Portable power stations are large battery packs designed for portability, solar charging, and general ease of use. Whereas a leisure battery stays in your van, a portable power station can be taken wherever you go. They're also optimised for solar charging, making them an excellent companion for travelling off-grid. They can be used to add capacity to your campervan's electrical system, or to save your bacon in case of a malfunction. This article explains the function of portable power stations, their salient features, and how to use them. We also discuss their utility as substitutes for dedicated campervan electrical systems, compared to using them for support and backup.
Index
Shane, the founder of The Van Conversion, is a campervan professional dedicated to helping people transform ordinary vans into homes on wheels. He has authored Roaming Home, and teaches The Van Conversion Course, guiding many people through their van builds. Shane also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter, where he shares practical tips and insights. After completing two van builds and living on the road full-time since 2020, he is passionate about sharing his expertise with others.
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Summary and Top Picks
In this article we conclude that portable power stations can both substitute and support dedicated electrical systems, under certain circumstances.
Portable power stations can be a good substitute for a dedicated electrical system if:
You have a low-to-medium daily electricity usage, using devices rather than appliances
You have a medium-to-high electricity usage and absolutely want to avoid wiring a dedicated electrical system
Off-grid independence is less important to you (for e.g. you do short trips or regularly stay at campsites)
On the other hand, a mid-to-high-capacity portable power station is an excellent addition to an existing electrical system. It's a great way to easily add battery capacity whilst benefitting from the flexibility, portability, and ease of use that these devices offer. You would also be taking the strain off your leisure batteries and backing up your electrical system in case of low battery levels or a malfunction.
Our top picks for portable power stations are the Bluetti AC50B and the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max. These are both fully-featured, high-performance, and expandable with additional battery packs. The AC50B has an intermediate capacity and is highly portable, perfect for convenient use as an addition to any electrical system or as a substitute for a small electrical system. The Delta 2 Max is much larger, making it ideal for backing up and significantly adding to the capacity of your electrical system.
Bluetti AC50B | EcoFlow Delta 2 Max |
 |  |
448Wh capacity | 2,048Wh capacity |
700W inverter (1,000W under Power Lifting mode) | 2,400W inverter (3,100W under X-Boost mode) |
LFP battery | LFP battery |
Charges in 70mins from AC mains power | Charges in 70mins from AC mains power |
Charges in 2.7hrs from a 200W solar panel | Charges in 5.5hrs from a 400W solar panel |
6.7kg | 23kg |
28cm x 20cm x 22cm | 50cm x 24cm x 30cm |
Bluetooth control and monitoring | Bluetooth control and monitoring |
Lasts 3,000 cycles before reaching 80% of original capacity | Lasts 3,000 cycles before reaching 80% of original capacity |
Expandable to 1,254Wh capacity | Expandable to 6,144Wh capacity |
What is a Portable Power Station?
A portable power station is essentially a big battery pack. Think of the portable chargers you carry to keep your phone charged away from home. A portable power station is a higher-capacity version of one of these chargers. They are based around a large rechargeable battery, which will commonly be either lithium-ion or LFP (lithium iron phosphate).
A portable power station incorporates multiple charging inputs, allowing you to charge from multiple sources. These include mains, car 12V socket (cigarette lighter), and solar. They then incorporate multiple outputs depending on their intended use. All portable power stations have USB outputs for charging phones and other devices, and most also have at least one AC (mains) output for higher-power appliances. Premium models may include wireless charging pads and 12V DC outputs. Integrated battery management systems (BMS), inverters, solar charge controllers, and LCD screens complete the package.
All of this comes together into a big, rechargeable battery, with multiple options for charging and multiple outputs, which manages those inputs and outputs to safely and efficiently power your devices on the go.
How Does a Portable Power Station Work?
A portable power station is designed to be plug-and-play, meaning you connect your inputs to charge the battery and connect your devices to power them. There should be minimal fiddling and maintenance required. To achieve this, portable power stations incorporate the following components:
Battery Management System (BMS): Good-quality models incorporate intelligent battery management systems (BMS) which monitor the status of the battery and manage charging and discharging. These systems also protect against overcharging or over-discharging, current overloads, and unsafe operating temperatures.
Inverter: Any model with an AC output will also incorporate an inverter, allowing you to power 240V/120V mains appliances.
Solar charge controller: The integrated solar charge controller allows you to charge your portable power station with solar panels. Basic models might use a PWM charge controller, whilst premium models might have a more efficient MPPT charge controller.
LCD screen: The screen on your portable power station gives you immediate information on the status of the battery, as well as displaying error codes.
Bluetooth and WiFi: Premium models may also include Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, allowing you to monitor and control your power station from your phone or computer. You'll get detailed info on the health and usage history of your power station's battery. This gives useful insights into the effectiveness of your charging methods, your battery's lifespan, how long before you need to recharge, and more. You'll also be able to control your battery's function with features like low-power modes and inverter boost modes.
How to Charge a Portable Power Station
AC Charging
The fastest way to charge is from a mains AC socket. Portable power stations are often intended to be charged at home before a trip, and then used to power your devices when you're away. Of course, you can also charge from AC when you've stopped off at a campsite or café. I've often juiced up my portable power station when working at a café on a rest day, or when doing laundry at a launderette or campsite. You could charge your power station from your campervan's leisure battery via the inverter, but we don't recommend it. You'd be inefficiently charging one battery from another with an inverter inbetween.
DC Charging
Most portable power stations also have a car 12V DC input, meaning you can charge from your car's cigarette lighter whilst the engine is running. It's great to charge on the move, and at a pinch you can run the engine whilst standing still for a bit of extra juice. Charging this way is the same as charging a leisure battery via a DC-DC charger.
Solar Charging
Finally, most portable power stations are designed to be charged by solar panels. Most manufacturers also make portable solar panels, like this large folding set from Renogy, this smaller one from EcoFlow, and this simple single panel from Jackery. Manufacturers often bundle solar panels with their power stations, and they're designed to work together. Simply plug your panels into your power station and put the panels in the sun. It's a great way to extend the use of your power station with clean, green power. Additionally, most power stations support pass-through charging, meaning they can manage the solar input and direct it straight to a device or appliance. This allows you to charge your phone or laptop by solar power directly.
Why You Need a Portable Power Station for Your Campervan
The main advantages of a portable power station are their portability and ease of use, as well as the fact that they add capacity to your electrical system without requiring complex wiring.
Portability
You can pick up and carry a portable power station anywhere, unlike a leisure battery. They incorporate handles for easy carrying, and aren't permanently wired into your van's electrical system. This means that your use of them isn't tethered to the location of your van.
An extension lead is an excellent accessory, as it allows you to work on your laptop or use power tools outside your van. But what if you want power away from your van completely? You may like to spend the day at a nearby beach that's not accessible by vehicle, or you might not want to pack up and leave your campsite pitch every day. Recently, my van was perfectly parked in the shade of a tree by a dirt track. I wanted to take my chair and laptop down to a nearby lake, but didn't want to run an extension lead across the track and through a stand of bushes to the beach 20 metres away. I carried my portable power station down to the lake and worked there all day with my feet in the water. There are also times when I want to work out of sight of my van and don't want to leave the door open. Portable power stations are liberating in the flexibility they provide.
Ease of Use
A portable power station is very easy to use. They charge while you drive or from solar panels, and provide power as soon as you plug something in. As long as you can charge it, there's no reason not to use a power station alongside your van's electrical system. Sometimes you don't want to turn on your van's inverter and listen to the fan run while worrying about its drain on your leisure battery. Or, you don't want to get the extension lead out and run it outside. Simply plugging your laptop, phone, or camera charger into a portable power station is a welcome convenience when living in a van, where everyday tasks take that little bit more effort.
Extra Power
A power station is an easy way of adding flexible extra power to your electrical system. You may have some anxiety about relying fully on your leisure batteries for all your needs. This anxiety grows the longer you spend not moving and the longer cloudy weather persists. A power station is an additional bank of power that you can use to keep devices charged, saving your leisure batteries for powering essential appliances. Using a power station in this way has the bonus of taking the load off your leisure batteries, extending their lifespan.
Backup
Alternatively, a portable power station is useful to have on hand in case of drained leisure batteries or an electrical malfunction. You might decide that you don't have the power to run your inverter because the fridge has to stay on. A power station is ideal in this situation. During a period when my inverter was malfunctioning and I was struggling to find a replacement in a very rural part of Turkey, I wished I had a portable power station. Instead, I relied on charging my laptop in cafes for a week.
Substitute for a Dedicated Electrical System
A final case that's worth mentioning is for people who use vans or cars for trips but who haven't committed to a dedicated electrical system. Many people are just getting into the van life and haven't yet delved into the complexities of electrics. It might also be a question of what you can afford. Many van lifers build up their vans over time, prioritising the basics and spending money on electrics later. Finally, many people use more basic setups built from a car with a roof tent or truckbed camper. In the past, such users still had to find room for small leisure batteries, inverters, and charge controllers, wired to portable solar panels. Nowadays, a portable power station gives you a small-to-medium-capacity electrical system in one compact device.
Are Portable Power Stations Worth It?
Deciding whether a portable power station is right for you and what capacity to buy is determined by your power usage. Let's take a look at two use-cases: using a portable power station as a substitute for a dedicated electrical system, and using one to support and back up an electrical system.
Using a Portable Power Station as a Substitute for a Dedicated Electrical System
First, let's look at using a solar portable power station instead of a dedicated campervan electrical system. This may be because you don't want the hassle of researching and wiring an electrical system, if you only do small off-grid trips, or if a dedicated system isn't practical for your vehicle.
In order to size an electrical system, you need to understand your daily electricity usage. To do this, take the power in Watts (W) of every device and appliance you'll use, and multiply it by the hours each day you'll use it. This gives you your daily usage in Watt-hours (Wh). Our energy consumption calculator is a useful tool for doing these calculations. Let's look at four examples of daily electricity usage.
Low usage:
Device | Power | Number Used | Hours Used per Day | Electric Charge Usage |
Phone charger | 15W | 2 | 2 | 60Wh |
Laptop charger | 65W | 1 | 3 | 185Wh |
LED lantern | 5W | 1 | 4 | 20Wh |
Total | 285Wh |
These are very basic electrical needs which apply to minimalists on short trips.
Moderate usage:
Device | Power | Number Used | Hours Used per Day | Electric Charge Usage |
Phone charger | 15W | 2 | 2 | 60Wh |
Laptop charger | 65W | 2 | 3 | 390Wh |
LED lantern | 5W | 1 | 4 | 20Wh |
Speaker/camera/drone charger | 15W | 1 | 1 | 15Wh |
Total | 485Wh |
This represents a more standard power usage for a couple on a short to medium-length trip. We assume here that speakers, cameras, and drones don't need to be charged every day. Equally, we can imagine that this couple uses a laptop each for a few hours a day, or that they share a laptop and use it for longer.
High usage:
Device | Power | Number Used | Hours Used per Day | Electric Charge Usage |
Phone charger | 15W | 2 | 3 | 90Wh |
Laptop charger | 65W | 2 | 4 | 520Wh |
LED lantern | 5W | 1 | 4 | 20Wh |
Speaker/camera/drone charger | 15W | 1 | 1 | 15Wh |
Coolbox | 30W | 1 | 6 | 180Wh |
Total | 825Wh |
Adding in a coolbox immediately puts your usage up, as these are run for a few hours at a time. Here we imagine using a 35L coolbox like the Dometic CFX3 35 to keep drinks or perishables cool for an afternoon at the beach. Alternatively, we can imagine long trips and full-time campervan living where one is choosy with the food one buys, only sometimes eating meat and dairy.
Very high usage:
Device | Power | Number Used | Hours Used per Day | Electric Charge Usage |
Phone charger | 15W | 3 | 3 | 125Wh |
Laptop charger | 65W | 2 | 5 | 650Wh |
LED lantern | 5W | 2 | 6 | 60Wh |
Speaker/camera/drone charger | 15W | 2 | 1 | 30Wh |
Fridge | 40W | 1 | 24 | 960Wh |
Total | 1,825Wh |
Most people using a van for long trips or full-time living have a fridge running constantly. Limiting the fresh food you buy and worrying about things going off is more of an inconvenience than most people are willing to accept. Our Roaming Home study polled owners of converted campervans and found that 82% incorporated a fridge into their builds. Here we assume a medium-sized, 39L campervan fridge (small by domestic standards) like the Vitrifrigo C39i. We also assume more heavy phone and laptop usage, representing a couple who works from their van.
Let's compare the solar portable power station setups you'd need to support these usages with the equivalent dedicated electrical systems.
Portable Power Stations Compared for Low Usage
We estimated our daily electrical usage to be about 285Wh with basic use of two phones, a laptop, and a rechargeable camping lantern.
Portable Power Station + Solar Panel
Power Station | Capacity | Inverter Power | Stated Lifespan | Solar Panel | Power | Solar Charging Time | Cost of Power Station + Panel |
256Wh | 300W (600W X-Boost) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 110W | 2.5hrs | £388 ($458) | ||
268Wh | 600W (1200W Power Lifting) | 2,500 cycles to 80% original capacity | 120W | 3hrs | £398 ($399) | ||
256Wh | 300W | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 100W | 5hrs | £464 ($418) | ||
240Wh | 150W | 3,500 cycles to 80% original capacity | 100W | 3hrs | $409 (US only) |
Electrical system
25Ah AGM leisure battery (240Wh at 12V assuming 80% usable capacity)
100W rigid monocrystalline solar panel
250W inverter
75/15 MPPT solar charge controller
9A battery-to-battery charger
Smart monitoring/battery protection device
Wiring, fuses, fuse holders, busbars, switches etc.
TOTAL COST: £300 - £500 ($380 - $650)
Looking at this comparison, we can see that a small portable power station costs the same as low-to-medium spec electrical systems. The electrical system you'll get for the same money as a power station at this threshold will be basic. You might not have sophisticated Bluetooth monitoring capabilities for all components, which the EcoFlow and Bluetti power stations have as standard. This wouldn't be a top-performance, all-Victron electrical system.
Further, the portable power station requires no research, no wiring, and no installation, and can be moved around and used away from your van. Overall, for low power usage, a portable power station with a solar panel is a very economical, low-investment solution.
Portable Power Stations Compared for Moderate Usage
We estimated moderate daily electrical usage to be about 485Wh with basic use of two phones, two laptops, a camping lantern, and a speaker, drone, or camera being recharged every two or three days.
Portable Power Station + Solar Panel
Power Station | Capacity | Inverter Power | Stated Lifespan | Solar Panel | Power | Solar Charging Time | Cost of Power Station + Panel |
512Wh | 500W (1,000W X-Boost) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 160W | 4hrs | £638 ($638) | ||
448Wh | 700W (1,000W Power Lifting) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 200W | 3hrs | £568 ($698) | ||
518Wh | 500W | 800 cycles to 80% original capacity | 200W | 5hrs | £819 ($1,198) | ||
495Wh | 800W | 600 cycles to 80% original capacity | 200W | 3.5hrs | £549.99 (UK only) |
Electrical System
50Ah AGM leisure battery (480Wh at 12V assuming 80% usable capacity)
200W rigid monocrystalline solar panel
250W inverter
75/15 MPPT solar charge controller
18A battery-to-battery charger
Smart monitoring/battery protection device
Wiring, fuses, fuse holders, busbars, switches etc.
TOTAL COST: £400 - £650 ($450 - $850)
We see that a solar-powered portable power station is similar in price to a mid-spec electrical system. An electrical system at this price would likely include higher-spec components and Bluetooth monitoring. The benefit of a power station as an alternative in this case is its flexibility and the fact that there's no need for wiring and installation. At this threshold, a portable power station is still a reasonable substitute for an electrical system.
Portable Power Stations Compared for High Usage
We estimated high daily electricity usage to be about 775Wh with more intense use of phone and laptop chargers and a coolbox for a few hours a day.
Portable Power Station + Solar Panel
Power Station | Capacity | Inverter Power | Stated Lifespan | Solar Panel | Power | Solar Charging Time | Cost of Power Station + Panel |
768Wh | 800W (1,600W X-Boost) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 220W | 4hrs | £958 ($988) | ||
768Wh | 1,000W (2,000W Power Lifting) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 350W | 3hrs | £1,098 ($1,178) |
Electrical System
90Ah AGM leisure battery (864Wh at 12V assuming 80% usable capacity)
250W rigid monocrystalline solar panel
375W inverter
100/20 MPPT solar charge controller
30A battery-to-battery charger
Smart monitoring/battery protection device
Wiring, fuses, fuse holders, busbars, switches etc.
TOTAL COST: £525 - £875 ($670 - $1,120)
Now the balance starts to shift. Only the highest-spec electrical systems (i.e. all-Victron systems) are as expensive as a portable power station solution. However, the electronics inside a EcoFlow or Bluetti power station are also high-spec. If you're willing to pay the premium for the convenience and flexibility of a power station, it may still make sense.
Portable Power Stations Compared for Very High Usage
We estimated a top-range daily electricity usage of 1,795Wh allowing for more heavy phone and laptop usage and a small fridge running 24/7. This is the kind of electrical system we would spec for a couple living in a van full-time or doing long off-grid trips.
Portable Power Station + Solar Panel
Power Station | Capacity | Inverter Power | Stated Lifespan | Solar Panel | Power | Solar Charging Time | Cost of Power Station + Panel |
2,000Wh | 2,400W (3,100W X-Boost) | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 400W | 5.5hrs | £2,198 ($2,748) | ||
2,048Wh | 2,400W (3,600W Power Lifting) | 3,500 cycles to 80% original capacity | 350W | 8hrs | £1,948 ($1,599) | ||
2,160Wh | 2,200W | 1,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 2 x SolarSaga 200 | 400W | 7.5hrs | £2,279 ($3,197) | |
2,008Wh | 2,200W | 3,000 cycles to 80% original capacity | 400W | 10hrs | $1,832 (US only) |
Electrical System
208Ah AGM leisure battery bank (2,000Wh at 12V assuming 80% usable capacity)
400W rigid monocrystalline solar panel array
375W inverter
100/30 MPPT charge controller
30A battery-to-battery charger
Smart monitoring/battery protection device
Wiring, fuses, fuse holders, busbars, switches etc.
TOTAL COST: £750 - £1,200 ($960 - $1500)
Here we can see that a portable power station is much more expensive than even a top-of-the-line electrical system. You're also looking at significant charging times unless you're prepared to set up large solar charging arrays. Finally, these portable power stations are large and heavy, making their convenience over a dedicated electrical system questionable.
In Summary
This cost analysis shows us that for low-to-medium electricity usage, a solar portable power station is a cost-effective option. For a reduced price, you get the flexibility of a portable setup whilst avoiding wiring and installation. Even with comparatively high usage, a power station might make sense if you really want to avoid having to do electrical work. However, as soon as you start using more than 1,500Wh per day, a dedicated electrical system is much more economical.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that these calculations have all been done assuming you can fully recharge your battery every day. This means that the above systems are not true off-grid systems. We recommend calculating for 2 or 3 days with no charging when speccing an off-grid electrical system. This allows you to weather a couple of days of no solar or alternator charging without draining your battery. If we were to do the above exercise for 2 or 3 days of off-grid independence, only very low daily usage would warrant buying a power station over a dedicated electrical system.
If you're intimidated by designing and wiring your electrical system yourself, we have a wealth of guides that will help you feel more confident. The Roaming Home book goes into detail on van conversions as a whole, whilst the Electrical Masterclass course discusses electrics specifically. We also have detailed guide articles on batteries, solar panels, wiring, and much more.
The conclusion is that a portable power station can replace a dedicated electrical system if the following conditions are met:
Low-to-medium electricity usage, devices rather than appliances
Medium-to-high electricity usage if you absolutely want to avoid wiring a dedicated electrical system
If off-grid independence is less important to you (for e.g. you do short trips or regularly stay at campsites)
Using a Portable Power Station to Support and Back Up a Dedicated Electrical System
On the other hand, a mid-to-high-capacity portable power station is an excellent addition to an existing electrical system. You could add 30 - 80% capacity to your existing system, and benefit from the flexibility, portability, and ease of use of a power station. At the same time, this would take the strain off your batteries and other electrical components. You'd also have a backup during cloudy periods or if you want to stay in one place. Finally, in the event of a malfunction in your electrical system, you won't be high and dry and scrambling to find an electrician.
Choosing the Right Portable Power Station for Your RV
Choosing the best portable power station depends on your exact use-case. This choice involves a number of factors.
Capacity
Will you'll be using your power station as your primary source of electricity? Use our load calculator to determine your daily usage, and multiply by the number of days of off-grid independence you want.
If you're planning on using a power station to support an existing electrical system, use the load calculator to calculate what it'll be able to power. A good metric would be a power station that can power all your non-appliance devices (phones and chargers as opposed to fridges and lights) for one or two days. This would effectively allow you to power these devices without turning on your inverter, and would add this much power to your system as backup.
Alternatively, you may have a specific use-case in mind. If you want a power station for powering a fridge, induction cooker, and speaker away from your van, use the load calculator and know that your power station will need recharging after every use of this kind.
Once you know your load requirements, you can use our battery sizing calculator to figure out what capacity you will need.
Inverter Power
Portable power stations also vary in the power of their adapter. Add up the wattage of the appliances you want to run simultaneously. You'll need to choose a power station with an inverter that is rated to this wattage continuously, ignoring the 'surge' power rating.
Charging Speed
The other main specification that differentiates portable power stations is charging speed. Some manufacturers, like EcoFlow, prioritise fast charging speeds over inverter power. Decide how important this is to you — fast charging is especially convenient when charging away from home.
Maximum Charging Input
A final factor is charging input. Some manufacturers, like Bluetti, make up for lower charging speeds by increasing the maximum charging input. Some of their models allow you to plug in two mains inputs at once. Others allow very high charging inputs from solar panels. A low maximum solar charging input may limit you, preventing you from adding extra solar panels to speed up charging. On the other hand, a very high maximum solar charging input is only useful if you've got the money and space for large solar arrays.
The Best Portable Power Stations on the Market
Competition in the portable power station market is mostly between EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Jackery. These are well-established companies with a track record of quality manufacturing and high specifications. BougeRV are a newer manufacturer with fewer models, but look to be offering promising innovations. Keep an eye on their semi-solid state batteries, which they claim are safer and longer-lasting. Let's take a look at the 4 capacities we discussed above, comparing their specs and key features.
Our top picks
When it comes to portable power stations, the Bluetti AC50B and the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max are two standout choices. Both are highly capable and expandable with additional battery packs, making them versatile for various needs.
The Bluetti AC50B offers a balanced capacity and is extremely portable, making it a great addition to any electrical system or even a compact alternative to a full setup.
On the other hand, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max boasts a significantly larger capacity, ideal for those needing a robust backup or a substantial boost to their electrical system's capacity.
Both models are reliable, high-performance options for vanlife or off-grid living.
Bluetti AC50B | EcoFlow Delta 2 Max |
| |
448Wh capacity | 2,048Wh capacity |
700W inverter (1,000W under Power Lifting mode) | 2,400W inverter (3,100W under X-Boost mode) |
Expandable to 1,254Wh capacity | Expandable to 6,144Wh capacity |
The Best Portable Power Station for Low Electricity Usage
Among small portable power stations, the EcoFlow River 2 mostly stands above the competition, featuring the fastest solar and AC charging speeds, whilst also being fairly lightweight. The Bluetti EB3A has an inverter that's twice as powerful, making it a good small portable power station for powering high-powered appliances. Bear in mind that with a power station of this capacity, running an inverter at high power will drain the battery very quickly. The Jackery Explorer 240 has decent specs but falls down on charging times and the combined price of the power station and solar panel. Special mention goes to the BougeRV JuiceGO, which sacrifices inverter power for a very compact size and weight.
The Best Portable Power Station for Moderate Electricity Usage
The EcoFlow River 2 Max and Bluetti AC50B are neck-and-neck, with similar charging times, weights, and inverter sizes. The Bluetti's capacity can be increased to 1,254Wh with the B80 expansion battery, edging out the EcoFlow for flexibility down the line. This upgrade would allow it to better support its high maximum inverter power. The Jackery Explorer 500 and Renogy's lithium-ion batteries are far less durable than the LFP batteries of their competitors, making them difficult to recommend.
The Best Portable Power Station for High Electricity Usage
The choice here comes down to specific features. The EcoFlow River 2 Pro has the fastest AC charging and is the lightest of the lot, making it convenient for flexible, spontaneous use. The Bluetti AC70 has the most powerful inverter, and is well-suited for high-powered appliances. It's also expandable up to 3,840Wh with Bluetti's expansion battery packs. It is, however, about 2.5kg heavier than the EcoFlow.
The Best Portable Power Station for Very High Electricity Usage
The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the clear winner here, with the fastest solar and AC charging and a powerful inverter. The Bluetti AC200L's inverter is more powerful, but only in its inefficient Power Lifting mode. Both power stations are expandable with expansion battery packs, the EcoFlow up to 6,000Wh and the Bluetti up to 8,000Wh. The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro and BougeRV Rover 2000 are comparable in most metrics, but lack the Bluetooth connectivity and app control of their competitors.
How to Use a Portable Power Station
Portable power stations are generally plug-and-play — plug in an input to charge the battery, plug in a device to power it. As long as you store and operate the power station within the manufacturer's stated temperature ranges and don't overload its inputs or outputs, it should work seamlessly. Power stations come packaged with an AC charging cable and DC car charging cable as standard. Pay attention to whether the AC charging cable is USB-C or a mains cable. You won't get the fastest advertised charging times with USB-C, and may need to buy the mains cable separately.
How to Charge a Portable Power Station with Solar Panels
Solar charging of your portable power station is a no-brainer unless you live somewhere with next to no sun. You can choose to charge your power station with either fixed solar panels on the roof of your camper, or a portable setup. Our article on solar panels goes into detail on fixed solar panels, discussing choice, installation, and wiring. The portable solar panels made by power station manufacturers are designed to set up easily and fold away for storage. They're flexible solar panels, which are currently slightly less efficient than the rigid ones you'd generally fix to your roof. Portable solar panels make up for this deficiency by being lightweight and very durable.
Maximum Solar Input
Whether you're using fixed or portable solar panels, it's important to make sure that you're not connecting more solar power than your power station's solar charge controller can handle. Check the maximum solar input of your power station (in Watts) and choose a solar array with a total wattage that's less than this number. Portable solar panels are designed to work seamlessly with power stations made by the same manufacturer, so it's simplest to use these.
Solar Charging Cables
Solar panel charging cables generally use either MC4 or Anderson Powerpole connectors. Check the cables that came with your solar panels and portable power station and make sure that they can plug into each other. If they can't, you'll need to buy an MC4-Anderson Powerpole adapter. When connecting multiple panels, wire them together in series, as shown in this diagram from Bluetti.
You can see that even with multiple panels wired together, we still end up with one positive and one negative output. These then connect to the solar charging port of your power station, either directly or via an adapter.
Charging Your Portable Power Station from a Fixed Solar Array
The best way to charge your power station from your fixed solar panels is via a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch. This is a relay which takes a single input from your solar array and splits it into two outputs. One output connects to your electrical system's solar charge controller, the other connects to a cable that plugs into your power station. The switch allows you to select whether the solar array is connected to your leisure batteries or to your power station. It's best to avoid trying to charge your leisure batteries and power station simultaneously, as this can lead to dangerous voltage and current mismatches unless carefully managed.
Maintenance and Safety Tips for Your Portable Power Station
In order to get the most out of your portable power station and maximise its lifespan, it's important to use it within the manufacturer's stated parameters. Power stations generally contain battery management systems, charge controllers, and protection measures. This means that the device won't let you charge or discharge it with more power than it can handle, or discharge it to damaging levels. In addition to these protections, you can extend your portable power station's lifespan by:
Not storing or using it lying on its side, as this affects the internal structure of the batteries
Keeping it within the manufacturer-stated temperature range, both during use and storage
Following the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance charging
For example, Bluetti recommends that their power stations not be left below 5% charge for any length of time, that their power stations be stored at 40% - 60% charge, and that they be fully discharged and recharged every 3 months whilst in storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you run with a portable power station?
Can a portable power station run a refrigerator? What about an electric cooker? What you can run depends on power draw (in Watts) and power draw over time (in Watt-hours). A small portable coolbox , like the Dometic CFX3 35, pulls about 30W, whilst a small campervan fridge like the Vitrifrigo C39i pulls more like 40W. The smallest portable power station we've discussed has a 120W inverter, so inverter power isn't an issue here. However, a 30W coolbox uses 30Wh per hour when it's running, which adds up quickly. If you use such a coolbox for an afternoon, you'll use 120Wh - 180Wh of power. Using a campervan fridge full-time uses 960Wh - 1,200Wh per day. You'll need to make sure your power station's battery is big enough to be able to run a fridge for any length of time.
The same calculation must be done for other appliances. A small hair dryer pulls 800W - 1,200W. You may only use a hair dryer for 5 minutes a day, equating to about 120Wh of battery charge. This is significant, but manageable. In this case, it's the power station's inverter which is the limiting factor, as it must be rated to at least 1,200W.
An electrical cooker or induction hob is a different story. A portable induction hob like the Sterling Power IHP pulls a maximum of 1,500W, which is manageable for power stations with high-capacity inverters. However, you're likely to use an induction hob for 30 to 90 minutes to cook a meal. This means you'll use 750Wh to 2,250Wh at a time, which puts you outside the battery capacities of all but the biggest portable power stations.
In short, a portable power station can run anything that its inverter can support, if only for a short time. To make sure your power station can comfortably run your appliances without quickly running out of charge, you need to make sure the battery is big enough.
How long does a portable power station last?
Like any rechargeable battery, the battery inside a portable power station loses performance over time. Most modern power stations are based on LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) batteries due to their superior resilience and lifespan. These batteries will last a long time compared to cheaper lithium-ion batteries. Many of the portable power stations we've discussed advertise a lifespan of 3,000 cycles before reaching 80% of their original capacity. This means that after charging and discharging one of these power stations 3,000 times, the battery will have 80% of the capacity it had when new. To give some perspective, if you charged and discharged your power station 6 times a week for 10 years, this would add up to 3,000 cycles. This shows that a good-quality portable power station with a LFP battery and integrated battery management system will last a very long time.
Can I use third-party solar panels with my portable power station?
You can use any solar panel with your portable power station as long as:
The connector type matches
The solar array's output power is less than the maximum solar input power of the power station
The solar array's open circuit voltage (Vmp) and short circuit current (Imp) falls within the maximum voltage and input current of the power station
We've already discussed connector types; most solar panels and power stations use either MC4 or Anderson Powerpole connectors, which are inter-operable using an adapter.
Any solar panel will have a published value for Vmp (in Volts) and Imp (in Amps). You'll need to check the maximum voltage and input current for your power station, and make sure the values for the solar panel are less than these maximum values. If wiring multiple panels together in series, use this calculator from Far Out Ride to find out the total Vmp and Imp of your array.
What are surge power, X-Boost, and Power Lifting mode?
Surge power is a property of inverters that allows them to handle high wattages in short bursts of a few seconds. This is important for powering certain high-demand appliances which cause a power spike when first turned on. Inverters can only supply their surge power rating for a few seconds, and you should focus on the interter's continuous rating when choosing a portable power station.
Surge power is different to high-power inverter modes advertised by some portable power station manufacturers. EcoFlow's X-Boost mode and Bluetti's Power Lifting mode are inverter modes which you can activate if you want to run a higher-power appliance continuously. These modes work by allowing the the inverter to work less efficiently to provide more power, and are optimised for use with resistive loads. A resistive load is pulled by appliances that incorporate a heating coil, like kettles, hair dryers, and heaters. A power station operating in X-Boost or Power Lifting mode will drain its battery more quickly and reduce the lifespan of its battery with regular use.
Frustratingly, power station manufacturers often conflate the term 'surge' with these proprietary high-capacity inverter modes. You should only assume a power station incorporates a continuous high-capacity inverter mode if this is specifically advertised. Otherwise, assume that any ‘surge’ wattage refers to a temporary power spike when powering on a high-demand appliance.
Can I charge and discharge my portable power station at the same time?
Yes. Most portable power stations support what’s called 'pass-through charging', where you charge the power station via solar, AC, or DC whilst also using it to power a device. This might not be as efficient as separate charging and discharging, but the battery management system will handle and distribute the loads whilst using any excess power to recharge the power station.
Final Thoughts
You should now be equipped with the knowledge to choose a portable power station that suits your needs. We feel that most van users should be well-served by either the Bluetti AC50B or the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max, depending on their electricity usage. Both of these power stations charge quickly from AC, DC, and solar, can be expanded with extra battery packs, and are light and portable for their capacity. Treat your portable power station well and it'll last you a long time, giving you flexible and convenient power on the road for many years.
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Until next time.