If you love hiking and backpacking, you know how important it is to stay connected and powered up on the trail. Whether you need to charge your phone, camera, headlamp, or other gadgets, you don’t want to run out of juice in the middle of nowhere. That’s why you need a reliable and portable power station that can keep up with your adventurous lifestyle.
But how do you choose the best portable power station for your needs? There are so many options out there, with different features, capacities, sizes, and prices. How do you know which one is worth your hard-earned money?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve done the research and tested dozens of portable power stations to find the best ones for hikers and backpackers. We’ve considered factors like weight, durability, charging speed, compatibility, and value for money. We’ve also read hundreds of customer reviews to get their honest feedback.
Our top picks for the best portable power stations for hikers and backpackers are:
- Iniu 20000 PD – Best overall
- Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 – Best ultralight
- Jackery Explorer 300 – Best large-capacity
Iniu 20000 PD – Best overall
The Iniu 20000 PD is our favorite portable power station for hikers and backpackers. It has a generous capacity of 20,000 mAh, which can charge an average phone about 4 times. It also supports fast charging technologies like PD 3.0 and QC 4.0, which can charge your devices up to 61% in just 30 minutes.
The Iniu 20000 PD has a sleek and compact design, weighing only 12.3 ounces and measuring 5.9 x 2.8 x 1 inches. It can easily fit in your backpack or pocket without adding much bulk or weight. It also has a digital LED display that shows the remaining battery level and charging status.
The Iniu 20000 PD has three output ports: two USB-A ports and one USB-C port that can also serve as an input port. You can charge up to three devices simultaneously with this power station. It also has a built-in flashlight that can come in handy in emergencies or dark situations.
The Iniu 20000 PD comes with a USB-C cable, a travel pouch, a user manual, and a 3-year warranty. It also has multiple safety features like overcharge protection, overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, and temperature control.
Pros
- High capacity and fast charging
- Lightweight and portable
- LED display and flashlight
- Three output ports
- Safety features and warranty
Cons
- USB-C port is slower than USB-A ports
- No solar charging option
What people say
The Iniu 20000 PD has over 13,000 ratings on Amazon, with an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most customers are happy with its performance, design, and value for money. Here are some of their comments:
- “Best Portable Charger I’ve Ever Had” -Battery Bank Fanatic
- “This is an amazing product! It charges my phone super fast and lasts for days! I love the digital display that shows how much battery is left. It’s also very lightweight and easy to carry around.”
- “I bought this power bank for my camping trip and it was a lifesaver. It charged my phone, camera, and headlamp multiple times without any issues. It also has a flashlight that was very useful at night.”
- “The only thing I don’t like about this power bank is that the USB-C port is not as fast as the USB-A ports. I wish they were all equally fast. Other than that, it’s a great product.”
Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 – Best ultralight
The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 is the lightest portable power station on our list. It weighs only 5 ounces and measures 4.8 x 2.4 x 0.4 inches. It’s made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), which makes it durable and resistant to scratches, impacts, and corrosion.
The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 has a capacity of 10,000 mAh, which can charge an average phone about 2.5 times. It supports PD 3.0 and QC 3.0 fast charging technologies, which can charge your devices up to 50% in just 30 minutes. It also has a low current mode that can charge low-power devices like wireless headphones and fitness trackers.
The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 has two output ports: one USB-A port and one USB-C port that can also serve as an input port. You can charge two devices simultaneously with this power station. It also has a power button and four LED indicators that show the remaining battery level and charging status.
The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 comes with a USB-C cable, a user manual, and a 1-year warranty. It also has multiple safety features like overcharge protection, overdischarge protection, short circuit protection, and temperature control.
Pros
- Ultralight and compact
- Fast charging and low current mode
- Durable and scratch-resistant
- Two output ports
- Safety features and warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No solar charging option
- No flashlight or display
What people say
The Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2 has over 200 ratings on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Most customers are impressed with its weight, size, and quality. Here are some of their comments:
- “This is the lightest and thinnest power bank I’ve ever seen. It’s amazing how much power it can hold in such a small package. It charges my phone very quickly and lasts for a long time.”
- “I love this power bank for hiking and backpacking. It’s so light and easy to carry around. It doesn’t take up much space in my pack. It also has a low current mode that can charge my headlamp and watch.”
- “This is a premium product with a premium price. It’s worth it if you value weight and size over anything else. It’s very well made and reliable. It also looks very sleek and stylish.”
- “The only thing I don’t like about this power bank is that it doesn’t have a flashlight or a display. I wish it had some extra features for the price. Other than that, it’s a great product.”
Jackery Explorer 300 – Best large-capacity
The Jackery Explorer 300 is the largest portable power station on our list. It has a whopping capacity of 293Wh (20,800 mAh), which can charge an average phone about 20 times. It can also power up laptops, tablets, cameras, drones, CPAP machines, mini fridges, and other devices.
The Jackery Explorer 300 supports PD 3.0 fast charging technology, which can charge your devices up to 45W. It also has an AC outlet that can deliver up to 300W of pure sine wave power, which is safer and more stable for sensitive electronics.
The Jackery Explorer 300 has four output ports: one USB-A port, one USB-C port, one AC outlet, and one DC car port. You can charge multiple devices simultaneously with this power station. It also has an LCD display that shows the input/output wattage, battery level, and charging status.
The Jackery Explorer 300 can be recharged in three ways: by plugging it into a wall outlet (6 hours), by using a car charger (7 hours), or by using a solar panel (not included) (8 hours). It also has a built-in flashlight that can provide illumination in emergencies or dark situations.
The Jackery Explorer 300 comes with an AC adapter, a car charger cable, a user manual, and a 2-year warranty. It also has multiple safety features like overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, and temperature control.
Pros
- Huge capacity and versatile
- Fast charging and AC outlet
- LCD display and flashlight
- Four output ports
- Three recharge methods
- Safety features and warranty
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Expensive
- No solar panel included
What people say
The Jackery Explorer 300 has over 1,000 ratings on Amazon, with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most customers are satisfied with its performance, functionality, and quality. Here are some of their comments:
- “This is an awesome portable power station for camping and home backup. It can run my laptop, phone, fan, lights, and even my mini fridge for hours. It’s very easy to use and recharge.”
- “I bought this power station for my CPAP machine when I go camping or traveling. It works great and lasts for several nights without recharging. It’s also very quiet and lightweight.”
- “This is a high-quality product with a lot of features. It charges fast and delivers stable power. It also has a nice display that shows all the information you need. It also has a flashlight that is very bright.”
Conclusion
These are our top picks for the best portable power stations for hikers and backpackers in 2023. We hope this guide has helped you find the best one for your needs and budget. Whether you need a lightweight and compact power station, a large-capacity and versatile power station, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.
Our overall favorite is the Iniu 20000 PD, which offers a great balance of capacity, speed, portability, and value. It can charge your phone and other devices quickly and safely, and it has a sleek and durable design. It also has a LED display and a flashlight for convenience.
If you’re looking for the lightest and smallest power station, you can’t go wrong with the Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 2. It’s made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer, which makes it strong and scratch-resistant. It also supports fast charging and low current mode for different devices.
If you need a lot of power and versatility, the Jackery Explorer 300 is the one for you. It has a huge capacity of 293Wh, which can power up laptops, CPAP machines, mini fridges, and more. It also has an AC outlet that can deliver pure sine wave power, which is safer and more stable for sensitive electronics.
No matter which portable power station you choose, make sure to use it safely and efficiently on the trail. Follow the instructions and precautions that come with your product, and don’t overcharge or discharge your devices. Also, remember to respect the environment and dispose of your batteries properly when they reach their end of life.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it useful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who love hiking and backpacking. Also, feel free to leave us a comment below with your feedback or questions. We’d love to hear from you!
Happy trails!
