#10 Best Portable Power Stations for Van Life 2023
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👤 Written by: | L. W. R. Ulla |
⏳ Updated on: | |
📋 List: | 10 items |
👀 Reader: | 44 views |
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A portable charger is essential for anyone who wants to spend their days and days on van life experience. Whether they’re a weekend warrior or a full-time van camper, a portable charger is the real game-changer in every aspect. This fact is more emphasized if, in fact, your camper van conversion contains a 12-volt portable fridge, LED lights, and a water pump. Undoubtedly, a dependable power source is urgently needed.
Installing a full electrical system in your camper van may be overkill for you, in which case a portable solar generator may be the perfect solution. You don’t need to know anything about electricity to keep your appliances running all day long, even if you’re not connected to the grid. Here in this article, we have raveled all the best portable power stations for van life. Keep reading!
Table of contents
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1.FF FLASHFISH 330W Portable Power Station: 151Wh (40800mAh) compact station
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2.Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station: 1002Wh (46.4Ah) Lithium Battery Capacity
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3.Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station: Charged to 80% in Only 2 Hours
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4.EF ECOFLOW DELTA 1260 Portable Power Station: Charge From 0%-80% Within 1 Hour
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5.MAXOAK EB240 Portable Power Station: 0-80% Within 10 Hours in Solarpanel
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6.Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station: 33ah Lead Acid Batteries for Longer Runtimes
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7.BLUETTI AC50S Portable Power Station: 120w Solar Panel & Foldable Design
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8.Generark Geneverse HomePower ONE: 1,002wh (278,400mah) Long-lasting Capacity
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9.Anker A1750 Portable Generator: Recharges 4.9 Hours with 240w Power Flow
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10.Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core Portable Power Station: 983 Watt Hour Battery and 1,200-watt Inverte
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Cant find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our Q&A community.
What are the components included in a portable power stations?
In a summary, a portable solar generator comprises:
- A battery is used to retain electricity use when it is not being charged
- A battery charger for charging the battery from the wall outlet
- A battery monitor to verify the charging status of the battery
- A charge controller – to manage the solar energy so that the battery can be safely charged
- Wiring and cabling — so that you do not have to connect all the components
- An inverter – so you can charge household equipment that requires 110v or 240v AC electricity
What to look for in the best portable power stations for van life?
- Battery Capacity
The battery capacity measures power in Watt Hours (Wh). Many items’ names mention their capacity but check the tech specs to be sure. Wh indicates how long portable power stations endure, depending on use. - Power Rating
Power rating (in Watts) is your portable power station’s maximum output. The onboard power inverter does this. A greater number suggests your power station is more powerful, so you can run blenders or coffee machines. - Charge Time
On a road trip, it’s helpful to have a portable power station that charges quickly. Depending on the power supply, a portable power station can charge in 1 hour or longer. How you charge (more on that below) - Portability
Portability is crucial for a portable power station. So, make sure to examine the size and weight of several products to pick the most convenient. - Outlet Ports
Check the available portable power station outlet ports. What’s the AC outlet count? Do your electronics need USB-C? A DC outlet? Know that the best power stations provide the right number and variant ports for your needs.
What's the difference between Power Station vs Power Generator?
Portable power stations are replacing traditional generators, but both types of devices are still in use. Generators can use gasoline or propane as fuel to make electricity and they are used to supply a lot of electricity. However, the downside is that they are challenging to use, bulky, and can’t power portable electronics like cell phones.
On the other hand, portable power sources make low noise and are practically cost-free to use. Many only require a few hours of plugged-in time to fully recharge. They are small, easy to move around with one arm, and perfect for gadgets. These are perfect for camping vacations so that you can keep your little appliances running and all of your electronics charged.
What's the average cost for the best portable power stations for van life?
In this list, we have gathered all the best portable power stations for camping according to their specs profile, pro, and cons, as well as the customers’ feedback and experts’ reviews. From all the products listed, generally, the prices are divided between about $500 and up to $1000.
Some of the high-end products with premium capacity are Yeti 1000 Core Portable Power Station by Goal Zero, Geneverse HomePower ONE by Generark, Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station by Jackery, etc.
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
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FF FLASHFISH
330W Portable Power Station | #1 | Amazon Walmart.com eBay |
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Jackery
Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station | #2 | Amazon Jackery.com eBay |
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Jackery
Explorer 300 Portable Power Station | #3 | Amazon Jackery.com eBay |
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EF ECOFLOW
DELTA 1260 Portable Power Station | #4 | Amazon Us.ecoflow.com eBay |
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MAXOAK
EB240 Portable Power Station | #5 | Amazon Maxoak.net eBay |
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Goal Zero
Yeti 400 Portable Power Station | #6 | Amazon Goalzero.com eBay |
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BLUETTI
AC50S Portable Power Station | #7 | Amazon Bluettipower.com eBay |
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Generark
Geneverse HomePower ONE | #8 | Amazon Geneverse.com eBay |
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Anker
A1750 Portable Generator | #9 | Amazon Walmart.com eBay |
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Goal Zero
Yeti 1000 Core Portable Power Station | #10 | Amazon Goalzero.com eBay |
10 List of Best Portable Power Stations for Van Life
- Have a problem
with this product?#1FF FLASHFISH 330W Portable Power Station
151Wh (40800mAh) compact station
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:This portable power station, the FF FlashFish 200W Portable Power Station E200, is a great value and a great size for any outdoor adventure, including van life. You can always see how much power is being used and how much battery life is remaining thanks to the multifunction LCD display.
There are numerous safety precautions built that make this item a perfect portable van power station, such as protection against short circuits and overloading as well as temperature overheating. Power stations can be charged via a solar panel, a traditional AC wall connector, or a car charger. It’s also worth noting that there won’t be any memory effect, so your battery capacity will not “fade” or decrease.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Breakthroughs to safety protection
Low-cost but high-quality
LED display screenCons (reasons to avoid)
While charging, some ports are inaccessibleWhat other experts liked
This product is great, especially for the price. I couldn't find anything massive that didn't go up in price a lot.What other experts didn't like
Some ports can't be used while the unit is charging, which is something I'd change about this power supply. - Have a problem
with this product?#2Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
1002Wh (46.4Ah) Lithium Battery Capacity
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Easy enough to carry and having more power than its tiny size is Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station. A perfect mate for your van life experience. As one of the best portable power stations for van life, you will love how easy it is to read the screen, which shows how many watts are going in and out and how much power is left. Plus, it has more output ports—three AC, two USB-A, and two USB-C—than almost any portable power station on the market, so you can charge a wide range of devices, from laptops to cameras to GPS units.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Easy to operate and durable
Very little to no noise machine
More AC, USB-A, and USB-C portsCons (reasons to avoid)
Expensive cost
Inconvenience manual switchesWhat other experts liked
A solar-powered powerhouse, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station will keep you charged and prepared for days.What other experts didn't like
It has a slower charging rate at a maximum input of 200W. - Have a problem
with this product?#3Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
Charged to 80% in Only 2 Hours
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Jackery Explorer 300 is almost the same as its bigger, more powerful sibling. It weighs only 7 pounds and has two AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port, which is more than most other lightweight options we tried. What’s best? It only takes 2 hours to charge 80% of the power station’s battery through both the wall plug and the 60W PD USB-C port. Even better, it can also be charged in a power station with an AC adapter at home, or a car outlet while you’re on the road!
Pros (reasons to buy)
Compact in size and light in weight
Excellent AC inverter efficiency
Chargeable via USB portCons (reasons to avoid)
No flashlightWhat other experts liked
Despite its compactness, the Jackery Explorer 300 has a large battery. This portable power station is tiny without sacrificing connections or functionality, and it charges via USB-C.What other experts didn't like
I sometimes wish it had a bigger battery than its 293 Wh to make it last longer, but that would defeat the purpose of making it small, light, and cheap. - Have a problem
with this product?#4EF ECOFLOW DELTA 1260 Portable Power Station
Charge From 0%-80% Within 1 Hour
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:There are four different sizes in the DELTA line from EF ECOFLOW. They are the Delta Mini (1400W), the Delta (1800W), the Delta Max (3400W), and the Delta Pro (3600W). Even the Mini has a pretty high power rating, and up to 12 devices can be charged at the same time. That electricity power makes it one of the best portable power stations for van life. Since these portable power stations are among the portable power stations that charge the fastest in the world. With the unique MultiCharge feature, you can use an outlet, a smart home panel, and an EV charger at the same time to get speeds of up to 6500W.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Capacity from 3.6kWh up to 25kWh
Able to multi-charge to 6500W charge
EcoFlow app availableCons (reasons to avoid)
Heavy in weight
Battery life span may be reducedWhat other experts liked
The EcoFlow Delta 1300 Portable Power Station is an item that requires a single investment. For outdoor workers, RV owners, adventurers, and even homeowners, it is ideal.What other experts didn't like
Unfortunately, it looks like the Delta Mini can only be charged by the sun up to 300 watts or by the car charger up to about 100 watts. - Have a problem
with this product?#5MAXOAK EB240 Portable Power Station
0-80% Within 10 Hours in Solarpanel
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Even though it’s neither the lightest nor the smallest portable solar generator on the best portable power stations for the van life list, the EB240 Portable Power Station is a popular choice among those who love to live in their vans. It has a steady output of 1,000 watts and a peak output of 1,200 watts, which makes it a great source of power. Better still, the smart cooling controller will keep your portable van power station from getting too hot when you need it the most. Also, the Maxoak EB240 can be charged using a standard wall plug or up to 500 watts of solar power.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Two-year guarantee
High-capacity, multi-device charger
Smart cooling stabilizerCons (reasons to avoid)
Comparatively heavy solar generators
Slow-chargingWhat other experts liked
It is a really potent tiny indoor generator with an operating capacity of 1,000W and a maximum overflow capability of 1,200W.What other experts didn't like
The Maxoak Bluetti EB240 Power Station is large, cumbersome, and hefty. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station
33ah Lead Acid Batteries for Longer Runtimes
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:People who live in vans and want quality and efficiency but don’t need a lot of extra power often choose this Yeti Goal Zero 400. It has a pure sine wave inverter that can handle 300 watts of continuous power and 600 watts of surge power. Also, it can either have a lead-acid battery or a lithium battery. The best thing about a lead-acid battery is that you can connect several of them together to get a longer run time. This is one of the best portable power stations for van life.
Pros (reasons to buy)
396Wh lead acid battery
600W surge pure-sine wave inverter
2.1A USB ports, 120W 12V ports
Gas-free generator alternativeCons (reasons to avoid)
Limited accessories
Limited 6-month warrantyWhat other experts liked
The Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station is well worth the price because it gives you electricity that you can count on.What other experts didn't like
It doesn't make electricity on its own. Instead, it converts and stores power more like a fancy battery. - Have a problem
with this product?#7BLUETTI AC50S Portable Power Station
120w Solar Panel & Foldable Design
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The next recommendation on the best portable power stations for van life list is Bluetti AC50S 500WH Portable Power Station. For people who travel the country in vans that have been changed or who plan to go camping for a long time, this item is a perfect fit!
What’s more, the 20W Solar Panel is made of high-quality monocrystalline silicon cells, which are 5 percent more efficient than traditional monocrystalline cells. Also, it can be folded up and has a handle, and it only weighs 9.48lbs. Easy to carry around when camping outside. The kickstands make it easy to change the angle for better solar absorption.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Even in poor weather, solar panels work
Long-lasting lithium-ion battery with 10% reserve
Quiet fan for nighttime chargingCons (reasons to avoid)
Undetailed battery indicator
Not included: solar panelsWhat other experts liked
500Wh capacity, an emergency light, Qi charging, and ability to run small appliances make this a powerful pack within Bluetti AC50S.What other experts didn't like
Bluetti has it all except I wish it has longer car charging cable - Have a problem
with this product?#8Generark Geneverse HomePower ONE
1,002wh (278,400mah) Long-lasting Capacity
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The Generark Geneverse HomePower One has a power rating of 1002 Wh and can power your home for up to 7 days on a single charge. Even better, you can charge it from your car port, a regular wall outlet, or a SolarPower ONE solar electric panel. The HomePower One has a total of 8 outputs which let you charge multiple devices at once. It has 3 AC outputs, 1 car outlet, 2 USB-C outputs, 1 USB-A output, and 1 QC 3.0 USB-A output. Once the power station is fully charged, the electricity can last for a whole year — perfect for the portable van power station.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Certified for 52 reliability and safety tests
A 5-year limited warranty
1,002Wh powerful output capacity
3 AC outlets with the pure-sine waveCons (reasons to avoid)
Low efficiency for solar chargeWhat other experts liked
The battery and solar panel are well-made, charge quickly and effectively, and provide a great deal of power.What other experts didn't like
If you're looking for a generator that can power your entire home during a power outage, look elsewhere. - Have a problem
with this product?#9Anker A1750 Portable Generator
Recharges 4.9 Hours with 240w Power Flow
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Anker PowerHouse II 800 may not be able to power your highest-wattage appliances but it is more than capable to hold you okay during your van life experience. This portable van power station actually has a capacity that is virtually as impressive. It offers similar features to the Explorer 1000, including a durable exterior, a lightweight design, a useful display, and output ports (two AC, four USB-A, and two USB-C) that offer a variety of charging alternatives for various devices. Additionally, it is currently roughly $150 less expensive.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Budget-friendly
Light in weight
770W Output topping
18-month warrantyCons (reasons to avoid)
Less USB-C capacity for big devices
Wireless unsupportedWhat other experts liked
What surprised me the most is how quickly the Powerhouse can be charged: in less than 5 hours. Incredible.What other experts didn't like
The power station has a hard rubber top that sticks out, limiting where it may be stored or what can be placed on top of it. - Have a problem
with this product?#10Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core Portable Power Station
983 Watt Hour Battery and 1,200-watt Inverte
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The next solar-powered generator for living in a van is small, light, and packs a lot of power from Goal Zero, Yeti 1000 Core. For its low-draw 12V portable cooler, you can consider it one of the best portable power stations for van life. It is the real deal of a portable van power station since Yeti 1000 Core can be charged from a wall outlet in as little as 5 hours, and it takes about 4 hours to charge with a 300W solar panel. Even better, all of the charging ports for this portable solar generator are on the front of the unit. There are two AC outlets, a 12V socket, and several USB ports.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Front outlets
Large LCD screen
12-month guarantee
Lithium battery replacementsCons (reasons to avoid)
Solar cable unincluded
Larger ports have no plugWhat other experts liked
This power station has all of the great design and feature details that Goal Zero is known for, but it only costs $999.95, which is the same price as its closest competitors.What other experts didn't like
It's enormous. With a weight of 40 pounds, the Yeti 1000 is far from the smallest portable power station on the market.
Conclusion: Best Portable Power Stations for Van Life
A generator in miniature is what we refer to as a portable power station. Even if the power goes out, you can use it to power essential appliances and electronics. It’s also a lifesaver while you’re out camping. These stations and generators are extremely useful, and may even be life-saving, for lengthy road trips, camping, or even at home. After reading the best portable power stations for the van life list, we hope you won’t be lost in wandering like a stranger in finding the perfect power station for your camp life!