National parks are some of the most beautiful and diverse places to visit in the world. They offer stunning scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities for all kinds of travelers. But they also pose some challenges when it comes to power. Many national parks have limited or no access to electricity, and some even prohibit the use of gas generators due to noise and environmental concerns.
That’s why a portable power station is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore national parks without compromising on comfort and convenience. A portable power station is a device that can store and supply electricity for various devices and appliances. Unlike a gas generator, it doesn’t produce noise, fumes, or emissions, and it can be recharged with solar panels, wall outlets, or car ports.
In this article, we’ll review three of the best portable power stations for exploring national parks. We’ll compare their features, pros, and cons, and help you choose the one that suits your needs and budget. Let’s get started!
Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station – Best Overall
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is a highly popular portable power station with a max capacity of 1002Wh, which can run a mini-fridge for 17 hours, a TV for 14 hours, or charge a smartphone 100 times. It also has three AC outlets, one car socket, two USB-A ports (one with QC technology), one USB-C port (with PD technology).
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is compact (22 lbs) and portable, with an ergonomic handle and sturdy design. It also has an LCD display that shows the battery level, input wattage, and output wattage. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 7 hours, or with a compatible solar panel in about 8 hours.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best overall portable power station for exploring national parks because it offers ample power, multiple ports and outlets, fast charging and recharging, and easy portability. It can power up to seven devices at once, making it ideal for camping, RVing, or tailgating. It also has a built-in light that can be used as an emergency flashlight or a signal light.
Pros
- High capacity and output
- Multiple ports and outlets
- Fast charging and recharging
- Compact and lightweight
- Built-in light
Cons
- Expensive
- No DC port
- Solar panel sold separately
EcoFlow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station – Best Value
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is a great value portable power station that offers a lot of features and performance for its price. It has a capacity of 720Wh, which can run a blender for an hour, a projector for 3 hours, or charge a smartphone 25 times. It also has six AC outlets, two car sockets, four USB-A ports (two with QC technology), two USB-C ports (one with PD technology), one DC port with regulated output.
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is lightweight (11 lbs) and portable, with an ergonomic handle and sturdy design. It also has an LCD display that shows the battery level, input wattage, output wattage, and time to empty/full. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 1.6 hours, or with a compatible solar panel in about 3 hours.
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is the best value portable power station for exploring national parks because it offers high capacity and output, multiple ports and outlets, fast charging and recharging, and intelligent battery management system. It can power up to nine devices at once, making it suitable for camping, RVing, or tailgating. It also has a wireless charging pad that can charge your phone without cables.
Pros
- Affordable price
- High capacity and output
- Multiple ports and outlets
- Fast charging and recharging
- Wireless charging pad
Cons
- No built-in light
- Solar panel sold separately
- No DC port
Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station – Best Compact
The Goal Zero Yeti 500X is a small and lightweight power station that can still provide enough power for your devices and appliances. It has a capacity of 505Wh, which can run a CPAP machine for 10 hours, a mini-fridge for 8 hours, or charge a tablet 12 times. It also has two AC outlets (one with regulated output), one car socket (with regulated output), two USB-A ports (one with QC technology), one USB-C port (with PD technology), one DC port.
The Goal Zero Yeti 500X is very portable (12.9 lbs) and easy to carry around, with an ergonomic handle and sleek design. It also has an informative LCD display that shows the battery level, input wattage, output wattage, and time to empty/full. It can be recharged with a wall outlet in about 8 hours (or faster with the optional fast charger), or with a compatible solar panel in about 6 hours.
The Goal Zero Yeti 500X is the best compact portable power station for exploring national parks because it offers versatile ports and outlets, durable and reliable design, informative LCD display, and fast solar charging. It can power up to seven devices at once, making it ideal for camping, RVing, or tailgating. It also has a built-in MPPT charge controller that optimizes the solar charging efficiency.
Pros
- Versatile ports and outlets
- Durable and reliable
- Informative LCD display
- Fast solar charging
Cons
- Low capacity and output
- No built-in light
- Solar panel sold separately
- Fast charger sold separately
Conclusion
A portable power station is a great accessory for anyone who wants to explore national parks without compromising on comfort and convenience. It can provide reliable and convenient power for your devices and appliances without noise, fumes, or emissions. Plus, it can be recharged with solar panels for eco-friendly energy.
We hope this article helped you find the best portable power station for your needs and budget. Whether you choose the Jackery Explorer 1000 for overall performance, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro for value, or the Goal Zero Yeti 500X for compactness, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and diversity of national parks with peace of mind. Happy exploring!
