We have all been on that road trip in the middle of nowhere enjoying the nature around us, or in a foreign country discovering a new place and found ourselves with the lowest battery level of our phone. Our camera is dead, our laptop is going to sleep, and all we can think about is being able to return to our devices, but it is too late. We are stuck with a 1% battery, and unfortunately this is a common occurrence for all of us. However, all of this changes if you own a Portable Power Station for Camping.
Portable Power Stations are now necessary for those who want to remain connected at all times. Whether it is for work or for personal reasons, having access to the power we need to survive in this day and age should not be difficult or inconvenient. Discover the amazing things these portable power stations can do for you.
Why Your Phone’s Battery Just Isn’t Enough Anymore
Think about a normal day on a trip. You wake up, check your emails, take some pictures, get directions on your phone, and realize that your phone lost 40% of its battery! That’s the last thing you want to hear when you are on vacation. Multiply that by 7 days and realize that you have to find places to charge your phone, because you can only do that in cafes, airports, and hotels, and you don’t have the freedom that everyone wants from traveling. Portable chargers usually only charge your main phone for a day, maybe two. What about your tablet, drone, camera, or laptop? What about charging several devices at once? Portable power stations offer the ultimate solution.
Understanding Portable Power Stations
A portable power station is a rechargeable battery pack. But compared to the slim pocket-sized power banks, they are much bigger (like a suitcase). They usually have multiple outlet sockets (USB, USB-C, or even regular AC sockets) – so that you can charge almost any device you can imagine. Most power stations have a capacity of 500Wh or higher. If you want to charge your laptop from empty, it will take you around 200Wh – and there will be enough energy left to charge several other devices. However, for a traveler, 500 Wh – 2000 Wh is probably an excellent range.
The Real Magic: AC Outlets in Your Backpack
Here’s why these portable power stations are revolutionary: They feature actual AC outlets in addition to USB ports. Real outlets mean you aren’t limited to low-power devices. Just think: phone chargers, laptops, CPAP machines, mini-fridges, and coffee makers are all viable options. Imagine being able to work away from home while keeping your laptop charged for that important conference call. Your coworker’s camera needs to be charged, and someone is considering brewing tea to help wake everyone up. With a power station, you can keep your devices powered and enable a full command center wherever you need it.
Perfect for Different Types of Travel
- Road Trips and Van Life: Digital Nomads and Van Lifers have been using portable power stations as a reliable power source. Working from nature and the comforts of home are now available wherever you have a power station. Some also buy solar panels to charge their power stations so they can go off the grid.
- Camping and Hiking: Whether you are hiking or camping in the wilderness or at a cabin without electricity, you can provide enough juice for your headlamps and a portable fan. Having a Camping Power Station along with an extension cord is a great way to keep the family happy and safe.
- International Travel: Different countries have different outlets, but having a power station eliminates the need for numerous outlet adapters. Just charge it at the hotel and go exploring for days without having to worry about how you are going to charge your phone. Most power stations are small enough to fit in a checked bag.
- Music Festivals and Other Outdoor Events: Having a power station will ensure your phone is charged to take pictures or to keep in contact with your friends. Some power stations can be used to power speakers which is great for keeping the party alive.
The Capacity Question: How Much Do You Really Need?
It depends on what exactly you need. Let’s see
- Do you plan on charging several devices at once?
- How often are you going to have an opportunity to recharge the charger itself?
- Do you want to use it for small electronics ?
- Do you need to charge bigger power-hungry devices like laptops?
In terms of weekend trips/everyday use: go with something between 500-700Wh. That would give you about 10-15 phone charges or 1 laptop charge. Enough for a weekend but not for extended trips.
For extended use/traveling around the country: go with something between 1000-1500Wh. It’ll keep you charged and ready to go but not make you constantly worry about your battery dying right when you need it the most
And finally, for the long traveling/extended adventures: 2000Wh+ will keep you practically worry-free at all times.
Weight and Portability Considerations
The most common dilemma is the trade-off between capacity and weight. A 500Wh station may weigh about 15 lbs, but a 2000Wh one can weigh over 60 lbs. The key is to decide whether you would carry such a thing, or go for a lower capacity and a smaller weight to keep it light and convenient for transportation.
Most frequent travelers suggest that 1000Wh is the sweet spot as it gives you a good amount of energy for any adventure without making you carry something that would be too heavy to transport from your car to the campsite.
Charging Your Power Station
You will be required to recharge the station during the time of use. Moreover, most of the stations charge by being plugged in in the electricity socket. The time needed for charging depends on the station’s power capacity and takes from 8 to 24 hours. However, some of the fast-charging stations may reduce this time by half or even one third.
Features That Matter
- Pass-Through Charging: Some allow you to charge the power station at the same time it charges devices.
- Wireless Charging Pads: Some models even come with integrated wireless charging for compatible cellphones.
- LED Display and App: Keeping track of how much power you have left can prevent unwelcome surprises. Newer power stations even have apps that let you manage the battery with your smartphone.
- Durability: If you’re camping in all types of weather, look for a power station with an ingress protection rating.
- Warranty Coverage: The best power stations tend to come with five-year warranties, so look for that when considering your purchase.
The Bottom Line
Portable power stations are basically freedom to people who travel. They allow you to not have to worry about finding outlets, you can stay off the grid longer, and you can work everywhere you go. Plus, if you are traveling with a group of people, suddenly you’re the hero because you have a way to recharge everyone’s phones. Yes, they can be a bit of an investment, usually going from $300 for entry-level models to $ to $1500 or more for nicer ones but for people who travel a lot or who have to work while on the go, they’re worth every penny. The next time you are going on an adventure, whether it’s going camping or going on a road trip across the country, or maybe even going overseas somewhere, I encourage you to bring one along. Your devices will thank you, and so will your freedom.