The best portable power station for van life can make a real difference to any camping experience, acting as a stand-alone power source and allowing you to keep your various gadgets topped up.
Generally coming with their own inverter, portable power stations come in a variety of sizes, with larger models providing longer run times and offering more outlets than their smaller – but more budget-friendly – counterparts. However, these bigger options are typically heavier, so will need to be moved around carefully. Owners will also have to factor this weight into their ‘van’s payload when planning out which of the best campervan gadgets to take on tour with them.
The vast majority of portable power stations come with a built-in inverter which links to a 240V socket (if not more than one), as well as USB-A, USB-C and 12V sockets, so you can stay powered up when you’re pitched up at one of the best campervan sites in the UK.
However, packing a portable power station for a campervan doesn’t mean you can suddenly take your own 3000W electric kettle from your home kitchen on tour with you. You’ll generally be using electrical items which run on less than 500W. If you’re planning to power more delicate items, such as a coffee machine, laptop or similar, you’ll need one with a pure sine wave inverter, which smooths the electrical current, and also works with the majority of 240V equipment. This contrasts with a modified sine wave inverter, which is completely different but cheaper.
To help you find the right one for you, we’re running through our favourite options for the best portable power station for van life, including models from brands such as Bluetti, Jackery and Ecoflow.
Practical Motorhome is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The best portable power station for campervans
Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 1000
Ecoflow River 2 Max
Anker Portable Power Station 521
Ecoflow Delta 2
The best portable power station for van life:
Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station
- Battery capacity: 268.8Wh (12Ah)
- Dimensions: 255 x 180 x 183mm
- Weight: 4.6kg
- Outlets: 1 x 12V socket, 2 x 12V DCs, 2 x USB-As, 1 x USB-C, 1 x 220-240V AC/600W port
Reason to buy:
- Budget-friendly, fairly lightweight, wireless charging pad provided
Reason to avoid:
- Motorhome owners could want better battery capacity
We were instantly impressed by the weight of the EB3A when we tested it. At only 4.6kg, it’s among the lighter options in our guide, ideal if you’re looking for a more manoeuvrable portable power station or simply want to avoid denting your payload too much.
One of our favourite features is the 15W wireless charging pad, very handy for giving your phone a top-up when needed. Charging is fairly simple too, just requiring plugging into the mains with its AC charging cable – we found it took around 1.5 hours to fully charge this way. Other options include charging via a 12V port, via a solar panel or with a generator, but you’d need separate accessories for this.
Thanks to its 600w AC pure sine wave inverter (1200W surge) and 268Wh capacity, it could power numerous items such as mini rice cookers, but we were especially keen to look at its ability to simultaneously charge several smaller devices. It proved more than up to the challenge, with four iPhones and a laptop staying topped up when our tester Paul went off-grid for a couple of days. Usefully, it also comes with a LiFePO4 battery, so it should be rechargeable over 3,000 times.
Full review: Bluetti EB3A
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 1000
- Battery capacity: 1002WH
- Dimensions: 233 x 333 x 283 (W x H x D in mm)
- Weight: 10kg
- Outlets: 2 x AC, 1 x 12V output, 2 x USB-A outputs, 2 x USB-C outputs
Reason to buy:
- Runs quietly, simple to use, offers good charging options
Reason to avoid:
- At 10kg, it’s quite heavy
We were very impressed by the Jackery Explorer 1000 when we put it to the test. We gave it a go with two SolarSaga 100W panels (available separately), and liked the ease of recharging it via solar power – just unfold the panels and connect them (it takes around eight hours to charge this way). For those who decide to use the Explorer 1000 as it comes, it can be charged via an AC adaptor before setting off.
It offers ‘van owners two AC outlets, and from full power, it’s able to charge a laptop roughly eight times, or operate a 550W coffeemaker for 88 minutes. USB ports are also provided, allowing you to keep your touring gadgets charged up.
There’s no getting away from its weight though – at 10kg, this could be heavy for motorhome owners to move around, as well as eating into the payload of smaller ‘vans. This is exacerbated further if you opt for the solar panels, which are 4.1kg each. If you’re after a lighter option, the Bluetti EB3A could be worth considering, although the tradeoff is less outlets and capacity.
Full review: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 1000
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Ecoflow River 2 Max
- Battery capacity: 512Wh
- Weight: 6kg
- Dimensions: 270 x 260 x 196 (in mm)
- Outputs: 1 x USB-C socket; 3 x USB-A sockets; 2 x AC sockets, 1 x DC socket, 1 x DC5521
Reason to buy:
- Quick to charge
Reason to avoid:
- The handle location may not be as practical as it is on other models
Taking only an hour to recharge via an AC outlet, we’re impressed by how the River 2 MAX is capable of running nine appliances simultaneously, thanks to its capacity of up to 512Wh. At 6kg, it’s fairly lightweight considering what it offers – that’s only 1.4kg heavier than the Bluetti EB3A, for instance, while providing a capacity of nearly double.
It’s also impressively fast to top up the battery – you can get to a full charge from 0% in only an hour, something that we think will be especially helpful if it needs some a quick charge just before you head off. Its LFP long-life battery should also last for over 3000 charges, giving you a long lifespan.
Once it’s charged up, the manufacturer says it should be able to charge a laptop around six times and a phone 41 times. A particularly useful feature is the USB-C cable can be used to charge up as it’s both an input and output port – helpful if you’ve set off but inadvertently forgotten your AC cable.
Check the latest price on Amazon now.
Anker 521
- Battery capacity: 256Wh
- Weight: 3.7kg
- Dimensions: 216 x 144 x 212 (in mm)
- Outputs: 1 x car outlet, 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, 1 x AC
Reason to buy:
- Compact, lighter than Bluetti, clear display
Reason to avoid:
- Limited amount of outlets, slower recharge time than other portable power stations
We’d say the Anker 521 is an ideal option for anyone who wants an entry-level gadget to power their other touring accessories that run at under 200W. It’s worth noting just how lightweight it actually is – at only 3.7kg, it’s the lightest model in our guide, nearly a whole kg lighter than its nearest rival, the Bluetti EB3A. It does come with fewer ports, but if weight is an important factor to you, that could be a price worth paying.
That’s not to say you don’t get a good selection though – with two USB-A ports, a USB-C port and both an AC port and a car outlet, you still get some good options for keeping your products charged up when you’re touring in your campervan. It takes around two and a half hours to charge, which is longer than the Bluetti (which takes one and a half hours), and significantly slower than the Ecoflow River 2 Max (which takes only an hour).
A feature we do really like with the Anker is the clear display it comes with, allowing you to keep track of its battery level. Also, if you need it, the portable power station, which has an LiFePO4 battery, usefully includes an inbuilt light.
Check the latest price on Amazon now.
Ecoflow Delta 2
- Battery capacity: 1kWh
- Weight: 12kg
- Dimensions: 400 x 211 x 281 (in mm)
- Outputs: 2 x USB-A fast charge sockets, 2 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 4 x AC sockets , 2 x DC5521 Outputs
Reason to buy:
- Excellent capacity, capacity can be further increased with additional batteries
Reason to avoid:
- Requires additional batteries to maximise its potential, heavy
For ‘van owners who want an excellent capacity in their portable power station, we’d recommend the EcoFlow Delta 2. Coming with an impressive 1kWh capacity as standard, there’s the option of buying additional batteries to boost it to as much as 3kWh, ideal for families on the road who want plenty of power.
While its weight of 12kg makes it the heaviest option in our guide, the inclusion of built-in handles will make it easier to move around. It also has an LFP battery, giving you a product you can charge over 3,000 times.
Its main selling point is its sheer versatility, as it’s capable of powering an impressive 13 devices at once. The manufacturer says it could charge a laptop 16 times, a phone 89 times and a mini-fridge for a minimum of 16 hours, offering plenty of power. It’s also impressively fast if it needs charging before setting off – it can be topped up from 0 to 80% within 50 minutes via the AC outlet.
There’s no getting away from its price, but if you want a powerful gadget with an excellent battery capacity, this could be the best portable power station for you.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
