How to Pick the Best Portable Power Station For Camping

A power station is a camping staple. From cooking food to charging phones and providing light, it’s an essential item to keep you safe and ensure an enjoyable trip. 

1) Determine How Much Power Will be Needed

When looking for the best budget portable power station, you first need to figure out how much power you’ll need. Choosing the right portable power supply will all come down to a few key factors that are listed below and the lifestyle you want to live. 

2) Cost vs. Portability

Those who enjoy camping for long periods of time may need a generator with a lot of power at a higher price, but for the typical 9-5 worker who simply goes off the grid for a few days a year, a more affordable option can be considered. 

Additionally, you’ll need to consider how mobile you’ll be while camping. If you’re constantly on the move, a smaller generator will be the better option, as it’s near impossible to carry a 45lb+ generator plus all your other gear. However, if you plan to stay put and connect it to your RV, a more significant generator can suit your needs and give you all the power you need. 

3) Recreational vs. High-Capacity Generator Purposes

Another aspect to consider is if the power generator will be used for simply recreational purposes or if it will be used for those who actually want to live off the grid for a longer time. 

If you’re working remotely and your job is reliant on a strong energy source, it’s better to invest in a high-capacity outdoor generator that will be reliable. On the other hand, if you’re simply going on a small summer trip and know you’ll be back home in a few days, you can go for a more affordable option that will still work well but doesn’t need to be the highest-end generator.

4) Battery Capacity

A portable power generator converts chemical energy into electrical energy, and the battery capacity is a critical feature to consider when looking for a portable power station. The output capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh), which tells you how much energy the battery has, indicating to you how long the battery generator will last on your trip. 

5) Input vs. Output

You should also consider the unit’s total AC output when looking for a portable power station. This is measured in watts, and the number will determine the max energy load the battery generator can handle, which means that all of the devices connected to the power supply can’t exceed the output amount. 

For instance, a 500W AC power batter could handle charging a tablet and a phone easily. However, it wouldn’t be able to handle a 900W microwave on your trip. The higher the AC output number, the more hours you’ll have to charge your devices on your trip. 

Regarding input, battery generators typically have a wide array of ports and outlets you can use to charge your devices. You’ll typically find an AC outlet, which is similar to an outlet you’d have at home, and some USB-C and USB-A ports, which can charge your tech devices and transfer data and power. Finally, there may be some additional features added to your generators, such as having solar panels to help them recharge or the ability to recharge via a car socket. 

How Can You Calculate Power Usage for Your Trip? 

Before going on your trip, you may want to do some small calculations to determine precisely how much power you’ll need. The first thing you’ll need to determine is exactly what items you’ll need to charge. Will you need things that need more battery power, like a microwave, or items that require less charge, like a phone?

Make a list of all the items you’ll need while camping for outdoor or emergency use, and then total the required wattage for all devices. Then, multiply that number by the number of hours you think you’ll use them continuously. This gives you the total capacity of a portable power generator you’ll need for your trip.

Watts Required x Hours of Usage = Total Capacity

Shop the Best Budget Power Stations At AUKEY

Are you ready for your next big camping trip? Stay safe and get a reliable power source at an affordable price when you’re off the grid. Check out some of AUKEY’s best budget portable power stations for short and long adventures.