The best power bank for camping in 2024, tested and reviewed

A power bank for camping can change the way you adventure outside. These days camping tends to involve all manner of devices—lanterns, flashlights, cooking appliances, drones, and, of course, your phone—which means you need to pack along a way to charge them. That’s where power banks come in. Power banks are available in various forms, with different models offering particular features that make them ideal for different purposes. In any case, the best power banks for camping always offer outdoor-ready durability and reliable operation, and we have recommendations for a few outstanding options you can count on when you head off the grid.

• Best overall: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core
• Best for backpacking: BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
• Best for laptops: Omnicharge Omni 40+
• Best for solar (large): Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro
• Best for solar (small): QiSa Solar Power Bank
• Best for high capacity: Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
• Best all-weather: Dark Energy Poseidon Pro
• Best with light: Anker Portable Outdoor Generator
• Best multi-device: Scosche PowerUp 32K
• Best budget: Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank

How we chose the best power banks

To say that I’ve spent a lot of time under the stars or without cellphone bars would be a major understatement. Over the past 40 years, I’ve spent weeks and even months at a time camped in the great outdoors, and during the latter decades, that meant bringing along plenty of power to keep my devices charged. This has become increasingly important as my location-independent work requires more juice for my laptop, camera, portable WiFi hotspot, drone, and more.

Accordingly, I’ve used power banks of all varieties, from small pocket-sized models to large solar generators. These have spanned everything from the top established brands to new and lesser-known competitors, and I’ve come to recognize those that are all hype and those that deliver true quality. Equipped with this experience, I’ve written about power banks and a range of other outdoor tech for Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, the Daily Beast, Thrillist, and more. In cases where my opinion was split between two products, I typically looked to reviews from real-world customers and a variety of outdoor experts to determine which power banks are truly the best for camping.

The best power banks for camping: Reviews & Recommendations

The recommendations below span a range of forms and sizes, from small power banks that cost a few dozen dollars to hefty power stations that cost a few thousand. Some are intended for short camping jaunts with limited electricity needs, while others are designed for longer trips and larger power demands. Whatever you need to recharge an iPhone or an ebike, you’ll find something suitable on this list.

Best overall: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Outdoor durability, excellent portability, and solid storage capacity make this an outstanding power bank for camping trips of any duration.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 983Wh
• Dimensions: 9.86 x 15.25 x 10.23 inches
• Weight: 31.68 lbs
• Price: $1,198.95

Pros

• Highly portable
• Incredible durability
• Plenty of plugs

Cons

• Charging rate could be faster

The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is an ideal power station for camping for several reasons. Its 983-watt-hour capacity will more than meet the needs of most campers, easily powering small devices and lighting for a long weekend without recharging. Plug in a solar panel or two, and it will keep those same devices going indefinitely. It offers some of the best craftsmanship on the market and is durable enough for hauling around in a vehicle and to and from your campsite. And its squared shape with inlaid handles makes for excellent portability.

In terms of use, the Yeti 1000 Core offers plenty of plugs. Dual AC, USB-A, USB-C, and a single 12V car plug translate into plenty of port options, and its 1,200-watt output capacity is capable of powering just about anything you could need while camping.

Its one drawback is that its recharging rate has fallen behind some competitors, but for use with typical devices—phones, drones, lights, etc.—it will provide more than enough power for a long weekend.

Best for backpacking: BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Super compact, durable, and capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously, it’s the perfect power bank to toss in your pack.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 74 Wh
• Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.2 x 1 inches
• Weight: 1.4 lbs
• Price: $79.94

Pros

• Supremely portable
• Great power capacity
• Multiple device charging

Cons

• Some buyers report lifespan issues

The BioLite Charge 80 PD power bank will do pretty much everything you want of a charger while backpacking. It offers an abundance of capacity for such a small package—enough to charge a phone five times, a headlamp or flashlight 16 times, or a tablet twice—and its 18-watt output is strong enough to charge a 13-inch laptop once. It can charge two devices simultaneously via its dual USB-A and single USB-C ports.

I really haven’t found any flaws in the Charge 80. There are a handful of reviews out there from people who complained of a short lifespan, but most users—myself included—report that it’s hardy and reliable. It’s a great backpacking power bank by every metric.

Best for laptops: Omnicharge Omni 40+

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: With its excellent balance of capacity, charging capability, and portability, this is the perfect power bank for content creators on the go.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 142 Wh
• Dimensions: 9.5 x 2.7 x 2.5 inches
• Weight: 2.35 lbs
• Price: $399

Pros

• Rugged design
• Multi-device charging up to 100W
• Display shows current battery capacity

Cons

• Expensive

A laptop power bank needs to provide two things above all else: AC power inversion (so that it Is actually capable of charging a laptop in the first place) and solid capacity. Omnicharge’s Omni 40+ checked both boxes, and thoroughly impressed us with its performance during our tests. The power bank has a unique triangular shape, with rounded off corners that make it comfortable to grab from any angle. Its rubber-like outer coating was soft to the touch, but textured to make it easier to grab. While larger than many other portable battery packs, the Omni 40+ was still easy to stash in a backpack, and we were rewarded each time we carried it with us on a day out.

The Omni40+ has two technical features going for it. First, its 38,400mAh battery capacity is incredibly high, which means you can extend the life of your devices by several days if you use them conservatively. Going on camping trips often means spending long periods of time apart from outlets, so the benefits of carrying a high-capacity battery cannot be overstated. Second, the Omni 40+ has a whopping five ports: Three USB-C, two USB-A, and one AC outlet. This means you’ll be able to charge multiple devices simultaneously, and can power virtually any electronic or small appliance. The Omni 40+ can only output up to 100W from its AC outlet or USB-C PD port, which is what you’ll want to use when charging a laptop.

In our tests, the Omni 40+ was able to fully recharge a 12.9-inch iPad Pro in two hours with 66% of battery left in its tank. It charged a 16-inch MacBook Pro in two hours with 31% of battery left in its tank. These are incredibly impressive stats for a battery pack that’s reasonable to take with you on a camping trip–or any type of multi-day excursion. We could monitor the Omni 40+’s battery capacity thanks to its built-in display, which showed which ports were being used, their power output in real time.

Omnicharge loaded the Omni 40+ with safety features like over voltage protection, over load protection, short circuit protection, electric surge protection, battery equalization protection, over charging protection, over discharging protection, and PCB temperature protection to prevent your devices or the battery from getting damaged during charging sessions. If you’re a camper who needs to keep their higher-powered electronics topped up, Omnicharge’s Omni 40+ checks all the right boxes. It even comes with a carrying case, 65W power adapter, and 100W USB-C cable bundled in, which makes this accessory even easier to pack.

Best for solar (large): Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: No other portable solar power station on the market offers such an outstanding combination of portability, capacity, input/output capability, and solar rechargeability.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2,160Wh
• Dimensions: 15.1 x 10.5 x 12.1 inches
• Weight: 43 lbs
• Price: $2,498

Pros

• Fast charging and outstanding capacity
• Plenty of ports
• Can connect to six 200W solar panels

Cons

• Heavy for its size

Simply put, I love the Jackery 2000 Pro. It does pretty much everything you’d want of a medium-to-large-sized portable power station. While its 2,160-watt-hour capacity is huge—big enough to power a van conversion for 2-3 days—its boxed shape and relatively compact size make it easy to fit into your vehicle. It has plenty of ports and more output capacity than any typical camper could reasonably need. And, having knocked mine around a good bit while on the road, I can definitely attest to its durability.

But if you’re specifically interested in solar capabilities, that’s where the 2000 Pro really shines. Capable of wielding six 200-watt solar panels, it can charge as fast as 2-2.5 hours in ideal sun conditions. That’s lightning fast. So if you plan on setting up camp and then leveraging the sun for a prolonged stay, you won’t find a better option.

Best for solar (small): QiSa Solar Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: With its fold-out solar panels and surprisingly large capacity relative to its size, this is a great power bank for off-grid device top-offs.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 194 Wh
• Dimensions: 6.89 x 4.41 x 1.9 inches
• Weight: 1.42 lbs
• Price: $39.99

Pros

• Foldout solar panels
• Surprising capacity
• Weather-proof

Cons

• Solar charging is gradual

For more humble solar purposes—say to keep a couple of devices charged while out in the woods for the day, or if you want a reliable way to charge up a phone in an off-grid emergency—check out the QiSa Solar Power Bank. Its 194-watt-hour capacity is surprisingly large for such a compact bank and will charge a phone around a dozen times. Multiple ports and effective wireless capabilities allow you to charge up to three devices at once. And its solid weather-proofing holds up under most conditions.

Key here are the four foldout solar panels. While their recharge rate is admittedly gradual—you more or less have to keep them resting in the sun all day for a decent charge—they work fine for keeping your devices topped off over the course of camping.

Best high-capacity: Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Offering paramount power capacity in a decently portable design, this is a great choice when you want big batteries above all else.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 3,024 Wh
• Dimensions: 18.6 x 14.1 x 14.7 inches
• Weight: 63.93 lbs
• Price: $3,999

Pros

• Top-tier capacity and output capability
• Fast charging
• Retractable handle and integrated wheels

Cons

• Very expensive

When only the biggest box of juice in the biz will do, you want the Jackery 3000 Pro. Its massive 3,024-watt-hour capacity will charge a phone over 100 times, power an electric grill for nearly three hours, or will keep an electric cooler going for days uninterrupted, and its 3000-watt output capability will power pretty much anything. It delivers all the other pluses I mentioned for the previous Jackery, such as plentiful plugs, fast charging, and durable build quality. What’s more, all that is packed into a surprisingly portable unit. At over 60 pounds, it’s not exactly lightweight, but integrated wheels and a retractable handle make it easier to move around.

Greatness does come at a cost. Four thousand bucks isn’t cheap, and the addition of solar panels makes that price climb fast. If you have the budget for it, however, this is the ultimate high-capacity setup.

Best all-weather: Dark Energy Poseidon Pro

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: If there’s a more durable power bank out there, I haven’t seen it.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 50 Wh
• Dimensions: 6 x 3.25 x .63 inches
• Weight: .6 lbs
• Price: $119.99

Pros

• Insane durability
• Holds charge for years
• Included accessories are a nice touch

Cons

• Low capacity

If you’re one of those outdoor adventure types who tend to push the durability of their gear to the limits, the Poseidon Pro from Dark Energy was designed for you. Supposedly, it can survive being dropped from 50 feet, submerged underwater for 45 minutes, exposed to extreme temperatures, crushed by 1500 pounds, fired upon by a shotgun, or blown up with 1.5 pounds of explosives. So “all-weather” is something of an understatement. It will also hold a charge for over eight years, so it’s ideal for charging up and then throwing in your kit for emergencies. And included accessories—like a 3-foot knitted USB-C cable, leather strap, and Dark Energy’s Carabiner Pro (a carabiner with an integrated knife blade, screwdriver, bottle opener, and window breaker)—bolsters its value.

The battery capacity isn’t exactly enormous—enough to charge a phone a couple of times, a camera once, or recharge a lantern several times—but for a bit of extra power in what may as well be an invincible shell, the Poseidon Pro can’t be beat.

Best with light: Anker Portable Outdoor Generator

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Its ergonomic design, with a beacon-like light on top for illumination, and a display to show its stats.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 192 Wh
• Dimensions: 4.59 x 4.59 x 8.17 inches
• Weight: 5.06 lbs
• Price: $149.99

Pros

• Large capacity
• High electric output
• Solar input

Cons

• Charger sold separately

Anker’s Portable Outdoor Generator is a two-in-one gadget that’ll provide your campsite with ample illumination and enough power to fully recharge multiple devices. Its 60,000mAh capacity allows it to fully recharge an iPhone 14 over 10 times, and it has four ports—two USB-A, two USB-C—so you can top all of your gear up at once. The generator’s light sits on top of its lantern-like frame, and can be popped up when necessary, and pushed down when it’s not.

A display on the front of the power bank shows its current charge level, how much power is coming into or out of it. Pushing the SOS button on the power bank’s front side will quickly pulse its light to attract help more easily. You can recharge this outdoor generator by either plugging it into an outlet using a power adapter or solar panel, neither of which is included with the power bank. If you’re looking for a compact, multifunctional camping camping battery pack, this is the one to get.

Best for multi-device charging: Scosche PowerUp 32K

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: With its compact size, decent capacity, and—most importantly—AC plug capability, this is the perfect power bank for portable, multi-device charging.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 116.8 Wh
• Dimensions: 6.1 x 3.8 x 2 inches
• Weight: 2.1 lbs
• Price: $249.99

Pros

• AC plug
• Charges up to 4 devices simultaneously
• Protective case included

Cons

• No waterproofing

It can be difficult to find pocket-sized power banks capable of charging several devices at once and next to impossible to find one that offers an AC plug. The Scosche PowerUp 32K is almost entirely unique in that it delivers on the latter point. With its four-device capability, it can be switched to charge via USB-C or USB-A, 110-volt AC, or all three at once. It’s pretty small but still delivers decent capacity, and it is capable of charging a phone nine times, a laptop 1.5 times, or a drone 20 times, and it can power a light or USB fan for a full day.

While it doesn’t boast any waterproofing and isn’t exactly designed for rugged outdoor use, the addition of a protective case helps keep it safe, and it’s still a great option for keeping your smaller electrical gear going while camping.

Best budget: Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Affordable yet designed with well-considered camping features, this offers high quality at a low price.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 24.12 Wh
• Dimensions: 3.7 x 1.63 x .83 inches
• Weight: .2875 lbs
• Price: $29.95

Pros

• Very affordable
• Very compact
• Solar compatible

Cons

• Recharging mechanism could be better

Goal Zero has created something special with the Flip 24. While it’s exceedingly affordable—power banks don’t get much cheaper than this—it’s still a well-thought-out piece of puny camping equipment. Super compact, it’s smaller than a deck of cards yet can throw a couple of charges into a phone, lamp, or GPS tracker. It also has an integrated USB tip that can be plugged into a solar panel, making it a great tool for gathering a bit of emergency power while off-grid.

Some users say that charging via a wall outlet—which requires plugging the USB tip into a wall adapter—can be a little tricky, but beyond that, this is a smart yet cost-effective power bank for bringing a little power outdoors.

What to consider when shopping for the best power bank for camping

While many power banks offer relatively straightforward designs, here are still a few things you should consider when choosing the right one for your specific needs:

Capacity

You need a power bank that offers capacity relative to your power needs. If you’re just looking to charge a phone or lantern a few times over the course of a camping trip, you probably don’t need one of the larger power stations. A pocket-sized battery will suffice. But if you’re hoping to stay for longer and use a lot of power, a smaller product simply won’t do the job.

Most power banks rate their capacity in terms of watt-hours or milliamp hours, though when it comes to smaller devices, these numbers themselves don’t tell you a whole lot. A good rule of thumb is that a cell phone (probably the device you’ll charge most often) can be recharged approximately two to three times with 30 watt-hours. You can usually find information on capacity relative to other devices by checking the product description.

Portability

When camping, you want your gear to be as portable as possible. With power banks, that means ensuring you don’t go overkill in terms of power capacity. If you don’t need a big, multi-thousand-watt-hour power station, don’t waste the car space and effort lugging it around. If you do end up going with a larger unit, look for products with helpful features like handles and wheels.

Durability

Anytime you bring electrical equipment into the great outdoors, you should bear in mind the weather and the fact that camping gear tends to get banged around. That means looking for power banks that offer durability and ideally some form of waterproofing.

Durability is hard to assess without time and use, so the best way to judge this before heading into the woods is by reading reviews written by those who have already put a particular product through its paces. Waterproofing is rated via an “IP” code including two numbers (the first for dust-proofing, the second for liquid) ranging from 0-8. A rating of IP67, for example, is completely dust-proof and protected against submersion in water for up to 30 minutes.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best power bank for camping

• Best overall: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core
• Best for backpacking: BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
• Best for laptops: Omnicharge Omni 40+
• Best for solar (large): Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro
• Best for solar (small): QiSa Solar Power Bank
• Best for high capacity: Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
• Best all-weather: Dark Energy Poseidon Pro
• Best with light: Anker Portable Outdoor Generator
• Best multi-device: Scosche PowerUp 32K
• Best budget: Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank

The list above has positioned each product as if it is the only power bank you’ll need for camping, but I’ve found that it’s best to use two or even three banks of different sizes in conjunction. I almost always bring along a large power station for heavier power loads, a pocket-sized bank for carrying while hiking or just using around camp, and a third, smaller bank that I keep charged and stored in my kit in the event of an emergency. Between two or a trio of power banks, it’s pretty easy to cover all your electricity needs while enjoying the great outdoors.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.