Portable power stations are a great choice for campers and travelers, giving you a portable battery pack to charge any handheld devices, speakers, lights and appliances you take with you on the go. But a portable power station is even more versatile than most people realize. You can use a portable power station within your home to funnel power to a device without easy access to a charging point or even on a camping site hundreds of miles from home.
Portable power stations are a natural alternative to diesel power stations, with the benefit of being able to charge them from your own AC socket, or you can top up the battery with solar panels in the great outdoors. This guide has the best portable power stations, from affordable, lightweight models to heavy-duty options with built-in solar panels.
How I picked the best portable power stations
I chose portable power stations based on advice from our experts, as well as the following criteria:
- Portability: How portable should a portable power station be? I looked at the weight of prospective models, whether they came with a handle, and if there were other intuitive design choices to help make travel easier.
- Connectivity: Portable power stations must be able to connect to the devices you need to charge and power. I chose devices with multiple charging outlets of different types (AC plugs, USB-A, USB-C, etc.) and easy compatibility with solar panels for potentially endless power.
- Rugged design: Portable power stations are well-suited for outdoor use. I highlighted stations with some level of dust, water and impact protection that can ideally handle different weather and environmental conditions.
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The best portable power stations in 2025
Our top picks come from established portable power brands like Jackery, Anker Solix and Ecoflow. We list important specifications like battery capacity, outlets available, solar compatibility and total station weight under the “What to know” dropdown.
All of our portable power stations can be easily turned into solar power stations by plugging in a compatible solar panel. We included power station and solar panel bundles alongside each of our top picks, as it is generally cheaper to buy them together than separately.
Best small portable power station
The Jackery Explorer 300 is a great, low-cost choice for smaller energy needs. With a 293Wh capacity, you’ll get a few hours of use for power-hungry camping equipment or several days of charging for basic smartphone devices. At 7.1 lbs, it’s a lightweight option that you can easily carry with the hefty built-in handle, and it’s also impact-resistant and made of flame-retardant material.
You can also get the Jackery Explorer 300 with a Jackery SolarSaga 100-watt portable solar panel bundled together at a steep discount compared to buying them separately. The solar panel folds in half for convenient storage and is IP68 dust and waterproof, so you can use it outside without worrying too much about the weather.
Best midsize portable power station
Anker is one of our favorite brands for smaller charging needs, but it also makes some of the best portable power stations. The Anker Solix C1000 strikes a great balance between power, weight and price. It can power large appliances like refrigerators, microwaves and electric stoves, but is easy to take camping or road tripping due to its portable size.
It’s also high-tech: you can connect it via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and monitor its performance and power levels in the Anker app.
Pair the Anker Solix C1000 with an Anker Solix PS200 200-watt solar panel, and you can get unlimited power as long as the sun is shining. The PS200 solar panel is more powerful and more adjustable than the Jackery SolarSaga, with a kickstand that you can set at different angles. It has four panel segments that fold down for storage.
Best large portable power station
If you need even more battery capacity and power, consider this station from Ecoflow. It has nearly double the total capacity of our Anker pick and even higher maximum output, making it well-suited for home backup and RV use. Like the Anker Solix, you can control and monitor the power station manually or through the EcoFlow mobile app.
Ecoflow also makes the larger, more powerful Ecoflow Delta 3 Ultra, but it’s pricier and weighs nearly 75 pounds, stretching the definition of “portable” in my mind.
For some folks, bigger is better — pair the Ecoflow Delta 3 Max with this EcoFlow 400W Solar Panel, and you have seriously effective solar power wherever you are. The solar panel is rated at 400 watts, meaning it should convert more energy faster than our other, smaller recommendations.
Best budget portable power station
If you’re not totally sold on the idea of a portable power station and want to try one out without spending too much, consider this option from Westinghouse. It costs much less than our other recommendations and is also the lightest. The trade-off is that it has a lower total capacity, meaning it is best suited to smaller devices like smartphones, cameras, speakers and lights.
Unlike our other top picks, Westinghouse does not offer a station plus solar panel bundle, so you’ll have to purchase the Westinghouse 60W Solar Panel separately if interested.
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What about portable solar power banks?
Portable solar power banks combine the compact convenience of a power bank and the recharging capabilities of a solar panel. At least, on paper. In reality, portable solar power banks are far less efficient than separate power and solar equipment.
“All-in-one solutions like portable solar power banks go against everything I know about batteries, namely that batteries don’t like to get hot,” says Mike Kreis, a product, sales and customer service specialist at REI. A regular power bank is much more convenient and effective for charging small electronics on the go, without the fuss of a solar panel. Solar panels are great for when you are truly off the grid, and don’t want to rely on, say, a vehicle to power your devices, says Kreis.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Nate Wade was the Merchandise Manager at Batteries Plus, working across flashlights, power equipment (generators, inverters, Back UPS), solar panels and portable power stations.
- Mike Kreis is a product, sales and customer service specialist at REI.
Why trust NBC Select?
Henry St. Leger has been a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and projectors to gaming consoles and VR headsets. He also reports on games for GamesRadar, The Times and IGN.
Harry Rabinowitz is the tech reporter for NBC Select, covering technology and fitness, including stories on smartwatches, wireless earbuds and air purifiers.
Leger and Rabinowitz interviewed battery, power and energy experts to better understand the intricacies of portable power stations and solar power.
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