Best Portable Battery Pack for Camping
In recent years, the proliferation of portable battery chargers or power banks has made it such that venturing into the great outdoors does not always entail going off the grid. If it starts to rain, giving the youngsters an iPad that has been charged will keep them busy until the storm passes.
While a whirling fan or a refreshing drink from a mini-fridge makes all the difference on hot summer evenings spent under canvas, nothing beats the comfort of a blanket. After all, in a time of crisis, having a phone that works properly might be a matter of life and death.
However, which one should you pick? The following is a compilation of the best portable battery pack for camping that we could find. We have everything you could want, whether it be a simple solution for your phone, a method for charging many different mobile devices at the same time, or a more powerful alternative for your bigger home appliances.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Portable Battery Pack for Camping
Battery Capacity
There are a lot of factors, like the quantity and kind of gadgets you intend to charge. The length of time you’ll be away from civilization. And the availability of a charging station. These factors will determine the capacity of the portable battery pack for camping that you will need.
Disposable Options
The only things you’ll need are a USB-A charger and a compatible cord to power up your phone. If you require a power bank to run an air pump or laptop computer, you should only consider purchasing the best portable battery pack for camping.
Voltage
Determine what devices you need to bring along on your camping trip and how much juice they will need before you buy the best portable battery pack for camping. Compared to a laptop, CPAP machine, or electric chiller, a phone only needs a small amount of voltage and will use a relatively small amount of milliamp hours (mAh).
Portability
Given that most car campers have little room in which to keep gadgets, I prioritized mobility when selecting the best portable battery pack for camping, which I evaluated for this review. Unless you need to charge a medical gadget, most campers can get by with a smaller power bank at first and can scale up as they learn more about how much juice they’ll need.
To make sure you never have a power outage while camping again, I have evaluated many of the best portable battery pack for camping available today.
Ultimate Winner: The Anker 511 Portable Power Station.
Features I Love the Most: The Scosche PowerUp 32K.
Ideal for Use on Mobile Devices: The BioLite Charge 40 PD.
Optimal for Appliances: The PLB40 from Dometic.
The best Cheap Option: The Mophie Powerstation.
Anker 511 Portable Power Station
Identifying Characteristics
- The item weighs a mere 1. 9 pounds.
- The total capacity of the battery pack is 27,000 mAh.
- Input power up to 100W
- Includes a power cord, two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a standard USB port.
- One USB-C to C cable and one USB-A to C cable are included in the box. (there’s also a 45W USB-C wall charger in the package).
- LED light built right in
Pros
- The ability to charge devices via an AC outlet expands the versatility of this power bank beyond its USB-A and USB-C connectors.
- The included wall charger allows for rapid recharging.
- There is a built-in flashlight.
- Comparable in size to a standard paperback
Cons
- Scosche PowerUp 32K’s display was more user-friendly.
Scosche PowerUp 32K
Identifying Characteristics
- Amount of weight: 2.2 pounds.
- 32,000 mAh capacity for the internal battery.
- Accepts inputs as high as 100 watts of power.
- Dual USB-A ports, a single USB-C connector, and a power supply jack.
- Just one USB-C to C cable is supplied (which includes a 20W USB-C wall charger).
- There is a built-in flashlight.
Pros
- A simple display indicates the remaining AC outlet power.
- Extensive and imposing flashlight.
- Simple grip design.
Cons
- Bigger and costlier than the Anker 511.
- Only one test device at a time could be powered
BioLite Charge 40 PD
Identifying Characteristics
- The item weighs a mere 9.4 pounds.
- Power source: 10,000 mAh battery
- An output of up to 18W is possible.
- Inputs include a pair of USB-A ports and a USB-C connection.
- The package includes one USB-C to A cable.
- Additionally, there is a model with 6,000mAh Charge 20 PD as well as a variant with 20,000mAh Charge 80 PD
Pros
- Output more energy than the Goal Zero Venture 35 and the Mophie Powerstation.
- Budget-friendly.
- Because of its compact design, it is suitable for use in a backpack.
Cons
- One ounce heavier than my top recommendation in the cheap category.
PLB40 from Dometic
Identifying Characteristics
- The item weighs 16.1 pounds.
- Battery capacity: 40,000 mAH
- Producing up to 180W of power
- Features a cigarette lighter, a 2-pin 12V DC port, and two USB-A ports.
- ACDC charging cable, DC extension cable (cigarette plug), and Anderson connection is all included.
Pros
- High-capacity rechargeable battery built-in
- A handhold makes it simple to transport
- Countless opportunities for recharging
Cons
- No AC sockets
- Superfluous
- Pricey
Mophie Powerstation
Identifying Characteristics
- Amount of weight: 8.5 ounces.
- 10,000 mAh capacity for the battery pack inside.
- At most, 18W can be pumped out.
- It has two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C).
- One USB-C to A cable is included.
- There’s also a 5,000mAh tiny and a 20,000mAh XXL model.
Pros
- Its compact design makes it ideal for carrying in a backpack.
- Reasonably priced.
Cons
- Only one USB-A port, which is one less than the BioLite Charge 40 PD.
FAQ’s
What is the going rate for portable camping power packs?
Camping power banks range in price from $50 to well over $1,000, with the higher end being associated with larger internal batteries and higher maximum wattage output. Additional features, such as waterproofing, lighting, and electronic displays, might also alter the final price.
Which is better for camping, a 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh battery pack?
When choosing a Portable Battery Pack for Camping you should know that Battery capacity is often expressed in milliampere hours (mAh). If a battery has a greater milliampere-hour rating, it will be able to provide more power for a longer time. Between 3,000 and 5,000 mAh is required to completely charge a smartphone. The price difference between power banks with 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh for camping is significant, so it’s important to carefully weigh your demands before making a purchase.
A battery of 10,000 mAh can usually power a smartphone for several full charges. This is probably plenty if you’re going away for the weekend and aren’t intending to watch a movie on your iPad. You can save battery life by switching your phone to airplane mode if you’re going someplace without cell phone service.
What is the best way to keep electrical devices powered when camping?
Bringing a power bank is a convenient method to keep your gadgets charged while camping. But only if you remember to bring the appropriate charging cables and check that the battery pack’s voltage and capacity are enough for your devices.
The usage of a battery pack to operate a CPAP machine at night necessitates this precaution. When spending more than a weekend in the great outdoors, many campers combine solar panels with portable power banks to keep their gadgets charged.
You can also read: Portable Toilet for Camping
Meet Sarah, a passionate traveler and camping enthusiast who loves to explore the great outdoors. With years of exploring, she has become an expert in testing and reviewing the best tents on the market which got her to start mytravelingtents.com. Her insightful reviews provide valuable information to fellow adventurers looking for the perfect tent for their next camping trip.