From cellphones to headlamps to satellite communicators, electronics are now part of the backcountry experience for many of us. But the juice to run them doesn't grow on trees.
Whether you're looking for a lightweight battery pack to keep your smartphone charged in the field, or a device big enough to keep a fridge running at home during the next power outage, look no further. With the help of a crew who camped, traveled and took road trips, we tested a range of power banks and higher-capacity portable power stations—all to find the best devices available at the co-op to keep your electronic devices charged.
Test Results
For quick recommendations, check out our roundup below, or scroll down for more in-depth reviews. Learn more about portable power in the Buying Advice section.
Power Banks
Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables)
- BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
Power Stations
Editor's note: We updated this gear guide on Oct. 22, 2026, to include the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) and the NEBO Rambler 300 Power Station. Check back for updates as we continue testing.
Power Banks
Anker Laptop Power Bank (25,000 mAh, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables)
Score 90
Battery capacity 90 watt hours
Battery storage capacity (mAh) 25000 milliamp hours
Dimensions 6.18 x 2.13 x 1.93 inches
Battery type Lithium ion
Weight 1 lb. 4.6 oz.
Best for Camping, travel, work trips, hanging out at home; those who prioritize built-in cables
At more than a pound, the Anker Laptop Power Bank won’t earn a spot on your next ultralight backpacking trip. But we found it ideal for travel, work trips, off-the-grid car camping or even lounging at home. The battery pack slips easily into a carry-on bag or a car console.
Despite its portability, this power bank packs a punch. “The power bank had plenty of power for all of my charging uses,” says tester Brian W., who charged several phones, wireless earbuds, a satellite messenger and a headlamp during a four-day camping trip. He was initially worried about charging a laptop and phone at the same time, but the power bank (which can connect to up to four items at once) “was able to charge both without issue.”
Tester Kris A. says the integrated charging cables set this power bank apart from several others he owns. Two built-in USB-C cables eliminate the need to carry multiple cords. One cable is nearly a foot long and doubles as a wrist strap, while the other is about 2 feet long and retracts when not in use. This made it easy to share a power source with others.
Our testers also liked the display screen, which showed the power bank’s output in real time and tracked each device’s charging progress. “We made a game out of it to see which phone would ‘win’ the charging race to full,” says Brian.
Drawbacks were minimal, though it lacks wireless charging, and the ports could use protective covers to keep out dust. Overall, our testers reached for this power bank time and again.
“It’s my go-to power bank for all my weekend adventures but I even find myself grabbing it on those evenings when I've been on my phone more throughout the day for work and need a little bump,” says Kris.
Bottom Line: A handy option with smart grab-and-go features that make it as convenient for home use as car camping and road trips.
Testing Stats:
- Testing locations: Oregon, Washington
- Best testing story: "I shared the power bank among my friends and one was blown away when his Android phone when from 'dead' to full charge in less than 30 minutes," says tester Brian W. "We all loved the graphic interface that showed the power bank's output in real time so we could easily see how each device was progressing. We made a game out of it to see which phone would 'win' the charging race to full!"
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
Score 85
Charge time 4 hours
Battery capacity 74 watt hours
Battery storage capacity (mAh) 20,000 milliamp hours
Battery type Lithium ion
Dimensions 6.7 x 3.2 x 1 inches
Best for Day hikes, backpacking, travel, devices that use USB-A ports
We recommend this power bank from BioLite for two- to three-day trips and international travel. At 1.5 pounds, it may feel heavy for backpackers, but our testers found the extra weight worth it to keep all their devices running, especially when taking a lot of photos and videos. One of our testers used the power bank to keep his cellphone charged during a multiday bikepacking adventure through the Southern Appalachians.
The biggest advantage of the Charge 80 PD Power Bank is in the fast-charging USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port, which delivers up to 18 watts. That's roughly enough power for tablets, phones and a 13-inch laptop. Two USB-A output ports provide additional charging options, and all three ports can be used at the same time.
With rounded edges and corners, it's durable and easy to jam anywhere in a pack. The hard plastic exterior also slides easily in and out of pockets, though there's just enough texture on the surface for a sure grip. It also sports a four-light charge-level indicator and a button to let you check the charge level. The power bank is also available in smaller capacities, including the Charge 20 and Charge 40.
Bottom Line: Packing a power punch, this durable unit is easy to take along, whether on the trail or during travel.
Testing Stats:
- Test charge cycles: 25
- Testing locations: Colorado, North Carolina, Norway, Utah
Power Stations
NEBO Rambler 300 Power Station
Score 86
Charge time Less than 2 hours
Battery capacity 288 watt hours
Battery type Lithium iron phosphate
Dimensions 12.1 x 9.3 x 2.2 inches
Weight 8 lbs. 4.8 oz.
Best for Car camping, van life, a work day out of the office if not too far from the car
“The NEBO charges FAST!!!” gushed tester Kris A., who was impressed by how quickly the Rambler could fill its tank and be ready for the next adventure. “Fully charged in under two hours from empty, averaging just over 300W input via the included AC cable,” he said. The NEBO power station is also a multi-tasker that’s able to charge up to six devices at once, thanks to two ports each of USB-A, USB-C and AC.
Testers appreciated the Rambler’s slim, rugged-feeling briefcase design, which makes it easy to handle and tuck into spaces—a departure from the traditional block shapes used by other manufacturers. Over a three-day weekend, another tester hadhad no problem charging her laptop and GPS watch, as well as fully juicing (a few times!) the iPhones of two screen-addicted teens. She found the placement of the AC port a bit inconvenient, however, when she had a bulkier charging brick. “The weight is great for in-house backup, off-site laptop charging and/or car camping,” says tester Tony C. who used the NEBO to charge his laptop and iPhone more than 17 times. “The laptop and phone charged up easily, if a bit slower than household power.”
But the Rambler also came with one big reservation: Testers lamented the lack of a 12-volt DC outlet, a feature often found on similarly sized power stations. Tester Kris A. ran into the limitation when he had to rely on the AC option to run a 12-volt electric-powered cooler while car camping. “In my eyes, this power station is well suited for someone who works outside with lots of digital gear they need to keep powered, like phones, or a tablet, or laptop, or cameras or a drone,” he says. “Could also make for a great backup/secondary power supply for van-lifers.”
Bottom Line: This slimmer power station also cuts down on some functionality for bigger charging jobs, but might hit the sweet spot for frequent travelers with lots of personal electronics and not a lot of space.
Testing Stats:
- Test charge cycles: 12
- Testing locations: Oregon, Washington
BioLite BaseCharge 1500 Portable Power Station
Score 93
Charge time 4 hours
Battery capacity 1,520 watt hours
Battery storage capacity 70,417 mAh (at 2.15v)
Dimensions 14.4 x 12.2 x 8.2 inches
Weight 28 lbs. 6 oz.
Best for Weekend or multiday trips, group charging, backup home power
Of the larger portable power stations we tested, we think you get the most bang for your buck with the BioLite BaseCharge. The 1,520 Wh unit weighs 28 pounds, much lighter than the competition we tested with comparable battery capacity. Its handles are integrated into the unit, making it easy to carry with two hands (those with a strong grip can one-hand it). The sleek design with rounded edges and corners makes it easy to pack in the car, and it's stout enough to pile things on top of. We tested this unit on several group outings, including a two-night Cub Scout camping trip in the Colorado Rockies with eight adults. The BaseCharge kept our BioLite AlpenGlow 500 lanterns running (the scouts loved the disco party feature). For groups half our size, BioLite also makes a smaller BaseCharge 600+.
Nine outputs include a smattering of USB ports; a wide wireless charging platform on the top deck; and a single high-power port (HPP) input to recharge the device from a wall outlet or by connecting it to four solar panels (sold separately; BioLite recommends the SolarPanel 100). The display shows the stats like time to empty or full charge, but also has a watt-hour odometer that we could reset to better track and understand our power usage over time.
Bottom Line: This easy to carry power station boasts good power management display for devices that draw modest to medium power.
Testing Stats:
- Test Charge Cycles: 7
- Testing Locations: Colorado, Utah
Buying Advice for Portable Power
When buying a portable power bank or station, consider first how you plan to use it the majority of the time. How much power will you need for the kind of use you envision? How many devices will you be charging? How long will you be off the grid? Will you be mobile or stationary (and if mobile, will you be on foot or in a vehicle)? What features are crucial to you? Think hard about these needs before you buy. Underestimate them and you may run out of power before your adventure is over. Overestimate, and that bigger and heavier kit might be more of an anchor than an enhancement.
For a more in-depth buying guide, consult our article, "How to Choose Solar Chargers and Portable Power."
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity tells you how much charge the power bank can hold for later use, when you're ready to recharge your devices. Capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh), Amp hours (Ah) or watt hours (Wh). (Anything with a capacity about 100,000 mAh will often switch to using "watt hours"). As capacity increases, devices get larger and heavier since they rely on internal batteries to function.
Portable power banks provide lower output, up to 10,000 mAh, and are best for short-term power needs; they can charge up a modern smartphone roughly two times. Portable power stations like the BioLite Base Charge 1500 are larger, high-capacity devices that are capable of powering small appliances or serving as emergency backup. They're also designed to charge up multiple devices at a time, and often have USB outlets, an AC (standard "wall outlet") outlet, or a 12V DC outlet.
How Much Power Will You Need and for How Long?
This is one of the trickiest variables to calculate. Think about all the devices you need to keep charged and how much you'll use them. If you only use your mobile phone for occasional photos or videos, you won't use much power. If you use it frequently for a lot of purposes, you will use more power. Obviously, the more power you need and the longer you're off-grid, the larger battery capacity you'll need—unless you supplement with a mobile recharging system, e.g., solar panels.
By comparing the storage capacity in your device to that of the power bank or station, you can get an idea of how many recharges you have available. A power bank with 10,000 mAh would ideally be able to charge an iPhone 17 (with a 3,692 mAh battery) about two times. But you should always throw a healthy buffer into your calculations. Transferring energy from one battery to another is not 100% electrically efficient due to conversion and other losses. (Anker estimates a 30-40% energy loss during the conversion and from the device itself).
If you plan to take a portable power bank on an airplane, check FAA regulations on lithium batteries. At the time of publication, the FAA requires that spare lithium-ion batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, be carried in carry-on bags. It also limits lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery.
Features
Features are often similar within each class of portable battery, though there are always exceptions.
Common port types on power banks include USB-C, now standard, and USB-A. In addition to USB-A and USB-C ports, larger portable power stations may include 120-volt AC outlets, 12-volt DC outlet and a wireless charging pad.
Larger units also vary in how powerful the inverter is in ramping up the wattage output. This changes how much total power can be pulled from the battery from multiple ports at the same time. Most camping uses don't draw much, but just because a battery has six AC ports, it doesn't mean you can use them all at once. Everything plugged into the unit still needs to total up to less than the wattage allowance. The main reason to consider a higher watt battery is for remote construction work where corded power tools are being used.
Other features that vary among sizes include what sort of screen (if any) is on the unit and how easy or difficult it is to read the screen in direct sunlight. Most units with screens will show the current charge of the battery, how much longer the battery will last under the current load, and how much power is being drawn at any given moment. Some of the units offer a smartphone app to monitor this information.
Tip: Consider checking how much power you have used in the first half, third or quarter of your trip. From this you can gauge how long the battery will last and manage accordingly.
How We Tested
The writer has years of experience using portable power sources, and he and his wife spent over two years taking these specific units (and others) on road trips, camping trips and through mock and real power outages.
In the summer and fall of 2026, REI Co-op Members also tested several portable power units on camping trips, road trips and other outdoor adventures to update this guide.
We weighted our scoring differently depending on the use case. For example, for vehicle-based adventures, the device's weight was less of a concern. We considered the number of ports and maximum draw based on individual or group use. We also evaluated ease of use, packability/storability, price, capacity, output, charging times and durability.
