camp?
Yes. All four picks accept solar. The Delta 3 Plus takes the most, up to 1,000 W.
Is Jackery or Anker better for camping?
The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 has more output and a higher rating. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is lighter. See Anker SOLIX vs EcoFlow and EcoFlow vs Jackery for brand comparisons.
