Anker SOLIX C300
A practical portable power station with 288Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
The Best Portable Power Stations for Camping in the UK (2026)
A portable power station turns a tent, caravan or campervan into a place with proper power: lights, charged phones, a cool box, even a small fridge, all without a noisy petrol generator. This guide covers what matters for camping and which units we rate for the outdoors.
Quick answer
For camping, balance capacity against weight. A unit around 300-1000Wh covers most trips - phones, lights, a fan and a cool box for a weekend - while staying carryable. Prioritise LiFePO4 cells for durability, a quiet, fume-free design you can use inside a tent or awning, and a 12V output for camping gear. Add a folding solar panel if you stay out longer than the battery lasts.
Sizing it for a trip
Work out roughly what you will run and for how long, then size up. Add the watt-hours each device needs per day (its wattage multiplied by hours of use) and pick a battery comfortably above that total, since you will not get 100% of the rated capacity in practice. A weekend of phone charging, lights and a cool box is modest; running a 12V fridge continuously for several days needs a far bigger battery, solar top-ups, or both. See our [runtime guide](/what-will-a-power-station-run-uk/) for the maths.
Weight, size and portability
Capacity comes at the cost of weight, and camping means carrying the unit from car to pitch. Smaller stations are easy to move; large-capacity LiFePO4 units can be heavy, so check the weight and that there is a proper handle. For backpacking you want the smallest unit that meets your needs; for car camping or a caravan you can afford more capacity. Think about where it will sit safely and stay dry.
Running a cool box or fridge
A 12V compressor fridge or cool box is the classic camping load. These cycle on and off rather than running constantly, so daily energy use is lower than the headline wattage suggests, but over several days it adds up. A mid-size station can keep one going for a day or two; for longer you will want solar to replace what you use. Check both the running wattage and the start-up surge against the station's rated and surge output.
Solar for longer trips
For trips beyond what the battery alone covers, a folding solar panel lets you recharge at the pitch. UK sunshine is variable, so size the panel and battery for cloudy days and treat solar as a top-up rather than a guarantee. Folding panels are convenient and weatherproof; check the panel is within the station's solar input limit. See our [solar generator guide](/best-solar-generator-uk/) for how solar charging works.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a unit so large it is awkward to carry to the pitch.
- Under-sizing the battery for a multi-day fridge load.
- Forgetting the 12V output that much camping gear uses.
- Assuming solar will keep up in poor weather without spare battery capacity.
- Leaving the unit exposed to rain or extreme heat - keep it dry and ventilated.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Anker SOLIX
A practical portable power station with 1024Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#3 
Marbero Portable Power Station
A practical portable power station with 88Wh capacity, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#4 
Jackery Explorer 500
A practical portable power station with 518Wh capacity and solar charging, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#5 
Jackery Explorer 1000
A practical portable power station with 1070Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#6 
Jackery Explorer 240
A practical portable power station with 256Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#7 
Vtoman Jump 600X
A practical portable power station with 299Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#8 
EcoFlow DELTA 2
A practical portable power station with long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#9 
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max
A practical portable power station with 512Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#10 
AFERIY 2048Wh Power Station
A practical portable power station with 2048Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
What size power station do I need for camping?
For a weekend of phones, lights and a cool box, a few hundred watt-hours is usually enough. To run a 12V fridge for several days, look at a larger battery and consider solar top-ups. Add up your daily watt-hours and choose a unit comfortably above that.
Can I use a portable power station inside a tent?
Yes. Unlike petrol generators, portable power stations are silent and produce no fumes, so they are safe to use inside a tent, awning or caravan. Keep the unit dry, ventilated and away from anything that could overheat it.
Will a power station run a camping fridge?
A mid-size station can run a 12V compressor fridge for a day or two, as fridges cycle on and off rather than drawing power constantly. For longer trips, pair it with a solar panel to replace the energy you use, and check the fridge's start-up surge against the station's output.
Do I need solar panels for camping?
Not for short trips, where the battery alone is usually enough. For longer stays off-grid, a folding solar panel lets you top up at the pitch. UK sun is variable, so size the battery for a day or two and treat solar as an extension rather than your only source.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Anker SOLIX C300 (our score 9.6/10) - A practical portable power station with 288Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need..