Are you looking for a reliable way to power your van-life adventure? Whether it’s for your camping trips or family outdoor adventures, the best portable power station for van life is an essential item that can help make life easier.
We love camping with our kids, from tent camping to van life. We did a long van road trip last camping season. It was amazing, but we were missing one really essential camping item: a portable power station for our van life trip.
We all go camping to be closer to nature and to unplug from all the screen time we accumulate throughout the year. But some items still need to be charged when you want to travel for a long period of time or if you want to be more off-grid.
Plus, if you want to work while traveling, a charged computer is a necessity. And what about those memories from the camera? That needs to be charged up as well.
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A few things to know when planning a family camping trip.
Here are a few things to know when planning a family camping trip
⛺ Find your campgrounds
There are many apps for finding campgrounds. The Dyrt app is a great resource when searching for any type of campground in the USA, from private campgrounds to dispersed locations. Recreation.gov (USA) and Parkscanada.ca are both essential for booking national parks campgrounds.
For unique overnight stays, Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome are memberships to have.
🔦 Get the right camping gear
Having the right camping gear is so important, but it can get expensive.
Decathlon has great options for all camping levels and prices. Otherwise, you can also find great deals at MEC (Canada) or REI (USA).
When camping with kids, choose a tent that is easy to set up (like a pop-up tent or even a rooftop tent). Invest in a comfortable mattress (self-inflated mattresses are great) and warm sleeping bags (we love the Morrison Outdoors sleeping bags).
🚗 Want to try van/RV live?
You can rent an RV or a campervan to see if you like it before investing in one. Check out Outdoorsy or Escape Campervans. They have many options in North America
👍What to Look for When Choosing The Best Power Portable Station for Van Life/Camping
There are many charging options when it comes to power stations for van life and camping trips. All models have their pros and cons, but in the end, it really comes down to:
👉🏻 What is your budget?
👉🏻 What equipment do you need to charge?
👉🏻 What is your camping style?
There is no need to get a huge portable power station if you’ll only use it to charge your phone and camera on weekend camping trips.
But if you plan on plugging in small appliances like a portable fridge or an electric cooler, then you may need a more powerful generator.
And you may also want the possibility to add solar panels to go off-grid for a few days.
Plus, the type of camping trips you’re doing will impact your choice.
If you mostly go to established campgrounds where you can select a camping site with electricity, then you’ll only need a basic power station and a battery pack.
But if you’re all about boondocking and BML (or crown land) camping spots, then you’ll need to have the best power station that offers higher charging hours and solar panel extensions.
Best Portable Power Station for Van Life/ Camping
Below is a list of our favorite portable power stations for camping and van life separated depending on your battery capacity need.
All recommendations have the following in common:
✅ All available in USA and Canada
✅ Use Lithium-Ion batteries
✅ Have AC, 12V, and USB port outlets
✅ Have the option to add a portable solar generator
✅ Have an LCD display
✅ Are environmentally friendly
✅ Use pure sine wave inverter
Also, all recommended portable power stations have multiple outlets for charging the battery.
- Using the 12V DC car outlet (the cigarette lighter outlet)
- Using a 120 V AC wall outlet
- Using a solar-powered generator (at extra cost)
The most common way to charge your portable station is by using a wall outlet, which is perfect for a short camping trip. You’ll charge your power station at home and leave for your camping trip with a fully charged station.
The battery can also be charged using the car outlet. It’s perfect for long road trips, as you can charge the battery while driving. It’s also possible to buy separately some portable solar panels to be really independent when it comes to power energy.
That’s perfect if you plan on going off-grid and going some boondocking camping.
Best Portable Power Station for Van Life-200-240 Watt Hour
If you’re planning on camping in the established campground (front camping) and do not have many electronics to charge, a portable power station for camping with a battery capacity of 200-240 Watt Hour should be plenty enough.
It will allow you to charge your basic electronics (smartphones, laptops, cameras, lights, fans,…) without taking up too much space and at an affordable price point.
❤️ We are personally using the Bluetti EB3A portable power station. You can read our detailed review here and buy it here on Amazon!
The great thing about those power stations for van life families is that there are all super light-weight (6 lbs or less), so they can be carried really easily. They could even be used for home/world schooling activities if needed.
🏴 Here are our favorite 200-240 Watts Hour portable power stations for van life:
[wptb id=13463]1. Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 240W Portable Station is one of the best portable power stations for camping and van life. It’s very light, and it has a large capacity.
❤️ We love its long-lasting endurance as well as how easy it is to take with you! Also, if you have any issues with the power station, you get a two-year warranty.
➡️ Buy your Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Power Station here!
2. EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station
The EcoFlow RIVER mini is also a great option for a lightweight, portable charging station. It is offered in two versions, the standard one and the wireless one.
I would recommend investing a few extra dollars to get the wireless power station.
With the power station, you can power up to 8 devices at once, which makes it ideal for outdoor family adventures.
❤️ One of the best things about the EcoFlow River Mini portable power station is that it recharges from 0 to 80 % in just an hour! That is what we call a fast-charging power station!
➡️ Buy your EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station here!
3. Aimtom PowerPal X Portable Power Station
An affordable and very efficient portable power station for camping and traveling is AIMTOM 42000mAh.
It’s very light and compact.
One of the best things about this portable power station is its quiet built-in power inverter, so you don’t need to worry about getting a night of good sleep.
❤️ We also love how safe it is, as it includes a battery management system that protects you and your devices against overtemperature, overcurrent, and overvoltage.
➡️ Buy your imtom PowerPal X Portable Power Station on Amazon here!
4. Togopower Advance 240 Portable Power Station
The Togopower Advance 240 is also a good option to power small electronics.
❤️ We love that safety is Togopower’s first consideration. The Advance 240 power station was designed to provide you with a Battery Management System (BMS). It enables short circuit protection, voltage control, temperature control, and more advanced safety operations.
➡️ Buy your Togopower Advance 240 Portable Power Station on Amazon here!
Best Portable Power Station for Van Life-500-700 Watt Hour
If you’re planning on camping mostly off-grid or if you have a more complex electrical system, a portable power station for camping with a battery capacity of 500 to 700 Watt Hour would be better.
It will allow you to charge your basic electronics (smartphones, laptops, cameras, lights, fans,…), but also small appliances like a mini-fridge, a cooling fan, an air pump, a screen projector, lamplights, and even a TV.
Those power stations for van life families are a little bulkier (13 to 20 lbs) but are still portable. And they all come with options for green and powerful solar generators.
🏴 Here are our favorite 500-700 Watt Hour portable power stations for van life:
[wptb id=13465]5. Jackery Explorer 500W Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 500W is one of the best portable power stations for camping. It offers a fourth way to charge the power station using an electric generator outlet.
❤️ We love its long-lasting endurance.
➡️ Buy your Jackery Explorer 500W Portable Power Station here!
6. BLUETTI EB70S Portable Power Station
If you’re looking for the ultimate portable power station for van life, Bluetti EB70S portable power station is perfect for you.
It charges up to 12 devices simultaneously as it has a good variety of outputs. It also provides 4 different charging modes, including a generator.
❤️ We love the ergonomic handle design of the Bluetti Power Station, which makes it very easy to transport it wherever you want.
➡️ Buy your BLUETTI EB70S Portable Power Station here!
7. ROCKPALS Rockpower 500W Portable Power Station
Rockpals offer good quality portable power stations that are ideal for camping, road trips, and home. The main negative point of this portable power station is that they don’t offer shipping to Canada yet.
❤️ We love how compact they are to store and carry and how long our devices last after charging them with this portable power station.
➡️ Buy your ROCKPALS Rockpower 500W Portable Power Station on Amazon here!
8. EcoFlow RIVER Max Portable Power Station
EcoFlow has a good range of portable power stations. The EcoFlow River Max model is excellent for family adventures, whether you go camping, on a road trip, or fishing.
The capacity of this power station allows you and your family to use up to 10 devices at the same time.
And when it’s charging, it does it quietly, which is very important when you want to sleep at night, or the kids take a nap.
❤️ One of the best things about the EcoFlow River Max portable power station is that it recharges from 0 to 80 % in just an hour! That is what we call a fast-charging power station!
➡️ Buy EcoFlow RIVER Max Portable Power Station on Amazon here!
High-End Level Portable Power Station
If you’ll looking for a portable power station to power up more appliances, such as a full-size refrigerator, a TV, a blender, an electric grill, a mini cooler, and more for your outdoor and home needs, you’ll want a high-power station.
The Advantages of Using a Portable Power Station for Van Life/Camping
When you’re camping with family or going on a road trip, you need to look for a way to be connected. You’ll need to provide energy to charge your electronic devices as well as personal equipment.
There is no better way of getting power energy than from a portable power station. They’re very convenient and easy to use.
Plus, with a portable power station, you won’t need to book a campsite with electricity. You can now go everywhere, even to the most off-grid location.
Here are 4 main advantages of using a portable power station during your family adventure:
👍 Easy to carry. The new portable power stations are lightweight, which makes them very easy to transport. They’re three times smaller than a gas generator.
👍 Rechargeable. Most portable power stations offer convenient and easy ways to charge. They offer various charging ports; some can even be solar-powered. There are many charging options, and they usually are fast charging.
👍 Quiet. The battery-power stations are quiet, so you and your children can have a good sleep while using them at night.
👍 Safe. They include a battery management system that protects you and your devices against overtemperature, overcurrent, and overvoltage.
FAQ: Best Portable Power Station for Van Life/ Camping
What is the best power source for van life?
Depends on the activities you plan to do and your lifestyle. Solar power is your best bet if you spend most of your time off the grid. Solar panels are relatively affordable and can provide enough electricity to power a laptop, phone, and other small devices. If you plan to stay mainly in urban areas or near RV parks with electrical hookups, an inverter or generator is probably the better choice. Generators are easy to use and offer more power than solar panels.
How do I choose a portable power station?
When choosing a portable power station, consider the size, power capacity, battery type, and additional features. Selecting a unit that offers enough power for your needs and has enough ability to store the energy needed for extended use is essential. Ensure the battery type is compatible with your device’s power requirements. Finally, look for additional features such as USB ports or solar panels to enhance the unit’s usability.
How many watts does a van life use?
It depends on the size and type of van and the equipment installed. A regular campervan with basic amenities can use anywhere from 200-400 watts per hour, while larger motorhomes with advanced appliances may require up to 1000 watts per hour.
What can a 200W portable power station run?
A 200W portable power station can run small household items such as lamps, phone chargers, laptop chargers, and other low-wattage devices. It also can be used for outdoor activities such as powering lights on a camping trip or charging a device while sitting in an RV.
How long does a portable power station last?
A portable power station’s battery life will depend on the capacity and size of the battery. A larger, higher-capacity battery will usually last longer than a smaller battery. Most portable power stations can provide between 6 to 10 hours of charging time for small devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Final Thoughts: Which One is the Best Portable Power Station for Van Life/Camping
There are a few different options on the market when it comes to portable power stations for van life. There all have their pros and cons.
In the end, it comes down to your budget and the equipment you need to charge.
There is no need to get a huge portable power station if you’ll only use it to charge your phone and camera.
But if you plan on plugging a portable fridge or electric cooler, then you may need more power and probably the possibility to add solar panels.
Which of those portable power stations for van life will you get? 🙂
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- Bluetti Reviews: EB3A Portable Power Station & PV68 Solar Panel
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