Topic: The Best Power Banks for Camping of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 38 times)
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Topic: The Best Power Banks for Camping of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 38 times)
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Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The intuitive design and features of the Scosche PowerUp 32K made up for its slower charging time and higher price point.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The Scosche PowerUp 32K was a close second behind my best overall pick, the Anker 511 Portable Powerstation—if it had been capable of powering two devices at the same time during testing it would have co*e out on top. That’s because the features on the PowerUp 32K were the most impressive of any power bank in my test. First off, like the Anker 511, it had an AC outlet, which was powered by a simple on/off button that was separate from the USB on/off switch. It also has a digital display, providing an even more accurate and intuitive read of how much power was left.
But where this power bank really stood out was its flashlight. While other products in my test looked like power banks that someone had added a flashlight on to, the PowerUp 32K is more like one of the best flashlights that someone built a battery pack into—it was the brightest in my test, with a side handle that made it easy to carry while looking for my tent after dusk.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Venture 35 provided ample power to recharge my phone, even after being submerged in water for twenty minutes.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Most car campers will store their power bank in their car, or maybe their tent. But if you anticipate bringing yours along for a hike or having it next to you while cooking up dinner, then the GoalZero Venture 35 might be the better choice for you. In addition to its rubber housing, it also has a silicone plug that seals in the three ports and the four lights indicating how much charge is left in the power bank. I also liked that holding down the power button activated a flashlight, which is always handy when you’re making the trek to your tent after extinguishing that evening’s campfire. While this one didn’t have as much juice in it as the BioLite Charge 40 PD or Mophie Powerstation (even when taking into account its smaller internal battery), if you think there is a chance that your power bank could be exposed to the elements, then this is the better pick for you. (Those concerned about battery size also have the option to level up to the 19,200mAh Venture 75).
Despite the more robust bonafides of this power bank, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s bombproof. The silicone plug is secured to the rest of the power bank by a relatively thin strip that, when pulled during testing, snapped and broke off fairly easily. While the casing still works even when no longer tethered to the power bank, its waterproof capabilities would be severely diminished if it was lost or left unsecured.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The inexpensive BioLite Charge 40 PD was the best power bank in the 10,000mAh range during testing.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The vast majority of car campers are using their power bank for just one thing: keeping that phone charged. And even though (at least we hope) you’re off the grid, free from the YouTube autoplay and Facebook algorithm, you’ll probably still need to use your phone for at least a couple of things. Photos. Alarm clock. Offline maps. Getting down to less than 10 percent on a camping trip can be a little stressful.
The BioLite Charge 40 PD is exactly what you need at the right price. It’ll recharge your and your camping partner’s phone (simultaneously, if necessary), it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it’ll leave you with plenty of spare funds for the rest of your camping outfit. It’s also easy to use, with clearly labeled ports and an easy-to-read charge bar made up of four lights that blink when charging and hold steady when full.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
This battery pack had so much extra oomph than the others that I ended up using it to recharge some of the smaller, more portable units on my testing trip.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you’re looking to power something more serious than a phone—say, a CPAP machine or an electric cooler—than a fifty dollar, 10,000mAh internal battery isn’t going to cut it. Neither is an 18W output. In addition to a 40,000mAh internal battery, the largest in our test, the Dometic PLB40 also boasts an 180W output—enough to power up just about any appliance you would take to the outdoors.
If I have any co*plaint about the Dometic, it’s that you are more limited in what you can hook it up to than I expected. This battery pack was designed to work with the wider range of Dometic appliances, including their electric cooler, and their ports (two USB-A, 2-pin 12V DC, and 12V DC cigarette plug—no AC outlet option) may be less versatile for individuals with a different setup. But this power bank was otherwise easy to use (if a bit heavy), with a clear digital display showing how much juice was left and a retractable handle for moving the battery from your car to your campsite.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
While the Mophie Powerstation can only charge one device at a time, it was just a hair behind the BioLite Charge 40 PD in testing, is an ounce lighter, and can usually be found on sale.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If the BioLite Charge 40 PD is out of stock, then go with the Mophie Powerstation. While the Mophie charged my phone only slightly less than the BioLite, it is about an ounce lighter. More importantly, for the budget-conscious, it can also more often be found on sale.
Unlike the BioLite Charge 40PD, the Mophie Powerstation only has one USB-A port, and can only charge one device at a time: during testing, when two devices were plugged into the USB-A and USB-C, neither charged. The Mophie also took significantly longer to charge during testing than the BioLite, with the final white dot blinking for hours before finally going solid.
The battery size you’ll need for your camping trip depends on the number and type of devices you’ll need to charge, how long you plan to be out for, and whether you have a way to recharge your power bank (such as a solar panel or solar generator).
If you’re just looking to charge a phone, then a USB-A outlet along with a matching cable is all you’ll need to get going. Not all power banks feature AC outlets, so if you need one for an air pump or laptop, stick with the best overall or best features picks.
Before purchasing a power bank, first take a look at what you’re hoping to charge during your camping trip. If you’re just looking to power a phone, you’ll need significantly less voltage, and are likely to go through fewer milliamp hours (mAh), than if you are looking to power a laptop, CPAP machine, or electric cooler.
The power banks I tested in this roundup were chosen for their portability, as most car campers have limited space in which to store electronics in their vehicles. Since most campers’ power needs are relatively limited co*pared to what they go through at home, I reco*mend starting with a smaller power bank at first (unless you need to power a medical device) and then sizing up as you get a better understanding of your needs.
Power banks for camping can cost anywhere from $50 to upwards of $1,000, usually depending on the size of the internal battery and the wattage they can support. Another factor that can affect price is additional features, such as waterproofing, flashlights, and electronic displays.
A spec you’ll often see is mAh, which stands for milliamps hour. The mAh spec is a measurement of power over time—the higher the mAh the more power the battery contains. To fully charge a phone you’ll need 3,000 to 5,000 mAh. There is a big price jump between 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh power banks for camping, so if you’re not sure which one you want to buy, it’s good to consider what your needs are first. Typically, a 10,000mAh battery size will provide enough juice for a couple of phone charges. If you’re heading out for a weekend—and you aren’t planning to watch a movie on your iPad—this is likely sufficient. If you’re heading somewhere out of cellphone range, one way to increase your battery life is to check that your phone is switched to airplane mode.
A power bank is a great way to charge your electronics while camping, so long as you ensure that you have the right power cords and that the voltage and size of your battery pack is sufficient for the needs of your electronics. This is especially important if you are planning to use a battery pack to power a CPAP machine at night. Many campers pair power banks with solar panels when they plan to power electronics in the outdoors for more than a long weekend.
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After testing out a number of the best power banks in a range of sizes, I’m confident that most people will get the power needs they are looking for with the Anker 511 Portable Powerstation or the Scosche PowerUp 32K. If you’re confident that you’ll just need a couple of phone recharges and nothing more, then the BioLite 40PD or Mophie Powerstation are also great choices, while you can get the same power output for only a slight increase in cost with the almost-bombproof Goal Zero Venture 35. Campers looking to power heavier duty electronics, however, should size up to the Dometic PLB40.
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