If you’re planning on heading out camping, it’s important to carry a power source that can provide energy for a few hours. You don’t want to be stuck in the woods with a dead smartphone or no light source. While a power bank can power your smartphone and other small devices, it’s not sufficient to provide electricity to larger appliances. That’s where any of the best small power generators from the list below come into the picture.
There are various types of compact power generators you can buy for different purposes. Some of them have built-in power outlets to charge gadgets, some have USB ports, and others are full-fledged inverters that run on fuel. Depending on your specific use case, you can pick the best compact inverter for RVs, camping, or even your home. But before that –
- Power smaller gadgets and devices using a power bank for camping.
- Improve your camping experience with some cool camping gadgets and accessories.
- If power is scarce, it’s best to use solar lights for camping when outdoors.
1. Westinghouse 155Wh Portable Solar Generator
If you’re not looking to spend too much money on a portable generator but still want a wide selection of ports, the Westinghouse solar generator is a good entry-level option. It has two AC outlets along with USB ports and DC output ports as well.
If you have a large laptop or appliance that can’t be powered via USB-C, you can use either of the two AC sockets to connect the plug. Smaller devices like smartphones, wearables, or other camping equipment can be juiced up using the single USB-C port and three USB-A ports onboard.
The brand has also included three DC output ports. While there are sufficient ports, we wish one of the USB-A ports was replaced by a USB-C one since more and more devices are shifting to the modern port nowadays. There’s also an LED light on the side that can act as an emergency light in case the one in your campsite stops working.
It’s also extremely compact and lightweight; some users have compared it with a lunch box to portray how easy it is to carry. The biggest drawback of the smaller size though is the limited battery capacity and output power.
If you’re planning to run a heating device like a toaster or a microwave oven, the Westinghouse generator will give up. Laptops, phones, speakers, etc. will work fine. Additionally, you can also attach a solar panel if you’re camping during summer.
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2. PowerSmart 2500 Watt Portable Gas Inverter
Here’s a gas generator from PowerSmart with two 120V AC outputs. The primary advantage of a gas inverter is the fact that you don’t have to charge an internal battery if it runs out. Just feed some gasoline to the engine and you’ll have power once again.
Once there’s enough gasoline in the inverter, you just have to pull the recoil start line and you’re good to go. A slight disadvantage of this is that the generator is slightly noisy since the engine keeps running to generate power. On a battery-based generator, there’s no sound produced at all. If you plan on using the inverter at night, you might hear some disturbance — especially indoors.
After you get past the sound though, the PowerSmart generator provides excellent flexibility. There are two 120V AC ports to run high-power devices. The 12V DC port is good for connecting automotive accessories. There are a couple of USB-A ports as well but their power output is low. Instead, we wish PowerSmart included USB-C ports that could output higher currents.
As per reviews, the PowerSmart generator does a great job of providing power when camping. However, you might find it slightly hard to get the inverter started in wet conditions or if it has just rained. This is something to keep in mind before you head out camping with the PowerSmart gas inverter.
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3. BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC70
If you don’t want a fuel-based inverter and are specifically looking for one with a battery, the BLUETTI AC70 is easily one of the best options. Not only does it have two AC outlets but it also has a DC input port along with a 12V cigarette lighter port where you can connect a car charger for additional ports.
Combine all of this with four USB ports. Two of them are USB-C with an output of 100W each which is fantastic. This will take care of your laptop charging needs — even if you have the biggest 16-inch MacBook Pro. It can even fast-charge smartphones. In between the two USB-C ports are two USB-A ports with 12W output each. You can charge low-power devices like headphones or smartwatches via these ports.
Two other key features make the BLUETTI AC70 portable power station a worthy pick. On the front of the mini generator, there is a display that shows the input/output power along with the available battery level. Moreover, you can also connect solar panels to charge the power station when you’re outdoors.
While the features are enticing, some users mention how the generator delivers lesser power compared to the claimed numbers. However, it does charge in just 1.5 hours despite having a huge battery which is promising.
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4. Generac 8251 2500 Watt Gas Powered Generator
The PowerSmart generator mentioned above is a good option for a fuel generator. However, one of the drawbacks is that it requires a lot of fuel. That’s bad for both the environment and your pockets! A good alternative that fixes that problem is the Generac 8251.
The excellent fuel efficiency is what makes the Generac 8251 an excellent pick for a gas-powered generator in the long run. If you go camping often, you won’t have to worry about spending too much money on gas or be bothered about not having enough charge in your battery-powered generator.
In fact, despite being a gas inverter, reviews say the Generac 8251 is surprisingly quiet so you can even use it at home if you’re out of power. Your usual set of AC outlets and ports are present on the side. However, there’s just one USB-A port which is disappointing since USB-C is almost a must-have in this day and age. Apart from this, it only suffers from an issue most/all gas inverters face — it doesn’t work in extremely cold or wet conditions.
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5. Honda 664240 EU2200i 2200 Watt Portable Generator
Honda makes some of the most reliable engines so you can trust the EU2200i to last you a long, long time. And that’s what most users in the reviews section have said as well. Apart from its reliable nature, the Honda portable generator for camping is silent and efficient.
Just like the Generac option above, the Honda EU2200i is known for its excellent fuel efficiency. Some reviews mention it lasts for longer than the brand’s claims under certain conditions. If you’re not using both AC out sockets or if you’re only powering a smaller device, you can expect hours of runtime with little fuel.
Pretty much the only downside is that this Honda generator’s 12V output is unregulated. So, you might want to regulate it to ensure your connected devices don’t face power fluctuations. Additionally, there’s no USB-C port on this machine either.
What’s with all these generators not having the latest and the only charging port they should have? Looks like they were designed a while back which means it’s time for brands to update them with newer iterations. If you can look past this, the ultra-portable form factor makes it an excellent companion on hikes, camps, and even in your car or at home.
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6. Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Portable Power Station
If you want the best options for ports and want to connect as many devices as possible at once, you absolutely must consider getting the Jackery solar generator. It has three AC outlets — one more than all other options and also has a bunch of USB ports.
Most of the features of the Jackery lightweight power station are similar to those of the BLUETTI one. There are two USB-C ports and two USB-A ones as well for low-power devices. The 12V port can further be used to add more ports if required. Where the Jackery generator stands out though is in terms of solar charging.
A solar panel is provided as a part of the package. You can mount it on top of your tent when camping or even lay it on your truck’s bed when driving. This way, you can keep the generator charged at all times. The solar charging aspect also makes the Jackery solar generator a great pick for RVs.
Undoubtedly, the feature set is incredible. However, at over $1,500, you need to decide how much additional value a product like this would provide compared to something like the BLUETTI AC70 power station. If you value the additional AC outlet a lot and can benefit from the solar charging capabilities, this may be a good product to purchase for camping or even your house.
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Power Up
Whether you’re out on a workcation and want to charge your laptop, or you’re hungry for some hot food and want to power a microwave in your tent, any of the best small power generators from the list above should come in handy. Moreover, these portable inverters are also useful if you’re experiencing a power outage at home and you want to power your lights or gadgets for a brief period.
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Last updated on 16 January, 2024
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