Best 5 Power Banks for Camping

Camping · Portable Power ·
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Best 5 Power Banks for Camping
For outdoor enthusiasts, compact and portable power banks can go a long way in charging camping appliances. Read Jackery's guide to learn about the 5 best power banks for camping, including Jackery Explorer 240 v2, Explorer 300 Plus, Explorer 500, Explorer 600 Plus, and Explorer 1000 Plus.
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Nearly every gadget — from smartphones to headlamps — comes with a built-in rechargeable battery. For this reason, they are easier to charge using solar generators or power banks for camping. When traveling, these portable power stations or banks offer an on-the-go charging experience that eliminates the worry of hunting for electrical outlets.

Jackery offers lightweight, durable, and easy-to-use power stations available in different sizes and capacities. Jackery Explorer 500, for example, has a battery capacity of 518Wh to charge small camping appliances like camping lights, smart speakers, drones, cameras, smartphones, and more when you stay away from the grid. 

What Is Power Bank for Camping?

The core aim of a power bank for camping is to recharge battery-powered electronics when you're away from the electrical supply. It is small enough to fit in your backpack and charge various appliances like cell phones, tablets, etc. They are available in multiple sizes and shapes, ideal for traveling, off-grid trips, and other outdoor activities.

While power banks are great for camping, solar chargers are becoming widely popular among campers. They can be charged using solar panels to keep devices powered throughout the trip. While power banks and solar chargers do the same thing, many campers prefer the latter — due to its versatility and high capacity.

Why You Need A Power Bank for Camping?

You'll carry some electrical appliances while camping, and the power required to charge them can be a paramount concern. Luckily, power banks for camping are designed to supply necessary off-grid energy to the appliances.

Convenience: A portable power station lets you conveniently charge most camping appliances without worrying about finding electrical outlets. It's lightweight in nature, making it much easier when living off-grid.

Versatility: Investing in a small capacity power station not only helps you power smaller appliances like lights and fans but also acts as a backup energy when the main grid fails.

Economical: Power stations are available in different sizes, making them affordable for people with varying budgets. They are also durable and highly efficient, ensuring you can keep powering devices for years to come.

How Does A Power Bank for Camping Work?

A portable power station typically consists of a built-in battery, input and output ports, and control circuits for regulating electricity flow. You can charge the power bank camping using the electricity outlet and then use the stored power for appliance charging.

If you have a solar power station, it generally combines solar panels and a power station. The electricity generated using the solar panels is stored in the battery backup to supply stable electricity to the electrical devices.

how does a power bank for camping work

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Camping

When it comes to generating safe and stable electricity for outdoor camping appliances, you can rely on Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations. You can plug devices into the output ports to charge appliances anytime and anywhere. Connecting them with foldable Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels allows you to recharge these lightweight batteries and start powering devices again.

Jackery Explorer 500

Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station can charge low to high-power-consuming appliances with its 518Wh battery capacity. It has a foldable handle and an ergonomic design, which makes the power station ideal for outdoor adventures like camping.

The compact and lightweight portable power station features 1*AC outlet, 1*carport, 2*DC ports, and 3*USB-A ports to charge mini refrigerators, TV, CPAP machines, and other small electrical devices. With Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can fully charge the power station in only 9 hours.

jackery explorer 500 power station

Customer Review

Really impressed with this unit. Can run LED lights in the tent all night and only drain a few percent. Take power tools out in the bush. It held up well in cold weather as well. — Tim.

Jackery Explorer 600 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus Portable Power Station is the ultimate portable power solution for those planning camping trips with family or friends. It is a lightweight, durable, and powerful power station that can charge most of the camping appliances such as coolers, mini fridges, phones, etc. It features a foldable handle and ergonomic design that adds to the overall portability.

jackery explorer 300 power station

Customer Review

“My new Jackery Explorer 600 Plus + SolarSaga 100 x 1 works great for setting up my telescope, cooled camera, and laptop in remote dark sky locations. It provides all the power I need to get me through long night astrophotography sessions. The solar panels top off the Explorer during the day if I don't get back to an AC power source.” — Chris Moore.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus has a large battery capacity of 1264Wh and multiple output ports that can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The industrial-grade quiet power station is lightweight and compact in nature, which makes it an optimum choice for outdoor activities like multi-day camping with family or friends.

jackery explorer 300 plus power station

Besides larger capacities like Explorer 500 and 1000 Plus, Jackery offers Jackery Explorer 240 v2, 300 Plus, and 600 Plus Portable Power Stations. They are lightweight and can be carried out without any hassle. Below, we will reveal the battery capacity, noise level, lifespan, and working hours of different Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations.

Series

Capacity

Noise Level

Lifespan

Camping Appliances

Explorer 240 v2

256Wh

42dB

3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity

 

Camping Lights (5W): 43.5H

Drone (90W): 2.4H

Camera (9W): 24.1H

Mobile Phone (30W): 7.2H

Smart Speaker (10W): 21.7H

Electric Blanket (55W): 3.9H

CPAP (30W): 7.2H

Explorer 500

518Wh

37.9dB

500 cycles to 80%+ capacity

Camping Lights (5W): 88H

Drone (90W): 5H

Camera (9W): 49H

Mobile Phone (30W): 14.6H

Smart Speaker (10W): 4H

Electric Blanket (55W): 8H

CPAP (30W): 14.6H

Explorer 300 Plus

288Wh

Less than 45dB

3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity

Camping Lights (5W): 49H

Drone (90W): 2.7H

Camera (9W): 27H

Mobile Phone (30W): 8.1H

Smart Speaker (10W): 24H

Electric Blanket (55W): 4.5H

CPAP (30W): 8.1H

Explorer 600 Plus

632Wh

30dB

4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity

 

Camping Lights (5W): 107.4H

Drone (90W): 5.9H

Camera (9W): 59.6H

Mobile Phone (30W): 17.9H

Smart Speaker (10W): 53.7H

Electric Blanket (55W): 9.7H

CPAP (30W): 17.9H

Explorer 1000 Plus

1264Wh

30dB

 

 

4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity

Camping Lights (5W): 214.8H

Drone (90W): 11.9H

Camera (9W): 119.3H

Mobile Phone (30W): 35.8H

Smart Speaker (10W): 107.4H

Electric Blanket (55W): 19.5H

CPAP (30W): 35.8H


How to Choose The Power Bank for Camping?

Portable camping power banks allow you to stay off the grid for longer and more comfortably. However, there are a lot of power banks available in the market, making it challenging to pick the best power bank for camping. Here are a few important factors you'll need to check before finalizing the right solar power bank.

Power Output

The factor will directly affect the size of the solar generator. If you want a power station to charge smaller appliances like GPS devices, laptops, tablets, and cell phones, a less-capacity battery backup will work great. Alternatively, those wanting to charge larger appliances like TVs, coolers, or fans need a battery backup with a larger power output.

Battery Capacity

The more devices you want to charge simultaneously or the longer you're planning to stay, the higher the battery capacity you'll need. For shorter camping trips, you can consider smaller power stations like Jackery Explorer 300 Plus. For multi-day trips or to charge power-consuming appliances, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus might make more sense.

Size & Weight

The size and weight will typically vary depending on how much power output or battery capacity you choose. If a battery pack is smaller, it probably has less power capacity and produces low output. If you want to select a lightweight solar charger with high power capacity, you may consider Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations.

Power Bank for Camping FAQs

How big of a power bank do I need for camping?

Many portable and small power banks are available in different sizes to meet the requirements of various campers. Jackery offers a wide range of solar power stations that combine utility and portability.

Here is an example to calculate the working hours of the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station, assuming your camping power requirements are around 200 watts.

Here is an example to calculate the working hours of the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station, assuming your camping power requirements are around 200 watts.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Operating wattage of the camping devices = 1264Wh * 0.85 / 200W = 5.3H.

How do you charge electronics while camping?

If you need to charge electronics during camping, it's best to take a battery backup, a small solar generator, or a power bank. The best among them is a solar generator that combines a power station and a few solar panels to collect, convert, and store energy for later use.

How long does a camping power bank last?

The lifespan of a camping power bank will depend on the battery type, manufacturer, materials used, and more. Jackery is a renowned solar brand that manufactures high-quality, long-lasting lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries.

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus has a LiFePO4 battery with a durable 10-year lifespan.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning to head on a backpacking or camping trip with multiple electrical gadgets, a power bank for camping is all you need. It's a small, lightweight, and portable solar charging solution to charge your camping devices for long hours.

Campers looking to enjoy their camping trip without giving up on essential appliances might benefit from Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. It weighs only 8.27 lbs and is compatible with book-sized, foldable Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels.

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