Camping is all about enjoying the beauty of the wilderness around you. But, that doesn’t mean you have to forego all forms of electronics as you plan your trip. With the help of an outdoor power bank, you can keep your smartphone, laptops, camera, or any other piece of electronic equipment charged throughout your camping trip.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The 5 Best Power Banks for Camping
A power bank can also come in handy in emergency situations when you really need your phone, GPS, or camp lights to work instead of dying out. Here in this guide, we list down some of the best power banks for camping.
1. X-Dragon Solar Charger
Solar power banks are all the rage these days, thanks to them being more environmentally friendly, providing greater versatility, and having the ability to power your devices for as long as the sun is still shining. The X-Dragon Solar Charger is a great outdoors solar power bank.
The power bank is water-resistant and its solar panels are efficient enough to provide some juice even in rainy daytime conditions. The power bank comes with multiple charging ports and additional cables to allow you to charge your laptop, phone, camera, and GPS simultaneously. It is also very lightweight and fits into a nice carry bag when folded it comes for easy portability. The device also boasts some decent fail-safe features such as protection against short-circuiting and electric surges. Power capacity is a bit on the low side and even on a sunny day, don’t expect it to quickly charge more demanding electronic devices. Its built quality isn’t also the most high-end given the price but is decent enough to not justify too much criticism.
Pros
- Multiple charging ports
- Comes with extra charging cables
- Easy carry and portability
Cons
- So-so material quality
- Low capacity
2. BigBlue Solar Charger
The BigBlue Solar Charger is another exceptional solar power bank, coming from a brand with a reputation for quality and function. As expected, the design of this solar power bank brings with it plenty of practical conveniences. It features a built-in ammeter, allowing you to read how well your devices are charging. It also comes with hooks if you want to hang it on a tree, tent, or even on your backpack as you charge your devices on the move. For easy portability, the charger can be folded and fitted inside your backpack.
As for drawbacks, this solar charger does carry a fair share. For one, to charge certain devices like your DSLR camera, you will need to purchase additional cables that can connect to the ports the solar power bank comes with. It’s also not suitable for low current charging products (below 200mA) as they are prone to restart and shutdown when connected to this solar power bank. While the device can handle occasional bouts of rain, the USB ports and the ammeter are not waterproof and will need to be protected.
Pros
- Versatile design
- Good built quality
- Built-in Ammeter
- Easy carry and portability
Cons
- Not suitable for low current charging products
- Requires extra cables for certain devices
3. Goal Zero Venture 70
For those light carry solo campers that just want a reliable and rugged power bank for keeping their phone charged, then the Goal Zero Venture 70 is our recommended choice. It comes with two USB cables and on its own is potent enough to charge your phone half a dozen times, enough for most camping trips. However, for longer stays, you can connect it to a Ground Zero Solar Panel (sold separately) for extra charging capacity. The Venture 70 was engineered with the harshness of the great outdoors in mind. As such it is durable enough to withstand some abuse, still works after being soaked in water and is dustproof. It also comes with a featuring a useful flashlight.
Pros
- Rugged, nature-proof design
- Comes with a flashlight
- Easy carry and portable
- Can be connected to a solar panel for additional charging capacity
Cons
- Only two USB ports
- Cannot be used to charge certain devices
4. EcoFlow RIVER 370 Portable Power Station
For large groups, the EcoFlow RIVER 370 Portable Power Station may just be the best power bank for camping. It boasts a massive charging capacity – about 100,000mAh to be exact. It is enough to charge a standard laptop more than seven times. The power bank features multiple ports that can connect to a wide range of different electronic devices. The power bank can be connected to up to 9 devices simultaneously and with a whopping 500W power output, you can even power a large LCD TV with it! For greater charging capacity you can also connect it to a solar panel, though you will need a big one to adequately recharge it. It also has some nice built-in safety functions, such as overheat prevention and voltage control.
Its main obvious drawback is its size. It’s a fairly bulky outdoor power bank weighing in at 11 lbs. however, it does come with a nice looking carry bag and for groups, its portability may not be too big of an issue.
Pros
- Massive charging capacity
- Fast charging
- Excellent advanced safety functions
- Can charge up to 9 devices simultaneously
- Can be connected to a solar panel for additional charging capacity
Cons
- Heavy and not easy to carry
5. Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank
Built for the outdoors with a highly durable design, the Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank is a great companion for your outdoor charging needs. The power bank is waterproof, dustproof and can withstand a fair amount of abuse and not break in the process. It comes with a built-in flashlight with SOS mode for use in emergencies. It also comes with a hook for hanging. For a solar panel power bank, the charge time is relatively swift. However, you cannot use the power bank for charging while its own batteries are recharging. It comes with two USB ports so for charging certain devices you will need to purchase additional cables.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Fast charging
- Built-in flashlight
- Easy carry and portable
- Rugged, nature-proof design
Cons
- Only two USB ports
- Cannot charge items while the battery is recharging
- Cannot be used to charge certain devices
Our Final Thoughts
The wilderness may not have any power outlet, but it doesn’t mean you cannot bring your own portable version. Before buying a power bank, it is important to have a realistic understanding of your specific needs. A large power bank may bring with it a high charging capacity but would also rather inconvenient to carry around, easily if you are solo camping.
Also, consider how safe from the outdoor elements you want your power bank to be. Most would work suffice on casual trips but for the most demanding expeditions, a more robustly built power bank would be far better. When planning your next camping trip, consider purchasing one from our list of the best power banks for camping available in the market this year.
