If, like us at Advnture.com, you really want to live the outdoors, this rugged new portable power station from Jackery is the solution. Whether you're setting up a coastal base camp with family and friends, or RV-ing into the wilderness on your own, the Explorer 3000 v2 is the most powerful portable unit yet, allowing you to live self-sufficiently for longer.

While we love getting off-grid and unplugging from the buzz of modern life, there are great reasons to bring a power source on your travels. Cooking hot food and chilling perishables keeps you and your loved ones fuelled and healthy. Electrical accessories, such as head torches and GPS units, put you on course on your backcountry missions, while Kindles, radios and cameras lift spirits.

Phones are great safety backups, acting as navigation aids, flashlights, clocks and links to emergency services. And it's always nice to take comfort in calls with family.

The Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 can aid with all of the above, powering appliances and charging devices to help keep you safe, comfy and connected.

More power, improved performance

If you're serious about your overlanding odysseys, the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2's durable housing and proven lithium battery tech gives you maximum freedom. It offers industry-leading performance with maximum capacity, output and efficiency in the most lightweight unit possible.

With a huge 3072Wh capacity and 3600W output (that's 20% more than the previous generation) you can run high-demand home appliances, including microwaves and refrigerators, and outdoor essentials, such as showers and stoves.

There are eight output ports (AC, USB-C, USB-A and car port) for you to power multiple devices at the same time. The longlife battery lasts 10 years, and it doesn't matter if you want to keep it for occasional use or emergencies – the unit keeps 95% charge after 365 days, so it won't let you down.

Plus, you can generate up to 3,500kWh of clean energy over 5 years with two Jackery SolarSaga 200W panels.

When it comes to charging, there are fast and flexible options: wall charge in just 1.8 hours or use hybrid charging (AC and Solar/DC) to fully charge in 1.7 hours. Solar charge in as fast as 3.5 hours, or charge through your car in 36 hours.

Designed with exploration in mind

The Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 is built without the bulk, and while you're not going to lug it by hand up a mountain, the lightweight and compact design is built for sliding into your vehicle without taking up too much space.

It's 47% smaller and 43% lighter than the industry standard. The CTB (cell-to-body) tech features a honeycomb cell structure instead of previous bulky clamp systems to save space and increase durability. It has improved shock resistance and stability – ideal for rugged outdoor and off-road conditions.

The portable carry handles make it easy to manoeuver at camp.

Brains as well as brawn

As well as having a rugged build, this powerful camping partner comes with all the smart controls you'd expect from a modern-day piece of kit.

Connect to it via wifi or Bluetooth to control settings and monitor in real-time the battery level, input and output power, estimated remaining runtime, as well as solar power and carbon emission-reduction stats. Use the smart settings to switch the unit to battery-saving or quiet-charging mode, or even self-consumption mode to maximise free solar power. At home you can schedule charging to coincide with off-peak electricity rates.

Reliable and long lasting

The Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 is built to deliver dependable power anytime and anywhere. You can use it safely knowing the Jackery exclusive ChargeShield 2.0™ technology offers cutting-edge hardware and software protection.

There are dedicated safety mechanisms built in and the system continuously monitors for abnormal conditions, including overtemperature, overcharge or overcurrent. It takes preemptive action if necessary.

Key features of the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2

• 3600W output (7200W surge)
• 3072Wh capacity
• Fully charged in as fast as 1.7 hours
• 3 × AC outlets, 2 × USB-C (100W Max PD), 2 × USB-A, 1 × Car port.
• Versatile recharging methods – AC, solar, car, AC+DC hybrid
• 95% power retention after 365 days
• 3+2 years warranty

Find out more about Jackery portable power stations at uk.jackery.com.

Summer’s coming and it’s time to head outside for quality time with friends and family. At Advnture.com we know that gatherings outdoors are so much more fun than those indoors: there’s fresh air and beautiful vistas to help people relax and connect, tons of space for kids to run about and play games, and warm sunshine to boost mood.

They are so much more memorable too – the sound of the birdsong backdrop, or the waves crashing on the shore; the smell of the barbecue; the breeze on your face and the feel of the lush grass under your feet.

Of course, there are a few challenges to navigate if you’re off-grid with your crew. And that’s where some extra power can come in handy to help you avoid any unnecessary stress.

Serve up a feast

We love the simple life at Advnture.com, but when we’re making memories with our most favourite people, we want meals to remember: mouth watering brisket from the smoker and chips served with chilled dips from the portable fridge. We want to chase it down with an icy beer from the cooler, or a crisp white wine.

Later, as the mercury dips with the sun and we cozy up round the campfire, we want to drink steaming cups of cocoa and see fairy lights twinkling above us.

With the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Power Station, you can bring all these comforts with you on camp, and more. Thanks to its generous capacity of 2,042Wh and 2,200W of continuous power, you can run small appliances, such as a stove, as well as powering lights and devices, and even play your favourite tunes while running the fridge to keep leftovers fresh for the next day.

Keep safe and connected

While lots of us love the thought of having a digital detox when we’re away from home, in a tech-fuelled world, it’s tricky to go completely cold turkey. You might not be glued to your socials but you’ll still want to keep your smartphone juiced, so that you’ve got access to National Park passes and campsite reservations, as well as tourist information and insurance company contact details. It’s also wise to keep GPS devices charged, and have a way to keep connected to kids as they roam.

Weighing in at just 17.5kg (38.5lbs) and measuring 33.5cm (13in) wide, the Explorer 2000 v2 is a compact bit of kit that’s easy to stuff in the car boot and carry to camp. Jackery has achieved the light weight and portability by using advanced cell-to-body technology, created for the electric vehicle industry by brands such as Tesla and BYD.

The Explorer 2000 v2 has multiple ports – two AC, two USB-C, a USB-A and a 12V, so you can charge or power up to six devices at the same time, including your phone, laptop and wifi router. All outlets have overvoltage and overheating protection.

Stress-free planning and prep

No matter how organized you are, the run-up to a getaway can be busy. Take the worry and stress out of the prep period by knowing you have a power source to take with you for essentials.

Wall charging of the Explorer 2000 v2 is a breeze – the portable power station can be fully charged in 1.7 hours. If you’re in a hurry, use the companion app to activate flash charging mode, which will give you 80% charge in just 52 minutes.

You can also charge it using a 12V car connection.

For eco-conscious campers, or if you’re somewhere without access to any mains power, you can use a solar charging option with the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2. This is essentially the Explorer 2000 v2 with one SolarSaga 200W panel.

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 has 2042Wh capacity and 2200W output as well as multiple charging modes, including AC, solar, car and hybrid charging. The solar panels feature advanced 200W solar cells with a high solar conversion efficiency of up to 25%.

Don’t miss amazing Jackery Family Day deals

The E2000 v2 usually retails at £1,399, but for a limited time only you can save 29% and get it for just £999. You can also get the Solar Generator v2, which is the E2000 v2 plus 200W panel for £1,299 – a saving of 35%.

Order yours now and start prepping for a summer of fun and festivities.

Why we love the Jackery portable power stations

• Powerful – 2042Wh capacity and 2200W output to power most devices
• Lightweight and portable – weighs 38.6lb (17.5kgs) and measures 13.2in (33.5cm) wide
• Quiet – operates silently under 30dB
• Affordable – only an initial cost with no fuel or maintenance
• Safe – Next-Gen ChargeShield 2.0™ and 10-year battery life
• Simple – power at the press of a button
• Green – Solar powered option with zero emissions

You can find out more about the Jackery Family Day sale here.

Meet the reviewer

Vango Powerbank: first impressions 

This lightweight, portable power bank is built for car campers who like a little luxury at camp. These days, most of us camp with at least one device, whether that's your phone, a camping lantern or bluetooth speaker.

Most of these devices can be easily charged with a lighter, slimmer power bank that you might take hiking, but this one packs an extra punch, with the ability to also inflate air tents like the Vango Joro Air 450 and awnings without you having to pump by hand.

For that, you might expect more weight and bulk, but you can easily hold this device in your hand, which weighs only 17 ounces (about the same weight as a football), and slide it into your backpack when you're not using it.

The Vango Powerbank is easy to use. Just charge it at home (eight hours till full charge) using the Micro USB cable provided then switch it on and it will light up to show you how much power remains. Plug your phone or other device in to charge using the USB output or plug your pump into the 12V output on the side.

With the capacity of inflating four large tents and charging two phones on a single charge, it solves a lot of your camping tech problems in a lightweight package. The only way we can see to improve it is to add a second USB output so you can charge two devices at once.

Vango Powerbank: in the field

Camping is all about getting away from technology and into the great outdoors, but when I'm car camping, I like to keep my phone juiced up. With my job at Advnture, I frequently geat other techy gear in to test, like air tents and camping lanterns, and a little extra power goes a long way. I've been testing this out on camping and backpacking trips around Scotland this summer, as well as on a few long day hikes.

Here’s how it performed:

Ease of use

When it comes to technology, all I really want is to not have to read the instruction manual, and while this comes with one for those who need it, I'm happy to say this is super easy to use. Mine came with a bit of charge so I just turned it on using the power button and a panel of lights showed me how much charge it had left. I plugged my phone right in and it started doing its thing.

Satisfied that we were going to get along, I brought it along on a car camping trip where my friends had several large air mattresses and a popup awning that required inflating. They had a hand pump, but I jumped in with this charger and saved everyone's arms. It's really nice not to have to pull your car up next to your tent to use the cigarette lighter for inflating camping gear.

Charging capacity

This power bank won't charge items like your laptop, which is what I'd really like for the type of remote work I want to do but it has one USB output for things like your phone, bluetooth speaker, camping lantern, or whatever else you like to have along at camp, and the 12V which works for pumps.

Between those two, it can inflate four air tents and two phones on a single charge and has about an hour of continuous use with the 12V output, which it is pretty great. Since you're not likely to be inflating four tents at once, it means you can take it on a couple of camping trips without needing to recharge it, though I'd personally just charge it before every trip.

It does take eight hours to fully charge, so just remember to do it the day before.

Weight and portability

I usually hike with a very light and slim Belkin charger to make sure I have backup power for my phone and headlamp. At 5cm thick and just over 500 grams, this is definitely a bit bulkier and heavier in comparison and it wouldn't be my first choice for backpacking or hiking, but only because I have a lighter one.

As a camping charger that's built to pump up tents, it's really light and portable and you can easily slide it into the pocket of your backpack – or even a jacket pocket for that matter.

Vango Powerbank: the bottom line

If you need a power bank with a little more functionality than a phone charger but still want something light and portable for camping and other active adventures, you'll find this is easy to use, perfectly portable and provides plenty of power.

• How Advnture tests products

Meet the reviewer

EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000): first impressions

Even the most committed outdoorsy people are increasingly dependent on digital devices and electrically powered gadgets these days, and with the use of environmentally damaging disposable batteries rapidly (and thankfully) being consigned to the past, we require ever-more access to power in order to keep things working. 

If you’re spending more than a night or two in the wilds, then everything from your smartwatch and phone (for which we rely on for so many outdoor-orientated apps now) to your headlamp, camping lantern and flashlight will need recharging at some point. For social outdoor gatherings, celebrations, sporting events and other alfresco shindigs, portable speakers and projectors are becoming increasingly popular, all of which require juice. And if you’re lucky enough to be going on an extended camping holiday, doing a road trip or living your best van life, then you’ll likely also need to power a refrigerator or cooler too, plus kettles and other cooking devices.

There’s a plethora of smaller power packs on the market, which you can pop in a backpack or bikepacking bag to keep your phone alive and provide backup during lightweight trips, but for bigger vehicle-based adventures, you need something more substantial. And substantial is exactly what the EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000) is, in every conceivable way.

Until recently, you would have had to rely on a noisy, smelly, polluting diesel-drinking generator to supply large amounts of power, but a new generation of rechargeable power stations have completely revolutionized this, and now there are several options to choose from.

Over the last couple of months I’ve been testing the EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000) portable power station while working in the outdoors, and also during recreational road trips to places where I can’t usually get any phone reception, let alone plug my devices in. And it’s been a bit of a revelation. Read on to find out why.

EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000): design and materials

A super suitcase of power with over 2,000Wh capacity, the EcoFlow DELTA Max can be charged up via multiple methods. At home you can simply plug it into any AC wall socket – the quickest way of charging the unit, this will take the battery from totally flat to 80% in 65 minutes, and fully charge the DELTA Max in just over an hour and a half. 

While on the road, you can trickle charge the unit from the 12V outlet in the dash or at the back of your vehicle. Alternatively, install the innovative EcoFlow Alternator Charger, which is sold separately. This will charge the unit eight times faster than the auxiliary power outlets in your vehicle are capable of, topping it up at a rate of 1kWh in less than one and a half hours. 

On site, if you have access to solar panels you can hook those up and let the sun do the running (EcoFlow produce a range of solar harnessing solutions that includes the top-notch 400W Portable Solar Panel).

Once the unit is charged, you can plug multiple devices into the DELTA Max via a range of outputs, including four three-pin AC sockets, four USB-A (including a couple of fast-charge options) and two USB-C 100w outlets. 

A digital display on one side of the unit details the percentage of charge remaining in the batteries, and the number of hours you can expect it to last according to current usage. You can also see the wattage flowing into the EcoFlow DELTA Max when it’s being charged, and out when it’s in use. Link the unit to your phone and you can also monitor energy usage via an app.

On the rear there are two ports where you can plug in extra batteries, to extend the capacity of the unit even further. 

EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000): in the field

The outdoors nature of my job, and my involvement in several outdoor adventure events, mean that I often find myself working for multiple days in remote locations. Without access to mains power, it’s a real struggle to keep my laptop, phone and DSLR camera batteries charged – not to mention my head torch, watch and various other bits of kit I need in order to function properly and capture the content I need. During several such trips over the last few months the EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000) has really helped me stay productive for the entire time I’m out in the wilds. For anyone using drones in the backcountry, the ability to re-charge batteries quickly will prove invaluable. 

I’m not – I’ll freely admit – the most technically minded person on the planet, but I have found the EcoFlow unit very easy and straightforward to use. For the majority of these trips – including a three-day gig managing the Top of the Gorge festival in Somerset – I was able to fully charge the unit at home on the morning before I left, and it kept all my devices going strong for the duration of the event.

I was able to monitor energy usage and battery reserves throughout (on my phone and via the digital display on the unit), so I knew exactly how much juice I had left. I had the aforementioned EcoFlow Alternator Charger at the ready in case I needed to top it up, but the capacity of the unit is so good I could have easily spent another week on site with everything going full blast and still not have exhausted my portable power supplies.

I’ve been enjoying using the unit recreationally too. It’s far from a light piece of kit to cart around, so I wouldn’t take it on a short car-camping trip unless I needed to plug some serious equipment in, but if you need a reliable power source for remote work or play, then it’s a really excellent solution. Completely silent and odorless to run, unlike an old-school fuel-burning generator, it’s far less disruptive for you and your neighbours on site (although, you obviously can’t just top up the fuel, like you can with a generator).

And if you suffer from power cuts at home, it’s also a brilliant backup for keeping the fridge and freezer going, and the lights on.

• How Advnture tests products

It’s happened – shorts and T-shirt weather has finally arrived, and we’re in the mood to be making escape plans. The first blush of summer sends many people rushing to research sites, or excitedly poring over maps and plotting routes to get away from the everyday and spend some quality time exploring the outdoors, on road trips, van adventures and car camping escapades.

But just because we’re looking to head off-grid for a bit, it doesn’t necessarily mean we want to dispense with all the creature comforts the electrical age has taught us to appreciate. These days it really should be possible to take some proper portable power along with us, no matter how far into the wilderness we’re hoping to roam. And now, with the EcoFlow Alternator Charger, it really is.

EcoFlow have long been offering sophisticated on-the-road power solutions that go well beyond a pocket-sized pack that can re-juice your phone. Designed for use just about anywhere, super stations like the EcoFlow DELTA Max 2000 are capable of supplying power for everything from camping fridges, coffee machines, air-con units and heaters, right through to large-screen TVs and projectors. The batteries from these models can be replenished amazingly quickly from the mains, but on longer trips that’s not always possible.

That was before the launch of EcoFlow’s new Alternator Charger, however, because this industry-first innovation is a complete game-changer.

Power on the move

Connecting directly to the starter battery in your vehicle (if you’re driving a car or SUV), or to the RV house battery in a camper van, motorhome or houseboat, the Alternator Charger enables you to charge your main EcoFlow station while you’re on the move, meaning you arrive at your destination with full suitcase of power, and can get all your devices cranking straight away.

Once wired in, the Alternator Charger can be mounted to a fixed point in your truck or van, so it’s easy to simply plug the main station in and start charging, or you can disconnect the unit from the charger and move to wherever it works best with your electrical equipment and campsite set up.

Unlike a dirty diesel generator, the EcoFlow stations are silent, and you don’t need to run the engine, so they’re cleaner and greener too. The EcoFlow app allows you to monitor the main station’s charge levels easily, and you can reverse the flow and boost the vehicle battery in an emergency.

Although it’s ideal for road trips, you don’t actually need to travel very far to reap the benefits of this system. The 800W turbo alternator is eight times faster than the auxiliary power outlets in your vehicle that you typically use, and it tops up 1kWh in less than one and a half hours.

With one of these systems fitted, there’s no real need to pay for a powered site at commercial sites. Electricity charges are rising in many such venues now, making it unviable for people to recharge too often – so why not use the energy your vehicle is already creating?

Live without limits during your Summer Escape

All this capability means you can explore the wilderness to your heart’s content, and then come back and relax in the midst of woodlands, or at a remote coastal site, with a cold drink plucked straight from a quietly purring fridge. Once the sun has set and the gang is in the van, or living area of the tent, you can simultaneously power lights, speakers, phones and larger screens, which should ensure everyone is a happy camper.   

Ideal for families and groups, this rig is also excellent for people working remotely. If you’re using drones, large cameras or other tools that require recharging after each outing, for example, an EcoFlow set-up with the Alternator Charger will be a revelation, cutting out any time-wasting requirement to head back to civilisation just to juice up your equipment.

The EcoFlow Alternator Charger is available from 11 June, priced at £329, but you can save up to £350 overall by combining the charger with one of EcoFlow’s popular power stations, and up to £1200 with selected bundles during the June and July summer sales, and on Prime Day.

If you’re venturing off-grid for any considerable length of time, there are several reasons you need a solar charger. The benefits of a limitless power supply mean that you can keep in contact with the outside world, use digital navigation tools, take photos, create videos, illuminate the dark nights, keep your watch ticking along and check in with Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Tinder or whatever else floats your boat. That is, provided there’s enough sunlight during the day of course. 

Just like a portable power bank, solar chargers store energy to help keep your electronic gadgets charged. Of course, unlike a traditional power bank, which is usually charged via mains electricity before you venture out, a solar charger’s power can be replenished when you’re off-grid. This makes it an ideal gadget to take along on a camping trip or long wilderness adventure.

We’re here with our main 5 reasons you need a solar charger, whether you’re lacing your hiking boots up and venturing off on a thru hike or you’re setting up camp deep in the wild. First, let’s delve into what a solar charger is and how it works in more detail.

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What is a solar charger?

• A solar charger uses the suns energy and converts it into electricity
• Some have an integrated power bank, others are just panels that can be connected to a power bank
• You can then charge your electronic items via a USB

A solar charger uses sunlight to generate power, which is stored in a power bank. Some feature an integrated power bank, while others are a strip of solar panels that can be connected to a bank via a USB cable and fold neatly away for storage in a daypack. The energy collected by the panels allows you to charge various devices, such as your phone, GPS watch, headlamp etc.

The panels work by collecting photons, the super speedy elementary particles that form the basis of all light. Photons have a knack for knocking electrons from their orbits around their parent atoms, particularly in the element silicon, the material used in most solar cells. This is known as the photoelectric effect and it leads to positively and negatively charged particles, creating an electrical field and providing electricity.

Generally, the higher the power figure (in watts) of a solar charger, the quicker it will charge devices. However, higher power means larger, and heavier, solar panels. So unless you plan to carry an entire solar farm on your back, it should also be stated that solar chargers don’t power up devices quite as quickly as plugging them into the grid.

1: Virtually endless potential power

• A solar charger's power can be replenished endlessly with a good supply of sunlight

Where us short-lived mammals are concerned, the potential for energy capture from sunlight is pretty much limitless. Yes, the sun will implode in around 5 billion years to become a red dwarf star, but unless there are unthinkable advances in medical science in the coming decades, none of us will be around to witness this.

So, unlike a regular power bank that’ll run out of power if you ride it too hard, a solar charger’s power can be replenished endlessly, as long as you have a decent supply of sunlight. This means you can literally go off-grid and still have a power source way beyond what you could expect from a standard power bank.

2: A sustainable choice

• Solar panels use clean, renewable energy from the sun
• This makes them a much more sustainable way to charge your devices than using power from the grid

Most people who love the outdoors are also acutely aware of the climate crisis. It’s no secret that the biggest contributors to climate change are fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal. Although some of the electricity in the grid comes from renewable energy sources, we still rely far too heavily on fossil fuels for our energy needs. In 2019, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 38% of the US’ electricity was supplied by natural gas, 23% by coal and 20% from nuclear sources. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydropower and solar, account for only 17%, though the amount generated is increasing year-on-year.

So, the long and short of it is that by using a solar charger, rather than something you plug into the national grid, you’re making a more sustainable choice. Every little counts when it comes to the climate emergency.

3: Stay in contact, even in the wilderness

• A solar charger allows you to keep your comms devices powered up
• It also allows you to keeping using your phone's applications

Keeping your phone juiced up when out in the wilderness is key in the case of an emergency. Unless you’ve got a satellite communicator tucked away with plenty of battery life for emergencies, your phone is the best way of contacting the outside world. There are other ways to call for help, but none are as reliable or effective as the ability explain your situation to services like mountain rescue.

It's stating the obvious, but your phone has many other applications you may have need, or want, for during your adventures. From taking photographs and videos to using the route planning and digital mapping capabilities of a hiking app or checking the weather on a dedicated mountain weather app or website – there are loads of reasons to keep your phone going on a long expedition.

4: Illumination

• A solar charger can use sunlight by day to give your torches power by night

There’s a certain beauty about using a solar charger to keep your headlamps and camping lanterns going. That light emitted by the sun can be harnessed to then create more light at night is pretty neat if you think about it. When the part of the Earth your backpacking tent is pitched on has turned its back on our star to gaze out into the lonely, dark, cosmos, you can still wield the sun’s power and tuck into whatever novel you’re reading – perhaps Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard or A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini?

5: Keep your other gadgets going

• A solar charger can be used to charge other gadgets like watches, action cameras, tablets etc.

As well as your phone and night time light sources, there are all kinds of other gadgets you’ll probably want to keep powering on while you’re on the trail. You’ll want to keep that GPS watch ticking along for starters, with its various useful features. If you’ve drained your GoPro dry on a particularly exciting ridge traverse, that’ll need charged back up too.

A solar charger should definitely be on your camping checklist too. On sunny camping trips, you can set it up with its panels soaking up the sun’s rays all day long, then use the collected power to keep the family’s Kindles and tablets going. Some campsite cooking appliances even charge using USBs these days. Many solar chargers have multiple USB ports, so you can charge several gadgets at once.

The romantic notion of off-grid adventure is hugely appealing to so many of us. Escaping the often-overwhelming buzz of modern life for the simplicity and serenity of the backcountry trails is wonderfully restorative. The great outdoors has an intangible power to ground us, put us in the moment and allow us to get back to nature.

Nevertheless, there are few people among us who’d venture out into the wild completely untethered from civilisation. If “off-grid” is taken to its extreme, it means no electricity. No electricity equals no communication with our loved ones, no convenient light source, no digital navigation tools and no means of taking photographs.

This is why, particularly for longer adventures, carrying a portable power bank is essential, both in terms of your own safety and overall enjoyment. From keeping your smartphone or Garmin juiced up to ensuring your headlamp has plenty of run time for after dark adventures, a power bank provides a handy safety net and should mean your gadgets never run out of juice.

So, here are our 5 reasons you need a power bank when venturing out into the backcountry.

Meet the expert

What is a power bank?

Power banks are small, portable charging units that store electrical energy. Their lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and will store charge for many days. When connected to another electronic device, usually via USB, it transfers its energy, breathing new life into your gadgets, while draining its own. The amount of charge a power bank can hold varies from model to model. Generally, a small, lightweight unit will store less energy than a bulkier “brick”, however, the latter should be able to fully charge your devices several times over.

Don’t forget to fully charge your power bank before an adventure. There are usually LED indicator lights that display how much juice remains in the bank. Some modern power banks also boast solar panels, which capture additional, clean energy from the sun.

1. Ability to stay in contact

Some of us who are old enough will remember when a mobile phone was the size of a water bottle, had an extendable antenna and the only thing you could do with it was make calls. Despite the myriad applications of modern smartphones, the ability make calls or send text messages is still fundamental. On a backcountry expedition, this functionality is useful for keeping friends and family in the loop, while it's absolutely crucial in an emergency.

A power bank allows you to keep your phone’s charge topped up, which you’ll be more than glad of if you end up in a dangerous situation and you need to call mountain rescue. Of course, there are other ways to call for help, but none are as effective as the ability to describe your situation to the relevant services.

Those on serious expeditions may carry a satellite messenger, which usually boast battery life way beyond the average smartphone. However, even these need charged from time to time.

2. Digital navigation

The debate around the use of map and compass vs digital navigation has been going on ever since the advent of GPS. Those in favor of the traditional approach often argue that compasses and maps are more reliable as they don’t depend on electricity. They’d also point out that learning the skills to use them properly enhances the backcountry nous of the user.

There’s plenty of truth in this, though surely having both options is the most preferable way forward. A compass isn’t completely infallible, while human error can be a factor when navigating by map and compass alone, particularly in poor visibility. Whether it’s a smartphone app, a sports watch or a dedicated GPS unit, being able to keep your device juiced up provides a useful safety net.

3. Illuminate your adventures

These days, the best headlamps usually feature a lithium-ion battery that’s charged via USB. If you end up using your head torch for several hours on a high beam setting, it’ll soon need to be recharged. So, if you’ve got a pre-dawn start and plan to be out beyond the sunset, you don’t need to worry about losing your light source when you’ve got a power bank in your pack. 

When it comes to headlamps, common practice is to always carry a spare anyway, as they weigh very little. This means you can prioritize your comms and nav tech and should only need to charge a headlamp if things get desperate. The same principle applies to flashlights and camping lanterns too.

4. Less essential gadgets and apps need power too

The reasons I’ve given so far are all have the potential to be mission critical. A dead phone and no headlamp after dark could lead to a serious situation. If the adventure you’re on is particularly committing, I’d always recommend prioritizing the energy in your power bank for these more crucial applications.

However, there are other gadgets that may need a bit of juice while you’re out in the backcountry. It can be a real downer to spend the day looking forward to diving into the book you’re enjoying, only to realise your Kindle is out of battery. It may be that you’ve told the kids they can have at least little screen time during your camping vacation – this won’t happen if they forgot to charge their tablet. These days, there are even campsite cooking appliances that can be charged via USB.

5. Keep your inner photographer happy

You might be psyched about filming an exciting ridge traverse only to find your GoPro’s battery is kaput. The moment you spot a golden eagle might have the sheen taken off it by the realisation your expensive camera has ran out of juice. Maybe you’ve been riding your smartphone too hard and the battery indicator is in the red – you’d best not continue taking photos in order to preserve its life.

You get the picture, having a power bank means that you can take as many photos and videos as your memory card will allow.

• The best GPS watches: maps and navigation right on your wrist

We all go out in our hiking boots to unplug and get away from modern technology, but let’s be honest, you’re not likely to go hiking without your phone these days. Whether having your phone makes you feel safer on a solo hike or you want to make a fun hiking reel for Instagram, you probably bring your phone on every hike these days and there’s nothing worse than the sinking feeling of seeing your battery start to run low when you’re on the trail.

It might not be a replacement for satellite communicator, like the Garmin InReach, which relies on GPS rather than cell service and may not need to be charged more than once a month, but carrying a phone on a hike or trail run probably is a good idea for safety. After all, one badly injured hiker was recently saved by a phone call from his irate boss. That said, the most annoying thing about phones is their propensity to die when you need them the most, turning them into the world’s most expensive rectangle.

There’s not much point in carrying a dead phone on your next hike, and with these tips for keeping your phone charged on a hike, now you don’t have to.

1. Charge it fully 

The worst thing you can do is set off with your phone battery at 50 percent. You take a few photos, get lost and check your navigation app more than you thought you’d need to and before you know it you’re at three percent with two hours to go on your hike. Fully charge your phone before you leave the house – or charge it in the car on your way to the trailhead – and start your journey at 100 percent. 

2. Put it on flight mode 

Lots of people recommend that you close out your apps, dim your screen or even turn on low power mode, but the best mode of all for saving battery is flight mode. No, you won’t get any texts, but you can still take photos and use GPS-dependent map services, while airplane mode shuts down all radio signals and saves the most battery. If you end up needing to make a call or send a text, it’s easy to toggle it off. Plus, you’ll enjoy your hike more if your phone isn’t buzzing away in your backpack the whole time. 

3. Carry a charger 

If you’re carrying your phone at all and especially if you’re planning to use it as your best defense in emergencies, it really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense not to have a way to charge it, especially if you’re going further afield. Portable chargers have gotten a lot lighter and more streamlined in the last couple of years (I use this one from Belkin when I travel and hike) and really don’t add much weight to your load, but certainly add value when your hike ends up taking two hours longer than you planned.

For longer backpacking trips, consider a solar charger which you can keep refueling with the sun for more charges, and don't forget your charging cable.

4. Turn it off 

Yes, I know I said that flight mode was the best energy-saving mode of all, but really, if you don’t need your phone on to take photos, you can just turn it off altogether. This will save the most battery and you can turn it on if and when you need it to find it still fully charged.  

5. Download maps

A really valid reason for having your phone out on a hike is when you're using a navigation app like Komoot to stay on route, but this is another use that can drain your battery life. Download maps before you even leave the house – that way you can use them offline in flight mode, which uses less battery, and you also know for sure you have what you need before you set off.

5. Avoid exposing your phone to temperature extremes

As the weather turns colder, your phone will be more likely to die quicker if you don’t take precautions to keep it warm. Don’t carry it in your hand or an outer pocket. In cold weather, wrap your phone up in insulated material like a spare wool hiking sock or a piece of an old emergency blanket, then carry it close to your body, using the  inner pocket of your fleece jacket, for example. Learn more in our article on how to keep your phone warm in cold weather. 

Another source of battery drain is an overheating phone, which is obviously more likely to occur when you're hiking in hot weather. If you stop for a break, don’t leave your phone out on a rock in the direct sunlight. Keep it in your backpack on hot days. 

7. Wear a watch 

You may very well tell yourself that you're just bringing your phone along in case you sprain your ankle or get chased by a bear and have to hide in a tree while you call for help, but on the trail, you might pull it out of your pocket a lot, just to check the time or see what that last ping was all about. 

Every time you look at your phone, you increase the likelihood of some wayward scrolling that uses up the battery, so consider wearing a watch so you can keep an eye on the time. If you want to keep an eye on notifications, get a GPS watch (I get previews on my Coros Pace 3 as long as it's on bluetooth is on) to cut down on your phone usage even more.

8. Carry a headlamp 

You should always carry a headlamp on a hike in case you run out of daylight but if you’ve always thought, ‘well, I’ve got a flashlight on my phone’ know that the last thing you want to do is use up all of your remaining battery on that. 

If you get lost and are out on the trail after dark, you definitely don’t want your phone to die so keep your hands free and use a headlamp for a light source and your phone to call mountain rescue. 

• Do you need an emergency beacon for hiking?

70mai Power Station Hiker 400: first impressions 

Despite its name, the Power Station Hiker 400 is not a solution for hikers hoping to remote work from a mountain top or wild camping spot. Instead, this solar charger is ideal for high-tech campers who want to power a lot of gadgets during long camping trips or are living in their van. With 378Wh charger consists of a small box with a carry handle that can be charged at home on the mains, or in the field with two folding solar panels that also come with handles and kick stands. It’s gear that can be easily stowed in any vehicle, and carried in two trips from car to campsite.

Once you’re set up, it can charge your phone 28 times, your laptop and drone five times each, and even a mini fridge if you’re camping cooler isn’t cutting it with the picnic supplies. It has an eco mode that turns off idle outputs when you forget to unplug and an LED light bar at the back if you forgot to charge your headlamp (of course, it can charge that too). It only takes about three hours to charge up at home and it’s pretty self-explanatory to use in the field, which we loved. 

As we mentioned, this really isn’t something that you’ll lug along on a hike, even if you leave the solar panels at home, but if you have a lot of gadgetry that you can’t live without when you’re camping, it’s a lightweight solution to staying connected when you’re off the grid.

70mai Power Station Hiker 400: in the field 

I’ll be honest, when I was offered a model of this to test, I jumped at the chance because the name made me think I’d be able to easily set up a hotspot and work from a mountain top. When it arrived, in three separate and quite large packages, I quickly realized my mistake. Fortunately, we still had our camper van, and while we tend to go camping to unplug, I took it along on a couple of weekend trips this summer to get to grips with connected living.

Here’s how it performed:  

Weight and packability 

Setting the solar panels aside for a moment, the actual power station weighs less than four kilos and has a carrying handle. Could you carry it on a hike? Sure, if you’re insane. But realistically, this is a power solution that’s small enough to stash in the trunk of your car and easy to tote over to your campsite. 

The solar panels are equally light and have carrying handles, so they're portable over short distances, and though we didn’t take it far from the van, you could easily cart it across some rough ground in two trips. In short, it is lightweight and packable for a camping charging station, but not for a hiker.

Charging 

In terms of charging the power station, it only takes three hours to fully charge at home, which is ideal. The solar panels take closer to five hours in bright conditions, and of course here in Scotland we can’t guarantee that we’ll get enough sun to rely on these.

Functionality 

When I saw how many inputs and outputs this machine has, my heart sank a little thinking it would be really complicated, but it’s super easy and self-explanatory to use. Just plug it in at the wall to charge it, attach the solar panels via the already-connected cables when you’re outdoors to keep it juiced up, and plug in what you need to when you need to.

I charged my phone and laptop several times, plus some other basic camping tech like my camping lantern and headlamp. It’s got more outputs than we’d ever need, since we don’t camp with a mini fridge and neither of us relies on a C-PAP machine or flies a drone, but if you have a lot of tech, it’s a solid solution.

One slightly fiddly feature is that both the USB-A and USB-C inputs have to be turned on by separate buttons even when the unit is on, but that’s a small gripe. I like the LED light panel on the back for when you’re messing around with gadgets after dark and just as an extra light source, and the eco mode that turns off outlets when things are charged is a great idea.

It’s far more power than we’d ever need at camp, but if you want to have an emergency backup in your car at all times, you’re living out of your van or just like bringing all your toys to camp, you’ll want to give this a second look.

• How Advnture tests products

Sustainable power shouldn't be a luxury, and if eco-friendly energy solutions company EcoFlow has anything to say about the matter, it won't be for much longer. Since 2017, the company's been making waves with its portable power stations, empowering hobbyists, families and working professionals with its renewable, accessible and affordable clean energy. 

To date, the company has sold over two million units in more than 100 markets worldwide. Starting today, that number's likely to get a whole lot bigger. That's because today marks the official launch of the RIVER 2 Pro.

Part of the recently-released RIVER 2 series, the 768Wh RIVER 2 Pro is both lightweight and affordable without sacrificing charging speed, battery life or battery longevity. It's an ideal entry-level power station whether you plan to use it on your next camping trip, to stay online as an outdoor influencer, or simply to live more sustainably. Don't just take our word for that, though – have a peek at some of the things that make the RIVER 2 Pro unique. 

Hassle-free sustainability

The RIVER 2 Pro is designed to be fully compatible with EcoFlow's Portable Solar panels and supports a maximum solar input of 220W. To ensure you get the most out of each solar panel you connect to the station, the RIVER 2 Pro also sports a built-in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm. This algorithm actively monitors real-time current and voltage, ensuring greater than 98% conversion efficiency.

What this means is that with just a single 220W panel, you can charge the RIVER 2 Pro to full in around four and a half to nine hours. 

It gets better. A RIVER 2 Pro with just a single solar panel provides roughly 1.8 kWh of power each day. That’s enough to cover your daily essentials and save you a tidy sum on your monthly electricity bill. Perhaps more importantly, it achieves this while also reducing your carbon footprint.

Based on average carbon emissions of 0.371kg/kWh and an average sunshine duration of 6 hours/day,  EcoFlow estimates that its power station can help you lower your total emissions by as much as 143 kilograms per year.  And it achieves all this while providing noiseless free energy with no maintenance, long-term expenses, or fumes.

Faster, smarter, better energy

Whether you're staring down an unexpected power outage or planning a spontaneous trip, you can't afford to spend half a day waiting for your power station to charge. Luckily, with the RIVER 2 Pro, you won't need to. Thanks to EcoFlow's patented X-Stream technology, the power station accepts AC inputs of up to 940W, allowing it to go from 0-100 in just 70 minutes, five times faster than other portable power stations. 

Even after being turned off for an entire year, a fully-charged RIVER 2 Pro still retains most of its energy. You can even control how the battery charges and distributes power through the intuitive EcoFlow app. Connecting to the station via either WiFi or BlueTooth, the app also lets you quickly check the station's charging status while on the go. 

Power meets portability

In a lot of cases, the phrase 'portable power station' can almost seem like a misnomer, with even small capacity stations weighing upwards of 30 lbs (13.6 kg). Still valuable if you need energy in a pinch, but not exactly the kind of thing you can toss in a backpack on your way out the door. The RIVER 2 Pro, on the other hand, weighs a little over 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) and measures around ten inches on each side. 

And the RIVER 2 Pro doesn't sacrifice power for portability, either. With an output of up to 800W and a total of 11 outlets, it can power up to 80% of the appliances in your home for nearly a full day. EcoFlow's X-Boost technology further allows the power station to work with devices up to 1600W without overloading. 

This makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a combination of portability and power capacity, as few – if any – power stations strike that balance quite as well. 

With you for the long haul

The average lifetime of a portable power station is around 500 cycles. This means that if you were to use it every single day, you'd need to purchase a replacement in less than two years. That doesn't exactly sound sustainable or convenient, does it? 

The RIVER 2 Pro doesn't suffer from that shortcoming. It’s equipped with advanced LFP (LiFePO4) batteries, which can endure over 3000 cycles and still retain up to 80% of their total capacity. In other words that adds up to nearly a full decade of daily use. 

EcoFlow also offers a five-year warranty, meaning that if your RIVER 2 Pro stops working for any reason in that timeframe, you can count on the manufacturer to provide you with a replacement. 

It's worth noting here that it isn't just the batteries themselves that contribute to the RIVER 2 Pro's impressive shelf life. The portable power station also features a built-in Smart Battery Management System algorithm. This allows it to be used while charging without damaging the battery while also making the power station safe to operate even in extreme temperatures. 

This BMS algorithm has helped the RIVER 2 Pro become one of  the first portable power stations in the world to receive TÜV Rheinland Reliable Charger certification, which requires a product to pass a battery of rigorous safety tests. 

Accessibly priced

In addition to being part of EcoFlow's most affordable portable power station series, the RIVER 2 Pro is considerably less expensive than other stations with similar specs. For context, the average portable power station under 1kWh can cost up to $1000. EcoFlow's new power station, meanwhile, costs just $649, the same price as the original RIVER Pro at launch.

Experience a new era of portable power

Energy prices are soaring. Extreme weather events are becoming progressively more frequent. People need access to affordable, flexible power sources – not just for spontaneous trips and outdoor photoshoots, but for peace of mind. 

That's exactly what EcoFlow provides through the RIVER 2 Pro. But it gets better. To commemorate the power station's launch, EcoFlow is offering some huge deals. 

From April 3 to May 3 2023, you can get 8% off the RIVER 2 or RIVER 2 Pro x 220W Solar Panel Bundle along with a free RIVER 2 bag by using code R2PAPRIL3AD at checkout. Amazon is also offering up to 55% off all purchases of 110W, 160W, and 220W solar panels from April 3-April 9. Finally, if you buy the RIVER 2 Pro on Shopify between April 3 and April 9, you'll receive triple Ecocredits — the foundation of EcoFlow's point-based membership system —  that you can redeem for exclusive discounts on future purchases. 

Purchase on Amazon

Purchase on Shopify

Visit the official website: https://www.ecoflow.com/collections/power 

Whether you’re trying to rely less on the energy grid at home or want a reliable source of power when you’re on far-flung adventures, the latest additions to BLUETTI’s lineup of power solutions have you covered.

The company recently launched the AC500 and B300 combo on Indiegogo after receiving $11 million in funding from over 4,000 backers. The powerful duo provides a combined 3,072Wh of portable power. The AC500 is capable of delivering that through 16 outlets with a stable output of up to 5kW at 120V, and that can be doubled by combining a pair of AC500 units in series for 10kW output at 240V. While the AC500 units can only be paired, the B300 battery packs can be stacked into groups of six, letting you get a whopping 18,432Wh of energy you can take with you on the move.

The AC500 setup can work as a back-up battery system at home, as it can charge off of AC power at 5,000W. Or you can run it completely off grid with up to 3,000W input from a solar array. If you have access to both power sources, you can even charge your system at 8,000W by combining them, letting you quickly top up even more quickly. 

While the AC500 and B300 combo is ready to keep you charged on the most lavish adventures, the newly announced BLUETTI EP900 and B500 combo will let you enjoy the same energy security at home. 

The EP900 and B500 combine to offer you a 9kWh energy source that plugs right into your home circuitry. The EP900 itself has an integrated hybrid inverter to draw power from AC mains into the batteries and then pump power right back into the mains when it’s called for. The EP900 can also take in power from up to 9kW solar arrays.

Depending on your needs, you can also expand the setup. The B500 batteries can stack up to eight times, letting you build a system with 39.6kWh of power — days’ worth of charge to carry you through a blackout. With a 10ms response time, the system can also keep you up and running even if there’s a momentary power outage. 

All of that power is simple to manage with BLUETTI’s app, while intelligent battery management automatically handles the batteries. To make sure you’re covered if anything goes wrong, BLUETTI covers the EP900 and B500 with a 10-year warranty and 24/7 customer service. 

Whether you want to gear up for your next big outing or just want home electricity that’s a bit more reliable, you can turn to BLUETTI to find the gear you need to make it happen. You can find the AC500, B300, EP900, and B500 at BLUETTI’s site here. 

How much power you need on the road depends on where you're going, and how far from civilization you plan to roam.

Whether you want a suitcase-sized solution to sling in the back of your campervan, or simply a reliable soundtrack to days at the beach, BLUETTI are the original purveyors of capacious, flexible kit that can take whatever the world throws at it.

This Black Friday you can enjoy impressive discounts of up to 30% across the range of inverter and battery combos.

Uncompromising road power

Unlimited adventures need a power source to match, and this truly portable collection of devices can light up any campsite or mobile home. The whole range is rugged and tailor-made for outdoor use, with multiple methods of charging, from car batteries to solar.

The lightweight EB3A comes in at just 10 pounds for 600W of power and will cost a mere $209 (down from $299). The larger EB55 outputs 700W for $399 (was $499), while the still more capacious EB70S runs at 800W. From November 11 you can pick up the EB70S for just $499 (down from $599).

The whole range shares some handy features like wireless charging pads for cell phones, a built-in flashlight and fast charging.

You can also add a set of BLUETTI solar panels for free, unlimited power on the go. All panels are portable and feature monocrystalline power cells for up to 23.4% efficiency, producing from 120W (with the PV120, $299) to 200W (with the PV200, $499) all the way up to 350W (with the PV350, $849).

Mobile from home to home

When you don’t need to travel quite so light, the portable power possibilities become even more enticing.

BLUETTI's full home back-up systems can also power your van life, with a range of inverters and batteries that take up less space than your average guitar amp, freeing you to roam for as long as you wish.

And when you're home, any of the below can also serve as an invaluable failsafe system, protecting you against power surges and blackouts.

First up is BLUETTI's AC500 5000W inverter and accompanying B300S power cell. This prime pairing raised more than 11 million dollars in just two months in an Indiegogo crowdfunder, but on Black Friday the AC500 plus a single B300S will cost you just $4,499 (a saving of $600).

The B300S can go from empty to 80% in as little as one hour, and you can hook up to six together for a staggering 18,432Wh of backup power.

The rest of the range is also deeply discounted. The AC300 inverter and B300 battery combo can see you through hours of blackouts for just $2,999 (down from $3,699). The smaller AC200MAX inverter and B230 battery offer plentiful power for your campervan or garage, and will cost you just $2,799, a $499 saving. Smaller still is the AC200P, a 2,000W inverter and 2000Wh battery in one unit for just $1,199 (down from $1,699) in the lead up to Black Friday (November 21-26). And from November 27 to November 28, the AC200P can be yours for an incredible $1,119.

The EP500 and its bigger brother the EP500 Pro both combine a 5100Wh battery with a 2000W or 3000W inverter respectively. Set on wheels for easy mobility, these sleek units can be moved in and out of your home with ease, taken on the road and connected to a solar panel array to provide a truly unlimited power supply.

This Black Friday you can grab the EP500 for $4,399 (down from $4,999) and the EP500 Pro for just $4,799 (down from $5,999, a huge $1,200 saving).

Bonuses, boxes and more

In the spirit of Black Friday and the shopping season, anyone spending more than $1000 at the BLUETTI store between 00:00 on November 11 and 23:59 PST on November 29 will be entered into a draw with prizes including an EB3A Portable Powerbank, $50-$100 coupons and other BLUETTI gifts.

Look out for other spending thresholds, too – for example, a $5,000 spend gets you a mini fridge.

Lastly, there are mystery boxes not to be missed at the BLUETTI store this shopping season. Basic boxes cost $99, Pro boxes $199 and Premium boxes $299, and they all contain surprise gifts commensurate with the cost. Fancy a $900 Solar Generator for $199? That's totally possible with the Mystery Box Pro.

Click here to explore BLUETTI’s Black Friday deals.

It’s the very definition of a 21st century problem but it’s one that faces all but the most hardcore of campers – how do you keep your electrical devices on the go when you’re away from home? Using your car engine to charge your phone is an option, of course, but it’s disastrous for the environment and your wallet. You could also spend your time hovering over a power socket in a coffee shop, but that kind of defeats the object of venturing out into the great outdoors. 

Luckily, EcoFlow’s new range of RIVER 2 portable power stations is designed to ensure your next adventure doesn’t run out of power. These versatile entry-level charging units are portable, lightweight, affordable and built for rapid charging. They’re also designed to provide a reliable energy source when you’re on the go, whether it’s a spontaneous day trip to the beach, a get-away-from-it-all working vacation or your very own “drive-in” movie night on camp. They also make for a reliable back-up power supply if the lights go out at home.

EcoFlow has been manufacturing portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories since 2017, and they’ve plugged this expertise into the RIVER 2 range. The standard EcoFlow RIVER 2 weighs approximately 7.8lbs (3.5kg) and boasts an energy capacity of 256Wh. The RIVER 2 MAX ups the energy capacity to 512Wh (at a weight of 13.4lbs (6.1kg)), while the EcoFlow RIVER 2 PRO (weighing 17.2lbs (7.8kg)) is even bigger, and comes armed with a 768Wh capacity. Prices range from£269 for the standard RIVER 2 up to £749 for the PRO.

Each member of the RIVER 2 line-up features advanced LFP (LiFePO4) batteries which, according to EcoFlow, offer safer usage, higher durability and more stable performance in extreme temperatures. The brand also says the batteries last long enough to deliver up to 3,000 charging cycles in a single lifetime (the industry average for portable power stations is just 500 cycles), which should give you almost 10 years of use from your RIVER 2, even if you use it once every day. 

When it comes to powering up, EcoFlow says that, thanks to its innovative “X-Stream” technology, the RIVER 2 units can also support up to 360W of AC output, while recharging up to 30% faster than the original RIVER range. That translates into the standard RIVER model going from zero to 80 per cent charge in just 48 minutes. 

And if you connect your power station to EcoFlow’s Portable Solar Panels (the RIVER 2 also supports third-party panels), you can tap into a clean, free and – weather permitting – limitless source of electricity for your devices. The range supports a maximum solar input of up to 220W, too, meaning the sun can fully charge your power station in as little as three hours.

The RIVER 2 series is also extremely versatile. There’s no need to worry about being limited to lower-power gadgets like laptops and cellphones on camp, because the range’s 800W output can comfortably handle fridges and coffee makers. Meanwhile, the fact the power stations include between five and ten output sockets (including USB, AC/DC and car power outlets) enables you to power multiple appliances simultaneously – in other words, no more arguments over whose smartphone to charge next. They’re even capable of handling higher wattage devices, thanks to “X-Boost“ technology that allows up to 1600W output without overloading. Control comes courtesy of the easy-to-use EcoFlow app, which can connect to your power station via both Wifi and Bluetooth, and gives you remote access to charging data as well as the ability to customise your settings on the go.

So whether you’re cooling drinks for an al fresco party, keeping your mobile fully charged, or simply looking for peace of mind in the event of a power outage at home, EcoFlow’s lightweight and flexible RIVER 2 range can ensure you’re fully charged every time you head into the great outdoors.

EcoFlow’s RIVER 2, RIVER 2 MAX and RIVER 2 PRO are available to buy now in Europe from the EcoFlow Store and Amazon. 

Our increasing reliance on technology is a bit of a double edged sword, isn’t it? On the one hand, spending time on screens is definitely bad for your eyes if not for mental health, and escaping into the woods tech-free for a few days of green exercise seems like a great remedy. But on the other hand, advances in technology mean you can get out into the wild and still enjoy access to GPS, make a tasty cup of coffee to start your day and enjoy ample lighting at night even if there’s a fire ban. That all might sound pretty good to you, but of course, the more technology you bring camping, the more need there is for a sustainable way to keep all those devices charged. So, do you need portable solar panels for camping? We took a look at this increasingly popular (and increasingly more affordable) piece of camping tech to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

What are portable solar panels for camping?

If you’ve been camping or on a thru-hike lately, you may have seen folks with their phones plugged into small, folding panels that look a little bit like a tablet from a distance. Portable solar chargers are just like the solar panels you might put on your roof at home to make your house more sustainable, but smaller and usually encased in a protective plastic or mesh sheet or case. Some smaller panels come in a single sheet of cells while larger ones may have two or three sheets that fold up into a slim package. While some so-called portable solar panels for camping are larger and meant to be placed on the roof of your van or car, true portable solar panels for camping can easily slide inside your backpack for long hikes.

Portable solar panels will have various jacks to provide power to different devices, such as a USB to charge your phone, GPS watch, best headlamp and camera and even a DC socket for charging camping coffee makers, camping lanterns and even electric camping coolers.

Portable solar panels usually run off a lithium battery which you can charge at home on the mains, then when you’re out in the wild, you can leave it out in the sunlight next to your tent to keep it juiced up for when your devices start to run low. Some portable solar panels are even designed to be attached to your hiking backpack so they can soak up the sun while you walk.

Do you need portable solar panels for camping?

Though it might seem like a bit of a luxury if you’re just on an overnight camping or backpacking trip, there are obviously some great advantages if you like traveling with tech. First off, you’re getting a source of clean energy. Setting aside the environmental implications of manufacturing these panels and their batteries, once you own one, you don’t need to plug into the mains so there’s no impact on the environment, and it saves you money too. The initial investment could be under $50 these days and after that, there’s no running your car or paying for a cup of coffee just to use the outlet at a cafe or truck stop on your travels.

Portable solar panels are also silent, so if you’re going car camping, you can avoid the annoying hum of generators, which other campers and the local wildlife will thank you for.

Further, portable solar panels that are actually made for camping and backpacking are small and lightweight, adding little to your pack. We’ve seen portable solar chargers that weigh as little as 1lb and fold up to 6”x10”, sliding into the pocket of your backpack like a tablet or e-reader. If you’re ultralight backpacking, even that extra pound might cause you to think twice, but again, not if you want to have access to your GPS watch or are a photographer, while for car camping, these panels can make a lot of sense.

All of that said, there are some downsides to portable solar panels for camping. First, as is always the case, these panels do require actual access to sunlight. Live in Colorado? No problem. But if you’re in the UK, you could go weeks on the trail without seeing the sun, which means your solar panel won’t do you any good at all. Further, some of these panels have built in batteries, which get hot when left out in the sun, and that can be dangerous. 

Finally, the slimmer, lighter and cheaper you go, the lower the capacity of your solar panel may be. It might only be good for a couple of charges on your phone before it needs to see the sun, which may be no issue, but if you’re thinking about setting up for some long term off-grid living, you’ll need a bigger, and heavier, solar panel.

So, do you need portable solar panels for camping? Basically, if you want to camp in a sunny place with lots of tech for more than a night, it’s a good sustainable option. If you just want to keep your phone charged for a couple of days, you might be able to just set off with it fully charged and keep it on airplane mode most of the time to save battery, or invest in a smaller, lighter and cheaper portable phone charger. Ultimately, because you may not have access to direct sunlight, you want to make sure that you’re not totally reliant on a portable solar panel for your survival, but it can definitely add a touch of home comfort to your next camping trip.

Fundamentally, knowing how to charge phones when camping, particularly in the wilderness, maintains the crucial safety net your device gives you. Considering a smartphone gives you the ability to pinpoint your location, call a mountain rescue service if needed, keep an eye on the weather forecast or liaise with your hiking buddies, being without power can cripple an adventure.

Beyond this safety net, the knowledge of how to charge phones when camping also allows you to capture photos and videos, keep in touch with loved ones and even keep in touch with what’s happening in the wider world. On one end of the spectrum, you’ve got traditionalists who consider the backcountry as a place to escape and leave technology behind, while on the other you’ve got people who use technology throughout the experience.

Whichever camp you’re in, you’ll still value having a working phone, whether it’s for a quick call to your better half or for keeping your Instagram followers updated on your progress. When you set off with your best camping tent, power can be a hard thing to procure if you haven’t prepared properly. In this feature, we share five top tips on how to charge phones when camping, as well as tips on how to retain its battery for as long as possible while you're out there.

Of course, these tips go for any electrical device that can be charged via a USB cable. It's often the case that you’ll need to decide what’s most crucial for the days ahead between your phone, your best headlamp, best camping lantern or your GPS device. With these tips though, it shouldn't be a stressful decision.

How to charge phones when camping: our five top methods

Below, we present of quintet of ways to keep your phone topped up while you’re camping.

1. USB power bank

A USB power bank is a wonderfully portable option. From tiny little units that give your phone a couple of extra charges and are lithe enough to slip into your down jacket pocket, to larger bricks designed to charge multiple items at a time, there’s plenty of choice out there. The unit you opt for will depend on the length of your trip and whether or not weight is an issue.

The capacity on USB power banks is measured in mAh (milliamp hours), a unit used in batteries to show electric power over time. A unit with 20,000 mAh should be enough to charge your phone around four times. For a one-night wild camping expedition, this is perfect as realistically you will also want to periodically charge your headlamp and potentially your smartwatch too. So, this amount of power should be enough to leave you with a little bit spare.

For a longer car camping trip, you may want to consider a high-capacity power bank that boasts an mAh in excess of 30,000. These units are heavy and bulky but will enable you to charge your phone, laptop, tablets and portable games consoles, usually all at the same time too.

2. Solar charger

Eventually, a USB power bank will run out of juice unless you have access to household power. An alternative is a solar charger. The best solar chargers give you unlimited renewable energy, even on the go. Simply angle your panels towards the sun and replenish your supplies every day. This is easily done at a campsite, while backpackers and bikepackers often attach panels to their pack in order to collect the sun’s energy on the move.

It should go without saying that the effectiveness of a solar charger depends on the amount of sunlight, so they aren’t always ideal for winter camping trips. However, during the warmer months they collect enough of the sun’s rays to keep your phone going, even on overcast days. You won’t have as much power at your fingertips as with a quality power bank, so don’t expect to keep a laptop alive for weeks on end. But for giving your phone a boost each evening, they’re a great choice.

3. Electrical hook up

The best family tents usually feature flaps and ties to give you access to household electricity at the campsite. This means that you can treat charging your phones, laptops, tablets and the rest just like you would at home. For a small fee, many campsites provide the electrical hook up needed. If you’re using a campsite as your expedition basecamp, this is a good opportunity to fully charge your USB power bank.

4. Using household power wherever you find it

This one will depend on the style of your adventure, but if you’re embarking on a long-distance trek, you might be considering a hybrid approach where you spend some nights camping and others at mountain huts or in guesthouses etc. One of the many advantages of such an approach is that it gives you access to household power every once in a while.

It can be tempting, upon reaching such luxuries after long days on the trail, to immediately grab a hot shower, head to the bar, have a few drinks and then conk out on your blessedly comfortable bed. By all means, do all of the above, but first take time to get everything charging, ready for the days ahead.

Even if you’re camping every night, you can use food stops at cafes and refuges, as well as your transport connections to get your kit juiced up. Use every opportunity.

5. BioLite stove

BioLite don’t just make some of the best wood-burning stoves for cooking, their ingenious products also double as an energy generator with which to charge your devices. Using the sticks and twigs around you as fuel, this option rivals a solar charger for energy you can replenish on the go.

How not to charge phones when camping

With the great options outlined above, we wouldn’t recommend a crank powered charger for keeping your phone charged. Crank powered chargers are operated by hand and give you a ready energy source on demand. They do have their benefits and there are some great crank powered camping lanterns out there. However, the amount of time and effort required to get anything like a full charge for something like a phone is simply not worth it.

Tips on saving battery life in the wilderness

Half the battle is making sure you’re not doing anything that wipes your phone’s battery out. Here are some tip tips on how to retain your battery life while out in the wilderness.

Airplane mode is your friend

If you’re in region where phone signal is sparse – which is so often the case in the wilderness – you might notice your battery draining quicker than usual. This is because your phone will be working hard trying to search for service. Switching to airplane mode when you don’t need any signal stops this battery draining behaviour in its tracks. When you need a bit of signal, simply turn airplane mode off.

Reduce screen brightness

Just as how your best flashlight won’t last anywhere near as long on its maximum brightness setting, either will your phone. Turn that screen brightness down and conserve your battery.

Use a map and compass to navigate

Modern hiking technology is fantastic and deservedly popular, while the navigation aids provided by today’s apps are excellent. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that using them places strain on your phone’s battery life. Using a map and compass to navigate means that you can save your phone for other uses and give its battery a break. At Advnture, we always recommend knowing how to read a map and how to use a compass and would never set off into the backcountry without them.

Keep your phone warm in cold conditions

Your phone’s battery is designed to operate at room temperatures, not in a freezer. Many hikers and mountaineers are caught out when their phone suddenly dies in winter conditions. Winter adventures are already more dangerous than summer ones and losing the safety net provided by your phone’s applications can be extremely serious. To avoid your phone dying in winter, store it close to your body, so that your body heat keeps it at around optimum temperature. At night, get cosy with it in your sleeping bag.

In really hot conditions, the opposite is true, and your phone could overheat. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight to stop this from happening.

Smartphones are probably even more essential when camping or hiking than in everyday life. We wouldn’t leave home without one when going shopping let alone venturing into the wilderness. But as we all know, their batteries don’t last long away from a wall socket charge even day. So what do you do when you can't plug your charger into an electrical supply? The solution is to get a power bank. 

A battery pack is built to keep you powered up, even when you're miles away from the closest outlet. They range from daily charging, to heavy duty options built to keep you going for longer trips.

Things to keep in mind:

• Look for power banks that offer fast charging. Being able to connect to more than one phone is useful too and means you will be extra popular on your next camping trip.
• As with any electrical outdoor gear, ruggedness is important to survive the bumps and scrapes of the typical camping or hiking trip.

Bottom line

Smartphones are essential on any trip outdoors which means a method of recharging them is equally as important. Power banks are worth their compact size and light weight for being able to bring your device back from the dead without a wall socket in sight. We recommend the Anker Portable Charger. You would barely notice it in your pack but it will power up your phone a couple of times at least, making it ideal for weekends away and festival use. Anker has a good reputation for quality and this battery pack has all the safety and charging features you’d expect.

There’s no doubting how much charge the FOCHEW Wireless Portable Charger 30,800mAh Power Bank has left in its big battery thanks to the LED display. This makes it great for camping when you need to make every charge count. This pack has an impressive capacity which means it would last even for a week-long adventure. 

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Are solar chargers worth it? Harnessing the power of the immense nuclear power reactor that happens to be our nearest star – otherwise known as The Sun – is the holy grail of recharging techniques. It costs nothing, which is always a bonus, and comes guilt free too, as there’s zero environmental impact. 

But – there’s always a but, and this is a big fat one – the kit required to catch the sun’s rays is far from free, and it’s not always mega effective, at least not in a format that makes it a viable option for taking out on the trails on human-powered adventures. 

Truth is, the best solar chargers on the market at the moment are fine for recharging less demanding devices – but you have to be realistic about how fast your phone and various other outdoor gadgets can be restored to full capacity by a modest-sized solar panel. Especially if your escapade is taking place somewhere not known for reliable sunny weather.

That is not to say that you shouldn’t invest in a portable solar charger unit at all, however. Just be aware of the technology’s limitations and don’t stake everything on keeping things powered up in this way. Also, consider carefully what pieces of your hiking technology you really need to charge and which devices you can keep turned off for much of your adventure, to be kept in reserve for when they’re really required. 

Car camping and camper vanning is a different story altogether, though – much more substantial solar-panel systems can be carried in (or on) RVs and other vehicles, and many of these are extremely effective on a much bigger scale.

Solar panels are evolving and improving all the time, and so long as your expectations are realistic, they are a brilliant way of keeping your essential outdoor gadgets juiced up – but there are various things you need to bear in mind when purchasing a charging unit.

Are solar chargers worth it? Power capability

The larger the power output (measured in watts) the better a solar charger will do its job. So, a portable solar power unit that has a power output rated at 100W will charge your devices much quicker than one rated at 60W, which in turn will perform better than one that is rated at 20W. The more panel space you have, the more power you will get, so big units designed for vehicular adventures might offer 60W or 100W, while most lightweight chargers designed for backpackers will be 20W or less. (You can also link up solar panels to increase the power output.) However, it’s important to realise that these figures represent the maximum power output possible from that unit, the actual output will be dependent on environmental conditions at the time (for example, how sunny it is). 

You also need a minimum output current (measured in amps) to charge some devices, and you really want to avoid fluctuations in current, as this can cause problems with the equipment you’re charging. To manage this, good charging units come with charge controllers to ensure consistency of current output, and also sometimes come with a battery, which can be charged up and then used to top up other devices. Sometimes this battery in integrated into the unit.

Are solar chargers worth it? Compatibility

It goes without saying (but we’re going to say it anyway) that if your power source won’t connect to the device you want to charge, it’s not going to be much use. Make sure you check what connection options you are going to have available to you (USB, DC plugs, alligator clips, MC4 etc), and which of your gadgets can be hooked up with them. MC4 adapters are the most common plug option for the majority of solar charging applications.

Are solar chargers worth it? Weight

If you are car camping, then this is much less of a consideration, but for backpackers every ounce of weight needs to be justified, and if a portable charging device weighs more than taking a spare battery or power pack for whatever it is you’re trying to keep alive, then it’s probably not worth taking it. Unless, that is, you’re planning on being off-grid for a really extended period of time.

Are solar chargers worth it? Size

Again, less of an issue for car campers, but another big consideration for backpackers and expeditioners, whether they’re hiking, biking or paddling – there’s only so much bulk you can carry with you on a multiday mission. The more panels you have, the better your power output will be, but you have to carry them around. This can be mitigated with smart design.

Are solar chargers worth it? Design

The design of a solar panel system can be a crucial determining factor in whether it’s a viable piece of kit for you to take on your escapades – for example, some portable solar-powered charging units are specially made to be draped over the back of your pack, soaking up the sun’s rays while you walk along the trail, while others can be folded into a handy box shape that slides under the seat of a vehicle, or into a pannier. Another factor to consider is how the solar panels can be arranged when they’re in use – the performance of any panel is dependent on how well it catches the sun’s energy, so you will want a piece of kit that can be easily set up facing in the right direction, whether it stands independently on legs, or needs to be propped against rocks or hung from a tree.

Are solar chargers worth it? Durability

Solar panels come in three main varieties: Monocrystalline, which are rigid, reliable and the most robust, but can be big and bulky, heavy and pricey; Polycrystalline, which are cheaper but don’t perform as well; and CIGS – flexible solar panels that can be rolled up and bent, making them perfect for use in portable charging units for backpackers and adventurers. The latter need to be looked after carefully, however, and will typically last less time than their Monocrystalline cousins.

Are solar chargers worth it? Cost

As always, you’re going to get what you pay for; if a piece of tech promises the world but is cheaply constructed, it will inevitably fail to deliver and break down pretty fast. Read the user reviews and make a purchase with your eyes wide open. With a fast-moving technology such as solar power, it can be tricky to choose the best time to invest in a piece of kit. Will you be able to get twice as much bang for your buck in 12 months? In all probability, yes things will continue to steadily improve, but if you’re going on an expedition next month, what might be available in a year’s time is pretty much irrelevant. MC4 cables allow strings of solar panels to be rigged up, so good quality older equipment can often still be used in conjunction with newer gear.  

The best advice we can give is to buy your charger with enough time to test it out at home before you take it out on the trails or on the road, so you know exactly what its capabilities are. Also, test it out in various conditions, not just on bluebird sun-splattered days, to avoid getting false confidence.

Also, you need to make hay (catch power) when the sun shines – if your devices are all juiced up, but there’s not a cloud in the sky, you don’t want that sun shine to go to waste, so it’s always a good idea to carry a portable power station as well as a solar panel unit if possible, so you can catch and store power for a rainy day.

Today’s ‘out of office’ message posted when people head outside doesn’t mean they want to disconnect from friends and family entirely. Hiking, biking, paddling, climbing and camping just provide another opportunity to record and share sensational images and experiences from amazing wild locations – which is where the best solar chargers come in.

Smartphones, tablets, GPS units, and fitness trackers only last so long away from a power source. Fortunately, lightweight, portable solar panels and power banks allow you to bring power with you on your adventures, whether it's alongside your best tent on a camping trip or a secret weapon in your hiking backpack.

Efficient solar panels turn bright sunlight into recharged electronics. When you need more recharging capacity after dark, add a power bank to store the energy absorbed by those solar panels until you need it. 

The best solar chargers are specialized, technical pieces of equipment. The market is growing with new companies entering every year boasting faster, cheaper, more efficient models. So, add a solar charger to your kit and keep powering on.

The best solar chargers for lightweight adventures

Considerably lighter and more stashable than the Powertraveller Falcon 21, the Powertraveller Falcon 7 is an easy to carry and practical tool for charging smartphones, digital cameras and other 5V electronic devices. No more missed photos of once-in-a-lifetime encounters with mountain goats and no more missed check-in calls with concerned family members. 

Using high efficiency monocrystalline cells that can produce 25-35 percent more power than comparable cells, the Falcon 7 soaks up the sun’s solar energy. Unfolded and clipped to your backpack, the ultralight panel will be ready to recharge your electronics when you get to your destination. A LED indicator keeps you informed of charging status. With durable fabrics and a waterproof rating of IPX4 (splash proof), the Falcon 7 can stand up to a long weekend of trekking. 

Solar power is a clean, efficient and environmentally sustainable way to keep personal electronics operating. But a long day in the woods can completely drain batteries. Sending a friend a selfie standing in front of an epic waterfall doesn’t happen without power.

Substantially lighter than the Nomad 14 model, Goal Zero’s Nomad 10 is still capable of keeping you powered up when you’re walking on the wild side. The folding solar panel system features 5-watt monocrystalline cells to efficiently turn sunlight into usable power. The Goal Zero Nomad 5 ($60/£60, 390g/12.7oz, 24 x 17.8 x 2.0 cm/9.5 x 7 x 0.8in) is even smaller and lighter, but of course it only has half the power output. Built-in kickstands let you position the panels in the best location to soak up the sun. Add a power bank, (Goal Zero’s Flip 12 is a nice choice) to store power to use when the sun goes down.

Both the 5 and the 10 feature corner openings so you can clip the panels to your backpack to charge while you are hiking. The simple, clean, durable construction is as rugged as you want it to be. If you need power when you are miles into the woods, a Nomad lives up to its name.

In bright, sunny conditions there’s the opportunity to recharge two devices simultaneously from the Powertraveller Falcon 21, one via the 5V USB port and the other via a 20V DC connector, designed for laptops (up to 40W). 

The charger’s light weight for a 21W panel makes it an attractive choice for backpacking where every gram counts, and it’s easy to hook on to a rucksack or tent thanks to metal eyelets and carabiners (included in the box). The three solar panels fold up to a neat size, too, when not in use, and their IPX4 rating means they’ll withstand water splashes and dust.

The best solar chargers with inbuilt battery packs

Brilliantly, the Voltaic Systems Converter Solar Backpack can serve two very important purposes simultaneously: it carries your gear and keeps your devices charged. The solar panels on the backpack move energy to a small, efficient battery pack tucked securely in its own internal backpack pocket. 

The 20L volume pack is large enough for a lightweight rain shell, a change of clothes, food and water bottles. A padded inner sleeve securely holds a laptop or tablet. The solar panel is waterproof and backpack fabric is water resistant. When fully charged, the battery pack can restore your smartphone or tablet to full power so you can extend your day and keep playing in the woods

With a full charge, the internal batteries on this solar charger can recharge a smartphone or GPS one to two times, a GoPro two to three times, and a smartwatch as many as 15 times. 

As it harnesses the power of the sun through the day, a four-colour LED indicates the level of charge in the 3500mAh battery. MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) technology helps the solar panels to keep generating electricity in lower light conditions, and when darkness falls the charger folds into a neat, compact package, which will keep supplying energy from its battery to your devices. Plus, you can pre-charge the battery from the mains before you set off.

There’s a neat little analogue sundial in this solar panel to help you align the monocrystalline panel directly at the sun’s rays. Biolite reckons that a misaligned panel could cost you 30% of the available watts. The handy pull-out kickstand lets you position or hang the panel almost anywhere in camp, while there are corner holes to attach the panel to your rucksack during the day. 

The in-built battery is particularly useful, storing electricity generated during the day as you walk, and then powering your devices after sunset. The device is a similar length to an iPad, but wider and thicker, which is worth considering when you assess how you will pack your rucksack. It doesn’t come with a case, but it is built of tough, scratch-resistant materials. There’s also the option to pre-charge the in-built battery from the mains before your trip.

The best solar chargers that fold down

Point the Goal Zero towards the sun, and a series of LEDs provides a guide to the strength of solar conditions – it’s a good way to ensure you keep the panel facing the sun for maximum power generation, a theoretical 14 watts, hence the product’s name. Plugging your device into the panel leads to an all-day trickle charge, or use the Nomad to power up a battery pack for subsequent use. 

The case is notably robust, which will be welcome for any backpacking trip and clumsy camper, which helps to explain why Goal Zero is the brand you’re most likely to find in the best outdoor gear suppliers. 

Three solar panels harness the energy of the sun in this competitively-priced charger that folds neatly for stowage when not in use. There are two 2.4A (max) USB ports, although trying to recharge a pair of devices simultaneously from any portable solar panel is a tough ask. RAVPower has, however, installed smart frequency technology that is says can detect all connected devices' input and use this to distribute power output accordingly. 

As an aside, the manufacturer also warns against positioning the solar panels on any high heat conducting surfaces, such as sand or rock, in direct sunlight, as this can cause the panel to overheat, which significantly reduces its power generating efficiency.

It’s only when you see the BigBlue 28W Solar Charger unfolded that the impressive surface area of solar panels really becomes apparent. Supplied with four karabiners it hooks to the top of a large backpacking rucksack and then unfurls all the way to the foot of the pack. 

The four panels are capable of 28W input and even generate electricity in slightly overcast conditions. There’s also an auto-restart function so that if the BigBlue stops working due to cloud cover, it will automatically resume charging devices when the sun comes out again (some solar chargers need to have devices unplugged and re-plugged to start working again). All this performance comes with a size penalty, but it’s a small price to pay for efficient charging.

Choosing the best solar charger for you

When choosing the best solar charger, there are a number of things you should consider. You may be looking to add a solar charger to your camping checklist. In this case, you may want to go for a heavier version with an inbuilt battery pack. After all, you're not going to be lugging it around the hills.

However, if you're thinking of adding a solar charger to your hiking essentials, you'll want something a bit lighter. There are even models that fold away and stash neatly in your daypack. Keeping your hiking technology going in the wild has never been as easy.

1. Power generation

As a rule of thumb, the higher the power figure (watts) the quicker a solar charger will recharge your devices; so a 28W charger is better than a 21W charger, which in turn is better than a 14W charger. The pay-off, however, is the correlation between the size of the solar panels and their ability to generate electricity – the more panels the higher the generation, but also the greater the size, weight and price of charger. As a guide, look for at least 7W to charge a phone.

2. USB ports

A pair of ports lets you recharge two devices simultaneously – it’s unlikely to be fast, but over the course of a day it could give a boost to your phone and GoPro or keep you in the good books of your trekking partner. In fact, even some headlamp models can be charged using a USB these days, so having that little bit of extra power could be a lifesaver if you're out after dark.

3. Storage battery

Most solar chargers don’t come with an in-built battery to store power, but those that do offer certain advantages. Firstly, there’s the opportunity to pre-charge the in-built battery from the mains before you head off-grid, so the first evening’s recharge is easy. Secondly, any unused power generated during the day can be stored and used to power up devices once the sun has set. Batteries are, however, heavy and add cost to a solar charger.

4. Long charge times

Advertised figures for power generation tend to be based on a panel facing directly into the sun on a cloudless day. Solar chargers hooked to a backpack or tent are unlikely to maintain this perfect position for long, and as soon as the sky clouds over the power generation falls. Overheating can also compromise power, so be careful where you put the charger (not on rock, sand or cement that will heat up). 

In addition, the time it takes a solar panel to recharge devices such as a phone is significantly slower than the mains – battery percentages will only rise slowly. And plugging in two devices at the same time will only slow down the recharge time; worth bearing in mind when you plan a backpacking adventure.

5. Size and weight

You don’t want to be carrying a solar farm on your back, so weight matters, as does the folded pack size when you’re trying to squeeze all the gear you need for an off-grid trek into your rucksack.

It’s great to get away from it all when you go camping. But going without being able to use some essential or entertaining electrical devices can be no fun at all. In more trying times, you might yourself at home during an emergency with no power and no way of charging a phone. 

The solution is a portable generator. These useful devices can run small to medium electrical devices and recharge your laptop, tablets and phones when there’s no electrical hook up in sight. Usually based around a lithium-ion battery which you can charge from a solar panel, car 12V socket or an AC outlet before you leave, these portable power supplies are more than worth their modest weight and size when car camping. They vary in how much power they can output so it’s worth considering what appliances you want to plug in from a smartphone (6 watts) to a TV (100 watts) to a mini-fridge (700 watts). For a typical solar-powered generator you should be able to recharge small devices up to 20 times or run a mini-fridge for 24 hours, depending on capacity. Unlike a gasoline or gas-powered device, these generators have the advantage of being quiet to run and safe to use, producing no fumes - a big consideration when you are camping or using them inside. Here are the outdoor generators we recommend: 

Bottom line

The best outdoor generators let you take your own power supply with you wherever you go. By choosing a solar generator you have fewer safety concerns and no noise to annoy your neighbors either. For most people, we would recommend the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 160. It’s got a good capacity and performance for the average camping trip, can run a small fridge or a TV for a big game, and will eliminate any worries about dead phones.

If you want a power solution with solar panels and some lightning included the WAWUI Portable Power Station 84Wh is a good pick. You have everything you need to go off-grid at an excellent price and while it’s not powerful enough for big devices, it’s enough for camping. 

Charging your electronic items with solar power makes so much sense when camping. You’re already outside and hopefully it’s sunny so setting up your portable solar panels to make use of all that free energy and charge your smartphone or tablet seems like a no brainer to us. 

The best solar chargers need to be portable enough to pack, tough enough to survive being fastened to a backpack and provide enough power to be worth the weight. While no one expects the sun's rays to rival plugging into a wall outlet for a while yet, there’s something uniquely satisfying about harnessing a natural resource to keep you and your families’ devices juiced up when you’re miles from an electrical socket. Here are the ones we’d recommend.

Bottom line

Solar chargers are a great addition to your camping or backpacking kit. They need to see plenty of sun to charge handheld devices so being strapped to your pack while hiking or put on your tent all day works well to tap into this free limitless power source. All these chargers will help keep your phones topped up even when there are no power lines in sight. Our pick for most people is the Solar Charger 20000mAh YOESOID Portable Outdoor Waterproof Solar Power Bank. It’s a high capacity power bank with durable solar panels at a very good price. Having a battery built-in will make it a good, flexible choice for any outdoor activity or when the sun isn’t shining.

For a separate solar panel set up, we like Anker 21W 2-Port USB Portable Solar Charger. It’s a quality charger with a high output that you could use to recharge a separate power bank, although check it’s compatible first.

In today's increasingly tech dominated world, we rely on electronic devices more than ever, even on the trails. Whether it's tracking our adventures on a GPS watch, finding our way through the pre-dawn dark with a headlamp, or keeping in touch with the world via a phone, we need tech more than we'd probably care to admit.

Of course, the wild backcountry isn't connected to the national grid, so batteries play a key role in how we explore the wilderness. When choosing between rechargeable or disposable batteries, there are a number of factors to consider, which is why we've put together this feature.

On the face of it, you'd think rechargeable batteries would be the easy answer, for environmental reasons if nothing else. However, our overall verdict is a hybrid approach, using both disposables and rechargeables. To find out why, and before you lace up your hiking boots for your next adventure, let's get into the considerations.

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The problem with single-use

• Single-use batteries are one of the worst forms of waste, causing environmental damage
• Rechargeable batteries are a greener, lightweight solution

The choice of rechargeable or disposable batteries isn't an especially tough one. Of all the nasties that make their way into landfill sites, single-use batteries are arguably the worst. A toxic mix of heavy metals – including lead, mercury and potassium – can percolate through the soil into the water system, creating health and environmental hazards.

True, safe battery recycling systems are available, but a better, greener long-term answer lies with rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery could spare up to 900 batteries being dumped in landfill.

This is one of the primary reasons why many outdoor devices, from headtorches to GPS units and action cameras, are now powered by an in-built rechargeable battery. It’s a neat, lightweight, green solution that depends only on diligently charging up gadgets before a trip.

The problem with rechargeables

• The cold has a habit of draining batteries quicker than temperate conditions
• Dead batteries can be disastrous for a hiker relying on GPS or a headlamp
• Many modern headlamps adjust to ambient light or have multiple settings

Problems arise, however, when use extends beyond battery life. In the long, cold nights of winter this can be sooner than anticipated – both because extra hours of darkness necessitate more use, and because batteries discharge quicker in lower temperatures. And for a hiker relying on a GPS unit for navigation or a headlamp for a midnight walk, a flat battery could prove disastrous.

Smarter technology is helping to overcome these issues, at least for a single night. The Petzl Nao headtorch, for example, not only has a light sensor to adjust its brightness according to ambient light – so it will use less energy under a full moon – but it also allows hikers to programme burn time; either 6½ or 12 hours. Many new headtorches now have different brightness settings that dramatically alter their battery life, from just two to three hours in super bright mode to nearly 100 hours on the dimmest setting.

Bring your own power

• Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity
• Alternatively, you could use a pre-charged power bank

But for multi-day, off-grid hikes, devices with an integrated battery require a different solution. The eco-friendliest is a portable solar panel that drip feeds power back into the battery during the day. But be warned: solar panels depend on bright sunshine and a south-facing aspect for optimum performance, and even then the chance of recharging two or three power-hungry devices in a day is limited. In the short, dull daylight of winter, relying on solar represents a serious risk.

The alternative to solar power is a pre-charged power bank. These can be heavy and bulky (although still smaller than a solar panel), but the most powerful are capable of recharging a smartphone or headtorch at least half a dozen times, although expect fewer recharges of a thirsty GPS. 

The trouble with rechargeables

• Rechargeable batteries typically hold less charge than disposable alkaline batteries
• Disposable batteries' power tends to fade slowly, whereas rechargeable batteries drop off suddenly
• Rechargeable batteries lose their charge faster when not in use
• We think a hybrid approach is best

This is one of the reasons why some hikers still prefer to depend on devices with old-school replaceable batteries when performance becomes critical. Packing handfuls of batteries, and carefully separating fresh from used, adds a bit of weight and volume to your rucksack, but AA or AAA batteries can be rechargeable. There are, however, a few cautionary notes.

Firstly, rechargeable nickel metal hydride NiMH batteries typically hold less charge than disposable alkaline batteries. Secondly, the sharp drop-off in power from rechargeable batteries means light can go from dazzling to dark in an instant, whereas a standard alkaline will decline more smoothly from floodlight to candlelight. 

And thirdly, rechargeable batteries suffer from higher self-discharge, which sounds like an unfortunate first date incident, but actually relates to how swiftly a battery loses its charge when not in use. According to the Battery University: “High self-discharge is of ongoing concern to consumers using rechargeable batteries, and NiMH behaves like a leaky basketball or bicycle tyre. A flashlight or portable entertainment device with a NiMH battery gets ‘flat’ when put away for only a few weeks.”

This simply means there’s a need to check your kit a few hours before a trip to ensure all relevant batteries are topped up.

For us, the neatest solution is a hybrid approach of integrated battery and portable power pack, or changeable rechargeable batteries. Some clever pieces of kit help with this belt-and-braces approach – the Alpkit Qark headtorch, for example, has an integrated battery pack that can be removed, leaving a space where standard batteries can be inserted while you recharge the pack. 

Final word: no matter how smart and economical your devices with integrated battery packs are, if you’re relying on them for light or navigation, we definitely recommend carrying a spare set of new disposable batteries (check they are still within their sell-by date) in your emergency kit.