What size portable power station do I need for camping?

For a weekend of phone, laptop, and camera charging: 500-1,000 Wh. Add a CPAP: 1,000-1,500 Wh. Add a mini fridge: 2,000+ Wh. With a 100-200W solar panel, a 1,000 Wh station can be recharged daily for indefinite camping.

Portable Power Station Calculator — What Size Do You Need?

How to Use This Calculator

Check the devices you want to power and set the number of days. The calculator sums up total watt-hours needed and recommends the minimum portable power station capacity, plus solar panel wattage to recharge it during the day.

What is a portable power station?

A portable power station (PPS) is an all-in-one battery pack with built-in AC outlets, USB ports, DC outlets, and typically solar input. Unlike a generator, it's silent, produces no fumes, and needs no fuel. Popular models include the EcoFlow DELTA, Jackery Explorer, Bluetti AC200P, and Goal Zero Yeti. They range from 250Wh (phone and laptop charging) to 6,000Wh+ (whole-home critical loads).

Recharging with solar panels

Most portable power stations accept solar input via MC4 or XT60 connectors. Size the solar panel to recharge the station in 4-6 hours on a sunny day. Divide station capacity by (peak sun hours × panel watts × 0.85) to get the recharge time. Folding or portable panels (100-200W) are the most convenient match for portable stations.

Portable Power Station Size Guide

250-500 WhPhones, tablets, laptop for 1-2 days

1,000 WhAdd CPAP or small fan for 1 night

2,000 WhMini fridge for 12-24 hrs, or multiple devices

3,000+ WhFull camping setup, RV essentials

5,000+ WhEmergency home backup, medical equipment

FAQ

How do I size a portable power station for camping? ▼

List all devices you'll use, their wattage, and daily hours. Multiply watts × hours for each device to get Wh/day. Add 20% safety margin. For a 3-day trip without recharging, multiply by 3. With a solar panel, size the station for 1.5-2 days (the panel covers the rest). Common camping setup: 1,000-2,000 Wh station + 100-200W portable solar panel.

Can a portable power station run a refrigerator? ▼

A full-size refrigerator draws 100-200W and uses 1-2 kWh/day. A 2,000 Wh station can run a fridge for about 12-20 hours. A 5,000 Wh station provides 2-3 days. The key is the inverter's continuous wattage rating — ensure it's at least 150% of the refrigerator's starting wattage (compressor startup is 3-7× running watts). A 12V/24V DC camping fridge (40-80W) is far more efficient and can run for days on a 1,000 Wh station.

How long does it take to recharge with solar panels? ▼

Recharge time = station capacity (Wh) ÷ (panel watts × peak sun hours × 0.85). A 1,000 Wh station with a 200W panel in 5 sun hours: 1,000 ÷ (200 × 5 × 0.85) = 1.18 hours in ideal conditions. Real conditions add 20-40% for wiring losses, non-optimal panel angle, and partial clouds — plan for 1.5-2 hours. Parallel panels recharge faster; most stations have a max solar input limit (e.g., 400W, 800W).

Portable Power Station Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

What is a portable power station?

Recharging with solar panels

Portable Power Station Size Guide

FAQ

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